------------------------------------------------------------------- DAWN WIRE SERVICE ------------------------------------------------------------------- Week Ending : 15 March 2003 Issue : 09/11 -------------------------------------------------------------------
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CONTENTS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS + Opposition takes oath under altered text + Constitution revived after 41 months + Soomro elected Senate chairman + PPP flays military's role in Senate poll + Opposition plans to rotate top office + Opposition senators not to take oath: LFO row runs deep + MMA nominates Noorani as Senate chairman + Turncoats will be expelled: PML-N + ANP expels 3 MPAs for betrayal in Senate poll + Asif warns party MPAs of action + Opposition ready for talks on LFO + Pervaiz's advice to opposition on LFO + PPP never accepted LFO: Raza + PPP describes Jamali's speech as disappointing + PM reaffirms stand on Iraq: �Offers talks to India + Nasrullah for election to president's office + PML-N being reorganized in Sindh + PML-N's executive body to decide course of action + PML-N MPA picked up + Khalid claims meeting Osama in Dec: ISI + Foreign agent's tip led to Khalid's arrest + Lashkar-i-Jhangvi activist arrested + NWFP needs more power for Islamization + France, S. Arabia back Pakistan peace move + Pakistan will press for more time, says Kasuri + Govt urged to cast 'no' vote on Iraq + Cabinet reviews Iraq situation + Pindi march opposes war + Draft asks Iraqis to revolt: Pakistan denies attribution + Govt asked to reverse pro-US policies + Asif not produced in court despite 270 orders + Frequency coordination for Paksat-1 achieved + NAB plea to revoke exemption dismissed: Hashmi's reference + 7 killed in Sargodha Imambargah stampede + Noted singer Shahida Parveen passes away + Italian firm's request registered at world body + Adviser for Roosevelt Hotel sale selected + Guinness Book management threatened with law suit --------------------------------- BUSINESS & ECONOMY + Provinces seek relief for next fiscal year: formula being drawn + $ to fall as SBP slows buying from banks + Oman plans investment in Balochistan + KSE 100-share index breaks 2,500-point barrier --------------------------------------- EDITORIALS & FEATURES + 'Blackened man, blackened woman' Ardeshir Cowasjee + France's voice of reason Eric S. Margolis + UN vote and other things Ayaz Amir ----------- SPORTS + Decision on Wasim delayed + Waqar and Inzamam likely to face axe + Waqar refuses to step down, Inzamam quits vice-captaincy + Shahid Afridi banned, fined for dissent + Coach Pybus parts company with Pakistan team + Shoaib joining Hants after Sharjah Cup + Shoaib, Lee lead pace onslaught + Unheralded Kenya score famous win to reach last four + Champions come back from dead to bury Kiwis + Indians storm into semis with record win over Sri Lanka + Astle, Cairns sparkle as New Zealand triumph + Waugh yet to decide on Test career + South African legend Donald opts to quit + Hussain calls for separate England captains + Pakistan draw with India + Asim and Nomi dropped from team
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Opposition takes oath under altered text ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Raja Asghar ISLAMABAD, March 12: In an unprecedented protest, opposition senators changed the text of the oath they took as members of the newly-elected upper house at a stormy inaugural session of the upper house, when they also boycotted the chairman's election. While the protesting opposition stole the show in oath-taking, which marked the full revival of the Constitution, its election boycott over alleged government coercion against senators allowed the ruling coalition to grab the offices of both the chairman and deputy chairman of the house without a contest. Former Sindh governor Mohammedmian Soomro was declared elected chairman and Khalilur Rehman from the NWFP deputy chairman after the opposition parties said they were not putting up their candidates. Later the Senate was adjourned for an indefinite period. The inaugural session's presiding officer and former Senate chairman Wasim Sajjad gave oath to members only after speaker after speaker from opposition parties denounced the controversial Legal Framework Order package of President Pervez Musharraf's decrees amending the Constitution. Opposition members said they were taking oath under the un-amended constitution as it existed before Gen Musharraf seized power on Oct 12, 1999. INSERTED OATH CHANGE: As they followed the presiding officer in reading out, sentence by sentence, the text of the oath as written in the Constitution, twice they qualified their pledges to perform their functions "in accordance with the Constitution" and to "defend the Constitution" with additional words... "as it was prior to the 12th October, 1999". However, the senators from the ruling PML-Q and its allies read out the actual text of the oath which has not been altered by a total of 29 amendments made by the LFO. After a lot of shouting, Mr Sajjad agreed to allow one member each from opposition parties to speak on the LFO. Senator Raza Rabbani of the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) gave a poetic start to the opposition assault when he began his brief speech with a couplet by Habib Jalib: "Aisey dastoor ko, subh benoor ko, main nahin maanta, main nahin jaanta (such a constitution, a morning without light, I don't accept, I don't know)". Mr Rabbani said the combined opposition had decided to take the oath "under the 1973 Constitution as it was before Oct 12, 1999". But the presiding officer cut him short at this point, only to invite more shouts from opposition members who ignored his calls for "decorum". The chair allowed Mr Rabbani after nine mainly opposition speeches to have the last word, when he said the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to empower an individual to amend the Constitution, which could be done only by a two-thirds majority of the two houses of parliament. As political entities and representatives of parties, "we refuse that right to President Musharraf or anyone else," said Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan, who had resigned from the party presidentship after the ANP's rout in the October elections. MMA's Prof Khurshid Ahmed, deputy chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, blamed Gen Musharraf for what he called the "murder" of the Senate by dissolving it along with the National Assembly in 1999, called his rule illegitimate and said the LFO had ceased to exist after parliament came into being. Babar Khan Ghauri of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement accused the opposition of blocking a democratic process through anti-LFO protests, which he said had deprived the National Assembly of an opportunity to debate the important issue of the Iraqi crisis by forcing the lower house's prorogation. PML-N's former finance minister Ishaq Dar challenged the sincerity of the ruling coalition's concern about Iraq and said if the government regarded the issue so important, it would not have prorogued the National Assembly on Monday and would not do the same with Senate later on Wednesday. PML-Q's veteran parliamentarian Anwar Bhinder, who lost to Mohammedmian Soomro in his bid for party candidature for Senate chairmanship, said there was no need for an opposition uproar on oath-taking as the LFO had not amended the oath text. While taking oath, opposition members raised their voices when uttering the additional words "as it (Constitution) stood before October 12, 1999". Apparently to emphasize their point, Raza Rabbani, Safdar Abbasi and some other PPP members took oath on an English text to repeat their adherence to the non-LFO constitution. The ruling coalition appeared to be playing it cool to ensure that things did not go out of control, and kept some of its big guns in the Senate such as veteran jurist S.M. Zafar and former information minister Mushahid Hussain in reserve. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Constitution revived after 41 months ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, March 12: The Constitution of the country fully revived after exactly 41 months, when the members elected to the Senate took oath. The emergency proclamation, issued on Oct 14, 1999, on the basis of Gen Pervez Musharraf had held the Constitution in abeyance and suspended Parliament, is not revoked yet. Government's legal experts are not ready to comment whether President Gen Pervez Musharraf still enjoys the powers under the proclamation of emergency issued on Oct 14, 1999. They, however, confirmed that the proclamation of emergency issued on Oct 14, 1999 has not been revoked. The controversy whether the original Constitution, which existed on Oct 12, 1999 has been revived or it is the amended version, in which the uniformed president enjoys complete domination, is still raging. The notification issued by the president on Nov 23, had stated, "Article 59 to 63 (both inclusive) and Articles 232 to 239 (both inclusive) on the day when the members elected to the Senate take oath." The Constitution, which under the Supreme Court judgment was to be revived by Oct 12, 2002, exactly after three years, have been revived five months after the deadline. The Constitution is revived in two phases, in the first phase, certain articles, mainly dealing with Senate, provincial assemblies, anti-defection and amendment parliament to legislate were not revived. A government official said that the power of the parliament to amend the Constitution is revived and those who were opposed to LFO, are free to resort to Article 239. When the issue of the LFO was raised before the Supreme Court, it had also said that in the presence of Article 239, the court was not required to pass any judgment. In Pakistan two emergencies are still in effect, the first was proclaimed by Mian Nawaz Sharif at the time of going nuclear in May 1998, and the other was issued on Oct 14, on the basis of which the Constitution was held in abeyance. The government has taken the position that the chief executive has amended the Constitution under the legislative powers which were granted to him by the Supreme Court and the LFO was now a part of the Constitution and needed no validation from the parliament. The legal experts who are not part of the government, however, have different point of view. Hamid Khan, president of Supreme Court Bar Association, however said, no individual has the authority to amend the Constitution, and not even if the Supreme Court said so. He said that the court was not empowered to legislate itself and how could it vest such a power to any individual, which was not available to itself. The Constitution has been restored unamended as it stood on Oct 12, 1999 and for making the LFO as a part of the Constitution, resort to Article 239 is must, he said. "At the most the LFO status is no better than a proposal for amendment in the Constitution." It is prerogative of the parliament to amend the Constitution under the mechanism provided in articles 238 and 239. About the proclamation of emergency issued on Oct 14, he said it ceases to exist after the revival of the Constitution. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Soomro elected Senate chairman ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD Mar 12: The combined opposition charged that the government had used state machinery to gain support in elections to the Senate. The opposition accusation came at a news conference called before election of the chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate. Mohammedmian Soomro and Commander Khalilur Rahman of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q were elected unopposed chairman and deputy chairman, respectively, after the seven-parties combined opposition pulled out of the process. The opposition alleged that 54 senators were herded together at a dinner by the country's premier intelligence to give them instructions how and for whom to vote for chairman and deputy chairman. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Javed Hashmi told newsmen that the combined opposition had decided to requisition the session of Senate after they had filed a requisition for the National Assembly session in the day. They justified taking of oath by their senators for, if they had skipped it, it would have been presumed that they had accepted the LFO as part of the Constitution. After his election as chairman, Mohammedmian Soomro expressed the hope that members of the Senate would concentrate on the issues of their respective areas, particularly the problems of poverty, backwardness. Congratulating the new chairman and deputy chairman, Wasim Sajjad assured them of full cooperation of the house in performance of their duties. Almost all the treasury members in the Senate criticized the extremist attitude of the opposition and for keeping itself aloof from the democratic process. Veteran parliamentarian Anwar Bhinder said all amendments should be brought to the house for assent. S. M. Zafar, parliamentary leader of the PML-Q in the Senate, said that the parliamentarians were duty bound to ensure the supremacy of Parliament which was envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam and to which Prime Minister Jamali was also committed. He said the opposition should express itself instead of withdrawing from the proceedings. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PPP flays military's role in Senate poll ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 13: Pakistan People's Party has expressed concern over the use of military in Senate elections, and said President Gen Pervez Musharraf wanted the upper house to be a subordinate branch of the Pakistan military intelligence. The PPP, in a statement issued, said that the party condemned the unprecedented meddling of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) in the Senate elections. "The PPP is concerned and condemns the over militarization of the federation, the state and the society at a time of grave crisis for the country and larger world community," the statement said, adding that Pakistan was founded in the name of democracy by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, but "today the founder's dream is being shattered as democracy is systematically killed in the country". It said that the sham democracy ushered in by the military regime by rigging the elections, mutilating Constitution and back dated and individual specific laws were robbing the people of their political and economic rights. As development and democracy go together, the absence of democracy had stalled all development in the country, it said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Opposition plans to rotate top office ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, March 13: The opposition parties are considering a proposal for a joint opposition leader in the National Assembly with the condition that the office of the opposition leader will rotate among the member parties, officials of the two opposition parties confirmed. Central Information Secretary of PML-N Siddiqul Farooq told Dawn that a formula in this regard was under consideration which ensured equal representation for all the opposition political parties in the National Assembly. Under this formula, the post of opposition leader will be held by Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the MMA, Makhdoom Amin Fahim of the PPP, and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi of the PML-N on rotation basis. Senator Farhatullah Babar, PPP spokesman, told Dawn that opposition parties were holding talks on the issue and it had been agreed that effort should be made for a joint opposition leader. With 18 MNAs, the PML-N holds the key to the election of opposition leaders both in the National Assembly and Senate. The PPP and the MMA have also laid claim to the slot of opposition leader, who would also be a member of the National Security Council. Under the rules in case there are more than one candidate for the slot of leader of the opposition, the speaker National Assembly has to "nominate" a person who in his view commands support of maximum number of members. To bolster its claim for the slot, the PPP has reportedly announced owning the splinter group, PPP Patriots, led by Rao Sikandar Iqbal. The PPP (Patriots), however, has registered itself as a separate entity with the Election Commission. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Opposition senators not to take oath: LFO row runs deep ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Syed Irfan Raza ISLAMABAD, March 10: Opposition leaders vowed that their senators- elect would not take oath if it was administered under the constitution as amended by the controversial Legal Framework Order. Talking to reporters in the National Assembly building, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader Liaquat Baloch said opposition parties would not participate in the election for the Senate chairman either. However, he said, a joint line of action in the matter would be taken by the opposition parties outside the house and added that the decision would be honoured by the MMA. He said the government had offered the opposition to settle the issue outside the house. He said leaders of the ruling coalition had announced during the NA session that a debate on the LFO would be held in the house when it would meet on Monday. "However, the government backed out and now it wants to raise the Iraq issue instead of discussing the LFO." On the occasion, PPP-Parliamentarians MNA Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah pointed out that the government had prepared a document which was presented by the speaker to opposition leaders before the announcement of prorogation of house. According to the document, the government requires time to settle the LFO issue outside parliament and therefore, the NA session has been prorogued. Khurshid Shah said opposition parties had decided that they would not accept even a single clause of the LFO. "Government has to get the entire LFO passed by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, otherwise it will not be acceptable to the opposition." A source in the National Assembly Secretariat told this reporter that the government was ready to adopt a policy of "give and take" and that some of the most controversial clauses in the LFO would be abolished. On the other hand, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali said at a press conference in the NA building that opposition parties should accept the LFO as it had already been incorporated in the constitution. He, however, asked opposition parties to give some time to the government to see how their grievances could be redressed and to what extent the government could go to amend the LFO. Talking to Dawn, the parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Kunwar Khalid Younas, said: "Not allowing the leader of the house to speak during the session indicates that the opposition is, in fact, disallowing the house proceedings to go on smoothly." "What happened in the house was disgusting as it seems that the opposition is not ready both in the house's business and the foreign policy of the country," he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- MMA nominates Noorani as Senate chairman ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 10: The supreme council of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal nominated alliance president Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani as its parliamentary leader in Senate. The religio-political alliance which met its president Maulana Noorani in the chair decided to finalize strategy on taking of oath by its senators elect under amended Constitution in another meeting on March 11 after taking other political parties in confidence. The alliance will also nominate its candidates for chairman and deputy chairman in the said meeting. The alliance will however brief the leaders of other combined opposition parties on whatever transpired in these informal talks. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Turncoats will be expelled: PML-N ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent PESHAWAR, March 13: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has said it will expel its MPAs from the party if the charge of betrayal in Senate elections is proved against them, says PML-N's provincial vice-president Anwar Kamal Khan Marwat. Talking to Dawn, Mr Marwat said a committee was trying to know why two of its MPAs did not cast their votes in favour of party nominee Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan. The committee comprised party leaders Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Malik Jehanzeb Khan and Abdul Subhan Khan. According to Mr Marwat, who is also PML-N's parliamentary leader in the NWFP assembly, Sardar Mehtab had polled two votes less than the party's strength in the provincial assembly. However, there were chances that two votes might have gone invalid. "We will take action against defectors, once the probe is completed. At this stage, we cannot take any action," said Mr Marwat, adding that the committee would finalize its recommendations within a week. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- ANP expels 3 MPAs for betrayal in Senate poll ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report PESHAWAR, March 9: The Awami National Party (ANP) has expelled three of its MPAs for betraying the party in Senate elections on Feb 24, and selling their votes to independent candidates. Speaking at a news conference here at Peshawar press Club, parliamentary leader in the house and NWFP ANP President Bashir Ahmed Bilour said the party had terminated the basic membership of Syed Kalb-i-Hasan of Kohat, Atiqur Rehman of Hangu and Sarfaraz Khan of Gadoon-Swabi, and expelled them from the parliamentary group as they had not voted for the ANP candidates running for Senate seats. ANP Information Secretary Haji Mohammad Adeel, Fareed Taufan and Mian Iftikhan Hussain were also present on the occasion. He said the ANP had always upheld its democratic credentials even during the successive dictatorial regimes and discouraged the political expediency in the party folds. "We are the followers of Bacha Khan, who had launched a long struggle against the British Raj in the sub-continent. We will not go against our tradition in politics," he added. Mr Bilour appealed also to other political parties to take action against their renegades who had ditched their candidates on Feb 24. "We hope the other betrayed political parties will follow us in the struggle against lotacracy and take disciplinary action against their defectors," he added. He said that despite the betrayal of three MPAs, the ANP had won two Senate seats with its seven votes in hand. Some other parties, who had even 10 MPAs, could not bag two seats, he said. The opposition parties had jointly put up Syed Kalb-i-Hasan for the speaker's post on Nov 26, 2002, and he had bagged 39 votes against incumbent speaker Bakht Jahan Khan. Mr Bilour said that soon after the Senate elections, the party had constituted an inquiry committee which found out three defectors in the party. The ANP, he said, would file a petition against them with the Election Commission to have them disqualified from the assembly seats. Replying to a question, he said all the three accused MPAs could file an appeal with the party working committee if they were dissatisfied with the disciplinary action against them. The ANP had taken a similar action in 1991, against its renegade MPAs. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Asif warns party MPAs of action ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent NOWSHERA, March 8: PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari said that disciplinary action would be taken against those party MPAs in the NWFP Assembly who voted against party's nominees in the Senate elections. Talking to newsmen after hearing in a corruption case at Attock court, Mr Zardari said that the party MPAs were asked to vote for Sardar Ali Khan and Farhatullah Babar. "Therefore, those who did not vote for Sardar Ali have violated the party decision. These people have betrayed the party. Party workers would hold them accountable and the party too would take action against them," he said. The statement by Asif Zardari is the latest in the series by party leaders and MPAs blaming each other for the party's poor performance in the recently held Senate elections. A party spokesman regretted a statement by former interior minister Naseerullah Khan Babar who had given a clean chit to MPAs for their vote in the Senate elections in which only one candidate managed to get through while the other, Sardar Ali Khan, lost badly. The loss prompted allegations of sell-out of votes by party MPAs, who vehemently denied the charge, saying they had swapped votes in accordance with the directives of the party chairperson Benazir Bhutto. The spokesman however, insisted that Ms Bhutto had nominated Sardar Ali and Farhatullah Babar for the general and technocrat seats respectively and had communicated the same to the PPP parliamentary leader in the NWFP Assembly, Abdul Akbar Khan, over telephone in the presence of Raza Rabbani, the party's secretary-general, political secretary Naheed Khan, provincial president Khwaja Mohammad Khan and other party MPAs. The spokesman said that Mr Zardari had also conveyed the directives to the MPAs through his emissary Dr Soomro. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Opposition ready for talks on LFO ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ahmed Hassan ISLAMABAD, March 10: The combined opposition in the National Assembly said it was ready for holding talks with the government on LFO but at the same time made it clear that it will not give up agitation on floor of the house till the objective was achieved. Speaking at a joint news conference following the prorogation of the house after opposition's created furore, the parliamentary leaders of opposition parties said the government side had violated an agreement reached in the parliamentary advisory committee and instead of reading out the agreed statement speaker gave the floor to the prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. The combined opposition parties held a meeting at the parliament lobby and discussed various issues including the LFO and its strategy in going into the Senate on Wednesday. The opposition however appeared undecided on question whether the senators belonging to it would take oath under LFO or not and the decision was deferred for Tuesday. The opposition also decided to requisition fresh session of the National Assembly and got signatures of all the opposition MNAs available in the house for submission to the speaker's secretariat in next few days. The opposition leadership denied the impression that the MNAs belonging to MMA had not fully participated in Monday's agitation at the time of prime minister's speech. Qazi Hussain Ahmed said: We were given a good news that both sides had agreed on certain points in the parliamentary advisory committee that the house will be prorogued without any fuss but to their dismay prime minister stepped in to speak. Reacting to premier's statement on government's policy on UN resolution he said the premier should have told us in clarity whether Islamabad would vote in favour or against the resolution seeking to attack Iraq instead of twisting the issue to make whole thing ambiguous. Makhdoom Amin Fahim said: "It appears the prime minister was instructed from somewhere else that he has to deliver speech when the opposition was in a mood to listen to him." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pervaiz's advice to opposition on LFO ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, March 9: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has urged the opposition not to agitate the issue of the Legal Framework Order and play its due role for the resolution of the people's problems. Talking to MNAs and MPAs, he stressed the need for complete unity between the government and the opposition for the sake of the continuity of the democratic process in the country and in view of the critical international situation. The chief minister said all political parties had contested the elections under the LFO. They had also signed their nomination papers under the same order. He said the women seats in the assemblies were increased and the rights of minorities protected under the same LFO. The chief minister said Gen Pervez Musharraf was the first army ruler who conducted elections within the timeframe given for the purpose and peacefully transferred power to the elected representatives of people. He also saved the country from external threats and restored the supremacy of parliament. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PPP never accepted LFO: Raza ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, March 9: The Pakistan People's Party has rejected the PML- Q claim that the PPP, by participating in recent polls under the Conduct of General Elections-2002, had accepted the controversial Legal Framework Order (LFO). In a statement issued, the PPP's acting secretary general, Mian Raza Rabbani, claimed that the PML-Q contention was 'incorrect in fact and laws'. He said: "PPP had rejected and continues to oppose the LFO." He said that the party was committed to the principle that Constitution can only be amended through the procedure provided in its Article 238 and 239 and not by an individual. Giving reasons for opposing the LFO, he said that the Order sought to change the basic structure of the Constitution and infringes on sovereignty of parliament, and undermined its federal character. The LFO confers discretionary powers on president without any check and balance. Mr Rabbani maintained that Supreme Court could not vest powers with an individual to amend the Constitution but even if the government's argument was considered, the LFO transcended limitations laid down by the Supreme Court in sub-paragraphs (i) to (vii) of paragraph 6 of the Short Order dated May 12, 2000, he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030312 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PPP describes Jamali's speech as disappointing ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 11: The Pakistan People's Party described Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali's address to the nation as disappointing, saying it was nothing more than a "regurgitation of pious hopes and vague promises". A PPP spokesman said the speech was full of exhortations and lamentations but lacking in policy decisions. The speech was a wasted hour of national life, he alleged. "Mir Zafarullah Jamali's assertion that parliament is sovereign and all decisions will be taken by it is by far a cruelest joke," he said. The Prime Minister claimed that his government would give provinces their rights as guaranteed in the Constitution. How could the government uphold those rights when, under the LFO, provinces did not even have the freedom to make laws for local bodies without approval of the president? he asked. The PPP spokesman claimed that the Prime Minister sounded hollow when he praised his "patron" General Musharraf and sermonized opposition parties on the ethics of democratic and parliamentary politics. Like administrations condemned to work in the shadow of military dictators, Mr Jamali could only speak of reforming the curricula and stressed ideological orientation without addressing the basic and fundamental issues of governance, he said. The PPP spokesman said the Prime Minister promised that political opposition would no longer be a basis for institution of cases against opponents. If he means what he says, the Prime Minister should first withdraw politically motivated cases against all political leaders and then make a promise about the future, he suggested. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030312 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PM reaffirms stand on Iraq: �Offers talks to India ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 11: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali appealed to the United Nations that more time should be given to peace so that the Iraqi crisis could be settled peacefully. In his address to the nation on radio and TV, the prime minister announced that it would be difficult for Pakistan to support attack on Iraq. "We want betterment of the Iraqi people and our policy in this regard is very clear," he said, adding that national interest would be kept supreme in dealing with the issue. Mr Jamali said he had already taken into confidence Pakistan's friends in the Middle East during his visit to the region. "The cabinet has taken a decision with consensus that we cannot support war on Iraq". The prime minister also invited India to hold dialogues with Pakistan in order to sort out all unresolved issues peacefully between the two countries. He said he had earlier sent a message of goodwill to the Indian leadership and, "today once again I repeat the same so that complete peace could be restored for the progress and betterment of the people of South Asia". The prime minister said that Pakistan's foreign policy was based on mutual understanding and international justice. "We want peace in the world and this is also a message to the Indian leadership that war phobia will not help resolve issues between our two nations." Mr Jamali said that his government's policy was to hold talks with India so that people of both the countries should not suffer any more. "Let us talk and try to convince each other, otherwise we know how to defend ourselves," the prime minister declared. The country today, he said, was facing lawlessness and terrorism where life and property of the common man was not safe. "But I assure you that my government will remove this lawlessness, terrorism and remove corruption from the society." He said the government would take all decisions on merit and rapid transfers of the government employees would be stopped. The prime minister said people were facing numerous problems in seeking justice from courts. "I would request the chief justice of Supreme Court to expedite the cases which were being delayed for years." The prime minister said that a unified syllabus was being prepared by his government so that every Pakistani could get education without paying a lot of money. He also said the government was trying to ensure availability of quality medicines on reduced prices. He said a committee had been set up to ensure availability of inexpensive drugs for people. The prime minister said overseas Pakistanis also needed maximum facilities especially when returning home. The prime minister ended his speech by saying that his government would serve people without any discrimination. "Everyone will get justice and there will be no attack on places of worship," he said, adding that his government would strive to create an atmosphere where both men and women would have equal opportunities. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Nasrullah for election to president's office ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, March 10: ARD President Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan says the office of president has been lying vacant since the 'retirement' of Mr Rafiq Tarar on Dec 31 last year and parliament should give a schedule for president's election immediately after the chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate are chosen. He said candidates for the top slot should qualify to become members of the National Assembly, as laid down in the Constitution. Refusing to accept the result of last year's referendum, the ARD chief said the Constitution had provided a separate procedure for the election of president. The Nawabzada recalled that the Supreme Court had also held in a judgment that a decision on the election of president through referendum would be taken by the relevant forum at an appropriate time. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PML-N being reorganized in Sindh ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, March 9: The Sindh chapter of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) is being re-organized to prepare itself for an active role, according to Mamnoon Hussain, the party's Sindh chief and a former governor. Mr Hussain said that the party had failed to make its presence in the electoral politics in the province because it was preoccupied in sorting out party's affairs during the October elections. Finally, he added, the party decided to overcome its weaknesses by doing away with the tradition of imposing leadership from above. In this regard, reorganization process has been started from the grassroots level, he said. Mr Hussain appeared quite hopeful about the return of the party's top leadership from Saudi Arabia soon to play their vital role in restoring the past glory and strength of the party. Responding to questions, Mr Hussain said that the opposition parties in the parliament had joined hands to safeguard the parliamentary system as envisaged in the 1973 Constitution. "The Legal Framework Order, without its validation by the parliament cannot become part of the Constitution," he declared adding that with the passage of time, PML stand that the army dispensation could not deliver proved correct. Mr Hussain suggested that the LFO be referred to the parliament for validation and the portions approved by the House be made part of the Constitution. To a question, the PML-N leader said that the present dispensation was being run by the people in uniform with Gen Musharraf holding the dual post - Chief of the Army Staff and President. Meanwhile, in a joint statement issued, Mamnoon Hussain, Salim Zia, Syed Hafeezuddin, Mukhtar Kanhorvi, Nihal Hashmi, Khwaja Tariq Nazeer and Nasiruddin Mehmood have protested against the arrest of the party's parliamentary leader and deputy opposition leader in Punjab Assembly, Rana Sanaullah Khan. They said that the government did not tolerate opposition at any level and wanted to suppress its struggle for the rights of the oppressed people. Demanding an immediate release of Mr Khan, they reiterated the party's determination to continue the struggle for the restoration of democracy and the Constitution, supremacy of parliament and stability of the country. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030312 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PML-N's executive body to decide course of action ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent FAISALABAD, March 11: The PML-N's Central Executive Committee will decide future course of action about the Sanaullah incident, party's chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said. He was speaking at a news conference at the DHQ Hospital here after visiting MPA Rana Sanaullah. Raja Zafarul Haq regretted the statement of Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali that the kidnapping and torture of Sanaullah was a provincial matter. "I have dispatched a letter to the Prime Minister and the Punjab chief minister for taking action against the personnel involved in kidnapping and torture of Sanaullah." He said that the incident would also be brought to the notice of international human rights organizations and ambassadors of other countries in Pakistan. Mr Raja said that a committee comprising opposition leaders had been set up to decide the mode of protest and future line of action against the Legal Framework Order. The committee had also been empowered to hold dialogue with the treasury benches. He said the kidnapping and torture of Rana Sanaullah was a clear signal to the elected representatives and general public that they should not raise voice against the black laws and misdeeds of the rulers. He said that the incident was a deep rooted conspiracy hatched by the anti-democratic elements against the elected representatives. "The PML-N leaders are ready to defend the rights of the people as well as prestige of the elected parliament at all costs." PML-N chief coordinator Ahsan Iqbal said that the steps taken by Gen Pervez Musharraf to prolong his rule by involving intelligence agencies and armed forces could be dangerous for the federation. Former federal minister and MNA Raja Nadir Pervez said that the Speaker did not allow him to raise voice against the torture of Sanaullah in National Assembly's Monday session. Former MNAs Zafar Ali Shah, Ghulam Dastagir, Mian Abdul Mannan, Chaudhry Safdar Rahman, Akram Ansari and others said that Mr Jamali should not link the issue of LFO with the survival of the National Assembly. They said that the Supreme Court decision was also being wrongly interpreted by the rulers. They claimed that the days of the government had been numbered. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- PML-N MPA picked up ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent FAISALABAD, March 8: Punjab Assembly deputy opposition leader Rana Sanaullah Khan was picked up from here allegedly by an intelligence agency. A PML-N leader and lawyer by profession, Sanaullah was reportedly returning from his office when over a dozen men riding three jeeps intercepted his car. His secretary, Janbaz, who was also picked up, was dropped after a few minutes. He told newsmen that the men were from ISI. "The lawyer has been vocal against the army in the Punjab Assembly's last session. That is why he has been picked up," Janbaz claimed. He said Sanaullah was kidnapped in a similar fashion after the ouster of Pakistan Muslim League government in 1999 and subjected to severe torture. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Khalid claims meeting Osama in Dec: ISI ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, March 10: A senior official of the Inter-Services Intelligence stated on Monday that Khalid Shaikh Mohammad said he last met Osama bin Laden in December at an unknown location. "KSM (Khalid Shaikh Mohammed) confirmed he met Osama bin Laden in December," the ISI official told some three dozen foreign correspondents at a briefing at the ISI headquarters. However, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, who was captured in an ISI-led raid on a private home in Rawalpindi on March 1, told interrogators that he did not know "the exact destination." "I don't believe him unless he gives us the location," the official said, questioning the credibility of Khalid Shaikh's revelations. Reporters were told not to reveal the names of the three ISI officials briefing them. In briefing the ISI official also said that Khalid Shaikh had handwritten letters on him which he said were from Osama bin Laden. "He was carrying notes he claims are written by Osama bin Laden." The ISI believes Osama bin Laden is alive following information gathered from Khalid Shaikh and Mustafa Ahmed Al Hawsawi, an alleged financier of the Sept 11 terror attacks who was captured with him. "From our intelligence gathering we feel that he is alive," the official told the briefing. -AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign agent's tip led to Khalid's arrest ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Qudssia Akhlaque ISLAMABAD, March 9: Twelve Pakistani intelligence operatives conducted the March 1 pre-dawn operation to capture Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden's alleged right-hand man, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, investigations into the two-hour operation have revealed. A "foreign agent" gave the tip-off to Inter-Services Intelligence top brass, sources told Dawn. They said the "foreign agent" was flown in "from somewhere" to provide the intelligence about Khalid Shaikh, one of the 'most wanted' of the Al Qaeda leadership. The reason was to avert risk of any communication intercept by the Al Qaeda operatives in possession of sophisticated equipment. The agent, stated to be of United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, informed the intelligence agency officials that through a communication intercept, it had been learnt that Khalid Shaikh was in transit. They were told that the authorities had four hours as Khalid Shaikh planned to leave for an unknown destination after that time. Intelligence officials had the option to trail or capture Khalid Shaikh, and they decided to go for the capture. A 12-member squad was mobilized for the operation in the Rawalpindi cantonment area where he was lodging. Owing to the FBI's 'big signature,' it was decided not to include its operatives in the squad. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Lashkar-i-Jhangvi activist arrested ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, March 13: The police have arrested an alleged activist of the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and his accomplice, Asif Ramzi, in Garden West. According to the police, on March 10 a CID team, following an information, arrested Muhammad Farhan Osda alias Abu Bakar, son of Amanullah, at house No 13, Prince Avenue Apartment, Block-D, Garden West, on suspicion of his involvement in sectarian terrorism. On a lead given by him one AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds was recovered from an empty plot in Machhar Colony. He was booked under the Arms Ordinance vide FIR No 02/2003 under section 13-E of the Arms Ordinance. The accused also disclosed that he was given tasks to kill police officers, complainants, informers and witnesses in sectarian cases. He and his accomplices had also planned for firing on Hussania Imambargah, near Gabol Park, in the police limits of Kalakot, Lyari, on 8th of Muharram. He confessed his involvement in parcel bombs cases. Parcel bombs were sent to police officers of Civil Lines, Artillery Maidan and Ferozabad police stations, who were dealing with sectarian cases. Five police officers were injured on October 16 & 17, 2002. He also disclosed his involvement in the Soldier Bazaar firing case on November 1, 2002 (three persons of the Shia sect were injured), the Jacob Lines firing case on December 10, 2001 (one person was injured) and the motorcycle bomb case in which two kilo explosives were recovered in the police limits of Gulzar-i-Hijri police on September 25, 2002.-APP/PPI DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NWFP needs more power for Islamization ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report PESHAWAR, March 13: Head of the 21-member Nifaz-i-Shariat Council has said the limited powers of the NWFP government are a hurdle in the way of Islamization in the province. "Only the federal government has complete authority without whose consent it will be difficult for the provincial government to implement all the recommendations of the council," Mufti Ghulam-ur- Rehman, the council chief, told journalists. "Judicial reforms top the priority list of recommendations, which would be announced on March 18," he said. "End of corruption and corrupt practices from society come next on the list," he said. The council has recommended reforms in the present police and patwari systems, which bred corruption and undermined social justice, he said. "The present taxation system is unjust, which has economically squeezed the general masses," he remarked. The council has recommended to the MMA government some changes in the tax system which, if implemented, would bring positive change in society, he claimed. "The Islamic economic experts of the council are studying the Islamic banking system of Al-Meezan and Al-Burka banks of Karachi and we have recommended to the government to establish an Islamic bank in the province," Mufti Ghulam-ur-Rehman said. The council also wanted to eliminate beggary from society and for this purpose, it recommended setting up of rehabilitation centres for beggars, he maintained. Such centres could also be established for drug addicts. "The MMA government has also been suggested to shape plans for the promotion of cottage industry," the council head said. Compulsory education up to primary level and elimination of child labour from the province are two other of the council's recommendations. "We suggested that all the children must be sent to schools and stipends paid to parents who partly depend on the income of their children. We do not want economic injustice with the poor families," Mufti Ghulam-ur-Rehman said. All the commitments made by the provincial governments in the past with foreign companies would be honoured, he said. However, the MMA government has been advised to keep the interest of the local people uppermost when entering into a fresh deal with foreign firms, he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- France, S. Arabia back Pakistan peace move ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 13: The foreign ministers of France, Saudi Arabia and Canada telephoned Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and discussed with him the latest developments on the Iraqi situation. The foreign ministers supported a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. During the 35-minute conversation with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, the two sides agreed on the need to take steps to create unanimity and reduce differences in the international community on the Iraq issue in the interest of multilateralism, international law and world peace, a Foreign Office statement said. "The two foreign ministers reiterated their position that the problem of Iraq should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions," the statement said. Mr Villepin while presenting his country's standpoint on the Iraqi crisis supported the disarmament of Iraq in a peaceful way through inspection. According to the statement, the two ministers also exchanged views on bilateral issues and decided to remain in touch on the Iraq situation. SAUDI FM: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal held a lengthy telephonic conversation with Mr Kasuri. In view of fraternal bilateral relations, Mr Kasuri availed the opportunity to brief Prince Saud on the latest developments with regard to the issue of Iraq in the framework of Security Council and the efforts made by Pakistan to promote a peaceful solution of the crisis. Mr Kasuri agreed with his Saudi counterpart on the need for a peaceful settlement of the problem to ensure unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. CANADIAN FM: Foreign Minister of Canada Bill Graham discussed with Mr Kasuri ways and means of working towards an agreed approach in the Security Council in the interest of world peace and security. In the last few days, the foreign minister has also received telephone calls from the foreign ministers of Russia, UK, Mexico and Bangladesh to exchange views on the latest development in the region. "In these high-level diplomatic discussions, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has reiterated Pakistan's belief that a peaceful solution to this crisis is still possible, and that Pakistan will continue to play its constructive role in reducing differences in the Security Council on the problems of Iraq in the interest of multilateralism, international law and world peace," said a foreign office announcement. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan will press for more time, says Kasuri ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 12: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said Pakistan is behind the scene trying to get an action against Iraq delayed to give the weapon inspectors more time to complete their work. Speaking to newsmen in parliament house, the foreign minister said he was in continuous touch with the foreign ministers of many influential countries. He told that he had talked to the Mexican foreign minister last night and had earlier telephonic conversations with his other counterparts, including those of Russia, the UK and US etc. "In view of UN chief inspector Blinx's latest report, in which he has admitted that Iraq was implementing destruction of its long- range missiles, the process should be given more time," Kasuri said. Right now, he said, the efforts made by Islamabad were aimed at keeping unanimity of the UN Security Council intact, which was of a pivotal importance for the future of the world peace and other disputes as the issue of Iraq was not the last one which the world body had to resolve. He asserted that in the opinion of Pakistan, the UN Security Council must not be divided on this issue and any question in future as it might put the world peace in jeopardy. Pakistan had a role to play in the matter, he added. The foreign minister said that to say that Pakistan would abstain on the resolution or give a negative vote as was demanded by the opposition was premature since "we are unaware as yet of the total contents of a fresh resolution moved in the Security Council". Pakistan, he maintained, would take a decision by keeping its national interest as well as multi-lateral interest above all other considerations. He strongly contested the question whether Iran and Pakistan would be the next American targets after Iraq. Pakistan was a responsible member of the international community as it had decidedly fulfilled so far all its obligations, he said. Mr Kasuri also stated that Pakistan's command and control system was put in place two years ahead of India, which had been acknowledged and commended by international defence journals including Jane Defence journal. Pakistan's defence programme, he said, was transparent and therefore it was known to all about the Pakistani weapons which were in safe hands."It was not helping any country in this connection including Iran," he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030312 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt urged to cast 'no' vote on Iraq ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, March 11: Religious parties asked the government to go further than abstaining from a United Nations Security Council vote on war on Iraq and cast an outright 'no' vote against military action. "Pakistan as a member of the Security Council should boldly say no to any move for war," Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, secretary-general of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam told AFP. The cabinet decided unanimously late Monday to abstain from the vote, expected this week, on a draft resolution by the United States, Britain and Spain authorising military action, PML-Q senator Mushahid Hussain told AFP. Pakistan is one of the council's 10 rotating members and has resisted playing its card on how it would vote. A senior official from the PML-Q said the decision was taken to avoid "a serious public backlash." Religious parties have led two massive rallies in the past 10 days against war on Iraq, drawing hundreds of thousands onto the streets. "Pakistan is a nuclear power and a member of UN security council and it should have courage to say what millions of Pakistani have said during the protests in Karachi and Rawalpindi," Mr Ahmed said. "God has provided this opportunity to Pakistan. The whole Muslim world is pinning great hopes on us, so we should play our role instead of avoiding voting against the resolution." Abstention was not enough for the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, spokesman Shahid Shamsi said. "The stand of the MMA is clear: it wants a big 'no' vote by Pakistan," Mr Shamsi told AFP. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cabinet reviews Iraq situation ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 10: The federal cabinet held an emergency meeting here and discussed the latest situation on Iraq. The meeting presided over by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was briefed on the emergent situation on the Baghdad issue. According to an official announcement, the cabinet unanimously decided to continue to base Pakistan's position on Iraq on principles while keeping in view the national interest. Islamabad has consistently stated that Iraq must comply with the all relevant Security Council resolutions. "Also that peace must be given a chance and all options for peaceful solution must be explored," the government is of the view. PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also attended the meeting on a special invitation. The prime minister emphasised that Pakistan's position on the issue would be based on principles and not on expediency. He said that as a leader of an elected government, that drew its strength from the people, he would also be taking the nation into confidence shortly on every important issue. Informed sources said it was a consensus at the meeting that Pakistan should not support the new US resolution as it would not go well with the people. They said that almost all the ministers expressed their point of view and said the best option was that Pakistan should abstain from the voting. It was also said that let other countries, especially France and Russia, take a firm stand over the issue. In case of a veto by France or Russia, the meeting was told, Pakistan could save its position in the eyes of Bush administration DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pindi march opposes war ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Bakhtawar Mian RAWALPINDI, March 9: Tens of thousands of followers of opposition parties marched in Rawalpindi to oppose a possible US-led war against Iraq. The march, organised by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) as part of its "million march" protest series and joined by some other opposition groups, was one of the biggest held in Rawalpindi. The marchers, many of them coming from other cities and towns of Punjab and the NWFP, formed a huge rally on the city's main Murree Road where party leaders blasted what they saw as anti-Muslim polices of US President George W. Bush. They urged Pakistan's government to oppose the US moves for war at the 15-member UN Security Council, where Pakistan is at present a non-permanent member. The march started from Liaquat Bagh and terminated about two kilometre north of there outside the city's main Rawalpindi General Hospital where protest leaders made their speeches from an overhead bridge. The protesters wore head-bands and carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans calling for peace and condemning the US policies. "We want peace", "No war for oil", "Bush is today's Pharaoh" read some of them. Some carried cartoons showing Bush sipping human blood. A Bush effigy was also burnt. The speakers also targeted President Pervez Musharraf for offering Pakistan's help in the US-led military operation in Afghanistan and some expressed fears that another Muslim country could be the next target after Iraq. MMA chief Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani said the whole world was up against American war plans. He said a regime change in Iraq was just an excuse to achieve what he called the real US ambition of capturing oil deposits in the Middles East and strengthening Israel. "Bush wants to change the map of the Middle East but it is not so easy as all the Muslims would present a united front. It is our religious and moral responsibility to back the Iraqi Muslims," he said. MMA parliamentary leader Qazi Hussain Ahmad urged Muslims to unite against what he called "imperialist tendencies" of President Bush. He said President Musharraf must clarify his policy on Iraq and that Pakistan must vote against the US-sponsored resolution in the UNSC for an attack on Iraq. MMA secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized Gen Musharraf and said army generals had damaged the country in one way or another. He cited the 1971 war in which East Pakistan was lost and the Indian incursion into the Siachen glacier in the 1980s. He also accused the generals of a role in what he called destruction of Afghanistan by siding with "aggressors" and said they should review their policies and play a role that should be acceptable to the nation. Giving FBI a free hand is equal to selling away the country's sovereignty, he said. The rally was also addressed by Pakistan Muslim League-N acting president Javed Hashmi and Pakistan Tehrik- i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan. A large number of women also participated in the protest march. A heavy contingent of police had been deployed at different points to avoid any untoward incident. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Draft asks Iraqis to revolt: Pakistan denies attribution ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Corresponent UNITED NATIONS, March 8: Pakistani diplomats at the United Nations were caught by surprise when an alternative draft resolution on Iraq attributed to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia surfaced. Pakistan's ambassador Munir Akram denied any connection to the paper, which, he called, was "one of many ideas floating around." Pakistan didn't plan to introduce any draft unless Arab ambassadors could persuade the major council powers to support it, the diplomat said. The two-page proposal, which some diplomats said might have been floated by Saudi Arabia, was designed to encourage Iraqis to revolt against the regime rather than face war. Pakistan's name was attributed to the draft because it is a Muslim country, a member of the UN Security Council and seeks a peaceful resolution of the Iraqi crisis, diplomats reflected. The draft offers amnesty to all Iraqi officials who would cooperate with inspectors and suggests that force can be used to protect Iraqi people facing threat from their own regime. Mr Akram said many Arab and other Muslim countries were floating such ideas to see whether they could gather any momentum. Referring to the US resolution, Mr Akram said it needed more work and possibly a wider deadline in order for the United States to win the nine votes it needs for the resolution's adoption. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt asked to reverse pro-US policies ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, March 9: The chief of Tehrik-i-Insaf, Imran Khan, has asked the government not to vote for any Security Council resolution that would allow aggression against Iraq. Pakistan's stand must be based on principles and it must act as per the aspirations of the people who are opposed to the American policies vis-a-vis Iraq, said Mr Khan while addressing the Head and Neck Oncology Society of Pakistan on Pakistan in the evolving international crises. The PTI chief was highly critical of the government for "not protecting the fundamental rights of the people and giving in too much to the Americans" and opined that the "leadership is so petrified of the Americans that they are not standing up for their rights." He said that Islamabad did not support terrorism in any form, yet Pakistanis were being treated as suspects after the 9/11 incident and that they were being subjected to questionable treatment in the United States. The sad part is, he said, that the government here had not raised its voice over it to protect the rights of its citizen. "What is the use of living in a country which does not protect your fundamental rights," said the disgusted Khan while referring, what he described as "the government's failure in restraining the Americans from uncalled for treatment being meted out to Pakistanis." The PTI chief advised the government not to obey the Americans' orders. "Pakistani agencies do whatever the Americans ask them to do. They get away with it because the people are poor and nobody speaks for them," he regretted. He also referred to the massive anti-war rallies in Europe and claimed that they disproved the clash of civilization theory. "I believe that the US, the only super power, is controlled by the Zionists and President Bush is surrounded by the fundamentalists," he maintained. He acknowledged that doctors of Pakistani origin had been experiencing an adverse fallout of the 9/11 incident because of the restrictive American policies. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Asif not produced in court despite 270 orders ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Tahir Siddiqui KARACHI, March 13: The five different courts, trying Asif Ali Zardari, husband of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in six cases have issued over 270 orders for his production in court during the past two years. None of the orders has been complied with. The court issued as many as 25 orders for the production of Mr Zardari in court in the Murtaza murder case, being tried by the district and sessions judge, East, Sain Ali Dino Matilo, at the Central Prison, Karachi. The case was transferred to the district and sessions judge, East, in August, 2001 after Judge Yasmin Abbasi of the Small Causes Court had refused to try it some six months before its transfer due to the "non-cooperation of the prosecution and defence lawyers." Asif Zardari, Shoaib Suddle, then DIG Karachi, Wajid Durrani, then senior superintendent of police, South, Masood Sharif, then chief of the Intelligence Bureau, Shahid Hiyat, then SP of Saddar, Rai Mohammed Tahir, then ASP of Darkhshan, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, then SHO of Garden police station, Agha Mohammed Jameel, then SHO of Napier PS, ASI Abdul Basit, head constables Muslim Shah and Faisal Hafeez and constables Zafar Iqbal, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Ghulam Mustafa, Ahmed Khan, Raja Hameed, Gulzar Khan, Zakir Mehmood and Ghulam Shabbir were the arrested accused in the case. They all have been granted bail. The trial of the Murtaza Bhutto murder case has come to a halt since the deposition of the 17th out of the total 223 prosecution witnesses due to the non-production of the prime accused, Asif Zardari, in the court. The court had recorded the statement of Ghulam Mustafa, a worker of Mir Murtaza and an eyewitness in the case, in July 2000, but the PW is yet to be cross-examined by the defence counsel. Mr Zardari, who was granted bail in the case in December last year, has not been produced in the court despite repeated notices to the jail authorities and the Sindh home department for his production in the court. Later, he was charge-sheeted in the container case, Justice Nizam murder case, attempt to commit suicide cases, Alam Baloch murder case, SGC reference, ARY Gold reference, tractor reference, Sajjad Hussain murder case and Polo Ground reference. Mr Zardari, being represented by Shahadat Awan in Karachi, was booked in 11 cases, including the Justice Nizam murder case and attempt to commit suicide cases, during the Nawaz Sharif government. He was booked in the Polo Ground reference and in the Sajjad Hussain murder case after the dismissal of the Nawaz government. On May 10, 1999 the police obtained his remand in the Justice Nizam murder case. During his remand, he was booked in two cases of attempt to commit suicide on May 17 and May 19. The court issued as many as 122 orders for the production of Mr Zardari in the Justice Nizam murder case, being tried in the district and session court, Central, headed by Judge Zafar Ahmed Sherwani. The police submitted the final charge-sheets in the attempt to commit suicide cases in the court of the Judicial Magistrate, Syeda Perveen Shah, who issued as many as 105 orders for the production in the court of ailing Asif Zardari, who at present is lodged in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences at Islamabad, under the custody of Attock Jail. On March 11, an additional district and sessions judge, South, Farooq Ali Channa, directed the provincial authorities of Punjab and Sindh to ensure the production of Mr Zardari in Sajjad Hussain murder case in his court on March 31. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Frequency coordination for Paksat-1 achieved ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 8: Information Technology and Telecommunications Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the country had achieved frequency coordination for the Paksat-1 communication satellite. Terming the event a breakthrough, the minister while briefing newsmen at his office, said now all the 34 transponders could be used optimally and the expectation of generating revenues was possible by aggressively marketing its potential. The satellite could only be utilized after removing frequency constraint by making it coordinated with neighbouring satellites, he said. We could now put together a more viable business plan for the follow-up satellite, especially when we have three to five years to work on it, Mr Leghari said. He said the opportunity gave the government more space in getting partners and the ability to acquire funding for building and launching the country's own satellite, besides developing necessary capabilities. He said the breakthrough came after President Gen Pervez Musharraf's visit to Russia, after which the Russian ambassador was involved in a dialogue, though a team was involved in meeting international operators over the last few months. The Paksat-1 was positioned in the slot allocated for Pakistan at 38 degrees east, in a geosynchronous orbit, 36,000km above the earth. The government hopes to use the satellite for educational intranet, virtual university, tele-medicine, internet bandwidth, video conferencing and private channels. It will also cover Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and India. The satellite has been leased for 5 years at an initial cost of $4.5 million, while $30 million has to be paid in 5 years. The government is planning for a follow-on satellite to fully exploit the slot that might cost $250 million and for which PC-1 has been forwarded to Executive Committee of National Economic Council. The minister said that the satellite had 34 transponders and a capacity of 1.3 gigahertz. Through this capacity, 220 satellite television channels could be run simultaneously and it is three times the total Internet bandwidth coming into the country. The minister said that though country had the satellite and it could file with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the ability to use its potential was dependent on the ability to co-ordinate with operators of nearby satellites or those who had priority. He said the location of the satellite was very valuable since it could cover the region from the tip of South Africa to the Far East. The minister said he would hold meetings with different ministries to take benefit of e-governance and satellite. Health and education ministries, the higher education commission and Virtual University could take advantage of the satellite, he said. He said the private sector, especially the private TV channels, would be encouraged to utilize the satellite through commercial packages. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NAB plea to revoke exemption dismissed: Hashmi's reference ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, March 10: An accountability court dismissed a NAB's application, requesting court to withdraw exemption granted to PML- N acting president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi from personal appearance in a corruption reference filed against him. The court had dispensed with the appearance of Hashmi, after he returned to the National Assembly in the October last, due to his official engagements in Islamabad. NAB contended that court could not grant exemption from personal appearance to one accused, saying more than one accused arraigned in a case could be granted such exemption. NAB counsel Asad Manzoor Butt argued that the accused had not been exempted for an indefinite period, and his personal appearance in court at this stage of trial was a must. Defence counsel Manzoor Malik contended that once the exemption had been granted to the accused, it could not be revoked by the trial court. NAB's section 17 authorised the court to exempt from personal appearance an accused with reasons to be recorded, and the prosecution could not oppose such exemption once granted, the counsel said. He also argued that NAB could not challenge the exemption in the trial court, which could not review its orders. However, he should move the appellate court for this purpose, he added. The court dismissed NAB's plea, observing that it could not go beyond its jurisdiction in revoking its own orders regarding the accused's exemption from personal appearance. It also observed that the accused was being represented through a pleader and his conduct, following the grant of exemption from personal appearance, did not warrant the withdrawal of this privilege. The proceedings were adjourned for March 24. Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has been accused of illegally acquiring movable and immovable assets worth Rs38 million, abusing his official position from 1991 to 1999. Mr Hashmi has also been accused of living beyond his means, as he failed to account for the assets during investigation. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 killed in Sargodha Imambargah stampede ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Sajjad Abbas Niazi SARGODHA, March 13: Seven people, including two children, were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede caused by a fire broke out in an Imambargah on Khushab Road. A 'majlis' of women was in progress at the upper storey of the Block-7 Imambargah when tents erected on the terrace reportedly caught fire. It caused a stampede as everyone tried to rush down the stairs. Four women - Nasreen, Kausar, Razia and Shazia - and two children, Ali Zargham and Iqra, died on the spot. Some 20 injured were taken to the DHQ hospital where a woman, wife of Mantaq, died while condition of three others was stated to be critical till the filing of this report. The injured included Bakhat Bibi, Shazia Batool, Kalsoom Bibi, Faiza Batool, Nusrat, Kaneez, Bilqees, Iram, Ansar, Ghulam Mustafa, Nazar Husain, Shamim Kausar and Faiz Bibi. Some women reportedly jumped from the upper storey and sustained fractures. Police highups, including the DIG and the SSP, reached the spot and told newsmen that the fire broke out due to short circuit. Local Shia leaders, however, did not agree with the administration and demanded an "impartial inquiry" to determine the cause of the blaze. They did not allow the autopsy of the bodies and also refused to accept their custody, saying they were waiting for an advice from their high command. Sargodha Nazim Amjad Ali Noon quoted majlis organizer Ghulam Shabbir as saying that it was purely an accident. "He has given it in writing to the administration," he told Dawn. COMPENSATION: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, expressing his sorrow and grief over the incident, announced a special grant of Rs100,000 each for the heirs of the deceased, Rs50,000 for each injured and Rs10,000 for those sustaining minor injuries. This was stated by the provincial minister for irrigation while talking to Dawn. The minister said it was mere an accident and could not be linked to the Wednesday's shooting in Miani, Bhera, which left over dozen injured. He said there were over 500 women and children attending the majlis on the upper story which had room for 200 people only. He said the fire might have been caused by heat generated by searchlights hung close to the tents. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Noted singer Shahida Parveen passes away ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter LAHORE, March 13: Shahida Parveen, a classical and folk singer, died of kidney failure after a week-long illness. She was 50. She was admitted to Shaikh Zayed Hospital last week with kidney problem. After some initial improvement, her condition deteriorated on Wednesday and she died at 2am. She was buried at 3pm on Thursday. Known for her skill on classical genre of music, Shahida Parveen made her mark by singing sufi poetry as well. Mainly trained by her late mother, Zahida Parveen - a noted singer in the 1950s and 60s in her own right - Shahida Parveen also got education in music from Patiala Gharana. She was a disciple of Akhtar Ali Khan, father of Amanat Ali Khan and Hamid Ali Khan. "Shahida was one of those rare people who started singing after learning the skill," said Farukh Bashir of the PTV. Education in music had refined her personality to a great extent, meaning thereby that she had absorbed music in its all manifestations and forms. She was one of those singer who did not need on-job-training like many of her contemporaries, Mr Bashir added. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Italian firm's request registered at world body ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, March 10: The International Chamber for Settlement of Investment Disputes has registered the request of Italian contractor of the Ghazi Barotha project for arbitration after overruling Pakistan's objections to its jurisdiction. Official sources told Dawn that Pakistan was intimated by the ICSID secretariat that it had registered the request of Impregilo, the Italian contractor, for arbitration and Pakistan should raise the objection to the jurisdiction of the tribunal before the tribunal itself. The Italian contractor has approached the ICSID, which works under the umbrella of World Bank, demanding $450 million from the government of Pakistan. The government in its preliminary objections before the ICSID at Washington had stated that under Article 25(1) of the ICSID Convention the jurisdiction of the centre did not extend to Wapda as it was not a constituent subdivision or agency of Pakistan and had not been designated to the ICSID by Pakistan. The government has been informed that the ICSID had noted that the request was against the government and not against Wapda. The sources maintain that just the registration of the request would force the government to spend a few millions of dollars. After registration of the request both the parties are required to deposit $100,000 as fee, besides engaging foreign lawyers having necessary qualification to take up cases at the ICSID. This is the second application for arbitration filed by a foreign company engaged for projects in Pakistan which has been registered by the ICSID. The request of Turkish company Bayinder has so far not been registered. The Italian contractor has claimed that Wapda is in serious breach of contractual commitments and is also responsible for denial of justice to it by frustrating the contractual dispute resolution mechanism. Now both Pakistan and the Impregilo will appoint an arbitrator each. Neither party can appoint one of its nationals as arbitrator. The two arbitrators will by mutual agreement appoint a chairman. If they fail to agree then the chairman will be nominated by the ICSID. At present Pakistan has investment protection treaties with 43 countries. Majority of these agreements were signed in the 90s without properly defining what was meant by investment. Unlike other countries, Pakistan never protected its foreign assets. If a suit is decreed by the ICSID, the other party can ask for the execution of the treaty by identifying Pakistan's assets. Pakistan's foreign assets include its reserves in the Reserve Bank of America, PIA's fleet, PNSC ships and embassies. The countries with which Pakistan has investment treaty are Germany, Romania, Sweden, Kuwait, France, South Korea, the Netherlands, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Spain, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, Singapore, Turkey, Portugal, Malaysia, Switzerland, Kyrgyz Republic, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, UAE, Iran, Indonesia, Tunisia, Syria, Denmark, Belarus, Mauritius, Italy, Oman, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, Belgium, Qatar, Philippine, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Adviser for Roosevelt Hotel sale selected ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Nasir Iqbal ISLAMABAD, March 10: The National Assembly was informed that Pakistan International Airlines was considering selling Roosevelt Hotel in New York. In response to a question of PPP's Syed Naveed Qamar, Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal said in a written reply that a Roosevelt Task Force (RTF) was constituted under the terms of the shareholders agreement on June 2001. The RTF was given a clear mandate for taking all decisions for reaching the best possible sale price for the Roosevelt Hotel in a minimum period of time. About advertisement for the selection of a financial adviser for the property, he said the RTF at its meeting on April 28, 2002, decided to accelerate the process for the appointment of an Investment Adviser (IA). In this connection, the Saudi representatives proposed that the RTF contained previous shortlist of companies presented to the PIAIL Board in April 2001. This list had been arrived at by a careful consideration of previous proposals received by the PIAIL and the Privatisation Commission. The RTF also took under consideration the cost factor and the time involved in going to the press. It was decided not to go to the press for advertisement, he said, adding that 15 top companies were short-listed. These companies were issued Letters of Invitation (LoIs) for submitting their technical offers and financial bids separately. Only nine participated. He said that the results of the technical analysis and financial scrutiny were combined and the resultant scores were calculated/tabulated in accordance with the process laid down in the LoI. Eastdil Realty Co. LLC was finally selected as the Investment Adviser for the sale of Roosevelt Hotel, the minister said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Guinness Book management threatened with law suit ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Correspondent BAHAWALPUR, March 13: The "world's tallest woman" has expressed resentment over the publication of her photograph in the Guinness Book of World Records without her permission and threatened the Guinness Book management with a law suit if she does not get due monetary benefits within a month. Speaking at a press conference in the presence of seven-foot-two Zainab Bibi who is illiterate, her promoter Asghar Bahawalpuri said that the photo, which appeared on page 51 of the Guinness Book's 2003 edition, was taken in Jordan about a year ago, from where it was presumably provided to the book management by the photographer without Zainab's permission and knowledge. The photo of 28-year-old Zainab has been published along with that of Pakistan's tallest man Azad Khan Masood of South Waziristan Agency who is seven feet eight inches tall. Mr Asghar regretted that Zainab's introduction had not been carried by the Guinness Book 2003 along with the photograph. Ms Zainab claimed that the book management paid around $6,000 to people whose photographs and introduction were published in the book. She told questioners that she had visited a number of countries to project the country abroad. She used the money she had earned abroad to build herself a house in Chak 285/GB in Toba Tek Singh district.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY 20030312 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Provinces seek relief for next fiscal year: formula being drawn ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Sabihuddin Ghausi KARACHI, March 11: The meeting of the federal and provincial finance ministers in Islamabad has failed to pacify the provinces and three provinces - Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP - are all set to demand a financial compensation from federal government for their next fiscal year's budgets. The Sindh government has already placed a compensation demand of Rs3.4 billion from Islamabad for the current fiscal year and exercises are being made to work out a demand for next year's budget. Aftab Sheikh, Adviser on Finance to Sindh Chief Minister is briefing his cabinet colleagues next Tuesday in Karachi on the resources distribution issue. The cabinet is expected to draw up a strategy to demand a compensation from Islamabad and setting in place a new NFC formula in which provinces should get more than 50 per cent of the total taxation pool and Islamabad should get less than 50 per cent. "Real nation-building task is done by the provinces while Islamabad is looking after only debt servicing, defence and administrative expenditure," he told Dawn. He said all the four provinces including Punjab were unanimous in their demand of getting more than 50 per cent from the federal taxation pool and allowing Islamabad to retain less than 50 per cent. Aftab Sheikh also wants a fair distribution of over Rs400 billion non-taxation revenue of Islamabad among the four provinces of the federal government. He is expected to visit Quetta, Peshawar and Lahore in his efforts to strike a consensus among the provinces on ticklish resources distribution arrangement. Aftab Sheikh had invited the finance ministers of the three provinces in Karachi last month who had demanded a new NFC quickly. In meeting, the federal government has indicated the formation of a new NFC and has asked the provinces to nominate their non-official statutory members on the Commission. Going by the experiences of the previous six NFCs, the next Commission would take more than one year to finalize award if the political leadership manage to reach some consensus. After taking over in October 1999, the military government constituted NFC in 2000. The NFC remained a painfully slow affair for more than one and a half year. As many as half a dozen meetings were held in 2002 and a last meeting was to finalize the award was scheduled to be held in Lahore on October 25 last year. This meeting was called off after the then Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz left this unfinished task to the new elected political leaders. The last NFC in its unfinished award has retained population as the basis of resources distribution among the provinces but has hinted at moving towards multiple denominations including economic backwardness, size of the province and the revenue generation capacity in next NFC then scheduled in the year 2007. An annual subvention pool of Rs20 billion was proposed to be set up for compensating Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan. In addition Rs32 billion collected from 2.5 per cent additional GST was also to be distributed among the provinces. However, there was no consensus among the provinces on distribution of Rs32 billion. Besides, the Wapda was expected to work out profit distribution with the NWFP. In the post election development after October 2002, the finance ministers of three provinces have already demanded new resources distribution arrangement in which population should not be the only criterion. On January 31 last, the treasury and opposition benches in Sindh Assembly joined hands to unanimously pass a very strong resolution on resources distribution. It stipulates an altogether new concept of resources distribution which reflects the changing mood of the people of smaller provinces. The three provinces Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP are all set to demand a financial compensation from Islamabad for their next fiscal year's budget because the validity of the 1997 National Finance Commission award expired in June 2002 and there is no possibility of a new resource distribution arrangement being worked out in next few months. Sindh has already placed a compensation demand for Rs3.4 billion for the current fiscal year ending next June and exercise is under way to work out compensation demand for 2003-04. The year 2003-04 will be second consecutive year when provinces are being forced to draw up their budgets on the basis of 1997 NFC Award, which has lost constitutional validity in June 2002. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- $ to fall as SBP slows buying from banks ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mohiuddin Aazim KARACHI, March 10: The State Bank will allow the US dollar to lose some of its extra weight this month as keeping the buck artificially stable has started hurting the exporters - for whose benefit the SBP has been defending the US currency. "Ironically the policy of defending the buck too aggressively has started hurting the same people for whom the policy was put in place," said a senior banker close to State Bank. He said the central bank has realized this and indications are that it would allow the greenback to lose some of its extra weight this month. Let us see how the SBP policy of keeping the dollar above a certain level - or defending it in bankers jargon - has started hurting the exporters. Bankers say lately forward price of the dollar in all tenure has fallen below its spot price because it has been kept stable for quite some time giving rise to hopes that it would surely come down in coming months. So strong are the fears of a future fall of the buck that importers are not making forward purchases even at a discounted price. This being the scenario the exporters who had been the prime beneficiary of the State Bank policy to defend the dollar have now become unable to sell future export proceeds to avoid taking the exchange rate loss. If this situation persists for some time it would start pinching the exporters. Though not all exporters realize this those who have enough knowledge of foreign exchange market say their community should no more insist for keeping the buck stable through artificial means. "There is a limit to every thing," said a big textile exporter well-versed with the nitty-gritty of the foreign exchange market. "Keeping the dollar stable for too long a period has resulted in the situation where the forward premiums have turned negative - threatening to hurt us," he remarked. Exporters do realize that letting the dollar some extra weight now is also going to hurt them in a way - that is it would reduce their current export earnings to some extent besides impacting on their competitive edge over the rivals. But bankers say since the SBP would allow the buck shed extra value in phases - and not at once - the exchange rate loss to the exporters would be limited. On the other hand if the SBP keeps the dollar still stable by continued aggressive dollar buying from banks "one day the bubble will burst" - forcing the dollar to a unmanageable low all of a sudden. Exporters have been used to selling future export proceeds at a premium in times when the rupee used to shed value against the buck as a matter of routine. But even after the things changed for the better - in the wake of 9/11 they did not stop it though the premiums started falling as the fears of rupee depreciation were mitigated by unusually higher inflows of foreign exchange. Selling future export proceeds or discounting the export bills - in bankers jargon - enables the exporters to meet their day to day cash requirements. Hence the continuation of the practice. According to the State Bank statistics the stock of overdue export bills was minus $91 million at end-December last year. This means exporters had made a net export bills discounting of $91 million between July-December 2002. Top bankers close to SBP say the central bank's high-ups have realized this and several other negative aspects of keeping the dollar in oxygen tent for too long. They say it is in this background that the central bank has decided to slow down its US dollar buying from the inter-bank market to let the greenback lose some of its extra weight. SBP officials decline to comment on this issue but top bankers say they have got indications that the central bank would not defend the dollar as aggressively in March as in the previous months. The bankers say Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Aziz has been apprised of the problems facing the banks due to an over- valued dollar. "The adviser has assured us that while keeping the dollar stable at a certain level the SBP would not ignore its fallout on the banks operations," said head of a local bank. Aziz had met top bankers in Karachi during his weekend visit and asked them to expedite credit disbursement to avoid booking losses on their books due to falling yield on government treasury bills. Aziz could not be reached immediately for his comments. Senior bankers say SBP high-ups have also passed on a word down the line that the policy of defending the dollar should be revisited in the light of emerging inter-bank market situation. This is a reference to forward premiums turning negative and thus threatening the exporters as well as to rising level of liquidity partly due to aggressive dollar buying by the central bank. "So on both counts there is a case for having a new level to defend the dollar at," says a senior banker close to SBP. But naturally nobody knows what this level would be. The SBP has already shown a shift in its policy by letting the dollar trade below Rs 58 these days and by minimising its dollar buying from the banking system in March. Bankers say the central bank that purchased more than $310 million in January-February this year has bought only $40 million so far this month. These bankers say in addition to the factors discussed above an IMF observation on the State Bank policy of excessive dollar buying from the system has also led the central bank to revisit this policy. The IMF while approving the fifth tranche of poverty reduction and growth facility early this month observed that the policy was proving costly "as rupee funds being spent to buy dollars from banks was but "a non-priority expenditure." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Oman plans investment in Balochistan ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Khaleeq Kiani ISLAMABAD, March 9: Oman is planning significant investment in Balochistan, including in the expansion of Gwadar airport and construction of jetties at Gwadar port. A number of investment projects would come under discussion when Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meets here on Monday. Adviser to the prime minister on finance Shaukat Aziz would lead Pakistani side while Sheikh Bin Hilal Bin Ali Al-Khalili, Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries of the Sultanate of Oman would lead his eight-member delegation. The two sides would cover areas of mutual interest and economic cooperation relating to the improvement of air-traffic between the national carriers of the two countries. The fourth session of the JMC would discuss projects relating to the extension of Gwadar airport, upgraduation of Gwadar hospital, construction of seven jetties at the Gwadar Port, provision of 100 engines by Oman to the fishermen and augmentation of water supply schemes in Balochistan. The JMC would finalise projects for a $7 million grant announced by Sultan of Oman during his visit to Pakistan in April 2001. The Omanese government has already provided 43 new generators to the province. For the utilization of the grant, Pakistan has already furnished projects relating to the construction of Gwadar-Hoshab Road, Water Supply Scheme from Shadi Kaur Dam to Pasni town, construction of three irrigation dams and replacement of pipes from Akrakaur Dam to Gwadar and Jiwani towns. Oman has sought to benefit from Pakistanis' experience in light and medium industry for the development of Omani industrial sector. Oman is also keen on having joint projects for investment in the agricultural, livestock and industrial sectors. The two sides would also discuss setting up of industrial units in the free trade zones. President Gen Pervez Musharraf visited Oman in June, 2000. The visit was reciprocated by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in April, 2001. During the visit, Sultan Qaboos announced a grant of $50 million for long-term assistance to Balochistan. As a result, $12.5 million were provided for the setting up of Pakistan-Oman Investment Company. Additionally, $3.5 million were provided by Oman to set up two Information Technology (IT) chairs in the name of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore and at the NED University, Karachi. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- KSE 100-share index breaks 2,500-point barrier ------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Reporter KARACHI, March 12: Stocks staged a robust rally on active buying in the leading base shares, pushing the KSE 100-share index well above the psychological barrier of 2,500 points at 2,540.25 amid a briskly traded session. The KSE 100-share index rose by 58.24 points or 2.35 per cent at 2,540.25 as compared to previous 2,482.01 points as all the leading bases shares finished with robust rallies. The total market capitalization also rose by Rs11.829bn to Rs577.398bn as compared to Rs565.569 billion a day earlier as all the heavily capitalized shares, notably PTCL, Hub-Power and PSO rose sharply higher. Energy shares again led the market advance under the lead of Pak- Suzuki Motors, PSO, Shell Pakistan, Pakistan Oilfields and Unilever Pakistan, which posted gains ranging from Rs4.75 to Rs19.95. Other prominent gainers included ICPSEMF, Century Insurance, National Refinery, Pakistan Refinery, Atlas Battery, Honda Atlas, Indus Motors, Pak-Suzuki Motors, Glaxo-Wellcome and Dawood Hercules, which posted gains ranging from Rs2.05 to Rs4.10. Losers were led by Security Papers, New Jubilee Insurance, Bhanero Textiles BOC Pakistan and Wyeth Pakistan, off Rs1.70 to Rs28, the largest decline being in Wyeth. Trading volume rose to 179m shares as gainers held a strong lead over the losers at 182 to 42, with 42 shares holding on to the last levels. Hub-Power led the list of actives, up 70 paisa at Rs36.05 on 51m shares, PSO, higher by Rs5.65 at Rs202.40 on 25m shares, PTCL, up 45 paisa at Rs21.70 on 15m shares, FFC-Jordan Fertilizer, higher 70 paisa at Rs10.90 also on 15m shares and Sui Northern Gas, up 80 paisa at Rs22.65 on 13m shares. Other actives included Dewan Farooq Motors, higher by Rs1.10 on 8m shares, Engro Chemical up Rs1.30 on 7m shares, Pak PTA firm by 45 paisa also on 7m shares, Bosicor Pakistan, steady 35 paisa on 6m shares and MCB, up 65 paisa on 4m shares. FORWARD COUNTER: PSO came in for strong support at the overnight lows and recovered to close higher by Rs6.10 at Rs202.80 on 10m shares followed by Hub-Power, higher 85 paisa at Rs36.15 on 11m shares and PTCL, up 45 paisa at Rs21.70 on 4m shares. Other actives were led by FFC-Jordan Fertilizer, higher 75 paisa at Rs10.85, on 2m shares, Engro Chemical, higher 90 paisa at Rs79.70 on 2m shares. MCB also gave a better performance and rose by Rs1.35 at Rs32.45. DEFAULTER COMPANIES: Active trading was witnessed on this counter where some of the leading shares attracted good support and rose sharply under the lead of Suzuki Motorcycles, up Rs1.50 at Rs9 on 0.220m shares. Automotive Battery and Pangrio Sugar followed it, higher by Rs1.45 and unchanged at Rs7.95 and Re1 respectively on 7,000 and 5,000 shares respectively. Others were also modestly traded.Back to the top
EDITORIALS & FEATURES 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Blackened man, blackened woman' ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ardeshir Cowasjee Amidst the chaos, non-functioning, the shouting, unruly and unparliamentary behaviour of the majority of the elected representatives, men and women, in the National Assembly, thirty- five (out of a total of 139) of the more sensible and realistic women representatives sitting in our provincial assemblies who wish to achieve something other than disruption met last week at Karachi at an orientation workshop organized by the Jinnah Institute (London-based) and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. For most of these women, legislation and representation are a totally new phase in their lives, unknown ground whereon they have not trodden. So political orientation is called for if they are to make any mark in the assemblies. Though it must be said that at the present moment, with the amazing scenes we are witnessing in parliament, it is doubtful if it will be possible to even make a point, let alone legislate. However, the women have never been such a force with which to reckon and it is now up to them to make their mark. As pointed out so rightly by the chairperson of the workshop, MNA Sherry Rahman, when it comes to women's rights, it must be remembered that they are not an issue on their own but are very much part of the whole that is known as human rights. Women are not divorced from humanity. And until there is a vast improvement in the state of human rights in this country, it is highly doubtful that the status of women can be raised. Education is a human right. According to the latest statistics, female literacy in Pakistan stands at a pathetic 28 per cent, way below the Third World average of 66 per cent. Without literacy what hope have our women of pulling themselves out of the morass dug for them by the illiterate male population in thrall to uneducated bigots, the misinterpretation of religion, and outmoded tribal and feudal customs and traditions? We will obviously expect our women legislators to lay stress on the women factor when fighting for human rights and we will expect the few who can to enforce legislation for the protection of women, for compulsory female education, for the repeal of the iniquitous Hadood Ordinances, and particularly for the eradication of one of the greatest crimes committed against the women of this country - the condonation of the feudal custom of karo-kari, literally 'blackened man, blackened woman', but in the observance of which custom the man generally goes away scot free while the woman loses her life. With the population explosion and the concurrent reduction in literacy rates, the instances of karo-kari are reportedly on the rise. It is a practice translated into English, erroneously, as 'honour killings' in which there is no honour involved at all. It is a practice that is also widely abused and has been known to be used to get rid of women unwanted for one reason or another, or merely suspected of having committed adultery, or even of having had an innocent conversation with a member of the opposite sex. Targets of the practice may include a three-year old girl or an eighty-five-year old woman. In 1998, 286 such killings were reported in Punjab alone. In 1999, in a three-month period in Sindh 132 women were done to death in the name of honour, and in Punjab in eleven months 266 deaths were reported. According to a February 2003 press release by Madadgaar, an organization funded by UNICEF: "....during the last year in Sindh 423 cases of karo-kari were reported; in Punjab 319, in Balochistan 36, while in the NWFP 45 such cases were reported in the print media. A comparison of data collected in 2002 and 2001 shows that the trend remains the same and most of the cases were reported from Sindh. In 2001, the print media reported 453 cases in Sindh, 204 in Punjab, 69 in Balochistan and 27 in the NWFP. .... The monitoring of all the reported cases revealed that in 346 cases the perpetrator was the husband; in 183 cases a brother; in 92 cases in-laws; in 46 cases the father; and in 32 cases the perpetrator was a son." One honour killing that was highlighted internationally was that of Samia Sarwar in 1999 whose murder at the hands of a relative was sanctioned by her mother. It was not until the year 2000 following persistent protests by women activists that karo-kari was finally declared by the government to be murder. However, apparently neither the police nor the judiciary have taken any action against the perpetrators of this particularly barbaric practice. Advocate Iqbal Haider, the former Senator, who went out on a limb in 1999 to have the matter discussed and debated in the Senate but whose attempts were nullified by his fellow Senators and the honourable chairman of the Senate, Wasim Sajjad, has now come up with a proposed draft resolution, drafted at the behest of his former fellow partyman, MPA Nisar Khuhro, for the women parliamentarians to present in their respective assemblies: "This house expresses its deep concern over the unchecked and unabated spate of violence against women and condemns premeditated murder of women in the name of so-called honour, karo-kari, siyahkari or on any other pretext. This house calls upon the government: "(a) To ensure immediate registration of FIR in all incidents of such murders and arrest of the culprits, failing which the concerned police officers must be prosecuted for aiding and abetting in such crimes and must also be dismissed from service; "(b) To ensure expeditious trial of such murder cases and severe exemplary punishment of the culprits; "(c) To ensure that murder of women in the name of so-called honour, karo-kari, siyahkari, or any other such pretext is made a non-compoundable offence, so that no pardon or concession is granted to the culprit through any family settlement. "(d) To ensure that women are not treated or used as compensation or fine for payment in all or any transaction, including honour killing settlement, which amounts to trafficking in human flesh, and an offence under the Pakistan Penal Code. The culprits involved in any such act must be arrested, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law. "(e) To ensure that all organs of the criminal justice system - police, prosecutors, district magistrates, judges, medico-legal personnel - be made aware and be expected to have full knowledge of legislation on domestic violence and honour killings. "(f) To ensure that all senior officials in the civil administration and in the police department at the provincial and district levels take special notice of all reports of honour killings and that all cases are properly and thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to trial. The government should establish an independent body to monitor handling by the police of honour killing cases as well as cases of violence against women and the treatment of women who have been victims of violence. "(g) To ensure that the ever increasing incidence of all sorts of violence, including domestic violence, against women are checked and contained in an effective manner and the culprits in all cases are arrested promptly and punished expeditiously in accordance with the laws." It is now up to the 212 women legislators of the five assemblies and the 17 of the Senate, (a formidable force indeed) to do their utmost to see that human rights in this country, as guaranteed by the Constitution, are respected and upheld, and in particular that the plight of women is relieved, that they are afforded empowerment through education, that laws are made and enforced to eliminate the endemic violence to which they too often are subjected. One of our legislators, MNA Sherry Rahman, has produced a paper on 'Policy Recommendations for Women's Status in Pakistan - A Parliamentary Charter for 2003' which gives comprehensive coverage to all that needs to and must be done to usher the women of Pakistan into the 21st century, free them from discrimination, and allow them to play their due role in the progress of this country. Presumably, this paper has been circulated to all our women graduate parliamentarians. As a document found in Iqbal Haider's archives indicate, there are some 70 organizations in the country pushing the rights of women. What do we say to you: "Women of Pakistan unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains". And do what you have to do while the general is batting. He is on your side. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- France's voice of reason ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Eric S. Margolis Watching American TV can be a surreal experience. Sandwiched between ads for instant weight loss products, predigested fast food, and incontinence panties, cable TV commentators bay like rabid dogs for war against Iraq, and subject nations daring to oppose President Bush's crusade to venomous abuse or sneering disdain. France, which speaks with the strongest, most logical voice of those opposing war, has become the special target of vituperation and hatred in America's leading pro-Israel media - Fox TV, the Wall Street Journal, New York Post - and the Bush administration's bete noire. Particularly so, now that France, Germany, and Russia vow to veto US attempts to ram a war-enabling resolution through the UN Security Council. France, many Americans claim, should do whatever Washington orders out of gratitude for US 'saving' it in two world wars. US TV features angry veterans standing in American military cemeteries in Normandy, denouncing France for "stabbing America in the back" - as if invading Iraq to grab its oil and crushing Israel's enemies had anything to do with World War II. Few flag-waving pundits mention America sat out almost 40 per cent of WWII until attacked by Japan. In 1940, the German armed forces were the equivalent of the US armed forces today - a full military generation ahead of other nations. France's entire army was destroyed in battle by the invincible Germans; had the US fought Germany in 1940, it too would have been routed. The Soviet Union, not the US, defeated Germany, destroying over 100 Nazi divisions. So enough with all the bombast about Word War II. In the eyes of Europeans and most of the world, George Bush's administration looks dangerously aggressive, dominated as it is by petrohawks and neo- conservative ideologues linked to Israel's far right. These little Mussolinis have no time for diplomacy or multi-nationalism. No wonder a recent Pew Research poll found that formerly favourable ratings of the US have plummeted in 19 out of 27 nations surveyed. It seems at times that President Bush is even more eager to bomb Paris than Baghdad. In fact, the administration has been treating France like an enemy, rather than America's oldest ally and intimate friend. Neo-conservatives even accuse France of anti- Semitism, a disgusting slander. Far from being an enemy, France has been doing what a true good friend should do: telling Washington its policy is wrong and dangerous, unlike the handkissing leaders of Britain, Spain and Italy, who crave Bush's political support, or the East European coalition of the shilling, ex-communist politicians pandering to Washington for cash. Seventy per cent of British, and 90 per cent of Italians and Spaniards oppose Bush's crusade. France's President Jacques Chirac speaks for an overwhelming majority of Europeans and, indeed, the world's people, in urging the US to opt for diplomacy and UN inspections over a war that will not be worth the loss of a single American soldier, not to mention tens of thousands of Iraqis and chaos across Mesopotamia. So, too, warns the great and wise Pope, John Paul II. The contrast between France's reasoned diplomatic response and Bush's belligerent behaviour could not be more stark. As is the dignified, logical tone set by President Chirac and Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin compared to the bullying, low-brow, locker-room talk issuing from the White House that has seriously damaged America's reputation and image around the globe. This week Turkey's new parliament, chosen in the first truly democratic election in memory, followed Europe, courageously rejecting Washington's bribes and demands US ground forces be allowed to attack Iraq from Turkish territory. Washington's churlish response - withdrawing its bribes, threatening punishment - contrasted curiously to Bush's claims his goal in Iraq is bringing democracy to the Mideast. Democracy, its seems, is fine so long as it does US bidding. Inconveniently, Turkey's people and democratic government voted a resounding no to war. Pakistan would do well to follow Turkey's brave example, particularly in rejecting any UN vote on war. But how long the Turks can resist intense pressure from the US and its friends, Turkey's hard right generals, remains to be seen. Bush's crusade against Iraq will go on with or without Turkey. The war will be akin to throwing a grenade into a huge hornet's nest. France, which lives next to the Arab world and has five million Muslim citizens, warns an invasion and occupation of Iraq will roil the entire region, spark more terrorism, and hit Europe with a dangerous backblast. But Bush couldn't care less, as he would say. While Bush prepares war against demolished Iraq, he is ducking the surging nuclear confrontation with North Korea, which, unlike Iraq, truly threatens North America. His outrageous dereliction of duty over Korea, obsessive war-mongering against Iraq, crude, aggressive behaviour worthy of Leonid Brezhnev's Soviet Union, threats against the UN, $400 billion deficit that will infect the world with inflation, and damage to America's reputation - such are Bush's 'accomplishments' to date. Who needs enemies with world-class blunderers like this in charge?America's friends and neighbours, led by France, the mother of diplomacy, rightly warn the steroidal Bush administration to halt its rush to war. President Chirac and Foreign Minister de Villepin deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Americans owe France an apology, and a hearty 'merci.'- Copyright Eric Margolis 2003 DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- UN vote and other things ------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ayaz Amir For once, thank God, Gen Musharraf and his team have got it right on a crucial issue. After PM Jamali's declaration in the National Assembly and later over the airwaves, it is fairly certain that Pakistan will not vote for any war resolution on Iraq. When push comes to shove Pakistan will probably abstain. Which is not as good as saying 'no' to the unholy scheme afoot to rain death and destruction on Iraq. But, in the spirit of being grateful for small mercies, infinitely better than leaping once again into America's lap and covering the national banner, tattered as it already is, with a fresh coat of infamy. The only thing left to hope, and pray, for is that from its present pedestal of resolve neither pressure nor blandishments should make Pakistan slip. About blandishments we can be fairly sure little will come our way, our American friends considering us fair game for arm-twisting. Cameroon, Guinea and Angola - -also of the family of the so-called undecided -- may get a few carrots. But for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan only the good old stick. The fact that we allow ourselves to be taken for granted makes it all the more likely that our American friends will be livid with us. Of all countries how dare we break lose from their ranks? Powell is working the telephones and between now and crunch time is sure to call his good friend Gen Musharraf again. Let us throw up a collective prayer that Pakistan's defenders don't crack under the strain. They have cracked so often before as to have made a bad habit of it. Let's hope it remains different this time. Britain, America's ever-faithful poodle, has come up with a set of absurd conditions for Saddam to fulfil in order to avert war. More likely to save Tony Blair's skin. The simmering ferment in Labour ranks makes it clear that going to war without UN backing will be the end of the road for him. At the same time, he has gone so far out on a limb that not going to war now will finish what remains of his leadership. And then the knives - but let's not jump to conclusions. Let us simply look at how his government panicked when the US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld suggested that if for some reason (a reference to Blair's domestic troubles) Britain was not on board, America would have to do the fighting alone. The thought of being left out sent shock waves through Whitehall. Britain's predicament is comic. It is behaving like a poodle and a vulture at the same time, deferential poodleism going hand in hand with a salivating desire to be in on the kill. There's no reason for Pakistan to show all its cards prematurely. It should wait for this latest British absurdity to play itself out. No point in making stentorian declarations either which will only get the Americans to come at us like a load of bricks. Even so, between now and voting time in the Security Council, in all the mosques and imambargahs of the Republic let us remember the prayer about our military defenders not cracking under the strain. Should we not then be grateful for even the partial democracy we have? Left to themselves, what would our defenders have done? Call professional politicians what you will but for all their faults, at times huge, they are more sensitive to public opinion than defenders on horseback. Most of the adventurism filling the annals of our foreign policy has come from military sources. Politicians have been more cautious. They have been wrong about many things and by their behaviour have often been their own worst enemies. But wars and needless foreign entanglements they have largely avoided. In the stormy days ahead, Pakistan's defenders should be listening hard to whatever outside advice they can get. But will the ISI ever learn? For the first time in the directorate's history it invited foreign correspondents into its lair in order to show them a video of how the alleged Al Qaeda operative, Khalid Shaikh Muhammad, was arrested. Why? I have not the foggiest. In the event, no one believed them, the video looking too obviously doctored. If some press reports are to be believed, the ISI was also dining (sorry, no wining) Q League Senators on the eve of the Senate's maiden session during which the newly-elected Senators were to take oath and elect their chairman and deputy chairman. Granted that the Q League's true godfathers reside in ISI headquarters. Still, there is such a thing as subtlety. The election of the chairman and deputy chairman (from the ruling party, where else) was a foregone conclusion. The ISI need not have taken the dining pains that it apparently did. The ISI has many qualities. When can it add subtlety to the list? And when can the nation expect the ISI to stop playing its political games? Which brings me to my friend Rana Sanaullah, PML-N MPA from Faisalabad. Picked up from outside his lawyer's chamber in Faisalabad by plainclothesmen and beaten up once again. He was first roughed up in police or military custody soon after the Musharraf takeover. His sin: saying a few harsh things about the army at a meeting of PML-N MPAs at the Lahore residence of Pervez Elahi. He didn't quite learn his lesson, for after being re-elected (we were colleagues in 1997) he said some more harsh things about the army in the Punjab assembly. Obviously, a tough nut. For his pains, he's been beaten up again and his body lacerated with small cuts to the skin. An attempt was also made to humiliate him, his hair, moustache and eyebrows having being shaved. What is to be said? This is barbarism, and crude at that, pure and simple. As a nation it doesn't show us in too flattering a light. And then we complain about our bad image. The Legal Framework Order, which enshrines Gen Musharraf's attempt to rewrite the Constitution in his own image, is not helping our collective image either. The National Assembly is not swallowing it and unless it does so (with a two-thirds majority, no less) it will not be the kind of legal tender, or call it indemnification for unconstitutional acts, which strongmen so strongly desire in their search for security and legitimacy. Signs are that the opposition parties, knowing they have Gen Musharraf on a hook, won't relent unless they succeed in getting the general to take off his uniform. Or at least announce a date for doing so. Musharraf is no fool, however. He knows that the day he sheds his uniform he'll be more naked than the emperor without his clothes. Does this have the makings of a classic standoff? Much will depend on the religious parties. It's hard to be sure where they stand at all times because some of them have a history of close ties to the army and ISI. They also must protect their stakes in the Frontier and Balochistan. This is the first time Pakistan's maulvis are tasting the halwa of power. They won't give it up lightly. The PPP reads the wind in its own fashion. After the elections it wasn't averse to a deal with the military provided the terms were right. The PML-N, forced by circumstances to be consistent, is ploughing a lonely field. But the point is that while all three entities have their differences, on the question of the LFO they stand together. Or at least are together till now. Given that consistency and steadiness of purpose are not highly-prized virtues in the shifting sands of Pakistani politics, what happens tomorrow is hard to say. Spare a thought, however, for Musharraf's problem. He must sink or swim with the present set-up, which after all is his creation. It's a phenomenon oft-seen in Pakistan than when an artificial structure such as the one we have at present collapses for whatever reason, its inventor is hard put to survive the after-shocks.
SPORTS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Decision on Wasim delayed ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Correspondent LAHORE, March 13: The decision on Wasim Akram's request seeks waiving off the penalties imposed by one-man judicial commission on him has been delayed. It was learnt that the delay was on technical grounds. The PCB General Manager Cricket Operations Zakir Khan, is to hear the identical requests of Wasim and ex-Test pacer Ata-ur-Rehman, who was given a life ban. Justice Malik Qayyum had imposed a fine of Rs 300,000 besides recommending that the all-rounder not be made captain of Pakistan. Zakir has written a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to inquire if its Anti Corruption Unit had any objection against Wasim or not in this connection. ICC has replied to the PCB that at the moment it could not pass on such inquiries in this regard because they were busy in the World Cup. Wasim will be called by Zakir after getting a reply from the ICC which is not likely to be received in the next 15 days. In case, Wasim's hopes of being named captain again are dimmed. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Waqar and Inzamam likely to face axe ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Correspondent LAHORE, March 12: The Pakistan team for the April 1-10 Sharjah Cup will be picked after the selectors watch the remaining matches of the ongoing NBP One-day Patron's Cup. It was learnt through reliable sources that the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to watch the performances of all the seniors and juniors in the one-day competition before finalising a team for the Sharjah Cup, which also involves South Africa and Sri Lanka. The PCB, after Pakistan's dismal performance in the World Cup, has been passing through a difficult situation of either to consider the seniors players for the Sharjah Cup or to build up a new look team, under long term planning for the next World Cup in 2007. After the World Cup's debacle, no senior player had so far announced his retirement, which was expected and that has created a problem for the PCB how to sideline them forthwith. However, some seniors players including Waqar Younis and Inzamam- ul-Haq are unlikely to find a place in the Sharjah Cup squad. The decision of testing the seniors and juniors players in the one- day cup has been conveyed by PCB Chairman, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, to the national selection committee headed by Wasim Bari and Waqar who met him at the Gaddafi Stadium. Furthermore, the review committee, appointed by PCB chief after the debacle, would also have presented its report for which deadline is March 23. Former captain Javed Miandad is tipped to replace Richard Pybus as Pakistan team coach. Pybus' contract was till the end of the ongoing World Cup. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Waqar refuses to step down, Inzamam quits vice-captaincy ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Correspondent LAHORE, March 10: Beleaguered Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis refused to quit following his side's unceremonious World Cup exit while seeking the nation's pardon. However, Inzamam-ul-Haq, after a wretched run with the bat during the tournament in southern Africa, stepped down as vice-captain. Waqar, while announcing his decision, told a crowded press conference at Gaddafi Stadium that he will continue to play on because he deemed himself quite fit. The fast bowler is following in the footsteps of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia and chief selector Wasim Bari who are keen to carry on. Waqar said, "at the moment I am not opting for retirement, but I can't say any thing about tomorrow. I want to repair the damage that has been done to Pakistan cricket in the World Cup by us," Waqar said. Waqar refused to discuss the reasons behind team's debacle. "There was no mystery and the case is simple we did not play to our potential." Waqar did not agree that his captaincy played a part in the downfall of Pakistan side. "It is not true, but we batted and bowled badly which led to poor results." The 31-year-old pacer said changes in the batting order for every match was done by the tour selection committee, which also included the team manager Mr Shaharyar Khan. Waqar negated the impression that the team had not learnt lessons from the sequence of defeats that started from the Morocco Cup last August. "We learnt from the defeats, but could not perform in the World Cup," he said. Waqar agreed with manager Mr Shaharyar's point of view that holding of the send-off ceremony before the team's departure only served to mount further pressure on the players, who were already fighting with the pressure of the World Cup. Waqar admitted that the bowling let down the team in the crunch match against India. "I dismissed two Indian batsmen in one over, but overall, the performance of the bowlers at both ends was very bad." When asked why he resorted to bowl two beamers at Australian batsman Andrew Symonds in the opening match, Waqar admitted that he was unaware of the beamer rules and that's why umpire David Shepherd prevented him from bowling again. Inzamam too sounded apologetic about the team's pathetic showing and like Waqar sought the nation's pardon. The burly batsman, who made just 19 runs in six matches, conceded the added burden of vice-captaincy was the reason of his poor form. Mr Shaharyar, meanwhile, very diplomatically pointed out that the seniors were not capable of delivering the goods. "Top players are aging now and they can't deliver the same that they had been producing in 90s. While the rising stars like Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq and others proved they still lack in countering pressure of the mega event," the manager noted. Mr Shaharyar confessed that he had no justification to defend the regrettable performance of the team. "Neither the team faced any injury problems nor any decision of the umpires went against them." The former diplomat also remarked that Pakistan players were not disciplined enough in terms of cricketing language. "We have learnt these basics about cricket at school level which is the right platform to polish cricketers from their teenage years." Mr Shaharyar dispelled the impression of grouping between Wasim Akram and Waqar. "It is totally baseless. Both Wasim and Waqar had been addressing the team's meetings before and after every match which shows unity between them." He said that people had great expectations from this team. "The public during the send-off ceremony were saying with confidence we can win the World Cup and we will bring the cup home." Former captain Wasim Akram was also officially called up by the PCB to attend the press conference, but for some reasons, he failed to show up. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shahid Afridi banned, fined for dissent ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Reporter KARACHI, March 13: All-rounder Shahid Afridi will not be considered for next month's Sharjah Cup by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for bringing the game into disrepute. According to PCB, Shahid has been found guilty of sledging Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar as well as respected English umpire David Shepherd during the high profile World Cup Group 'A' encounter between Pakistan and India at Centurion (South Africa) on March 1. "We received an official complaint from the International Cricket Council (ICC) supported with evidence," a PCB spokesman said on Thursday after a two-day meeting of the board with Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, the PCB chairman, presiding over at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Shahid has also been fined 50 per cent of his Indian match fee by PCB. "The players were told prior to their departure for South Africa that no indiscipline will be tolerated," the spokesman said. "Unfortunately, Shahid Afridi breached the players Code of Conduct and had to be penalised." However, Shahid has been allowed to represent his department, Habib Bank, in the ongoing NBP One-day Patron's Cup. Meanwhile, Pakistan's squad for the April 1-10 Sharjah Cup is expected to be announced on March 24. The national selectors will pick the 15-man team after assessing form and fitness of the players in the Patron's Cup. Furthermore, the PCB has not yet decided who will lead the side. But it is almost certain now that fast bowler Waqar Younis, who led Pakistan in the World Cup, is unlikely to be retained either as player or captain. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Coach Pybus parts company with Pakistan team ------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHANNESBURG, March 8: Coach Richard Pybus said he would not be seeking a new deal with Pakistan after the team's World Cup failure. He also suggested the team might need a home-grown coach to fulfil its potential. Pybus said in East London: "I'm not down but it was incredibly frustrating. From a coaching point of view, I was not able to help improve the team's performance, as I wanted to. "Whether it was me or the players. I don't know. I didn't feel the team had moved forward. "My contract ran out at the end of the World Cup campaign and I'll now take some time to think things over." "Maybe the team needs a Pakistani coach," he said. Pybus is preparing a report for the Pakistan Cricket Board on the World Cup campaign. Pybus said the team had not played good cricket "for quite some time" but that poor form has been masked by exceptional individual performances. -Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shoaib joining Hants after Sharjah Cup ------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHANNESBURG, March 13: Pakistani tearaway Shoaib Akhtar confirmed he will replace disgraced Australian spinner Shane Warne at English county side Hampshire next season. The 27-year-old said he will join Hampshire after Pakistan play in the three-nation Sharjah Cup from April 1 to 10 against Sri Lanka and South Africa. "My first priority is to play for Pakistan and will always be available for them," Shoaib said in Rawalpindi. "I am going to England next week to sign the contract and have a fitness test with Hampshire. I am quite excited at the prospect of playing in England. "I want to ensure the county achieves the best results this season." The world's fastest bowlertook six wickets in Pakistan's unsuccessful bid to reach the Super Six stage of the World Cup. During Pakistan's game against England at Cape Town, he sent down the fastest recorded ball of all time to Nick Knight at 101.2 miles per hour.-AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shoaib, Lee lead pace onslaught ------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHANNESBURG, March 12: Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee of Australia have confirmed their places as the world's fastest bowlers by sending down the quickest deliveries at the World Cup. According to official statistics released, they are the only two bowlers to have broken the 160kmh mark. Shoaib's fastest delivery took the speed gun up to 161.3kmh in Pakistan's match against England, while Lee came close to matching his pace rival, also against England, where his top speed was clocked at 160.7kmh. Third fastest bowler is New Zealand's Shane Bond whose quickest delivery of 153.4kmh was unleashed against Canada with West Indies' Jermaine Lawson just a fraction behind. Fastest recorded deliveries by bowlers from each country: Australia: Brett Lee 160.7kmh v England (Port Elizabeth). Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza 139.5kmh v Canada (Durban). Canada: Davis Joseph 140.5kmh v Bangladesh (Durban). England: James Anderson 144kmh v Australia (Port Elizabeth). Holland: Edger Schiferli 138.4kmh v Namibia (Bloemfontein). India: Ashish Nehra 149.7kmh v Zimbabwe (Harare). Kenya: Thomas Odoyo 135.1kmh v Bangladesh (Johannesburg). Namibia: Gerrie Snyman 138.2kmh v Pakistan (Kimberley). New Zealand: Shane Bond 153.4kmh v Canada (Benoni). Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar 161.3kmh v England (Cape Town). South Africa: Makhaya Ntini 149.4kmh v Sri Lanka (Durban). Sri Lanka: Dilhara Fernando 147.9kmh v Bangladesh (Pietermaritzburg). West Indies: Jermaine Lawson 153.2kmh v Kenya (Kimberley). Zimbabwe: Andy Blignaut 145.6kmh v New Zealand (Bloemfontein).-AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030313 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Unheralded Kenya score famous win to reach last four ------------------------------------------------------------------- BLOEMFONTEIN (South Africa), March 12: Kenya recorded a famous seven-wicket victory over fellow-Africans Zimbabwe to become the first non-Test nation to qualify for the World Cup semifinals. Thomas Odoyo struck a powerful 43 off 60 balls with eight fours as Kenya easily reached their meagre victory target of 134 from exactly 26 overs in the Super Six match. He shared an unbeaten partnership of 73 with Maurice Odumbe (38 not out). Kenya, who have still to meet the unbeaten defending champions Australia in the second round, will play India in the semifinals. Zimbabwe were eliminated. "Our target was the Super Six but then we reviewed our target," said captain Steve Tikolo. Kenya took 10 points through to the second round after beating Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They were awarded four points when New Zealand refused to play in Nairobi because of security fears. "We just decided to go out and be positive," Odumbe added. "Normally low scores are very tricky so we just decided if there was a ball to hit we would hit it. "It's a great feeling and I'm sure people back home are happy." For Zimbabwe only Andy Flower came to terms with the slow pitch and accurate bowling, scoring 63 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 133 off 44.1 overs. It was their lowest total in 15 matches against Kenya, who had never beaten them before. Opening bowler and Man-of-the-Match Martin Suji dismissed Craig Wishart (5), Alistair Campbell (7) and Grant Flower (7). Leg-spinner Collins Obuya then had wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu caught behind for three with the fifth ball of his first over, Dion Ebrahim stumped for 13 and captain Heath Streak caught at slip for a duck. Andy Blignaut was run out for four after a horrible mixup with Andy Flower and Flower was bowled by Odoyo. "Credit must go to Kenya, they stuck to their disciplines as they have done all tournament," said Streak. "Unfortunately our batters got out to some soft shots." Campbell, who has not played for six weeks and was recruited from the television commentary box after Mark Vermeulen fractured his skull, looked rusty before being trapped in front by Suji. Grant Flower became Suji's third victim when he slashed at a wide delivery and was caught behind. Zimbabwe slumped to 66 for four in the 21st over when Taibu edged a leg break from Collins Obuya to Kennedy Obuya. The same combination accounted for Ebrahim, who ventured past a delivery and was easily stumped. The most avoidable dismissal of the innings followed nine overs later when Andy Flower and Blignaut sprinted towards the same end. Kennedy Obuya dashed to the other end and ran Blignaut out for four. Streak had yet to score when he edged a ball from Collins Obuya to Ravindu Shah at slip, and Zimbabwe's hopes of posting a respectable total ended when Flower was bowled around his legs by seamer Odoyo to make it 114 for eight in the 36th over. Tikolo wrapped up the tail with his off-spin by having Henry Olonga caught by a diving Odumbe at short mid-wicket for three and then bowling Douglas Marillier for a dogged 21. Kenya made an uncertain start to their reply when Shah was dropped twice and survived a confident appeal for caught behind before being run out for 14 at the non-striker's end in the eighth over. Fast bowler Blignaut laid a hand on Kennedy Obuya's fierce drive, and the ball hit the stumps with Shah out of his ground. Two overs later Tikolo, on two, attempted a pull shot to a delivery from Blignaut and skied it to Streak in the covers. Kenya were 62 for three in the 17th over after Obuya was trapped in front for 19 by Olonga. But any thoughts Zimbabwe had of finding a back door back into the match were snuffed out by Odoyo and Odumbe. Odumbe's innings lasted only 20 balls and contained eight fours. - Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030312 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions come back from dead to bury Kiwis ------------------------------------------------------------------- PORT ELIZABETH (South Africa), March 11: Australia came back from the dead on Tuesday to beat trans-Tasman neighbours New Zealand by 96 runs and maintain their unbeaten World Cup record. After New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond had produced his country's best One-day International figures of six for 23 to reduce the world champions to 84 for seven, Michael Bevan (56) and Andy Bichel (64) led a stirring fightback. The pair added 97 for the eighth wicket, an Australia World Cup record, to help their side to a final total of 208 for nine. Glenn McGrath (three for 29) then knocked the top off the New Zealand innings and Brett Lee returned for a second spell to remove top-scorer Stephen Fleming (48) and a shell-shocked lower order as New Zealand were dismissed for 112. Lee's second spell was five for 11 in 4.1 overs, including five wickets for three runs in 15 balls as New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 10 runs. Australia captain Ricky Ponting said: "We've got a lot of very, very good players and we are a very good team. "And we back ourselves to get out of trouble in any situation as we did today. "Bevan and Bichel batted beautifully, then the bowling finished the job." The win was Australia's eighth in succession in the World Cup and their 14th in a row in all One-day International cricket, extending their world record run. It also confirmed they will play their semifinal at the same venue next Tuesday. The defeat for New Zealand means they will have to beat India in their last Super Six match on Friday to secure a semifinal place of their own. That requirement looked highly unlikely, at least for much of the first half of the day, as Bond created havoc in the Australia top order. The former Christchurch policeman eclipsed the previous best figures by a New Zealand player in one-day cricket, the six for 25 taken by Scott Styris against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 2002. "I thought I bowled pretty well and the luck came my way," Bond said. Bond combined pace and accuracy, starting Australia's slide with an opening spell of three for 20 before he returned midway through the innings with a second burst of three wickets for four runs in four overs. Bond, who was named Man-of-the-Match, bowled a full length and used helpful conditions expertly after Fleming had won the toss but Bichel and Bevan took advantage of the end of his spell to launch the recovery. The pair, who had steered Australia to victory over England at the same venue nine days earlier, passed Australia's previous best eighth-wicket stands both in World Cups and against New Zealand and played with great common sense. Bichel's score equalled the highest ever made by a number nine in One-day Internationals and was his first international 50. It took 83 balls included four fours and a six from a delivery from Andre Adams that bounced twice. Bevan was his usual calm, unruffled self as he moved to his second 50 of the tournament in an innings that spanned 94 balls, and also included four fours and a six. With Lee clubbing the last two balls of the innings for six to take the score past 200, Australia appeared to have a total to bowl at, something was shown all too clearly when they took the field. McGrath struck first, removing make-shift opener Daniel Vettori (10), Nathan Astle (0) and Styris (3) in his opening burst. Ian Harvey and Bichel then shut down the New Zealand run rate but with Fleming still at the crease the batting side still looked to be in reasonable shape. Fleming was especially severe on Lee early on with the fast bowler's first spell of five overs costing 31 runs, but when the fast bowler returned he quickly got his revenge as the New Zealand captain was caught down the leg-side gloving a pull shot. With Lee finding his range, the tail were quickly blown away and Chris Harris was left stranded on 15 not out as the innings ended in just 30.1 overs. "The ball was coming out well, especially in that last spell," Lee said. Fleming said New Zealand had ran out of momentum. "We needed a partnership," he said. "That didn't happen, we lost wickets continuously." Ponting said Australia needed more runs in the top order. "We are going to have to identify the best way to play in the first 15 overs," he said. -Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Indians storm into semis with record win over Sri Lanka ------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHANNESBURG, March 10: India stormed into the World Cup semifinals with a 183-run win over Sri Lanka in their Super Six match at The Wanderers. Javagal Srinath wrecked the batting with four of the first five wickets as Sri Lanka tumbled to 109 all out from 23 overs. It was India's biggest win over the 1996 champions and Sri Lanka's second lowest World Cup score. Srinath, 33, captured two wickets in his first over and finished with four for 35 from nine fierce and disciplined overs. Left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra finished with identical figures from seven. Chasing India's formidable 292 for six, built on Sachin Tendulkar's commanding 97, Sri Lanka were soon in deep trouble. Srinath removed his first three victims for ducks, claiming Marvan Atapattu and Jehan Mubarak in his first over before trapping in- form Aravinda de Silva lbw to make it 15 for four in the fourth over. Left-armer Zaheer Khan dismissed Mahela Jayawardene lbw for a duck and captain Sanath Jayasuriya (12) hit Srinath straight to Mohammad Kaif at cover. Srinath's performance followed yet another Tendulkar master class. The Indian maestro agonisingly missed a record fifth World Cup century but helped India amass a daunting total after Jayasuriya put the opposition in to exploit any early life in the pitch after overnight rain. Tendulkar was out for 97, edging a sweep against de Silva to jubilant wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara after moving past his previous World Cup record aggregate of 523 scored at the 1996 World Cup. He has scored 571 runs so far at the 2003 tournament at an average of 71.38 with a strike rate of 90.3 The India opener, who was dismissed for 98 in a first round match against Pakistan, said he was disappointed to miss a century again. "But I'm very excited to be in the semifinals," he said. "It was a good track to bat on and Javagnal and Ashish bowled really well. To be able to extract so much pace and movement was something extraordinary." Tendulkar shared an opening partnership of 153 with Virender Sehwag, who recorded his highest score of the tournament with 66. Yet another left-arm pace bowler Chaminda Vaas, the tournament's leading wicket taker, led a bowling fightback with consecutive maidens to Tendulkar before returning to bowl captain Saurav Ganguly (48) and Yuvraj Singh (5) in his final spell. India's seventh consecutive victory ensured them of a semifinal place along with defending champions Australia. Both teams have 16 points. "I thought it was the perfect game of cricket for us," said Ganguly. "We batted brilliantly and then bowled superbly, we have stuck together as a team and worked hard as a team. Everybody has fired." Sri Lanka's semifinal hopes now depend on a Zimbabwe victory over Kenya followed by a win themselves over the Zimbabweans. "We didn't bowl in the right areas," said Jayasuriya. "We bowled all over the place and there were some easy runs. -Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Astle, Cairns sparkle as New Zealand triumph ------------------------------------------------------------------- BLOEMFONTEIN, March 8: Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns combined forces to take New Zealand to an ultimately comfortable six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their World Cup Super Six match. Astle, New Zealand's leading scorer in one-day cricket, took his total past 5,500 with a patient unbeaten 102. Cairns, who took his first wickets of the tournament with two for 16 from four overs, was equally restrained with 54, including two huge sixes. The pair added 121 for the fourth wicket to set up victory for New Zealand with 16 balls to spare. "It is nice to be getting the rewards for a lot of hard work," Cairns said. "It was nice to be back at the bowling crease." Cairns said the New Zealanders, who took only four points through from the first round, believed they needed two wins out of three to qualify for the semifinals. "We have got a big game next against the Australians and they're playing very, very well," he said. New Zealand were set a competitive target of 253 after Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak and Sean Ervine produced some of the most extraordinary late-hitting ever seen in a World Cup. Steak rebuilt the innings patiently during a 68-run stand with Tatenda Taibu (53) after his side had slumped to 106 for six, and then teamed up with Ervine. A savage assault resulted in 62 runs, almost a quarter of the team's score, coming off the last 18 balls. Streak, who ended on 72 not out, and Ervine, who made 31 from 14 balls, hit eight fours and three sixes in those final three overs. Captain Stephen Fleming led from the front as New Zealand set off in pursuit of Zimbabwe's 252 for seven. Fleming stroked 10 fours in his 46 from 42 balls, including three in a row from Streak. After his dismissal, Astle took responsibility for the innings, against an attack lacking leg-spinner Brian Murphy who tore a calf muscle practising in the break between innings. He refused to take chances, preferring to play straight and take the singles, a strategy which ultimately paid off handsomely. His 13th one-day century took 122 balls, contained 11 fours and kept New Zealand on course to reach the semifinals. "It was a big one," said Astle, who was named Man-of-the-Match. "We have to win today, we were probably chasing a few too many at the end. "Cairnsy and I got the partnership we needed and it all worked out well. We had a couple of overs to spare." Fleming said the game had been in the balance when Cairns joined Astle. "It was the biggest partnership of the game and the guys did it well," he said. Streak said his team had been about 30 runs short. "It could have been a much tighter game. We lost those wickets and we also lost a couple of guys through injury," he said. -Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030314 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Waugh yet to decide on Test career ------------------------------------------------------------------- BRISBANE, March 13: Australian captain Steve Waugh said he had yet to make a decision about his Test career ahead of the announcement of the national team to tour the West Indies. Waugh said he was thinking only about leading New South Wales into Friday's five-day Interstate Shield final against Queensland at the Gabba. But a decision must be made by Sunday because Australian selectors will conduct a phone hook-up later that night to settle on a 15-man squad to play in the Caribbean. Waugh is expected to play on next month, particularly given his repeated claims to be thoroughly enjoying his cricket. "I haven't really thought too much about it. There's been a lot of speculation and people keep asking me," Waugh said at a press conference here on Thursday. "It's funny in a way because I feel as if I don't have to make a decision because right now I'm still playing cricket. "I don't see it as such a big thing. Retirements are a bit overstated and the lap of honour and everyone telling you how good you are. People tend to make it into a bigger deal than what it is." "I just want to get out there and play cricket at the moment and I'll decide when the time comes but I haven't made a decision." Waugh's Australian teammate Glenn McGrath said from South Africa he had no idea whether the Test captain would play on. McGrath and wife Jane are close to Waugh and his wife Lynette. "Jane has spoken to Lynette and they haven't given anything away," McGrath told Australian Associated Press. "They've got their reasons for that. If Lynette doesn't know, there's only one person that does know and maybe he's still trying to work it out. That's Stephen, though." National selector Trevor Hohns said he had received no indication from Waugh and insisted the selection panel would not try to influence the 37-year-old's decision. "We're really leaving it to him," Hohns said. "We need to find out what his intentions are." Hohns plans to speak with Waugh during the final and he may have an ideal chance on Friday with drizzle expected to delay the start of the match.-AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030309 ------------------------------------------------------------------- South African legend Donald opts to quit ------------------------------------------------------------------- BLOEMFONTEIN, March 8: South Africa paceman Allan Donald, the most successful bowler in his country's history, announced his retirement from all international cricket. "I would like to be remembered as someone who gave his all, I was very passionate about the badge and the country and about every team I've played for," he told a news conference. Donald, 36, the only bowler to take more than 300 wickets for South Africa said he would play for two more seasons for his province Free State. "It's been a wonderful time," he said. "I've gone around the world, playing against the best players. To have achieved what I have achieved as a professional sportsman and a South African cricketer, I am very, very proud of it. "I can walk out of this room today and say I've done my absolute best. I've got no regrets." "I've played in four World Cups and we have had a bit of a tough time of it in this World Cup," he said. "My philosophy about it is was that it wasn't meant to be." -Reuters DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hussain calls for separate England captains ------------------------------------------------------------------- LONDON, March 9: Nasser Hussain has reiterated his desire to stay on as Test captain despite quitting as skipper of the one-day side. Speaking in his column in the Sunday Telegraph a weary Hussain also said it was time that the separate captains were appointed for each form of the game - citing the increased pressures of the job as the chief reason. Hussain stood down as one-day captain after rain washed out Zimbabwe's match against Pakistan, ending any chance England had of reaching the World Cup Super Six. The 34-year-old admitted that the tournament, and his own form, had been a major disappointment. "The three main reasons I came to the difficult decision were, firstly, that I believe a younger core of players should be selected to take the one-day side on to the next World Cup," Hussain said in the report. "Secondly, I did not warrant a place in the team any more, and thirdly I want to preserve my enthusiasm for carrying on in Test cricket, if possible as captain." "The England captaincy in any form of cricket is something I have been very proud of and not something I will give away lightly," added Hussain, who took over as England captain in 1999. Hussain believes splitting the captaincy will make both jobs easier, and allow both men to concentrate more on events on the field of play. "On tour you have so many questions about so many thinks apart from yourself and England's cricket," said Hussain. "You have to talk about injuries, opposing players, about the International Cricket Council, the ECB, about political issues like Zimbabwe. "Splitting the captaincy would help me if I was asked to stay on as Test captain and it would also help the new one-day skipper settle into the job. "If the whole captaincy is landed on one new individual, something in him will have to give." After a gruelling Ashes tour in which his captaincy was called into question during a 4-1 series defeat, followed by the fruitless World Cup campaign, Hussain says he is just happy to be home and able to recharge the batteries. "All the time we were in Australia we were looking forward to it (the World Cup), and now none of us will look back on it fondly," Hussain said. "I would like to go back to doing what I wanted to do as a boy: to play Test cricket for England, not be a national spokesman for everything cricketing." -Reuters/AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan draw with India ------------------------------------------------------------------- LAHORE, March 10: Pakistan drew against India 1-1 in the 5th Akhbar-el-Youm hockey at Cairo Stadium to earn their second successive similar result in the event, according to a message received. Pakistan had already played a 1-1 draw against Poland in their opening match. India dominated from the start and took a deserved lead in the 8th minute through Gurcharan Singh. Pakistan salvaged pride when striker Muhammad Ali struck the equaliser in the 24th minute to keep the issue alive. Reduced to ten men in the second half following the marching order for Ali having shown the second yellow card, Pakistan impressed with some lively moves and attacking game but the inexperienced forwards missed several chances. Ali will miss the next match.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 20030310 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Asim and Nomi dropped from team ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD, March 9: In a major move, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) dropped Asim Shafik and Nomi Qamar from the Davis Cup team announced for this April's Asia Oceania Group I tie against Japan. Replacing them will be Shahzad Samad Khan and Shahzad Khan who were named along with Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan on the squad for the April 4 to 6 tie in Toyota, Japan. Both Asim, ranked No 2 and Nomi who is number three on the ranking ladder, were axed for their "below par" performance in last month's clash against New Zealand in Hamilton where Pakistan were whitewashed 5-0. Meanwhile a training camp in preparation for the match began at the PTF Complex on Sunday with coach-cum-camp commandant Hameedul Haq and Mushaf Zia imparting training to the players. Hameed, who himself played Davis Cup for Pakistan, said that a hectic training schedule will be followed. "Each day there will be seven hours of training including physical exercises. He said that Akhtar Mohiuddin, who was one of the best physical trainers in the country had arrived to keep the boys in proper shape. Hameed was hopeful that the selected team would do well in Japan. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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