------------------------------------------------------------------- DAWN WIRE SERVICE ------------------------------------------------------------------- Week Ending : 22 July 2000 Issue : 06/28 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents | National News | Business & Economy | Editorials & Features | SportsThe 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 - 2000 DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
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CONTENTS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS + Pakistan reserves Nuclear option if attacked + G8 urges India, Pakistan to resume talks + EU may review ties with Pakistan in September + Chief Executive okays plan for promotion of tourism + Cells against terrorism being set up + Japan to lift sanctions after CTBT signing + Assemblies not to be restored + RAW behind train blast, says Moin + Judgment in Helicopter Case on Saturday + Nawaz sceptical about country's future + Kuwait grants "Most Favoured Nation" status to Pakistan + Kalabagh dam only after consensus + Farooq gets 14-year RI in octroi case --------------------------------- BUSINESS & ECONOMY + Dollar fluctuates as rupee floats free + Imports to cost more as forex band lifted + PTV to start 100 cable TV channels soon + Haj expenses up by 9%: New policy announced + Cash, bank balance top hidden assets + Tax Amnesty Scheme: Karachi tops by paying Rs3.2 billion + Saudi firm files $70m damages suit against Pakistan + Musharraf defers farm tax recovery + CBR restructuring plan okayed + Advisors to get huge success fee: + ECC urged to waive off duty + IMF options: Stand-by credit on the cards: analysts + KSE 100-share index falls by 9.17 points --------------------------------------- EDITORIALS & FEATURES + The sole statesman-5 Ardeshir Cowasjee + The (further) closing of the Pakistani mind Ayaz Amir ----------- SPORTS + Cricketers to sign ICC code of conduct + Tauqir Zia doubts Indian team's tour will take place + Official named to probe players' assets + PHF accounts audit to begin soon: Aziz
=================================================================== DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan reserves Nuclear option if attacked ------------------------------------------------------------------- BERLIN, July 20: Pakistan would consider using nuclear weapons first if attacked by conventional forces, secretary foreign affairs Inamul Haque said on Thursday. "There is no way Pakistan can hold out any assurance that it will not use any nuclear weapons if its existence is threatened," said Inamul Haque, who is on a visit to Germany since Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998. "There is no such assurance on the part of India either," he said during a breakfast briefing for journalists. India has said it is committed to a no-first nuclear use policy. Mr Inamul Haque added that NATO maintained a first-use threat to deter a Soviet attack during the Cold War. At the time, NATO worried about the possibility of an overwhelming conventional ground attack on western Europe. Speaking to journalists before a meeting with his German counterpart Wolfgang Ischinger, he defended Pakistan's development of nuclear weapons. "India, we believe, is a hegemonic power," he said. "Our nuclear programme has been a response to our security threat perceptions....Nuclear weapons are weapons of deterrence." ISOLATION: Mr Inamul Haque said the military takeover was a necessary reaction to what he called deposed prime minister Sharif's efforts to build a dictatorship in the country, but added the military leaders would restore democracy by 2002. In the meantime they needed outside financial help, he said. "Major economic assistance to Pakistan has dried up," he said. "The reserves of the government are $1.5 billion. This is not a very large figure." The European Union condemned the military coup in October and suspended a new cooperation pact in protest. "We need to re-engage with the members of the European Union, both individually and as the European Union," he said. Germany has given $3.7 billion in direct aid to Pakistan since 1961. REACTION: In New Delhi an external affairs ministry spokesman shrugged off as "nothing new" Pakistan's warning that it could use nuclear weapons if it was attacked.-Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000722 ------------------------------------------------------------------- G8 urges India, Pakistan to resume talks ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAGO, July 21: The Group of Eight urged Pakistan and India on Friday to reopen their dialogue as soon as possible, saying their prolonged enmity was threatening the international community. "We call on both India and Pakistan to join international efforts to strengthen the non-proliferation and disarmament regime," the G8 leaders said in a statement. "The level of tension between India and Pakistan remains a cause of international concern," the statement said. "We call on the two countries to resume dialogue as soon as possible." In the statement, the eight - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States - also called on the two nations to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. ARMS CONTROL: The leaders of Russia and the United States also agreed to expand their arms control efforts amid an escalating dispute over US plans to deploy a national missile defense system. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Bill Clinton met on the sidelines of a Group of Eight meeting in southern Japan's Okinawa island and said the two countries were "dedicated to searching for new ways of cooperation to control the spread of missiles and missile technology." Russia and the United States "are prepared to renew and expand their cooperation in the area of theatre missile defences, and consider the possibility of involving other states," the statement added. Theatre missiles refer to short and medium-range missiles, not the long-range weapons targeted in a US scheme for national missile defence (NMD) which is strongly opposed by Russia for fear of a new arms race. The two countries also reaffimed their commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the early implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The statement comes amid strong Russian pressure on Clinton to decide against a recommendation to be announced later this year on whether to deploy an anti-missile defense shield Moscow says would violate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty and trigger a new global arms race. Washington argues the proposed system would provide limited defense against possible attack from what it calls nations of concern such as North Korea. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Putin also briefed Clinton on his visit to North Korea this week, in which leader Kim Jong-il offered to abandon his missile program in return for access to foreign space rocket technology. An administration official said Clinton gleaned a "clearer idea of what President Putin has in mind in this regard," and that it was something "we would be prepared to pursue". Moscow is intent on convincing Washington that Pyongyang does not pose a significant enough threat to go through with the NMD, which Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin have condemned as risking a new arms race. The botched US test of an interceptor key to its NMD plan has also bolstered opposition to the shield, which Russia and China believe will give the United States a fundamental advantage over other nuclear powers. DEMONSTRATIONS: On Friday demonstrators from across Asia protested the summit here and the continuing presence of US bases in the Japanese island of Okinawa. Some 350 participants marched three kilometres towards the venue of the summit in sizzling weather, carrying banners which read: "Stop the G8 Summit. Don't allow rich countries' egoism." The march was, however, halted by dozens of police - 10kms away from the venue.- AFP/Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000719 ------------------------------------------------------------------- EU may review ties with Pakistan in September ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shadaba Islam BRUSSELS, July 18: Pakistan, worried about stagnating relations with the European Union, is pressing the 15 nation bloc to resume normal bilateral economic and diplomatic ties, including efforts to kick start a political dialogue suspended after last October's military takeover. "Pakistan and the EU must re-engage with each other," said Inamul Haque, Pakistan's Federal Secretary for Foreign Relations following meetings with senior Belgian and EU officials and members of the European Parliament. "We must talk to each other to resolve our problems," Haque said, adding that the EU's decision to downgrade relations with the military government in Islamabad by reducing aid (except to social sector projects) and suspending the signature of a new trade and economic treaty was hurting Pakistan's economy. The EU should see that the direction of the present government in Pakistan is right and should resume financial and economic assistance, the Foreign Secretary added. Resuming aid only in two years once elections are held could be "too late" for Pakistan's economic well being, he cautioned. But EU insiders say Pakistan faces an uphill struggle in seeking closer relations with the bloc. "We do not like military regimes," the EU's "high representative" for common foreign and security policy told this correspondent last week. "Relations cannot be the same with democratic countries as they are with governments that are the product of a military coup," Solana added. However, the Union is determined to maintain all channels of communication open with Islamabad, convinced that isolating Pakistan is not in Europe's interest. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000719 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Chief Executive okays plan for promotion of tourism ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, July 18: Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf approved on Tuesday a plan for promotion of tourism. It envisages a major policy shift from seasonal to year-round tourism. Presiding over a meeting here, he stressed the need for developing infrastructure and better marketing strategy to promote tourism. He called for continuity in policies and focus on the core objective of promoting tourism. The chief executive directed the minister for sports, culture and tourism to review the rules and regulations in consultation with other ministries in order to ease restrictions faced by tourists and improving the quality of tourist-related services. The ministers for interior, information and communications as well as other senior civil and military officers were also present on the occasion. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Derick Cyprian, briefed the chief executive about the present state of tourism industry and the ways for its promotion. The tourism secretary, Col (Retd) Samin Jan Babar, gave an overview of the tourism. He threw light on the ways to fully realize and utilize the natural and cultural wealth possessed by the country to increase its popularity as a tourist destination. Maj-Gen Syed Ali Hamid, the director-general (plans), joint staff headquarters briefed the participants on the strategy for tourism development. He gave recommendations for improving and expanding the scope, including the promotion of ecological-tourism, adventure-tourism, heritage-tourism and urban-tourism. He also recommended short, medium and long-term plans for improving the industry. Masood Ali Khan, managing director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) threw light on the role of PTDC in the promotion of tourism. He highlighted the requirement of a modern and efficient management information system (MIS) having networking within the PTDC and with major tour operators, travel agencies and airlines of the world. He also gave a number of recommendations for improving the PTDC working. The chief executive appreciated the efforts of all the concerned in analysing the potential for tourism and formulating viable strategies for utilising it. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000719 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cells against terrorism being set up ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, July 18: The government on Tuesday decided to establish anti-terrorism cells in all the provincial capitals to ensure better coordination between the provinces and the centre for an effective check on sectarianism. In a meeting presided over by the interior minister Moinuddin Haider and attended by provincial home secretaries and inspector general of police, the authorities discussed in details the measures to curb sectarian anarchy. According to an official handout, the provincial governments were advised to establish anti-terrorism cells to develop linkage between the provinces and the federation. The minister said that quick flow of information, better inter- provincial coordination and professional expertise was required to address the problem. Mr Haider also called upon the border security forces to restore sanctity of the Durand Line to check the movement of terrorist elements across the border. The minister expressed government's firm resolve to restore sectarian harmony and curb sectarian related terrorism from the country. The provincial authorities briefed the meeting about the ground situation and put forward their suggestions in this connection. The DIG CIA Punjab reportedly gave a presentation on achievements of the Punjab police in curbing the menace. The provincial authorities agreed with the centre's proposal of holding quarterly meetings to review the situation and chalk out future plans in the light of decisions already taken by the government. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan to lift sanctions after CTBT signing ------------------------------------------------------------------- TOKYO, July 19: A Japanese foreign ministry official reiterated on Wednesday the government's policy of not lifting sanctions against Pakistan and India unless they sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Yutaka Iimura, head of the ministry's economic cooperation bureau, told the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that signing the CTBT remains a condition for resuming development assistance to the two countries. Japan's major trading companies have lobbied the LDP to lift the sanctions, saying they have lost business in the two countries because of the punitive measures, LDP sources said.-dpa DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000718 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Assemblies not to be restored ------------------------------------------------------------------- Nasir Malick ISLAMABAD, July 17: The chief executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, said on Monday that he would not restore assemblies but would hold general election after reviving the economy. This he stated during his separate meetings with Jamiat Ulema-i- Islam (S) president Maulana Samiul Haq, Tehrik-i-Jafria Pakistan chief Allama Sajid Naqvi and Baloch national leader Mir Hasal Khan Bizenjo. The three leaders discussed with the CE restoration of democracy and elimination of terrorism from the country, sources said. Talking to Dawn after his meeting, Maulana Samiul Haq quoted the CE as saying every one should be clear that he was here to take the country out of the political and economic mess it was currently in. "General Sahib was also very blunt in telling me that he would not revive the assemblies at any cost" as he wanted to revive the national economy, bring sanity to politics and root out corruption, said the JUI leader. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000718 ------------------------------------------------------------------- RAW behind train blast, says Moin ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report PESHAWAR, July 17: Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider sees a neighbouring country's hand behind the Sunday's train bomb blast in Hyderabad in which nine persons were killed and 35 injured. Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, the minister rejected the impression, created by a press report about the possibility of any link between the incident and the conviction of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar in an octroi case, Mr Haider said: "Enemy hit with the right timing." "If you look at the bomb blasts occurred in the recent past, in the border towns, including Lahore, Narowal, Sialkot and Mirpur, which were all done by RAW," said the minister. He claimed that three of the culprits, arrested by the law enforcement agencies, had confessed their crime. During the course of investigations, they disclosed the details and the place of the training given to them by RAW for subversive acts, the minister said, adding "we see clear hand of RAW behind the fresh wave of bomb blasts." He said it was not only Pakistan that was confronted with the bomb blasts; the whole region, including Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, were also facing the same situation. EXTRADITION OF WANTED PERSONS: The minister claimed that the United States and Afghanistan had given assurances to extradite the wanted Pakistanis. In this connection, he said, a list of 14 persons had been provided to the US, UK and Afghanistan. These countries had given positive responses. A US justice department official, the minister said, would arrive Islamabad on Aug 7 to study the judicial requirements for extradition of the wanted persons. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Judgment in Helicopter Case on Saturday ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rafaqat Ali ATTOCK, July 19: The accountability court at Attock on Wednesday concluded hearing of the helicopter case, involving deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Saifur Rehman, and announced that judgment would be passed on July 22. Nawaz Sharif, who had boycotted the proceedings on the ground that he did not recognize the validity of the NAB law promulgated by a "usurper". He, however, made a statement at the end of the proceedings, alleging that cases against him were being instituted out of vengeance. Saifur Rehman, the other accused in the case, pleaded his case in person and beseeched the judge that he should be acquitted. At one stage Mian Nawaz Sharif had to pull back Saifur Rehman from the rostrum, imploring for his acquittal. The proceedings of the case which started at 10am in court established in 16th century Attock Fort, 103 kilometres north west of Islamabad, continued till 6.15pm, with a break of one hour. Explaining the prosecution case, deputy prosecutor general Raja Mohammad Bashir stated in August 1993, Nawaz Sharif, main accused in the case, got imported one MI-8 helicopter from Moscow on wet lease for 60 days at the rate of US$550 per flying hour. In October 1993, he purchased the said copter in consideration of $8,00,000. He contended that from July 1993 to June 1997 Nawaz Sharif spent $13,77,000 and Rs88,00,000 on the wet lease, purchase, maintenance and operation of the helicopter. He stated that Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, possessed pecuniary resources disproportionate to his known and declared sources of income, and thus had committed an offence punishable under section 10 read with section 9(a)(v) of the NAB ordinance. The accountability court can award punishment up to 14 years imprisonment, including disqualification from being elected or nominated for any post for 21 years. The court is also empowered to impose any amount of fine. Charge on Saifur Rehman is that he managed the purchase of helicopter for Nawaz Sharif from the Special Cargo Airlines and dishonestly made it appear that the said aircraft was purchased by Abdur Rehman Bin Nasir Al Thani of Qatar. The deputy prosecutor general accountability (DPGA) stated that Saifur Rehman assisted, aided and abetted the main accused Nawaz Sharif in the commission of offence. Saifur Rehman dishonestly manipulated the execution of the contract of purchase of the helicopter in a manner that Nawaz Sharif acquired illegal pecuniary advantages, he contended. The DPGA contended that on the basis of evidence recorded by the prosecution witnesses, the case stood proved. He said that Sartaj Aziz, former general secretary of the PML had deposed before the court that the PML had paid Rs6,15,000 as operational cost of the helicopter which was used by the party in its election campaign. He said the helicopter was used for over 400 hours, including 100 hours in the election campaign, incurred expenses which were much more than Sartaj Aziz had stated (Rs6,15,000). The DPGA said that the helicopter was first obtained on the wet lease from Russian at the rate of $550 per hour. He said that operational cost will come if 400 hours flying was multiplied with $550 per hour. He said that all the payments, except Rs6,15,000 were made by Mian Nawaz Sharif. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Nawaz sceptical about country's future ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ATTOCK, July 19: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday he was "disappointed" with the future of Pakistan. In a statement before the Accountability Court, Mr Sharif said: "I am utterly disappointed with Pakistan's future. God forbid, we are heading for disaster." "Is this the way to reward a prime minister who made the defence of the country impregnable?" Mr Sharif said: "I am being persecuted because I refused to accept demands of the generals". He said that that when he was taken out of the prime minister's house at gunpoint on October 12, the generals had come to him after nine hours. He said: "The generals who remained with me till 4am, wanted me to sign a plain piece of paper and, in return, offered a number of concessions. Attempts to break me will not succeed. I am standing where I was on October 12." Mr Sharif said the members of the judiciary, for whom he had great respect, were being used by the military government against him. He said the NAB ordinance was Sharif family-specific." The NAB does not stand for National Accountability Bureau, rather it stands for Nawaz accountability bureau (NAB)". He said that his family had been targeted and the whole operation smacked of vengeance. A few persons from other political parties were also arrested to give an impression that accountability drive was across the board. "It is not across the board and my family, my colleagues are being targeted," he added. Mr Sharif asked the Judge not to proceed with the case under the law which had been promulgated by a single man. "Your conscience must be pricking you but you are under pressure," he added. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Kuwait grants "Most Favoured Nation" status to Pakistan ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, July 19: Kuwait has declared Pakistan as the "most favoured nation" in respect of oil supplies, a spokesman of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said here on Wednesday. Oil Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Saud Al Sabah on Wednesday called on the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Usman Aminuddin and apprised him of his government's decision to grant Pakistan the "most favoured nation" status. In the talks between petroleum ministers of two countries mutually acceptable arrangements were agreed upon between the two sides. Kuwait will be sending a delegation to Pakistan in August or September to consider the possibility of their participation in the privatization of the oil and gas sector of the country. In respect of participation in the white oil pipeline project, the oil minister of Kuwait will take up the proposal for consideration in the Supreme Petroleum Council chaired by their deputy prime minister. Pakistani petroleum minister thanked his Kuwaiti counterpart, for this kind gesture towards Pakistan, which will further strengthen the existing bonds of fraternity between the two countries, the spokesman said. The petroleum minister also thanked Kuwait for relief goods to the drought hit people of Sindh and Balochistan. MESSAGE: The federal minister also called on the ruler of Kuwait Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Sabah and handed him the letter of the Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, Radio Kuwait reported. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalabagh dam only after consensus ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ihtashamul Haque ISLAMABAD, July 19: The cabinet on Wednesday discussed the construction of proposed Kalabagh dam and decided to develop a consensus, specially by taking Sindh into confidence, on the issue. It approved the Haj Policy for 2001, amendment to the Federal Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1977, and amendments to the Securities and Exchange Ordinance, 1969. Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf told the cabinet that his government did not plan to take any "unilateral decision" to build the Kalabagh dam and that a broad consensus would be achieved before opting for the project, according to official sources. He stated that all apprehensions of Sindh would be removed and added that some people in the NWFP were also opposing the project who, too, were being told that the proposed dam was the only option to end the acute water shortage. The cabinet endorsed the CE's initiative to create awareness for the construction of Kalabagh and other dams. He warned of a serious water crisis if people continued to oppose the construction of new water reservoirs. Recently, he said, he had met a number of people in Karachi and told them that they should support the plan to have more dams, including the Kalabagh dam. The CE, sources said, regretted that during the last 53 years, only a couple of dams could be constructed. He cited the example of Turkey which had built 44 dams in 40 years. He specifically said that the future of Sindh was linked to the construction of Kalabagh dam and that it should be started without any wastage of time to save huge farmlands. He stressed the need for enhancement of water resources and their equitable distribution among the provinces. He said that for a productive and prosperous future and to cater to the irrigation requirements there was a need to increase the water storage capacity. This, he said, could primarily be done by building reservoirs and barrages because the existing reservoirs cannot meet the demand due to silting, etc. Smaller provinces, particularly Sindh, would be major beneficiaries of new storage capacities. Therefore, he said, there was a need to proceed with consensus on a priority. The cabinet approved the arrangements to be made by the ministry of religious affairs for Haj in 2001. Science and Technology Minister Dr Attaur Rehman briefed the cabinet on his recent visits to various countries. The visits were aimed at promotion of the Information Technology sector in Pakistan and export of software. The cabinet was told that a number of new projects and programmes had been initiated. New overseas investment in Pakistan has been secured and additional commitments have been obtained in the IT field. It approved amendment to the FPSC Ordinance, 1977, to ensure its autonomy, strengthen its independence, increase its composition to achieve a broad-based character, and to authorize it to determine transfers and promotions. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Securities and Exchange Ordinance, 1969. The amendments have become necessary for strengthening the securities' market through improved governance, regulating and supervising orderly growth of companies and for restoring investors' confidence. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000716 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Farooq gets 14-year RI in octroi case ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rafaqat Ali ATTOCK, July 15: The accountability court here on Saturday sentenced former Sindh minister Dr Farooq Sattar to 14-year rigorous imprisonment and disqualified him for 21 years for becoming public representative after convicting him in the KMC octroi reference filed by NAB. Announcing the first judgment of the court established in the 16th century Attock Fort at 5.05pm, Judge Farrukh Latif directed the MQM leader to pay Rs50 million fine. Dr Sattar, who was also mayor of Karachi, termed the verdict "mockery of justice" and said he would challenge it in the high court. Under the law, he can file an appeal in the Lahore High Court, and has 10 days to do so. In the 28-paged judgment, the judge observed that corruption had become the order of the day and was spreading in society like an epidemic. "There is growing impression that act of corruption can be conveniently indulged with impunity. This impression has to be dispelled by timely and stern administration of law by imposing severe and exemplary punishment upon the culprits." Copies of the judgment could not be provided to the press as the photocopier of the court was out of order. Dr Sattar would have to undergo an additional three-year imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine. The co-accused, Anzar Zaidi, former administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, was also awarded 10-year RI and ordered to pay Rs5 million fine. In case he failed to pay the money, he would have to spend three more years in the prison. Dr Sattar was accused of misusing his official position for awarding the contract to the Bolan Enterprises for the collection of rail/road route octroi for 1997-98. Port Qasim was later included in the agreement in violation of the government policy. The prosecution had alleged that the whole process of awarding the contract was completed in one day and the matter was not taken before the auction committee. The court was informed that the calculated loss in the contract was Rs34 million. The punishment was awarded under Section 10(9) of the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance, 1999. The order was announced in presence of the accused. Court registrar Raja Shafiq said that the two convicts had been provided the certified copy of the judgment. Dr Sattar had taken the plea that the matter was not in his knowledge and when it came to his notice, as minister he tried to rectify it. He was asked 45 questions by the court which put 35 queries to the co-accused. In his statement, Dr Sattar had said that no incriminating evidence had been brought against him and therefore, the reference was not competent and could not form the subject matter of any criminal trial. He stated that he failed to understand why the case was instituted, adding that he had strong feelings that the basis of the case were his political affiliations. He had stated that he had tried to find out why, how and on what pretext the M/s Bolan Enterprises was collecting octri at the Bhains (cattle) Colony on the goods coming from the Port Qasim. He was informed, he stated, that the situation arose due to sudden divergence.
=================================================================== BUSINESS & ECONOMY 20000722 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dollar fluctuates as rupee floats free ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sabihuddin Ghausi KARACHI, July 21: Volatility and wild fluctuations marked the dollar trading on Friday, both in the inter-bank market and in the kerb, a day after the State Bank (SBP) allowed free float of Pakistani rupee and stopped the practice of unofficial advice to banks to operate within a prescribed exchange band. In the inter-bank trading, the dollar touched the peak of Rs53 on Friday but settled down at Rs52.75. On Thursday afternoon, when the SBP took the crucial decision of withdrawing unofficial cap, the dollar had closed at Rs52.30. A corresponding volatility was also seen in the kerb market where, according to the money-changers, the dollar went upto Rs55.80 on Friday but later settled down at Rs55.40 at the end of the day. "I see stablization in dollar at Rs53.50 in inter-bank and Rs55.50 to Rs56 in the kerb", Owais Kalia said. "We feel that the central bank's move will lead to a soft devaluation of around two to three per cent as the banks will try to get the available liquidity for the importers' requirements" an analyst in the ABN daily brief observed on Friday. The market analysts foresee another day of hectic trading on Saturday which may continue on Monday. However, most of them are of the view that the possibility of central bank's intervention cannot be ruled out in the future as and when the rupee-dollar parity stretches beyond a certain limit. "This fear may prove to be a deterrent in over-playing by any of the players in the currency trading game", a senior banker observed. According to the bankers, although the central bank has withdrawn its unofficial intervention in the currency trading it still maintains a close monitoring system of the money market and has at its disposal many options to exercise. With the Indian rupee plunging by 2.5 per cent and the Chinese yuan by 20 per cent, Mr Kalia is of the view that the downward adjustments made in the rupee value in recent past did not match and there is no option but to bring it down to a level where Pakistani exporters could feel comfortable. Interestingly, both Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz and the SBP Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain have been ruling out any possibility of downward adjustment in the rupee value. "By withdrawing its unofficial intervention power, the central bank has absolved itself of the consequences that could follow from the sliding of rupee, which is now imminent, and at the same time has responded to the IMF condtionality of free float of rupee and the mounting demand of 6 per cent devaluation by the powerful textile lobby", a banker remarked. With this 'devaluation', the bankers are confident that the exporters, mostly of textile products, will bring back their $700 million which they had retained outside the country. Just before the presentation of the 2000-2001 budget, the State Bank governor had been cautioning all such exporters to sent back home their export proceeds or face tough action. "The government and the central bank have now finally reconciled to the fact that it is not the stick but the carrot that works", a textile exporter remarked. Another reason for this devaluation is to tempt the overseas Pakistanis to remit their earnings through banking channels instead of sending them through hundis. Remittances had dropped to the lowest level, below $1 billion in 1999-2000 despite all the incentives offered to the banks for improving their efficiency and ensuring quick delivery. How far an appreciation of greenback value in the inter-bank trading will tempt the overseas Pakistani to use banking channels in the future is still a question that remains unanswered simply because there is a corresponding rise in dollar value in the kerb market. "There is a difference of 5 per cent in the kerb rate and the inter-bank trading and it is a comfortable margin to operate" Mr Kalia, a leading money changer, said. "With the removal of trading band, the volume in the inter bank trading will improve and will thus lead to an improvement in the profitability of the major players" writes ABN Ambro analyst in its daily brief report on Pakistan on Friday. Textile sector is expected to be the biggest gainer of this decision. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Imports to cost more as forex band lifted ------------------------------------------------------------------- Parvaiz Ishfaq Rana KARACHI, July 20: Imports will be more expensive during the current fiscal after the lifting of unofficial band on inter- banking currency dealings by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the importers will have to buy dollars from the open market to foot their bills. "The central bank move appears to limit imports in a bid to cut the increasing trade deficit, which now stands at $1.6 billion," a banker said. There was, however, no immediate impact on the dollar in kerb as it stood unchanged at the previous level of Rs 54.93 and 54.98 a dollar. But towards closing hours demands raised to Rs 55.10. "We do expect some panic buying from importers on Friday, which may push the greenback higher, but still SBP may not allow the rupee to drift down from certain level," a senior banker said. Responding to a question, he said, "surely we feel that the central bank will not allow unbridled fluctuations in the rupee and may also intervene to maintain some control over its parity vis-a-vis dollar." Bankers also feel that the rupee may only lose another 40 to 50 paisa in the open market on Friday, because it had been already devalued in kerb trading after easing of the band to Rs 52.10/52.30 rupees by the SPB on June 22. For the last few weeks the dollar was stable in unofficial inter- bank dealings at Rs 51.80 to Rs 52.30. The State Bank is reported to have quietly advised currency dealers to keep the rupee/dollar parity within limits of 53/54 rupees to a dollar, a banker told Dawn. "We have been hinted that if this was not maintained the SBP will not hesitate in moving back to controlled exchange rate," he added. Nevertheless, the State Bank decision to end exchange rate band will help increase exports which will become more competitive in the world market, particularly in European Union (EU) where euro had been under pressure against US dollar. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PTV to start 100 cable TV channels soon ------------------------------------------------------------------- Syed Irfan Raza ISLAMABAD, July 20: Pakistan Television will shortly provide facility of cable TV channels throughout the country under which more than 100 TV channels of different countries can be seen, Dawn learnt on Tuesday. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a licence to PTV for starting a cable TV under Section 5(2)(0) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganisation) Act, 1996, and Rule 3 of the Cable Television Operation Rules, 2000, framed under Section 57(1) of the Act. It is the first time that the PTV will itself provide the cable TV facility as before this the facility was being provided by the private sector. Initially some 100 channels would be available on the PTV network but the number of channels would be increased gradually, a senior official of the PTA said. The following channels would be available on the PTV network: PTV, STN, Abu Dahabi, Ajman TV, Al-Jazeera TV, Australian TV, Bahrain TV, Bayrak International, BBC World, CCTV-7, CNBC Asia, CNN International, Neutsche Welle TV, Dubai TV, ESC-Egypt, Future International, International Sports, Iraq Channel, Iran 1-4, Jordan TV, JSC-Al Jazeera Sat, LBC, MBC, MTV, Music Asia, Nile Entertainment, Nile Family, Nile News, Oman TV, Pakistan Channel, PTV-3, PTV World, PTV-2, Saudi TV-2, Saudi TV- 1, Sharjah TV, SI TV, Sony Entertainment, Sony Sat Max, Syria TV, Viva Music, Vox, Worldnet, Zee TV, Alpha Punjabi, ART Children, ART Europe, ART Moscow, ART Movies, ART Variety, ART-Iqra, ANT World, AXN Action TV, BBC Prime, Bloomberg TV UK, BRT (Baynder TV), Channel [V] Asia, Channel [V] International, Cine Cinemas, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports, Fujian TV, Future TV, Global TV, Golden Futu, Hallmark, HBO, HBO Family, HBO4 Kids, History Channel, InfoSport, ITV, Kermit Channel, Kids TV, Series Channel, Sat Max, Sky Cinema, Sky Gold, Sky Movies, Star Movies, Star Plus, Star Sports, Sun Movies, Super Sports, Super Sports Gold, TCM/Carton Network, Cinemax, CMT, CNBC Sports, Computer Channel, Digitaly, Discovery Channel, Discovery Health, Discovery Sci- Trek, Discovery Travel, Dubai Business Channel, Dubai Space Channel, Dubai Sports Channel, Elefante TV, Emirates Media, Encyclopaedia, ESPN, ETC, Euro News, Europe By Satellite, Euro Sports, Formula 1, Fox Kids, Kuwait Space TV, Lashkara TV, LBC Sat, MCM Africa, MCV, M-Net, Mosaic, Movie Magic, MTV Asia, MTV Europe, MTV International, National Geographic Channel, NBC, News Sports, Nickelodian Show Time, ORT Kazakhstan, Paramount Channel, Parliamentary Channel, Quranic Channel, Reuters TV, SABC 1, SABC Africa, Sentech Info, Test Car, The Disney Channel, TMMC, Travel Channel, TV 5 Europe, TV Africa Med, TV 5 Afrique, UK Granada TV, University 1-4, University of Plymouth, VH- 1, Viva Cinema, WWW Travel TV, Zee English, Zee Movies, and Zee News. PTV has acquired category A and paid a licence fee of Rs5 million to the PTA for telecasting these channels throughout the country. The licence would be valid for five years. PTV has so far not decided about charges for per cable connection but it would not be more than the charges being charged by private firms operating cable channels in various parts of the country. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Haj expenses up by 9%: New policy announced ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ansar Abbasi ISLAMABAD, July 19: The government on Wednesday announced the Haj policy for 2001, allowing 105,000 Pakistanis to perform Haj next year and increasing the expenses by almost 9 per cent. The expenses have been raised in consequence of 5pc increase in PIA fares and because of the enhancement of personal exchange quota of each pilgrim from $1,100 to $1,200. Briefing newsmen on the salient features of the new policy, approved by the cabinet earlier in the morning, Religious Affairs Minister Dr Abdul Malik Kasi said the cabinet had allowed the fare increase to partially compensate the PIA which had suffered a loss of Rs155 million during the last Haj operation. He said the air fare from Karachi and other cities would be Rs21,000 and Rs24,675, respectively. Total dues for Haj 2001 would be Rs86,800 from Karachi as against Rs79,112 during the Haj 2000, and Rs90,528 from other stations as against the previous Rs82,665. The cabinet, he said, had allowed 105,000 Pakistanis to perform Haj next year; of which 35,000 would go under the Regular Scheme and the rest under the Sponsorship Scheme. The accommodation for all the pilgrims would be arranged by the government. The Saudi government had asked Pakistan to make accommodation arrangements for all of its pilgrims in Makkah and Madina during the next Haj. All the pilgrims would have to perform Haj in groups and they would not be allowed to hire private accommodation as was the practice in the past. The Haj applications would be invited from Aug 2. The last date for receipt of these applications by banks would be Aug 22 under the Regular Scheme, and Aug 31st for the Sponsorship Scheme. Duration of stay of pilgrims has been extended from 35 to 40 days, and the personal exchange quota has also been increased from $1,100 to $1,200. The minister announced that there was no increase in the accommodation rent in both the holy cities. Efforts would be made to acquire accommodation in Makkah and Madina at the maximum limit of Saudi Riyal 1,600 and SR200, respectively, he said. To keep the process of accommodation hiring foolproof, the minister said, two committees - one each in Makkah and Madina - were constituted under the Pakistan ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Welfare staff, including 250 Khuddamul Hujjaj, a 250-member medical mission, 250-man seasonal staff and 25 staff members of banks, will be sent to Saudi Arabia to look after the Pakistani pilgrims. Mr Kasi said the government would make special efforts to educate the prospective pilgrims and added that an orientation programme would be launched through radio and television. Special bracelets, carrying the name and passport number of each pilgrim with a mini- flag of Pakistan, had been designed, besides making abaya or scarf compulsory for every woman pilgrim. The minister said the government was trying to persuade the Saudi Airlines to carry its 50 per cent share of Pakistani pilgrims to avoid inconvenience. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000716 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash, bank balance top hidden assets ------------------------------------------------------------------- Parvaiz Ishfaq Rana KARACHI, July 15: Among the concealed assets declared for whitening under Tax Amnesty Scheme 2000 (TAS 2000), in the Southern Region of Income Tax, liquid cash and balances held in banks topped the list as an amount of Rs11.800 billion has found its way into the documented economy, official sources disclosed. Against this, declaration of jewelry and bullion stood only better than that of shares which are at the bottom, in terms of value. Jewelry and bullion valuing Rs731 million and shares worth Rs524 million are declared for whitening under TAS 2000, sources said. Jewelry/bullion valuing Rs665 million have been declared by individuals, Rs45 million worth by registered firms and costing Rs20 by AOP. While equities of around Rs518 million have been declared by individuals, of Rs3.6 million by registered firms, of Rs1.5 million by unregistered firms and of Rs0.5 million by AOP. The second highest to follow are 10,087 buildings having a value of around Rs8 billion have been declared by individuals, firms and association of persons (AOP), by June 30, 2000. Out of these 9,973 buildings having a value of Rs7.851 billion have been regularized by individuals, 15 by registered firms, two by unregistered firms and 97 by association of persons. The regularization of open plots of varying sizes attained third position in terms of fetching high amount in revenue at 10 per cent tax. In total 10,495 plots having a value of Rs8.800 billion have been declared under the TAS-2000. As many as 10,427 individuals benefited from the amnesty on paying 10 per cent tax for regularizing their open plots of different sizes having a value of Rs6.750 billion. Similarly, 50 plots belonging to association of persons having a value of Rs39 million have been declared, 15 plots owned by registered firms and three by unregistered firms with a value of Rs12 million and Rs6 million respectively, have been declared. *From amongst all the five tax regions of the country, Southern Region have fetched highest tax amount of Rs3.800 billion (at the rate of 10 per cent) on whitening of concealed assets/wealth (movable and immovable) having a total value of Rs38 billion. Out of these, movable assets/wealth worth Rs23.400 billion and immovable assets/wealth of a value of Rs14.600 billion have found its way into the documented economy of the country, sources said. But the most interesting feature of the amnesty scheme is that as many as 3,352 vehicles having a declared value of Rs2.179 billion have been regularized by their owners in the Southern Region of Income Tax which have its jurisdiction up to Quetta, Sukkur, Hyderabad. As a result of this revenue collection through regularization of vehicles attained fifth position. Despite the fact that different saving instruments worth over Rs550 billion are presently afloat under National Saving Schemes (NSS), but a meager amount have been declared and whitened under the amnesty scheme. In total certificates, bonds and other saving instruments of Rs2.224 billion have been declared. This gives the NSS fourth position in term of declared value among other assets/wealth. NSS worth Rs2 billion have been declared by individuals, by registered firms Rs16 million and by AOP Rs131 million. Industrial plants and machinery worth Rs1.498 found its way into the regular economy through TAS-2000, thereby gives them seventh position in term of declared value. Out of this plant and machinery worth Rs1.346 billion have been declared by individuals, by registered firms Rs108 million, by unregistered firms Rs12 million and by AOP Rs31 million. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Amnesty Scheme: Karachi tops by paying Rs3.2 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------- Parvaiz Ishfaq Rana KARACHI, July 19: Among the four cities which fall in the jurisdiction of Southern Region of Income Tax, the highest number of declarations made under Tax Amnesty Scheme 2000 (TAS- 2000) have been received from the city of Karachi, official sources disclosed. Sources said that in total 79,411 declarations have been received from the four cities - Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Quetta bringing in revenue of around Rs3.8 billion at 10 per cent tax for whitening concealed assets and wealth under TAS-2000. According to official figures a total of 28,041 declarations have been filed by the Karachiites under the Amnesty Scheme, delivering a sum of Rs3.2 billion in 10 per cent tax for whitening the assets/wealth of around Rs32 billion value. The city of Hyderabad ranked second where 2,425 declarations have been filed giving revenue an impact of Rs137 million, followed by Sukkur with 1,098 declarations and revenue collection of Rs77 million, and Quetta 1,614 declarations contributing about Rs158 million to government coffers. Among individuals who made highest declarations was from Karachi topping the list for whitening assets/wealth worth Rs89 million thus paid Rs8.9 million in tax at 10 per cent. Sources said that he declared Rs82 million in cash and other assets worth Rs7 million. Another one from the city of Hyderabad stood second on declaring assets/wealth worth Rs81 million bringing in revenue of Rs8.1 million. According to classification of assets, he declared Rs80 million in cash and other assets worth Rs1.3 million. But it is interesting to note that two ladies are sharing the third position on whitening their concealed assets/wealth of equal value. Each lady has declared assets worth Rs66 million which gave revenue affect to a tune of Rs6.6 million from each. The more fascinating feature is that each one of them (ladies) have whitened cash of Rs66 million. They also belong to city of Karachi. Similarly, the city of Karachi also topped in declarations made from those areas which are not under survey. In total 4,310 declarations have been filed under TAS-2000. Official figures further disclose that such areas like Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Federal 'B' Areas, North Nazimabad and North Karachi, New Karachi, Soldier Bazar, Lawrence Road, Garden (West), Karachi generated Rs440 million in revenue at 10 per cent tax. Areas not under survey in cities of Larkana and Nawabshah stood second and third in term of number of declarations and revenue collection. From Larkana 544 declarations have been received and from Nawabshah 531 declaration bringing in revenue of Rs59 and Rs65 million, respectively. Meanwhile, from amongst the survey areas Jodia Bazar, M.A. Jinnah Road, SITE, topped the list for whitening of concealed assets/wealth. In total 6,500 declarations received bringing in tax amount of Rs756 million. Defence Housing Authority and Clifton areas ranked second on filing of 5,500 declarations under TAS-2000 and yielding tax revenue to a tune of Rs736 million followed by Gulshan-e- Iqbal, Gulistan-e- Jouhar, and PECHS from where 5,350 declarations were received along with tax of Rs629 million. Survey areas of city of Hyderabad, filed 2,425 declarations giving revenue affect to a tune of Rs137 million followed by Quetta and Sukkur on 1,614 and 1098 declarations, respectively. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Saudi firm files $70m damages suit against Pakistan ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ansar Abbasi ISLAMABAD, July 20: A Saudi-based mega concern has filed in the International Chamber of Arbitration Paris a suit for $70 million damages against Pakistan for the government's alleged failure to implement an agreement signed with it four years back. Dalla Group, operating in different business spheres in various countries, has filed the suit on account of Pakistan's failure to construct a Haj complex in Makkah. However, Pakistan is refusing to defend the case and waiting for an ex parte decision, sources told Dawn. The Group was awarded a $225 million contract to build the complex to accommodate almost 35,000 Pakistani pilgrims during Haj seasons. The project was envisaged during Benazir Bhutto's second term in office. An MoU was signed between the group and the government in 1995. The formal agreement was signed in 1996. The then government set up Awami Haj Trust, under an ordinance, which signed the agreement with the Group. The trust was represented, among others, by secretaries of religious affairs and finance, and deputy chairman of the planning commission. It was agreed that the complex would be completed in three years and the Group would be paid Saudi Riyal 1300 a pilgrim in 1995, and thereafter there would be a 2.5 per cent escalation on this amount every year. It was also agreed that the government would not pay this amount, rather the payment would be made to the Group from the receipts of the overseas Pakistanis applying for Haj under the Sponsorship Scheme. This way the entire cost of the project was expected to have been paid within 15 years. But with the dismissal of the Benazir government the project aroused suspicions of the following rulers. The Group, too, got slow in implementing the agreement and, thus, the ordinance promulgated to set up the Awami Haj Trust was allowed by the government to lapse. Consequently, the agreement was not recognized by the new government which took the stance that the complex was a deal between the Group and the Trust. The Group approached the Nawaz Sharif government but the project was never revived forcing the Group to file the suit in the International Chamber of Arbitration, Paris (ICAP). The suit was filed during the dying days of the PML government. Notices were issued to the government by the ICAP to decide the question of jurisdiction. But officials in the law ministry advised the government not to file any reply to these notices and contended that the government was not a party to the agreement. The case was ultimately dumped in files though some lawyer associated with the Walkan Martino Salim & Co had been hired simply to observe the proceedings of the case from the behind the scene. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Musharraf defers farm tax recovery ------------------------------------------------------------------- Saleem Shahid QUETTA, July 20: The Chief Executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has announced a relief package for the farmers of Balochistan by restoring the old flat rate of electricity and postponing the recovery of agriculture income tax for one year. He made this announcement at a reception at Khanozai, 60 kilometres off here, on Thursday. Gen Musharraf said it had also been decided to extend the date for recovery of power dues from the farmers till October. He said the flat rate of power had been increased from Rs4,000 to Rs6,000 a month at a meeting held recently in Islamabad in view of the financial problems being faced by the Wapda. However, he added that the decision was being withheld for Balochistan farmers due to serious drought conditions in the province and now they would have to pay only Rs4,000. Gen Musharraf said the actual cost of the electricity, being consumed by the tubewells, came at Rs12,000. The chief executive said the federal government would provide a subsidy of Rs4,000 on power rates to the growers and the remaining amount of Rs4,000 would be borne by the provincial government. "It is the responsibility of the people to pay all their dues and taxes so that the government could increase its revenue for spending on the development of the country and welfare of the people," Gen Musharraf said. He added that if the people would not pay the electricity dues then where from the money would come for building power stations, installing transmission lines and other development projects in the province. The chief executive assured the growers that the flat rate would not be increased and the farm tax would not be collected from them for one year. However, Gen Musharraf said, the government could not extend such relief for ever as it also needed money for the development of the country and welfare of the people. The chief executive said his government was making all out efforts to get the country rid of corruption and added that the problem had been checked at the higher level; now no one could syphon out the national wealth to other countries. Gen Musharraf said the taxpayers money would be spent on the developmental projects. He said nobody would be allowed to plunder the national resources and those who had looted the national exchequer in the past would be punished as many corruption cases were under trial in the accountability courts. The chief executive said that the federal government was making all possible efforts to bring Balochistan at par with other developed areas of the country. The centre, he added, had provided much more funds to the province then its share and this process would continue till the drought condition persisted in the province. He said that the federal government had provided Rs1 billion for the relief work in the affected areas of the province and an additional amount of Rs1.5 billion would be released soon. He said the civil and military authorities were jointly working in the drought-hit areas for the relief and rehabilitation of the affected people. Gen Musharraf said his government had launched the poverty alleviation programme all over the country. In this connection, he added, Rs35 billion had been allocated. He said it would create job opportunities and bring prosperity to the people. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000719 ------------------------------------------------------------------- CBR restructuring plan okayed ------------------------------------------------------------------- Correspondent ISLAMABAD, July 18: Chief Executive Gen Musharraf has okayed a short and long term plan for restructuring plan of the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to make it efficient and corruption-free. Talking to Dawn Tuesday, Shahid Husain, chairman, task force on tax administration, said a briefing on plan was given to CE on Monday after which the task force was given go head signal. The short-term plan to be implemented by Dec 31 is aimed at improving the efficiency in collecting taxes, boasting the morale of the staff, reducing instance of corruption and restoring public confidence in the field officials. Shahid, a former IBRD senior vice president, said the plan was discussed with CE who expressed full support for it. "We want wholesale restructuring, and not skimpy amends here and there. We would not be keeping anything secret about report. We will make it public but it will be based on inputs from all the major sectors of taxpayers". For this purpose, he said, contact groups have been created -both by public and private sector experts. Separate groups have been created for each of the tax head, Customs, Sales Tax, Direct Taxes and Central Excise Duty. One group has also been created for information management on tax administration. Giving out briefs on the plan, Shahid said the focus would be on salaries of tax collecting officials; removing discretion in implementing tax procedures; eliminating contact between the taxpayer and tax-collecting officials; automation of the tax administration; and, training of tax officials to improve their efficiency. He said salary structure is being reviewed as inadequate salaries happen to be one of the major causes for indulging in corrupt practices. Recruitment and training structures are also being reviewed alongside the disciplines of services in which tax officials presently fall. The elements of arbitrariness and harassment attached to the tax administration will be eliminated by taking inputs from taxpayers and information management attached with the tax administration, he added. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000718 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Advisors to get huge success fee ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ihtashamul Haque ISLAMABAD, July 17: The Privatization Commission (PC) has changed its strategy to disinvest State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by converting the minor retainership of the financial advisors (FA) into huge success fee with a view to kickstart the privatization process in Pakistan. "We have decided not to offer any retainership to the financial advisors as it did not help accelerate the privatization process in Pakistan. And now a decision has been taken at a higher level that financial advisors would be offered handsome success fee to drastically achieve the objectives of privatisation", said Altaf M. Saleem, the Chairman PC. Talking to Dawn here on Monday he said that retention fee at present was being offered to FAs was much lower to attract them for completing any transaction. "But the success fee will be much higher to complete the whole programme according the new timeframe", he added. Asked about the new timeframe set by the military government to disinvest public enterprises, Altaf M. Saleem said that the issue has been left to the financial advisors who were finalizing their respective transactions for an early process. For example, he said that the Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) transaction will be completed in 18 months period once its financial advisor, Merril lynch has worked out all the related details. He disclosed that the government has given its go- ahead signal to the PC to disinvest and transfer the OGDCL management to a private buyer as quick as possible. Investors from nine countries were interested in buying the OGDCL which has the financial worth of over one billion dollars. He said $8-10 million was likely to be offered to the FA as a success fee for OGDCL privatisation. Similarly, he said that 12 to 40 per cent government's shareholding in various oilfields was being put up for sale for which a number of international companies have been contacted to become financial advisor. Jardine Flaming, he said, was one of the companies with which talks were currently being held. "Our LPG transaction is almost ready and now it is a question of inviting bids for this purpose very soon", he said. A number of companies like PSO, Sui Southern and Sui Northern have their LPG plants at various locations which will be put up for sale. Responding to a question he said that a number of reputed international companies including Shell, Total, SHV of Netherlands were ready to take part in the privatisation of LPG plants. Talking about the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) Saleem said that three major international companies from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Australia have shown their keen interest to buy the company. The PTCL's Financial Advisor, Goldman Sacks have been met by these three companies in London recently to discuss the transaction. "Now there would not be any delay in the privatization of PTCL", he assured adding that the transfer of management to a buyer of only 18 per cent shares will not be possible as was decided by the Nawaz government. "A Saudi investor is interested to buy 50 pert cent shares of the PTCL but we have not decided to offer him transfer of management in case he is the highest bidder", he said adding that "let the market forces decides the issue and that we have no fixed idea about it". Then the privatization of National Investment Trust (NIT) will be ready during the first quarter of next year as it has improved its balance sheet and overcome some of the problems. He said M/s Arthur Anderson have been appointed its financial advisor who would be here on 26 of this month to further finalize the issue. A high- level committee comprising Secretary General Ministry of Finance, Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Managing Director of the NIT, and Chairman Privatization Commission were the members of a committee which was supervising the privatization of the NIT, he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000718 ------------------------------------------------------------------- ECC urged to waive off duty ------------------------------------------------------------------- Correspondent ISLAMABAD, July 17: The agriculture ministry has urged the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to waive off Rs107m accumulated as duty/demurrage on imported 180 tractors lying at Karachi port since '96. The tractors were imported under Bhutto government's awami scheme and total 796 farmers had deposited Rs56m as an advance money with importers. Sources said, request has been made after the refusal by the port officials to waive off the duty/demurrage charges saying the port could not afford to write off such a large amount without affecting its sustainibility. Agriculture ministry in its summary has reiterated that accumulation of demurrage charges on 180 tractors is due to inconsistent policy decisions that led to lengthy litigation for no fault of importers. The ministry said, 796 farmers who booked tractors with importer after payment of advance deposits of Rs55.70m have been suffering since '96 due to the non delivery. They were promised to deliver tractors @Rs 325,000 per unit. The ministry said inclusion of port charges would make tractors' price Rs 930,000 per unit which will be beyond their reach. Local tractor with similarly feature is available for @ 312,000. The ministry added that the marketing of held up tractors which are still in PKD conditions and involve extra refurbishing charges will not be possible unless entire accumulated KPT's charges are waived off. Earlier, the ECC while considering the summary on "non-delivery of tractors" had decided that agriculture ministry should prepare a workable proposal in consultation with the port authorities as well as importers for release of held up 180 tractors for safeguarding interests of the affected farmers. In view of that, a meeting was called recently with officials of the KPT and importers to work out a solution. The meeting was told that accumulation of demurrage was due to un- necessary litigation for no fault of importers. Considering the prevailing market price of local tractor (50 horse power), it was felt that the tractors will not be competitive price-wise unless entire demurrage charges were waived off. The port representative said the consignment had been lying since '96 and the accumulated charges thereon have been calculated at Rs 107m which are increasing @ Rs 84000 per day. As per rule, he said, the KPT board is not empowered to exempt these charges. It was stated that KPT being self financing organization cannot afford towrite off such a large amount without affecting its sustainibility. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000716 ------------------------------------------------------------------- IMF options: Stand-by credit on the cards: analysts ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Our Staff Reporter KARACHI, July 15: Though the nature and quantum of IMF funding is not yet known, financial analysts say that "an emergency stand-by arrangement (SBA) may be on the cards for Pakistan." Experts say there are two possible financing options from the IMF; one is resumption of ESAF/EFF or the renamed PRFG and the other is an emergency SBA. Analysts at Taurus Securities Ltd are of the view that SBA may be considered due to political constraints attached to the option for EASF/EFF. The G-7 countries may use the EASF/EFF as a bait to resolve the political issues. At the same time, concern over isolating a strategically important country could have led to the conception of stand-by arrangement. The SBA would be relatively on more expensive terms and repayments on this count would exacerbate the situation requiring debt rescheduling by Paris Club. Under the arrangement, financing is made available for eighteen months and repayment is made over a four- year period. Financial analysts said, this facility could provide some breathing space into the tight debt servicing program and help meet obligations for the current year. It would be a positive sign for the foreign commercial banks and investors. Sources close to the international lending agencies indicate that the IMF funding and debt rescheduling by Paris Club would form two major aspects of an overall package if approved by the Fund Board. The approval will depend upon and follow the program that the IMF team, due in August, is expected to evolve and Pakistan's commitment to execute the stated policies, programs without any major deviation. Though not indicated, the funding program is expected to be of a similar size, about $1.2bn, as the previous one that was scuttled after one tranche. Sources said at this point of time, there are positive indicators for Pakistan. IMF officials see the budget 2000-01 generally in line with the IMF policies except for minor deviations. The tax collection target of Rs435bn set for current fiscal is seen more creditable in the light of government efforts to boost revenues than last year's target in the then prevailing environment. The IMF officials are however expected to look at the pace of execution of government's policies before committing any funds, that, according to sources, is unlikely to be forthcoming before October this year. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000722 ------------------------------------------------------------------- KSE 100-share index falls by 9.17 points ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporter KARACHI, July 21: The recent upward drive on the stock market slightly slowed down as jobbers and day traders indulged in profit- selling at the higher levels but the underlying sentiment remained uppishly inclined. The KSE 100-share index reacted by 9.17 points at 1,616.74. A considerable decline in the trading volume from the overnight peak level of 302m shares to only 131m shares reflects that investors are not inclined to part with the holdings amid predictions of a sustained bull-run. The developing scenario on the corporate front indicates that the market is in a for grand technical rebound and investors including financial institutions and foreign funds are not inclined to miss the rising market at least at this stage. The weekend profit-selling coming from the jobbers and day traders at the inflated levels imparts strength to the market rather than halting its upward journey. There was nothing to suggest that the market's upward climb is overdone as was reflected by the presence of strong support at the dips. The KSE 100-share index fell 9.17 points at 1,616.74 as compared to 1,625.71 a day earlier, reflecting the weakness of leading shares including PTCL on selling prompted after the news of resignation of its chairman. The weakness of the rupee after the lifting of unofficial band in inter-bank dollar dealings by the central bank on Thursday evening did influence the stock trading, triggering selling from some of the foreign funds, said a member of the KSE. "It is a virtual devaluation of the rupee by 45 paisa at Rs52.75 from Rs52.30 and could well prove a double-edged weapon for stock trading", he added. The export could receive the needed boost through a cheaper rupee but will make imports notably industrial raw materials more expensive and will add to production costs of exportable goods, said a broker. Jobbers and short-term dealers who have been following the market's run-up and were not inclined to hold on long positions owing to two closures ahead took profits at the available margins in most of the leading stocks. "I don't think bears could now push the market lower according to their whims", stock analysts at the KASB & Co say adding, "the positive reports from the Hubco front have altogether changed the share business outlook". Minus signs dominated the list but most of the losses were fractional and reflected the absence of leading sellers rather than any other adverse factor. However, some of the leading shares attracted selling at the higher levels under the lead of Fauji Fertiliser, BOC Pakistan, General Tyre, Al-Ghazi Tractors, Pakistan Tobacco, Crescent Bank and Ishaq Textiles, falling by one rupee to Rs 2.40. But the largest decline of Rs3.50,4.50, and 21.85 was noted in Jahangir Siddiqui, Trust Bank and Lever Brothers Pakistan respectively. Some of the leading shares managed to post fresh gains under the lead of Adamjee Insurance, Millat Tractors, Tri-Pack Films, Jahangir Siddiqui Investment Bank, and Gulistan Textiles, which rose by Rs1.05 to 4.50. Trading volume from the recent peak level of 302m shares to only 134m shares as investors were not inclined to sell amid predictions of an imminent price flare-up aided by positive news from the Hubco front. Losers held a strong lead over the gainers at 106 to 65, with 48 shares holding on to the last level. Hubco again topped the list of most actives followed by reports that the WAPDA has paid to it Rs1.6bn against its refund of sales tax, up 20 paisa at Rs18.30 on 47m shares, PTCL off 25 paisa at Rs28.70 on 27m shares, ICI Pakistan, easy 10 paisa at Rs16.30 on 18m shares, PSO, up 20 paisa at Rs174.60 on 16m shares and Sui Northern, lower five paisa at Rs16.10 on 3m shares. Other actives were led by Dhan Fibre, lower 20 paisa on 2m shares, Dewan Salman, off 95 paisa also on 2m shares, Nishat Mills, up 50 paisa on 1.634m shares, Lucky Cement, higher 25 paisa on 1.579m shares, KESC, off 20 paisa on 1.495m shares. DEFAULTER COMPANIES: Shares of seven companies came in for trading on this counter but physical business remained light. Service Fabrics was the volume leader, unchanged at Rs0.65 on 2,000 shares followed by Crescent Spinning also unchanged at Rs3.35 on 1,000 shares and Khurshid Spinning, lower five paisa also on 1,000 shares. Market at a glance TONE: steady, total listed 762, actives 219, inactives 543, plus 65, minus 106, unc 48. KSE 100-SHARE INDEX: previous 1,625.71, today's 1,616.74, minus 9.17 points. TOP TEN: gainers Gulistan Textiles Rs4.50, Jahangir Siddiqui Bank 1.65, Tri-Pack Films 1.40, Adamjee Insurance 1.05, Millat Tractors 1.05. LOSERS: Lever Brothers Rs21.85, Colgate Pakistan 5.00, Trust Bank 4.50, Jahangir Siddiqui & Co 3.35, Shell Pakistan 2.40. TOTAL VOLUME: 131.373m shares. VOLUME LEADERS: Hub-Power 47.238m, PTCL 27.068m, ICI Pakistan 17.881m, PSO 15.452m, Sui Northern 2.457m shares.Back to the top
=================================================================== EDITORIALS & FEATURES 20000716 ------------------------------------------------------------------- The sole statesman-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ardeshir Cowasjee "NEVER was there a nature whose outer qualities provided so complete an antithesis of its inner worth. Tall and stately, but thin to the point of emaciation, languid and luxurious of habit, Mohammed Ali Jinnah's attenuated form is the deceptive sheath of a spirit of exceptional vitality and endurance. "Somewhat formal and fastidious, and a little aloof and imperious of manner, the calm hauteur of his accustomed reserve but masks for those who know him a naive and eager humanity, an intuition quick and tender as a woman's, a humour gay and winning as a child's. Pre-eminently rational and practical, discreet and dispassionate in his estimate and acceptance of life, the obvious sanity and serenity of his worldly wisdom effectually disguise a shy and splendid idealism which is of the very essence of the man." So wrote the Indian Congresswoman and poet, Mrs Sarojini Naidu, after meeting Jinnah for the first time at the 1906 annual session of Congress held at Calcutta. Now to what Mohammed Ali Jinnah had to say on the future constitution of Pakistan in his broadcast to the American people in February 1948 : "The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. "Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. Islam has taught the equality of men, justice and fairplay to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims - Hindus, Christians and Parsis - but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan. " There is more than enough on record to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Jinnah intended Pakistan to be a democratic, forward- looking, modern, secular state. The bigots and the uneducated will always preach otherwise - and it will remain their privilege to so do. On July 25, 1977, I was asked by the general who had just removed Bhutto and taken over the country, "Mr Kawaasjy, what can you do in 70 days to improve the ports and shipping of Pakistan? When I enquired why he had specified '70 days' I was told, "I promised the people when I took over that I would go back to the barracks in 90 days time. Twenty of those days' have passed." He was reminded that history records that it was in the fifth century BC that the last dictator-general voluntarily went home. Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus returned happily to his farm having successfully led the Roman armies and saved the republic from the barbarians. I suggested that he read Basil Henry Liddell Hart on the subject of 'Dictators' and later sent him a copy of the following extract from Liddell Hart's book 'Why Don't We learn From History', published posthumously in 1971: "On gaining power : they soon begin to rid themselves of their chief helpers, 'discovering' that those who brought about the new order have suddenly become traitors to it." [ General Pervez Musharraf has, so far, not done so.] "They suppress criticism on one pretext or another and punish anyone who mentions facts which, however true, are unfavourable to their policy." [Musharraf may not have to follow Liddell Hart's pattern if he treads well and wisely. He has so far very correctly allowed the press full freedom to publish whatever criticism it may wish to print. In fact, when his flip-flop spin doctor, Javed Jabbar, addressed a gathering of columnists in Karachi on July 6, some complained that whereas the press publishes all they write the government does not respond to their criticism. But why should the government respond? And whatever it does, it must not even consider banning in any form any information or facilities available on the Internet.] "They enlist religion on their side, if possible, or, if its leaders are not compliant, foster a new kind of religion subservient to their ends. [Zia did it, but Musharraf does not have to do so. In fact, he should get rid of some of the reputed fundos who are close to him.] "They spend public money lavishly on material works of a striking kind, in compensation for the freedom of spirit and thought of which they have robbed the public. [There is nothing to spend. On this score we are safe.] "They manipulate the currency to make the economic position of the state appear better than it is in reality." [ So far the currency has not been manipulated. ] "They ultimately make war on some other state as a means of diverting attention from internal conditions and allowing discontent to explode outward. [The Kashmir 'sizzle' takes care of this one.] "They use the rallying cry of patriotism as a means of riveting the chains of their personal authority more firmly on the people. [After Benazir and Nawaz, both twice removed, anyone is acceptable to the people barring the politicians whose 'hookah-pani band hogaya hai'. And besides, was Washington not a general of the army, as was Eisenhower? Was Carter not a peanut farmer, and Reagan a film actor?] "They expand the superstructure of the state while undermining its foundations - by breeding sycophants at the expense of self- respecting collaborators, by appealing to the popular taste for the grandiose and sensational instead of true values, and by fostering a romantic instead of a realistic view, thus ensuring the ultimate collapse, under their successors, if not themselves, of what they have created. [Unfortunately this country breeds sycophants with the greatest of ease. We have 139 million of them. If the general surrounds himself with too many they may well be his undoing.] "This political confidence trick, itself a familiar string of tricks, has been repeated all down the ages. Yet it rarely fails to take in a fresh generation." [ When each new government takes over many of us fervently hope that it will prove Jinnah's old prediction to be wrong : 'Each succeeding government of Pakistan will be worse that its predecessor.'] Zia not only read the extract carefully, but managed to get hold of a copy of the book and ordered that it be reprinted by the Services Book Club of Pakistan. The printing took nine years and naturally infringed on the copyright laws. The book is a 'must' read for Musharraf. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- The (further) closing of the Pakistani mind ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ayaz Amir A few evenings ago, driven by a desire that I can now see as insane, I happened to flick over to my favourite TV channel, Pakistan Television, which, if there be any justice in this world, will be compulsory entertainment for every confirmed sinner when he arrives at the outer gates of hell. There I saw a bizarre sight: three high-toned pontiffs - a bishop of the cloth, an ex-law professor and someone who looked an outright rogue - singing the praises of 'the removal of doubts ordinance', a piece of legal gimmickry whereby all the Islamic provisions of Pakistan's moribund Constitution have been included in the Provisional Constitution Order. Leaving nothing to chance, these experts were hammering the point home that this was another bold step (every step in Pakistan being a bold one) towards Islamization. I am sure these professors of the airwaves were not the only experts hauled up by PTV for special duty on this subject. But their enthusiasm was a reminder of how PTV has regularly insulted the intelligence, or what there is of it, of the Pakistani people. No matter what folly a government (any government) purveys, PTV is programmed to hail it as an act of the highest statesmanship. Resurrect Hitler from his ashes and provided you bring him to Pakistan, PTV will hail him as mankind's saviour. Although it was only one programme I happened to watch, that too in passing, I am sure the pattern is being repeated and PTV's captive audience, helpless in the matter, is being made sick with the hidden virtues of this ordinance. And what is this earth-breaking ordinance about? It takes the Islamic provisions of the Constitution - the Objectives Resolution, the principles of policy, the other articles which refer to the Quran and Sunnah - and makes them part of the PCO. By doing this it has earned the plaudits of the many clerical armies in Pakistan which somehow succeed in fooling every ruler even though, as every blighted election in this land has shown, their sound and fury are worse than their bite. In other words, the Islamic provisions have been saved as if, without this timely action, they stood in danger of being extinguished. By such momentous undertakings is life in Pakistan defined. The received wisdom is that the military regime has succumbed to the pressure of the clerical brigade. This is far from the truth. From the clerical brigade noises were being made about protecting the Islamic provisions of the Constitution. But there was no pressure, if by pressure something tangible or real is meant, which could deflect the military regime from its chosen path. There was only a chorus of ill-trained voices raising the bogey of Islam in danger. Against such a threat there was no need to be clever. Or even to be brave. The religious lobby has always sought to draw attention to its existence, and its nuisance value, by such tactics. It is for governments to read such situations correctly. If they cannot, and if they see danger or opportunity where none exists, who is to blame? The clerical armies are of course crowing with delight but why should they not when they see a tough-sounding military government, the commando motif written all over it, retreating twice in quick succession? First over the anti-blasphemy law, now over this false play of shadows on a distant wall. What will become of the liberati who were pinning such hopes on what they fondly believed was a Kemalist revolution? In referring to 'the removal of doubts' ordinance I was not inventing anything. The language of the ordinance contains this gem: "The Provisional Constitution (Amendment) Order, 2000, has been deemed necessary for removal of doubts and to reaffirm the continuity and enforcement of the Islamic provisions contained in Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is considered expedient in the public interest to remove all such doubts." What does this reveal, a guilty conscience or an over-clever attitude? What doubts and in whose minds? Certainly not in the minds of the people of Pakistan who, if they have reacted at all to this sorry business, have done so with a weary yawn. What if this ordinance had not been issued? Was there, in that case, a lurking threat of paganism creeping into the suspended articles of the 1973 Constitution? Was there any danger that once democracy was restored - a distant prospect, given the experiments General Naqvi seems intent on carrying out in its name - the Islamic provisions of the Constitution would disappear? Whence the fear that without timely action Pakistan stood in danger of being declared a secular state? The Pakistani clergy can stand anything: the ignorance and poverty of the people, the country's involvement in dubious foreign adventures, the country's entrapment in humiliation at the hands of outsiders. The nation's iron begging bowl moves it not. But show it the rag of secularism and all hell breaks loose. At the heart of our collective existence resides a strange contradiction. On the one hand, corruption and a readiness to break every rule in the book. On the other, a positive mania for Islamic affirmation. It is not enough to pass the Objectives Resolution. It must also be included in the constitution. Official stationary must be inscribed with the kalima. The framework of government may be on the verge of collapse but every pretence at work must begin with a recitation from the Holy Quran. We'll do nothing to improve PIA but before every flight an appropriate prayer must be recited. This is not piety. This is not even hypocrisy for hypocrisy is a conscious act meant to fool others. This is plain self-deception. Unable to fight the real world on its terms, we seek refuge in a moral superiority and a higher sanctity which are figments of our imagination. Islam is not a fragile vessel although to hear the good and great of Pakistan talk it seems as if Islam stands in need of constant protection. In the subcontinent it has been around for a thousand years and, like other religions, will remain till the end of time. Its existence and safety can never be in doubt. What is in doubt is our ability to create a polity in line with the injunctions of Islam. What does Islam command? What does it stand for? The creation of a polity, in the here and now, based upon justice and egalitarianism, freedom from fear, freedom from want and hunger, tolerance towards all. In an Islamic state a dog must not go hungry even by the banks of a faraway river. This cry of the Caliph Omar (one which I can never stop quoting) is the true essence of the faith rather than empty ritual, meaningless gestures or doctors of the faith splitting hairs on television. In the whole of the Islamic canon there is no denunciation more severe than that directed at the Pharisee, the self-righteous person who has pretensions to superior sanctity. Since independence we have done nothing so much as to turn this into a nation of Pharisees. Listen to our words and look at our actions. A profounder gulf between two separate notions could not be drawn. If we cannot create a state based upon justice and fair play a hundred Objectives Resolutions will avail us nothing. If the poor live in misery and want, if there is one law for the powerful and another for the weak, what does it matter if we call Pakistan an Islamic or a secular republic? The form of things is important but not as important as their substance.
=================================================================== SPORTS 20000719 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cricketers to sign ICC code of conduct ------------------------------------------------------------------- Correspondent LAHORE, July 18: All the Pakistani cricketers will sign Code of Conduct, formulated by the International Cricket Council before participating in the Tri-nation tournament to be held in Singapore next month. Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand will compete in the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board director Yawar Saeed told journalists on Tuesday that the board was facing problem of non-availability of various cricketers due to their assignments abroad and it would take some time to get the Performa signed by the players. He hoped that the job would be done before the departure of the Pakistan team to Singapore on August 20. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000720 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tauqir Zia doubts Indian team's tour will take place ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ilyas Beg LAHORE,July 19: Lt.-Gen. Tauqir Zia has said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would welcome the Indian team next January but prospects of the tour looked bleak. Talking to mediamen at the Qadhafi Stadium on Wednesday morning, the PCB ad hoc committee chairman said that he had asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials during his meeting with them in England to send their team on the planned tour. "Although the BCCI officials agreed to send the team to Pakistan early next year yet I do not see the tour taking place", said Gen Tauqir. The PCB chairman said that the outgoing International Cricket Conference (ICC) chairman from India, Jagmohan Dalmia, and the BCCI secretary Mr Lele had given a firm assurance that the Indian junior team would be sent to participate in the ongoing Asia Cup Under-17 Cricket Tournament but they have put forward lame excuses for not doing the needful. An invitation letter and nine reminders had been sent to the BCCI but the response had been disappointing. Replying to a question, Gen Tauqir said that there was a unanimity of views among Pakistani and Indian boards officials on many issues at the International Cricket Conference (ICC) meeting and it is hoped the co-operation would continue. Gen Tauqir said that during a meeting with John Reid, which was held at his request, "I told the 71-year-old referee that it was time he took rest rather than getting involved in refereeing the international matches. I reminded him that he had been removed from captaincy of the New Zealand team for his biased remarks against the players of the sub- continent and it will be advisable that he should not supervise the matches which involved the Pakistan team, if at all he is serious to continue with his job. I told him that unfortunately he did not have requisite knowledge of the rules under which he takes action against players" said Gen Tauqir. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000721 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Official named to probe players' assets ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporter KARACHI, July 20: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed a one-man inquiry commission that will probe the assets of the players. Naveed Rasool, a member of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has been assigned to carry out investigations and report back as soon as possible. Naveed recently resigned as the legal advisor of the PCB. The chairman of the PCB, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said Naveed Rasool will chalk out his own strategy and will act independently. He said if he required some man power, the PCB would provide it. "Being a NAB representative, he knows all the procedures. The Pakistan players will be instructed to extend full support," he said. The investigations of the assets are being carried out as per recommendation of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum. The assets of the players will be compared with their total earnings. The general said Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman, who were banned for life on the advice of Justice Qayyum, were delivered with letters. He said the two players have been instructed to convey to the board if they accepted the decision or plan to challenge the decision. Similarly, he said the cash penalties imposed on six players would be deducted from their match fee. He, however, said the players will have the right to challenge the fines in a court of law. In the meantime, the PCB sent a fresh reminder to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to confirm the itinerary of the tour of Pakistan. "Since we have to depart for New Zealand two days after the conclusion of the Indian series, we have to confirm our arrival and the itinerary to them (New Zealand) immediately," Gen Tauqir said. The Indian series concludes on Feb 12 and the Pakistan team leaves for New Zealand on Feb 14 for three Tests and five one-day internationals. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20000717 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PHF accounts audit to begin soon: Aziz ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporter ISLAMABAD, July 16: The question of from which year should the financial audit of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) start will be decided in a couple of days. This was stated by president PHF, Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Aziz Khan while talking to reporters here at Wah. The president PHF said that an internationally reputed audit company has been given the task to carry out the financial audit of PHF. The audit company will be given a specific time frame to complete the report. It may be added here that huge financial bunglings have been reported in PHF finances whose accounts have not been audited. To a question regarding selection of Pakistan Olympic team, the president PHF said that best possible representation has been picked up. After taking over as president PHF on July 5, this was the first major decision taken by the new hockey management who are more or less relying on status quo in all matters till the Sydney Olympics. The president PHF also met the selected team. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
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