------------------------------------------------------------------- DAWN WIRE SERVICE ------------------------------------------------------------------- Week Ending : 31 August 2002 Issue : 08/35 -------------------------------------------------------------------
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CONTENTS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS + Dual nationality + Pakistan has evidence of air attack, says ISPR chief + No intention to grab power, says Musharraf + Parliament can impeach president, says Ranjha + Beg sees president, parliament clash + Pakistan rules out US troop operation + Tribal people warn against US hunt for Al Qaeda men + October polls will be a farce: PPP + It's govt game, says Benazir + Benazir's papers rejected + Hearing of Benazir's petition put off + State counsel opposes Benazir's petition + CEC urged to take notice of rules violation + UGC okays Benazir degree + No move for Benazir's extradition: Britain + PPP complains of pre-poll rigging + Scrutiny of Nawaz, Kulsoom's papers deferred + Sharifs' banishment challenged + Papers of Nawaz, Kulsoom cleared + PML-N to contest all seats: Nawaz + Shahbaz also cleared for PP-142 + Ban on political activities to go on Sept 1 + Warrants for Benazir sent to all provinces + Govt-Sharifs pact 'be made public' + Shahbaz cleared for PP-141 + Papers filed for Nawaz, family members + LFO aims to perpetuate dictatorship, says PPP + Govt backing 'king's party', says PPP + Imran to contest from Swat + NAB inquiry against former ETPB chief put off + NAB chief denies action against certain politicians + Ms Bhutto 'qualified' to contest polls + Musharraf has enslaved Pakistan, says Benazir + 182 papers filed for NA seats in Balochistan + 80 file papers for NA, PA seats in Peshawar + Non-Muslims not barred from becoming judges: SHC + Agosta launched; ship deal on cards + Benazir's media trial plea disposed of + Zardari to be shifted to 2nd floor of Pims + SC rejects Wattoo's poll plea + Mansur's petition hearing on 28th + Meerwala case verdict on 27th + PIA to buy 10 aircraft + Masood Azhar's remand extended + Order on Zardari's release plea reserved + New rules for US student visa + Writ filed in LHC to exhume Masih's body --------------------------------- BUSINESS & ECONOMY + IMF calls for PIA privatisation + Asian Bank to provide $2.4 billion + Fresh bidding for UBL on Monday + Decision on UBL deal within two weeks + Sale of govt shares in POF okayed + WorldCom up-to-date in PTCL dues + Stocks gain 24 points on speculative buying in PTCL, Hubco + Dividend-driven support adds Rs20bn to market capitalization --------------------------------------- EDITORIALS & FEATURES + We never learn from history-5 Ardeshir Cowasjee + An election alliance to beat all others Ayaz Amir + A war America's allies oppose Eric S. Margolis + Sticking to Plan A Irfan Husain ----------- SPORTS + Waqar's gutless men suffer worst defeat + Pakistan struggle to defeat Kenya + PTF has no intention of slapping ban on Aisam + Youhana sent home from Kenya + Jansher gets offer from Holland + Jansher to get wild card + Waqar hopes contract issue will be resolved
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dual nationality ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: The government has announced that all Pakistanis who are now citizens of the United States shall have dual nationality, a press release of the Ministry of Interior says. The government has realized the difficulties and sense of deprivation among the Pakistanis who had acquired the American citizenship and in due course lost the Pakistani citizenship by virtue of the Pakistan Citizenship Act. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan has evidence of air attack, says ISPR chief ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The government told US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage during his visit that the Indian air strikes on a Pakistani military post along the Line of Control last week were verifiable, informed sources said. ISPR Director-General Maj-Gen Rashid Qureshi told Dawn "We have evidence, and we are trying to get over it." He also indicated that Pakistan would soon unveil 'convincing evidence', but avoided giving specifics about it. Sources attending talks with Mr Armitage said he had inquired about the attack during parleys with the officials here. He was on his way to New Delhi at the time of air strike. "He did not seem too clear or sure about it; he wanted to know more from us, so he was briefed by Foreign Affairs Minister Inamul Haq," said an official who attended the meeting. Another source privy to the talks said it transpired during the discussions with Mr Armitage that there was a lot of confusion in the Indian official circles on the question of attack that Pakistan had claimed to have had repulsed. The sources said Mr Armitage taking serious note of the incident had described the unprovoked air attack as 'irresponsible escalation'. While the Indians continued to officially deny their escalatory move, they told Mr Armitage at the ministerial-level that something had happened at the LoC, Dawn learnt through well-placed diplomatic sources in Islamabad. Gen Rashid Qureshi announced at a Press Conference on Friday that India had suffered heavy casualties after it had launched an unprovoked air attack on a Pakistani post in Gultari. India dismissed the claim by Pakistan as an 'outright lie'. Interestingly, Star News and another Indian TV channel initially had quoted some defence sources as privately conceding that something had happened in which air power had been used. But later they aired the Indian spokesman version. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- No intention to grab power, says Musharraf ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: President Pervez Musharraf has said that the recent constitutional changes were not aimed at strengthening his position ahead of the general election in October. "This is a total misperception of whatever I am trying to do," he said in an interview with the BBC. "I know the politicians say that, and the media, but nothing could be further from the truth." The president also admitted Al Qaeda activists were operating in Pakistan. "To a degree it causes anxiety because they (Al Qaeda) are coming into the cities... that is bad because they carry out destabilisation so yes, this is a worrisome act. "But I don't think it's widespread. I think they are more on the borders if at all they are there." He added: "I can't specify the involvement in the terrorist acts. There is no surety as yet - there are some indications that maybe there was some foreign element involved ... but this is more our own extremists, I think." EX-PREMIERS: To a question about former prime ministers, Gen Musharraf said no "sane" person would want either of the former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto back in power. Both are barred from another term in office under new electoral rules. "This nation has had these two for 11 years ... why should any sane person, why should one allow them to participate in this election? "Should we take a chance that they should come back and again one of them become the prime minister?" He defended the National Security Council, and denied he was trying to grab more power. "If I was to take power for myself, as a person, I would not make the National Security Council," he said. "I would just remove the 13th amendment and I would have the power to dismiss the assembly. "Why would I want 12 people to sit with me and decide that?" Musharraf said the changes to the structure of government were forward-looking improvements. "This was futuristic because I am not a permanent feature of this country," he said. "Somebody else is going to become President some time in future who may be an impulsive man, over-reacting when things are not going wrong. So it was an endeavour to address such issues keeping in mind the environment in Pakistan that these amendments were evolved, he said. He said: "Democracy does not have a set formula. The democracy in Britain's way is not received here. We need to adopt it to our own environment." KASHMIR ISSUE: Responding to a question on Kashmir, he said: "I have said that nothing is happening across the Line of Control" But of course one could imagine that unless there is some progress or movement on Kashmir, some response, some reciprocation from the Indian side, how can one know that there is a lot of sympathy for Kashmiris here, lot of international support for Kashmiris, the president said. ATTACK ON IRAQ OPPOSED: President Gen Pervez Musharraf warned the United States that it risked fresh turmoil in the Islamic world if it attacked Iraq. "This would have very negative repercussions around the Islamic world," Musharraf said. "It is already dangerous that all political disputes at the moment all around the world are unfortunately involving Muslims," he said. "Muslims are feeling that they are on the receiving end everywhere. So there is a feeling of alienation in the Muslim world and I think this will lead to further alienation." "We are on their side," Musharraf said of Washington. "But that does not mean we can start participating in activities all around the world. Let's deal with whatever is happening around our country." He predicted greater Islamic militancy in Pakistan if Iraq came under fire. The President said invading Iraq would increase support for Osama and trigger a huge increase in anti-American sentiment. He said the region had enough on its hands already, and could not afford to get involved in anything else. OSAMA: Musharraf said he did not know the fate of Osama bin Laden and added his best guess was that Osama was dead but that either way he would expect to know if he was hiding on the Pakistan side of its border with Afghanistan. "Most likely he's dead," he said. "Most likely. It's a guess. I can't say." He said Osama was definitely not in Pakistan. "The Al Qaeda leader's large contingent of bodyguards and the price on his head would certainly have led to the alarm being raised as soon as he crossed the border," Gen Musharraf said. He said Al Qaeda itself had been dealt a mortal blow. "I don't think they can develop an infrastructure of the kind that existed before, specially, if there is stability in Afghanistan," he said. He dismissed, as "a perception in the media", claims that the United States wanted him to act more decisively against Al Qaeda. "We are certainly assisting them all the way," he said. "We've suffered casualties."-Agencies DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Parliament can impeach president, says Ranjha ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: Federal Law Minister Dr Khalid Ranjha rejected the notion that checks in the constitutional amendments were aimed only for the prime minister. He was responding to a question from audience at a special program on the amendments on BBC World's current affairs weekly program, Question Time Pakistan. Former information minister and Millat Party Senior Vice-President Javed Jabbar, prominent lawyers, ex-federal law minister Barrister Khalid Anwar, constitutional experts and former Sindh governor Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim were other panelists. Ranjha said: "Though the president has checks on prime minister, Parliament and the Supreme Court have checks on the president." He said that under the Constitution, the prime minister was going to be the chief executive of the country. "Everything which is to be done is to be done by him", he noted. The minister said the president had no power whatsoever apart from two things: He could appoint the army chief and he was chief of the army. Referring to the checks on the president, the minister pointed out that the parliament could impeach him. Ranjha said the Supreme Court could overturn the presidential order when he would exercise 58(2) B to sack prime minister or the government. This was another check on the president, he added. But other panelists, including Javed Jabbar and Khalid Anwar, did not agree with the minister, and said he could sack the prime minister and the government before impeachment. The minister said the concept of checks and balances had emerged after several measures had been tried in the past. "We tried the 1956 Constitution. It did not work; it was parliamentary form. We tried 1952 Constitution, presidential form. It didn't work. We tried 1972 Constitution, again a presidential didn't work, then we had 1973 Constitution, again parliamentary and all the powers of president were given to the prime minister. It didn't work. Then we had a concept of checks and balances, and security council was conceived as a check and balance which was then deterred by the then law minister in 1996-97. That was in the form of law. Now we have the National Security Council in the shape of constitution", he said. To another question, Dr Ranjha said the amendments were aimed at peaceful transition, and this was the mechanism of reverting back to civil government under the Constitution of 1973. Javed Jabbar said it was the duty of forthcoming parliament to look into these amendments. He said 12 of these amendment were positive. They increased the size of the parliament. They gave them the right to represent. They increased the role in the financial independence, he added.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Beg sees president, parliament clash ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 30: Awami Qiadat Party chief Gen Aslam Beg (retired) sees a president-parliament clash after the elections. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said there would be a clash between a powerful president, who would have power of amendments and judiciary and army on his side, and parliament trying to be sovereign. There would be no arbitrator between the two. This clash, if go unchecked, could harm the country and democracy. "If the US sides with the unelected forces, as it has always done, it will end up hurting the US interests in this part of the world." For this reason alone, the US must try to find a mid path and choose the next prime minister as its partner, the former chief of army staff said. "The future of dictators is getting bleak world over and Pakistan may not prove to be an exception. The US must cultivate elected prime ministers, instead of army dictators, if it wants relations with Pakistan build on a permanent basis." Gen Beg also predicted another constitutional crisis afflicting the post-election scenario. The Supreme Court did not clarify whether the Provisional Constitutional Order would continue after the elections or the constitution would be restored. Gen Pervez Musharraf could again go to the Supreme Court to clarify this point. Gen Beg said that the forthcoming elections post-polls scenario would be a test for the PPP and the PML-N. "Both parties have their vote bank intact and will form majority in the next parliament, if elections are held fair and free. They must play their cards very carefully so that no harm is done to the interests of the country and democracy." The former COAS said apparently, the country was going through a political mayhem. "There is good omen in this seemingly bad situation; voters now have a clear choice between forces of pro and against reforms. "On the one hand, there are people who are supporting the present set up along with its future plans. Though it is a big group and enjoy the support of government, but it may end up having desirable majority in the parliament. "On the other hand, there are forces who oppose these reforms and are fighting for a sovereign parliament. This clear choice presents positive sign of the present political confusion," he said. This has also helped political leadership mature along democratic lines. "The PML-N and the PPP are in a process of making adjustments on seats which is a healthy sign, so is MMA."Gen Beg said that his party would join hands with these parties and contribute its share in stabilizing future political set-up. The AQP, he said, expected to become a parliamentary party during this elections. Around 69 of its candidates - 12 for national assembly and 57 for four provincial assemblies - were contesting the forthcoming elections. More candidatures were being processed and the list can swell by Sept 12, he claimed. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan rules out US troop operation ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Hasan Akhtar ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: Pakistan said that there was no question to allow the US troops to operate on its soil to carry out search operations for any hideouts of Al Qaeda or the Taliban fugitives who might have escaped to Pakistani border areas from Afghanistan. The commander of the US Central Command, Gen Tommy Franks, reportedly said in Kabul that he would continue his mission against (Al Qaeda and Taliban remnants) hideouts in Afghanistan and its surrounding countries "until it's all done". Although he avoided saying anything about the specifics of his mission, he was further quoted to have said the "relationships that we have with the surrounding states around Afghanistan, would permit us to do our work that the (US) troops suggest needs to be done." Asked at his weekly news briefing whether Gen Franks' reported statement imply that the US troops might have access into Pakistan territory in their operation against Al Qaeda and Taliban fugitives, the foreign office spokesman, Aziz Ahmad Khan, said he did not view the US commander's statement in that light. Mr Khan said the question to permit American troops to operate on Pakistani soil did not arise (because) "Pakistani forces are fully capable of operating against any eventuality or terrorism or aggression". Pakistan's cooperation with the coalition forces in Afghanistan, he said, was confined to "sharing of intelligence" from the US as far as tracking down these people (the fugitives) was concerned. He stressed that President George Bush and other leaders had applauded Pakistan's role in this regard. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tribal people warn against US hunt for Al Qaeda men ------------------------------------------------------------------- PESHAWAR, Aug 28: Residents of tribal border belt have warned that US troops will face attack if they launched a hunt in their semi- autonomous tribal region for Al Qaeda fugitives. Speculation that a US military operation was in the offing was sparked by US Central Command chief Gen Tommy Franks' comments in Afghanistan on Sunday that the Al Qaeda hunt needed to be expanded into neighbouring countries. Hundreds of Al Qaeda fugitives and Osama bin Laden are believed by US and Afghan officials to be hiding in Pakistan's remote tribal belt. "The tribal people will resist US troops," said Iqbal Hussain, a merchant in Kurram Agency, one of seven agencies that make up the zone where Afridi, Shinwari, Wazir, Malagwi, and Shalmani tribes live under their own laws. "They will blockade the routes, they may create hindrances in their way, they may attack them with rocket fire, maybe missile fire, and they may carry out hit-and-run (attacks), hide and seek," Mr Hussain told AFP. "So when you have hide and seek it's like a guerilla war, hit and run." Tribal leaders said Pakistani troops, who had never entered their region until late last year, were welcome, but US troops were not. "We do not want Americans in our area. The people are against direct operations by Americans," Haji Bazeer, a trader in Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency, told AFP. "Tribals in this area decided in a traditional jirga that if the Pakistan army and paramilitary forces, with the help of tribal elders, launch any search operation the locals will cooperate. But they do not like Americans in their area." FBI agents stationed in Miranshah earlier this year came under rocket attack five times, though none were hurt. Mohammad Ali Wazir, a businessman in the South Waziristan Agency's Wana town, predicted "a strong reaction" if US troops went to the tribal area. "The tribal people here will not like any such operation and they will fight whatever type of fight they can. They have no helicopters or sophisticated arms, but what they can do they will do. Because there's no Al Qaeda here, and if they're going to search it will be a big problem for us," he said-AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- October polls will be a farce: PPP ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 30: The Pakistan People's Party termed rejection of Ms Benazir Bhutto's nomination papers from NA-207 as part of mala fide game plan of the government and vowed not to give a walkover to the "King's Party". "It is the blackest day in the history of Pakistan and a great setback to the struggle of democratic forces. "Rejection of Benazir Bhutto's papers has established that October elections will be a farce because the largest political party is not being allowed to contest the elections freely," said Mian Raza Rabbani, acting secretary general of the Pakistan People's Party, during a news conference at Bilawal House. Flanked by other central leaders of the party, Mr Rabbani kept all options open and said the decision of the Returning Officer of NA- 207 at Larkana was not in accordance with law, nor did it meet requirements of the constitution and natural justice. Asked whether boycott of elections was on the PPP card, Mr Rabbani said: "This will suit the regime that the PPP gives a walkover to PML(Q) and SDA. This question is premature. We have not yet exhausted all legal options as yet." He said that today's decision exposed the double standards and anti-PPP specific decisions of the regime, especially when a day earlier in Lahore papers of Mian Nawaz Sharif, who was convicted and banished from the country, were accepted. He, however, made it clear that the PPP had welcomed the acceptance of Mian Nawaz Sharif's papers with the hope that all political leaders would have the right to contest elections. Raza Rabbani said that the PPP's criticism should not be taken as if it was grudging acceptance of Mr Sharif's nomination. He declined to comment on the question whether acceptance of Sharif's nominations was part of any deal with the government. He said it was part of the government agenda to keep Ms Bhutto out of electoral and political dispensation. Mr Rabbani said Gen Pervez Musharraf had categorically stated on many occasions that he would not let Ms Bhutto return to power or contest elections. He claimed that the government initiatives were aimed at keeping democratic and liberal forces, who are against fundamentalism and Talibanisation of Pakistan, out of the electoral process. The acting secretary general of the PPP also referred to Ms Bhutto's petition in the Sindh High Court and said his party would "exhaust all legal and political options" and the future course of action would be clear during the next few days. He hoped that the Benazir Bhutto would eventually be allowed to contest and vowed that his party would put up a strong resistance to undemocratic and anti-people measures of the regime. Mr Rabbani listed, what he termed as Bhutto-specific laws, which include amendment in Section 31-A of NAB ordinance and said it was in conflict with the provisions of criminal law. He also referred to the graduation condition for holding a public office and for preventing a person from becoming prime minister for a third time, conviction owing to absconsion, amendment in article 63 and inclusion of clause (p). He said that this clearly proved the regime's mala fide intentions. He also criticised the amendments in political parties act, especially in which it has been said that a person who cannot be a member of the parliament cannot lead a political party. In this context, he specially mentioned the CE's Order No.21. He also explained the raison d'etre for the formation People's Party Parliamentarian following amendment in section 32 of the NAB ordinance. President Sindh PPP Nisar Khuhro said the rulers have repeated the history of 1979 and has made restoration of democracy a far cry. Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who was present with Aftab Shahban Mirani, and Taj Haider, said the LFO 2002 has put the country in the same situation in which Yahya Khan had plunged the country in the 1970 which culminated in the separation of East pakistan. Munawar Suhrawardy claimed it had created great dangers for the federation. Agha Siraj Durrani whose papers for the provincial seat from Garhi Yasin were rejected said the decision was in flagrant violation of the Supreme Court order which he claimed had set aside his conviction. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- It's govt game, says Benazir ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Amanullah Ghilzai LONDON, Aug 30: The chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party, Benazir Bhutto, has termed the rejection of her nomination papers from Larkana "a part of a game plan" by the Musharraf government to divide the ARD. In her reaction, she said here on Friday: "I will challenge this decision by the election commission and will wait for the result of my two other nomination papers filed for the October elections". She accused the election commission of double standard by, what she said, allowing Nawaz Sharif to contest the elections though he was already convicted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and rejecting her nomination papers on the grounds that she was accused of corruption though not convicted yet. Ms Bhutto said the only conviction she had was of the absentia which, she said, was a new law and that this conviction was not a crime. "I know that the government wants to divide the opposition parties (and) that's why my nomination papers were rejected." She warned the authorities that the PPP would keep its seat-to-seat adjustment policy with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) despite the rejection of her nomination papers. She said she was glad that Mr Sharif's nomination papers from Lahore were accepted. Ms Bhutto said she was indirectly in touch with Mr Sharif while her party is in direct contact with the PML (N). DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Benazir's papers rejected ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent LARKANA, Aug 30: The returning officer for NA-207 (Larkana-IV) on Friday rejected the nomination papers of PPP chairperson and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, giving the reason that she had been convicted in three references of the National Accountability Bureau Ayaz Soomro, president, District Bar Association, appeared on behalf of Ms Bhutto and prayed that when the forms of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had been accepted, the nomination papers of Ms Bhutto should also be accepted. But over ruling his arguments, returning officer Akhlaque Hussain Larik, the additional sessions judge, Ratodero, rejected the forms of Ms Bhutto. When contacted, the returning officer told Dawn that Ms Bhutto had been convicted in three NAB references and, therefore, she stood disqualified under Article 63(P) as amended by the Legal Framework Order 2002. He said further that similarly she was disqualified under Section 8-D, sub-section 2-clause (N) of ECO No: 7 of 2002. Documents pertaining to the NAB references were available with the returning officer and those were 41/2001, 23/2000 and 26/2000. The references had been decided on May 21, 2002; July 7, 2002; and June 9, 2001, respectively, he said. About the NAB documents available with him, the returning officer said that those were with him as Ms Bhutto had filed a petition (No B-147/2002) wherein she had challenged the vires of Section 31 of NAB ordinance. Former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Dr (Mrs) Ashraf Abbasi, Ms Bhutto's political secretary Dr Safdar Abbasi and former Sindh minister for local bodies Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi were present when the decision rejecting the papers of Ms Bhutto came. They later led a procession that converged on the press club here after marching through the main streets of the town. They told newsmen they would follow the legal course. Ayaz Soomro, advocate for Ms Bhutto, told Dawn that an appeal against the decision would be filed shortly. He called it "double standard," saying Mr Sharif's forms were accepted though he too was a convict. Ms Bhutto had been informed in London of the matter, he added. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hearing of Benazir's petition put off ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 29: A full bench of the Sindh High Court adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Ms Benazir Bhutto till Sept 11. The full bench comprising Chief Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad, Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed, Justice Ghulam Rabbani, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Musheer Alam, adjourned the petition on the request of PPP chairperson's attorney. The former prime minister has challenged the government measures to keep her out of political dispensation and electoral process. The bench, however, did not accede to Ms Bhutto's attorney for staying scrutiny of her nomination papers until her petition was decided. The full bench was constituted on the request of the government on the premise that in the matter vires of two laws and a constitutional amendment had been questioned. AG Punjab Maqbool Elahi Malik had filed the application on behalf of the federation, in which he had prayed for a larger bench on the premise that questions of territorial jurisdiction, locus standi, and the entitlement of the petitioner to relief arise. When the matter came up for hearing, Farooq H. Naek requested for adjournment because the leading counsel, Barrister Kamal Azfar had fallen sick and was not in a position to argue. Attorney General for Pakistan Barrister Makhdoom Ali Khan did not oppose the adjournment, but he did not agree to the date sought by Ms Bhutto's counsel because of his commitment abroad. The AGP would not be in the country on Sept 5 as he would be leaving for abroad to represent Pakistan in an international moot. Farooq H. Naek said even in the absence of AGP, the federation can be represented as the counsel for federation Maqbool Illahi Malik, any DAG and Prosecutor NAB would be present. He said that once an adjournment has been sought, the urgency has been lost. If it is resumed on 5th, the time for scrutiny would expire. The bench observed that the entire constitutional package has been challenged before Lahore High Court and it would not be appropriate for this bench to hear the matter as there could be two conflicting judgments. Farook Naek submitted that the petitioner has also challenged NAB Ordinance's 31-A which is not the subject matter of the petition referred to by the bench. He contended that constitutional amendments do not cover this specifically and only wording "conviction by a competent court" is given. He also referred to objections raised, vis-a-vis amendments in article 63 (1) (p) of the constitution. As there was dispute over timing, the AGP suggested Sept 11 as next date of hearing, and the court directed the counsel of both the sides to reassemble after tea break. When they met, the bench in the chamber of the CJ, Sept 11 was finally fixed for the hearing of the petition by the same bench. In the amended petition, Ms Bhutto has termed the Legal Framework Order as illegal and contended that amendments, especially in Article 63 (p) of the constitution, were mala fide and intended to keep the petitioner out of political dispensation. The former prime minister has prayed for enforcement of the right to contest elections to NA-207 and has challenged government's measure to keep her out of political and electoral process. These amendments were termed illegal and mala fide and outside the ambit of powers conferred by the Supreme Court in Zafar Ali Shah's case. The exercise is aimed at seeking an order from the court, allowing the petitioner to contest elections and that her nomination papers should not be rejected until the disposal of this petition. It should be left to the voters once again to decide who should represent them. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- State counsel opposes Benazir's petition ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 29: Counsel for the federation has maintained that Ms Benazir Bhutto's petition is not maintainable because the petitioner is an absconder and a fugitive, and, therefore, cannot seek benefit in equity jurisdiction. This is stated in the written reply to Ms Bhutto's contentions, filed in the Sindh High Court by counsel Maqbool Elahi Malik, who is also advocate-general, Punjab. It is his contention that the matter being agitated through the present constitutional petition is already under consideration by the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, where writ petitions are pending adjudication. These petitions challenge what is also being challenged through the present petitions and since the law and the courts abhor multiplicity of proceedings, this petition merits to be dismissed, he claimed. He maintains that the petitioner wants the SHC to sit in judgment over an order passed by the Lahore High Court in writ petition No. 26421/98 and to interpret the same. He claimed that the SHC lacks territorial jurisdiction to sit in judgment over an order of the Lahore High Court. Considerations of equity and fair-play demand that the court should not exercise its equitable jurisdiction in favour of an absconder/fugitive from law, he claimed. The fact that the apex court has twice upheld the dismissal of the petitioner's government on charges of corruption etc. is enough to belie the self-projection campaign unleashed through the present petition. The petitioner, while narrating events, has challenged section 31-A of the NAB Ordinance as also Article 8(d)2(n) of Chief Executive Order No.7, amended by Chief Executive Order No.21 of 2002 as being malicious, discriminatory and arbitrary and has attributed abuse of legislative authority to the law-maker. Counsel Malik has maintained that the petitioner wants to avoid punishment and likewise the court of competent jurisdiction, which is the National Accountability Court which in the present case had adjudged the petitioner guilty of an offence; therefore, it is not correct to say that the petitioner has not been connoted. With regard to Ms Bhutto's conviction, the federation's counsel has submitted that by virtue of section 31-A, the court has convicted the petitioner and sentenced her to imprisonment on account of operation of the law in question. It has also been averred in the petition that the petitioner has been disqualified without being convicted for any substantive offence. This, he said, is fallacious and unwarranted because the substantive offence for which the petitioner has been convicted, is the offence contained in Section 31-A of the NAB Ordinance. The petitioner has maintained that she never absconded but went abroad with the permission of the court. It was Maqbool Illahi's contention that since the NAB Ordinance contains Section 31-A, which was not there in the earlier Ordinance, it follows that the order of the Lahore High Court, whereby the petitioner was allowed to proceed abroad and whereby the trials were allowed to proceed in her absence, is no more in the field since it has been taken over by Section 31-A of the NAB ordinance. He did not agree with the contention of petitioner that the guilt under section 31-A is determined by operation of law and not as a result of conviction. With regard to the petitioner's contention that the impugned provisions are violative of Article 4 and 9 of the Constitution, the federation's counsel contended that the petitioner had over- looked the provision of Article 63(P) of the Constitution. Article 63tP) provides that a person shall be disqualified if he is for the time being disqualified for election under any law, for the time being in force. Section 31-A of the of the NAB Ordinance is such a law in force, and, therefore, this argument be consigned to the dustbin. It would be important to mention here that Article 8 (d) 2(n) of Chief Executive Order 7 of 2002 has been introduced to bring the accused to the book. If the accused cannot face the trial, how and why should she be allowed to contest elections in the country? The petitioner contends that section 31-A violates Article 175 of the Constitution insofar as it interferes with judicial functions to be performed by the court, in accordance with the Cr.P.C. But the counsel for the federation disagreed wit the contention and said that while dealing with the similar arguments about section 17-C of the NAB Ordinance, the Supreme Court has held in the Asfandyar Wali's case that no vested rights exist in the matters of procedure. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- CEC urged to take notice of rules violation ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has asked the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Irshad Hasan Khan, to take notice of the of violation of election laws by the government to rig the elections. She drew the attention of the CEC to the suggestions by the PPP to the government to induct a national consensus government to ensure a fair administration; transfer power to the judiciary for the holding of elections as in Bangladesh; replace the politically- motivated officials with neutral ones. Bhutto, in a letter addressed to the CEC, has referred to the report published in South Asia Tribune dated Aug 26. "I draw your attention to the report in the South Asian Tribune (Aug 26-Sept 1, 2002 - copy enclosed) which discloses the pre- electoral rigging taking place in violation of the Constitution and laws of the land. The PPP had earlier stated the need to replace politically motivated officers with a neutral administration. "The continuation of the politically motivated officials affects the fairness of the elections and subverts the will of the one hundred and forty million people of Pakistan. The confidence in the electoral process can be restored by concrete steps failing which the electoral turnout could be low as voters boycott a process with pre-judged conclusions." The South Asian Tribune obtained evidence from top Pakistani bureaucrats visiting the United States about Musharraf regime's plan to rig the elections, she pointed out. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- UGC okays Benazir degree ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent LARKANA, Aug 28: The returning officer for NA-204 (Larkana-I), Abdul Ghani Soomro, rejected on Wednesday the nomination papers of the chairperson of the PPP(SB), Ghinwa Bhutto, on the ground that she was not a graduate. She had filed nomination papers to contest from NA-204 from where PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, has also filed nomination papers. The returning officer rejected the papers after he got the reply from the director accreditation and coordination of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Pakistan. The UGC said the mark sheets of the Technical Baccalaureate Part I issued by the president, directorate of examinations, Hanna Karam, Lebanon, was not equivalent to Bachelor's degree of Pakistan. The same returning officer also rejected nomination papers of Hafiz Ahmed Ali Abbasi, a candidate of the Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal, from NA-204 (Larkana-I). BENAZIR: Meanwhile, it was learnt that the UGC had maintained that the degree of Benazir Bhutto, which she had submitted with her nomination papers, was equivalent to Master's degree of Pakistan. Earlier, the returning officer had given a two-page questionnaire having 66 questions to Ayaz Soomro, Benazir's advocate, for verification of her degrees. Soomro told Dawn on Wednesday that after receiving the fax from the UCG that it had accepted Benazir's degrees, there was now no need to submit the questionnaire that had been sent to her in London. The scrutiny of Benazir's nomination papers for NA-207 (Larkana-IV) and NA-204 (Larkana-I) would be held on Aug 30 and Sept 1, respectively, in Ratodero and Larkana. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- No move for Benazir's extradition: Britain ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Our Correspondent LONDON, Aug 28: The British government has said the Pakistan authorities have not approached Britain to extradite Benazir Bhutto. Official sources told Dawn here on Wednesday that there was no extradition treaty between the two countries, therefore, the extradition of any person from either countries was not possible in the present circumstances. Commenting on reports suggesting that the Pakistani authorities were in touch with the British government seeking extradition of Benazir Bhutto to Pakistan, officials said there was no such move. Benazir Bhutto, who at present is living in London in self-exile, denies that she was ever involved in corruption, saying "the allegations against her are politically motivated." Ms Benazir says she was planning to return to Pakistan before October elections. The exact date of her return is not known, however the PPP sources in London told Dawn that the decision about her return to Pakistan could be made within 10 days. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PPP complains of pre-poll rigging ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 28: The Pakistan People's Party has drawn the attention of the chief election commissioner to "pre-poll rigging" by the authorities. It said false and exaggerated demands were being made for payment of government dues, income tax and utility charges at the nick of time. In a communication addressed to the CEC, the acting secretary- general of the PPP, Raza Rabbani, termed such demands unique method of seeking disqualification of candidates. Candidates are being asked to make payments and prefer appeals subsequently. Further cumbersome details and additional documentation is being sought with regard to degrees that have been filed. This, he said, is yet another face of pre-poll rigging being indulged by the regime. It not only brings financial pressure on the intending candidate but his failure to comply exposes him to disqualification, he maintained. He also drew the attention of the CEC to alleged pre-poll rigging in Jacobabad district and said it was an attempt to provide undue advantage to the candidates of the "Kings Party". In this context, he said 42 polling stations for Thul STC, Misripur STC and Muradpur STC of Thul Taluka have been prepared under the supervision and instructions of a member of the Sindh Cabinet. The said polling stations have been proposed in the area of one tribe alone, despite the fact that government buildings are available, 18 polling stations have been improvised. These polling stations remained unchanged in five general elections namely, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1997. Meanwhile, PPP's top leadership was engrossed in late night session at Bilawal House to workout strategy on the outcome of scrutiny of Ms Benazir Bhutto's nomination papers from two Larkana constituencies - NA-204 and 207 - which is to coincide with the hearing of her petition challenging certain measures to prevent her from contesting elections. For the PPP, the outcome of scrutiny would have decisive bearing on the election campaign of the PPP Parliamentarians. The kind of information she was asked to provide in a short span pertained to source of financing, the studies abroad, normal duration of course actual period in which the degree was obtained, mode of study, whether it was obtained through research or course work, number of credit hours. The long list is part of the UGC application form for equivalence of qualification certificate. But the ordeal of candidates is not confined to educational degree and the clearance of utility bills. They were being grilled by the returning officers on minor details of religious knowledge. Many of the ROs were asking Islamic philosophy, which made the candidates very nervous. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Scrutiny of Nawaz, Kulsoom's papers deferred ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 30: The scrutiny of the nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif and Kulsoom Nawaz for NA-119 was deferred again till Saturday (today) as the returning officer asked objectors to bring proofs of objections. The objectors had maintained that both were tax defaulters to the tune of Rs7.7 million -- Shahbaz Sharif of Rs4.5 million and Kulsoom Nawaz of Rs3.2 million. Similarly, nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif for NA-120 would be scrutinized on Sept 1. It may be mentioned that Nawaz Sharif and Kulsoom Nawaz had been cleared for NA-121 and NA-122, respectively. The nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif had also been accepted for PP-141 and PP-142. The nomination papers of Humayun Akhtar Khan were accepted for NA- 122 and Pervez Malik (brother of Justice Qayyum Malik), Abdur Rashid Bhatti were cleared for NA-120. For NA-126, the nomination papers of Rana Munawwar and Abdul Aleem were found in order. The nomination papers of Malik Niazullah Khan were rejected for PP- 161, Mohsin Raza Gilani for PP-154, Mukhtar Aslam for PP-152 and Malik Liaquat Ali for PP-137. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sharifs' banishment challenged ------------------------------------------------------------------- LAHORE, Aug 30: A senior lawyer challenged banishment of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, saying there was no legal bar on the exiled leader's return from Saudi Arabia. "The law of the land does not have the sentence of exile," lawyer Khwaja Sultan Ahmad told AFP, arguing that there was no written agreement between the Sharifs and the government on the issue. Sharif was convicted of tax evasion and plane hijacking in 2000, several months after Musharraf overthrew and jailed him in a bloodless coup in October, 1999. The sentence was then waived under an alleged agreement between the government and Sharif which allegedly stipulated he and members of his family would not return to Pakistan for 10 years. The statement of Ahmed, who served as defence counsel during Sharif's trial, came after election authorities gave preliminary approval to nominations filed by Sharif, brother Shahbaz and wife Kulsoom for the October polls. Ahmed said when Sharif and his close relatives were sent into exile in December 2000, Muhammad Rafiq Tarrar was president of Pakistan but he has expressed his "ignorance about the existence of any contract" between the government and the Sharifs. The PML-N also insists that no such agreement exists. "It appears there is no written agreement or contract for the exile of Nawaz Sharif," Ahmed said. "Moreover, Pakistan's constitution does not allow the government to send its nationals into exile," he said. He also stressed that the pardon granted to Sharif renders him innocent and his criminal conviction now stands invalid. "If there is nothing on the record, then the pardon will be presumed a pardon within the meaning of law of the land. "After a pardon, the conviction and disqualification stands nowhere and the accused shall be deemed as innocent," he said.-AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Papers of Nawaz, Kulsoom cleared ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 29: Nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif and his wife Kulsoom Nawaz were cleared for National Assembly seats NA-121 and NA-122, respectively, by the returning officers concerned. The scrutiny of nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif and Kulsoom Nawaz for NA-119 will be held on Friday (today). However, the Muslim League (QA) suffered its first setback when the nomination papers of former Olympian Akhtar Rasool - its city chief - were rejected for being a "convict in the Supreme Court attack and mis-declaring his assets." Other politicians whose papers were found in order for NA seats from Lahore are: Mian Azhar, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Hafiz Salman Butt, Nasir Jabran (nephew of Mian Azhar), Dr Tahirul Qadri, Mian Zakaur Rehman, Humayun Akhtar Khan, Altaf Ahmad Qureshi, Pervez Saleh, Javed Hashmi, Kamil Ali Agha, Mian Abdul Sattar, Farid Ahmad Piracha and Engineer Salimullah. Similarly, those candidates whose papers were accepted for the provincial assembly seats from Lahore included: Dr Anwaarul Haq, Rana Shaukat Mahmood, Humayun and Haroon Akhtar Khan, Shahid Nabi Malik and Aftab Ahmad Lodhi. The papers of the following candidates were rejected: Chaudhry Asif, Prof Abid Hussain Sandal, Naeem Ahmad Mughal, Ahmad Hussain Khan and Muzaffar Ali Butt. The scrutiny will continue till Sept 2. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PML-N to contest all seats: Nawaz ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 28: The PML(N) will put up its candidates on all seats to defeat those who had betrayed the party, a statement issued quoted Mian Nawaz Sharif as saying. The statement has been issued by former deputy mayor Mian Muhammad Rashid, who has just returned after meeting the deposed prime minister in Saudi Arabia. Mr Sharif, who is now Quaid of his party, reiterated that he had struck no deal with the military regime. Similarly, he said, he himself had decided to elevate his brother Mian Shahbaz Sharif as party president. The rest, he said, was all propaganda. He pointed out that the party had reposed confidence in him but it was on his insistence that they had accepted the decision to make Shahbaz Sharif as their president. The former prime minister said his party would continue to cooperate with the PPP from the platform of the ARD. He said it was premature to say whether his party would be willing to form coalition with the PPP. Mr Sharif said the basic issue at present was of the restoration of democracy, not formation of coalition. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shahbaz also cleared for PP-142 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 28: Nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif, Liaquat Baloch, Jehangir Badr were cleared on the second day of the scrutiny of nomination papers. Shahbaz Sharif was cleared for PP-142, Liaquat Baloch for NA-126, Tariq Banday for NA-126, Jehangir Badr for PP-142 and Qasim Zia for PP-155. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ban on political activities to go on Sept 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Faraz Hashmi and Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: The government lifted the ban on political activities with effect from Sept 1, allowing political parties 39 days for election campaign before polling, scheduled to be held on Oct 10. Announcing the decision, the government over-ruled the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission and maintained restriction on rallies and processions. "Rallies and processions on roads, streets, railway stations, etc., shall not be allowed as part of the political activity," said the order issued by the federal government. Earlier, the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission had said that processions and public rallies would be allowed during the election campaign but specified certain conditions for holding such rallies so that it could not disrupt the normal public life. For the public meeting too a number of conditions were spelt out in the order, which the political parties would have to observe in their election campaign. Advance permission from the district and provincial governments for holding such gatherings would have to be sought by the political parties and the candidates, so that the campaign could progress in an orderly manner. "Political meeting shall only be organized at places or areas specified by the district and provincial governments in order to prevent public inconvenience and to maintain normal public life. No traffic disruption and hindrance shall be allowed," it added. It further said the time, place and other details of meetings would be decided by the district and provincial governments in consultation with the political party concerned well in advance and ordinarily no deviation in the agreed program should be allowed. The restrictions, it said have been imposed to ensure peaceful and uninterrupted conduct of general elections and to avoid inconvenience to the general public. The political activities in the country were banned by President Gen Pervez Musharraf soon after takeover on Oct 12, 1999. During this period the country barring only a few the country did not see any major political activity. President Gen Pervez Musharraf in his recent press conference had said that processions and rallies would not be allowed during the election campaign. Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal had announced that a train march would be launched from Rawalpindi on Aug 28 which had reportedly been disallowed by the government. The Chief Election Commissioner Justice Irshad Hassan Khan last year as the Chief Justice of Pakistan had taken suo motu notice of the ban on political activities. The court had also sought an explanation from the government for keeping a ban. However the case is still pending before the apex court. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Warrants for Benazir sent to all provinces ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mohammad Asghar RAWALPINDI, Aug 27: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's "perpetual arrest warrants" issued by the National Accountability Bureau has been sent to the IGPs of the four provinces and the federal capital directing them to arrest her on her arrival, a source said on Tuesday. Benazir's arrest warrants had been issued by the Accountability Court judge last year. Due to her absence, the warrants had been sealed by the NAB. But on Tuesday, the NAB authorities dispatched the warrants to the provincial governments and IGP Islamabad for their compliance, the source said. The SP of Clifton Karachi, where the former prime minister's residence is located, has also been directed to arrest her, if she comes to her house. The source said the warrants (4119) which had been sealed due to Benazir's self exile were opened on Tuesday in the wake of intelligence reports that she may reach Pakistan any time, the source said. The government is reportedly seeking Interpol assistance for getting Benazir Bhutto arrested while she is abroad, the source added. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt-Sharifs pact 'be made public' ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 27: Chaudhry Shujaat Husain demanded that the government should let the nation know whether it had made any change to the agreement under which the Sharif family had been exiled to Saudi Arabia and barred from taking part in politics for 10 years. Talking to newsmen at his residence, the PML-QA leader said such a clarification was necessary in view of the gradual involvement of the Sharifs in politics, filing of nomination papers by them in various Lahore constituencies being the first step. Nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif from PP-141 (Lahore) have already been found in order on scrutiny. Mian Nawaz Sharif and his wife, Kulsoom, have also filed nomination papers from various city constituencies and would be scrutinized according to the schedule. Chaudhry Shujaat recalled that the nation had been told by President Musharraf that the Sharifs would stay away from the country as well as politics for 10 years. Now that the agreement was being flouted, the government should explain the actual situation to the nation, he added. He told a questioner that his party would not file any appeal against the acceptance of Shahbaz Sharif's nomination papers. Asked to explain the services of former PPP leader Sheikh Rohail Asghar and Mian Azhar's brother, Ashraf, on the basis of which they had been awarded PML-QA tickets, he said so far nobody had been awarded ticket and the party was likely to take a few more days to take final decisions to be able to make adjustments with other parties. Chaudhry Shujaat is scheduled to meet the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leaders in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss mutual adjustments. "How will the PML-QA justify electoral cooperation with the MMA when the two have divergent views on the presidency of Gen Musharraf, his competence to amend the Constitution and several other issues?" he was asked. Chaudhry Shujaat said commitment to safeguard the Islamic provisions of the constitution was the common denominator. Gen Musharraf had given him a personal undertaking that he would not touch the Islamic provisions of the Constitution. In case he did, the PML-QA would turn against him, he warned. He answered in the affirmative when asked if party ticket could be awarded to somebody who had just crossed into the PML-QA, or had not appeared before the parliamentary board nor made a formal request for the ticket. But, he made it clear that such cases would not be accorded priority when the party had its own electable aspirants. He said Nazimeen who had resigned to be able to contest the elections had not been promised any party ticket. He did not agree with the suggestion that an interim government could be formed or the elections might be delayed. "Such a course will be very dangerous for the military rulers," said the former minister. Chaudhry Shujaat was critical of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan for his unkind remarks against the PML-QA. He said the former cricket star should let the nation know his sources of income and from where he is receiving funds for his media campaign. "Is it Zakat money? Is it donation or Jewish money?" He said in case the PTI chief failed to come up with satisfactory answers, it was the responsibility of the government to take notice of the matter. Also, he said the PTI chief should explain whether Zakat money or donations could be used for organizing political gatherings. The PML-QA leader said the PTI chairman had also met the Punjab governor after which he was left with no justification to criticize others calling on the chief executive of the province. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shahbaz cleared for PP-141 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 27: Mian Shahbaz Sharif's name was cleared to contest the provincial seat PP-141, and his papers for the PP-142 and NA- 119, would come up for scrutiny on 30th. On the first day of the scrutiny of nomination papers, eight out of 13 returning officers started work and cleared the names of Imran Khan, Pervez Saleh, Akram Zaki, Humayun Akhtar, Haroon Akhtar, Mian Abdul Waheed, Farid Parcha, Pervez Malik, Ashraf Ijaz, Saad Rafiq and Abdur Rehman Lodhi. Out of the 221 nominations papers filed in the city for the NA and 559 for PA, none was rejected on Tuesday. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Papers filed for Nawaz, family members ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Zeeshan Siddique LAHORE, Aug 26: The nomination papers of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his wife Kulsoom Nawaz and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif were filed for six different constituencies of the city. Nawaz's papers were filed for two National Assembly constituencies (NA-120 and NA-121) and those of Kulsoom for three National Assembly seats (NA-119, NA-120 and NA-122). Shahbaz's papers were submitted for one National Assembly seat (NA-119) and two Punjab Assembly constituencies (PP-141 and PP- 142). The nomination papers of the Sharifs, living in exile in Saudi Arabia since December, 2000, were submitted by their representatives. While the nominations of Kulsoom and Shahbaz were filed in the afternoon, those of Nawaz were submitted in the evening at 5:30pm. Returning Officer Mustafa Tanveer Safwat receiving the nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif and Kulsoom for NA-120 raised an objection that the papers of both had not been attested by the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh with regard to authorization of their respective representatives. The RO said there was nothing on record to satisfy the court that the papers had actually been signed by the candidates themselves or that they had authorized the representatives in writing. The court observed that the attestation of a local notary public was not sufficient and in case the nomination papers of both the candidates duly attested by the Pakistani embassy were not filed by Sept 1, the court would reject them. Advocate Nasir members Ahmad Bhutta, submitting the papers, assured the RO that the attestation demanded by the court would be filed before the date of scrutiny. The nomination papers with Urdu version had been used by the three Sharif family members. The candidature of Nawaz Sharif for NA-120 had been proposed by Dilshad Ahmad while Hafiz Adil Abbasi had seconded him. A certificate of a BA degree with second division issued by the Government College, Lahore, had also been attached with his nomination papers. It was mentioned in the papers that a NAB reference and an anti- terrorism case number 385/99 were pending against him previously. A net wealth of Rs10.13 million had been declared in the name of the former prime minister. Among the declared immovable assets included one plot on 135-Upper Mall, Lahore, worth Rs1m, 22 kanal and four marla agriculture land worth Rs2.2m at Bhaubian, Raiwind Road, and 14 kanal and five marla agriculture land worth Rs1.1m at village Mandiyala, Sheikhupura Road. Investment worth Rs10.60m in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills had also been shown and two amounts of unsecured loans of Rs84,485 and Rs184562 obtained in the name of Abbas and Co and Kulsoom Nawaz had been mentioned. Some Rs8.7m had been mentioned as cash in hand while Rs5,225 had been disclosed to be in the United Bank account. According to the declaration filed with the papers, Rs357,000 had been paid by Nawaz as tax for the year 2000-2001. The liabilities of Nawaz as disclosed in the nomination papers existed in the names of following entities and persons: Chaudhry Sugar Mills (Rs120,254), Kulsoom Nawaz (Rs615,438), Shamim Akhtar (Rs3.5m), Mariam Safdar (Rs2.2m) and Hussain Nawaz Sharif (Rs606,000). Hussain Nawaz, Asma Nawaz and Kulsoom Nawaz had been shown as dependents of the former president of his own faction of the PML. The candidature of Kulsoom had been proposed by Hafiz Mohammad Ayyaz and seconded by Mohammad Ejaz Butt. Her educational qualification had been mentioned as MA but a degree of BSc issued by the Government FC College in June, 1968, with a second division had also been attached with her papers. Her net wealth had been stated to the tune of Rs12.49m with movable assets worth Rs1.5m (a bungalow constructed on three plots at Hall Road, Murree). Among the investments owned by Kulsoom included: Chaudhry Sugar Mills (Rs5.04m), Mehran Ramzan Textile Mills (Rs1,000), Hamza Spinning Mills (Rs481,000), Mohammad Bakhsh Textile Mills (Rs1m), Kalsoom Textile Mills (Rs50,000) and Hamza Board Mills (Rs292,000). Three amounts of Rs615,438, Rs1.1m and Rs1.65m had been mentioned as unsecured loans obtained by her in the name of Nawaz Sharif, Farooq Barkat and Shamim Akhtar. Jewellry worth Rs500,000 had also mentioned to be owned by her. As many as Rs649,703 had been mentioned as cash in hand while an account of Rs214,401 with the Allied Bank had been declared in her name. It was mentioned that she owed Rs5.08m to the Chaudhry Sugar Mills and Rs1.192m to Asma Nawaz.Mohammad Usman Butt had proposed the name of Shahbaz Sharif as a candidate for NA-119 while his candidature had been seconded by Mohammad Rasheed Butt. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- LFO aims to perpetuate dictatorship, says PPP ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 26: The People's Party Parliamentarians said the Legal Framework Order 2002 is an attempt to give protection to dictatorship through a democratic facade. Speaking at a news conference, PPP Parliamentarians chief Makhdoom Amin Fahim said if transparent, free and fair elections were held and Benazir Bhutto's path was not obstructed, then she would be the leader of the house in the future parliament. Amin Fahim said he was anxiously waiting to see "how Gen Pervez Musharraf honors his promise of free, fair and transparent elections. Let the elections be felt and seen on the ground to be free, fair and transparent," he added. He said his party did not recognize the right of an individual or the Supreme Court to amend the constitution. The LFO 2002 is beyond the ambit of the apex court's judgment in Zafar Ali Shah's case, he maintained. He warned that efforts to mutilate and finally do away with the 1973 Constitution were fraught with grave danger because in the days ahead it will not be possible to have a similar consensus document. It is, therefore, necessary for the political forces to defend the 1973 Constitution. Asked how the PPP would behave in view of the regime's declared stand that the future assembly would not have the authority to amend the amendments and reforms introduced by it, Amin Fahim said: "after winning mandate of the people we will have the right to review and amend according to the wishes and aspirations of the people." He said whatever laws the regime had enacted, their objective was to block the way of the PPP and Ms Bhutto. In this context he particularly mentioned the amendments introduced on Aug 2. He urged the rulers to understand that transparent, free and fair elections were the need of the hour because, he added, the country was passing through a very critical juncture. Amin Fahim said despite years of repressive policies adopted by the rulers against the PPP, it had chosen the course for restoration of democracy and protection of people's sovereignty. He said in view of external threats and precarious security environment on our eastern and western borders, depressing economic situation, proliferation of sectarianisms amid deteriorating law and order situation, it was necessary to address these problems urgently through national reconciliation and by respecting people's will. He did not rule out the possibility of seat adjustments and said this was part of electioneering but emphasized that his party would contest on its own agenda. Asked whether at any stage Gen Musharraf had offered him a lucrative post if he quit the PPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim instead of saying a categorical no said "I cannot leave the party." PPP acting secretary general Raza Rabbani said his party was not prepared to empower any individual or institution to dictate as to who should contest the elections and who should not. In the past too, despite state repression against the party, it had never left the path of democratic struggle. Doubting the assurances of free, fair and transparent elections, Mian Raza Rabbani said the voters' list, delimitation of constituencies and selective application of NAB laws and measures taken by Gen Musharraf during referendum amounted to pre-poll rigging. He pointed out that during referendum campaign Gen Musharraf had declared that those parties which supported him would emerge victorious in the general elections. As part of this policy, he alleged, the National Alliance and the SDA were propped up to block the way of the PPP. He also referred to discrimination against Sindh and referred to the appointment of what he termed as politically motivated ministers in the provincial cabinet. Three ministers, he said, did not even fulfil the graduation requirement and one of them was bank loan defaulter. He repeated his concern over the Governor Houses being used for electioneering of the king's party. Rejecting the Benazir-specific laws he termed the Legal Framework Order as ultra vires and in confrontation with the constitution. He said the LFO is neither federal parliamentary nor democratic. It is an attempt to protect democracy trough a facade of democracy. He was of the view that in view of undemocratic measures being adopted by the regime, political instability would increase if elections were not free, fair and transparent. There is bound to be a conflict between the parliament. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt backing 'king's party', says PPP ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: The acting secretary general of Pakistan People's Party, Mian Raza Rabbani, has apprised the Chief Election Commissioner of the support of the government for the candidates of the 'king's party' and urged him to take notice of the matter. In a letter addressed to the CEC, Mian Rabbani wrote, "the Pakistan People's Party has continuously brought it to the notice of the Commission that the governor houses particularly in Sindh and Punjab have been virtually converted into the election offices for the candidates of the "king's party". The resources and machinery of the provincial administration are being used to put at serious disadvantage the contesting candidates being supported by the PPP, he said. Apprising the CEC of the newspaper report he wrote: "on Aug 23, PML(QA) leaders Mian Muhammad Azhar, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Ellahi met at the Governor House, Punjab, to finalize their list of candidates. The newspaper cutting of the daily Dawn dated Aug 24 is attached and mark annexure-A". Asking the CEC to take notice of the government's illegal involvement in elections, Mian Rabbani wrote: "it is evident that when candidates are decided in the Governor House, then the result of the October elections particularly in the province of Punjab becomes a foregone conclusion. Such blatant support to a political party vitiates the atmosphere for free, fair and transparent elections". DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Imran to contest from Swat ------------------------------------------------------------------- PESHAWAR, Aug 25: Chief of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Imran Khan, has filed nomination papers from National Assembly seat NA-29, Swat-1. The PTI chief is facing seven other candidates: former NWFP governor Miangul Aurangzeb, his nephew Adnan Aurangzeb from Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam), Qari Abdul Baais of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Khurshid Alam Khan of PML, Saleemur Rehman and Shamsher Ali of PPP, Azeem Khan advocate of National Awami Party Pakistan and Qari Mehmood of MMA. For the two National Assembly seats of Swat, 18 candidates have so far filed nomination papers.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAB inquiry against former ETPB chief put off ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The investigations initiated by the National Accountability Bureau against the former chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board, Lt Gen Javed Nasir, who has allegedly swindled Rs3 billion have lately been put off for "unknown reasons," a NAB official said. "Yes investigations were going on against Mr Nasir but no case was pending against him," a colonel at NAB's office in Lahore told Dawn by phone. The colonel did not comment on the reports that Mr Nasir had slipped out of the country after pocketing a sum of Rs3 billion in several shady land deals of EPTB. However, a NAB official at the headquarters here denied that Mr Nasir had left the country. The official could not give any reason why the investigations against Mr Nasir had been put off and not pursued by the Accountability Bureau as it had been doing in the cases of corruptions against opposition politicians particularly former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her spouse. The NAB official also refused to disclose the nature of investigation pending against Lt Gen Javed Nasir who was also the head the country's prime intelligence agency during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Political parties had expressed their condemnation over the government's attitude towards the corruption rampant in other state institutions. "This has shown once again that the serving and retired officers of army have been kept beyond the preview of accountability," PPP spokesman Farhatullah Baber said. The reports that government was turning a blind eye towards the corruption of Mr Nasir in his capacity as the chairman of ETPB has exposed the accountability drive of the present government. "It is now clear that the on-going process is political motivated aimed at keeping political opponents out of election contest," he added. The PPP which had been facing brunt of accountability would lodge a formal complaint with the NAB chairman Munir Hafeez to investigate this scam and apprehend all those involved in it irrespective of their rank or position. Mr Nasir who after his retirement from service had been appointed as the Chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board reportedly made 20 land deals. In one deal of five kanals and 16 marlas of land on main Ferozepur Road Mr Nasir siphoned off over Rs4 million as the land was sold at a throw away price of Rs348,000 against the market price of Rs4.5 million. In another deal of land in Karachi, a plot of market value of Rs267m was sold at Rs5.6m. Mr Nasir who had relinquished the charge of ETPB on July 16, 2001 on being denied the extension allotted 916 kanals of land in Lahore to 11 different persons causing an estimated loss of Rs243 million. Another plot of 48 canals on Super Highway Karachi was disposed of by him at Rs48m against its actual price of Rs240m. The saga of land deals of Mr Nasir did not end here, in yet another deal of 100 kanals on main Raiwind Road Lahore, he made over Rs40m as the plot was sold at Rs46m whereas it market price was Rs90m. A piece of land between Lahore Airport and Defence Housing Society was sold for Rs8.01m. At the time of deal it carried a market price of Rs91.85m. Mr Nasir also made huge amount of money in leasing out PASSCO godown in Lahore and in construction of ETPB complex and Trust Plaza here in the federal capital. In serious misappropriation in the construction of ETPB complex the former chairman caused a loss of Rs320m in the civil works alone. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAB chief denies action against certain politicians ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 24: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Lt- Gen Munir Hafiez said no-one involved in corruption or plunder of public wealth could or would escape accountability. Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the chairman sought to dispel general public perception that the NAB had been acting "partially" against politicians opposing the military regime while ignoring corruption of those supporting it. "I do not agree with this perception." However, he utterly failed to satisfy the reporters present there who wanted to know how many "corrupt" from the PML-QA had been nabbed. "Are those belonging to the PML-QA clean and honest and those from the PPP and the PML-N dishonest and corrupt," some of the journalists present wondered, quite loudly. "The PML-QA has just been formed," the general defended the NAB, adding some 24 cases were at different stages of probe, investigation and prosecution against those belonging to the PPP, 30 against those from the PML-N and 33 others. However, he could not name any pro-regime politician arrested by his organization. But he promised that he would do his homework before he again meets the press in future. Replying to a question, he said all those politicians who had actually been convicted by the court in accountability cases would be barred from participating in the October polls. However, he was unable to tell the number of such politicians. In reply to another question, the general stated that the cases against the members of the Sharif family exiled to Saudi Arabia had been "adjourned sine die". "If they try to return, the same cases would be reopened for prosecution," he said. He said the government was making "normal" efforts for the extradition of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. "We are not focusing on her extradition or making any special attempts for it." The chairman said the NAB law was there to stay (even beyond the October polls). However, he indicated that the government was looking at it to make changes to improve it in the light of its past experience and judgments given in the NAB cases by the courts. "Attempts to improve the laws should continue to update and improve them according to the needs of changing times. We have attained 85 per cent conviction and want to raise conviction rate to 100 per cent," he added. He said the law had been validated by the Supreme Court and given constitutional cover and made part of Schedule VI. Though parliament (coming into existence after the general election) would be the supreme institution, it would not be able to repeal or change the law because presidential approval would be required for it. "The process of accountability must continue after the polls. The politicians would have to pledge for it," he said. He stated the delays caused in the finalization of a case were due to long time taken to investigate them to fulfil the needs and requirements of the law and justice. "We don't want to file uncooked references against anyone or implicate any innocent person. That's why we take quite long to complete investigation and collect concrete evidence against the accused. It is a wrong impression that it is done to harass someone. We want to achieve 100 per cent conviction rate." Speaking of the cases against Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari, he said the decisions in those references were delayed due to adjournments sought by the defence and not because of lack of evidence and proof. "We have ample evidence against them. The defence counsel are employing tactics to delay them." The general said the NAB had never offered the choice of plea bargain to any accused. "It is the accused who confesses to his crime and agrees to return the amount plundered by him through plea bargain. First the application goes to the regional NAB committee and then to a central committee for decision. If the committee considers that the accused is offering to return all the amount looted by him, it is referred to the court for a decision for the purpose of transparency. We, the NAB, have nothing to do with it." The chairman did not agree that the NAB had adversely affected the business climate in the country. He said the NAB had helped the banks recover Rs7 billion from the defaulters and created a "clean business environment". "Foreign investment is increasing in the country and stock markets are booming because of our drive to root out corruption and recover the looted public money," he insisted. He said the NAB had proposed to the government to merge anti- corruption and economic crime wings of the FIA with it. He said the NAB had demonstrated its ability to deal with these crime which was why it had put forward this proposal to the government. Besides, he said, such cases should be registered, probed and prosecuted under a uniform law. At present, the punishments awarded under the NAB law were more strict than the laws under which the FIA registered the cases. He said the final decision in this regard would be taken by the government. He said no political party had so far refused to participate in the National Ehtesab Conference being organized by the NAB. However, he added, the heads of parties might not be able to attend the conference because of their preoccupation with the general elections. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ms Bhutto 'qualified' to contest polls ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Majeed Gill BAHAWALPUR, Aug 24: PPP chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto is qualified in every respect to contest the elections and even the rules framed by the government do not disqualify her in any way. This was stated by PPPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan, who filed his nomination papers from NA-187 (Bahawalpur five), while talking to Dawn. He said the government's contention was entirely wrong because Ms Bhutto was convicted for not appearing in NAB courts. He said the NAB Ordinance could not be applied to Ms Bhutto till she returned to the country. According to the NAB Ordinance, he said, it was only applicable to only such Pakistanis abroad who had been in the government service. But, Aitzaz said Ms Bhutto had never been in the government service for a single day. He said under Article 260, a prime minister or MNA was never considered and treated as a government servant. Hence, he said, that under Section 31(A) of the NAB Ordinance whatever sentences had been passed against Ms Bhutto had no legal binding and that her nomination papers could not be rejected. Secondly, he said, in the light of a Supreme Court judgment in the case of Liaquat Hussain in 1999, the trial against anybody in Pakistani courts could not be initiated in any offence in his/her absence. This ruling of the Supreme Court was applicable to all cases and offences and none of them was exempted from it, he said. If any one was accused of absence from court or was absconding, then in accordance with the SC judgment, the trial against such person could only be initiated when either he was arrested and brought to court or surrendered himself to court. He said in that case the alleged accused could also produce the reason of his absence from court. Mr Ahsan said that as the convictions to Ms Bhutto were announced in absentia, hence legally and constitutionally, these did not exist. He said on this ground and other legal basis, the PPPP was of the firm view that neither Ms Bhutto could be prevented from returning to Pakistan nor her nomination papers could be cast away. To a question, Mr Ahsan said that if the RO rejected her papers, it would be challenged in the Supreme Court. But, he said, we were confident that courts would admit our point of view. He said if Ms Bhutto's papers were not accepted, then party's CEC and ARD would meet and decide the future course of action.Meanwhile, Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada (Millat Party) and Syed Tasneem Nawaz Gardezi (PML-QA) filed papers from NA-186 (Bahawalpur four), Rizwan Akhtar from (PP-273) and Dr Muhammad Afzal (PPP) from PP-276. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Musharraf has enslaved Pakistan, says Benazir ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Amanullah Ghilzai LONDON, Aug 24: The PPP Chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, has accused President Pervez Musharraf of enslaving the Pakistani nation to foreigners to promote his dictatorial rule. Addressing a big rally to mark the start of the party's election campaign here in the famous Trafalgar Square in Central London, Ms Bhutto specifically termed president Bush's support for Musharraf as deplorable. She said the world community should treat "the Pakistani dictator" in the same manner as it deals with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Saddam Hussain of Iraq. In her bilingual speech - Urdu and English - Ms Bhutto mostly focused on Pakistan's foreign policy, though occasionally, she touched on domestic issues as well. She said, as the situation in the South Asian region is tense, Pakistan needed a democratically-elected government to help ease the recent tension in the region. "History shows that democracies never go to war against other democracies," she said. She compared President Musharraf with Mulla Omar of Afghanistan. "Musharraf wants to become the king and Amirul Momineen of Pakistan as Mulla Omar. "Omar's policies resulted in the destruction of his country, but the people of Pakistan would not allow Musharraf to let their country be ruined by their own dictator," she added. Ms Bhutto expressed sadness over the death of many Pakistani youths who suffered and died in Afghanistan and deplored the attitude of several religious leaders and the government for what she said, were doing very little to secure their safe release. Referring to the corruption charges against her, she said: "The aim of the military government is to keep me away from politics. The corruption charges against me and many other political leaders are politically motivated," she added. She also accused President Musharraf of buying 300 acres in Bahawalpur. Referring to the recent amendments by President Musharraf, she said: "These amendments are an insult to 140 million Pakistanis." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 182 papers filed for NA seats in Balochistan ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent QUETTA, Aug 25: In Balochistan, 182 nomination papers were filed by candidates for 14 National Assembly seats and 685 papers were received for 51 general seats of the Balochistan Assembly. According to sources 17 nomination were filed by candidates of different political parties for three reserved seats for women in the National Assembly. For the 11 reserved seats for women in Balochistan Assembly, so far 43 candidates have filed their nomination papers and for the three reserved seats for minorities, 29 candidates submitted their nomination papers with the returning officers. The prominent candidates who have filed their nomination papers for NA-259, Quetta, include, Khalid Dogar from Pakistan Muslim League, Mir Taj Mohammed Jamali from National Alliance, Maulana Hussain Ahmed Sharoodi and Maulvi Noor Mohammed from Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal, Khudai Noor from Jamhoori Watan Party, Mehmood Khan Achakzai from Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Saifullah Khan Paracha from People's Party Parliamentarians, Yehya Bakhtiyar, Saadat Ali Hazara, Yousaf Shahwani, Jawad Ali and Abdul Majeed Ghori. They filed their papers with the returning officer, additional sessions judge-I, Raja Jawad Abbass Hassan. The candidates who filed their nomination papers from NA-260, Quetta-cum-Chaghai Mastung, with the RO, additional session judge- III, Abdul Rashid Umrani, include, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed of MMA, Sardar Fateh Mohammed Mohammed Hassani and Mir Attaullah of PPP, Haji Baloch Khan and Hafeezullah of PML(Q), Abdul Wahid Shakir of Balochistan National Democratic Party, Dr Abdul Hakim Lehri of Balochistan National Congress, Habib Jalib Baloch advocate, Sajid Tareen advocate of Balochistan National Party (Mengal), Muheem Khan Baloch of BNP(Awami), Husain Ali Mir Nawaz Khan, Mohammad Jajeeb Sajrani, Abdul Rashid, Hafizullah and Ghulam Farooq. The eminent candidates from PB-I include former provincial minister Gul Zaman Kasi of PML(QA), Shafiq Ahmed of PPP and Syed Abdul Qadir Agha of PMAP; from PB-II, Maulavi Noor Mohammed of MMA and Ghulam Ali Azad of PML(QA); from PB-III, Arbab Mohammed Hashim of NA and Maulavi Noor Mohammed of MMA; from PB-IV, Khalid Dogar of PML, Maqbool Lehri of PML(QA) and Dr Hakeem Lehri of BNC; from PB-V, Sana Baloch of BNP(M) and Abdul Wahid Shakir of BNDP and from PB- VI, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor of MMA, Qasim Lango of JWP and Yousaf Khan Kakar of PMAP. Others who filed their nomination papers for the National Assembly include Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Sardar Mohammad Aslam Raisani, Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch, Ayub Jatak, Dr Mohammad Yasin, Maulana Abdul Haq Baloch, Sana Baloch, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Mir Baz Khan Khetran, Habib Jalib Baloch, Abdul Rauf Mengal, Mian Saifullah Peracha, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Sardar Gul Mohammad Domar and Obaidullah Babit. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 80 file papers for NA, PA seats in Peshawar ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report PESHAWAR, Aug 25: About 80 candidates filed nomination papers to contest the polls for the four National Assembly and 11 NWFP Assembly seats of Peshawar District constituencies. Only two ex-parliamentarians - Arbab Zahir of ANP and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra of PML-N -submitted their nominations as most of the former law makers either could not qualify to contest the General Elections owing to graduation condition or fielded their close relatives on different seats. Similarly, only six ex-MPAs - Iftikhar Jhagra, Bashir Bilour, Haji Adeel, Hidayatullah Chamkani, Ayub Shah and Arbab Ayub Jan - filed papers. Around 20 candidates, till the filing of this report, had filed papers for the National Assembly seats in provincial capital: For NA-1 (Peshawar I), papers were filed by Bashir Bilour, his son Usman Bilour, NWFP PML-N Secretary-General Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra, Advocate Mohammad Khurshed of PPP, Moazam Butt of PML-QA, Shabir Ahmad Khan of MMA and a leader of PPP (Sherpao), Aurangzaib Mohmand. Arbab Alamgir, son of former NWFP chief minister Arbab Jehangir, who recently quit the ANP and joined the People's Party Parliamentarians, filed his papers for NA-2 (Peshawar II). His opponent candidates are Khalid Ayub of the Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) and Kashif Azam, an independent candidate. Seven aspirants, who filed papers for NA-3 (Peshawar III), are Kiramatullah Chagermati of PPP, Hidayatullah Khan Gara of PPP (Sherpao), Arbab Ayub Jan of National Awami Party Pakistan, Sardar Alam of MMA, two independent candidates Mohammad Naeem and Advocate Akhter Ali Khan and Saleem Akber of Pakistan Awami Party. Only three candidates - Arbab Zahir of ANP, Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra of PML-N and Sabir Hussain of Muttahida Mujlis-i-Amal (MMA)-filed papers for NA-4 (Peshawar IV). About 60 nomination papers were submitted for the 11 NWFP Assembly seats: 10 contestant filed papers for PF-1, six for PF-2, nine for PF-3, eight for PF-4, eight for PF-5, five for PF-6, two for PF-7, three for PF-8 and three each for PF-9, PF-10 and PF-11. Candidates of all the major political parties and alliances including PPP, ANP, PML-N, PML-QA and MMA fielded will fight for the 11 provincial assembly seats. NWFP PML-QA chief Saleem Saifullah Khan will contest for PF-4 while ex-provincial assembly speaker Hidayatullah Chamkani and former deputy speaker Haji Adeel of ANP will fight for PF-11 and PF-6, respectively. Jabran Adeel, son of Haji Adeel, also filed papers as covering a candidate for his father. Bashir Bilour and Usman Bilour also filed papers; one of them will contest polls for NA-1 and the other for PF-3. Ex-provincial minister Iftikhar Jhagra of PPP will contest for PF-9. Only two women aspirants - Advocate Ghalba Khursheed and Yasmeen Shirazi- will contest polls for PF-3 on general seats quota. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-Muslims not barred from becoming judges: SHC ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 27: The Sindh High Court has held that there is no constitutional bar to prevent a non-Muslim from becoming a judge of the High Court. This has been held by a bench of the SHC which disposed of a constitutional petition in which, among other things, appointment of Justice Rana Bhagwandas was challenged. The bench comprised Justice Zahid Kurban Alavi, Justice Shabbir Ahmed and Justice Ghulam Rabbani. Petitioner M. Shafi Muhammadi, who is a practising advocate, through a constitutional petition (No D-412/1998), had prayed that the respondent had no authority to appoint any judge in violation of the Islamic points deduced in the judges case and/or to act on un-Islamic points in violation of the Qadiani's case with reference to the points decided by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC). It was his contention that the respondent had no authority to appoint Rana Bhagwandas, a Hindu, in violation of Islamic concept, otherwise it should be amounting to declare the Qadiani's case to have been decided on self-made presumption. It was also his contention that the respondent had no authority to appoint Ms Majida Rizvi, former judge of the High Court, to deal with each and every kind of case, including Hudood and Qisas cases. The petitioner had also questioned the respondent's authority to issue the notification dated September 30, 1996 to regularize the appointment of Justice Rana Bhagwandas, in violation of the Islamic concept or in violation of Verse 141 of Surah Al-Nisa of the Holy Quran or to regularize the appointment of former Justice Majida Rizvi, without clarifying that she could not sit over Hudood and Qisas cases. It was also his prayer not to regularize the services of any judge already appointed in violation of the Islamic points which were highlighted in the Judges cases; to restrain Bhagwandas from working as judge of this Court; and to restrain retired Justice Majida Rizvi from sitting over the cases involving Hudood and Qisas matters. The petitioner had further alleged that under the garb of the Judges case, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah (as he then was the chief justice of Pakistan) followed the first point to get persons of his own choice appointed in Sindh by ignoring the criteria which was set in "the Judges case; Rana Bhagwandas, J., was not confirmed by the government of Benazir Bhutto, like other judges, but was got confirmed by the chief justices concerned after the Judges case as per notification dated 30.9.1996. A question arises whether Rana Bhagwandas, J., a Hindu, who is not a Muslim by his own belief, can keep the sacred book of the Holy Quran in his hand particularly in the light of the judgment in the Qadiani's case who claim to be Muslims but are not treated as Muslims by any other Muslim sect in Pakistan, and the government has failed to treat the appointment of Bhagwandas to be un-Islamic, illegal and unconstitutional because he would have no right to keep the Holy Quran in his hands to decide cases in accordance with the Islamic principles. It was also the petitioner's contention that to some extent the appointment of former justice Majida Rizvi also fell within the ambit of certain important points which were not disputed by different Muslim jurists. It was further urged in the petition that Bhagwandas's appointment as a judge of the SHC was against the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, he being not qualified to be a judge, all his decisions from the date of appointment as judge of the SHC were void without jurisdiction, hence corum non judice and he was again guilty of misconduct. His appointment and the notification issued in this regard were both void and invalid. After hearing counsel, the bench held that article 193 of the constitution dealt with the appointment of High Court Judges. There was no bar specifically mentioned in the articles which would prevent a non-Muslim from becoming a judge of the High Court. In fact, the bench held, under article 203-A qualification as regards a judge of the FSC was concerned, it was clearly mentioned that a person should be an Aalim well versed in the knowledge of Shariah. The constitution also specifically mentioned Muslim judges, therefore it would be logical to conclude that a non-Muslim could not be a judge of the FSC. There was no such bar or a specific mention that there had to be a Muslim judge in respect of the High Court. In the judgment authored by Justice Zahid Kurban Alavi, the bench was also of the view that various Fiqhs and observations of most of scholars, especially in respect of the qualifications of a Qazi did acknowledge that all services would be open to Muslims and non- Muslims alike. There was definite emphasis on the fact that for a Qazi to sit and adjudicate on a dispute requiring interpretation of Shariah it would be necessary for the Qazi to be not only well versed in the knowledge of Islam, but also he should have full faith in the religion. Justice Alavi observed that it would be appropriate to note that wherever the makers of the constitution had intended to debar a non-Muslim from holding any public office then explicit and specific provision to that effect had been incorporated in the constitution. "We have no authority or power to pass a restraining order against a judge of the Supreme Court," held the bench. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Agosta launched; ship deal on cards ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Shamim-ur-Rahman KARACHI, Aug 24: As Pakistan Navy launched the first indigenously built Agosta 90B submarine on Saturday, six months ahead of sea trials, it announced to negotiate a similar deal with China for the construction of four surface ships. "We have achieved a very big (defence) capability," said Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, at the launching ceremony at the Naval Dockyard here. "Pakistan Navy today joins the elite club of a very few countries which have the ability to build submarines," said the naval chief. The launching of submarine "SAAD" is Pakistan Navy's biggest achievement and contribution towards indegenization and self- reliance. With this launch, PN's submarine strength has increased to nine, said the naval chief. The submarine is equipped with four bow torpedo tubes and missiles, with its fighting capacity coordinated by the French-made Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (STICS). According to Pakistan Navy, the Agosta 90-B has been designed to operate as an anti-submarine, anti-surface and intelligence gathering platform and is also capable of diving deeper than 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) with a maximum sprint speed of 20 knots (40 kilometres per hour). Presence of the Chairman of Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN), France, at the launching ceremony, whose 11 engineers were killed and 12 were injured in a car bomb explosion here on May 8, symbolized the continuation of cooperation between the two countries. He said the third Agosta 90B, being built indigenously, will be launched sometimes next year. Admiral Mirza later told newsmen that for the third Agosta, 70 per cent of construction work would be carried out here whereas some sections would be imported from France. The contract for the construction of three such submarines was signed in 1995 but the work on the project was initiated in 1997. The first submarine, KHALID, built in France, was inducted in the PN fleet in 1999. About the future plans of shipbuilding in Pakistan, Admiral Mirza said the government has okayed plan for the construction of four surface ships for which we want to negotiate a deal with China on transfer of technology basis. One of the four F-22 P type 2,500-ton frigates will be built in China while the remaining three will be built in Pakistan in the existing facilities, said Admiral Mirza. He said that acquisition and construction of surface ships was also a priority for the Navy. It is necessary that after the construction of these three submarines this program should continue in the future, he emphasized. Replying to a question, he said that despite the presence of a large number of submarines in the Indian fleet, Pakistan has an edge as far as the submarine capability - weapon systems, sensors and missile system - is concerned. He dispelled the impression that India could mount a blockade of Karachi and said there is a lot of difference between the 1971 situation and the current circumstances. He stated that our aviation assets also have missiles. So now the enemy cannot even think of anything like the blockade of Karachi. If their ships do come near Karachi then we will get the best target, he added. Referring to the incident in which French engineers fell victim to terrorist attack in Karachi, Admiral Mirza said that though this could have inflicted irrevocable damage, the Agosta project remained on track, "thanks to the excellent cooperation between France and Pakistan." "This is a message to those who committed the cowardly act of terrorism that such incidents will not deter or dissuade the two countries from achieving the common desired objectives," said Admiral Mirza. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Benazir's media trial plea disposed of ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 26: The petition filed by PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Oct 16, 1997, against her media trial came up for rehearing before a special division bench, comprising Justice S. Ahmed Sarwana and Justice Mujeebullah Siddiqui. The petition related to the media campaign initiated by former senator Saif-ur-Rehman, the then chairman of the Ehtesab Cell, at the behest of Nawaz Sharif through government controlled electronic media - Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and the PTV. Counsel for the petitioner, K. M. Nadeem; deputy attorney general Nadeem Azhar for the federation and Azam Lone, counsel for the PTV, were present. Mr Jawed advocate for PBC was noted absent. Counsel K. M. Nadeem referred to ground No 5-A of the amended petition, which says that "Respondents No 5 and 6 (PBC & PTV) by the nature of their organizational structures are designed to be public service institutions. They are required to be fair, correct, impartial, and balanced in dissemination of information/news through broadcasting or telecasting. Particularly such information/ news which is likely to affect the good name and reputation of a citizen. "The two respondents, although controlled by the government, are by constitution and law required to act accordingly in case any adverse material/information is being broadcast or telecast. "The affected party, on the basis of principles of natural justice and constitutional and legal guarantees, is entitled equally to comment or contradict the allegations, which opportunity has to be afforded to the affected party by the respondents. Such has not been done in the case of the petitioner who has been maliciously victimized selectively and singularly." He also drew the court's attention to prayer clause G, in which the petitioner had sought court's indulgence in prohibiting "the media- trial' of the petitioner, directly or indirectly, without proof and without affording her due opportunity to comment upon or contradict the false and baseless allegations and to direct the respondents No 5 and 6 to be fair, correct, impartial and balanced by providing equal opportunity to the petitioner affected by the news as and when telecast or broadcast affecting or likely to affect the person and/or property of the petitioner." Counsel for PTV, Azam Lone, claimed that he had not received Rs5000.00 by way of costs as ordered by the court. The cost was forthwith paid by the counsel for the petitioner, K. M. Nadeem, who submitted that the petitioner had already paid a sum of Rs10,000 by way of cost and deposited the same with the high court bar library as ordered. With the consent of the parties, the prayer clause 'G' has been allowed with the direction that the PBC and the PTV shall remain balanced, fair, and impartial in their broadcasting and telecasting in respect of the petitioner. With these directions the petition was disposed of. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Zardari to be shifted to 2nd floor of Pims ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter RAWALPINDI, Aug 27: After the Islamabad police has declared the shifting of Asif Ali Zardari, to the Police Line Headquarters hospital a risk, the district administration has decided to remove Mr Zardari to the 2nd floor of the Pims hospital during the early hours of Wednesday, official source said on Tuesday. The interior division had already been directed by the health ministry that the jailed PPP leader, who is under-treatment in the Pims hospital, should be shifted to the Police Lines Headquarters hospital, Islamabad. The source said the directives were given in view of the problems being faced by the patients due to the presence of political prisoners in the hospital. But, the police refused to give security clearance for the shifting of Mr Zardari to the police line hospital, therefore, the interior division decided to remove Mr Zardari to Pims , the source said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- SC rejects Wattoo's poll plea ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The Supreme Court dismissed three petitions filed by politicians convicted on the charges of corruption, seeking permission to contest forthcoming general elections. Two petitions were filed by Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, former chief minister of Punjab and by Makhdoom Ali Raza Shah, former MPA of Punjab. Senior counsel, S. M. Zafar, represented Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and contended that disqualifying a politician was equivalent to awarding death sentence to an accused of murder. He asked the apex court to set aside the LHC order wherein it had turned down the request of convicted politician, to hear his appeal at urgent basis. Manzoor Wattoo had approached the LHC to take up his petition at urgent basis. The request was turned down by the LHC office. When it was challenged before the judge, he upheld the office order. The SC bench comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Farooq, Justice Deedar Hussain Shah and Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi, after hearing S. M. Zafar and NAB prosecutor general Naveed Rasool, dismissed the petitions. Makhdoom Ali Raza Shah, another petitioner, was convicted on the charges of building community centre at his personal property with the government funds of Rs 260,000. He stated that he had returned the amount to the government and even then his case was sent to the court which convicted him. He also sought permission to contest forthcoming election which was denied to him. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Mansur's petition hearing on 28th ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 25: A division bench of the Sindh High Court would take up on Aug 28 Mansurul Haq's constitutional petition challenging the fresh reference instituted against him by NAB authorities, despite a plea bargain. The petition was filed by his counsel Iqtidar Ali Hashmi after he had requested a division bench to stop proceeding on his petition for enlargement of his client on bail in the reference which he termed illegal and based on malafide intentions. The petitioner has prayed for declaring that filing of fresh references against him, including reference No 25 of 2002 filed recently at Karachi by the National Accountability Bureau, illegal and without any legal force. He also prayed for restraining the respondents from instituting any further inquiries /proceedings and references against him in view of the plea bargain settled before an accountability court at Rawalpindi in the reference No 43/20001 wherein more than double the amount alleged against the petitioner was paid. It is also his prayer that compliance with the accountability court No III Rawalpindi Order of June 15, which envisages return of his assets as well as those of his relations, be ordered. It is the petitioner's case that institution of inquiries by the chairman of the Ehtesab Bureau, Saifur Rahman, in spite of firm commitments made by the then prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who has asked the petitioner to resign, was absolutely against the ethical norms. It is his case that in any case the plea bargain settlement in the earlier reference No 43/2001 wherein he had paid 7.5 million US dollars instead of 33, 69,383 US dollars the total amount alleged to have been taken as share of kickbacks and commission, in any other proceeding by way of reference or inquiries and allegations is illegal and without any force of law. It was also against the firm assurances made by the NAB chairman personally, who at his own will had contacted the petitioner, for a plea bargain during pendency of the reference. It is his case that the statement of the highest functionary of NAB was recorded during the pendency of the plea bargain and, it was categorically stated by the Prosecutor-General Accountability (PGA). DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Meerwala case verdict on 27th ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent MULTAN, Aug 24: The Dera Ghazi Khan anti-terrorism court will give its verdict on the Meerwala gang-rape case on Aug 27 as both prosecution and defence concluded their arguments. In his final arguments, special public prosecutor Ramzan Khalid Joiya demanded exemplary punishment for the 14 accused while declaring them guilty of a 'planned' gang-rape. Replying to the arguments of the defence counsel, Mr Joiya admitted that two real brothers could not commit 'zina' (rape) in each other's presence if it was a matter of compromise. When it came to revenge, he said even a father and son could commit 'zina' together. "Wasn't it astonishing that accused Abdul Khaliq met the shock of his life after seeing Shakoor in an objectionable condition with his sister Salma in the afternoon and at night the same day he (Khaliq) had garlanded himself as a groom," said the prosecutor. He expressed surprise that the accused again locked Shakoor and Salma in a room. He pleaded, in fact, the accused staged a drama to cover up the sodomy committed to Shakoor by his (Khaliq's) brother Punnu and his accomplices Manzoor and Jamil. On substitution of Fayyaz, he said this accused was arrested in the second week of July last and the challan was submitted in the case of July 18. But, he said none of his relatives had during this period pointed out that he had been arrested instead of the actual culprit. The same was the situation with accused Ghulam Farid, he added. He asked why didn't the defence got them identified from any of the prosecution witnesses, including the victim, despite having doubts over their identity. The prosecutor said Mukhtaran Mai had identified them as among her tormentors. He said accused Khaliq in his statement at first instance said he only took the girl (the victim) away from the Panchayat but did not mention any 'nikkah' with Mukhtaran Mai. He argued that the 'nikkah' story was a 'concocted statement' of the defence. Concluding his remarks, Mr Joiya argued that it was the theory of law that time, place and mode were important regarding the occurrence of a crime. He said the defence had admitted facts about time and place as described by the prosecution. He also pleaded that the defence in its final arguments had tried to confront PW11, PW13 and PW14 with their alleged statements given to the Dera Ghazi Khan Range SP (crime) Mirza Abbas, whom the defence had first called as its witness and then declared him 'hostile'. The prosecutor asked what moral and legal authority was left with the defence that it mainly relied on the file of an official against whom it expressed distrust in the court. He said the SP crime was entrusted with a task to probe only inefficiency, irregularities and corruption among the Jatoi police ranks and that he had nothing to do with the case under trial at the court. He pointed out that the SP's inquiry had no mention of the police malpractices. Earlier, the defence completed its arguments before the court. On the third-day running, defence counsel Malik Muhammad Saleem said on June 22 last only the complainants (Gujjar family) were anxious to strike a compromise with the Mastois because Shakoor had been taken by the police after he was caught red-handed with Salma while committing 'zina'. He said, therefore, the complainants agreed to the demand of Abdul Khaliq for his instant 'nikkah' with Mukhtaran Mai as a patch-up for the release of Shakoor from the police custody. Otherwise, he said it was unnatural to assume that Sabir went to the police station along with Abdul Khaliq to get released Shakoor, though, a short while ago four persons including Khaliq had gang-raped his (Sabir's) niece. Concluding his arguments, the defence counsel reiterated man-made laws were no match for Allah's divine law which called for testimony of four eye-witnesses to award punishment to the accused in a rape case. He alleged the Meerwala incident was the outcome of the 'villainy' of Maulvi Abdul Razzaq (PW11) and a conspiracy against Islam. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PIA to buy 10 aircraft ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) will purchase 10 new or slightly used aircraft by 2003 to modernize its fleet. "We have just purchased six used B747-300 aircraft from Cathay Pacific and now we have been allowed by the federal authorities to induct 10 more aircraft into PIA fleet for which $150 million was also offered by the government", said secretary defence and chairman PIAC, Lt-Gen(retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan. Speaking at a news conference he said Aircraft Acquisition Committee headed by Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Salim Arshed was holding indepth discussion with Boeing and Airbus companies to acquire 10 aircraft for PIA on competitive prices and without allowing anyone to indulge in kickbacks and commission. He said the committee has worked out a 10-year fleet replacement plan covering in detail financial, operational and marketing aspects as an integral part of the PIA's business plan to set the strategies and competitive direction for the next decade. The vice chief of air staff and managing director of PIA Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed were also present on the occasion and talked to newsmen. The PIA chairman said that three B-777 family of aircraft will be purchased by 2003. Similarly, he said the PIA will acquire 7 Turboprop aircraft by 2003 to replace F-27 aircraft. Responding to a question he said that since prices of aircraft have declined substantially due to events of Sept 11, PIA was likely to go for new aircraft. "But we do have option, either to purchase new aircraft directly from Boeing or to consider leasing of new/used aircraft", he said adding that purchase/lease of slightly used aircraft from United Airlines or the combination of new and used aircraft could also be considered. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Masood Azhar's remand extended ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent BAHAWALPUR, Aug 28: Judicial magistrate Tariq Javed extended till Sept 10 the judicial remand of banned jihadi outfit Jaish-i- Muhammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar. Judicial remanded was extended upto September 10. He will remain lodged in new central jail here. Maulana Azhar was booked on August 14 under MPO 16 by Dera Ghazi Khan police and detained at his house in Kausar Colony. Later, he was shifted to the new central jail on 14 days judicial remand. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020829 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Order on Zardari's release plea reserved ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, Aug 28: A bench of the Sindh High Court reserved its order on a miscellaneous application filed by Hakim Ali Zardari, seeking release on bail on medical grounds, suspension of impugned sentence and fine awarded to him by an accountability court. The bench comprised Justice Mohammed Roshan Essani and Justice Mohammed Mujeebullah Siddiqui. Counsel for Mr Zardari, Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, submitted that the applicant is an old man of 76 years. He relied on a medical report of a special medical board which had examined the applicant on the orders of a SHC bench, dealing with the bail application of the applicant. The accused has been suffering from Osteoporosis and Arthritis and has been under medical care, he added. The counsel relied on a number of judgments by the Supreme Court, including Manzoor Watoo versus the state and Mohammed Saeed Mehdi cases. Deputy prosecutor general, NAB, Anwar Tarique, relied on the judgement in Usman Farooqui case and said that bail was denied even after medical grounds were agitated. "The applicant has been convicted and what is the guarantee that he will return to the country after treatment," he maintained. The court said the accused can be asked to submit sufficient security. The NAB counsel objected to the prayer by the applicant for suspension of fine and forfeiture of immovable assets of the applicant. Barrister Shaikh submitted that it would be sufficient if the court ordered that no third party interest was created in respect of property owned by the applicant. The bench observed that auction of the said property could be stayed and then reserved the orders. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- New rules for US student visa ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, Aug 29: Students intending to acquire an education in the United States have been advised to apply two to three months in advance for the visa. This was stated by an official of the US government here. He said that the US has been changing the manner in which it processes the visas for many people around the world. The official said that the US has been known for years as one of the freest country's in the world, and that it welcomes visitors, students and others from outside the US. "Unfortunately, some people have abused our welcome and they conducted acts of terrorism against the United States last year. As a result, (the) United States government has been reviewing the visa process and has added some additional steps for certain categories of people before a consular officer can issue a visa," he added. He said that prior to Sept 11, consular officers had the right to interview a person and make a decision almost immediately regarding the issuance of visas. The official said that now, in addition to the responsibility of the consular officer to determine someone's eligibility for a visa, information about the applicant needs to be sent back to the US for additional checks and processing before a visa can be issued. He made it clear that this is not a requirement that has been levied against Pakistanis alone. The requirement has been levelled against many people in the world. The official said that this is just one of the costs that is a result of the events of Sept 11. He maintained that the additional checks are aimed at knowing who is in the US, and for what purpose they are coming. The official said that though visa functions still stay with the US department of state, the policy in regard to visas and processing is going to be set by the department of homeland security - the new government department that has been created by US President Bush. Homeland security will set the policy, and the department of state will execute this policy. The official pointed out that there have been some additional regulations passed by the US immigration service during this period. Now, no one who is in the US on a tourist visa can start studying in an institution unless they go outside the US, obtain a proper student visa and then reenter. They cannot change their status. Universities in the US and other institutions need to report to the government which students have shown up and which ones have not, so that the government can look for those persons in the US who were issued student visas and have not joined their schools. The official was of the view that some people thought that it was an easy way to enter the US with student visas, and they were using this method. So the government cannot exempt students from these checks, he added. He said that citizens of up to 24 countries were included in the list of students that require checks. The official said that he cannot give a specific time for the processing of visa applications, and that it may take at least 30, 60 or 90 days time before clearance can come. It would be on a case by case basis. He said that they have been telling people in Islamabad to plan two to three months in advance, as this is the time needed for clearance - whether the application is for a tourist visa or student or exchange visits - it is the same clearance process one has to go through. The US is not isolating students and discriminating against them. This is the procedure for a whole class of people unless they are going on an official government visit. In that situation, they are exempted from security checks, he remarked.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Writ filed in LHC to exhume Masih's body ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Nadeem Saeed MULTAN, Aug 29: The Anjuman Mazareen Punjab (AMP) has filed two separate writ petitions in the Lahore High Court, one for the exhumation of the body of Suleman Masih and the other for the recovery of tenants' leader Anwar Javed Dogar. AMP President Chaudhry Abdul Jabbar told Dawn by telephone from Okara that the petition for the exhumation of Suleman's body to conduct autopsy was filed by his father Pitras Masih and the habeas corpus petition for the recovery of missing AMF chairman Anwar Javed Dogar by his wife. The body of Suleman Masih, 20, was handed over to his family by the Rangers on Aug 25, a day after the paramilitary force and police opened fire at a gathering of Okara military farm tenants. It is believed that Suleman was among the tenants rounded up by the Rangers on Aug 24 during the operation to crush tenants' revolt for ownership rights over the lands they had been cultivating for nearly a century. The Rangers authorities had forced the family of Suleman to bury his body without performing autopsy and other legal formalities. The LHC issued notice to the Punjab advocate-general for Friday on the habeas petition to inform the court about the whereabouts of Dogar and detail of the charges, if any, against him. Dogar has been missing since the Rangers and police opened fire at the tenants' gathering in Okara on Aug 24. The authorities expressed ignorance about his whereabouts while his wife alleged that he had been arrested by the Rangers. SIEGE CONTINUES: On the other hand, the Rangers and police had been keeping on the siege of the villages of Okara military farms for the sixth day running on Thursday. Anyone wanting to go to the besieged villages was said to be roughed up by the law enforcers at the entry points. The authorities had deployed more contingents around Chak 10/4L ahead of the memorial service of deceased Suleman Masih, scheduled to be held on Friday at his native village. Top priests of Catholic sect of the Christian community, tenants' representatives from all the 21 state-managed agricultural and livestock farms of Punjab and human rights activists are likely to attend the memorial service. AMP general secretary Younas Iqbal told Dawn that the Rangers and police were creating hurdles to check a large gathering at the memorial service. He claimed that several residents of Chak 10/4L had been arrested on various pickets of the 'law enforcers.' Meanwhile, the Okara police had shifted injured tenants Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Jameel and Ghulam Rasool to Sahiwal central jail from the Okara DHQ hospital where they were under treatment after sustaining bullet injuries on Aug 24. They have been charged with killing Suleman Masih.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- IMF calls for PIA privatisation ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The IMF has called for privatising PIA to reduce its losses and make it more competitive, says secretary defence Lt Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan. "We had recently met the IMF mission members when they were here and told them that we are not against the privatisation of the PIA", he further stated. Mr Khan who is also the chairman of PIA told a news conference that a number of steps had been taken to improve the performance of the organization. However, he said the PIA management will welcome some organized disinvestment of the national airlines. Managing Director of PIA Chaudhry Ahmed Saeed who was also present on the occasion said that he was also not against the privatisation of PIA. Responding to a question Mr Khan said that trade union activities had been banned in the PIA to run the organization efficiently and without any interference. Asked what was the guarantee that the union in the PIA will not be restored when the new government took over after October polls, he said that he was not against certain healthy trade union activities. But he said that these activities should not be allowed to disrupt the normal functioning of the airlines. The managing director said that personally he was in favour of the revival of the trade union activities in PIA. Both the officials also said that the government was not encouraging unnecessary retrenchments in the national carrier. However, they said that they will have to induct private sector professionals in the PIA to improve its performance. "But for this purpose we will have to offer huge salaries", Mr Saeed said adding that presently a director in PIA drew roughly Rs50,000 per month but in case someone from the market was hired, he will have to be given about Rs300,000 per month. "Those who are experts in the private sector seek better salaries and better perks", the managing director of the PIA said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020827 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Asian Bank to provide $2.4 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The Asian Development Bank has formulated a $2.4 billion Country Strategy and Program (CSP) for Pakistan to support a number of initiatives, including poverty alleviation, good governance and targeted projects for women. "We will be extending average $800 million annually for ensuring good governance, agriculture, rural development, energy development, transport, finance, health and education, and water supply and sanitation in both urban and rural areas," said ADB Country Director for Pakistan, Murshuk Ali Shah. Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, he said out of $2.4 billion proposed assistance, 60 per cent had been earmarked specifically for programs that have a direct impact on poverty reduction. In terms of projected allocations for the various sectors, 27 per cent is for the social sector, 22 per cent for governance and finance, and 13 per cent for agriculture and rural development. In addition, a technical assistance program worth $5-6 million annually, supporting project processing and advisory/capacity building assistance had been programmed. As part of the ADB's Economic Sector Work Program, the country strategy and program would support research, analysis, and dialogue on key economic policy issues and concerns such as public expenditure and resource management, regional cooperation, rural livelihood enhancement strategies, and support for devaluation. Murshuk Shah said while the ADB's assistance had previously been coursed through the federal government, the Local Government Plan of 2000 provided an opportunity to provide assistance directly to the provincial and local governments. "Because of its potential to greatly enhance the impact of development assistance, ADB's strategy will be to increasingly provide assistance directly to the provincial and local governments. As a step in this direction, ADB will assist in the improvement of provincial public resource management frameworks and build the necessary institutional capacity at the local level," he added. He said ADB endorsed the government's poverty reduction' strategy and that the ADB's operational strategy for Pakistan would complement the government's efforts. However, the ADB's operational strategy would be selective and would focus on interventions aimed at addressing critical bottlenecks, and promoting growth in sectors or activities that have the maximum poverty reduction impact. The main thrust of the CSP is to support poverty reduction in Pakistan through assistance in priority areas of shared strategic importance. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Fresh bidding for UBL on Monday ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: Growing confusion and uncertainty about the UBL privatisation was removed when the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) decided to invite all three prequalified bidders to offer their fresh bids and the highest bidder will be issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) on the spot. "There is going to be Rs 12.3 billion floor price for seeking government's majority shares in the United Bank Limited (UBL) and the minimum jump will be of Rs 50 million to increase the bid and this is how the highest bidder will be issued LoI at the spot," Minister for Privatisation Altaf M. Saleem said. Talking to Dawn after the CCOP meeting, he said a benchmark price of Rs 12.3 billion has been decided on the basis of which LoI will be issued to the highest bidder. Answering a question he said since all the three parties had been cleared by the State Bank, there was no need to seek any fresh query from them. He said unless there was any logistic problem to any bidder, the UBL transaction will be finalised on Monday next. Earlier, the Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) group had offered the highest bid of Rs 12 billion followed by Abu Dhabi and Bestway Consortium and Union Bank group who submitted their Rs 4.8 billion and Rs 4.5 billion, respectively. Later, the issue remained with the State Bank for quite some time. Mr Altaf Saleem, who is also the chairman of Privatisation Commission, said there was also no need to seek any revised funding plan from any party. To a question he said the MCB group has given assured that it was ready to meet any financial shortfall if asked by the central bank. They have also assured that it would not use the depositors money to buy 51 per cent majority shares of the UBL. The UBL is a major transaction in the financial sector, to be followed by the privatisation of Habib Bank Limited (HBL), National Bank of Pakistan and other Financial Development Institutions (FDIs) including the National Investment Trust(NIT). DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Decision on UBL deal within two weeks ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The Privatisation Commission Board was informed that the lingering issue of privatising United Bank Ltd will definitely be decided within the next two weeks. Informed sources said the board meeting, presided over by Privatisation Minister Altaf M. Saleem, was taken into confidence about the delay that was occurring to finalize the much awaited UBL deal. But Mr Saleem assured the meeting that the sanctity of the privatisation process for UBL will be maintained along with ensuring maximization of the transaction. The sources said the State Bank had eventually evaluated the new funding plan submitted by the MCB group to acquire 51 per cent shares of UBL. However, the central bank has asked the Privatisation Commission through a letter to further clarify some issues from the MCB group, including the capital adequacy. "There will be a merger of MCB and UBL if Mian Mansha group's Rs12 billion bid is accepted and as such this issue requires serious due diligence," a source in the Ministry of Finance said. The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) is expected to meet next week where the officials of the Privatisation Commission will brief the participants about the latest situation regarding the UBL privatisation. "From our point of view the field is still open for everyone," a source said, adding the representatives of Mian Mansha group, and Union Bank group (the third highest bidder of the UBL) had met the Privatisation Commission officials this week and discussed with them various issues relating to the deal. The representatives of Abu Dhabi and Bestway consortium are expected to meet the Privatisation Commission officials to give their point of view. They had created an excitement by increasing their bid from Rs4.8 billion to Rs12.3 billion, which was considered "out of process" increase in bid money. However, the privatisation minister was on record having said that both the revised bids offered by the first and second highest bidders would be taken to the federal cabinet for any decision. Some people believed that Abu Dhabi group's management consisted of former BCCI group, which had been indicted in the past and as such could cause severe reaction from the New York and London based bankers and financial experts if offered UBL. "But if that is the case then we must know that Bank Al-Falah is owned by Abu Dhabi group, which is efficiently running it," argued an official of the Ministry of Finance. The sources said that there was a remote possibility that a decision about the UBL deal could be left on the future government as nobody was willing to take any blame for accepting MCB group's offer, though it was in accordance with the criteria set by the Privatisation Commission. On the other hand Abu Dhabi group's written offer of Rs12.3 billion and further verbal assurances that it could even go beyond that was stopping the people concerned to take any decision to avoid criticism and fear of National Accountability Bureau's involvement over the issue at a later stage. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sale of govt shares in POF okayed ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation here on Thursday gave a go-ahead to the Privatisation Commission (PC) to disinvest 26 per cent government's shares in the Pakistan Oil Fields (POF). The meeting, presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, also allowed the commission to offload five per cent shares of the National Bank of Pakistan with a green-shoe option of another five per cent in case of over-subscription. Similarly, it was also decided to put up for sale Lot 'A' of the Investment Corporation of Pakistan's (ICP) Mutual Fund, Thatta Cement Factory Limited and Lyallpur Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited. All these transactions are scheduled to be finalized in September 2002. The cabinet body also accorded approval to the inclusion of Peshawar Electric Supply Company Limited in the privatisation plan. When contacted, Privatisation Minister Altaf Saleem said that a number of transactions had been lined up for the month of September. He expressed hopes that the Privatisation Commission would achieve the objective of getting maximum proceeds through a very transparent process. The meeting was also attended by ministers for communications, labour and man power, industries, privatisation, State Bank governor, Planning Commission deputy chief and other senior officials. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- WorldCom up-to-date in PTCL dues ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 24: WorldCom has paid amount due to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on time in June 2002 and the payment for the next quarter would be due at the end of September. Brokerage firm, Taurus Securities, quoting sources at PTCL said in a report that the telecom management did not foresee any risk of default, following the filing for bankruptcy protection (Chapter 11) by WorldCom. PTCL has interconnection arrangements with three US long-distance carriers, namely AT&T, WorldCom (MCI) and Sprint, to carry voice traffic between US and Pakistan. The US carriers collect the tariff- called the International Accounting Rates (IAR)-from its customers on the US side on incoming traffic, i.e. on calls originating in the US and terminating in Pakistan; and PTCL collects tariffs from its domestic customers on outgoing calls. The carrier collecting tariff then pays half the collected amount- known as the Settlement Rate-to its counterpart. Taurus Securities said that the PTCL's incoming traffic, from US and in total from the rest of the world, far exceeded outgoing calls. PTCL had a large annual receivable settlement balance on its international operations, which was an important part of its total revenue base. Its revenues from international operations in financial year 2001 stood at Rs18.9 billion, or $325 million, while for financial year 2002, the projected balance was Rs18.4 billion or $307 million. Despite the higher incoming traffic, international revenues had been under pressure in recent years due to scheduled sharp reduction in the IAR, imposed by the US Federal Communication Commission, i.e from $2.2/min in financial year 1996 to $0.46/min in financial year 2003. Settlement receipts from WorldCom currently account for 22 per cent of PTCL's total annual international revenues, which was equivalent to $65 million, said the analysts, adding: "Payments were settled quarterly, so PTCL's maximum receivable from WorldCom at any point in time would be around $16 million or Rs960 million." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Stocks gain 24 points on speculative buying in PTCL, Hubco ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, Aug 30: The KSE 100-share index posted a fresh rise of 23.79 points at 1,974.59, reflecting the strength of leading base shares including PTCL and Hub-Power. Bulk of the support remained confined to Hub-Power and PTCL as investors continued to make extensive buying followed by reports of higher earnings and hopes of enhanced dividend. Energy, cement and chemical sectors remained in active demand where prices generally rose in some cases sharply higher but food, investment and textile shares showed fractional fall in the absence of strong demand and profit-selling at the higher level in the food shares, notably Nestle MilkPak and Rafhan Maize Products. Leading gainers were led by Pakistan Oil fields followed by reports of its early sell-off and Shell Pakistan, which rose by Rs10.50 and Rs17.75 respectively. Heavy buying in Shell Pakistan is attributed to keep its share value well above that of PSO, which has during the last couple of sessions had risen above the Rs200 mark. Shell Pakistan apparently in a bid to keep its premium over PSO was quoted at Rs254.70 on a business of 0.268m shares. But on the other hand the recent upturn was halted in PSO at Rs202.65. Other prominent gainers were led by Adamjee Insurance, Shafiq Textiles, Lakson Tobacco, BOC Pakistan, Noon Sugar and some others, up Rs2 to Rs3.30. Losers were led by Shell Gas, Attock Refinery, Clover Pakistan, Siemens Pakistan, Rafhan Maize and Nestle MilkPak, off Rs1.50 to Rs9.55, the largest fall of Rs25 being in Wyeth Pakistan. Trading volume rose to 232m shares from the previous 226m shares as the advancing shares maintained a strong lead over the losing ones at 146 to 96, with 53 shares holding on to the last levels. The most active list was topped by Hub-Power, higher 35 paisa at Rs28.75 on 82m shares followed by PTCL, up 40 paisa at Rs20.15 on 69m shares, PSO, easy 15 paisa at Rs202.65 on 22m shares, D.G. Khan Cement, firm by 25 paisa at Rs11.65 on 9m shares and Sui Northern, steady 15 paisa at Rs15.65 on 8m shares. Engro Chemical led the list of other actives, lower 20 paisa on 5m shares, ICI Pakistan, steady five paisa on 4m shares, Dewan Salman, firm by 20 paisa also on 4m shares, Adamjee Insurance, higher by Rs2 on 3.769m shares and National Bank, off 40 paisa on 3.666m shares. CLEARED LIST: Steadier conditions prevailed on this counter as speculative forces remained active buyers and sellers in most of the pivotals. Hub-Power accounted for about 13m shares in both the settlements up 25 to 39 paisa, followed by PTCL, higher by 45 and 39 paisa on over 7m shares. PSO fell modestly by 15 paisa for the August settlement, while rose by 25 paisa for the September delivery on over 3m shares. DEFAULTER COMPANIES: For the second session in a row, the activity on this counter remained slack as investors were busy in the forward counter. Suzuki Motorcycles again came in for stray selling and fell 15 paisa at Rs4.60 on 9,000 shares, while Allied Motors attracted selling at Rs10.25, lower 25 paisa on 3,000 shares. DIVIDEND: Arpak International, cash five per cent for the year ended June 30, 2002. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividend-driven support adds Rs20bn to market capitalization ------------------------------------------------------------------- Muhammad Aslam The KSE 100-share index breached through the psychological barrier of 1,900 points at 1,925.75 points, adding Rs20 billion to the market capitalization. Just on the heels of handsome payouts by the leading MNCs, notably the Lever Brothers and the Shell Pakistan, and the predictions of an identical final by the Hub-Power next month, the PSO came out with an enhanced final of 80 per cent, plus bonus shares at the rate of 20 per cent, intensifying the current bull-run. It has already paid two interims totalling 50 per cent on massive after the tax profit of Rs32 billion. An interim dividend at the rate of 116 per cent by the Lever Brothers Pakistan, seems to have signalled that the other MNCs may follow it allowing the bulls to push the index to a new peak level before the national elections. The management of the Hub-Power, which has already paid an interim at the rate of 40 per cent a couple of months back could give a pleasant surprise to its shareholders next month when its board meets. Plus signs dominated the list, major gainers being the Bannu Woollen, the Lakson Tobacco, the PSO, the Clariant Pakistan, Bata Pakistan, the Lever Brothers and the Treet Corporation, the largest gainer being in the Wyeth Pakistan, the Shell Pakistan, the Pakistan Oilfields, Millat Tractors, Dawood Hercules, the ICP SEMF, which resumed its upward drive after the last week's recessionary cycle. The ICI Pakistan, the Pak Reinsurance Company, the Engro Chemical, Honda Atlas and many others also rose. Losers were led by the Orix Leasing, the Abbott Lab, the Security Papers and, the SK&F, the Siemens Pakistan, the Kohinoor Weaving, the Exide Pakistan, the Packages, the Berger Paints, the Pakistan Tobacco, and some others. Trading volume swelled to over billion-share mark after several months, having fallen to a meagre total of 163 million shares a week earlier. Massive activities in the Hub-Power after the mid-week, notably after the Shell and the PSO dividend was the week's highlight as bulk of the total turnover went to its credit. Other actives were led by the PTCL, the PSO, the Engro Chemical, the ICI Pakistan, the Sui Northern Gas, the Fauji Fertiliser, the National Bank, the MCB, the ICI SEMF, the D.G.Khan Cement, the FFC- Jordan Fertiliser, Dewan Salman, Adamjee Insurance and several others.Back to the top
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
20020825
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We never learn from history-5
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By Ardeshir Cowasjee
Air Marshal Asghar Khan's human rights petition (HRC 19/96) remains
unheard. Chief Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmad is currently in South
Africa, and when he returns he will preside over this country as
its acting president in the absence of the president who will be
away in the United States.
He may, therefore, not have the time or inclination to form a bench
to hear Asghar's case, to order that it be decided quickly, or to
order that pending the decision handed down, those who are prima
facie guilty of rigging elections in the past be disqualified for
the time being from contesting the upcoming elections.
Our former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Sajjad Ali Shah, in his book
'Law Courts in a Glass House', (OUP 2001) touches upon the Inter-
Services Intelligence department's role in this country's electoral
process.
On June 11 1996, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's interior minister,
retired Lt General Naseerullah Babar, announced on the floor of the
National Assembly that the former chief of army staff, General
Mirza Aslam Beg had, in 1990, during the run-up to the elections
held that year, withdrawn an amount of Rs.140 million from Mehran
Bank, handed it over to the Inter Services Intelligence chief, Lt
General Asad Durrani, and asked him to suitably disburse the amount
to a selection of anti-PPP politicians and thus rig the elections
in favour of the ISI- tailored IJI and Nawaz Sharif (who himself
was given three million rupees).
Shortly thereafter Justice Shah received a letter from Air Marshal
Asghar Khan, copied to the then COAS, General Jehangir Karamat,
drawing his attention to the matter. On the basis of this letter,
the attached press clippings and an affidavit signed by Asad
Durrani listing the politicians to whom money had been paid, the
Supreme Court decided to register a case under Article 184(3) of
the Constitution.
The petitioner, Asghar Khan, requested that Beg, Durrani and Younus
Habib of Habib and Mehran Banks be named as respondents. The ISI
requested that the hearing be in camera and the court agreed to the
request in so far as proceedings regarding the legal position of
the ISI were concerned.
Hearings commenced in February 1997 and continued through the year.
On November 6, the statements of Babar and Durrani were to be
recorded, and Justice Shah recounts how his court was faced with
the awkward question as to the law under which the ISI and its
political cell had been set up. Beg's counsel, the weighty Akram
Shaikh, after fulsome praise of the agency and its great
achievements - greater than those of RAW, the KGB or MI-5 -
explained how the political cell had been established in 1975 under
the orders of the then prime minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The court asked the attorney general (Nawaz's lawyer Chaudhry
Mohammed Farooq) to provide the relevant documentation as to the
scope of the activities of the political cell and to clarify
whether, under the law, part of its duties was to distribute funds
for the purpose of rigging elections. The AG, of course, wriggled
out of that one by stating that the matter was of such a
'sensitive' and 'delicate' nature that it could not be heard in
open court.
Asghar Khan's lawyer, Habibul Wahabul Khairi, countered by saying
that as the entire matter had been aired in the press, with all the
names involved fully listed, there was little left to warrant in-
camera proceedings, and besides, the people had every right to know
how their money had been used and whether the use in question was
permitted by law. The court, however, allowed the recording of
Babar's and Durrani's statements and their cross-examination to be
held in camera, which were done on November 19 and 20.
That was the last hearing of this important case. Eight days later,
on November 28, 1997, the Supreme Court was stormed by men of the
government of Nawaz Sharif. A group of judges of the Supreme Court
(whose intention for some months had been to oust Sajjad Ali Shah)
via a series of orders issued by the Peshawar and Quetta benches
forced him to step down as chief justice. Sajjad went on leave
prior to retirement and Justice Ajmal Mian took his place.
The Herald, the monthly magazine of this newspaper's group, in its
issue of April 2000, published a report by Mubashir Zaidi ('Forging
democracy') which made a mention of Asghar Khan's petition: "The
case has since been heard and on October 11, 1999, just a day
before the military overthrew the 'heavily mandated' Sharif
government, the sitting chief justice, Saiduzzaman Siddiqui,
announced that he had reserved judgment on the ISI case."
Justice Siddiqui, the presiding judge, now off the bench as he did
not take the oath under the January 2000 PCO, confirms that he did
make such an announcement. Before he could write his judgment,
General Babar saw him in his chamber and prevailed upon him to send
notice to and examine Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari and others
mentioned on the lists before announcing his judgment. In the
interest of justice, he ordered that the desired notices be issued.
Thereafter, the case was apparently 'morgued'. Asghar Khan on
several occasions reminded Saiduzzaman's successor, the new Chief
Justice, Irshad Hasan Khan (now our chief election commissioner),
and requested him to take up the case but he received no response.
Justice Khan was far too busy attending to more vital affairs.
So, the important issues remain unresolved. Those accused of the
giving and taking of the people's money for illegal and unlawful
purposes (unless the relevant ISI law states otherwise) are prima
facie guilty, but they have not been convicted and are free to rig
and contest elections, possibly be elected and will be again
allowed to rob the nation. Should the givers and takers not be
brought to book and disqualified? There is still time.
There is one lesson we should learn from history. The last time we
had free and fair elections was in the days of General Agha
Mohammad Yahya Khan, as a consequence of which we lost half our
country. We must ensure by whatever means we can command that the
free and fair elections which are scheduled to be held in October
do not result in the loss of the remaining half.
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20020830
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An election alliance to beat all others
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By Ayaz Amir
"He's still tight with us in the war against terror and that's what
I appreciate. He understands that we've got to keep Al Qaeda on the
run...and I appreciate his strong support."- President Bush about
his friend General Musharraf.
No, the strongest alliance is not between the quislings of the Q
League and General Headquarters. It is not between this or that
political party. Dominating the national as much as the election
scene is the strategic partnership between the Bush White House and
the Musharraf Presidency. Everything else in Pakistan is
subordinate and secondary to this overwhelming equation.
Only the very gullible will be taken in by the mild queasiness the
State Department every now and then expresses about General
Musharraf's cavalier treatment of such things as the Constitution.
Cutting through the fog it should be clear even to non-conspiracy
theorists that the Americans are backing Musharraf to the hilt.
Why? Because he is their man and his presence at the helm of
affairs remains vital to the Americans' unfinished business in
Afghanistan.
Who else could match the zeal of the Pakistan army in keeping such
a watchful eye on the Pak-Afghan border, largely at American
behest? Which other country would have given such a free run to the
FBI and other American agencies to set up shop within its borders
and help catch, again with unmatched zeal, America's putative
enemies?
No wonder American officials are so effusive. "We think they are
doing a very splendid job in the very difficult tribal areas... I
was able to again thank President Musharraf and his very excellent
army and the police forces." This from the US deputy secretary of
state, Richard Armitage, after meeting General Musharraf in
Islamabad last week. In New Delhi he didn't meet the prime minister
or couldn't. No such problem here in Islamabad where the usual red
carpet for American officials, no matter what their status, was
rolled out for him.
Now comes the clincher, General Tommy Franks' rather candid
statement at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan that over time the
'war against terrorism' may need to be extended beyond the
frontiers of Afghanistan. To Iran or the states of Central Asia?
You must be kidding. The country that fits the job description can
only be Pakistan. His next sentence made this clear: "The
relationship we have with states surrounding Afghanistan will
permit us over time to do (this) work. "Pakistan has a strong claim
to being the strongest American client in the region. Karzai of
course is the most obvious puppet. But then he can't take care of
his own security. How can the Pentagon entrust him with anything
bigger?
>From Islamabad have come furious denials: there was no need for
American or other foreign troops to enter Pakistan in pursuit of
the elusive shadows of Al Qaeda, the implication being that
Pakistan's own troops were sufficient for the job. But a peep into
the Pentagon's thinking has been provided. Pakistan is being
thought of as a possible theatre of future operations. Pakistan had
better be on its guard. There is a Punjabi saying that the
friendship and enmity of the police are equally bad. You lose out
in both ways. Is it more dangerous to be America's friend or its
enemy?
Yet the cruel paradox remains that for all its back-bending
services, Pakistan has not received the recognition and
appreciation it deserves. Look at Israel, fixed firmly and
permanently in the eye of American favour. Look at Pakistan,
treated so shabbily. Dollops of aid, yes, patronizing words of
praise, certainly, but hardly adequate to the great services
Pakistan's military rulers have rendered.
Look at the way Pakistan is treated. In deciding between India and
Pakistan in recent months it is India that the US has favoured and
Pakistan on whom it has leaned. Every time an American official
comes calling Pakistan has to put up with lectures on cross-border
infiltration. Not a word about the fundamentals of the Kashmir
dispute.
Am I suggesting that Pakistan be treated like Israel? Well, we have
graduated to a class of loyalty where our services should be put at
par with those of America's closest allies. For such services, why
not Israeli wages? But we remain stuck in the scullery, just next
to the servants' quarters.
Consider again the mellifluous phrasing of Armitage's latest
certificate of approval: "I was able to again thank President
Musharraf and his very excellent army and police forces." Any red
faces in the higher echelons of command? I doubt it. We took care
of such minor matters as injured honour or qualms of conscience a
long time ago.
There is no denying the national security apparatus's extraordinary
talent for excess. In the heyday of Pakistan's Afghan involvement
this apparatus oversold the extent of its prowess. Just as it
oversold the capabilities and implications of the country's nuclear
program. In the aftermath of September 11 the same establishment
has undersold Pakistan, allowing itself to be fobbed off with small
change.
Any surprises in this? Hardly. The pattern is depressingly familiar
and consistent. What did Pakistan get for being the major factor in
the American-sponsored coalition (back in the eighties) which
fought the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan? What did it get for
acting as the bridge between the US and China in 1971? What did it
get for being America's most allied ally during the cold war when
anti-communist alliances were all the rage and Pakistan was a
member of CENTO and SEATO?
It's the same story again but no matter. By going the whole hog
with the Americans in their "war on terror" Musharraf ended his
international isolation. At the end of it all Pakistan may be left
wondering what it has got for its pains but Musharraf's own
position as an internationally-accepted leader has been secured.
Collective confusion, individual gain.
No doubt gaffes like the referendum have been committed, acting
upon bad political advice being one of this government's foremost
problems. Open-heart surgery has been done on that sorely-abused
document, the Pakistan Constitution. But Musharraf has got away
with them because of two decisive factors: the command of
Pakistan's divisions and American approval. This is a deadly
combination, proof against all forms of domestic opposition.
Imagine if Musharraf had been Robert Mugabe. He would have been
dragged over the coals for much less.
The bargain then is this: external dependence, internal autonomy.
We are your devoted fellow-travellers abroad but leave us free to
do what we want at home. This has always been American policy in
the Middle East towards its Arab allies. It has been American
policy towards Pakistani strongmen in the past and it is the
American approach to Musharraf now.
The October elections are just a blip on the US's radar screen. The
Americans want them to take place not so much for the sake of the
Pakistani people - such altruism not entering imperial calculations
- as for keeping their friend Musharraf on a short leash. It helps
to have a friendly strongman in place. But it also helps to keep
his power circumscribed so that he does not step too far out of
line.
The US wants a democratic facade in Pakistan. This is what the
October elections are set to deliver. But the US is not exactly
overwhelmed by democratic scruples. Like any other power, it
pursues its interests. If democracy happens to coincide with those
interests, fine. Otherwise, too bad for democracy.
How many divisions does the Pope have? Stalin asked. As army chief
General Musharraf remains master of many divisions. On their
strength and the psychological lift that comes from his American
connection, he has already determined the contours of Pakistan's
future political map. The political parties are just fighting for
some space in between. That's all the freedom they are being
allowed. The script and music score have been written and the
nation is expected to march to the tune of this martial music. This
at least is the staff solution. But as often happens with the best
laid-out plans, there is one flaw in it. Will the Pakistani people
go along? Will they be the asses the government expects them to be
or will they use their minds when it comes to expressing their
opinion? This is the big question waiting to be answered.
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20020830
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A war America's allies oppose
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By Eric S. Margolis
US forces are rapidly massing in the Gulf to invade Iraq. Four
heavy brigades have been positioned near Iraq, a huge new air
complex is now operational in Qatar, and American special forces
are active in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The White House is hoping its threats of war will provoke a coup
against Saddam Hussein by the Iraqi army. But if one does not come,
the Bush administration shows every sign of plunging into an
unprovoked war that the rest of the world will view as blatant
aggression.
Even America's closest allies are appalled by the tide of
warmongering and jingoism that has engulfed the United States.
Bush's recently proclaimed doctrine of 'pre-emptive intervention'
anywhere on earth is nothing less than a frightening revival of the
old imperialist Brezhnev Doctrine of 25 years ago that called for
Soviet intervention wherever socialism was threatened.
'Bush, himself the most intellectually backward American president
of my political lifetime, is surrounded by advisers whose
bellicosity is exceeded only by their political, military and
diplomatic illiteracy.' Such were the stinging words of Gerald
Kaufman, the highly respected former foreign affairs spokesman of
Britain's ruling Labour Party, America's closest ally.
Bush's accelerating campaign to invade Iraq and turn it into
another US oil protectorate is also provoking a storm of outrage
across Europe, the Mideast, and Asia where people believe pollution
and climate change are far bigger and more urgent threats than the
boogeyman of Baghdad.
There are two important exceptions. First, Israel. Some days ago,
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, sounding like he was giving orders to
a subordinate, demanded Bush speed up plans to attack Iraq. Right
on cue, American supporters of Sharon's far-right Likud Party, led
by the Bush administration's Rasputin, Richard Perle, intensified
their clamour to send American GIs to fight Iraq.
These bloodthirsty 'neo-conservatives' - most of whom evaded
military service in their own country - currently dominate the
Pentagon and exercise a virtual monopoly on US media commentary of
the Mideast. They are ardently backed by Armageddon-seekers of the
Christian loony far right.
Senior Republican Senator Chuck Hagel spoke for many when he asked
if Perle was so eager to attack, why didn't he join the first
assault wave against Baghdad. Former national security adviser to
Bush's father, Brent Scowcroft, warned an attack on Iraq would be a
disastrous mistake.
Meanwhile, in Congressional hearings recently, former UN Iraq arms
inspector Scott Ritter courageously stated what many Americans
believe, but dare not say: "A handful of ideologues have hijacked
the national security policy of the United States for their own
ambitions." Ritter insisted Iraq was totally disarmed and no threat
to the US or Mideast. The Bush administration - more precisely, the
people pulling its strings - do not want renewed inspections of
Iraq, Ritter said, they only want war.
A torrent of propaganda, lies and half-truths about Iraq have been
pouring from the White House in a campaign reminiscent of old
Soviet agitprop. The government-appointed 'defence' team
representing accused 9/11 plot member Zacharias Moussaui,
reportedly urged him to falsely claim that Iraq was behind the
attack. Moussaui refused. The head of Czech intelligence said there
were no contacts in Prague between Iraq and Al Qaida, a key Bush
reason for attacking Iraq. CIA veterans and European intelligence
officials scoff at White House claims that Iraq is a threat to the
world.
The other exception to worldwide outrage over America's Mideast
policies was Osama bin Laden's Al Qaida. In 1998, Osama carefully
outlined his grand strategy to: a) liberate Palestine; b) drive the
US occupying troops from Saudi Arabia; and c) end the punishment of
Iraq's people. To attain these goals, Osama bin Laden planned to
provoke the US into a large number of fruitless military
involvements that would wear out the US and bleed its military and
financial power.
Afghanistan, which costs American taxpayers five billion dollars
monthly, is the first step. Iraq, whose leader is hated by Osama
bin Laden - a hatred equally returned by Saddam - will be number
two. Then, Iran, Syria, Libya - all also on Perle's hit list - and
so on until a host of Lilliputian conflicts tie down the American
imperial giant.
George Bush, who takes pride in not reading books, and calls Greeks
'Grecians,' is charging like a Texas bull into the trap set for him
by both Osama bin Laden and General Sharon. Israel has been trying
for 20 years to get the US to go to war against the Arabs and Iran,
knowing this will permanently enlist America's vast wealth and
power in its cause, and permanently alienate the US from the
Islamic world.
The extremists in both camps need one another. The main beneficiary
of the 9/11 attacks on the US was Israel's Sharon. Bin Laden would
never have achieved notoriety and a wide following without Israel's
oppression of the Palestinians.
If ever the United States needed real friends, it is now. Real
friends, like Canada, Germany, and France, are trying to deter the
empty, misled George Bush and his hijacked cabinet from committing
an outright aggression that risks plunging the Mideast - into
chaos, even nuclear war.- Copyright Eric S. Margolis, 2002.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
20020831
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Sticking to Plan A
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By Irfan Husain
When in France, I am often asked where I come from, and when I say
"Pakistan", more often than not the response is "Ah, Pakistan!
Beaucoup de problemes la!"
In part, the perception that Pakistan is, first and foremost, a
country with many problems is due to the recent terrorist attack in
Karachi that left a dozen French engineers dead. But more than any
single incident, the last quarter century has been a period of
mounting crises in Pakistan, most of them self- created. A
combination of political ineptitude and short-sighted and self-
serving military rule has generated new contradictions and made the
old ones more difficult to resolve.
The recent series of attacks against Christian and western targets
provides us with a glimpse of the hellish black hole we have
reached. While many Pakistanis resent the increasingly negative
image we have abroad, the fact is that for much of the world,
nothing good is associated with our country which is, more than
ever before, seen as a centre of religious intolerance and violent
extremism. The two murderous attacks against Christian
establishments in Murree and Taxila recently have only reinforced
this view.
In the aftermath of 9/11, many of us supported Musharraf's forced
conversion to the American anti-Taliban cause in Afghanistan
because we felt that finally we would see a much- needed cleansing
of extremist, jihadi elements from our society. As violent events
over this last year have reminded us, fanaticism is not easily
managed and directed: jihadi groups have their own agenda and play
along with intelligence agencies only to the extent it suits them.
To imagine that they would support Gen Musharraf's pro-American
stance and lower their profile in Kashmir at the same time displays
an alarming naivete.
Ever since they regrouped after the hammering they took in
Afghanistan, they have been driven by a burning desire for
vengeance. Since the Americans are too powerful and too far from
the region, Musharraf and his government are the obvious target. By
attacking soft western and local Christian targets, they have
sought to destabilize a government they see as their foe. Their
calculation seems to be if they can topple the Musharraf
government, the ensuing chaos would give them the opportunity to
regroup and carve out a base in Pakistan, much as they had in
Afghanistan.
In order to counter the jihadis and their politics of violence, one
would have thought the obvious move for the army would be to seek a
united front with all the mainstream political groups and leaders.
Unfortunately, with elections around the corner, Musharraf and his
minions are still playing power games by hobnobbing with minor
parties in a bid to keep the two major political groupings out in
the cold. This fixation with individuals at the cost of national
interests could cost us very heavily indeed.
The political vacuum that might result if the government succeeds
in its aim of denying power to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif
despite their demonstrable popularity will give the religious
parties an opportunity to do far better at the polls than they have
ever done in the past. Such a showing will provide them with the
legitimacy and credibility they have always lacked in previous
elections where they have rarely managed to get over five per cent
of the popular vote.
In the West, there is a genuine fear today that Pakistan might go
the way of Algeria where a major civil war has been raging for over
a decade between the army and religious elements. But these
analysts miss a serious difference: in Algeria, the religious right
had won the elections but was denied power by the military.
Mercifully, in Pakistan, these elements have never been even close
to electoral victory. On the other hand, the Algerian army and the
ruling party, the revolutionary FLN, are both secular in outlook
whereas the Pakistan army now contains many officers in Ziaul Haq's
mould who would be happy to see Pakistan following the Taliban
route.
Had Gen Musharraf used the momentum of the Taliban defeat to roll
back extremist groups in Pakistan, he would have had a far better
chance of success. Elements of Al Qaeda who have filtered down to
Pakistan have had the time to establish links with local groups and
plan elaborate and vicious attacks. Suicide bombers, unheard of in
Pakistan until recently, now ply their deadly trade at regular
intervals.
Ever since the events of 9/11, Gen Musharraf has been sending out
mixed signals: after jailing hundreds of extremists earlier this
year, his government released most of them within weeks. Time and
again, he has backed off after making sane, secular pronouncements.
This has emboldened the zealots who see his equivocation as a sign
of weakness. It seems that all his tough talk and action are
reserved for those he sees as his principal enemies, Benazir Bhutto
and Nawaz Sharif. He needs to understand that he has far more in
common with them than he does with the religious fanatics who are a
much greater danger to him and the entire country.
As his three-year tenure draws to a close, Gen Musharraf should
remember that all the great generals were flexible enough to change
their plans during the course of a battle if the situation so
demanded. A blind adherence to Plan A is often a recipe for
disaster. Just because he began his stint with a strong (and
understandable) aversion to Pakistan's two major politicians does
not mean that he should not now recognize that the bigger threat
comes from elsewhere.
In Pakistan, as anywhere in the world, we are so caught up in our
day-to-day problems that we don't bother how the rest of the world
sees us. We also forget how important this international perception
is. But it counts for a great deal, specially if we are an
economically fragile country that requires not only foreign
assistance but a great deal of foreign investment.
Currently, few outsiders would visit our shores for love or money.
How many would invest a single dollar in a country where church-
goers are regular targets?
SPORTS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Waqar's gutless men suffer worst defeat ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAIROBI, Aug 30: Matthew Hayden scored faster than a run-a-ball to lash 146 and Jason Gillespie took five for 22 as Australia crushed Pakistan by 224 runs in the second match of a triangular tournament on Friday. Pakistan won the toss but little else all day as Australia amassed 332 for five, Hayden's innings coming off 128 balls to set his side up for the fourth biggest winning run margin in one-day international history. It was Pakistan's heaviest defeat, eclipsing their 198-run defeat against England at Trent Bridge in 1992. Strike bowler Gillespie then took wickets with his second and fourth balls, opener Imran Nazir caught for a single by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and Shahid Afridi for a duck, to send Pakistan slumping to 13 for four by the seventh over. None of the top four made more than five as Pakistan were dismissed for 108 in 36 overs. It was Pakistan's lowest ever score against Australia in one-day internationals following the previous record low at the 1999 World Cup in England when the Aussies won by 132 runs. "We didn't expect such a sensational victory," Australia captain Ricky Ponting said. "It is surprising because we thought we would have to work hard. "Pakistan bowled too many lose balls. They did not have a good day." Hayden said patience had paid off for him. "I was patient and just wanted to bat for as long as I would stay on and let the scoreboard take care of itself," Hayden said with a grin. "We are here to improve our cricket and play like professionals." Pakistan captain Waqar Younis was gracious in defeat. "It was a disastrous game for us," he said. "We bowled poorly, batted and fielded poorly. We gave away far too many extras. I thought winning the toss was good for us but we just couldn't put the ball in the right place." After Gillespie's early burst, Glenn McGrath continued the procession as Abdur Razzaq returned to the pavilion for five, clean bowled, and Saeed Anwar followed for three off 13 balls after being trapped lbw. Gillespie returned with the last three wickets of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, the final man falling to the last ball of his 10th and final over. Earlier, the 31-year-old left-handed Hayden cemented his new opening role with a devastating display of hitting in an innings including six sixes and 12 fours. Ponting scored 50 off 57 balls, which included five fours and two sixes, in putting on 128 with Hayden for the second wicket. Hayden, previously seen as a test specialist but who displaced Mark Waugh in the one-day side, had his most productive spell in the 44th over when he struck 21 off strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar, including a towering six and three fours. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020830 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan struggle to defeat Kenya ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAIROBI, Aug 29: Pakistan made heavy weather of beating Kenya in the opening match of the triangular tournament, losing six wickets on the way to overhauling Kenya's total of 133. Pakistan, who dismissed their opponents in 30.3 overs after Man-of- the-Match Abdur Razzaq took four wickets and Wasim Akram took three, lost their first wicket in the first over of their reply when Saeed Anwar fell to Martin Suji's fifth ball without a run on the board. Kenya's vice-captain Thomas Odoyo bowled Imran Nazir in the fourth over and Suji, who took two for 22 off his 10 overs, added Shahid Afridi (27 off 22 balls with three fours and two sixes) to his victims in the ninth over when Odoyo caught him at third man. Pakistan had slumped to 97 for six before vice-captain Inzamam-ul- Haq (14 not out) and Rashid Latif (28 not out off 23 balls with three fours and two sixes) saw them home to a four-wicket victory with 16.3 overs to spare. "We bowled and fielded pretty well but you just don't win a match by good fielding and bowling. You need to bat equally well," said Pakistan captain Waqar Younis. "Our batting collapsed and we shall have to correct this for tomorrow's match against Australia." Opener Kennedy Obuya top-scored for Kenya with 36 - the highest individual score of the game matched only by Younis Khan, who hit six boundaries in his 75-ball knock - while the next four batsmen managed just six runs between them after Pakistan had won the toss. Kenya's top order was swept away in overcast conditions by captain Waqar Younis and left-armer Wasim who combined to claim four wickets between the fourth and eighth overs. Razzaq finished with four for 35. Waqar removed Ravindu Shah in the fourth over before Wasim trapped Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo (0) and his deputy Thomas Odoyo (4) lbw in the fifth and seventh overs. Maurice Odumbe, one of Kenya's most prolific batsmen, went for a three-ball duck to give Wasim his third wicket. "We did not play well but don't forget that we were playing the big boys," said Tikolo. "We want to improve with every game and we will certainly play a better game on Sunday against them," he added in reference to the Sept 1 match against Pakistan. Australia are the other team in the tournament. They play Pakistan on Friday. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PTF has no intention of slapping ban on Aisam ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Pakistan tennis chief Syed Dilawar Abbas said that Aisamul Haq's pairing with Israel's Amir Hadad abroad was something out of the federation's orbit and an official ban therefore could not be slapped on him. Speaking following reports that Aisam was to team up again with Hadad, this time in the US Open, Dilawar said that there were certain decisions that had to be taken as a professional. "Aisam has got a wildcard for the Open and only he knows best what is right for him." Aisam, 22, along with Amir, a 24-year-old Jew, had made it to the third round of the Wimbledon Championships but his achievements were overshadowed because of his controversial partnership. Pakistan and Israel have no diplomatic ties. "During the Wimbledon, the PSB (Pakistan Sports Board) had asked us about this partnership and we told them that as a professional player he was not in our orbit," said Dilawar who is only into his fifth month in office. Dilawar denied ever being under pressure from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) not to ban Aisam. "We have had no correspondence with the ITF on this subject and besides we never considered imposing a ban on him." Aisam is Pakistan's best hope in the upcoming Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group II final against China next month in Peshawar, a tie Dilawar hopes can be won. "I think we have a good chance of winning." Dilawar dismissed calls from certain quarters for moving the tie to Lahore. "I don't think there is any need to change the venue because we want to give equal opportunity to all the provinces." "Why is the Davis Cup have to be staged each time either in Lahore or Islamabad," he questioned. "It is very fair that Peshawar organises the competition." While backing Peshawar all the way, Dilawar also expressed his intentions of supporting the players. "Whatever money the NWFP association generates and gives us, it will be shared with the players." The PTF also gives a portion of money it receives from the ITF for holding Davis Cup ties. The PTF, Dilawar pointed out was in the process of asking the ITF to support two of their upcoming players, Wasif Cheema and Shahzad Khan. "We want that each year we are able to discover at least two new players capable of competing at the top level so that we can broaden our Davis Cup base." Offering associate membership to multi-national companies for Rs 0.175 million each is also on Dilawar's 'things to do' list. "They will have no voting rights but would become members of the Council for four years," he explained. "We will give them subsidised tournaments so that they get publicity." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020828 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Youhana sent home from Kenya ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mohammad Yqoob LAHORE, Aug 27: Pakistan batsman Yousuf Youhana refused to comment on his expulsion from the team on alleged disciplinary ground. Youhana was sent packing from Nairobi, Kenya, where the Pakistan team is preparing for the tri-nation golden jubilee tournament starting Aug 29. "I can't say anything until I meet chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia," he said. Youhana said his meeting with the PCB chairman was scheduled for Wednesday. Youhana is the second Pakistan cricketer to have been sent packing from a tour. In 1984-85, leg-spinner Abdul Qadir was also flown back after violating the code of conduct. In 1997-98, two players - Shoaib Akhtar and Fazle Akbar - managed to stay on tour in Zimbabwe after Rashid Latif had decided to send them back for indiscipline. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020831 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Jansher gets offer from Holland ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Correspondent LAHORE, Aug 30: Jansher Khan has received an offer from a club in Holland to represent it in the Dutch League and to conduct a coaching clinic there. The Squash World Club has offered free travel expenses to Jansher and also asked about his remuneration per match. Jansher on Friday expressed his availability for four matches of the Dutch League to be held between Nov 19 to Jan 28, 2003, but did not confirm his availability for a Oct 22 match as the date would clash with the CAS tournament which is to be held in the same month in Peshawar. Jansher has demanded a wild card entry from the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) for the CAS tournament. A decision in this regard is yet to be finalised. Jansher has demanded 4,000 dollars per match and 1500 dollars per day for coaching in the clinic. Jansher who had announced retirement from the international circuit five years ago due to a knee injury withdrew it on Aug 10. He had plans to play in three international competitions which are scheduled to be held in Pakistan from Sept to Dec. The PSF did not allow Jansher a wild card entry for the next month international competition to be held in Karachi. "I will confirm to the Dutch Club for Oct 22 tie in next 10 days after getting a final decision from the PSF about the wild card entry", he said. Jansher said that he had lot of opportunities to play any where in the world but he desired to start his campaign for international circuit from Pakistan. The former World champion said that to prepare himself for these competitions and for regular medical check up of his operated knees he had decided to stay in London. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020826 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Jansher to get wild card ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Correspondent LAHORE, Aug 25: World squash legend Jansher Khan will get a wild card entry for the CAS Open tournament to be held in Peshawar in October. The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) vice president Air Martial Qaiser Hussain said that if Jansher would apply for the wild card he would get it for the said tournament. The federation had earlier denied a wild card to Jansher for the CNS tournament to be held in Karachi in September. Jansher had announced his retirement some five years ago, mainly due to a knee injury. He made headlines by withdrawing his retirement early this month. Jansher announced that he would compete in three international tournaments being held in Pakistan this year. But his return to the arena was disturbed when the PSF denied a wild card entry for the first competition namely CNS tournament. The PSF allowed Jansher to compete in the qualifying round instead of demanding a wild card entry. But Jansher refused to play in the qualifying round saying it would be a disgraceful for him. Qaiser clarified that a wild card entry to Jansher was denied for the Karachi's event because it would deprive any of the upcoming talented boys. He said that the youngsters were attending the training camp for the last many months and a wild card entry was their right. He said that the time was also short to make a final decision of Jansher's request. The PSF has given the wild card entry to Khayal Mohammad for Karachi competition. The disgusted Jansher recently announced in Dubai that he would compete in smaller competitions in Europe in order to get himself in the international circuit. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20020825 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Waqar hopes contract issue will be resolved ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAIROBI, Aug 24: Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, who is preparing for the triangular series involving Australia and hosts Kenya, is confident the International Cricket Council (ICC) contract row will be quickly resolved. "We've not even spoken about it as we have been very busy ...but I'm sure that after working out for Australia, it should work out for all teams," Waqar told reporters after the team's practice session at the Sir Ali Muslim Sports Club on Saturday. "I know players are not happy with certain aspects of the clause but I am sure the ICC will come up with some good decisions for all teams around the world so things should be alright in the next few days." A row involving several top cricketers erupted after the ICC introduced a controversial contract. Top players, including India's Sachin Tendulkar and captain Saurav Ganguly, have refused to sign the contract because of a clause protecting sponsors which prevents them from endorsing products of rival companies 30 days either side of ICC events such as next year's World Cup. The stand, backed by players from other Test countries, had threatened a mass boycott of the Sept 12-29 tournament in Colombo, but that prospect receded Thursday when Australia reached an agreement and said they planned to send a full-strength team. England and South Africa have also indicated that they are close to ending the dispute with their players. Pakistan jetted into Nairobi from Morocco on Friday for the series which was moved from Lahore due to security concerns. New Zealand were also supposed to take part but withdrew from the event. Waqar admitted Pakistan failed to live up to their potential at the Morocco Cup, where they finished last after failing to qualify for the final. Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 27 runs Wednesday to win the Cup. "We struggled in the middle order but we will correct such mistakes here," Waqar said. "After all we've been playing well in the last one year where we had a great series in Pakistan against New Zealand, we played well in Australia and Sharjah. "It was just unfortunate that the team failed to click in Morocco. We are still a very good team capable of beating any good side. "The return of pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar is especially handy. Having him striking for us is positive and very handy. We welcome him back. "We take this tournament very seriously as it serves as our home series. With the World Cup around the corner, we will play professionally, especially against Australia who are the greatest opponents and event against Kenya who have come up pretty well in the past two years." he added.-Reuters ------------------------------------------------------------------- You can subscribe to DWS by sending an email to <subscribe.dws@dawn.com>, with the following text in the BODY of your message: subscribe dws To unsubscribe, send an email to <unsubscribe.dws@dawn.com>, with the following in the BODY of you message: unsubscribe dws ------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to the top.
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