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DAWN WIRE SERVICE
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Week Ending : 8 May 1999 Issue : 05/19
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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
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CONTENTS
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NATIONAL NEWS
+ Pakistan, US sign 'open skies' accord
+ Sultan-Nawaz talks: S. Arabia backs stance on Kashmir
+ CTBT signing: Indian military buildup a matter of concern: FO
+ Mandela calls for Nuclear free South Asia
+ PPP to fight for press freedom: Benazir
+ Partial privatization possible by Dec: Dar
+ Wapda defers modernization plan
+ Pakistan not certified to export shrimps to US
+ Welfare package for labour announced
+ Opposition stages token walkout in Senate
+ New setup planned to regulate city transport
---------------------------------
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
+ Govt bracing to manage rupee float
+ State Bank injects Rs6.05bn in money market
+ N-scientists evolve three new cotton varieties
+ Accord for making 750cc car signed
+ NWFP to abolish zila tax, octroi next fiscal
+ Income Tax laws for bureaucrats to be amended, says Dar
+ Fishermen threaten to sink trawlers of US firm
+ Sri Lanka looking for Pakistan tea markets
+ KSE index recovers another 23.69 points
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EDITORIALS & FEATURES
+ Betrayers of our trust Ardeshir Cowasjee
+ The Suhartoization of Pakistan Ayaz Amir
+ The view from the top Irfan Husain
-----------
SPORTS
+ Pakistan factfile for the World Cup
+ Council accepts Miandad's resignation unanimously
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NATIONAL NEWS
990508
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Pakistan, US sign 'open skies' accord
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Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, May 7: Pakistan and the US have signed a new "Open-
Skies" aviation agreement which allows free access to each other's
airlines, a US Department of Transportation announcement said.
But an official of the DOT explained to Dawn that the new agreement
would not, in any way, change the status of Pakistan's CAA from its
present Category-2, which restricts increase in existing service
from Pakistan to US.
The US announcement said the new Open-Skies aviation accord was
concluded through an exchange of notes between the two governments.
"Open-Skies agreements permit unrestricted service by the airlines
of each side to, from and beyond the other's territory, without
restrictions on how often carriers fly, the kind of aircraft they
use, and the prices they charge," the announcement said.
Asked to explain the significance and meaning of the new accord, a
DOT spokesman said it would allow Pakistani airlines to come to any
destination they wanted but after they are approved by the FAA. US
airlines are already allowed to fly into any Pakistani destination.
The spokesman also revealed that PIA could fly its newly leased
747-300 aircraft to US routes provided they were obtained on a "wet
lease" from a Category-1 airlines and if the crew also belonged to
the same airline. The planes would not be allowed with Pakistani
crews, he said.
Aviation experts said this raised new questions about PIA's
consultancy services, planning and management as so far PIA has
been unable to operate the new aircraft on the US routes because of
Category-2 restrictions.
The new leased aircraft were taken for American routes but later
PIA conceded that they will be flown on UK, Jeddah and other
sectors and not US. At the moment they are being used on increased
domestic flights between Pakistani cities and are said to be
running into losses.
Aviation experts said if these aircraft could fly into US, why was
PIA not using them by hiring crews from Cathay Pacific, from which
the aircraft have been leased. "As all maintenance is being done by
the Cathay Pacific people, if crews were also hired, PIA would have
been able to run these planes to US routes," they said.
According to FAA rules, countries whose air carriers fly to the US
must adhere to the safety guidelines of ICAO, the United Nations'
technical agency for aviation which establishes international
standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and
maintenance.
The FAA, with the cooperation of the host civil aviation authority,
only makes assessments of those countries whose airlines have
operating rights to or from the United States, or have requested
such rights.
The new Open-Skies agreement replaces the accord signed in 1996
described by officials as "a new, liberalized aviation regime to
replace their half-century-old agreement."
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990507
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Sultan-Nawaz talks: S. Arabia backs stance on Kashmir
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ISLAMABAD, May 6: Second Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister
of Saudi Arabia Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud on Thursday
expressed support for Pakistan's principled stand on Kashmir and
appreciated the initiative taken by the Prime Minister to engage
India in a meaningful dialogue for peaceful settlement of Kashmir
dispute.
He stated this at a formal round of talks with Prime Minister
Mohammad Nawaz Sharif here on Thursday evening.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the steadfast support
that the government and people of Saudi Arabia continue to extend
to the cause of Kashmir.
The two leaders discussed wide-range of issues including matters of
mutual interest, regional and global issues.
While reviewing the bilateral relations, the two leaders noted with
deep satisfaction that "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are blessed with
a unique relationship that rests upon mutual trust and commonality
of interests; and together the two countries stand to form a pillar
of strength for the Ummah."
They also expressed satisfaction over the steady growth in the
bilateral relations in various spheres; reconfirming their resolve
to raise its profile in the substantive areas commensurate with the
level and quality of relations in the political field.
Welcoming Prince Sultan, Nawaz Sharif said that the government and
people of Pakistan fondly recall his visit to Pakistan in the year
1981.
Mr Sharif lauded the role played by the leadership of the Kingdom
in the service of Muslim Ummah. He asked Prince Sultan to convey
his greeting and best wishes to Khadimain Al- Shariffain King Fahd
bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
Prince Sultan, while expressing his deep appreciation for the
welcome, observed that he had come to his second home and the visit
provided him an invaluable opportunity for a closer and in-depth
exchange of views with the Prime Minister.
Later, the PM held a banquet in honour of Prince Sultan and his
accompanying delegation.-APP
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990507
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CTBT signing: Indian military buildup a matter of concern: FO
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Hasan Akhtar
ISLAMABAD, May 6: Pakistan said on Thursday that it could not be
oblivious to India's "huge military buildup, including its nuclear
and missile arsenal, and the increasing asymmetry in the
conventional field", while deciding to abide by the proposed CTBT
by September.
Foreign Office spokesman Tariq Altaf told a news briefing here
although Pakistan had delinked itself from India on the issue of
accepting the proposed international nuclear test ban treaty,
"maintenance of a credible deterrence and the options linked to it
had to be fundamentally viewed in the security context" of
Pakistan. He affirmed that Pakistan had delinked itself on the CTBT
from India and adopted "an independent posture in conformity with
our own policies and interests".
The spokesman stressed that "our security compulsions are
essentially in the framework of India's huge military buildup,
including its nuclear and missile arsenal, and the increasing
asymmetry in the conventional field," and said: "We cannot remain
oblivious to developments in our neighbourhood. The Indian leaders
have taken a certain position on the CTBT on account of the
political vacuum there," he observed.
The spokesman said further that there were other important powers,
including the United States, which had signed the draft treaty but
not ratified it. "In consideration of our options we will take
everything into account," he maintained.
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990505
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Mandela calls for Nuclear free South Asia
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ISLAMABAD, May 4: South African President Nelson Mandela made an
impassioned plea on Tuesday to the leaders of Pakistan and India to
work for peace and promote nuclear disarmament in South Asia.
"To the democratic South Africa, which ultimately dismantled the
nuclear arsenal established by apartheid predecessors,
nuclearization of South Asia is of great concern," Mandela said
addressing the ceremony at the Convention Centre held to pay
tributes to him for struggle against racism and apartheid.
Mr Mandela was given a 21-gun salute and an honour guard as he
alighted from the plane. Formal arrival ceremonies at the President
House were cancelled because President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar is
unwell.
"We call on the leaders of the countries of the sub-continent to
promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in the region,"
the South African leader said.
KASHMIR ISSUE: Welcoming the Lahore Declaration, President Mandela
called on Pakistan and India to solve the Kashmir issue through
talks, saying peace was vital to economic development.
Mr Mandela believed that the leadership of Pakistan and India would
resolve the issue through dialogue. "We have complete confidence in
the leadership of India and Pakistan to resolve peacefully the
issue themselves. And we continue to make that stand because this
is the subcontinent which has produced capable and experienced
leaders."
He hoped that in due course the Pakistan and Indian leadership
would succeed in solving the issue. He said peace remains the most
powerful weapon for development. "The absence of peace," he said,
"can undermine all progress..."
Mr Mandela received standing ovation when he entered the Convention
Centre with the Prime Minister. The audience again gave him a
standing ovation when he started the speech. Parliamentarians,
ministers, diplomats and a large number of people from Islamabad
and Rawalpindi attended the tributes ceremony for Mandela.
With retirement from the President's office only weeks away,
Mandela said that South Africa was looking forward for closer
cooperation with Pakistan. "There are many opportunities for
profitable economic relations between the two countries."
He said South Africa is reaching to Indian Ocean neighbours to
revive ancient relations of trade and interaction. "We also look
forward to closer co-operation with Pakistan within the context."
He also thanked Pakistan for extending cooperation to South Africa
in technical assistance, human development and education and for
peacekeeping operations and de-mining. "We would like to pay
tribute to Pakistan for its humanitarian assistance to the African
continent...in peacekeeping in Somalia and in de-mining in Angola."
"I would like to put on record, on behalf of all South Africans,
our great appreciation to the government and people of Pakistan for
their enduring and unfaltering support for the ideal of a
democratic, non-racial, non-sexist South Africa."
Pakistan's proud history of solidarity with struggles in Africa
against colonialism and apartheid, Mandela said, makes it a true
partner in the "rebirth of our continent," adding that amongst the
bonds between Pakistan and South Africa is that of a common Islamic
heritage. "That heritage is a vital thread in our history."
Mr Mandela paid rich tributes to sub-continent leaders, with
Mohammad Ali Jinnah as hero, whose example inspired his struggle
against apartheid.
The South African President did not forget the contribution of
Muslims in the struggle for justice in South Africa. "Many made
sacrifices so that all South Africans should be free, and we think
in particular of those who died in detention Babla Saloojee, Ahmed
Timol, Imam Haron, and Dr Hussein Hafferjee."
He said Pakistan was a vital player in world affairs, especially
for the cause of downtrodden. "Pakistan's close relations with
African countries, and her influence in bodies such as the Non-
Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth and the United Nations makes her
an important partner in this quest for equity and development."
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's willingness to
continue talks with India to settle all disputes including Kashmir.
"We are prepared for the continuation of the meaningful dialogue
with India in all issues, including Kashmir," the Prime Minister
said in his speech at a function organized to pay tributes to South
African President Nelson Mandela.
They also agreed that the recently concluded bilateral agreements
and the establishment of a Joint Commission," have provided useful
framework of future cooperation between the two countries."
Nelson Mandela conferred on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif,
South Africa's highest Civil Award, Order of Good Hope, in
recognition of his services to peace, progress and democracy.
Nawaz Sharif deeply appreciated," Mandela's strong reference made
for the settlement of the Kashmir dispute," in his Presidential
address to the 12th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit held in
Durban in September 1998, said the joint statement.-AFP/NNI/APP
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990508
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PPP to fight for press freedom: Benazir
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Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, May 7: Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has condemned
the" systematic persecution of the press" and demanded an immediate
end to harassment and intimidation of journalists.
In a statement issued by the PPP media cell here on Friday, Ms
Bhutto held out a warning that her party would not allow the
strangulation of the independent media and would fight for the
freedom of the press.
She also urged human rights bodies worldwide to stop the Nawaz
Sharif government from following its fascist agenda.
" The litany of press bashing is long and shameful. The Islamabad
daily The Muslim was force-closed and hundreds of employees were
rendered jobless because of financial squeeze applied on it when it
refused to change its independent editorial policy", she said.
When the Jang Group of newspapers merely reproduced the reports
published in some leading British newspapers about the involvement
of Sharif family in corruption, it was made the target of worst
form of coercion, she said.
The group was denied newsprint despite the Supreme Court order,
forcing it to reduce the number of pages and borrow newsprint from
other newspapers, she said and added: " In a brazen show of
bravado, Senator Saif threatened the proprietor that even the
father of a judge could not help him if he refused to toe the
government line."
Ms Bhutto said the publisher, proprietor of Frontier Post group
of newspapers, Rehmat Shah Afridi, was framed in a narcotics case
because the newspaper had been continuously exposing the corrupt
mafia in the regime.
" Mr Afridi is on record to have stated how he had received
threatening calls from Senator Saif and Interior Minister Chaudhry
Shujaat. He has also revealed that he was asked to frame Senator
Asif Ali Zardari in a drug case and was warned of dire consequences
when he refused."
The opposition leader said :" During this week, three shameful
incidents of press bashing were reported. Hussain Haqqani was
kidnapped and later charged with false cases for exposing in the
press the regime's wrongdoings. The car of noted columnist Imtiaz
Alam was burnt to ashes. Noted journalists M.A.K. Lodhi and Amir
Mir were threatened for allegedly assisting BBC in the preparation
of now a famous documentary exposing the Sharif family's
corruption."
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990507
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Partial privatization possible by Dec: Dar
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, May 6: The third meeting of Committee of Privatization
Board of Pakistan (CPBP) held here on Thursday, called for speeding
up privatization with a view to disinvesting some state units
latest by December this year.
Informed sources said that the CPBP, which was presided over by
Minister for Finance and Commerce Ishaq Dar, was of the view that
partial privatization of PTCL, KESC, HBL and UBL was possible
before the end of 1999.
It also discussed various impediments in the way of the
privatization process, with minister for finance saying that the
government would ensure the privatization of major state-owned
enterprises during the next financial year. He said that PML
government wanted the process to be completed with transparency.
The meeting was also informed that road shows for the privatization
of PTCL in Middle East and Europe will be held shortly. M/S Goldman
Sachs, which was the Financial Advisor for the PTCL, has already
been paid 5 million dollars out of 18 million dollar fee to
disinvest the organization.
The CPBP also reviewed the implementation status of the decisions
taken in the previous meeting and expressed its satisfaction over
the progress made.
It discussed the results of the bidding of Federal Lodge Chamba
House, Lahore, National Tubewell Construction Corporation and
Pakistan Engineering Company and decided to hold another round for
the bidding of Chamba House by next month.
The Committee also directed the ministry of water and power to
dispose of the assets of NTCC in consultation with the
Privatization Commission.
A committee was formed to negotiate the privatization of PECO with
the sole bidder. Seven attempts to privatize PECO had not been
materialized.
The meeting took note of non-encashment of bank guarantees
furnished by the buyers of the privatized units. It was decided to
take stern action against the bank officials who accepted defected
guarantees to make them accountable.
It was also decided that no government agency should consider the
rescheduling of relent loans payable by the buyers. The updated
position of receivables will be monitored on periodical basis.
Ministers for communication, water and power, housing and works,
the Chairman of Privatization Commission, concerned secretaries and
other officials attended the meeting.
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990507
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Wapda defers modernization plan
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Reporter
LAHORE, May 6: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda)
appears to has shelved for the time being its gigantic Rs30 billion
transmission modernization plan.
The plan was meant to improve the quality of the main transmission
system and avoid colossal losses because of the present system
which is coming to age.
"The Wapda is concentrating more on overcoming its yawning deficit
which has shot up to Rs66 billion at present than undertaking
development projects of mega nature", official sources told Dawn on
Thursday.
They said Wapda was going flat out to curb power theft and expected
to bring to an end to this menace to a great extent within a few
months. Authorities hope that by checking incidence of power
stealing Wapda could earn around Rs8 billion more on annual basis.
In the meantime the authority continues to provide the facility of
paying electricity bills in 12 instalments to industrial
defaulters, who did not pay their power charges for long and whose
power connections have been disconnected.
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990505
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Pakistan not certified to export shrimps to US
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Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, May 4: Pakistan has not been certified by the State
Department to export shrimp to the United States, a list of 37
certified countries announced on Tuesday shows.
The reason is that Pakistan does not protect sea turtles while
catching the shrimp which is against the US laws.
Officials said Pakistan, and three other countries, India, Malaysia
and Thailand, have challenged the US decision in the World Trade
Organisation (WTO).
The State Department announced its annual list of countries
certified to export shrimp to the US market under the law which
allows importation only of shrimp harvested in ways not harmful to
turtles.
The department certified 12 countries that require their shrimpers
to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) as US shrimpers are required
to do.
The department certified 25 other countries where the fishing
environment poses no threat to turtles- nine where shrimpers
harvest using manual rather than mechanical means and 16 where
shrimpers harvest only in cold waters where the risk to turtles is
negligible.
Five Latin American countries- Costa Rica, Guyana, Panama,
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago- were not re-certified because
the department found their turtle conservation programmes were not
being enforced.
The announcement said Thailand, one of the four parties to the WTO
challenge, was certified while the other three parties - India,
Pakistan and Malaysia - were not.
Since the May 1998 certification decisions, the law has come under
challenge. In Geneva a World Trade Organisation appellate body
ruled in October that, while the US law does comply with WTO
commitments, the way it is implemented does not. The appellate body
overturned a lower WTO panel ruling.
The United States has agreed to comply with the WTO appellate body
decision by December 6, 1999.
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990502
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Welfare package for labour announced
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, May 1: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on Saturday
a welfare package for workers on the occasion of International
Labour Day.
The package envisages a number of facilities to the labourers in
health, education and social safety sectors.
Under the package Rs50,000 compensation will be given to a worker's
family in case of his death and 25,000 residential quarters and
hospitals will be constructed for the industrial workers.
However, the labour ministry, which released the details of the
package, did not give the financial impact nor identified any
budgetary provision except saying
that every thing would be done through the Workers Welfare Fund
(WWF).
According to the details, the family of a worker will be paid
Rs50,000 compensation in the event of his/her death.
The WWF will bear all the education expenditure of a worker's child
who obtains admission in any prestigious institution such as
Atchison College, Government College, Lahore etc. The entire
expenses including education fee, tuition fee, books and boarding
would be paid by through the WWF.
Beside, 2,550 scholarships will be given to the workers children
for higher education.
Under the scholarship Rs1,000 will be given at HSC level; Rs1,500
at graduation; Rs2,000 at masters and Rs2,500 to an engineering
student.
As many as 33 schools, including 12 in Punjab, 14 in NWFP, 3 in
Sindh and 4 in Balochistan would be established for the workers'
children.
The package also envisages construction of 25,000 residential
quarters for industrial workers. However, no details were given in
this behalf.
In the health sector, 12 kidney centres, one kidney hospital and
three general hospitals will be established for the labourers
throughout the country.
The kidney centre at Islamabad would be completed by November 1999
and those at Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi by June 2000. The
construction work at the Institute of Kidney Disease at Lahore has
started which is expected to be completed by June 2000.
A scheme is being launched for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and
its treatment for workers and their families.
Another scheme for the prevention of Hepatitis-B will also be
launched soon, it says.
All these measures, according to the labour ministry, would help
uplift the economic condition, dignity of labour and quality of
workers' life.
The government is fully aware of the difficulties of the working
class, said the ministry of labour. A number of initiatives, have
been taken in this regard. The biggest initiative, the ministry
claimed, was to give a progressive labour policy, envisaging
legislative and institutional arrangements for sustainable
development, full employment and high standards of life of the
workers.
"The government has already taken a number of steps for the
amelioration of workers welfare, including introduction of group
insurance scheme, marriage grants, establishment of kidney centres,
construction of model schools for workers children, merit
scholarships for their higher education, residential facilities and
constructions of hospitals", claims the ministry.
It also said that dropping the first of May from the list of public
holidays did not aim to effect the workers rights.
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990506
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Opposition stages token walkout in Senate
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, May 5: The combined opposition on Wednesday night staged
a token walkout from the Upper House to protest against the
vindictive attitude of the government towards Press, the wave of
extra-judicial killings in Karachi after the governor's rule, and
failure of the government to put the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment)
Ordinance before the House.
The issues were raised by Senator Raza Rabbani following a walkout
by the journalists.
Led by Aitzaz Ahsan, the combined opposition went out of the Senate
and returned after the token walkout lasting five minutes.
Earlier responding to the opposition, the Leader of the House, Raja
Zafarul Haq, said that Information Minister Mushahid Hussain would
respond to the points relating to Press while Interior Minister
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will reply to the charges levelled by
Aftab Sheikh about extra-judicial killings in Karachi and also
about the arrest of Hussain Haqqani.
About the wave of self-immolations and suicides in the country,
Raja Zafarul Haq said that on the basis of what he had gathered
from newspapers, 80 per cent of the cases pertained to personal
reasons while a few had taken place due to financial difficulties.
He said efforts were being made by the government to revamp the
system of Zakat.
The Leader of the House said that Press should have the freedom of
expression. He said there should be evidence whether or not the
government was involved in taking vindictive actions against
journalists. He said he would ask the information minister to
examine the alleged cases of excesses and take action to redress
the complaints.
The presiding officer, Akram Zaki, took up the item pertaining to
debate on the President's Address. Maulana Fazal Mohammad and Zarif
Khan Mandokhel took part in the debate.
JUI's Maulana Fazal Mohammad criticized the President for the
defending the "ill-advised" policies of the government. He said the
President had praised the government for bolstering the defence of
the country's borders. He said the fact of matter was that the USA
had violated Pakistan's airspace for two hours when it fired
missiles into Afghanistan on the garb of punishing Osama bin Laden.
He said that instead of reacting to the violation, the government
kept quiet and did not react to the violation. The Senator used
strong words to describe the USA.
Mr Zaki expunged the remarks after Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Yasin Wattoo drew his attention to it, but the Senator repeatedly
used the words "rascal state" for the USA.
The JUI representative criticized the government for handing over
Aimal Kansi to the USA in order to appease the Americans and added
that the rulers were paying only lip-service to the CA-15. He
accused the government of being an agent of Jews. Senator Zarif
Khan Mandokhel defended the government policies.
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990506
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New setup planned to regulate city transport
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Reporter
KARACHI, May 5: All public transport in the city would be regulated
through directorates to be constituted shortly under the newly-
established Karachi Metropolitan Transport Authority.
Well-placed sources told Dawn that it had been decided by the Sindh
government that separate directorates would be set up to regulate
the transport in the city and their number was now being finalised.
These two directorates would include the Public Mass Transport
Administration and the Traffic Engineering Bureau which would be
headed by officers specializing in their respective fields.
Since the regional transport authority, which is headed by the
commissioner, has ceased to exist, all functions rendered by the
body would now be performed by the Public Mass Transport
Administration.
Though, the sources added, with the issuance of a notification by
the Sindh chief secretary on Tuesday declaring the establishment of
the Karachi Metropolitan Transport Authority the chairman of the
regional transport authority has become a member of the KMTA
governing body, the commissioner Karachi would continue to work as
RTA chairman until a summary about the new organisational setup,
which include the setting up of directorates, was approved by the
governor.
The Sindh transport department, the sources said, was at present
inviting nominations from the government and others to finalise and
notify the composition of the KMTA governing body.
The sources added that besides government departments, two
representatives of senior and notable citizens and two of private
transport operators would be on the governing body.
More importantly, the sources added, the KMTA bill, which has
already been introduced in the Sindh assembly and has generated a
lot of debate, would become a test for Sindh governor Moinuddin
Haider.
The bill, after its ratification by the Sindh assembly, will have
to be signed by the governor to become a law. The Sindh governor
has not signed a single bill referred to him by the legislature
since the imposition of governor's rule on the province.
But in the case of the KMTA, the governor would be in a highly
uncomfortable position as he himself had issued its ordinance.
The sources said the governor could send back the bill to the
assembly for re-consideration, but once the assembly re-referred
the bill to the governor it would automatically become a law after
10 days even if it was not signed by the governor.
As for the handing over of the Karachi Mass Transit Project to the
Karachi Metropolitan Transport Authority, the federal government's
ministry of communication and the National Mass Transit Authority
had been sent reminders.
These sources added that the Sindh government had again approached
the federal government saying that since the governor had issued an
ordinance for the setting up a metropolitan transport authority,
the mass transit project needed to be handed over to the authority
for its implementation at the earliest.
===================================================================
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
990507
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Govt bracing to manage rupee float
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Haris Anwar
KARACHI, May 6: Pakistan is bracing to manage float of the rupee
from the coming budget, disbanding fixed parity to the intervention
currency, the US dollar, official sources said.
Unification of the composite and official rates will have to be
discontinued, and the Floating Interbank Rate (FIBR) would be used
for all official and private transactions.
According to these sources, dollar-rupee exchange rate would be
determined by the supply and demand of US dollar in the interbank
market.
"Our estimates are that rupee will move within 5-7 per cent trading
band. And if rupee crosses this band, the SBP will intervene in the
market to bring back the exchange rate within the fixed band," an
official said.
Sources further said the government is expected to request the
International Monetary Fund to provide a credit line to the Central
Bank to keep the exchange rate stable.
The government will have to keep a room for the rupee fluctuation
in the debt servicing estimates as all capital account transactions
would also be shifted to FIBR, they added. In the wake of economic
sanctions by major donors after last year's nuclear tests,
government had introduced New Exchange Rate Mechanism (NERM), based
on two-tier exchange rate system - official rate and composite
rate.
The composite rate is a mix of pre-specified official rate and
market determined floating interbank rate. The latest ratio of the
mix is 5:95.
This ratio shows that all current account transactions have almost
moved to FIBR as official rate's component is only five per cent.
But official exchange rate, which is Rs46 to the US dollar, is
still used for the import of wheat and POL products, debt servicing
and conversion of foreign currency accounts into rupee.
According to the Policy Framework Paper, signed with the
International Monetary Fund, the government has to do away with
multiple exchange rate system by introducing unified exchange rate
from 1999-2000 budget.
Bankers and financial analysts say that the impact of managed float
on the economy would not be inflationary as almost all current
account transactions have been shifted to FIBR.
"The new mechanism would definitely hit the banking sector due to
possible immediate conversion of FCA's into rupees", said a banker.
"The prevailing calm in open market may disappear as majority of
these converted deposits will find their way into the kerb market
as happened in the past," he added.
He said the pressure on the kerb rates was likely to increase as
converted FCAs in the past were used to buy dollars from the open
market.
"But the Central Bank will intervene heavily to make sure that
floating rate remains stable after unification of the exchange rate
and premium in the kerb market does not rise," another banker said.
FCA-holders were maintaining about $4.79 billion by end March out
of total $11 billion FCAs in order to realize better conversion
rates. These accounts were frozen in May last to preserve depleting
foreign exchange.
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990507
-------------------------------------------------------------------
State Bank injects Rs6.05bn in money market
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, May 6: The State Bank on Thursday injected Rs6.05bn into
inter-bank money market by purchasing treasury bills of one week
and one month maturity from banks but it could not ease off the
liquidity crunch.
Senior bankers said SBP bought Rs1.05bn worth of TBs with one week
to maturity at 10% and Rs5bn worth of TBs with one month to
maturity on 9.25% in a reverse repo. 'But despite the injection of
Rs6.05bn the market continued to feel the liquidity crunch,' said
treasury manager of a major private bank.
He said call rates oscillated between 12-13% without witnessing the
slightest fall after the injection.
Bankers said what prevented the liquidity crisis from easing off
despite the injection was that some banks had diverted excessive
liquidity into cash reserves in anticipating that they might not be
able to maintain the reserves at the required level on Friday.
On April 15 SBP had pumped in Rs4.810bn in inter-bank market by
buying TBs with one week to maturity at 9% and TBs of one month to
maturity at 8.50%. 'This time the SBP has increased the rates which
does not get along with its policy of lowering interest rates,'
commented treasurer of a foreign bank. He said SBP lending on
increased rates had an impact on the market and one-month funds
changed hands at 10.5%.
Senior bankers close to State Bank linked the increase in the
yields on TBs to the fact that some state-run banks got panicky and
fearing the liquidity crisis to deepen submitted higher bids.
They said the main concern of SBP was to inject money in the market
which it did signalling to the banks that SBP was there to ensure
that the market maintains a certain level of liquidity.
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990507
-------------------------------------------------------------------
N-scientists evolve three new cotton varieties
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, May 6: Pakistani nuclear scientists working on discovery
of new varieties of seeds for different crops and fruits have
succeeded in inventing three new varieties of cotton which, they
estimate, could enhance the yield by 50 per cent.
This was disclosed by Dr Samar Mubarakmand in a recent meeting with
the government officials held in Islamabad. He further said, "the
new varieties are completely virus resistant and have the
capability to give more yield as compare to old varieties."
He informed the meeting that three varieties have been sent to
Punjab Cotton Seed Corporation for certification and the moment we
get certification, the varieties would be available to the selected
farmers for multiplication of the seed.
The names of new varieties will be suggested after the
certification of seeds from the Cotton Seed Corporation, he added.
Giving details of the new varieties of cotton, Dr Samar said that
size of bulb in new varieties are much bigger than the old ones and
it bears 25 per cent more bulbs as compared to the varieties like
Nayab 78 and Nayab Kirishma.
He said that around 30 per cent of our cotton yield is damaged due
to virus attacks but with new varieties, it would be possible to
save the loss. We did lot of experiments to check resistance in new
varieties against virus attack and added that first of all, we
sowed new varieties among the virus affected cotton plants. Dr
Mubarak said, surprisingly, not a single sapling caught the virus.
On the second stage, he said we grafted the tissues of virus-
affected plants into the new varieties and again the result was
encouraging as not a single plant got affected.
Four nuclear research centres were established in 1963 for the
purpose of discovering new varieties of crops and fruits. One of
these centres is doing research in genetics.
In 1983, new cotton variety 'Nayab 78' was introduced which
enhanced the cotton production from three million bales to eight
million bales. Similarly, he said, in 1996, another variety 'Nayab
Kirishma' was introduced which further enhanced the production.
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990506
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Accord for making 750cc car signed
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, May 5: Pakistan and Tataristan on Wednesday signed an
agreement for manufacturing of 750 cc car 'OKA'.
According to the agreement signed between the governments of
Pakistan and Tataristan, a 750 cc car 'OKA' would be manufactured
in Pakistan.
The low-price car will be manufactured under a joint venture
between a Tataristan company UAZ and PACO of Pakistan. It is a two-
door family car, perhaps one of the cheapest in the world.
According to the agreement, its manufacturing and marketing would
start within six months.
Besides, the two companies would undertake a joint venture of
manufacturing trucks and buses, an official said. It is expected
that the marketing of these heavy vehicles will bring a relief for
passengers and goods in the country.
Finance Minister Ishaque Dar and Tataristan First Deputy Minister
Ravil F. Muratov signed the agreement in presence of prime minister
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz and chairman
Board of Investment, Humayun Akhtar.
Earlier, the deputy prime minister of Tataristan alongwith his
delegation called on prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, where
the accord was finalized and other matters of interest, including
investment opportunities in Pakistan, were discussed.-APP
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990505
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NWFP to abolish zila tax, octroi next fiscal
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Intikhab Amir
PESHAWAR, May 4: In the light of a decision taken at the Inter
Provincial Coordination Committee meeting on Monday, the NWFP
government has decided to do away with the collections of octroi
and district export tax from the next financial year, provincial
minister for local government and rural development Yousuf Ayub
Khan told Dawn here on Tuesday.
"We would stick to the agreement reached between the Centre and the
four provinces at the IPCC meeting hence there will be no
collection of zila tax and octroi in the province from the start of
the next financial year," said the provincial minister.
When asked about the reservation, the NWFP government has been
showing over the issue, the minister said that " we would ensure
that the province gets finances in accordance with its due share
every month".
The commitment on the part of the provincial government to
implement the IPCC decision, in letter and spirit, from the next
financial year came at a meeting between the NWFP chief minister,
Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Abbasi and the local government minister Yousuf
Ayub Khan, here on Tuesday.
The local government minister also presided over a departmental
meeting to discuss the issue for devising a system to do away with
the octroi and district export (zila) tax.
Under a policy decision, said the minister, the local government
department's authorities had been directed to immediately cancel
the process of awarding contracts for the collection of octroi and
zila tax (for the current financial year) where these were in the
pipeline.
"The advertisement issued for the award of contracts stand
nullified," said the minister.
According to sources, the local government department had been
asked to prepare details of the zila tax and octroi revenue
generated from across the province on the basis of which province's
share under the national collections of GST would be calculated.
"The move would surely help to put an end the miseries people were
used to undergo due to maltreatment by the contractors," said the
minister, adding "similarly, it would also get the provincial
governments rid of the contractors who have become so much powerful
and influential that they always exploited the situation in their
favour leaving no room for the new comers to flourish in the
business".
When asked that how the provincial government would ensure timely
and full releases on account of GST from the Centre while it was
receiving net hydel profits and share from the federal divisible
pool much lesser than the NFC projected figures.
The minister said "we have agreed to the IPCC decision in the best
interest of the people and we would surely make ensure that the
province should get the amount it was raising under the two heads
and be made monthly instalments at time".
According to him, the provinces would get a raise of ten per cent
every year over and above the amount they used to collect from
their respective domains on account of octroi and zila tax.
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990505
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Tax laws for bureaucrats to be amended, says Dar
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD, May 4: Finance minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday
that the government will amend the law to make public the income
tax details of parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats in grade 20
and above.
"We are currently considering different aspects of this proposal
which will become part of the finance bill for the year 1999-2000,"
Dar said, adding, "this is being done to bring more transparency in
our political and bureaucratic culture." Dar made this announcement
in the Senate during question hour.
He informed the house that every year the Central Board of Revenue
will make public a directory containing the income tax details of
the parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats in grade 20 to 22.
"The existing law will be amended to make a perpetual change where
it would be mandatory to make these details public," the minister
said.
Responding to PPP's Iqbal Haider's question regarding the
publication of directories of income tax and wealth tax
payers/assessees for the assessment years 1996-97 and 1997-98, the
minister said, a task force was currently deliberating various
alternatives and options on this issue.
The minister said that the government had received a number of
requests, particularly from Sindh, from business tycoons, traders,
industrialists etc that their tax details should not be made public
to avoid kidnappings, hijackings and threats to their lives from
criminal and disgruntled elements.
He, however, said that the task force will formulate its
recommendations to this effect, after studying the approaches
followed in this regard by countries similarly placed as Pakistan.
The minister urged that there was a need to broaden the tax net to
generate more and more revenues. "Currently less then 1 per cent of
population in Pakistan is income tax assessees which include
300,000 who pay almost nothing," the minister disclosed.
The minister, however, indicated that the government was
contemplating different measures to broaden the tax net. The
setting up of Pakistan Revenue Authority and Pakistan Revenue
Service aimed at revamping the whole tax collecting machinery,
would be a major step in this direction.
The minister agreed that there was massive tax evasion in the
country and there was need for multi-facet approach to check this
trend in the society.
To another question, the minister gave the following details about
the income tax and wealth tax collection during the year 1996-97
and 1997-98. During 1996-97 the income tax collection was Rs 80
billion while the wealth tax collection was Rs 2.4 billion. During
1997-98, the income tax collection was Rs 97.1 billion and the
wealth tax collection was Rs 3.5 billion.
The customs duty collected during 1996-97 and 1997-98 was Rs 86.1
billion and Rs 74.5 billion respectively.
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990504
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishermen threaten to sink trawlers of US firm
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasir Malick
LONDON, May 3: Pakistani fishermen and politicians in Balochistan
have threatened to sink the ships of a United States company if it
proceeds with plans to start fishing in the area, The Guardian
newspaper reported on Monday.
The paper said that the fishermen and Pakistani politicians in
Balochistan are opposed to a $450 million contract awarded by the
Muslim League Government to US-based company Forbes and Co to use
up to 100 trawlers to take 400,000 tons of fish annually from
Pakistan's territorial waters for the next 30 years.
The trawlers are expected to start deep-sea fishing later this
year, after feasibility and environmental studies are done, the
paper said adding that the deal has met widespread opposition in
the Balochistan Assembly, with some members warning that any
trawlers entering Pakistan's waters will be sunk.
It said the fishermen, politicians and environmentalists have
accused the federal government of failing to take into account the
devastating impact they believe the trawlers will have on local
fishermen, the local economy and the marine environment.
"For us it's a matter of life and death," the paper quoted Akber
Ali Rais, a representative of the fishermen in the port town of
Gwadar as saying. "If the American company comes here and starts
fishing, we will not survive,' he said. 'There will be nothing left
for us. Our small boats cannot compete with them".
Several hundred thousand people living along Pakistan's coast are
dependent on the fishing industry. Many fishermen still use
traditional wooden boats with no modern communications or sonar
equipment.
The paper said that the government claims that no jobs were at risk
because the US trawlers will have to remain more than 20 miles off
shore.
"Officials see the deal as an easy way to bring in foreign currency
and foreign-funded infrastructure. They hope to sign contracts with
other international firms," the paper said and quoted Hamayun
Akhtar Khan, Chairman of the Board of Investment as saying that
Pakistan could earn more than $1.0 billion from this sector by
allowing foreign companies to fish in Pakistani waters.
"This is a totally untapped sector in Pakistan and we firmly
believe there is huge potential in it for us. We have companies
from China, Spain, the Gulf countries which are also actively
considering projects.," the paper quoted Hamayun Khan as saying.'
The paper said that in order to soften the opposition from local
fishermen, Forbes is to invest in modernizing Pakistan's fishing
industry and set up a technical training institute.
It quoted a Forbes spokesman as saying that about $300 million out
of $450 million on under the contract would be spent on improving
infrastructure, including developing a fishing port and building
canning and processing plants, cold storage facilities and an ice-
making plant.
All the fish caught by the company will have to be processed at
these plants before being exported to Europe and the US. The firm
says it will be providing direct employment for 3,000 people and
indirect employment for 7,000 more. It claimed that 100 trawlers
fishing in such a vast area would not deplete stocks.
However, Parvaiz Naim of the World Conservation Union has opposed
the contract and quoted as saying that: "Forbes's main focus will
be the Balochistan coast, and the maximum exploitable potential
[fish catch] is 300,000 tons per annum. Local fishermen are already
harvesting 100,000 tons, so if the company takes away 400,000 tons
of fish, that means the exploitation is 200,000 tons more than the
limit."
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990503
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sri Lanka looking for Pakistan tea markets
-------------------------------------------------------------------
COLOMBO, May 2: Sri Lanka is offering a free trade deal to
Pakistan, hoping the move will encourage Pakistanis to drink more
of its tea and help salvage the slump-hit commodity, government and
industry officials said.
Sri Lanka's legendary tea, better known by the country's previous
name Ceylon, is suffering from devastating price drops in the world
market.
The problem has been compounded by an increase in production and
the troubles of the trade are already being felt in the economy by
way of sharply falling exports, declining foreign reserves and
slower growth.
For Sri Lanka, the challenge is to recapture the Pakistan market,
which is expected to become the world's largest consumer of tea
within a decade by pushing Britain and Russia to second and third
places.
"Pakistan is one of our best hopes to get the market out of the
present problems," said Hasitha de Alwis, director at the Sri Lanka
tea promotion bureau, which is planning a visit to Islamabad this
month.
De Alwis said Sri Lanka exported 30 million kilos of tea to
Pakistan in 1980 and became the largest single exporter then. The
picture is very different now.
Pakistan retail stores are flooded with Kenyan tea, which accounts
for 45 per cent of the market, while Sri Lanka's share has dwindled
to an abysmal three per cent.
The tea industry here hopes to regain lost ground through a
bilateral free trade agreement recently proposed by Sri Lankan
President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Sri Lanka hopes that the treaty will ensure tariff concessions to
tea, making Ceylon more competitive against the cheap Kenyan teas,
and also allow Pakistan to increase its exports to this Indian
Ocean island.-AFP
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990508
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KSE index recovers another 23.69 points
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, May 7: Massive activity in Hub-Power followed by strong
speculative foreign support highlighted the trading on the stock
market on Friday where other blue chips were also actively sought.
The KSE 100-share index recovered another 23.69 points at 1,152.87.
News that a delegation of the company led by its chairman Sheikh
Muhammed A. Alireza will meet the WAPDA chief in Lahore on May 10
to resolve outstanding issues including relating to cut in power
tariff was said to be the main driving force behind the current
run-up and massive activity.
'The perception that the meeting could be positive and the long-
drawn issue, which has taken steam out of the market, could be
resolved amicably, inspired a good bit of confidence who made an
extensive covering purchases at the current lower levels', analysts
said.
After having fallen from its career-best level of Rs 65.00 when the
current tariff cut row started last August to Rs 7.65 at one stage,
the share of Hubco appears to be heading for big rebound in the
sessions to come on the strength of speculative support based on
perception of a possible agreement on the issue.
'There is loud whispering in the rings that broad outlines of the
agreement have already been agreed and the meeting is a formality',
some brokers said.
The KSE 100-share index ended with a fresh gain of 23.69 points at
1,152.87 as compared to 1,130.60 a day earlier, reflecting the
strength of leading base shares, notably PTCL, PSO and Hub-Power.
The market capitalization also rose to Rs 312 billion from the
previous 308bn as heavily capitalized shares maintained their
upward thrust.
'It was largely the strength of Hub-Power on perception of an early
settlement of the tariff and other issues, which took the entire
market virtually by storm as there were more buyers than sellers,'
stock analysts said. It turned out a massive activity of 78m
shares, more than a half of the total volume as investors were not
inclined to miss it at the ruling price.
At one stage it was quoted as higher as Rs 19.55 as compared to the
overnight close of Rs 17.95 as sellers withdrew to the sidelines on
predictions that the current price flare-up could be sustained on
the strength of developing situation on the IPP issue, they added.
'The foreign speculative buying though essentially selective was so
strong that it neatly woven the locals into its deceptive network',
said a leading broker, adding 'even jobbers, and short-term dealers
were not inclined to take profits at the rising prices, which is
generally the hallmark of the weekend session.'
The presence of strong foreign support amid rumours to hostile
takeover bids and shortage of floating stock on some counters
continue to fuel the current run-up, although it was not backed by
the objective economic background news. Adamjee Insurance, which is
said be under a near-squeeze by a leading foreign company to grab
its floating stock to put two or three directors on its board
maintained its upward drive for the last over a week and was quoted
at Rs 72.10, gaining Rs 20.00 during the week.
Prominent gainers were led by Adamjee Insurance, Gadoon Textiles,
Bannu Woollen, Cherat Cement, PSO, Shell Pakistan Ghandhara and
Engro Chemical, which posted gains ranging from Rs 1.50 to 4.40,
the largest being in PSO.
Losses on the other hand were fractional barring Lever Brothers,
Shaheen Insurance, Lafayette Industries, Cherat Paper and Salfi
Textiles, falling by one rupee to Rs 5.00. Trading volume soared to
165m shares from 135m shares a day earlier as gainers maintained a
fair lead over the losers at 70 to 40, with 42 shares holding on to
the last levels.
Hub-Power topped the list of most active scrips, up Rs 1.20 at
Rs19.15 on 78m shares followed by PTCL, higher 40 paisa at Rs 20.80
on 39m shares, PSO, sharply up by Rs 4.40 at Rs 103.25 on 11m
shares, Fauji Fertiliser, lower 25 paisa at Rs 55.25 on 9m shares,
and Adamjee Insurance, higher Rs 1.40 at Rs 72.10 on 5m shares.
Other actively traded shares were led by ICI Pakistan, easy five
paisa on 3.0866m cheers followed by Dewan Salman, lower 30 paisa on
2m shares, KESC, up 30 paisa on 3m shares, D.G.Khan Cement, firm by
10 paisa on 1.694m shares, FFC-Jordan Fertiliser, firm five paisa
on 1.157m shares and LTV Modaraba, up 40 paisa on 1.056m shares.
DEFAULTING COMPANIES: Active trading was witnessed in Ravi Rayon,
which rose by 25 paisa on 9,500 shares followed by Mian Textiles on
1,500 shares.
DIVIDEND: Novartis Pakistan and Novartis Pharma Pakistan, nil owing
to aftertax losses of Rs 358.923m and Rs 175.850m respectively for
the year ended Dec 31,1998.
Back to the top
===================================================================
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
990502
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Betrayers of our trust
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
WHO amongst us has any doubts that a good majority of the lot who
sit in our parliament, on either side of the divide, are but
betrayers of our trust?
On the federal front, we have one bunch chaired by the Senate
Chairman, Wasim Sajjad, a Rhodes scholar to boot, and the other
bunch controlled by the Speaker of the National Assembly Illahi
Bakhsh Soomro. When any mention is made of how our money is wasted
and mis-spent, each and every one claims that it is his/her
'entitlement' to do so, such is the benefit of holding elective
office. But it is the leaders in power who are the real big
spenders, the squanderers of the national wealth, who without shame
or remorse set about emptying the exchequer.
For starters, let Chairman Sajjad and Speaker Soomro publicly
declare how many times they have gone abroad leading parliamentary
delegations, and whilst Sajjad is doing his sums, let him also
declare how many times and with how many friends and relatives he
has taken off in the presidential plane each time he has been the
acting president of the republic (when last acting as president he
flew to Karachi to condole with Hakim Said's family following that
good man's murder).
As for 'entitlement' and 'discretion,' we can do no better than to
read what Senator Shafqat Mahmood wrote in a Karachi daily
yesterday on the subject of Mian Nawaz sharif, former chief
minister of Punjab, and twice our prime minister:
"When he was, in his own words, the Prince of Punjab, his executive
style was reminiscent of a medieval lord rather than a modern chief
executive of a Third World poverty stricken province. He increased
his discretionary grant - spending money given to the Chief
Minister by the provincial treasury - from Rs one lac to Rs 9
crores per annum. And this he distributed with gay abandon. I was
then Additional Secretary Finance in the Punjab, and the details of
his expenditure passed through my hands. He would go around with
pockets full of money. If a waiter served him well in a restaurant,
he would give him a twenty thousand rupee tip. A barber who pleased
him would get Rs one lac. The Lahore Gymkhana pavilion attendants,
where he played cricket, got similarly large amounts. All, we must
remember, state money not his own.
"Many of you may think that I cannot be serious. Believe me, I am.
The records are available in the Finance Department of the province
for all to see. There were thousands and thousands of entries to
nameless, faceless people who had caught his fancy for one reason
or another. He was munificent and large-hearted. He gave and gave.
There is no doubt in my mind that he enjoys dispensing these
favours. He was equally large-hearted with state land. Hundreds,
indeed thousands, were given plots not only in Lahore but in
Rawalpindi and many other cities of the provinces. Most of these
were legislators, including many who are now luminaries of his
cabinet and his party. But, this generosity was not confined to
them. Many others, including social acquaintances, civil servants,
and personal attendants were the lucky beneficiaries."
The case of Mian's plots was to be heard by the former Chief
Justice of Pakistan, Sajjad Ali shah, when his court was stormed by
Mian's supporters on November 28, 1997, and has since then been put
into cold storage. When and if it does emerge, we must hope that
Shafqat Mahmood is still with us to give evidence.
Now for the good news. The nation, for over a decade now, has been
in the stranglehold of two gangs of marauders who have alternately,
systematically worked to our detriment. This time around, Nawaz
Sharif, the man in power, for no better reason than to perpetuate
his power and to survive, has seriously embarked upon bringing to
book the opposing team led by Benazir Bhutto and husband Asif
Zardari. He has done so at the risk of setting a precedent which
will work to his disadvantage but to the long-term advantage of the
country. He has set in motion the process of accountability.
This onerous task he assigned to one of his princes of darkness,
himself a defaulter (technical or otherwise), the efficient and
likeable Senator Saifur Rahman, who hails from the Mian's home
town, the principality of Model Town. Saif has worked hard and
diligently.
This week I was in Islamabad and was invited to Saif's Bureau to
see for myself the evidence that has been collected against the duo
and presented in court. It would even make Ali Baba blush.
The Swiss survive on their strict banking security and on the good
reputation they enjoy. They have no love lost for Nawaz Sharif or
for Saifur Rahman and would never risk jeopardizing their hard-
earned reputation for either them or for a country such as
Pakistan. Saif collected sufficient evidence against Benazir Bhutto
and against the Swiss Schlegelmilch to convince them of dirty
doings.
Jens Schlegelmilch is an old family friend and attorney. He was
around in Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's time laundering the 4 million
dollars sent by Qadhafi for the victims of the earthquake at Besham
in our Northern Areas. He was also around to attend Benazir
Bhutto's wedding at Karachi in 1987.
Saifur Rahman's evidence motivated the Swiss government to act and
search their own sanctum sanctoriums, to freeze accounts and
properties. For instance, an excerpt from a letter dated September
3, 1998, written by Judge Daniel Devaud, examining magistrate of
the republic and Canton of Geneva to The Competent Magistrate,
Islamic Republic of Pakistan, regarding PPNP/11105/97 - Ms Benazir
Bhutto:
"1. Exhibits attached to the rogatory requests in relation to Mr
Ali Zardari and Ms Benazir Bhutto - Documents 1 and 2 come from a
house search at Mr Jens Schlegelmilch's place; - Document 3 is the
minutes of a hearing; - Document 4 comes from a bank search in
Geneva on one of Bomer Finance Inc's accounts; - Document 5 is a
photocopy of the set of jewels (parure) remitted by the Geneva
attorney of the jeweller; - Documents 6 to 9 come from a search in
Geneva at Cotecna SA; - Documents attached under No.10 come from
searches in Geneva at Cotecna SA and SGS SA.
"2. Picture of the set of jewels (parure): Please find enclosed a
colour picture of the set of jewels seized in Geneva, picture taken
by our Judicial Identification Department.
"3. Ownership of the set of jewels: The person who provided the
information in relation to the purchase of the set of jewels in
August 1997 was the attorney of the London jewellery shop."
The jewellery transaction has been mentioned in detail by Judge
Devaud in his International Rogatory Letter, dated August 17 1998:
"...In particular, in August 1997 Ms Bhutto purchased a set of
jewellery for 117,000 pounds paid in part in cash in London and the
balance of 92,000 pounds by bank transfer from the Bomer Account
(Exhibit No4). The above-mentioned set has been seized in Geneva by
the undersigned magistrate (Exhibit No5)."
The mind does not boggle. The workings of not-so-clever thieves has
been chronologically described by Judge Devaud in his letter of
August 17 1998. Saif's Bureau confirms that any man will be allowed
to see all the records they have. I have recommended that the
Bureau publish the documents in the form of a 'Yellow Paper.'
With the evidence they have, if Nawaz Sharif and Saifur Rahman fail
to convict Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari, and all their frontmen,
and ensure their permanent removal from the country's political
scene, they shall stand guilty in the people's court.
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990507
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The Suhartoization of Pakistan
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Ayaz Amir
HUSSAIN HAQQANI's being picked up by the vigilantes of law and
order is disturbing because it reveals the growing intolerance of
the imperial house for any form of dissent. Haqqani may have taken
political opportunism to rare heights but that is beside the point.
He was picked up not for his shifting political morality but
because of his criticism, in print and otherwise, of the imperial
family.
Earlier Mahmud Lodhi, a Lahore journalist, was held in illegal
custody for two days and interrogated, ostensibly because of his
involvement with a BBC team reportedly preparing a documentary on
the rise and rise of the Sharifs. Yet to be completed let alone
shown, this documentary-in-the-making has already inspired stories
in the press dubbing it as an attempt to malign Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif because of his brave stand on the nuclear issue.
Threads in this affair lead back to the ubiquitous Senator Saifur
Rehman, the unlikely Himmler (unlikely because of his beguiling
face) of this regime.
Another sign of the times is the new role assumed by the official
news agency, APP, which is now less a government mouthpiece, its
traditional role, than a loudspeaker for the first family. Or
perhaps it is only doing the right thing by reflecting the
dramatic, and who knows fatal, blurring of lines between the
government and the ruling family, a late 20th century incarnation
of Louis XIV's dictum: the state, it is I.
Recently APP ran a lengthy piece saying that Al-Taufiq which is in
litigation with the first family for money owed to it, had
approached the London courts after failing to blackmail the prime
minister into giving it a lucrative building contract in Saudi
Arabia. "It is reliably learnt," says APP, "that when Hudabiya
management brought this matter to the notice of the prime minister,
he refused to compromise on national interest (sic) and rejected
the proposal for revival of the contract."
Hudabiya , as everyone knows, took money from Al-Taufiq and then
simply refused to pay it back. The guarantors of this loan were
Mian Muhammad Sharif, Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Mian Abbas Sharif.
Al-Taufiq went to court in London and got an order for 32 million
pounds (or is it dollars?) against the Sharifs. Although the
Sharifs are not averse to having property in London or to shopping
at Harrods (a form of relaxation favoured by the prime minister
during his visits to London), they do not seem to have much of an
opinion of British justice, which is why they have chosen to settle
this matter on home ground in the court of Muhammad Nasrullah Khan,
Civil Judge 1st Class, Lahore.
To be sure, there is a perverse form of consistency at work here.
The Sharif government prides itself on its 'homespun' policies.
Perhaps for that reason it also prefers made-in-Pakistan justice.
Al-Taufiq may be to blame for not having secured its loan. For
argument's sake it can even be conceded that maybe Al-Taufiq was
expecting undue favours in return. But none of this obscures the
fact that the Sharifs took money from Al-Taufiq which they are now
refusing to pay back. Between debts contracted by mere mortals and
those taken by a family vowing to turn the country's fortunes
around there should be some difference. Or would the Sharifs like
to be judged by the yardsticks applied to common loan defaulters?
In invoking the national interest as far as their dealings with Al-
Taufiq go, the ruling family, however, is relying on a precedent
first set in 1991. When between them the Ittefaq Group and the
Chaudries of Gujrat, Pakistan's second most famous enterprising
family, added their bit to the bursting of the cooperatives' bubble
(an event otherwise known as the co-operatives' scam), the Ittefaq
Group issued an extraordinary statement. It said that the Group had
received a mandate from Mian Muhammad Sharif to industrialize the
country and it was in pursuance of that mandate that the Group,
having been denied loans from the regular banking sector (this was
during Benazir Bhutto's first prime ministership), had opted to
take loans from co-operative societies.
As explanations go this was brazen because, firstly, the Ittefaq
Group was not a member of these societies and, secondly, the law
forbade the societies to advance big loans. But on account of their
political clout, the Ittefaq group and the Chaudries, and a host of
other enterprising souls, laid their hands on vast sums of money
which even if, as in the case of Ittefaq, were subsequently repaid,
contributed to the collapse of the cooperative societies and the
loss of about 17 billion rupees (a huge sum in those days) of
people's money. But then the Ittefaq group's claim that it had a
mandate to industrialize the country obviously implied that the end
justified the means. Lingering doubts if any about the laws of
propriety having been breached were subsequently laid to rest when
the appropriately-named Justice Lone of the Supreme Court, who had
been asked to investigate the cooperatives' scam, drew a clean line
under the affair by absolving Ittefaq of any wrongdoing. Justice
Lone now sits in the Senate as a member of the ruling party.
More glory to the Sharifs if everything they touch turns into gold.
No one will grudge them this if for no other reason than that
Pakistan has always been a happy hunting ground for all kinds of
financial adventures which would be well nigh impossible to execute
in better-regulated countries. It is the Sharifs being in power at
the same time which is a cause for concern because this marriage is
distorting the nature of our polity and subverting what there is of
our sham democracy. For democracy to function in a country like
ours needs enlightened, tolerant and broad-minded rulers in the
mould of Jinnah. If that is asking for too much, at least leaders
who, whatever their other faults, do not mix private advantage with
the public interest. Otherwise if tolerance towards political
robber barons is to be the norm, what was wrong with Benazir Bhutto
and Asif Zardari? If the country's fate is to have pirates for
rulers, what does it matter who is at the helm?
Nawaz Sharif was voted into power for two reasons. The people were
heartily sick of the Zardaris and they believed that Nawaz Sharif
would usher in a modern, industrial revolution that would better
their lives. Far from delivering on this promise, he is presiding,
unwittingly for the most part, over a process leading to the
Suhartoization of Pakistan. This is turning an already
retrogressive republic into a mediaeval monarchy in which the king
is not only synonymous with the state. He is also infallible and
can do no wrong. Naturally, dissent or opposition of any kind is
not only wrong but downright scandalous in this dispensation.
Historians will have a hard time figuring out which is the more
dangerous thing: conscious evil or simplicity carried to such
extremes.
What adds to the sense of infallibility, or indeed to a sense of
predestination, is the unbroken run of luck Nawaz Sharif has had
for the last 18 years: obstacles crossed, oppositionists
vanquished, one success followed by another more dazzling. The
titans of martial law who helped the Sharifs in their rise to power
have vanished into the shades. Ghulam Ishaq Khan who thought so
much of himself is chewing the cud of bitterness in the wings.
Benazir Bhutto and Zardari caught in the depths of despair.
Leghari, Sajjad Ali Shah, Jahangir Karamat: the list of nemeses
destroyed is long and distinguished. No wonder Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif himself says, and his associates fervently echo the line,
that the Almighty has probably reserved Mian Nawaz Sharif for the
performance of some great work. Between this and the divine right
of kings the distance is small.
Authoritarianism in its many forms Pakistan is familiar with. The
pauperization of democracy too it knows. But family domination of
the kind being seen today is a new phenomenon, one without any
parallels, in its storm-and-thunder history.
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990508
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The view from the top
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Irfan Husain
RECENTLY, I received an e-mail from a reader in cyberspace who said
he understood the mechanics of political corruption in Pakistan,
but was trying to work out the motivation behind it. He then
launched into a long behavioural explanation that ranged from
inherited genes to upbringing.
My own explanation, based on 30 years in government, including a
couple of years in the PM's secretariat in the mid-seventies, is
far simpler: once in the saddle, our rulers become so drunk with
power that they truly believe nobody can remove them. Without
exception, they place so much reliance on the bureaucracy, and are
so dazzled by the pomp and glory associated with supreme authority,
that they become completely cut off from reality. Surrounded by
sycophants who tell them what they want to hear, and shielded by
intelligence agencies that rigorously filter out the truth, they
are convinced that all is well until the axe falls. Seldom reading
newspapers, they attribute negative comments to opposition
misinformation. The state-controlled radio and TV reinforce the
impression that all is well.
The irony, of course, is that when these very leaders are out of
office, they perceive very clearly the pitfalls of power. But
almost immediately after being sworn in, they seem to forget all
the lessons they learned and fall into the same trap. They begin
believing radio and TV, as well as the daily intelligence reports.
These latter are in reality a contradiction in terms as their
content is anything but intelligent. A compendium of gossip,
newspaper comment and field reports, they lack analysis and
substance. The party hacks and handpicked bureaucrats in the PM's
secretariat are not the people to risk their jobs by giving free
and frank advice. When I accused an old friend who was a very close
adviser to Benazir Bhutto of shirking his responsibility by not
telling her the truth, he said he'd be sacked and would then be
even less effective.
I suppose all of us find reasons and rationalizations to justify
taking the path of least resistance. But it is a function of
leadership to seek good and honest advice. Unfortunately, our
leaders prefer the ambience of a Moghul court where only the king
can be right. This reminds me of the courtier who sang the praises
of aubergines because his liege lord preferred them to all other
vegetables. After he died, his successor decreed that he hated
aubergines, and they should never be served at his table again.
"You have such impeccable taste, sire", said our courtier. "They
are revolting things indeed." Later, a colleague reminded him how
he had professed to love them until only a few days ago. "Fool!"
replied the courtier. "Do I serve the king or the aubergine?" Just
so, a Capital Development Authority chief will produce a hideous
neo-Moghul design for a prime ministerial office for Nawaz Sharif
in his first stint, and then agree with Benazir Bhutto that it was
truly awful. This weak-kneed sycophancy is rife in our power
centres and prevents open and frank discussion and debate from
taking place. But this is a reflection of what I call the "ji
hazoor" ("yes sir") syndrome that is part of our culture. Watch any
discussion on TV, and you will rarely find people disagreeing with
each other. Behind people's backs, of course, we tear them to
shreds, but prefer not to confront anybody directly.
When politicians assume control of the levers of power, they become
convinced that no ordinary mortal - unless he is in uniform - can
possibly remove them from office. Their rivals look like pygmies
when compared with the might of the state, so leaders assume that
they cannot be turfed out. Confusing government with the state,
they cannot imagine that the latter can turn against them.
Shortly after he announced the dates for the fateful 1977
elections, Bhutto was asked by an American journalist how he saw
his future. The assumption was that he would easily win the next
election. "Do you think you'll want a third term?" Bhutto replied:
"I can't see beyond two terms. The Bhutto men do not live very
long." Prescient man! But nobody could have foreseen the tragic end
of the three Bhuttos.
Even a populist leader like ZAB allowed himself to be cut off from
his constituency. Increasingly reliant on the bureaucracy, he asked
deputy commissioners and commissioners to nominate many of the
candidates for the election, thus bypassing his own party. When the
chips were down, many of the PPP workers refused to come out on the
streets. Twenty years later, his daughter made the same mistake and
shared a similar rejection from the PPP.
The point is that once a leader has convinced himself of his own
infallibility, he feels he is not accountable to lesser mortals.
During his stint as chief minister, Nawaz Sharif had his
discretionary allowance increased from 20 million to 90 million,
and went around distributing largesse to all and sundry, much in
the manner of a moghul prince. It is this blurring of the line
between personal funds and the state exchequer that leads to the
next step of dipping into the latter at will. Somebody like Nawaz
Sharif simply cannot understand the fuss about his multi-billion
bank defaults and his alleged tax evasion. Similarly, Benazir
Bhutto shrugs off the charges (some now proven) of corruption on an
epic scale. Zia's son Ijazul Haq will not admit that his father did
any wrong in leaving him assets far, far in excess of his known
income. All these people are secretly convinced that these extras
go with the job. What is the point in becoming the chief executive
if you can't feather your nest?
Remember, for all their fine words about wanting to serve the
people, the only people they actually want to serve is themselves
and their immediate families. But above all, they are so convinced
that the power of the state will protect them from accountability
that they do as they please.
Unfortunately, civil servants generally do not have the spine to
stand up to them. When Nawaz Sharif launched his hare-brained
yellow cab scheme, he was applauded by Salman Farooqi, the
communications secretary, and Qazi Alimullah, the finance
secretary. Both of them rose to greater heights under BB. When some
bankers asked about security for their funds, they were told by
Alimullah that if they could not deliver, replacements who could
would be easy to find.
When ambitious men and women scale the greasy pole of political
power, they should remember that the higher they climb, the harder
they fall.
===================================================================
SPORTS
990505
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan factfile for the World Cup
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Group B (with Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh and
Scotland).
Strengths:
This team has everything - top pace bowling, spin, flamboyant
batting - Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq have rediscovered their
form - and a string of lavish all-rounders like Shahid Afridi,
Wasim Akram and Azhar Mahmood. Equally importantly, many of them
have experience playing in England.
Weaknesses:
The only thing that ever seems to hold Pakistan back is infighting,
scandal and inconsistency. Several of the squad are still being
investigated for allegedly fixing the results of One-day
Internationals, while coach Javed Miandad quit just before the team
left for London. But Wasim, back as captain yet again, seems to
have won the players' support just in time.
Recent form:
Oct '98: Lost 1-0 to Australia in home Test series and 3-0 in the
one-day rubber. Lost to West Indies in quarter-final of the mini
World Cup.
Nov '98: Beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in home one-day series.
Dec: Lost to Zimbabwe 1-0 in home Test series.
Feb '99: Draw with India 1-1 in away Test series.
March: Win Asian Championship against Sri Lanka (India failed to
reach final). Beat Bangladesh away in one-off one-dayer.
April: Beat India in away tri-nations tournament (Sri Lanka failed
to reach the final), overall four wins, one defeat. Beat India in
Shajah Champions Trophy final (England failed to reach the final),
overall three wins, two defeats.
Prospects:
The semi-finals - at the very least.
Player to watch:
Wasim Akram starred in Pakistan's 1992 World Cup triumph and is
rediscovering the form to suggest he could do so again. He is a
genuine all-rounder, his left-arm pace bowling earning him a
historic two consecutive hat-tricks against Sri Lanka in the Asian
Championship in March. Stripped of the captaincy at the start of
1998 following match-fixing allegations, he is now back in favour.
His ability to keep the team together, as Imran Khan did in 1992,
may hold the key to its chances of ruling the world again.
World Cup pedigree 1975-1996: Played 37, won 21, lost 15, no result
one
Winners: 1992.
Semi-finalists: 1979, 1983, 1987.
Eliminated before semi-finals: 1975, 1996.-AFP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990503
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Council accepts Miandad's resignation unanimously
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, May 2: The executive council of the Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) showed no mercy to idol Javed Miandad when it accepted his
resignation unanimously in the two-day summit that concluded at the
National Stadium on Sunday.
Nusrat Azeem, president of the Karachi City Cricket Association,
who conducted a crowded press briefing, said Miandad's resignation
was accepted in the larger interest of the team and country.
"I don't want to explain more than what I have already said. But
you are free to interpret," Azeem, who is the senior most
councillor, remarked.
When asked if his statement meant that Miandad would have spoilt
the team, he kept mum. "I have already said that it was a unanimous
decision of the council.
"We didn't contact him (Javed Miandad) because what we have heard
and read is enough," he said.
Azeem conducted the press conference after chairman PCB Khalid
Mahmood skipped the briefing and left the National Stadium before
it was to start though his flight for Islamabad was scheduled late
in the evening. Chief executive Majid Khan didn't attend the second
day's session because of food poisoning. On Saturday, he was
instructed by the chairman to hold Sunday's briefing.
Azeem said the cricket board wanted Miandad to continue till the
World Cup but he resigned. "He himself says that because of family
commitments he can't continue so what can we do?"
Javed Miandad, who had remained a silent spectator since submitting
his resignation on April 21, added fuel to the controversy when he
said from Lahore: "I always knew that they would sack me. And
that's why I resigned to avoid that humiliation.
"My point is vindicated today as they have accepted my
resignation," he said, adding: "The players were against me and
some officials of the cricket board were patronizing them.
"If the players don't want me, how can I continue? My job is to get
the best out of them and in the present scenario, that wouldn't
happen. So I decided to quit and let the players play on their own
so that no aspect is left unplugged which could be made an excuse
if, god forbidden, the team falters."
Miandad and some senior players got in a tangle during the Sharjah
Champion's Trophy match against England which Pakistan lost by 62
runs. According to reports, Miandad had accused five players of
deliberately playing cricket below their potential.
Azeem throughout the press briefing remained at the receiving end.
At times, he had no answers to questions. In fact, the 105-minutes
briefing remained tense with Azeem losing his temper in the first
20 minutes when pressed on a couple of issues.
While the Miandad issue was the hottest with his future as the
topic of discussion from Karachi to Khyber, it was pretty low in
cricket board's agenda.
To begin with, Azeem briefed the mediamen agenda wise and Miandad's
resignation came at the fag end of the conference. Secondly, when
Azeem was asked why the executive council's approval was not taken
in Pybus's appointment, he replied that approval of only major and
urgent issues is taken on telephone while matters that can wait,
are discussed and approved in the council meeting.
Asked then how the accounts were approved, he said: "The accounts
were approved with qualification. We approved whatever details were
available. But I cannot promise when the complete accounts will be
available though we are trying."
He said suggestions have been sought from the Domestic Tournament
Monitoring Committee (DTMC) how the restructuring and improvement
can be made in the first-class tournament. To construct academies
at Karachi and Lahore, suggestions have been sought while the
secretariat has been assigned to draft a proposal to create a
welfare trust for the former Test cricketers who require financial
assistance.
Azeem said it was after a long time that the executive council was
calling the shots in cricket affairs. "In the previous setups, the
council used to play in the hands of the officials. Most of the
decisions were implement without the approval of the council."
Azeem said the council has approved the names of the match referees
and umpires. But stated that the names would be sent to the
International Cricket Council (ICC) who will officially announce
them. But he confirmed that the two match referees and umpires have
been replaced.
Azeem said the PCB has received two invitation from the organizers
of the World Cup. He said the council would decide who would go.
But it seems that nothing is left for council to decide as the PCB
has already confirmed the names of Asif Shah (Peshawar) and Justice
Ijaz Yousuf (Quetta).
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