------------------------------------------------------------------- DAWN WIRE SERVICE ------------------------------------------------------------------- Week Ending : 23 June 2001 Issue : 07/25 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents | National News | Business & Economy | Editorials & Features | Sports
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CONTENTS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS + Takeover in 'national interest': Assemblies, Senate dissolved + Orders issued to give legal cover to action + Tarar says he was replaced by virtue of PCO + Multan Bar seeks CJ's resignation: Oath to Gen Musharraf + PML to challenge action + Politicians oppose change + Benazir says army's role to be affected + Shock waves in like-minded group's ranks + Move can endanger return to democracy: EU + Shake-up after Delhi summit likely + APHC seeks meeting with Musharraf, Vajpayee + US links normal ties to democracy + Lifting of curbs may be delayed + Powell, Sattar discuss mode of lifting curbs + Pakistan not enemy No 1, says Jaswant + Rhetoric be avoided, CE tells Indian PM + Summit to be held at Agra: Kashmir part of India: Vajpayee + N-alert system to be discussed: Summit from July 14: reports + Nasrullah doesn't share CE's view about talks + PIA might closed down shop if fails to improve + Centre to allocate Rs200m for Gomal Zam dam + People's Party to hold protest rally on Aug 14 + Conviction of Benazir termed 'discriminatory' + Zardari demands computer instructor + Ex-minister gets 3 years RI for corruption + NAB seeks freezing of ex-MNA's assets + Court notice to govt, NAB on Ghous's bail plea + Nawab Marri granted bail in murder case + Ex-naval chief's remand extended --------------------------------- BUSINESS & ECONOMY + Rs752 billion budget for 2001-02: Debt servicing claims 40% + All defence needs to be met, assures govt + No tax on remittances: Shaukat + Govt to promote free-market economy: Usman + Lowest GDP growth in 20 years: Inflation at 4.7pc: Shaukat + Contingency liabilities reach Rs58bn: Losses by corporations + Government appoints mediator to end 'feud': Petroleum sector + Oil import bill up by $600 million + Capital market stays weak amid light trading volume + KSE: pre-budget trading terribly down --------------------------------------- EDITORIALS & FEATURES + Give him a fighting chance Ardeshir Cowasjee + The General as President: a tale foretold Ayaz Amir + But can he walk the walk? Irfan Husain ----------- SPORTS + Pakistan crush Spain 6-2 in first Test + Spain hold Pakistan to a draw in 2nd Test + Waqar's six-wkt haul mauls world champions + England forfeit match after pitch invasion + Pakistan post 290 amidst firecrackers + Pakistan tour of England an outstanding success + Germany outclass Pakistan + Pakistan unlikely to produce champion in next 10 years
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Takeover in 'national interest': Assemblies, Senate dissolved ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ihtashamul Haque ISLAMABAD, June 20: The Chief Executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, assumed the office of President with a pledge that elections would be held in the country by Oct 2002 as directed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Talking to journalists after being administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice, Irshad Hasan Khan, at the Aiwan-i-Sadar, President Gen Pervez Musharraf said he had assumed the office of the president in the "supreme national interest." The oath-taking ceremony was attended by cabinet members, provincial governors, corps commanders, services chiefs and the diplomatic community. An official announcement made earlier in the day said that Mr Rafiq Tarar had ceased to hold the office of the president with immediate effect. This followed the dissolution of the suspended parliament including the Senate, the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies. Two amendments have been made in the Provisional Constitutional Order to effect the removal of Rafiq Tarar and induction of Gen Musharraf as the president. A proclamation order was read out after the oath-taking ceremony of the President which said: "General Pervez Musharraf has entered upon the office of the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan under the President's Succession Order 2001. Therefore, let it be known to all and sundry that General Pervez Musharraf took oath of office as President and assumed the office of the President of Pakistan." After the ceremony, Gen Musharraf told reporters that his decision to take over as the president was led by constitutional, political and economic considerations. He, however, made it clear that general elections would be held by October next year as was directed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. "I feel in all humility that if I have a role to play for this nation I will not hesitate whatever decisions are involved. I hold national interests supreme. I personally think with all sincerity and honesty that I have a role to play in this nation. I have a job to do here and therefore I cannot and will not let the nation down," said the new President who continues to be the Chief Executive and the Army Chief. He said he had taken over as the President of Pakistan through an amendment to a clause of the PCO of Oct 14, 1999, which allowed continuity of the ex-president of Pakistan. "I have been thinking of this change for some months. This has been one of the most difficult decisions that I have taken. It was difficult because it involved myself, doing something which I have never done in my life. In my entire career I have never done anything for myself. God has been kind and continues to be kind to me. I bow my head before Him for all the bounties that He has showered on me. I will bow in more humility as I rise," he said. As far as the political process is concerned, he said, there was no change whatsoever. "Let there be no doubt that there is no change in our intentions for the future". He said the Supreme Court ruling directing the government to hold elections by October 2002 was very clear. "We will abide by that". Local government elections up to district level would be completed by August 14. Provincial and national elections would be held on schedule next year, he added. Political activity would continue as before, he assured. "I think I must tell you why I decided to take over as the president of Pakistan," he said, adding that the first consideration was constitutional. As the assemblies, according to the PCO of Oct 14, 1999, were suspended there was a degree of uncertainty whether these assemblies were being restored or not. Then the Supreme Court judgment which validated the action of suspending the assemblies made it easier for me to decide about the dissolution of assemblies. "With the dissolution of the assemblies, the office of the President who was elected by these assemblies, became untenable." He said the second consideration was political consideration. He said his major concern for Pakistan was political stability and harmony. "I have been saying that I would like to place appropriate checks and balances on superstructure of the political environment. I will ensure and guarantee the continuity and sustainability of all the reforms and restructuring that my government is doing. I will ensure that national interest will remain supreme over personal and political interest." President Musharraf said the third consideration was economic consideration where the entire business community and foreign investors were waiting and asking for proof of continuity and sustainability of all the reforms that the government was now undertaking. "I thought I can give this proof and also help improve the economic environment of Pakistan, if I undertake this change. It was basically the constitutional issue, political and economic considerations which led me to this decision and above all this decision has been taken in the supreme national interest," he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Orders issued to give legal cover to action ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, June 20: Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf elevated himself as the President of Pakistan for an indefinite period through a Succession Order 2001 here on Wednesday. "The Chief Executive shall hold office as President until his successor enters upon his office," the CE Order No 3 of 2001, called as Succession Order 2001, said. The Supreme Court in its judgement validating the military takeover, had ruled that general elections should be held before the October 12, 2002. The CE Order further states: "Upon the office of the President becoming vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Chief Executive of Pakistan shall be the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and shall perform all functions assigned to the President by or under any law." General Ziaul Haq had fixed a five-year period for himself as the president of Pakistan. The Order No 2 of 2001 issued by the Chief Executive stated that the "person" holding the office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, immediately before the commencement of the Proclamation of Emergency (Amendment) Order 2001, shall "cease" to hold the office. For dissolving the parliament and provincial assemblies, the CE order stated that the order of suspending the same on October 14, 1999, should now be read as: "The National Assembly, the Provincial Assemblies and Senate shall stand dissolved with immediate effect." Chief Justice of Pakistan will be the acting president of Pakistan in the absence of the president, a departure from the recent pronouncements by the apex court holding that it was violative of the principle of trichotomy of power. "If the President, by reason of absence from Pakistan or any other cause, is unable to perform his functions, the Chief Justice of Pakistan is also absent from Pakistan, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court shall perform the functions of President until the President returns to Pakistan," Chief Executive Order No 3 of 2001 says. The practice of holding the executive office by the judges was abandoned in 1996 after the Supreme Court decision in Judges Case. The first violation of the Judges Case took place when the military government appointed Justice Faqir Khokhar as Federal Law Secretary. Former President Mohammed Rafiq Tarar who "ceased" to hold office on Wednesday remained president for three years, six months and 20 days. He assumed office on Jan 1, 1998. He was the ninth head of the state of the country. He was the candidate of Pakistan Muslim. Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf called on the outgoing President Mohammed Rafiq Tarar at the Aiwan-i-Sadar on Wednesday morning, said an official announcement. The CE remained with the outgoing president for nearly an hour during which various issues of national importance came under discussion, it said. Gen Pervez Musharraf said that there were no words to express his gratitude to Rafiq Tarar whom he always held in the highest esteem. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tarar says he was replaced by virtue of PCO ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, June 20: Former president Rafiq Tarar, said that he had been replaced by virtue of the PCO. He said a few days back he was approached and told that for effective implementation of the government agenda and attainment of the national goals, elevation of Gen Pervez Musharraf to the office of the president was necessary. Mr Tarar said at his first meeting after the military takeover, Gen Musharraf had told him that he should continue as president in the larger national interest and he had agreed. As president, Mr Tarar said, he avoided confrontation and cooperated with the government. He said the military leadership consulted him on important national issues. He thanked the press and the nation for their cooperation. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Multan Bar seeks CJ's resignation: Oath to Gen Musharraf ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent MULTAN, June 22: The working committee of the District Bar Association, Multan, has demanded resignation from the chief justice of Pakistan for administering oath to Gen Pervez Musharraf of the president's office. A press release said an emergency meeting of the committee was held to deliberate on the situation arose after the chief executive's taking over the charge of the president's office in an 'extra- constitutional' move. The Bar observed that the sanctity of the apex court had been completely trampled after the "controversial" oath-taking ceremony. "Such judges should resign who cannot stand before the tyrannical rule," it remarked. It urged Pakistan and the Punjab Bar councils to play their role in restoring the sanctity of the constitution and the judiciary. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PML to challenge action ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, June 22: The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Irshad Hasan Khan, should tender his resignation for becoming a party to an unconstitutional action of Gen Pervez Musharraf to remove Rafiq Tarar, an elected president of the country, Javed Hashmi said. The Pakistan Muslim League (N) would challenge this action in the Supreme Court ,the acting president of PML (N) told reporters after a party meeting on Friday. The meeting, which was attended by 29 members, had resolved not to attend an all parties conference which Gen Musharraf wanted to convene before leaving for New Delhi, Mr Hashmi said. "The party will not enter into a dialogue, at any level, with the government," he said, terming Gen Musharraf's action a continuation of efforts being made to ruin the federation. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Politicians oppose change ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Faraz Hashmi ISLAMABAD, June 20: All political parties criticized Gen Pervez Musharraf's action to become President of Pakistan, saying the action has weakened his position vis-a-vis Indian Prime Minister Attal Behari Vajpayee. Gen Musharraf's move has increased calls for boycott of the meeting of leaders of all political parties the general is planning to convene before leaving for New Delhi. There are indications that the Chief Executive will hold three separate meetings with politicians, media people and religious scholars from June 22 to June 28 to take them into confidence over the talks to be held in India on July 14. "All the political leaders should review, whether he (Gen Musharraf) deserves to be given a mandate to talk to Indian prime minister," Vice President of PML(N) Syed Zafar Ali Shah said. Jamaat's Chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed said Gen Musharraf had apparently assumed the office of the president to be on a par with the Indian Prime Minister in the forthcoming talks. However, he said, the way he had adopted to attain the parity was self-defeating. The Jamaat chief said that the image of the military had also been tarnished. Only two decades ago, the people used to demand holding of elections under the military supervision and now they suspected elections results were tampered in the GHQ, he added. A spokesman for Pakistan People's Party termed Gen Musharraf's action unconstitutional and a step which would increase political instability in the country. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Benazir says army's role to be affected ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent ISLAMABAD, June 21: Benazir Bhutto has said that the dissolution of the assemblies shows that Gen Pervez Musharraf had lost confidence that the parliament would elect him or give him the vast powers he had desired. In a statement issued she said "Musharraf has benefited himself by the self-proclamation and many will see this as an abuse of office for self benefit. However, the nation, its constitution and democratic aspirations have all lost. The professionalism of the Pakistan Army would also be affected by combining the two offices of the President and the Army Chief in one person, she added." The last military president bequeathed the country with the drugs and guns culture in his bid to divide and rule. The one before him disintegrated the country. The precedents augur ill for what Musharraf has done. "The assumption of the Presidency by the Army Chief is another dark chapter in the history of Pakistan and its people. While Musharraf has assumed the Presidency, he remains unelected and unrepresentative and thereby an illegitimate holder of the office. Each act of his will be subject to validation by the future parliament. "Musharraf lacks political support and unless he can muster it, he will be forced to do what his predecessors Gen Ayub and Zia did by holding a fake referendum or forcing the local councilors to vote for him. "Each one of these acts will further contribute to political instability in the country." "Musharraf would like to see powerful president which is at odds with the dream of Pakistan's founder who had envisaged the country as a federal, democratic and parliamentary state. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shock waves in like-minded group's ranks ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ahmed Hassan ISLAMABAD June 20: The oath-taking as president by Gen Musharraf and later dissolution of assemblies has sent shockwaves in the rank and file of PML like-minded group, threatening its very existence. Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Ijazul Haq, Gohar Ayub Khan, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Lt-Gen (retd) Majeed Malik, Col (Rtd) Sarwar Cheema and Eng Fazal Hussain. Informed sources told Dawn that the participants of the meeting criticized Mian Azhar for failing to convince the Chief Executive during his meeting in Lahore not to dissolve the assemblies and instead gave a go ahead to what had happened today. A prominent party leader even accused the leadership of having failed to muster sufficient numerical support for the general in the suspended assemblies that would have ensured restoration of the assemblies. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Move can endanger return to democracy: EU ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Shadaba Islam BRUSSELS, June 21: The European Union joined the United States and the Commonwealth in criticizing General Pervez Musharraf's decision to become president of Pakistan, saying the move could endanger a return to democracy in the country. But the EU statement, issued after rapid consultations between the 15 EU capitals, was less strident than much-tougher comments by US officials in Washington and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Diplomats said the EU declaration struck a compromise between the bloc's traditional hard-line stance against military leaders and governments and a more pragmatic recognition that Europe must work to encourage Pakistan's moves to democracy, not isolate Islamabad. The statement said that the 15 EU governments "noted" General Musharraf's installation as Pakistan's president and "reiterated calls for a transition to democracy." The EU said it was "concerned" that General Musharraf's actions could "jeopardize progress made in this path," and also urged Pakistan to "remain committed to a timely return to democracy." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shake-up after Delhi summit likely ------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Correspondent ISLAMABAD, June 22: In the wake of Gen Pervez Musharraf's elevation to the office of president intense jockeying has started both within the federal cabinet and in the top military brass with the possibility of the corps commanders of the four provinces assuming the respective offices of provincial governors replacing the present incumbents. These four governors in uniform will sit in the reconstituted National Security Council with the president who would also be in his COAS uniform, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee who is likely to be Lt-Gen M. Usmani, the present deputy army chief, the chiefs of staff of Navy and Air Force and the Vice Chief of Army Staff, a new post expected to be created for which both the present Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt-Gen Mohammed Yousuf and the present ISI chief, Lt-Gen Mahmood, are said to be serious candidates. Military experts, however, said Mahmood's chances are slim because of his ISI background. The civilian side of the NSC would be made up of the prime minister, the finance minister, the defence minister and the interior minister. Since finance minister Shaukat Aziz is being tipped to become the senior minister with added responsibility of looking after routine cabinet meetings, the present Secretary- General Finance, Moin Afzal, whose contract is expiring in a month or so, is expected to be given the portfolio of minister of state for finance. The possibility of Shaukat Aziz becoming the prime minister is not being ruled out. However, there are still many ifs and buts in the way of his elevation to the office which at present is with the president. At best for the time being Shaukat Aziz would perhaps assume the office of deputy prime minister in which case Moin Afzal would be elevated to a full minister for finance. The donors, it is said, would feel more comfortable with the team of Shaukat and Moin remaining intact for the next three years at least in the interest of continuity. The one person from among the now almost defunct Like-Minded Group who is expected to get a slot in the new cabinet is Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain who is being rewarded for proposing the other day an establishment-inspired formula for the solution of Kashmir issue. This perhaps was done to test the waters on both sides of the LoC. The fact that no Jihadi faction has so far taken any serious note of Chaudhry's advice to the nation to forget the UN resolutions on Kashmir is being regarded here as a further confirmation as to who the real authors of the formula are. All these changes and many more are likely to be made after President Pervez Musharraf returns from his visit to India. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- APHC seeks meeting with Musharraf, Vajpayee ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jawed Naqvi NEW DELHI, June 22: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference formally sought a meeting Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and President Gen Pervez Musharraf into a purposeful political exercise. In identical letters delivered in New Delhi to the Prime Minister's Office and the Pakistan High Commission, APHC chairman Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat said the decision to approach the two leaders was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the APHC's executive council on June 13. The APHC's letters came after some key members of the 23-member umbrella group, fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, felt betrayed by New Delhi and Islamabad, who have both brushed aside their proposals to involve the Hurriyat in a Musharraf-Vajpayee summit, even if the tone and tenor of the two governments might have varied. In a stinging attack on the proposed summit, Yasin Malik, head of the Srinagar-based Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, said it was a meeting of two imperialist powers. Malik told BBC on Thursday that he did not expect the summit to achieve much on Kashmir without the involvement of the principal party to the dispute. Claiming that his party had taken a principled stand, the JKLF leader said he wanted India and Pakistan to resolve the issue by discussing it with the "principal parties - the genuine leadership of Kashmir." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- US links normal ties to democracy ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, June 22: The United States has reiterated its desire to build a cooperative bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but stressed that democracy is an aspect of it and Gen Pervez Musharraf's action in becoming president "pointed in the wrong direction". Answering questions on the continuing Sattar/presidency saga, deputy spokesman Philip Reeker said at the regular State Department briefing that the US had a desire to rebuild cooperative relations with Pakistan. It was important that a bilateral relationship was developed. But, Mr Reeker said, "clearly democracy is an aspect of that. And we have expressed for a long time now our concerns about the original actions taken by Gen Musharraf 18 months ago, and our hopes to see Pakistan return and make progress on the path back to democracy." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Lifting of curbs may be delayed ------------------------------------------------------------------- Monitoring desk WASHINGTON, June 21: The US does not endorse Gen Pervez Musharraf's takeover as president and called upon Islamabad to immediately restore democracy, sources in administration said. Administration sources said Secretary of State Colin Powell felt "blindsided" and "angry" because Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar had one day earlier outlined Islamabad's plans to return to civilian rule. "It made him (Powell) look foolish because only yesterday he was saying how happy he was by Sattar's report talking about a return to democracy," the source said. According to these sources, Powell and top US officials felt "so betrayed" because Sattar had kicked off his 90-minute meeting and luncheon by declaring that Pakistan would hold elections next year. They said Musharraf's decision would "certainly complicate" Washington's consideration in lifting any of the multiple layers of sanctions imposed on Islamabad by the US. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Musharraf's move to dissolve "the elected assembles and to appoint himself president severely undermines Pakistan's constitutional order. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Powell, Sattar discuss mode of lifting curbs ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Tahir Mirza WASHINGTON, June 19: Pakistan and the United States had "very, very good and fruitful discussions" during the highest level contact so far between Islamabad and the Bush administration. This was how US Secretary of State Colin Powell characterized his discussions with Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar while talking to reporters outside the State Department after a meeting lasting almost 90 minutes. Gen Powell said all the items on the agenda were discussed, and the US was encouraged by what Mr Sattar had to say in respect to preparations for elections next year. "We talked about sanctions and we talked about how one gets through the process of eventually lifting sanctions," Powell told reporters after the meeting. Afghanistan was considered at length. The US has been anxious to see Pakistan exercise more influence over the Taliban and militant organizations. China was also taken up with respect to its role in the region, and US sanctions against Pakistan were among issues dominating the talks which also touched on the subject of non- proliferation. There was apparently no commitment from Gen Powell about what had been decided about sanctions, but he said the meeting was marked by the openness that had been a feature of US-Pakistan relations over the past half a century. Mr Sattar reciprocated the sentiments expressed in Gen Powell's short statement and noted particularly the words used by the secretary in his letter inviting Mr Sattar to Washington that the US attached value to 50 years of friendship with Pakistan. The minister said he had informed the secretary of the expectations centered on next month's Musharraf-Vajpayee sunmmit, and said it marked a moment of hope in relations between Pakistan and India. Sattar also said that he told Powell Pakistan would not be the one to break a moratorium on nuclear testing. "We talked also about nuclear issues and I have informed the secretary of state that Pakistan will maintain the moratorium on further tests, that Pakistan will not be the first country to resume testing in the future," Sattar said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan not enemy No 1, says Jaswant ------------------------------------------------------------------- Monitoring Desk SYDNEY, June 21: External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said that India never regarded Pakistan as " Enemy No 1", and asserted that Kashmir was not a territorial dispute. "Of course not. We've never regarded Pakistan as such. That's your classification. We wish Pakistan well," he said when asked during an interview to SBS Television's ' Dateline' program if India regarded Pakistan as Enemy No. 1. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had, on his historic visit to Lahore, made almost exactly the same point, Mr Singh said. "After all, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India were born of the same womb. It is true that Pakistan pursues a policy of compulsive hostility towards India, but we have always believed in dialogue process," he said. On the Kashmir issue, Mr Singh said, "It's not a conflict over Jammu and Kashmir. It's not a territorial dispute. We do not believe in denominational nationalism. We believe in civic nationalism. Pakistan believes otherwise" .On why India rejected plebiscite in Kashmir, Mr Singh said: "We deal directly with our citizens. The government has been dealing with them for years". DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rhetoric be avoided, CE tells Indian PM ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, June 20: Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee discussed details of the forthcoming visit of the former to India. Mr Vajpayee had telephoned Gen Musharraf following an announcement of the dates for the visit. Responding to the telephonic call of the Indian prime minister, the chief executive referred to the rhetoric emanating from some quarters recently which, he suggested, "should be avoided to create the necessary environment for holding of the talks in an atmosphere of cordiality." Mr Vajpayee agreed with the suggestion and "held out the assurance that comments and statements that were not conducive to a cordial environment would be avoided." He, however, told Gen Musharraf that "quite often statements were quoted out of context, which conveyed a wrong message." An official statement said: "The two heads of governments talked by telephone in an atmosphere of cordiality and frankness." Mr Vajpayee also said that he was eagerly looking forward to Gen Musharraf's visit to India.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Summit to be held at Agra: Kashmir part of India: Vajpayee ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jawed Naqvi NEW DELHI, June 19: The much-awaited Pakistan-India summit will be held in Agra it was officially announced. According to the official version of the plan, leaked earlier Gen Pervez Musharraf and his wife Sehba Musharraf would arrive in New Delhi on July 14. Gen Musharraf, and presumably his wife, will visit Ajmer to pay their respects at the shrine of the sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti (RA). "Their stay in India will include a ceremonial welcome in Delhi, a retreat in Agra, where discussions will be held between the two leaders, and a visit to Ajmer Sharif," a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Vajpayee told reporters in Mumbai he was optimistic that next month's peace summit with Pakistan would yield results. He, however, stressed there would be no compromise on sovereignty over Kashmir. Vajpayee refused to confirm the venue or dates of the summit, which the Pakistani officials had indicated would take place on July 14-16 in Agra. Vajpayee said there would be no compromise on India's territorial claim to the region of Kashmir. "We are clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India. We will stress this issue in the dialogue," Vajpayee said. "One-third of Kashmir is with Pakistan and we will raise this issue also." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010618 ------------------------------------------------------------------- N-alert system to be discussed: Summit from July 14: reports ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jawed Naqvi NEW DELHI, June 17: Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in New Delhi over three days from July 14, Indian Express said. Another newspaper, regarded as close to the ruling BJP, said the two leaders would discuss among other key issues, a mechanism to prevent nuclear accident between their forces. Reporting that India and Pakistan were likely to discuss the establishment of a 'Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Stabilization Regime' in the forthcoming summit talks, Pioneer newspaper said: "A Nuclear Risk and Ballistic Missile Reduction Centre may be set up to avert a nuclear flashpoint." Such a mechanism was sought in the 1999 Lahore Declaration agreed by the two countries. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Nasrullah doesn't share CE's view about talks ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, June 16: Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan told reporters he did not share Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf's optimism about progress in talks with Indian prime minister Vajpayee next month. The ARD leaders said he had gathered the impression at a meeting with the chief executive a couple of days ago that the CE was optimistic that his meeting with Mr Vajpayee will yield results. The Nawabzada said Gen Musharraf was of the view that India could no more ignore the pressure built by the sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiris over the years. The politician, however, said in view of India's track record he would rather be more cautious. He said he had told the general in clear terms that the statement issued by India's External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, that all of Kashmir was an integral part of India was very significant. He said the statement came after Mr Vajpayee had sent the invitation to Gen Musharraf and could not be ignored. Nawabzada Nasrullah said bilateral talks held in the past had produced no results. He said he feared that the outcome would not be no different this time. The ARD president said he had also gathered the impression that the chief executive planned to hold a joint meeting with political leaders by the end of the current month. The meeting, he said, could take the form of an all-parties conference. He said the general had invited him to the meeting, but it would not be possible for him to participate. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI: PIA might closed down shop if fails to improve ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, June 21: The deputy managing director of the PIA, Khursheed Anwer, said that the airlines was in a very bad shape, and if it did not show any sign of improvement in a year the government would close it down. He said the government had promised to provide Rs20 billion shortly, but all of it would be spent on clearing the liabilities. He said that the Rs20 billion deficit comprised around Rs10 billion loss in the past three four years, and another Rs10 billion was the accumulated loss. He said the earlier management had even taken Rs4 billion from the employees provident fund. He said that the open- skies policy and opening up of the northern airports to the foreign airlines introduced by the past governments had played havoc with the PIA economy, crippling it down slowly. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010618 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Centre to allocate Rs200m for Gomal Zam dam ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Intikhab Amir PESHAWAR, June 17: The federal government would provide Rs200 million for the multi-purpose Gomal Zam dam in NWFP during the next financial year, official sources told Dawn. The dam being built with the main objective of controlling flood in the D.I. Khan district and the South Waziristan Agency of the Fata, would be completed in six years at an estimated cost of Rs13 billion. The federal government has intimated to the NWFP about the allocation of Rs200 million for the execution of Gomal Zam dam's project in its next financial year's Public Sector Development Program, said the sources. The project, considered important for giving boost to the NWFP's agriculture sector, would bring 163,000 acres of the currently rain-fed area under irrigation in the D.I.Khan district. Apart from irrigation and flood control purposes, the project also involves setting up of a small power generation unit with 17MW power generation capacity. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010618 ------------------------------------------------------------------- People's Party to hold protest rally on Aug 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, June 17: Pakistan People's Party will hold a protest rally on August 14 and will not seek permission from the present non-elected government for it, PPP deputy secretary-general and former law minister, Raza Rabbani said. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting of the PPP Central Executive Committee, he said that his party would reinstate the retrenched workers when it came to power. He deplored retrenchment on a large scale and termed that against the common men. He said that all retrenchment, downsizing and right-sizing was being done under the pressure of international financial institutions. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Conviction of Benazir termed 'discriminatory' ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, June 16: The Central Executive Committee of Pakistan People's Party rejected the recent conviction of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto by an accountability court, terming it "arbitrary, discriminatory, capricious and based on mala-fide." Three-year rigorous imprisonment awarded to Benazir Bhutto in absentia under section 31-A of Accountability Ordinance was the only issue on the agenda of CEC's meeting. Conviction of PPP chairperson was a part of Chief Executive Gen Musharraf's plan to eliminate her from the political scene, PPP Deputy Secretary General Mian Raza Rabbani told a press conference. He charged Gen Musharraf of maintaining double moral and legal standards. A former prime minister from Punjab was allowed to leave the country while a former prime minister from Sindh was being hounded, he said. Mr Rabbani said the regime was desperate to convict Benazir Bhutto since she had been exonerated by the Supreme Court in a corruption case and bias of a judge of accountability court had been exposed by the apex court. "The section 31-A of NAB Ordinance was Bhutto specific," he said adding that under the same section Nusrat Bhutto had also been convicted. Benazir Bhutto, he said, had gone abroad with the prior permission of the court and in full view of the press and the nation. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010619 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Zardari demands computer instructor ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Nasir Iqbal RAWALPINDI, June 18: Asif Ali Zardari, the main accused in the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSL) reference filed an application before the Accountability Court No 1 for the provision of a computer instructor for two hours, four times a week. He stated that he wanted to attain computer literacy, which was essential in the modern day world. He added that he had been in the jail for the last many years, and was earlier allowed by the court to keep a laptop in the prison. The court is likely to take action on the application at the next hearing. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ex-minister gets 3 years RI for corruption ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent QUETTA, June 16: Accountability Court No.1, Quetta, convicted Mir Faiq Ali Jamali, a former provincial minister for labor and manpower, and awarded him three-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs600,000 in a reference pertaining to embezzlement in Baitul Maal funds. Judge Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi, while announcing the reserved judgment, also convicted an ex-deputy commissioner, Jafarabad, Wahid Bukhsh Baloch. His arrest period would be considered as imprisonment. It was the 9th reference against Mir Faiq Ali Jamali in which he was convicted. The judge also ordered that in case of default in payment of fine, Faiq Jamali would undergo another one and half year rigorous imprisonment. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAB seeks freezing of ex-MNA's assets ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, June 19: An accountability court issued notice to former MNA Chaudhry Zulfiqar for June 26 on an application filed by the National Accountability Bureau chairman seeking an order for freezing his assets. Chaudhry Zulfiqar is accused of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known income. The list of properties mentioned in the application include several bank accounts, four petrol pumps in his own name and five in his brother's name besides shares in four companies and some real estate. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Court notice to govt, NAB on Ghous's bail plea ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, June 22: A division bench of the Sindh High Court has put the government, including NAB authorities, on notice for June 25, in a petition for grant of bail on medical grounds to Syed Ghous Ali Shah. The petition, in which Mr Shah has prayed for being released on bail and be allowed to go abroad for treatment as per medical experts' advice, had come up before Justice Ataur Rahman and Justice Ghulam Rabbani. Mr. Rabbani was tried and acquitted by an anti-terrorism court against which the Sindh High Court rejected the state's appeal. But Mr Shah was subsequently detained under MPO, which has been extended. On Jan 27, he was implicated in corruption cases by the Regional Accountability Bureau authorities. The petitioner developed cardiac problem in custody. He was shifted to hospital. In view of his health condition whenever he is required to appear in accountability court, the hospital deputes a doctor to accompany him to deal with unseen situation. He has cited the certificate of Dr Imran Afridi of the NICVD who had stated that "it is medically unsafe for Syed Ghous Ali Shah, the petitioner, to be moved from the hospital. Such activity may put his life at risk." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Nawab Marri granted bail in murder case ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Saleem Shahid QUETTA, June 20: The Special Court for Suppression of Anti- Terrorist Activities headed by Judge Mohammad Akbar Achakzai has accepted the bail application of Baloch leader Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri on medical grounds in Justice Nawaz Marri murder case. The court after hearing the arguments of the defence lawyers on new bail application filed by them on medical grounds accepted it and ordered the release of Nawab Marri on bail. The court directed the accused that he should furnish two bail bounds of Rs.5,00,000 each. However, despite acceptance of the bail application on medical ground, Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri could not be released from the District Jail, Quetta. Authorities of the jail said that Khair Bukhsh was also facing four other cases including murder of three persons in Chamalang area of Barkhan. Earlier the same court had rejected the bail application of Nawab Marri filed which was also filed on medical ground but later the defence lawyers filed another bail application with some changes which was accepted by the court. The defence counsel of Nawab Marri, Sajid Tareen advocate told Dawn that four more bail applications would be moved in the same court on medical grounds. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ex-naval chief's remand extended ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Nasir Iqbal RAWALPINDI, June 22: The remand of ex-naval chief Admiral (rtd) Mansurul Haq was extended for another 15 days by the Accountability Court (AC) No I. He is required to appear before the court again on July 7. This is the third time that the remand of the former naval chief, who is facing the charges of receiving kickbacks and commission in defence deals, has been extended.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY 20010619 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rs752 billion budget for 2001-02: Debt servicing claims 40% ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ihtasham ul Haque ISLAMABAD, June 18: Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz presented a modest budget of Rs751.7 billion, showing a gap of nearly Rs187 billion to be filled by borrowing while allocating over 40 per cent of the outlay for debt-servicing and capping the defence budget at the current year's level of Rs131 billion. The budget, which carries a number of tax reliefs and reform measures, has also adopted the self-assessment scheme as a primary mode of assessment. Income tax has been made the tax of future with a view to promoting a uniform application of income tax rates, eliminating exemptions, concessions and immunities from assessment. The tax liability will be assessment-based and use of presumptive taxes will be minimized, the finance minister said. A comprehensive scheme of general sales tax has also been adopted in the new budget, making the GST all pervasive. Total tax revenue receipts of Rs457.7 billion have been envisaged in the new budget against the revised revenue receipts of Rs400 billion in the current financial year. In view of the number of tax relief�s offered, which would certainly reduce the revenue collection, it is not clear how the budget proposes to raise the additional income of Rs57.7 billion. Provinces will get Rs190.0 billion during 2001-2002. Subsidies worth Rs20.7 billion have also been allocated in the new budget. The government is expecting to obtain Rs261.1 billion external resources to fund the new budget which include Rs48.7 billion project aid, Rs190.6 billion non-project aid and Rs21.8 billion debt rescheduling. The amount of Rs10.5 billion has been earmarked for bank borrowing in the revenue receipts. The major chunk of the resources amounting to Rs329.2 billion has once again been appropriated by debt-servicing against an allocation of Rs305 billion under this head in the current financial year. An allocation of Rs80.6 billion has been made for running of civil expenditure. Similarly, provision for Rs49.3 billion has been kept for grants. The share of current expenditure in the total budgetary outlay for 2001-2002 is 82.7 per cent as compared to 82.8 per cent in the budget and 85.0 per cent in the revised estimates for 2000-2001. The allocation of Social Action Program for the provinces has been made at Rs110 billion for 2001-2002. According to the details announced by the finance minister, the present income tax exemption limit of Rs 40,000, which was fixed in 1994, has been raised to Rs 60,000. The number of slabs have been reduced from 7 to 5, with the minimum at 7.5 per cent and maximum at 35 per cent. Tax-payers earning income up to Rs400,000 shall get relief. In this behalf those in the higher income tax bracket will face some additional liability. Surcharge on corporate and personal income will be abolished with effect from the assessment year 2002- 2003. The finance minister also said that banking companies income tax has been reduced from 58 per cent to 50 per cent with effect from 2002-2003. Similarly, the effective tax rates for public and private limited companies, after merger of surcharge, are being fixed at 35 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively. Five types of withholding taxes such as withholding tax on industrial and commercial gas consumers and from auction of properties belonging to government, local authorities and companies, bonus shares, etc, have been removed. In case of brokerage and commission income of travel agents, advertising agents, insurance agents and shipping agents, presumptive tax will be converted into adjustable withholding taxes. Similarly, the withholding tax from interest on bonds, certificates, debentures and securities issued by the banking companies or other companies or authorities is also being made adjustable. The finance minister said that the new self-assessment scheme had been designed to encourage tax-payers to declare their true income without any fear. Only 20 per cent of returns qualifying for this scheme shall be subjected to audit. The time limit for companies for completion of assessment under the scheme is being reduced from two years to one year. In order to offer incentives for capital market, it has been decided to give exemption on capital gains for another three years. In addition, the bonus shares issued by a company would not be treated as its income. It has also been proposed that the listed companies distributing 40 per cent of their after-tax profit or 50 per cent of their paid-up capital, which ever is less, would not attract 10 per cent tax on excess reserves. Also investment in new shares will be deductible up to 10 per cent of personal income with a maximum of Rs100,000. This concession will also be available to buyers of shares offered to the general public of the companies being privatised by the Privatisation Commission. It has also been decided that the income of insurance companies from dividends will be taxed at the same rate as applicable to other taxpayers. A longstanding demand of the leasing companies has been accepted to offer first year allowance to be effective from assessment year 2001-2002. The finance minister also announced incentives for the housing sector. He said it had been decided to allow tax deductibility on markup paid on housing loans up to 25 per cent of income with a maximum of Rs50,000. A number of concessions for pension funds and annuities have also been finalized according to which it has been decided to allow a rebate on investment in an approved pension funds. In addition, for the benefit of self-employed persons or any other persons pension contributions to approved annuities of insurance companies up to 5 per cent of income subject to a maximum of Rs50,000 will be given tax rebates. Retirement products being introduced by banking, non-banking financial institutions under the approved framework of the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan will also qualify for this incentive. Overseas Pakistanis have been allowed to move their money freely for consumption, investment or any purpose to Pakistan without harassment of tax authorities. An ordinance is being issued to provide necessary protection in this regard. The salary income of Pakistani seafarers working on foreign vessel remitted to Pakistan through normal banking channels is being exempted from levy of income tax. At present the maximum limit on value for depreciation of allowance on motor-cars is Rs600,000 which was fixed in 1991. Keeping in view the increase in prices of cars, it has been decided to enhance the limit to Rs750,000. The finance minister also announced removal of a number of tax exemptions, including on income from FEBC, TFCs, income from national savings sachems exceeding Rs300,000 and income from a number of special purpose relief funds. He said central excise duty was being eliminated from 11 items, including from enameled cooper wire, filter rods, carbon black, etc. "For other items, there are legal as well as revenue considerations that make it difficult at this stage to remove the excise duty," the finance minister added. According to him, even with the CED regime, substantial simplification will be introduced. The two major irritants of the excise system, he said, were the labyrinth record keeping and the cumbersome process of supervised clearance under the physical presence of excise officials. In this behalf appropriate amendments to the central excise act are proposed to prescribe simplified record-keeping, replacing the outmoded requirements. The system of supervised clearance is being replaced with self- clearance and no excise official will be posted in the units subject to excise duty. As regard customs, he said, it had been decided to reduce custom on 4,000 items from 35 to 30 per cent and reduction in number of slabs from 5 to 4. The new slabs would be 30 per cent, 20 per cent, 10 per cent and 5 per cent. He said it has been decided to give relief to major inputs used in the construction industry. Since iron and steel bars and sheets are important ingredients of construction work, duty on iron and steel scrap is being reduced from 15-25 per cent to 10 per cent. Further duty on construction machinery such as crane lorry�s and concrete mixers is being reduced from 90 per cent to 30 per cent and on graders and levelers from 25 per cent to 10 per cent. In the engineering industry, 10 per cent rate has been reduced on basic raw material. Duty on scrap from ship-breaking industry is being reduced from 15 per cent plus Rs 1000 per lDT to 10 per cent only. It has also been decided to reduce the rate of duty on stainless steel from 25 per cent to 10 per cent. Also duty on SAN, ABS, polystyrene, polycarbonate has also been reduced from 15 per cent to 10 per cent to help the small and medium industries. As regard the textile industry, duty on woolen yarn and nylon has been reduced from 35 per cent to 10 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. The government also reduced duty on CKD for manufacture of trucks from 30 per cent to 20 per cent. Also duty on tyres of buses and trucks has been reduced from 15 per cent to 10 per cent to discourage smuggling. To boost the agriculture sector, duty on inputs of fertilizer industry such as sulphur and zinc dust has been reduced from 10 -35 per cent to 5 per cent. Similarly, duty on pesticides as well as formulated pesticides has been reduced from 10 per cent-25 per cent to 5 per cent. Also import duty on soybeans meal, which is an important element of chicken feed, has been reduced to 10 per cent. A number of duties have been removed on SMEs, and concessions to the cement industry and chemical industry have also been given by reducing duties on related items. The finance minister said that in order to encourage wider readership of newspapers, it was necessary to offset the rising cost of newspaper printing. For this purpose the new budget proposed to reduce the duty on several inputs such as photographic plates, plate processors, film processors, image setters, printing frame from 25-35 per cent to 10 per cent. The government has also decided to further reduce the duty on refined sugar from 15 per cent to 10 per cent. But duty on some of the consumer goods such as microwave oven, electric cattle, radio, grinders and mixers has been increased from 25 per cent to 30 per cent with a view to encouraging the local industry. Duty on the import of VCR, DVD, VCP, LDP, etc, has also been increased from 10 to 20 per cent. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- All defence needs to be met, assures govt ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, June 19: Minister for Finance Shaukat Aziz has said that all necessary requirements of armed forces are being met to ensure strong defence of the country. "We have kept our defence budget flat during 2001-2002 but I assure you it will not hurt the operational efficiency of our armed forces," he said. He said the move would not affect the country's sovereignty. The finance minister said the overseas Pakistanis were also being allowed to import many items duty-free. He said three categories had been made for them in this connection. He said anybody transferring $2500 through normal banking channels would be offered $700 allowance for importing duty-free items. Those sending $10,000 dollars through banks, would be given $1200 allowance. The third category would have more allowances to buy duty-free items, he added. He said the National Investment Trust (NIT) had planned various schemes for overseas Pakistanis. He expressed the hope the overseas Pakistanis would take part in these schemes once they were announced. "A package of incentives will be offered by the Board of Investment (BoI) for those overseas Pakistanis who plan to invest in the country," Aziz said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010619 ------------------------------------------------------------------- No tax on remittances: Shaukat ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, June 18: Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz that the bona fide remittances made through the normal banking channel by overseas Pakistanis would not be subjected to any kind of taxes. Presenting the budget, he said the step would enable the overseas Pakistanis to remit money freely for consumption, investment or any purpose to Pakistan without harassment of tax authorities. An ordinance would be promulgated to provide protection in this regard, he added. He further said that the salary income of Pakistani seafarers working on foreign vessels remitted to Pakistan through normal banking channels would be exempted from levy of income tax.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt to promote free-market economy: Usman ------------------------------------------------------------------- LONDON, June 20: Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Usman Aminuddin the government is committed to pursuing agenda of promoting a free market economy in oil and gas, as well as in other sectors of the economy. The minister said, as a result of the investment policy reforms of December 2000, the entire services sector has been opened for FDI, adding, minimum foreign equity for non- manufacturing sector has been reduced from and technical fees for non-manufacturing enterprises have been relaxed, he said, adding, foreign investors are allowed to select any field of investment, barring a few industries. Usman Aminuddin said, foreign investment on repatriable basis is now allowed in service, infrastructure, social and agriculture sectors. The minister said, the government would continue to deregulate prices of oil products and the distribution system and eliminate subsidies over a three-year period. He said, the government will vigorously pursue the privatization program on a realistic but ambitious basis with no fire sales contemplated, adding, in the meantime, good corporate governance will be promoted in public sector companies. The minister said, we will support the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority in developing a transparent environment, building consumer confidence through public participation and timely adjustment of oil products and natural gas prices. Concurrently, acceptance of private sector participation and investment will be promoted in the lower echelons of government, he added. Usman Aminuddin said, the government would encourage investment in exploration and production activities by continually updating policies for both onshore and offshore activities with a view to consolidating, enhancing and improving the previous terms. Procedural bottlenecks relating to equipment, taxation and land acquisition will be eased, he added. The minister said, keeping in mind the supply/demand balance for natural gas in the long-term, we would pursue further the import option of natural gas and would expand the transmission and distribution system to accommodate the additional availability. The government will promote use of CNG as a replacement of liquid fuels, particularly high speed diesel oil, for environmental improvement and import substitution, he added. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resource, Usman Aminuddin said the government would expand storage and infrastructure facilities to deliver oil products efficiently and economically to the customers by increasing marketing company margins and retailer commissions. "We would develop and construct a network of primary and secondary product pipelines linking main consuming areas to the refineries and major installations," he added. The minister said the refining base will be improved through upgrading existing refineries and adding new refineries to reduce deficit oil products imports. While pursuing policies of sustainable development we shall continue to project and preserve the environment through updated technology applications with the support and participation of the industry, he added. Usman Aminuddin said Pakistan is endowed with a huge coal resource of about 185 billion tons, the bulk (175 billion tons) is located in Thar desert of Sindh Province. The government is giving high priority to coal for its utilization in power, cement and other processing industries to encourage promotion of indigenous resources, he added. The minister said we are studying the possibility of coal gasification as well as mining feasibility, adding, the possibility of presence of Coal Bed Methane in the Thar coal deposit is also being looked into. A task force, drawing experts from both public and private sector, has been constituted to study the techno-economic feasibility of conversion of cement and other processing plants from furnace oil or gas to coal, he added. Usman Aminuddin said Pakistan is fully conscious of its international environmental obligations, adding, Pakistan's current energy mix is highly environment friendly with gas, hydro and nuclear contributing about 52% of energy mix. The minister invited the prospective investors in coal extraction and coal-based power generation to avail of these opportunities and benefit from most attractive terms available. He said the government's policy focus for the upstream petroleum sector is to accelerate exploration and production of oil and gas activities through consolidation, continuation and improvement of policy terms, and operational flexibility. In line with these objectives, the government has prescribed production sharing contracts in offshore with incentives based on water depths, he said, adding, for onshore exploration, income tax rate has been reduced to 40% from earlier 50 to 55%. Furthermore, the onshore zones have been redefined, particularly in difficult areas where exploration companies were not showing interest, the minister added. Usman Aminuddin said the new policy package will considerably improve investors overall return. For example, for onshore area based on Kirthar existing concession terms, the IRR will increase from 16% to 19% in real dollar terms while Government's take will reduce from 70% to 58%, he added. The minister said the new onshore policy has removed the main bottleneck of supplying gas to the nearest transmission system through admissibility of pipeline tariff. This comfort will attract investment for petroleum expiration in Zone I and II which remained untapped due to non- availability of gas supply infrastructure, he added. Giving the details of oil and gas sector in Pakistan, the minister said, demand for energy in Pakistan currently is 43 million tons of oil equivalent and the main sources are oil (43%) natural gas (41%), hydro (11%) and coal (5%). This position is expected to change significantly in favour of natural gas over the decade, he said, adding, imported crude and products place a heavy burden on the balance of payments position and will cost around $3.5 billion in the current year. The minister said natural gas will have an increasing role in the energy mix, adding, major effort will be devoted to developing additional sources of natural gas and if necessary to augment it by imports. It will be the preferred fuel for electricity generation, he said, adding, hydro and coal resources would also be developed and expanded to further reduce the dependence on imported oil. Usman Aminuddin said, so far, 508 exploratory and 648 appraisal and development wells have been drilled and 142 discoveries made, which give an encouraging success ratio of 1:3:6. He said a total of about 700 million barrels of oil and 38 trillion cubic feet of gas has been discovered in Pakistan but prognostic potential of total endowment of hydrocarbons in Pakistani basins has been estimated at 27 billion barrels of oil and 282 trillion cubic feet of gas. Recently discovered gas fields are Bhit, Zamzama, Sawan, Bhadra, Miano, Mari Deep, Sui Deep, and Zarghun with estimated reserves of about 8.0 trillion cubic feet, he said, adding, current production is 58,000 barrel per day of oil and 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The minister said, oil demand is expected to grow by 3.5% annually from 19 million tons per year to 27 million tons per year in the period 2000-2010. Diesel and fuel oil are the major products, expected to grow by 7% and 3% respectively, he said. Usman Aminuddin said there are five marketing companies operating in the market namely PSO, Shell, Caltex, Attock and Total-PARCO, adding, they represent a wide range of ownership from state-owned to joint ventures to private/multinational share-holdings. Refining capacity is 11.2 million tons per year with the shortfall in capacity of 8 million tons increasing to 16 million tons per year in relations to demand by 2010, he said, adding, there are five refineries in the country namely ARL, PRL, NRL, Dhodak and PARCO with the wide range of ownership. The minister said, there is an extensive network of transport facilities with 2 million tons per year (10%) of products moving by rail, 11 million tons per year (50%) by road and 8 million tons per year (40%) by pipelines. There is also a comprehensive spread of retail outlets, consumers, dealers and agents to supply the oil demand of the consumers, he added.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Lowest GDP growth in 20 years: Inflation at 4.7pc: Shaukat ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, June 16: The year 2000-01 registered a lowest ever GDP growth rate of 2.6 per cent since '80s coupled with reduction in foreign investment and national savings, thus making the job of the planners difficult to achieve an overall economic recovery during the next fiscal year. The Economic Survey 2000-01 released by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz showed mixed trends in the economy conceding 2.6pc Gross Domestic Product growth and registering 6.8pc growth in the manufacturing in the first nine months of the current financial year. Till very recently, officials had been projecting a 3pc GDP growth which was eventually placed at 2.6pc due to what the finance minister said a continuing drought and water shortage. The real GDP grew by 2.6pc as against 3.9pc in the last year. However, non-agriculture GDP grew by 4.3pc this year as against 3.1pc in 1999-2000. Besides agriculture, the value addition in electricity and gas distribution has been adversely affected by the drought. After adjusting the impact of drought, i.e. excluding agriculture, electricity and gas sectors, the real GDP growth provisionally is estimated at 4.8pc as against 4pc last year. The agriculture sector growth declined by 2.5pc, as against 6.1pc last year. As a result, its share in the GDP has declined from 25.9pc in 1999-2000 to 24.7pc in 2000-01. The overall slump in the growth of major crops is estimated at 10.05pc during the current fiscal as against actual achievement of 15pc last year. Four major drops - cotton, wheat, sugarcane and rice - witnessed decline in production by 4.5pc, 12.1pc, 5.9pc and 6.8pc, respectively. The services sector grew by 4.4pc as against 4.8pc last year. The real Gross National Product (GNP) grew by 2.4pc in the current fiscal as against 3.5pc in last year. The real per capita income (GNP) stood at Rs4,724 - 0.1pc higher than it was last year. The per capita income at current market prices is estimated at Rs24,528 which is higher by 6.3pc over the last year. Total investment and fixed investment fell from 15.6pc and 14pc of GDP to 14.7pc and 13.1pc of GDP in 2000-01, respectively. The public sector investment grew by 4.6pc but the private sector investment remained more or less stagnant at last year's level. The increase in public sector investment is attributed to 35.9pc increase in capital formation in the agriculture sector and 16.5pc increase in the transport and communications sectors. National savings as percent of GDP declined from 13.7pc in 1999- 2000 to 12.7pc in 2000-01. Domestic savings as percent of GDP also declined from 15.2pc last year to 14.4pc, but foreign savings increased marginally from 1.9pc of GDP in 1999-2000 to 2pc in 2000- 01. Due to drought, wheat production is estimated at 18.5 million tons in 2000-01 as against 21 million tons in the last year, showing a decline of 12.1pc. Cotton production decreased from 11.240 million bales in 1999-2000 to 10.732 million bales in 2000- 01, registering a fall of 4.5pc. Rice production is estimated at 4.8 million tons against 5.1 million tons last year, showing a decline of 6.8pc. Sugarcane production has also declined by about 5.9pc in 2000-01, from 46.333 million tons last year to 43.608 million tons in 2000-01. The manufacturing sector has witnessed a sharp increase by having a 7.8pc growth, which, according to the finance minister, was not only impressive but also broad-based. Fiscal deficit as percentage of GDP averaged 7pc over the last two decades. According to the finance minister, the budget deficit has reduced from 6.5pc to 5.3pc in 2000-01 which was one of the most significant achievements. "You must know that this is the lowest budget deficit in the last 8 years," he claimed. In absolute terms, he said that the fiscal deficit stood at Rs185 billion. During July-March, money supply grew by 4.9pc against the target of 10.5pc and against the last year expansion of 3.2pc for the same period. Credit to the private sector increased by Rs79.7 billion as compared to an increase of Rs29.1 billion in the same period last year. Domestic credit also increased by 3.3pc (Rs48 billion) About the capital market, the survey said that during the first three quarters of the current fiscal, leading indicators of the stock market displayed mixed trends. The KSE share index remained between 1300 and 1600 points, and general index of share prices declined by 11.4pc. The inflation as measured by the changes in the CPI, stood at 4.7pc during July-April in 2000-01 as against 3.4pc in the comparable period last year. Exports increased by 7.6pc to $7.4 billion and imports increased by 6.1pc to $8.8 billion during July-April 2000- 01. Trade deficit is lower by 1pc to $1.3 billion as against $1.4 billion of the last year. Current account deficit (July-March 2000- 01) narrowed sharply by 41.2pc, i.e. from $1.1 billion to $672 million. Workers remittances (July-April, 2000-01) registered an increase of 15.9pc to $922 million. Foreign exchange reserves on end April 2001 aggregated at $1.1 billion over the last level of $1.3 billion recorded at end June 2000. The debt service payment during 2000-01 would be higher by 7.9pc to $1.6 billion. The commitments and disbursement of loans are likely to aggregate at $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, during the current fiscal. The finance minister told a reporter that the CBR was expected to finally collect over Rs400 billion by the end of June. He said there had been problems due to international sanctions which had now been eased to some extent. In this behalf he said that $21 million has been offered by the World Bank for on-farm water management project in the NWFP. Mr Shaukat said that Pakistan reserves had touched $1.7 billion mark after the World Bank disbursed $350 million on account of the Structural Adjustment Credit. AFP adds: The survey document said that the country's total debt obligations stood at more than $37 billion. The foreign payments would further ease off as a rescheduling of $1.8 billion in debt by the Paris Club of creditors has been finalized this year, the survey said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Government appoints mediator to end 'feud': Petroleum sector ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Khaleeq Kiani ISLAMABAD, June 21: The federal cabinet has appointed privatization minister Altaf Saleem as "mediator" to resolve dispute between petroleum ministry and cabinet division over the establishment of Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), authentic sources told Dawn. The cabinet, however, brushed aside the position of petroleum ministry to appoint a new chairman and two members of the Natural Gas Regulatory Authority (NGRA) and sided with the cabinet division to continue with Muneer Ahmad as chairman, Javed Inam and Iftikhar Ahmad as director technical and finance respectively of the proposed OGRA as well. Sources said that the World Bank had desired that incumbent chairman and members of the NGRA should not be removed and instead be given the opportunity to head the proposed OGRA. The privatization minister was directed to "head a committee to resolve the issues in consultation with all concerned and bring up a revised consensus draft of OGRA Ordinance by the second week of July 2001", said official documents available with Dawn . DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Oil import bill up by $600 million ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Khaleeq Kiani ISLAMABAD, June 16: Pakistan had to cough up an additional US$600 million over last year's oil spending as POL imports increased by 27.5 per cent during the first ten months (July-April) of the current fiscal. According to Economic Survey 2000-01, total imports during the first ten months of the current fiscal increased by 6.1 per cent. "The largest component of this increase in imports is accounted for by the petroleum group (27.5 percent)," the survey notes. The government had to pay almost $600 million more on petroleum imports over the last year's level due to higher prices of POL imports. Despite the non-conducive international environment - decline in commodity prices and higher POL prices, Pakistan succeeded in reducing the trade deficit by 1 per cent. Continued volatility of oil prices remained a concern for Pakistan as higher prices have kept Pakistan's balance of payment position under constant pressure. While Pakistan's oil import bill used to be on average 17 per cent of total imports, it has now increased to 31 per cent of the same. These shocks have each impacted Pakistan's growth performance in varying degree during the outgoing fiscal year, the finance minister claimed. During July-March of this year, the production of crude oil per day has increased to 57,064 barrels from 56,141 barrels per day during the same period last year, showing an increase of 1.6 per cent. The production of gas per day stood at 2,371 million cubic feet during nine months as compared to 2,217 million cubic feet over the same period last year, showing an increase of 6.9 per cent. The total production of gas however increased by 598,590 million cubic feet in July-March 1999-2000 to 650,727 million cubic feet this year. Major policy changes in the gas sector included deregulation of gas prices by the government and keenness to promote conversion of petrol vehicles to CNG. More than 700 licenses for installation of CNG stations have been issued while 165 have already been established. Total installed capacity of WAPDA for electricity generation increased by 6 per cent during first ten months of the current fiscal and stood at 17,772 MW. During the nine months, 49,682 Gwh electricity was produced as against 47,577 Gwh produced in the corresponding year-ago period. The number of villages electrified has increased to 69,207 this year from last year's 68,292. While the electricity sold by WAPDA showed an increase of 16 per cent, the purchase by WAPDA registered an increase of 59.7 per cent due to more reliance on IPPs instead of hydel generation due to low water level. In this way, the value addition in electricity distribution of WAPDA actually showed a decline of 24.1 per cent. Power sector has emerged as the largest consumer of gas at 33.8 per cent followed by fertiliser industry at 24.6 per cent, other industry at 19.1 per cent, household at 17.7 per cent, commercial 2.9 per cent and cement 1.8 per cent. Household sector emerged as the largest consumer of electricity accounting for 39,6 per cent of the total electricity consumption followed by industry at 31.5 per cent, agriculture at 15.3 per cent, commercial at 5.4 per cent and other government sector at 7.6 per cent. The primary energy supplies have increased from 31.968 million TOE (Ton oil equivalent) in nine months (July-March) of last year to 33.467 million TOE in the same period this fiscal, or 4 per cent and per capita availability from 0.232 TOE to 0.238 TOE or by 2.6 per cent. The remaining recoverable reserves of crude on April 1, 2001 were estimated at 283 million barrels in the country. The recoverable reserves of natural gas in April this year have been estimated at 25 trillion cubic feet. Estimated coal reserves are at 185 billion tone which include 175 billion ton or 94.6 per cent of Thar coal field in Sindh. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital market stays weak amid light trading volume ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, June 22: The KSE 100-share index posted a modest rise of 2 points at 1,353.16, breaching the third resistance level after the 1,370 point barrier as most of the leading base shares ended higher under the lead of PSO. Although minus signs dominated the list some of leading shares managed to put on good gains under the lead of Dawood Hercules, which rose by Rs3 to 4.10, respectively. Other good gainers were led by Atlas Lease, Union Commercial Insurance, Universal Insurance, Fazal Textiles, Al-Ghazi Tractors, Balochistan Wheels, Pak Elektron and BOC Pakistan, rising by Re1 to 1.75. Losses on the other hand were mostly fractional barring Shaheen Insurance, Clariant Pakistan, Sally Textiles, and Attock Refinery, which suffered fall ranging from Rs2 to 7.00 followed by Pakistan Oilfields, Berger Paints, Glaxo-Wellcome, and Babri Cotton, off Re1 to Rs1.90. Trading volume fell to 64m shares from the previous 93m shares owing to a considerable fall in panic selling and short-covering at the lower levels but losers maintained a strong lead over the losers at 109 and 70, with 43 shares holding on to the last levels. PSO again topped the list of most actives, up Rs4.10 at Rs127 on 17m shares; followed by PTCL, higher 20 paisa at Rs17.90 on 16m shares; Hub-power, easy five paisa at Rs19.45 on 6m shares; Sui Northern, lower five paisa at Rs10.25 on 3m shares; and Dewan Salman, up 25 paisa at Rs17.70 also on 3m shares. They were followed by WorldCall, off 60 paisa on 2.439m shares; Fauji Fertilizer, lower 50 paisa on 2.193m shares; FFC-Jordan Fertilizer, easy 10 paisa on 2.097m shares; MCB, lower 10 paisa on 1.905m shares; and ICI Pakistan, easy 15 paisa on 1.725m shares. DEFAULTER COMPANIES: Trading on this counter was relatively dull as only shares of two companies came in for stray selling. Both Colony Textiles and Allied Motors, eased by five and 35 paisa at Rs8.25 and 1.90 on 500 shares each. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010618 ------------------------------------------------------------------- KSE: pre-budget trading terribly down ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Muhammad Aslam Stocks showed signs of recovery at the fag-end of the last week but the speculative buying and bargain-hunting associated with the pre- budget trading lacked terribly despite talk of an attractive incentive package and cut the in corporate taxes. The reports that the KSE has selected 10 most liquid shares having a minimum paid capital of Rs1 billion and are being traded through the central depository system, for forward trading possibly by the first week of the next month, generated a good bit of optimism as the system will provide hedging facility against undue risks to the investors. The ten selected shares are: PTCL, Hub-Power, PSO, ICI Pakistan, Fauji Fertiliser, Engro Chemical, Dewan Salman, Sui Northern Gas Company, Muslim Commercial Bank(MCB) and FFC-Jordan Fertiliser. The KSE 100-share index though failed to breach through the barrier of 1,400 points rose modestly to 1,390.07 from 1,368.00 points a week earlier, a rise of 22 points signalling that the barrier of 1,400 could be breached in the pre-budget session. The total market capitalization also rose by Rs5 billion at Rs347 billion as compared to Rs342 billion a week earlier as leading capitalized shares finished higher. Approval of the $350m credit line by the World Bank was an aiding positive factor indicating that steady inflow of foreign aid could give the need push to the economy. Energy shares led the market advance on active support followed by nine to 14 per cent hike in oil prices followed by fertilizer and some leading textiles shares under the lead of Fazal Textiles whose directors decided not to seek delisting of their share and buyback operations. Babri Cotton, Amin Spinning and Island Textiles, EFU General, Pak House International, Pakistan Oilfields, PSO, Abbott Lab, Dawood Hercules, and many others amid active trading did well. Pakistan Oilfields, Abbott Lab, Dawood Hercules, Wah Noble Chemicals and Nestle MilkPak were among the other prominent gainers. Losers were led by Business Insurance, Gulistan Spinning, Glaxo- Welcome but largest decline were recorded in Jahangir Siddiqi, Nazir Cotton, Central Insurance, D.Khalid Textiles, Cyanamid Pakistan, Kohinoor Genertek and HinoPak Motors. WorldCall Payphones, which rose to Rs21.50 on the strong speculative support and received massive battering at the fag-end of the week and was marked down sharply. Trading volume fell to 340m shares from the previous 532m shares owing to mid-week sluggishness and lack of speculative activity. Volume leaders were led by Hub-Power, PSO, WorldCall, ICI Pakistan, PSO, PTCL, and FFC-Jordan Fertilizer followed by Fuaji Fertilizer, Engro Chemical, Bank of Punjab, Nishat Mills, Baifo Industries and Sui Northern Gas Company.Back to the top
EDITORIALS & FEATURES 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Give him a fighting chance ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ardeshir Cowasjee Reading the English transcript of General Pervez Musharraf's words, spoken from his heart on June 5 at this year's Seerat conference, it could be said that 'a son is born' for he has in many ways echoed the creed of Mohammad Ali Jinnah enunciated on August 11, 1947, before the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, which he adhered to up to his death. The transcript, which was released last week by the government, should be published in full by our press and distributed to every school in the county to be made a compulsory text for those few children of Pakistan who have the opportunity to learn and to assimilate rightful thinking. What did he say to the assembled learned pious men? He told them (and us) a few home truths. 'Where do we stand and which way are we going? We say Islam is a Deen. It is no mere religion. It provides guidance to us in all walks of life. And because of this we claim it is superior to all other faiths. But how do we actually conduct ourselves in life? Look at Muslims everywhere and in Pakistan, too! Is this what our Deen teaches us? 'We say Islam is for all times to come because as a Deen it relates to practical life. But how does the world look at us? The world sees us as backward and constantly going under. Is there any doubt that we have been left behind although we claim Islam will carry us forward in every age, every circumstance, in every land. 'Islam is vibrant and forward-looking. But more than that we claim it is the most tolerant of faiths. How does the world judge our claim? It looks upon us as terrorists. We have been killing each other and now we want to spread that violence and terror abroad. Naturally the world regards us as terrorists. Our claim of tolerance is phoney in its eyes...... It is time we took stock of our position.' And to the self-righteous, the ignorant know-alls: 'We have no right to tell anybody that he is bad and we are good, that we are on the right path and he is on the wrong. Nobody has this right.' He talked of the 'model society built by the Holy Prophet' and asked us to try some comparison of our own society with it. Where do we see justice and equity? Do you see it? In Pakistan? Where? Look at the performance of the judiciary. Corruption is rampant and misdemeanours the order of the day. Only 'sifarish' works. Merit has no taker. The poor are oppressed. To be poor in Pakistan is a curse.... And let us not talk of character. Can we discover it anywhere amongst us? Are we honest and truthful? If we had been so our country would not be where it stands today.' He then, to use his own words, turned to more mundane 'matters'. 'Pakistan does not live in a void. It is a part of the globe. The world has actually turned into a global village. No country can live in isolation or stand-alone. For progress and development, each country must interact with others. 'Unfortunately we are weak because of the causes I have already mentioned. We do not suffer from built-in weaknesses. We have all the resources to develop. We ourselves are responsible for our weaknesses. As we are weak, we have to keep in step with other countries. First acquire strength, only then can you tell others to fall in step with you. We are in no position to dictate to others. Common sense demands that first you attain the position from where you can ask others to follow the path you are treading. If you make a premature attempt you will be crushed and further weakened.' And even more home truths: 'Seventy per cent of the world's energy resources are in Muslim countries. But our GDP, of the entire Muslim Ummah, comes to barely 12 to 13 billion dollars. On the other hand, Japan's GDP stands at 5,500 billion and Germany's at 2,500 billion dollars. In other words, Germany's GDP is twice that of the entire Ummah and Japan's four and a half times, though we are one-fourth of the world's population sitting on 70 per cent of its energy resources. 'Why is this so? An analysis tells us that it is all because of a difference in the advancement of human quality, of environmental development. Other countries have swept forward. Just take education. In the entire Muslim world there are some 380 universities of which only 25 are of a world ranking. In Japan 1000 universities award PhD degrees. The entire Muslim Ummah can boast of a total of 500 PhDs. In England, each year 3000 PhDs are awarded and in India 5000. It is this that should engage our attention. When we make an assertion we must have strength to back it up. Wisdom dictates that we should first acquire strength, come out on top, and then talk.' And having finally realized the importance of law and order if the economy is to improve: 'Our first priority is to improve the law and order situation. Unless foreign investors come in, and our own people make investments, we cannot make any economic headway. So far they have not done so, neither foreign nor indigenous investment has taken place. I confess our government has failed in this. We have to induce investment... Undoubtedly, law and order is an important factor which inhibits investment. Nobody will invest where there is a fear of losing. An investor firstly looks at the conditions pertaining in a country, particularly at law and order.... 'Religious and sectarian harmony is therefore an inescapable necessity in Pakistan. It will unite us and bring stability. Only that will attract others to come to Pakistan. On a recent visit, a Chinese minister remarked that investment is like a sparrow. It flies out as a flock of pigeons but returns one by one. So this sparrow will come to us one by one. We are trying to attract it by throwing seeds of incentive before it and I ask you to lend us a helping hand. 'We provoke each other through meaningless statements. We can improve the law and order situation by merely holding our tongues. If we become a tolerant society where people with different outlooks can live peacefully, investors will come.' He cited one example of the never-ending unnecessary and damaging boastfulness: 'One hears the boast that 'we will hoist our flag on the Red Fort' in Delhi, that we will do this, and do that. Have you ever thought of the consequences of such talk on the Muslims of India? Some have come to meet me and they have told me of the repercussions our loose tongues have on their position....' What does bragging and crowing achieve? 'It provides India with the excuse to call you terrorists and for others to declare you as such, so that prospective investors stay far away from your country. When you go around killing each other, who can consider Pakistan a safe place for investment?' Musharraf fired a masterly parting salvo at all the ambitious, irresponsible people of whatever sect or bent of mind who seek power through any means: 'Above all, religion should never be exploited for political gains. Do not sully our glorious faith. I say this to all those who are guilty of it.' Were the fearsome fighting Ulema and Mashaikh-i-Kiram listening? Did they fully comprehend what he told them? We are surrounded by far too many who would have been comfortable and happy riding with the hordes of Changez Khan. They need to be reminded in the language they understand that the days of saddling chargers, unsheathing swords, and galloping into the sunset are long over. Musharraf's sincerity is not hidden by his SSG jacket. He is going to meet a man who commands ten times his own weight and size of force. Non-existent unity, a jihad mentality and bigotry will help neither him nor his country. Jinnah's exhortations to his people had all to do with unity, faith and discipline. The last of the attributes is what is needed now. And the man needs our help. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- The General as President: a tale foretold ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ayaz Amir For as long as Rafiq Tarar - the last prisoner on parole to be given the freedom of the presidential mansion - was allowed to perform his ceremonial duties, and for as long as General Musharraf contented himself with just the title of Chief Executive, the fiction could be sustained that Pakistan would soon be returned to democracy - democracy as understood not by GHQ's constitutional experts but by most people around the world. With Tarar eased out unceremoniously from that architectural monstrosity, and Musharraf losing no time in easing himself in, that fiction lies cruelly destroyed. It took no more than a few scratches on paper (call them what you will) to bring about this change - a military decree ousting Tarar and another anointing Musharraf. The true face of military tolerance lies exposed as a result. It is a form of tolerance hanging by a thread and in ever danger of snapping should the higher call of military whim or expediency so demand. Right from the start no doubts should have been entertained on this score. For a military order is a military order and only the naive will see any other colour in it. Just as a tiger is a tiger no matter whether it smiles or snarls. Still, there was a pretence in the air which kept the innocent engaged. The latest charade to enliven Islamabad's skyline - a move dictated, as old hands would have guessed, by "the supreme national interest" - performs, therefore, a salutary function. It strips the flimsy veil from the hard reality and shows like nothing else could that whatever democratic freedoms exist in Pakistan, and there are several which limp on, including the openness of the press, have no institutional basis more enduring than the sufferance of its military reformers. What a window this opens on the imaginative qualities of Pakistani militarism. With its vast experience of reinventing democracy, it might have been supposed the military's witch-doctors would put a fresh spin on a reality whose outlines go back to the first military government of General (later self-appointed Field Marshal) Ayub Khan. But what are the standard items in Pakistan's longest- running stage show? Assemblies dissolved, the Constitution suspended, prime ministers and presidents ousted, provisional constitution orders signed more readily than a conman would sign cheques. All these actions taking place against a musical score whose constant refrain is the steady invocation of the national interest. The very monotony of this script sheds a frightening light on the poverty of intellect and imagination holding sway in Pakistan. The bemused onlooker might well ask why Third World despots are so insecure. Not content with the reality of power, why do they also crave so much its outward form and expression? The only explanation is that somehow this gives them greater assurance. When General Musharraf opted for the ungainly title of chief executive he was making a concession to the democratic sensibilities of the western world. The military government having gained a measure of international acceptance, the need for window-dressing has receded and hapless Tarar, having outlived his utility, has been shown the door. It would be wrong to think, however, that it is for his India visit that General Musharraf has upgraded his status. After all, in Mr Vajpayee's eyes General Musharraf does not become a more effective negotiator as president instead of plain chief executive. Rather it is the closeness of the Indian trip which has served as the setting, if not the excuse, for fulfilling an ambition which falls within the familiar ambit of military takeovers in Pakistan. Does royalty impress in the modern world? When Third World strongmen heap honours on themselves is the spectacle in any way considered edifying? Will Pakistan be accorded more respect as a country because General Musharraf has become president? Will Pakistan get more money? Will its economic pains abate? But if General Musharraf's elevation makes no difference to the outside world, it holds enormous significance for Pakistan. For it tells us a familiar tale: that history is water off our backs, that we refuse to learn from the past, and that as a nation we are fated to retrace the steps of failures and blunders past. While Musharraf practised a form of self-abnegation and eschewed the temptation of seizing the presidency, the hope, howsoever dim, could be entertained that perhaps for once our deviation from the democratic path may not be long or sharp. With Musharraf succumbing to the temptation and virtually proclaiming his intention to continue in office past the Supreme Court deadline for the restoration of democracy, that hope must be lowered solemnly into the ground. As a result, we must come to terms with the realization that like military regimes in the past this one too promises to be around for a long time. There will of course be the window-dressing of devolution, local elections and elected bodies further up. But, to judge by experience, what looks likely is that while the military will retract its naked claws and go back to barracks, a semi- authoritarian model like the ones we have had before will be in place. And at least in its initial days it will be all the tighter in place for facing no organized political opposition. This is not clairvoyance or rocket science but the iron conclusions flowing from the repetitious, Persian-wheel turnings of our dismal history. Put the same ingredients in the pot, add the same herbs and light fire of the same intensity underneath, and you will get the same dish. Musharraf as interim head of an interim order lent himself to easy and safe analysis. He could be accepted more readily because he gave the impression of being a transitory figure. Musharraf as permanent head of a dispensation stretching into the horizon represents an altogether more grim undertaking. Ayub was greeted with hope and fervour when he arrived on the scene. But when his rule lengthened it gave rise to a feeling of suffocation. Towards the end the new generation which came of age in the shadow of his rule just wanted to see the last of him. While some economists and historians make much of the economic development which took place under Ayub, the most enduring feature of his rule was the anger and frustration which it bred. So too with Zia. With money coming into Pakistan as a result of the Afghan war, Zia presided over a time of economic ease and plenty. But after a decade of hypocrisy and false sermons about Islam people were weary of his rule. By 1988 when with Junejo's dismissal his democratic experiment collapsed, even generals could be heard muttering that Pakistan needed a change. Once again we are embarked upon a voyage similar in spirit to the odysseys of the past. Once again a general catapulted into power by the force of blind circumstances is speaking the language of predestination and personal indispensability: "I feel in all humility that if I have a role to play for this nation I will not hesitate whatever decisions are involved. I hold national interests supreme... I think I have a role to play, I have a job to do here, I cannot and will not let this nation down..." In other words, by becoming president he has answered the call of higher duty. What miracles is General Musharraf seeking to protect? What is his record in office? Are people enthused with the lumbering performance of his government? The record of the past eighteen months, if viewed through real-life spectacles, is an invitation to humility, not chest-thumping. But then none of this is particularly surprising or new. All of Pakistan's previous soldier-presidents spoke in much the same vein. But it is profoundly depressing if we look at the disasters reaped by Musharraf's famous predecessors. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010623 ------------------------------------------------------------------- But can he walk the walk? ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Irfan Husain By now we all know that General Pervez Musharraf can talk the talk, but we would like to know if he can walk the walk, specially as he has signalled his intention to remain in power for the foreseeable future by donning the presidential mantle. His recent speech at the Seerat Conference to a large assembly of religious leaders and holy men of varying degrees of piety has been widely applauded by drawing room liberals and editorial writers across the land. Even the Indian prime minister has joined this chorus. So clearly, by lambasting religious extremism and telling the assembled worthies that they were out of synch with the real world, Pakistan's chief executive struck a responsive chord in most people worried about the increasing number and power of the zealots in our midst. So far, so good. But unless the general plans to do something about the rapidly multiplying jihadi groups and extremist parties that are hell-bent on spreading hatred and committing mayhem within Pakistan and across our borders, there is little point in raising the issue at all. For months now, the interior minister, the well- meaning and talkative General Moinuddin Haider, has been travelling the length and breadth of the country, hinting that the government is "considering" placing a ban on sectarian parties. So what's to consider? What is stopping the government from banning these militant organizations? And if the army can't or won't take decisive action, why make all this noise and raise expectations? Take the current campaign to make Pakistan a weapon-free society as an example. After massive publicity accompanied by regularly announced threats by the interior minister, the number of weapons surrendered by the deadline of June 20 would not be enough to arm even a platoon. Had this government been serious, it has lists of ethnic and sectarian groups that are armed to the teeth. Most of these organizations have been infiltrated by our intelligence agencies. The location of training camps run by jihadi groups for militants to be sent into Kashmir and Afghanistan is well known. What is stopping the government from disarming all these highly dangerous people? And now that the deadline has come and gone, what does General Moinuddin propose to do? For his information, an alliance of six religious parties banded together under the appropriate acronym of IMAM (Ittehad Millat Islamia Mahaz), has recently rejected the deweaponization campaign. Maulana Sherani, the Balochistan chief of IMAM, and the Amir of the provincial JUI (F), has declared that "to keep arms and ammunition by a Muslim was purely Islamic." He went on to argue that if a person "living in a border area or a tribal area wants to keep a heavy gun or a tank, he should have the right." I suppose a tactical nuclear weapon is IMAM's next logical demand. Another subject General Musharraf loves to expand on is investment. In his speech at the Seerat Conference, he asked his audience who would invest in a country where religious leaders were forever talking of war. Who indeed? But equally, who would want to invest in a country in which a bench of the Supreme Court had given the government a year to abolish interest? Clearly, these honourable judges are as much out of touch with economic realities as are the fundamentalists who listened to General Musharraf in stunned silence. And who would want to invest in a country in which any two-bit ethnic or sectarian party can bring the commercial capital to a grinding halt by torching buses and threatening to destroy businesses if they open their shutters on the days "strikes" are called? The only possible justification for a military government is the fact that it is free to act, unrestrained by legal niceties or the need to get re-elected. But this one has consistently acted like a weak coalition government, executing a series of tactical retreats whenever it has met any opposition. Throughout its 20 months in office, it has talked tough, but then immediately backed down whenever the extremists have refused to pay heed. Take General Musharraf's early days as our saviour as an example: his photograph with his dogs and his sari clad wife, together with his publicly announced admiration of Turkey's secular reformer Mustafa Kemal Pasha, encouraged many of us to think he was a relaxed liberal. But it took one ferocious statement from Qazi Hussain Ahmad, the Jamaat-i-Islami chief, to make the good general back off and announce that there was no danger of a Kemalist revolution in Pakistan. Clearly, General Musharraf is enjoying his stint as supreme commander, and as he relaxes, he becomes more and more expansive in his pronouncements. The problem is that all too often, the line between vague and woolly declarations of intent and agenda items for action gets blurred. When the government declares that it is going to crack down on the holders of illegal arms, for example, we expect it to actually take action. However, now that we have a pretty good idea on how this regime functions, nobody has any high expectations. But there are some things that are too important to be put on the backburner. Indeed, there is simply no space left there. For starters, the whole extremist, jihadi culture that has put down root here, together with the arms it has inducted into our society, has to be stamped out if this country is to survive as a modern state and not be relegated to the pariah status currently 'enjoyed' by Afghanistan. Ditto for ethnic groups like the MQM. Both extremist groupings have a history of violence, and both spread their hate-filled messages through terrorism and the threat of force. This is clearly a tough task, and will require much political will and determination at every level. General Musharraf still has to demonstrate that he has the stomach to take on these elements. But leaders are judged by their actions, not by their words. Making pronouncements and policies is the easy part; translating them into reality is far more difficult. After he has elevated himself to the presidency on the basis of the role he perceives for himself in the shaping of the future of Pakistan, General Musharraf needs to reflect on the fact that true leadership is often about taking the right decisions that may be initially unpopular but are in the true interest of the country. It is not about pandering to the lowest common denominator, thereby gaining fleeting cheap popularity. The new president would do well to remember this when he goes to India for his talks with Mr Vajpayee next month.
SPORTS 20010617 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan crush Spain 6-2 in first Test ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, June 16: Pakistan made a victorious start to their European tour with a convincing 6-2 triumph in the first hockey Test against Spain at Terrassa. Pakistan led 1-0 at the breather. Atif Bashir and the penalty corner expert, Sohail Abbas, played major roles in their side's win, each scoring twice, while Kashif Jawwad and Mohammad Sarwar netted one goal a piece. After missing a few chances, Pakistan took the lead four minutes before halftime when Sohail scored through a direct drill. Sohail struck again 11 minutes into the second half. Atif collected a pass from Naveed Iqbal five minutes later to keep the scoreboard moving. Kashif made it 4-0 in the 61st minute and Sarwar was on target five minutes later. Atif sealed the fate the match just two minutes from time. Pakistan earned six penalty corners, while Spain had three.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010618 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Spain hold Pakistan to a draw in 2nd Test ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Reporter KARACHI, June 17: Spain came from behind to salvage a 3-3 draw with Pakistan in the second hockey Test in Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan, who humiliated Spain 6-2 in the first Test, went 1-0 up through Sohail Abbas who scored off a penalty corner in the first half. Right-winger Mohammad Sarwar doubled the lead for Pakistan in the second period. The Spaniards reduced the margin 2-1 through a penalty corner but went 3-1 down when Pakistani midfielder Mohammad Saqlain found the cage. The hosts scored two more goals on short corners later to level the game. Both the sides got four penalty corners each. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010621 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Waqar's six-wkt haul mauls world champions ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTTINGHAM, June 20: Waqar Younis took six wickets to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling triangular series one-day triumph over Australia. Pakistan's innings of 290 for nine at Trent Bridge had looked set to be marred when the Australians left the field for 20 minutes in protest after a live firework landed near one of their fielders. Waqar, however, who claimed the second-best figures in one-day history of seven for 36 against England at Headingley on Sunday, ended with six for 59 this time to settle the 36-run win as Australia were bowled out for 254 in 46.3 overs. Waugh said: "We got what we deserved. Realistically, we were outplayed by Pakistan. We have got some work to do before the final. "Hopefully we can get our revenge." Waqar, though, Man-of- the-Match for the second game in a row, put the cricket back to the forefront as he reduced Australia to six for two in his first over. The right-arm pace bowler had Mark Waugh brilliantly caught behind off his first ball by the diving Rashid Latif and Matthew Hayden also fell for a duck. Waqar then bowled Michael Bevan to make it 35 for three. By then, however, wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist had begun an extraordinary fight back as 41 runs came off three Waqar overs, while Wasim Akram was also hammered to all parts. Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq seized the initiative back with two quick wickets, including Gilchrist, who put on 76 for the fourth wicket with Waugh before he was comprehensively bowled for a 44-ball 70 which included 54 in boundaries - 12 fours and a six. Waugh and Andrew Symonds fought back again with a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket. They kept the Australians well ahead of the required run rate. But Waqar returned with another decisive spell. He removed both in one over, Waugh for 56 - his third half-century of the tournament - while Symonds was caught at the fourth attempt at deep square leg by the juggling Imran Nazir, to all but settle the match as the Australian tail was exposed. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010618 ------------------------------------------------------------------- England forfeit match after pitch invasion ------------------------------------------------------------------- LEEDS, June 17: England conceded their one-day triangular series match against Pakistan after a pitch invasion by fans caused chaos just before the end of the game at Headingley. A steward was stretchered off after being injured in the crush as hundred of people invaded the pitch and grabbed the stumps with their team just four runs short of victory. The incident was a repeat of a crowd invasion involving the same teams in the opening match of the tournament at Edgbaston, which led to Steve Waugh of Australia, the other team in the event, warning that it was only a "matter of time" before a player was seriously injured. All three teams had called for more action to control the crowds after the earlier incidents on June 7. That day, play had been delayed for 45 minutes before an appeal by Pakistan captain Waqar Younis led to the crowds finally leaving the playing area, allowing Pakistan to complete their win. Sunday's finale wrecked a fine performance by the Pakistan captain in particular, who took seven wickets for 36 in the second-best bowling performance in One-day international history. "It's a very sad day for English cricket," Stewart said. "We saw some brilliant bowling by Waqar Younis but at the end we saw some disgraceful scenes. "I don't think the headlines will be about how great a bowler Waqar is. The ECB (English and Wales County Cricket Board) can't guarantee player safety so all I could do was concede. It's very sad." Pakistan were on 153 for four in the 40th over, chasing England's 156, before the game's premature end. The result condemned England to their 10th consecutive limited-overs defeat.-Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan post 290 amidst firecrackers ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTTINGHAM, June 19: Saleem Elahi, with 79 runs, inspired his side to an imposing 290 for nine in their triangular series day-night match against Australia at Trent Bridge. But the match was hit by controversy after the Australians left the field for 20 minutes when a firework was thrown on the pitch. The incident came after two pitch invasions interrupted matches earlier in the tournament. Elahi's knock, his highest in One-day Internationals since his unbeaten 102 on his debut against Sri Lanka in 1995-96, came off 91 balls and included eight fours. He provided the anchor role before upping the tempo and, along with Saeed Anwar (34), Yousuf Youhana (44) and Wasim Akram (29 not out off 15 balls, including two sixes), made the most of a good Trent Bridge batting surface after Pakistan won the toss. Elahi and Youhana provided the backbone of the innings, sharing in a fluent third-wicket partnership of 93 in 17 overs. Youhana, looking to work the wrist-spin of Shane Warne to leg, was eventually stumped by Adam Gilchrist for 44 in the 32nd over. Elahi, back in the Pakistan side for the rested all-rounder Shahid Afridi, was in fine touch and reached his fifth one-day 50 in the 24th over with a sumptuous square drive off fast bowler Brett Lee. He finally departed in the 36th over, leg before to Warne's top-spinner as he pushed forward defensively. The Australian walk-off came with the score on 250 for six after 45 overs. A series of firecrackers were let off in a stand, sending supporters running for cover, before one cracker landed close to Brett Lee, fielding on the fine leg boundary at the Radcliffe Road end. After consulting with umpires Neil Mallender and George Sharp, Steve Waugh led his team off the field, demanding that his players safety be guaranteed. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan tour of England an outstanding success ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Omar Kureishi Beset with injuries and tantrums, Waqar Younis and his men have shrugged them off and focused on team work. That Waqar has led from the front has helped enormously. No matter what happens in the final of the NatWest Trophy, Pakistan's tour of England has been a success, beyond all expectations. Winning the final will be the icing on the cake and though the Australians look invincible, if one team can knock them off the pedestal, it is Pakistan. There are two ways of looking at Pakistan's thumping win against England at Headingley. One is to concentrate on the positive, that is the truly magnificent bowling of Waqar or on the negative, which was the crowd invasion of the pitch while Pakistan still needed two runs to win. It was disgraceful and since all of these enthusiasts were Pakistani supporters, it takes the gloss off Pakistan's fine win. But first to Waqar. It's all very well to say that the conditions were ideal for swing and seam bowling, the fact remains that you have to bowl well to exploit the conditions. I have seen Waqar and Wasim bowling in tandem, demolishing the opponents, one of the greatest pairing of fast bowlers in cricket. But I don't think Waqar has bowled better than that he did at Headingley or let me say, that this was the original Waqar. He had England reeling and by the time he had bowled out his ten overs, he had reduced England to 58 for seven, taking all the seven wickets. England effected a partial recovery only because Waqar was not bowling. That the others were not able to exploit the conditions means simply that the conditions were not decisive and one needed a bowler of the genius of Waqar to use them with deadly effect, a point missed by the television commentators who kept on bemoaning the loss of the toss. And the fact that there was a cloud cover, as if, this was a freak condition. If England need new players, they also need new commentators. Bob Willis was so gloomy, he sounded as if he was reading a sermon at a memorial service. But there was more than Waqar at Headingley. There was a brilliant innings from Razzaq, runs of impeccable breeding, a cultured innings. Abdur Razzaq has been shunted up and down like a goods train carriage in both the Tests and the One-day Internationals and appears to have accepted this uncomplainingly. It must surely go to the character of the young man that he has placed the interest of the team ahead of his own preferences. I see the future of Pakistan cricket built around him. He is captain material and he should be groomed for the job from now. The tour selection committee does not share the high opinion of many experts of Imran Nazir. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010622 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Germany outclass Pakistan ------------------------------------------------------------------- Karachi, June 21: Pakistan tasted first defeat of the European tour when hosts Germany trounced them 4-2 in the one-off Test at Hamburg. Pakistan had earlier beaten Spain 6-2 in the first Test in Barcelona and drew 3-3 in the second Test. Germany's Bjoern Michel struck two goals while Oliver Hentschel and Christophe Eimar scored one goal apiece. Ghazanfar Ali and penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas netted one goal each for Pakistan. Germany scored all their goals in the opening 29 minutes of the play. Michel put Germany ahead in 15th minute by converting a penalty corner. Hentschel doubled the margin with a field goal in the 27th minute and Michel scored his second goal six minutes from the interval. Eimar made it 4-0 through penalty corner in 47th minute. The Pakistanis got their act together late in the second half. Ghazanfar reduced the margin in 54th minute with a field goal and Sohail scored off short corner four minutes from time. Pakistan will now take part in the four-nation tournament in Hamburg starting Friday. Other participating teams are Olympic and world champions The Netherlands, South Korea and Germany.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20010620 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan unlikely to produce champion in next 10 years ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Muhammad Yaqoob and Ilyas Beg LAHORE,June19: The squash legend Jansher Khan claimed that with present planning the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) would fail in producing a world champion even in the next 10 years. Criticizing the PSF for inducting over aged players in the national academy, functioning at Abbotabad, Jansher said that the federation was wasting its resources by investing on players who had passed their peak. He said that a good player could be produced only by providing him more and more international exposure and not only practice facilities. Training was not enough, but international matches gave confidence to a player which played key role for raising the strength of a player. He said that the PSF feels proud by claiming that it was providing eggs and milk to the students of the academy but claimed these were the basic needs of a player during the training and advised the federation to arrange international matches for them if it was serious in producing world class player from Pakistan. While replying to a question, Jansher said that he was ready to take the charge of the national academy if the PSF gave him full authority. He said that the PSF had offered him to coach the Pakistani players but added that when he demanded full authority there was no more call from PSF. He said that he had told the PSF president Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir that if appointed in charge of the academy, he would also not take dictations from him. He claimed that if the federation handed over to him six junior players with full controlling power, he could bring them at least in the list of world top 10, if not a world champion. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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