-------------------------------------------------------------------
DAWN WIRE SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Week Ending : 20 March 1999 Issue : 05/12
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------
+ Sartaj hints at CTBT signing by September
+ SAARC moot closes Pakistan, India vow to cement ties
+ Islam insists on honouring contractual obligations
+ SC accepts Benazir's plea in SGS case
+ 5% more to have access to higher education by 2010
+ Govt depts face power cut if dues not paid
+ PM adds 30 more seats to Sindh's medical colleges
+ Passenger bus service begins for Delhi, Lahore
+ Opposition urges production of detained MPAs
+ Consultations on special courts continuing: PM
+ Landing at Shannon airport: PIA rethinking its decision
---------------------------------
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
+ Traders meet PM, offer proposal on GST
+ Pakistan, Thailand to tap trade potential
+ New private airline in offing
+ CBR to accept fixed payment: 4700 sales tax notices withdrawn
+ SPI rises by 6.21pc during 12 months
+ Minimum export price of yarn up by $10
+ ADB to help 15m women and children
+ Pakistan to benefit from euro: EU envoy
+ Trading volume falls to 111 million shares
---------------------------------------
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
+ Shantiniketan Ardeshir Cowasjee
+ The real threat Irfan Husain
-----------
SPORTS
+ Sri Lanka crumble to defeat against Pakistan
+ Pakistan win first Asian Test Championship
+ Pakistan can have 15 players for Sharjah event
===================================================================
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
===================================================================
NATIONAL NEWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sartaj hints at CTBT signing by September
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, March 18: The government announced on Thursday it might
sign the CTBT even before September if the ongoing progress towards
the creation of a coercion-free atmosphere continued.
"There is already some good progress towards creating a conducive
environment," Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz told the National
Assembly, adding: "It is worth mentioning that since last
September, when Pakistan faced unjustified sanctions, the coercive
atmosphere has eased."
Mr Aziz said the sanctions imposed by the US, Japan and others were
also being gradually softened." The US administration has already
initiated the process of further extending the Brownback Amendment
and expanding its scope to revive preliminary military contacts."
Responding to a question from Syed Naveed Qamar during the question
hour, the minister, in his written answer, said Japan had lifted
the sanctions against humanitarian assistance and, hopefully, he
added, the ongoing bilateral discussions between the two countries
would yield further good results.
"These are all positive developments. We hope efforts for creating
a coercion-free atmosphere will continue, enabling Pakistan to
fulfil its commitment," the minister said, adding that Islamabad
wished that this progress should continue so that Pakistan could
adhere to the CTBT within the timeframe announced by the prime
minister in his address to the UN General Assembly.
Mr Aziz made it clear that Pakistan was not against the CTBT in
principle. "We had participated in the negotiations for the treaty.
However, as clearly stated by the prime minister, Pakistan would
not adhere to the treaty in a coercive atmosphere. This is our
principled position and cannot be compromised," he added.
BIMSTEC: Responding to a question asked by Kunwar Khalid Yunus
about BIMSTEC, the minister said the organization was still at an
initial stage of development, but Pakistan was closely watching its
activities.
"We have not yet applied for its membership and if we consider the
organization beneficial to our national interest, we may, explore
the idea of joining it."
He said BIMSTEC was an association of Bangladesh,India, Myanmar,
Sri Lanka and Thailand for cooperation in the fields of trade,
investment, industry, human resource development, tourism,
fisheries, agriculture, etc.
AFGHANISTAN: In response to a question asked by Abdul Lateef Afridi
on Afghanistan, Mr Aziz reiterated Pakistan's fullest support to a
proposed meeting of the "Six plus Two" in Tashkent, and hoped that
this mechanism would help establish a durable peace in Afghanistan.
Referring to developments in Afghanistan during the recent months,
he said the Taliban had agreed to the stationing of human rights
monitors in Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, Binyamin, Mazar-i-Sharif and
Jalalabad. About other developments, he said an agreement for the
resumption of UN humanitarian operations in Afghanistan had been
finalised, direct contact between the UN and the Taliban government
had resumed and NGOs had already started returning to Afghanistan.
The minister said Pakistan had consistently supported efforts for
peace in Afghanistan. Towards the realisation of this objective,
Pakistan, he said, had employed a multi-pronged strategy, including
shuttle diplomacy, joint missions, close liaison with Central Asian
states, the UN and the OIC.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990320
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SAARC moot closes Pakistan, India vow to cement ties
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NUWARA ELIYA (Sri Lanka), March 19: Pakistan and India on Friday
announced a timetable to speed up talks aimed at defusing nuclear
tensions in the region and to push the "bus diplomacy".
Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz and his Indian counterpart Jaswant
Singh in a joint statement issued in this Sri Lankan hill resort
said they would meet again after June.
Their next round of talks would be held after their respective
foreign secretaries completed a "composite and integrated dialogue
process" in New Delhi and Islamabad between May and June, the
statement said.
The statement set out the timetable for pushing forward the
historic summit last month between Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and
Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Friday's meeting was the first for the two foreign ministers since
last month's Lahore declaration.
The two foreign ministers agreed on the urgency of taking concrete
measures for the implementation of the Lahore declaration.
Our Correspondent adds: Addressing the SAARC council of
ministers on Thursday, Mr Aziz said that Pakistan had taken several
initiatives to improve the atmosphere of bilateral relations with
India. "The faithful implementation of the Lahore Declaration would
lead to peace and prosperity in the region," he asserted.
Mr Aziz said it was Pakistan's endeavour to translate commitments
into deeds. "Only by resolving our differences we will be able to
ensure peace, security and economic development in the region,
which has become imperative not only as a result of the
nuclearization of South Asia, but owing to the pressing need for
economic development and social progress in the SAARC region on the
eve of the 21st century," he added.
The foreign minister said that there was obvious link between peace
and development. Regional as well as bilateral cooperation required
an enabling environment of security and stability, Mr Aziz said,
adding that during the Colombo summit, the Prime Minister, Nawaz
Sharif had proposed the peace security and development initiative
aimed at reinforcing efforts to resolve disputes in the region.
Mr Aziz said that at the bilateral level Mr Sharif has taken
several steps in the context of relations with India to reduce
tensions and to promote beneficial cooperation. "At his initiative
the bilateral dialogue process resumed. The prime ministers of both
countries have agreed in their meeting in September 1998 that an
environment of peace and security is in the supreme national
interest of both sides and that resolution of all outstanding
issues is essential for this purpose," he added.
The foreign minister said that in the Colombo Declaration, SAARC
had reiterated its commitment to the promotion of mutual trust and
understanding between the member states. He said SAARC had agreed
that a process of informal consultations would prove useful in this
regard.
The minister pointed out that the lack of conducive political
environment had adversely impacted regional trade and that the
share of SAARC member states in the global trade was less than two
per cent.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990320
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Islam insists on honouring contractual obligations
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 19: The Saudi economic expert, pleading the case for
eliminating riba (interest), on Friday emphasised that Pakistan
must honour its contractual obligations of paying back external
debts while Islamic modes were ushered in through the evolutionary
process.
Dr Muhammad Umer Chapra, senior economic advisor to Saudi Arabian
Monitoring Agency, stated this while summing up his arguments
against the interest-based financial system before the Supreme
Court's Shariat Appellate Bench, Karachi Registry.
"Pakistan's external and domestic debts are very high. With foreign
debts at $30 billion, any effort by Pakistan to get out of this
obligation will be very difficult and send wrong signals to the
world about Muslims," he said.
The bench comprising Justice Khalilur Rahman, Justice Wajihuddin
Ahmed, Justice Muneer A. Shaikh, Maulana Taqi Usmani and Dr
Mohammad Ahmed Ghazi, was hearing the federation's appeal against
the Federal Shariat Court's judgment declaring the present banking
system un-Islamic.
Dr Chapra called for creating proper conditions for the safety and
security of foreign investors. "If one is killed, they will close
the door. We must enact law against nationalization," he added and
was critical of the government's dealings with the Independent
Power Projects (IPPs). He was of the view that the government's row
with the IPPs had sent wrong signals.
Justice Khalilur Rahman interceded and remarked: "But what if
someone breaches agreement through a dubious manner. At 7 cents no
one is prepared to purchase," he said, adding that "if such
agreements are implemented in their own country, they will blow
hell."
Underscoring the importance of executing the contracts to the
satisfaction of the parties concerned, Dr Chapra was of the view
that while the Islamic system was gradually put in place, the
government should not enter into new contracts based on riba.
Justice Khalil while referring to Pakistan's experience with the
Islamization of economy, said people knew what was riba, but he
emphasised that "each product has to be decided through Ijma-i-
Ummat. Without that there can be no progress," he added.
Dr Chapra was asked by the bench that while he was advocating the
honouring of commitments with regard to external debts, why the
same principle could not be applied to domestic debts?
The Saudi expert was of the view that "we should stop charging
interest on that, on a cut-away date." He said the Holy Quran
called upon the creditors to leave riba.
Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed remarked that a time limit was fixed by
the Federal Shariat Court. Seven years had passed but no step was
taken by the government to implement its recommendations.
Dr Chapra claimed that all productive projects of the government
could be financed through Islamic modes like istisna or lease.
In this context, he cited the attempts in Turkey and Malaysia and
asked why can't Pakistan do that? He said school and hospital
buildings could be built by the private sector and then leased to
the government.
When Maulana Taqi Usmani asked whether defence purchases and other
needs could be met through Islamic modes, Dr Chapra said the
equipment could be imported on the basis of murabaha.
When Justice Khalil inquired how defence purchase expenditures were
made in the US, Dr Chapra said it was generally done on credit and
the organizations involved in it maintained complete secrecy.
He, however, regretted that there were no opportunities in Pakistan
to invest because of corruption in the government corporations and
the government's permission to invest in interest-based ventures.
"If there is no honesty, no instrument can be successful," he
added.
He said if a prime minister took a planeload of people on a visit
to the United States and went on a shopping spree, that was not
acceptable.
Dr Chapra also emphasized the need for creating instruments which
were negotiable and ownership-based. Debt-based instruments were
not negotiable. He cited Maulana Usmani who, he said, was of the
view that Shariat prohibited the sale of debt-based instruments,
while many others had the divergent view.
In order to cut down luxurious and conspicuous spending by the
government, he suggested that all government financing should be
project-based. On a query from Justice Khalil about debt servicing,
he said Muslims had developed debt instruments during medieval
Islam.
He said Pakistan was not interested in creating facilities for
attracting funds from Muslim countries, though it was in its own
interest. He blamed bureaucracy and the moral decline of society as
a whole for such a situation.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SC accepts Benazir's plea in SGS case
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, March 18: The Supreme Court on Monday set aside an order
of the Lahore High Court's Ehtesab bench closing the evidence of Ms
Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari in SGS case and
asked both the parties to maintain decorum during the hearing of
the cases.
The court, headed by Justice Saiduzzaman Siddiqui, after two hours
hearing, accepted the petitions of Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari and
directed the Ehtesab bench to allow the former to record her
statement under section 340(2) CrPC.
The bench had on Wednesday closed hearing of SGS case for
announcing the verdict on Monday. After the decision of the apex
court the SGS case was reopened. The Ehtesab bench will not only
record the statement of Ms Bhutto on oath but also reconsider the
list of defence witnesses she had submitted.
The SC bench was consisted of Justice Saiduzzaman Siddiqui, Justice
Shaikh Ijaz Nisar and Justice Mamoon Kazi.
Taking note of the unpleasant incidents during the hearing of the
Ehtesab cases, the court hoped that the counsel for the petitioner
as well as the prosecutor should show utmost restraint at that
time.
It was third relief given to Ms Bhutto and her husband in the last
two weeks by the apex court. On March 5, a Supreme Court bench had
directed an Ehtesab bench to reconsider its order in which it had
rejected the objection on the authenticity of the documents
obtained from Switzerland.
Similarly on March 12, the apex court had directed the LHC
registrar to seal the report of the commission sent to Switzerland
for verification of the documents.
The court after hearing the counsel for the petitioners (Ms Bhutto
and Asif Ali Zardari) and the deputy attorney general and public
prosecutor, converted the petitions into appeals and disposed those
off.
The SC ordered that the Ehtesab bench order, closing the evidence
of the petitioner, was set aside, subject to the following:
i) The petitioner in criminal petition No 65 of 1999, (Ms Bhutto)
who wished to appear as her own witness under section 340(2), CrPC,
would appear before the Ehtesab bench hearing reference No. 30 on
March 22 and on that date, the bench shall record her statement
under that section.
ii) The counsel for the petitioner in criminal petition No 66/99
(Asif Ali Zardari) had made a categorical statement before us that
the petitioner in that case did not wish to appear before the court
and record his statement under section 340(2) CrPC and therefore,
in his case no such statement needs to be recorded by the bench.
iii) In the criminal petition No 65/99, the petitioner, (Ms Bhutto)
had filed a copy of the miscellaneous application filed before the
Ehtesab bench on 1.3.99 in which she had prayed for issuing summons
in respect of as many as 39 witnesses, who were proposed to be
examined in the case in her defence.
Similarly in criminal petition No 66/99 (Asif Ali Zardari) the
petitioner's counsel states that his client wishes to examine the
following three persons as defence witnesses, namely; Abu Bakar
Zardari Advocate, superintendent jail, Landhi, Karachi, and
Salvator Aversano Advocate (Geneva).
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990318
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5% more to have access to higher education by 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, March 17: The government announced on Wednesday that
access to higher education (17-23 age group) would be expanded to
at least 5 per cent by the year 2010.
Education Minister Syed Ghous Ali Shah, in his written reply, told
the National Assembly during the question hour that this would be
done by implementing the national education plan . He was
responding to a question asked by Nasimur Rehman.
The minister also said that the public sector universities would
enhance their intake by establishing additional campuses, and added
that access to higher education would be based on entrance tests
and merit.
The other recommendations included in the plan are:
* New disciplines/emerging sciences to be introduced in
universities.
* Community colleges to be established.
* Selected disciplines to be transformed into centres of advanced
studies and research.
* Representation of industrialists on university authorities to be
encouraged.
* Institutions of professional education to be encouraged to
generate internal resources.
* Provincial agricultural research institutes to be merged with
respective agricultural universities.
* One-year BA/BSc (Hons) course after BA/B.Sc to be launched in all
the colleges.
* Degree colleges to have the option to affiliate with any
recognised Pakistani university or degree-awarding institution.
* Selection of teachers and non-academic staff to be done on merit.
* A proper service structure will be developed for laboratory and
technical staff of universities and colleges.
* Carricula of universities will be revised at all levels and
adjusted to requirements of industry and brought to international
standards.
* Interaction between universities and industries to be arranged.
* Local M.Phil and Ph.D degree programmes to be launched.
* Split Ph.D programmes will be launched in collaboration with
reputed foreign universities.
* Linkage with universities in foreign countries to be developed to
promote interaction.
* A teachers service training academy to be established.
* Balance between teaching and research to be shifted in favour of
research. At least 10 per cent annual recurring budget of each
university to be allocated for research.
* Funding of education to be raised from present 2.2 per cent to 4
per cent of GNP with enhanced allocation of universities.
* Import of educational equipment to be exempted from all types of
taxes.
* Universities and institutions of higher education to be
encouraged to admit students under self-financing scheme.
* Poor and meritorious students to be given waiver in fee. Portions
of Ushr and Zakat, collected, will be used for needy students.
* A dean of student affairs to be appointed in universities.
* A code of ethics to be enforced to regulate the corporate life of
students and teachers on campus.
* All students to be assigned community work during summer
vacation.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990320
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Govt depts face power cut if dues not paid
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, March 19: Water and power minister Gohar Ayub Khan
informed the National Assembly on Friday that federal and
provincial departments had been asked to pay Rs67 billion Wapda
arrears pending against them, otherwise the government would
consider suspending power supply to them.
He was responding to a call-attention notice moved by Kunwar Khalid
Yunus, Arif Khan, Tariq Jawaid, Farrukh Naeem Siddiqui and Babar
Khan Ghori who invited the attention of the government regarding
the refund of overcharged amount of Rs5 billion by Wapda in the
Sindh province.
They alleged that Wapda had charged Rs4.5 billion from Sindh with
17,500 consumers while Punjab had been charged Rs3 billion with 50
thousand consumers. Moreover, they alleged, the financial condition
of Sindh was precarious and the deduction of Rs4.5 billion had
aggravated the situation.
Refuting the charge, Mr Khan said Wapda was treating all the
provinces equally and every government department had to pay power
bills to make Wapda viable. He added that if domestic consumers
were brought under pressure to pay small amounts, why not the
government departments should pay huge arrears to bring Wapda out
of the financial crisis.
Mr Khan said he had decided to disclose the figures of stuck-up
Wapda arrears against government departments in every session.
The minister said the Wapda billing in January was Rs8.70 billion
with the induction of the new management, which had now reduced to
Rs6.127 billion in February, facing a shortfall of above Rs2.5
billion due to check on power thefts.
He said a task force had been created by finance minister Ishaq
Dar, with Sindh governor as its member, also to give recommendation
on figures of power bills. It had been decided by government
committees that government departments should pay 80 per cent of
their arrears first and the remaining 20 per cent would be decided
after their claims. It had also been decided to deduct bills at the
source.
Replying to a question by deputy opposition leader Khurshid Shah
regarding the disparity in bills of Sindh and Punjab, the minister
said a task force constituted to deal with the matter would take
decision on it. He assured the house that no province would be
deprived of its due rights.- APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PM adds 30 more seats to Sindh's medical colleges
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KARACHI, March 18: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced
another increase of 30 seats to medical colleges of Sindh raising
the number of additional seats to 100.
He made this announcement while talking to reporters at the
Governor's House here on Thursday morning.
The announcement came in response to the demand from students
agitating over the issue of admission to medical colleges. Police
had baton-charged and manhandled the protesting students on
Wednesday when they tried to reach the Governor's House to see the
prime minister.
Earlier, Sindh Governor Moinuddin Haider had announced the increase
of 70 seats in the medical colleges to accommodate those candidates
of A-1 and A grades who were unable to secure admission after
appearing in the entry test conducted by the Institute of Business
Administration.
The governor, who was also present on the occasion, said that what
the students wanted had been done and now what they (students)
wanted they should give in writing so that there could be no shift
in the demands.
Official sources said the prime minister had taken note of
students' demands while presiding over a meeting here on Thursday
morning with governor Moinuddin Haider and state minister Haleem
Siddiqi after which he made the announcement to increase seats.
However, the students demand to admit the A and A-1 graders without
entry tests was not conceded.
This demand has been turned down by the government as Haleem
Siddiqi made it clear to newsmen that admission tests were
necessary.
This is a system which the government has introduced and will have
to be followed, the governor and the minister told newsmen.
Halim Siddiqui said the test for admission against the increased
seats would be held by April 10.
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor's Media Adviser Dost Muhammad Faizi has
contradicted the reports, appearing in a section of the press on
Thursday that students were subjected to a "planned lathi-charge"
by police on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mr Faizi, however,
regretted over the irritable situation and said that it occurred
owing to a non-compromising attitude of some students who wanted to
forge ahead to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was staying at
the Governor's House on Wednesday.
This group tried to take all the students inside the Governor's
House while the administration had repeatedly asked them to
nominate some of their fellow students as their representatives to
brief the premier about their demands.
Due to security reasons, it was not possible to allow so many
persons to approach the premier, he added.
Mr Faizi said after the creation of additional 100 seats, as
announced by the prime minister on Thursday, the issue stood
resolved and suggested the students, having A-1 or A grade, to
prepare for the entry test as they would have to go through the
same process initiated for upholding of merit.
The Governor's Media Advisor defended the IBA entry tests and
termed it a positive step towards improving the education system. -
APP/PPI
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990317
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Passenger bus service begins for Delhi, Lahore
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mahmood Zaman
LAHORE, March 16: Lahore-Delhi bus service began on Tuesday with
the first bus leaving the Punjab capital at 6.15am with 25 people,
including 20 passengers, aboard.
The first Indian bus from Delhi reached Lahore at 7.45pm carrying
33 people 29 of whom were passengers and four others, including two
drivers. Three children also arrived Lahore with their parents.
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation bus (No LXE 2426)
started late by about 15 minutes as one passenger, a Canadian
national Pakistani Anwar Mahmood, did not turn up and the PTDC
people tried to contact him.
The Delhi Transport Corporation bus began its journey to Lahore
late by some 90 minutes waiting for some passengers who had booked
their seats on the inaugural service but reached late at the DTC's
Dr Ambedkar terminal.
There was an air of subdued excitement as passengers of the two
buses showed enthusiasm in opening of the third mode of travel
between the two countries. Passengers reaching Lahore in the
evening were all praise for facilities and comfort during the 11-
hour journey.
Both the services had two drivers and one liaison officer each to
help passengers going through immigration and customs formalities
at Wahga and Attari check-posts. The buses stopped at Kartarpura,
Sirhand and Pipli for meals and refreshments as is provided by the
protocol signed by the two countries.
Most of them believed that travelling by air was expensive and full
of ordeals by train. That was why they liked the journey by bus
which is convenient and entertaining during the journey. Serving of
meals and refreshments during brief stop-overs after every two and
a half hour was an added attraction for them. They though the price
of Rs950 for one-way travel was not expensive keeping in view the
facilities.
Though not all the tickets were sold in either of the two buses,
some people came to "have a feel of the atmosphere" when the PTDC
bus left for Delhi in the morning. A city trader was seen around
seeking more information about the journey as he planned to take
the bus in the next week.
A US national Pakistani, Khan Idrees, got his air ticket to Delhi
cancelled and opted for journey by road as he cherished to see
"plains of the Punjab in this full blossoming spring". He said, "I
have travelled to India many times by road, but today I have a
different feeling; I am excited".
PTDC managing director Imtiaz Ali Syed saw the morning bus off
garlanding passengers. When the Indian bus arrived he welcomed them
with flowers. He said the government has allowed holder of visa for
any mode of transportation (air and train) to travel by road. The
facility is available for one week and he plans to propose to the
Foreign Office to extend the facility for another four to five
weeks to popularize the bus service.
As for less than expected response for the first bus, he said it
would take some time to attract the people in "this atmosphere of a
little skepticism" for a variety of reasons.
Twenty-one passengers booked their seats in the bus for Delhi. Of
them 10 were members of the Daudi Bohra community who travelled all
the way from Karachi to take the bus. Three each of the passengers
were from Islamabad and Lahore and the rest came from Karachi. Of
them 14 were women and six men. No child was accompanying any of
them.
Boarding the PTDC bus was the family of Izhar Amrohvi from
Islamabad who was the first to be issued visas by road. He was
accompanying wife and two daughters Tehmina Gulnaz and Saeeda
Yasmin. Hatim Husain, Zubeda Bai, Nasim Jaweja Kolawala and Mehfooz
Bai also travelled by the inaugural service. They all felt excited
to be on board the first bus to Delhi. Most of them were from the
divided families and were going to visit their relatives in India.
Ameer Khan and Inayatullah were the two drivers, clad in white
shalwar-kamees and dark green jackets of the Pakistani bus while
Syed Ishtiaq Husain was the liaison officer. Two commandos in plain
cloths also accompanied the bus upto Wahga check-post.
The luxury bus was fitted with a video television set and as it
left, a recorded announcement was made apprising passengers of
details of the journey. Two such buses have been leased by the PTDC
for the service.
Strict security measures were seen at the bus terminal. The luggage
was checked with a metal detector and a police van escorted the bus
to Wahga check-post.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990317
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Opposition urges production of detained MPAs
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KARACHI, March 16: The Sindh Assembly which met here on Tuesday,
with Acting Speaker Jalal Mahmood Shah in the chair, unanimously
passed a private bill with two amendments moved by PML MPA Syed
Murad Ali Shah.
The bill seeks the establishment of Elites University in District
Malir.
Under one amendment, the house was authorized to nominate two MPAs
on the Board of Governors of the University instead of nominations
to be made by the speaker.
Earlier the Chairman of the house special committee, Nawab Mirza,
presented his report on the draft law. The bill was introduced by
Dr Farooq Sattar, Leader of the MQM Parliamentary Party, on behalf
of the sponsor, Kazi Khalid Ali.
Taking part in the discussion, Dr Sattar said the situation in the
education sector of the country was not good. He cited the example
of Bangladesh where, he pointed out, 3 per cent of GDP was spent on
education with significant allocations for research and higher
education.
He said the Sindh Assembly had so far granted charters for 10
universities in the private sector.
He pointed out that the budget of Karachi University was only Rs300
million whereas the budget of Aligarh Muslim University, India, was
more than Rs2,500 million.
Dr Sattar said the universities established in the private sector
had been bound down to set up their campuses in rural areas also.
The general discussion on the bill was also participated by Nisar
Khuhro, Pir Mazharul Haq, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Munawar Ali Abbasi,
Sher Mohammed Baluch, Ghulam Mujtaba Isran, Khalid Bin Walid and
Mohammed Hussain.
Earlier, the house reverberated with the demand for producing the
three detained MQM MPAs during the assembly session.
Dr Sattar requested the speaker to give ruling against the
provincial government for not producing the three arrested assembly
members despite his directives in the house.
"By not producing the detained MPAs in the house despite the
directives of the speakers, the government is violating Article 232
(2) of the Constitution," he said, adding: "The government will
have to produce the detained MPAs."
Pir Mazhar said the provincial home department had misguided the
acting speaker.
Dr Sattar's stand was also supported by Nisar Khuhro, who was of
the view that non-production of the detained MPAs was tantamount to
undermining the assembly's prestige.
When Mr Khuhro was on his feet, the speaker adjourned the house
till Wednesday.
RESOLUTIONS: The Sindh Assembly passed four resolutions unanimously
on Tuesday.
These resolutions pertained to refund of Sindh's five billion
rupees by WAPDA and non-deduction of WAPDA bills at source,
distribution of government land among minorities, restoration of
seats for women in Sindh Assembly and local councils and stoppage
to draining out of saline water through RBOD into the sea.
The assembly session began at 12:50 hours with a delay of two hours
and 50 minutes.
The house time continued to be extended after every half an hour to
have the private bill for the establishment of Elite University
passed and finally the house was adjourned at 3:30pm.
At 3pm when the proceedings were being extend for half an hour, Dr
Sattar suggested to Speaker Jalal Mahmood Shah to also ask from the
journalists covering the proceedings in this regard.
The assembly secretary neither came to the press room nor talked to
any journalist. - APP/PPI
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990318
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Consultations on special courts continuing: PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 17: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said here on
Wednesday that consultations were continuing for the appointment of
judges of the special courts to be set up to deal with heinous
crimes.
He was responding to questions by newsmen during a visit to the
Kidney Centre.
Asked what were the impediments in the appointment of judges for
special courts, Nawaz Sharif said "according to the Constitution,
the government will appoint the judges in consultation with the
judiciary" and added that "we have sent the list for appointment of
judges to the judiciary and as soon as we receive their assent
these courts will start functioning".
He said, "I am confident the Judiciary will fulfil its
obligations."
Replying to another question, he said that terrorism had subsided
by the measures his government had taken. This was an indirect
reference to military courts.
Asked to comment on Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's
remarks about Kashmir, Mr Nawaz Sharif said: "We both have signed
the Lahore Declaration and I believe that all issues, including
that of Kashmir, can be solved through mutual consultation by
adhering to the declaration."
APP adds: Earlier during the visit to the Kidney Centre, the prime
minister said that the government would bear the cost of kidney
transplantation and dialysis of all deserving patients in the
country from PM's special fund.
He said this while talking to patients at the Kidney Centre here.
Mr Sharif said it was the duty of the government to find out all
kidney patients in the country, particularly poor patients and
provide them treatment.
He directed the in charge of PM's Cell for kidney patients, Brig
Masood Siddique, to reach all the needy patients who cannot contact
or approach the Cell for their treatment.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Landing at Shannon airport: PIA rethinking its decision
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Masood Haider
NEW YORK, March 18: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is
rethinking its decision to have its passengers processed by the US
immigration authorities at Shannon airport due to time factor, and
would now have them processed in New York and Washington airports
as usual.
Last Tuesday PIA's maiden flight arrived here from Shannon airport
in Ireland an hour late since the US immigration authorities denied
entry to about 29 passengers.
While PIA still intends to stopover at Shannon airport for
refuelling, picking up the meals and the crew, it will not have its
passengers processed by the immigration authorities there.
"The reason for the exercise was to save passengers' time, but if
the US immigration denies entry to a passenger then we have to
offload his baggage and things which is time consuming and most
likely the flights will be delayed", said PIA's Marketing Manager,
Iftikhar Ahmed.
Besides, the US immigration department still charges PIA a fee of
$4,500 per passenger who is denied entry into the US. So its not
cost-effective in one sense. Moreover, the passenger who lands at
US airport and is denied entry is provided facility of due process
according to US law.
The decision to go back to original procedure would take effect
within days, it is learnt.
However, PIA officials insist that by eliminating Paris, Frankfurt
and Zurich stops for its North American-bound flights they have
reduced the airline's expenses.
One reason being that the landing fees and fuel costs at Shannon
are far more reasonable than at Paris and other European
destinations. PIA was charged $20,000 per landing at Paris and
other airports while it pays less than $2,000 at Shannon. The fuel
is cheap and so are the lodging and boarding costs for the crew.
PIA will still be able to offer more discounted fares to the
passengers since it will have 150 more seats for North American
passengers. Earlier the airline had to earmark at least 150 seats
for European destinations and the exercise was not cost effective.
"Now we will be able to offer North America-bound passengers
discounted fares in excess of hundred dollars or more if they
purchase tickets one month in advance", a PIA official said.
===================================================================
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
990318
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Traders meet PM, offer proposal on GST
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Habib Khan Ghori
KARACHI, March 17: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
leaders on Wednesday night assured Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that
if their proposal pertaining to the GST registration was accepted,
the government could immediately generate a revenue of Rs5 billion.
The revenue could be raised to Rs10.2 billion within two years,
they added.
This assurance was given to the prime minister at the residence of
Senator Majid Sultan where selected business leaders had converged
on a short notice of an hour or so.
Those present at the meeting included EPB chairman and officials of
the KCCI and Karachi Stock Exchange as well as tycoons from
textile, processing and ship-breaking etc.
They exchanged views with the prime minister for over two hours,
informed sources said.
The prime minister acknowledge the problems faced by the business
community and issued necessary instructions for their resolution.
He took serious notice of complaints pertaining to harassment of
the business community by the PRC members and ordered an early
remedy. The prime minister asked the business community to fix a
date for payment of duty and full dues.
He was disturbed to know the plight of exporters and the
difficulties being faced by them as the banking system was not
supportive to exports.
He also ordered immediate release of all trucks held up laden with
steel and iron scrape.
He lauded the performance of KPT and Karachi Stock Exchange and
directed the KPT and the governor to allot a plot where a
monumental building of the chamber could be built.
The prime minister also freely mixed with the social workers and
women and assured them of his cooperation in carrying out social
welfare work.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan, Thailand to tap trade potential
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, March 18: Pakis-tan and Thailand on Thursday agreed on
taking concrete steps to cement their economic co- operation and
tap their existing trade potential.
This agreement was reached between the two countries during an
inaugural meeting of Pak-Thai Joint Economic Commission and their
2-day deliberations here.
The visiting Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand Sukhumb-hand
Paribatra and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Muhammad Saddiq
Khan Kanju signed agreed minutes of the joint commission inaugural
meeting at a ceremony held at Foreign Office here.
The joint commission was set up in 1997.
Both Paribatra and Kanju in their opening statements on the
occasion stressed the need to take requisite measures to enhance
their economic ties particularly trade.
The meeting of the joint commission," will prove to be a big
milestone in Thai- Pakistan relations," said the Thai minister.
Paribatra said the proposed agreement of promotion and protection
of investment would be "another effective mechanism in
strengthening our bilateral investment cooperation."
Saddiq Khan Kanju said the proposed signing of agreement for
promotion and protection of investment between the two countries
would go a long way in boosting the bilateral investment activity
in each other's country.
Thailand will send a delegation from its construction sector in
June, this year to explore the possibilities of co-operation
between the two countries in this field.
He called for further co-operation between the two sides in many
areas.
"The decision to sign an agreement between our respective chambers
of commerce and industry would further bolster the existing
commercial links."
There are ample opportunities to cooperate in this sector
particularly in processing and preservation of agricultural
products. Fishing industry in Pakistan needs investment and
technical assistance. "We welcome the interest shown by Thailand in
this sector and assure you of our full support."
Thai technical assistance, Kanju said, will help in revamping the
fishing industry in Pakistan.-APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
New private airline in offing
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 18: A new airline is likely to be operational in the
private sector from March 23 which mainly will cater to the needs
of passengers and cargo with destination in Balochistan as a feeder
service.
The airline "Safe Air International" board of directors comprises
individuals having experience in the aviation industry with more
than 20 years, claimed captain Tariq Mehmood Khan who had
association with PIA for 18 years as pilot followed by service
record as captain with Tunis, Qatar and Saudi airlines.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Thursday, he
introduced the chairman Haji Fazal Rahim and director Jafar Maulvi.
He said SAI would make cities like Turbat, Gwadar, Pasni and
Panjgur accessible to the cosmopolitan cities of Pakistan and ferry
items like poultry, bread, milk and chicken to Balochistan and
bring perishable fruits from there to dump them in Karachi where
there was good market and mangoes from Multan and elsewhere to
Karachi for export to European destinations.
To a question, Captain Tariq said that SAI have total four aircraft
three of them are the YAK-40 (Executive jet) and the fourth one is
IL-114 (64 seaters).
He said the civil aviation authorities would be inspecting the
aircraft on Friday for issuing operational licence.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990318
-------------------------------------------------------------------
CBR to accept fixed payment: 4700 sales tax notices withdrawn
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, March 17: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has
withdrawn 4700 notices issued to the industrial units in 27 sectors
for non-payment of sales tax during the first eight months of 1998-
99.
The Association of Fixed-S/Tax-paying Industries (FAST) has been
agitating the issue with the Central Board of Revenue, using the
conduit of Mian Abdul Manan, chairman Standing Committee on
Commerce, for the last six months. They have been exerting all
kinds of pressure for a CBR decision to substitute the normal ST-
rate application with a fixed amount of payment through FAST for
the financial year 1998-99.
The Sales Tax Department, accepting their plea, agreed with FAST
last week to accept fixed ST payment formula. It has, accordingly,
withdrawn all the notices issued to the units concerned, for not
paying ST at the standard applicable rate.
The number of units paying sales tax dropped from 11,000
(operational) in February 1998, to 8730 (operational) in February
1999. Notices were issued during the past eight months to 4700
units after scrutiny of claims submitted by most of them, that they
suspended production/sales during the said period.
These notices were meant to warn them that they were not paying
sales tax at normal rate of 12.5 per cent before December 1998, and
15 per cent afterwards, and that they were liable to penalties plus
other punishment for non-payment.
One category of notices, about 3000, were issued for short-filing
sales tax, while the other notices carried warning of
penalties/punishment for non-paying ST at all.
Those paying but depositing short amounts of ST at rates
applicable, were either under-assessing their tax amounts or were
assessing at fixed rates (per sector/unit), which were previously
applicable but were abolished under the Finance Act 1998.
Those non-paying at all, neither at fixed nor at the currently
applicable rates, proved non-filers and were sent up notices to
show cause under section 34/35 of the ST Act 1990.
Most of these units replied, though after repeated notices,
pleading in two forms: that they had suspended operation of
production/sales; and that they were liable to pay at the fixed
rate, as applicable previously.
The CBR officials revealed that last year (by February) numbering
11,000, only 3710 of these units paid ST which, by February 1999,
amount to Rs2.13 billion. In the same period last year, these units
had paid Rs3.54 billion, recording a shortfall of Rs1.41 billion.
Having undertaken to accept fixed ST amounts for 1998-99 from these
units, the department has now worked out that a sum of Rs4-4.5
billion would be extracted from units operating in these sectors,
which would be about equal to what they paid for the whole of last
year.
To confirm whether such a violation of the Finance Act 1998, had
taken place, Dawn approached Member ST, CBR for comments through
his private secretary on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the member
declined to respond.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990316
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SPI rises by 6.21pc during 12 months
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, March 15: Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) moved up by a
further 6.21 per cent during the last 12 months, as indicated by
the price data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics for the
week ending March 13.
The index, which was recorded as 211.52 at the end of corresponding
week of last year, reached 224.65 during the week under report.
During the current financial year, the increase in SPI has been
shown by FBS as 2.79 per cent, compared to 2.84% in 1997-98.
Similarly, the Kitchen Items Index rose by 2.52% as against 2.92%
during the previous year.
Out of the 47 essential items comprising the SPI basket, 36 items
registered substantial rise in price during the week, compared to
their cost a year ago.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990316
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum export price of yarn up by $10
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 15: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association
(APTMA) has with immediate effect raised the Minimum Export Price
(MEP) of all counts of yarn by $10 per bale of 181 kilogram.
It is expected that this measure will help the country to earn
around $1.767 million more, at $68.066 million on an average
monthly export of 32 million kilogram of yarn per month.
This decision has been taken at an emergent meeting called by the
Chairman APTMA, Humayun Ellahi Shaikh of the Export Price Check
Committee, here on Monday.
Industry sources claim that prior to this raise the MEP for 20
single count yarn, which constitutes bulk of yarn exports was $375
per bale and it had been fetching around $66.299 million on export
of 32 million kg per month.
While criticizing the government decision to allow export refinance
at 8 per cent on all counts of yarn exports, APTMA chief
categorically said that the entire benefit of this measure would be
retained by the country.
He further said that APTMA is convinced that these decisions will
go a long way in boosting country's textile exports.
The Export Price Check Committee of APTMA also took other decisions
which will ensure that the enhanced MEP by $10 per 181kg is
implemented in letter and spirit.
All yarn exporters are being advised that no exports would be
allowed below the increased MEP. The government of Japan is being
assured that export price of Pakistan's yarn will be maintained and
would not be reduced.
Above all, APTMA has assured local textile manufacturers that their
entire requirements of yarn would be fulfilled at reasonable
prices. Only the surplus quantity will be exported.
APTMA reiterated its pledge to the government, based on the
positive decisions taken by it that APTMA members would increase
yarn and fabric exports by $500 million this year.
However, leaders of textile ancillary industry continue to raise
objection over APTMA's claim and say that why the spinners are
including grey cloth or fabric while assuring to increase exports
particularly, when the benefits were only given to yarn and to no
other textile product.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990317
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ADB to help 15m women and children
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MANILA, March 16: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday
that it hopes to help about 15 million rural women and children in
Pakistan through a 47 million dollar loan for a project aimed at
reducing maternal and infant deaths.
The Manila-based ADB said the Women's Health Project "will directly
improve access to health care, as well as the health status, of
women, girls and infants in rural areas" in Punjab, Sindh, North-
West Frontier and Balochistan.
"The health status of women in Pakistan is poor compared with other
countries in Asia," the ADB said. "Some 30,000 women die each year
due to pregnancy complications and 10 times more women develop
life-long, pregnancy-related disabilities."
"About one quarter of all children suffer from low birth weight due
to maternal problems and 10 per cent of those born do not reach
their first birthday," the bank added in a statement.
"Improving women's health will also bring substantial economic
gains in terms of improved productivity, better returns on
investments in children, and the benefits of population planning,"
the ADB said.
The ADB loan finances 63 per cent of the total cost of the project.
The OPEC Fund and UNICEF will co-finance.-dpa
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan to benefit from euro: EU envoy
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 18: Ambas-sador of the European Union Kurt Juul said
on Thursday Pakistan could benefit a lot from the launch of euro -
the single currency of 11 European nations.
Delivering his lecture on "EU and the Single Currency" at the
Pakistan Institute of International Affairs he said "for a country
like Pakistan euro could become a useful currency and an
alternative source of foreign exchange". Kurt Juul who is also head
of delegation of the European Commission to Pakistan said it was
quite encouraging to note that major banks in Pakistan were already
dealing in euro. "We hope Pakistan will make use of it," he
observed.
Juul mentioned in details the strong trade relations between
Pakistan and the euroland and hoped that euro would open new
funding and investment opportunities.
He said a strong and stable euro would counter the US dollar but
hastened to add that "the shift will not be overnight." He said the
European Central Bank would have surplus dollars which it would
sell in the market to stabilize the euro at the time of the need.
He avoided a direct reply when asked whether it would not weaken
the dollar which in turn would hit global financial markets. Juul
only said the process would be smooth and gradual.
The EU ambassador said recent financial crises had shown that no
single country could fully shield itself against a financial crisis
adding that euro would help in creating overall stability in
international financial systems.
"(That is how) third countries also stand to gain from euro."
Talking about the impact of the euro on labour market he said the
launch of the new currency was likely to create five million jobs
between 1998-2000. Responding to a point during the question answer
session he said the reason why euro failed to retain the initial
strength it had shown against the dollar was that part of euphoria
linked to euro had gone. He said another reason was that the dollar
was faring smoothly as the US economy was showing signs of growth.
"The dollar is still strong...so is US economy."
In response to a question he said EMU had been "in running
dialogues with Turkey" on prospects of Turkey becoming a member of
EMU.
Politician Fatehyab Ali Khan and economic journalist Sultan Ahmed
also spoke on the occasion. Ahmed stressed the need for having
greater intra-Asian economic ties for the uplift of the region.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990320
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading volume falls to 111 million shares
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 19: Selective support emerged strong on a number of
blue chip counters as some of the institutional traders covered
positions at the falling prices amid predictions of a big
turnaround. The index ended further shaded by 4.06 points at
1,050.87 points.
The continued contraction in the trading volume reflects that there
are more buyers than sellers as no one is inclined to entertain
bearish ideas at least for the near-term.
"The worst is over and investors could look forward for a robust
rally in the next couple of sessions based on some basic bullish
fundamentals", most analyst believe.
The technical rally could manifest itself in a big way just in a
couple of sessions as the way is being paved for its advent any
day, they added.
The selling, which came in primarily to avoid double clearing and
to higher "badla rate" was well-absorbed both at the dips and rises
as leading investors were not inclined to leave the rings at the
mercy of a section of bears.
"I perceive the index could hit the high mark of 1,200 points
possibly by the end of the current month as the market is poised
for a grand turnaround", said an analyst at the KASB & CO.
He said the economy might not be picking up at the desired rate of
growth but some positive developments on the political front,
notably an encouraging beginning of good relations with India could
keep investors in the rings.
The KSE 100-share index finished with a fractional fall of 3.69
points at 1,051.24 as compared to 1,054.93 a day earlier,
reflecting the relative weakness of the PTCL on active weekend
profit-selling.
"The market may pass through technical corrections after each rise,
its underlying sentiment will remain uppishly inclined in the
months to come", said leading broker adding "it is the right time
for investment for those who want to enhance their share portfolios
on the selected counters".
Both bank and energy shares continue to be the market leaders as
investors are not inclined to move out from them as their lower
levels are providing them the much needed hedge against possible
fall, he added.
"The settlement of the IPP issue might not be far off and that will
give the needed boost to the share business", stock analyst Faisal
Abbas predict "eying an index level of 1,400 points not in a very
distant future".
Although minus signs dominated the list for the second day in a
row, some of the leading shares managed to finish with good gains
under the lead of KASB & CO, Security Bank, Telecard and Adamjee
Insurance, which posted gains ranging from Rs1.75 to 3.45, biggest
being in Adamjee Insurance on a large volume of 2.619m shares.
Gulf Commercial Bank, Pak Synthetics and some others also came in
for active short-covering and ended higher by 50 paisa to one rupee
amid active trading.
Losers were led by most of the textile shares, notable among them
being Metropolitan Bank, Ibrahim Textiles, Ideal Spinning, Kohinoor
Weaving, Shahtaj Textiles, and International Industries, falling by
one rupee to Rs 2.75.
Trading volume fell to 111m shares owing partly to Friday and
partly to the absence of leading sellers as compared to previous
121m shares. Losers led gainers by 59 to 44, with 42 shares holding
on to the last levels.
DEFAULTING COMPANIES: Shares of two companies came in for trading
accounting for 5,500 shares. While Shahpur Textiles fell by 10
paisa on 4,500 share, Allied Motors rose by the same amount on
1,000 shares.
Back to the top
===================================================================
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
990314
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shantiniketan
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
IN 1863, at Shantiniketan (The Abode of Peace), in the Birbhum
district of West Bengal, an ashram, a meditation centre, was
founded and endowed by Maharishi (Great Sage) Debendranath. In
1901, Maharishi's son, Rabindranath Tagore, in turn established
there the Brahmo Vidyalaya, an open-air laboratory school.
By 1921, the school had greatly expanded and Tagore inaugurated the
Vishva-Bharati University, its aim to seek a basis for a common
fellowship between the cultures of East and West, to blend the best
of the two traditions. Tagore himself, a gifted writer, composer
and painter, was most influential in introducing to the West the
best of Indian culture, and vice versa. At nearby Sriniketan, the
following year he set up an institution that deals with rural
reconstruction, health, social welfare and the revival of ancient
arts and handicrafts. In 1931 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for
literature.
In 1951, ten years after his death, the residential University was
incorporated, with colleges for fine arts and crafts, Sino-Indian
studies, music and dance research, teacher training, technology,
and postgraduate studies and research. The university's museum,
Rabindra-Sadana, is an academy for the study of Tagore's works.
Born at Shantiniketan in 1933 was Amartya Kumar Sen, in the house
of his grandfather who taught Sanskrit at Tagore's school. Sen's
early education was at his birthplace. He graduated in 1953 from
the Presidency College at Calcutta and went on to teach economics
at Jadavpur University. In 1957 he was elected a Fellow of Trinity
College, Cambridge. He taught at the London School of Economics, at
Nuffied College, was appointed the Drummond Professor of political
economy at Oxford, and in 1980 moved to Harvard as Lamont Professor
of economics and philosophy.
Last year he was appointed Master of Trinity College, and was
selected by the Swedish Royal Academy for the 1998 Bank of Sweden
Prize in Economic Sciences (worth $978,000). Sen is the sixth
Indian to be awarded the Nobel Prize. He was honoured for a
lifetime's work and for his achievements in investing the dismal
science of economics with concerns far from the mundane. His
interests are abstruse in comparison with the usual market-oriented
research of the past few laureates, light years away from his
concern for social choice, for measuring poverty and inequality by
the most rigorous scales, for his studies of the reasons for
economic failure and of famine.
Sen's seminal work, 'Collective Choice and Social Welfare,'
published in 1970, offered an answer to the 'impossibility theorem'
of US economist Kenneth Arrow (1972 winner of the Nobel Prize for
economics). Arrow's argument was that it is impossible to devise a
voting system with an outcome both rational and egalitarian, as
there are grey areas in individual and group choices. Thus,
perfectly responsive representative government is impossible. Arrow
had, in effect, said farewell to democracy. His disciples still
hold that view.
Sen's answer was that there is a strong case for democracy, that
there is much middle ground in the analyses of choice, that
economic inequality cannot be measured without a proper yardstick.
His 1973 work, 'On Economic Inequality,' provided the tolls. The
poverty line is a common measure of the share of population below a
tolerable standard of living but it ignores the levels of
deprivation. The number of those below this line does not lessen
even if the poorest are given a better deal. He devised a new
formula for poverty indexation, based on income inequality below
the poverty line.
This formula, known as the Sen Index, is now a standard tool for
calculation of the Human Development Index. It was used by our own
economist, Mahbub ul Haq, for his excellent yearly reports on Human
Development in South Asia, which contained the most reliable
statistics available on the human miseries and deprivations which
beset this republic. Dr Haq, so sadly missed after his death last
year, was 'mystified' by the fact that our region, though it has
done better than Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of economic growth,
has fallen behind even that rock-bottom area when it comes to human
development.
Sen's milestone work came in 1981, 'Poverty and Famines : An Essay
on Entitlement and Deprivation,' in which he showed how famines are
the result of maldistribution rather than food shortages and that
famine-stricken countries can even export food. No substantial
famine has ever occurred in any independent and democratic country
with a relatively free press. There are no exceptions to the rule -
take the current starvation in Sudan and North Korea, the recent
famines in Ethiopia and Somalia, the earlier famines in the Soviet
Union, in China, in Northern Ireland, and in India under alien
rule. India continued to have famines under British rule right up
to independence (the last being in 1943). They disappeared
suddenly, after independence, with the establishment of a multi-
party democracy with a free press. Sen's recent concern is social
opportunity. He argues that even well-functioning markets cannot
take care of the problems posed by a shortfall in 'human
capabilities' caused by inadequate basic education, a low level of
health services, poor ownership patterns, skewed social
stratification, and gaping gender inequalities. His belief is that
variations in social opportunities can be reduced by more political
protest and opposition.
In a paper on 'Democracy and Social Justice,' presented at the
World Bank conference in Seoul last month, Amartya Sen identified
what to his mind is the pre-eminent development of the 20th century
- the rise of democracy, the establishment of the idea of democracy
as the 'normal' form of government to which any nation of the world
is entitled. He maintains that there is no question of a particular
country being 'ready' for democracy; it is taken for granted that
it is. There have always been lengthy arguments about whether one
or another country was yet 'fit for democracy,' as there was with
the British when they stalled on the question of independence for
India. But a country does not have to be judged 'fit' for
democracy. It has to become fit through democracy.
Sen argued against the 'Lee hypothesis,' named after Lee Kuan Yew's
holding that non-democratic systems are better in bringing about
economic development. Admittedly, there are certain relatively
disciplinarian states such as Lee's own Singapore, pre-democratic
South Korea and post-reform China that have had faster rates of
economic growth than many less authoritarian ones such as India.
But this is no definitive proof, says Sen, that authoritarianism
does better in promoting economic growth, just as there is no
definitive proof that democracy does better, as it did in Botswana
which has one of the finest records of economic growth in the
entire world and has been an oasis of democracy in the African
continent for decades. He finds no convincing evidence that
authoritarian governance and the suppression of political and civil
rights are beneficial in encouraging economic development.
Questions for Amartya Sen : What is the difference between the
penalties imposed upon a people by admitted undemocratic governance
and by sham democratic governance? Is a democracy in name only
enough to foster fitness and readiness for a true democracy?
How does a country of 140 million people, the larger percentage of
them below the poverty line and deprived of basic amenities, most
of them illiterate, which describes itself as a democracy and makes
a show of formally following the norms of democracy merely by
holding frequent dubious elections, become 'fit' for democracy
through a sham form of democracy?
How can it be taken for granted that a country is 'ready' for
democracy when it is riddled through and through, from top to toe,
with massive corruption, when the politicians both in and out of
power are venal to the hilt, when it has two political family
parties alternating in power, steadily robbing the national
exchequer and bankrupting it?
How can it be 'ready' or 'fit' when all its institutions are either
destroyed, subdued or neutralized - parliament, administration,
judiciary, armed forces, and whatever else passes for an
institution - when its Constitution is amended over and over again,
at will, purely to suit the aims of its rulers?
What does Tagorian Sen recommend the oppressed perennially-in-debt
people of such a country do to make it 'fit' for democracy through
democracy?
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990320
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The real threat
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Irfan Husain
AS predicted by just about everybody, the Taliban spillover into
Pakistan has started. Recently, a cinema was burned down in Quetta
as some militants felt it was spreading "obscenity."
After some 200 of these protesters had been arrested, some
ministers in the Balochistan coalition government demanded their
instant release, together with an apology from the administration.
Obviously, these worthies thought it was their right to go around
destroying private property. The next item on their agenda was to
smash TV sets and satellite dishes, and close down video shops,
just as their colleagues in Afghanistan have done. Although some
of the accused have been released, around 80 of them are still in
jail, together with their leader, Maulana Noor Ahmad who issued a
fiery statement saying that he would continue his campaign.
The provincial government's line is that the case was registered
by the owner of the cinema, and he should be persuaded to withdraw
his complaint before the arrested firebrands can be released. The
owner is understandably insisting on being compensated for his
loss of around rupees 45 lakhs, plus assurances from the party
leaders that he will not be harmed by them. And here the matter
currently rests.
Considering that the party supporting the protesters is a partner
in Balochistan's fragile coalition government, arresting these
hotheads in the first place was a bold step by the provincial
administration. No doubt the recent change at the top of the
Balochistan bureaucracy had something to do with this tough
stance. And at a time when the federal government caves in before
most extremist demands made by obscurantist groups, Islamabad's
firm posture in refusing to be blackmailed by the agitators
deserves our support.
Under the Qisas and Diyat law, the culprits will be released if
the complainant withdraws his charge, something he will be under
great pressure to do once he has been compensated for his loss.
The problem with such legal provisions is that anybody with money
and clout can walk away with arson or even murder by paying off
the aggrieved parties and persuading them to drop the case. As the
state is no longer a party to such legal actions, it cannot punish
the guilty if the victim accepts blood money.
Although the provincial government is insisting on assurances from
the concerned party leadership to ensure that its activists will
behave, Maulana Noor Ahmad's harsh and threatening rhetoric does
not hold out much hope that he and his followers will respect the
sanctity of private property when they are released. Unless the
federal and provincial governments make an example of these
militants, we can expect to see such attacks being repeated
elsewhere in the country.
This is a classic case of the chickens coming home to roost. The
extremist religious groups have been running institutions where
young men have been filled with hatred and bigotry. For many
Afghan refugees, this was all the education they received; they
then formed the hard core of the Taliban, and after their
spectacular success, they have become the role models for many
Pakistanis. In this scary scenario, incidents like the one in
Quetta are the opening shots in a long, hard struggle.
But if the battle lines have been drawn, it does not help for the
prime minister to go around saying that he admires the Taliban's
system of justice which, incidentally, includes chopping off the
hands of thieves, and flogging men for not having regulation-
length beards, and women for showing an inch of ankle. Such
statements of implicit support gives the Taliban an undeserved
legitimacy, and their followers in Pakistan an unnecessary boost.
After two decades of concessions by successive governments to
bigots, we should not be surprised to find the forces of darkness
at our doorstep. The process was started by Z.A. Bhutto who sought
to neutralize his right wing enemies by donning the mantle of
conservatism. While he was never very convincing, General Zia ul
Haq was. Leaning on (and making use of) the religious right, he
uncorked the bottle and released the genie of sectarianism. We are
still paying the price for his lust for power. Followed by a
succession of weak elected governments, the pattern and values Zia
set have come to be the norm and not the aberration they actually
are.
Against this backdrop, the erosion in democratic discourse and
civilized behaviour is only to be expected. Indeed, developments
here have been in step with similar reactionary movements in other
parts of the Islamic world. The only nations to have resisted this
trend are not necessarily the ones to emulate: Algeria and Turkey
have both resorted to anti-democratic means to suppress Islamist
movements.
How to simultaneously satisfy spiritual aims and modern goals is a
task our thinkers have not yet resolved. Indeed, Sir Syed Ahmad
Khan attempted such a reconciliation a century ago, with mixed
results. Currently, we have not even articulated the
contradictions between these two worldviews, far less resolve
them. Other societies, most notably the Greco-Christian
civilization, sorted these issues out hundreds of years ago. More
recently, the Confucian civilization followed suit. The Muslim
world is still grappling with these questions, much to its
temporal discomfort.
But for Pakistan, the choices are limited. If we go the way of the
Taliban, we will become the pariahs of the world community, much
as our neighbours are. If people here decide they don't mind
reverting to the stone-age, then so be it. But if they want to
live in a modern, civilized country with democratic freedoms and
values, then they will have to fight the forces of darkness to
achieve this goal. Unfortunately, we have been hampered in this
struggle by a supine leadership that is willing to compromise with
the devil to stay in power. But both Nawaz Sharif and Benazir
Bhutto must realize that they have a common interest in keeping
the Taliban at bay. Both would lose if the stone-age views of this
backward brotherhood prevails. But the biggest losers would be the
rest of us, so we have to draw a line, and not let them cross it.
===================================================================
SPORTS
990320
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sri Lanka crumble to defeat against Pakistan
-------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMSHEDPUR (India), March 19: Pakistan captain Wasim Akram
continued his hold over Sri Lankan batsmen to fashion his team's
nine-run win in the first One-day International here on Friday.
The left-arm seamer grabbed three wickets in five balls as Sri
Lanka, chasing Pakistan's 246-9 from 50 overs, were shot out for
237 despite a valiant 81 from Aravinda de Silva.
The World Cup champions lost their last seven wickets for 20 runs
after being well-placed at 217 for three in the opening match of
the three-nation tournament also featuring hosts India.
Akram, one-day cricket's most successful bowler with 367 wickets,
came good again after his sensational hat-tricks in successive
Asian Test matches against Sri Lanka over the last two weeks.
The 32-year-old clean bowled Ruwan Kalpage, Marvan Atapattu and
last man Pramodya Wickremasinghe with deadly yorkers to earn the
Man-of-the-Match award from West Indian referee Cammie Smith.
De Silva put on 104 for the second wicket with Mahela Jayawardene
(60), while Hashan Tillekeratne brought Sri Lanka closer to
Pakistan's target with an unbeaten 39.-AFP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990316
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan win first Asian Test Championship
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DHAKA, March 15: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 175 runs
to win the first Asian Test Championship here today, the fourth of
the five-day match.
Replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 231, Pakistan piled
up a record 594, the previous best by Pakistan against Sri Lanka
was 555/3 at Faisalabad in 1985-86. The Sri Lankans managed to make
188 all out, losing the match by an innings and 175 runs.
Double centuries by Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamamul-Haq and a second hat
trick by Wasim Akram were the highlights of the Test. With 378 Test
wickets, Wasim has climbed to world's fifth position.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
990319
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan can have 15 players for Sharjah event
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, March 18: Pakistan are entitled to add another player to
their 14 for the Champions Trophy contest in Sharjah to be played
between April 7 and 16. England and India are the other two
contenders in the double-league competition.
According to reliable sources, the selection committee is unaware
of the playing conditions of the Champions Trophy and thus when
they announced the squads for the Indian and Sharjah tri-nation
series, they named 14 players only.
The provision for the 15th player may turn out to be a blessing in
disguise for opener Wajahatullah Wasti who returned from
Bangladesh. His place was taken by all-rounder Abdul Razzak for the
Indian triangular beginning at Jamshedpur from Friday.
Wasti, who scored a century in each innings at Lahore earlier this
month, could only score 18 with the bat against Bangladesh but
picked up three wickets for 36 runs. His performance showed that he
had the potential of becoming a utility cricketer for Pakistan. In
addition to this, he is also one of the 19 probables for the World
Cup and as things stand as present, he has an outstanding chance of
making into the 14-man squad.
Meanwhile, the cricket board sources said on Thursday that March 31
was the last date for the submission of the 14-man squad to the
organizing committee of the World Cup. The selectors were 10 days
late in meeting the Feb 28 deadline for submitting a 19-man
provisional squad. And things aren't very different this time
either as so far no selection committee meeting date has been
announced.
According to sources, the selection committee was expecting for a
discussion with the team management. But that is out of question as
the captain and coach are not scheduled to return home before April
17 as they fly directly to Sharjah from India.
However, team sources said Mushtaq Ahmad and Waqar Younis, not in
the India and Sharjah tours team, are set to stage a comeback in
place of Arshad Khan and Shahid Nazir respectively. "We want to go
with experience and in the background of their knowledge about
English conditions, their selection is guaranteed," a senior team
official told Dawn from Jamshedpur.
Mushtaq has represented Somerset in five seasons while Younis
played for Surrey and Glamorgan for seven seasons.
The tie for the 14th place is between Imran Nazir, Wajahatullah
Wasti and Mohammad Wasim. "It has to be decided if we want to
bolster the middle-order or take another opener. In terms of
experience, all the three are raw. But that has to be decided who
would be more useful in English conditions in May and June when it
is very cold and the atmosphere heavy," sources said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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