Balochistan dominates Zardari, Altaf meeting

LONDON: President Asif Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Quaid Altaf Hussain on Thursday agreed to continue their coalition despite differences in many areas. The resolve came during a long meeting between them.

President Asif Zardari was assisted by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, former federal minister Dr Asim, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani and his wife MNA Farah Naz Ispahani, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Wajid Shamsul Hasan while Altaf Hussain was aided by Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri, central coordination committee members Saleem Shahzad, Mustafa Azizabadi, Muhammad Anwar and Advocate Muhammad Anis. Asifa Bhutto Zardari was also present by her father’s side.

Addressing a press conference at the central London’s Churchill hotel, where the President was staying with his entourage. Later, Altaf Hussain and Rehman Malik said both the coalition partners were united on the understanding that Pakistan needs stability and its strength lies in the continuation of the ongoing democratic process.

The issue of Balochistan topped the agenda of the meeting and it was agreed that an all-party style conference on Balochistan will be called in which the participation of Baloch representatives will be ensured.

Altaf thanked Zardari for intently listening to the issues he raised, including the issue of Balochistan, local government, price hike, and the war against terrorism inside Pakistan and assured that all issues will be resolved.

“The issue of Balochistan is the most important issue challenging Pakistan’s stability right now and it must be resolved on war footing. Pakistan’s stability is linked with Balochistan and now is the time that the genuine grievances of Baloch people must be addressed without delay,” Altaf Hussain said in his address to the media soon after the meeting.

The meeting also discussed the thorny issue of local government/bodies system and the MQM appealed to the president to not abolish the system as it had benefited a lot of people and in the interest of the common people it must be continued. The MQM delegation recommended that if there are any deficiencies in the system then it must be amended or updated but scraping it altogether will not be a good thing to do and will be a step backward.

Altaf told the press conference that some elements on the basis of personal animosity were indulging in conspiring against the PPP-MQM coalition to destabilise the government and their target was the frail democratic system. He said these elements were trying to create gulf between the two coalition partners and resolved that together both parties will not allow it.

“We pledged during the meeting that our coalition must continue for the strength and unity of Pakistan.” Both Rehman Malik and Altaf Hussain offered fulsome salute to the armed forces for waging a resolute war against terrorists. The armed forces and the civilian leadership of Pakistan deserve the full appreciation and support of the nation for realising the true nature of threat from terrorism and for being brave to launch the operation amidst initial internal hostility against such an operation.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the law and order situation in Pakistan had increased considerably and militants playing in the hands of the enemies of Pakistan were on the run. “Only one-and-a-half-year ago, people were scared of sending their children to school but today the tide has been turned against the militants and their paymasters.”

Rehman Malik said the resolve of Pakistan to root out militancy has won it and its ideas of development at important forums like the Friends of Democratic Pakistan. He said it was due to the wisdom of the current leadership of Pakistan that it was overcoming all kinds of problems, mainly the economic and energy crises.

“We took over at a time when our image was battered badly in the eyes of the world and were like a duck but we are absolutely clear in our resolve that we will go after anyone, irrespective of one’s ethnicity and belonging, who challenges the writ of the state. There will be no leniency on that,” assured Rehman during his address.

Rehman Malik said it was great that the people of North and South Waziristan were cooperating with the security forces against terrorists and that was the reason why the armed forces were making gains against insurgents. He once again appealed to those Pakistanis who were misguided and had chosen the path of terrorism to put down their weapons and return to the mainstream fold.

Answering a question on Hafiz Saeed and the Interpol warrants against him, Malik said the government of Pakistan had taken a strict action against Hafiz Saeed and his militant network and had fully cooperated with the Indian government on the basis of information provided to the Pakistani government. He said Hafiz Saeed was being dealt with according to the laws of Pakistan and it was the policy of the Pakistani government to not let anyone use its soil for terrorist purposes.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said President Zardari met British Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier in the day and insisted that Britain should use its influence with the European countries to help Pakistan gain greater market access in the European Union. He said Pakistan needs trade more than aid and Britain can play a pivotal role in convincing these countries to promote trade with Pakistan and let Pakistani exports in their countries to help it improve economy.

Palm oil imports seen slow in Oct-Dec

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan made heavy purchases of palm oil for August and September but buying will slow in the October-December quarter partly because of stocks and the arrival of the cottonseed crop, an industry official said on Thursday.

Pakistan, after a long pause, has also placed orders for about 95,000 tons of oilseeds for October shipment that will also cut demand for palm oil imports, said Rasheed Janmohammad, vice-chairman of the Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Association.

“Pakistan has bought very well for August and September and the buying is not less than 150,000 tons a month,” Janmohammad told Reuters.

“About 80 to 85 per cent of it will be Malaysian.”

But most cargoes for August would be shipped in September because of the tight availability of freight on rising demand in the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan, which began on Sunday, and for the Indian festival of Diwali in October, he said.

Pakistan, the world’s fourth-largest buyer of vegetable oils, imports a mix of refined and crude palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia, the world biggest producers.

It consumes about 3 million tons of edible oil a year, but produces only 500,000-800,000 tons of cottonseed, rapeseed and sunflower, relying on imports to meet about 80 per cent of demand.

As the August shipment would arrive in September, when Ramazan will be nearing an end, Pakistan will have a carryover stock in October, meaning less need for imports.

The cottonseed crop, due in November/December, and the import of oilseed would also mean less imports of palm oil for the last quarter, he said.

Janmohammad said Pakistan had recently bought three cargoes of oilseed consisting of 60,000 tons of sunflower and about 30,000 to 35,000 tons of canola for October shipment.

Two parcels of 30,000 tons each of sunflower seed were purchased at between $396 and $405 a ton and the canola oilseed at $442 a ton, he said.

KSE sees modest losses on selected selling

KARACHI: The non-stop buying from overseas investors and closing of two index movers into the positive territory prevented notable decline on the Karachi bourse. Sell-off in many blue-chips caused modest loses on Thursday.

The KSE 100-share Index posted a marginal fall of 0.06 per cent or 4.58 points and closed at 8,315.16 points.

The parallel running junior 30-Index, on the contrary, managed to extend gains and attained another 0.23 per cent or 20.85 points to conclude at 8,931.84 points.

Overseas investors continued to inject fresh funds on this 18 consecutive session and inflow another $6.55 million in this single session. With this, the net foreign investment at the local bourse has augmented to $65.37 million to date since the beginning of the month of August, according to NCCPL.

Owing to the closing of two heavy weight stocks on positive note i.e. Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC) and MCB Bank, the 100-Index registered minimal losses while 30-Index continued hovering higher, analysts said.

OGDC and MCB together contributed cumulatively about 26 points in the key benchmark 100-Index and also occurred position among top-ten volume leaders, through the day turnover has turned down to low.

While Pak Petroleum continued to attract fresh funds following announcement of massive increase in production of the Pindori oilfield yesterday in which the OGDC also has 50 per cent stake.

The stocks have reached to sensitive levels with the crossing of 100-Index beyond 8,300 points level.

Therefore, the technical sell-off in many of the stocks on board was due, as most of them have invited uninterrupted buying for one reason or the other, analysts commented.

Local margin hunters took advantage of inflated levels, some profit booking by foreigners in front line Pakistan Telecommunication Company was also reported.

The thin turnover, however, did not allow market to move in a wider range and fluctuated by as many as 100 points either side of the fence between 8,392.62 points intra-day high and 8,282.18 points intra-day low.

Turnover fell by 21 per cent to 116.88 million shares from 148.32 million shares yesterday.

Futures market volume also dropped to 2.09 million from 2.87 million shares traded a day earlier.

In line with this, the overall market capitalisation also slipped down by mere Rs1.4 billion and stands at Rs2,440 billion.

“Rise in Pindori field production of POL and foreign interest in oil and banks led to positive activity in the early session. Profit taking in Pakistan State Oil (PSO) on account of rising circular debt & National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on account of expectation of falling financial result led to negative activity towards the session closed,” commented analyst Ahsan Mehanti.

Introduction of modified CFS MK-II will trigger recovery in turnover and stocks prices too, he opined.

Out of total 367 actives, 200 stocks declined, 144 stocks advanced, while the value of remaining 23 actives closed unchanged.

Highest volumes were witnessed in JS Company at 11.36 million closing at Rs25.91 with a gain of 32 paisa, followed by Oil & Gas Development Company at 10.12 million closing at Rs99.58 with a gain of 85 paisa, National Bank at 8.36 million closing at Rs65.65 with a loss of Rs1.88, Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qaism at 7.76 million closing at Rs19.87 with a gain of 66 paisa, Pak Oilfields at 7.37 million closing at Rs197.24 with a gain of Rs4.95.

Textile mills start saving power after energy audit

LAHORE: The textile industry has stepped up a drive to save electricity as 42 spinning mills, after their energy audit, are saving up to 10 per cent power without any additional cost. Under the process, Germany’s GTZ is training 25 energy managers of the mills in sustained energy conservation.

The News has found that basic textile units are the biggest consumers of electricity in the textile sector. Electricity accounts for 30 per cent of input cost of the spinning industry and modern weaving units. Their representative organisation, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, has associated itself with the National Productivity Organisation, the Asian Productivity Organisation and German institute GTZ to get energy audit of the entire spinning and weaving sector done.

The textile mills are saving energy cost merely by adjusting certain procedures without any additional cost on the advice of auditors. This alone has slashed the cost of production of yarn by three per cent.

Though more mills demand energy audit, the capacity of APO auditors is limited as they have brought only one set of testing equipment to Pakistan. Each energy audit takes up to 10 days. The APO auditors have trained local auditors who can be engaged in other mills but expensive testing equipment is not available.

However, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association has arranged two sets of testing equipment which has increased audit capacity to three mills at a time. The auditors have completed audit of 42 units after speeding up the process, but it has been estimated that even at a high pace it will take years to conduct energy audit of over 400 spinning units.

In order to cope with increasing demand of energy audit, the APTMA has provided all the mills with generic reports of the already audited mills.

“Though one solution does not fit all, unaudited mills can select a report that is nearest to their operational procedure and take remedial measures to conserve whatever electricity they can before an official audit is conducted,” an APTMA spokesman said.

In the meantime, the APTMA has associated itself with Germany’s GTZ for training 25 energy managers of the mills which already have an energy plan and are seriously interested in reducing electricity cost.

According to selection criteria for a year-long energy conservation course, the mills should have a dedicated energy manager and an in-house energy conservation plan. Under the course, energy managers will be trained in sustained improvements in energy conservation of mills.

These trainee energy managers are mostly qualified electrical engineers. They are being trained to conduct a baseline audit of textile units as is being done by APO auditors. In addition, they are being trained to audit the processes and develop an energy information system to ensure sustained improvement in electricity use.

It has been found that a further saving of 10 to 15 per cent can be achieved if processes are streamlined in a way that conserves energy.

However, this will need some investment and the APTMA is hopeful that the Asian Development Bank will soon provide a special low mark-up fund for investment needed for increasing energy conservation.

A study conducted by the National Productivity Organisation (NPO), with the assistance of international energy experts, reveals the spinning mills can improve energy efficiency by 10 to 15 per cent simply by better utilisation of available facilities.

UK gives security gear to NWFP Police

Friday, August 28, 2009
Bureau report

PESHAWAR: The British High Commission Thursday presented the NWFP Police with vital equipment in fight against crimes and insurgency.

Acting High Commissioner Ray Kyles handed over 870 body armour jackets, 1,740 hard armour plates and 870 ballistic helmets to NWFP Police Chief Malik Naveed at the British High Commission.

The acting high commissioner said: “The UK is pleased to be able to provide this equipment in support of the NWFP Police’s current drive against crimes and insurgency in the province.” The equipment will help save the lives of police officers performing duties in the province. More than 300 officers were killed in attacks by militants during the last year.

Malik Naveed acknowledged delivery of the equipment and stated that the gift would strengthen relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The acting British high commissioner said: “This equipment was delivered as part of a larger programme of training the NWFP Police aimed at strengthening security in NWFP, which began in January 2009. The UK is committed to help bring greater peace and stability to the region.”

Taliban pick up erstwhile militant

Friday, August 28, 2009
Our correspondent

GHALLANAI: The militants in Mohmand Agency picked up a leader of the peace committee along with his two friends on Thursday from Qandaro area in Safi tehsil.

The sources said Yar Said alias Chakari was with his friends Sulaiman and Jan Muhammad when the militants abducted him. The spokesman for banned Tehkrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Mohmand chapter, Ikramullah Mohmand, claimed the abduction.

Officials in the political administration of Mohmand Agency confirmed the incident. Yar Said was said to be a militant himself but three months back he along with his men renounced militancy and surrendered to the political administration. The political administration later made him leader of the peace committee

NWFP for quarterly payments from Wapda

PESHAWAR: The NWFP government has asked the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to ensure payment of the due amount to the province on a quarterly basis.

The Wapda has to pay the province Rs6 billion on yearly basis. The amount is not paid on a regular basis, sometimes causing long delay in payment to the cash-strapped province. The official sources said the provincial government had sent a letter to the Wapda authorities and the federal government to ensure payment of the amount on quarterly basis keeping in view the financial and economic situation of the province.

They said Rs1.5 billion amount, which was due to be paid by Wapda to the province as the last tranche for the year 2008-2009 was released recently and that too after sending three letters to the federal government.

The sources said the provincial government was faced with financial problems mainly because of the downfall of its economy caused by the rising militancy and insurgency in the tribal as well as settled areas.

They said the provincial government, both formally and informally, had told the Centre that the province was faced with serious financial crunch and it might be bailed out only when the federal government as well as its relevant organs released all the due amounts in time.

“This is why the Wapda has been asked to ensure the payment of amount to the provincial government on a quarterly basis in four equal installments,” said the source. Recently, the NWFP government has also demanded of the Centre to increase its share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) by five per cent mentioning the anti-terror war, the displacement of a large number of people and the losses suffered by economy because of the militancy and insurgency as the main reasons.

According to officials, the NWFP was not only facing problems because of fighting in Swat and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, but also the IDPs from tribal areas as well as the presence of Afghan refugees here was an extra burden on the weak economy of the province. Many businesses have been closed and investors have withdrawn money and shifted to Punjab or other parts of the country because of the prevailing lawlessness in the province.

Authorities indifferent to people’s health: SC

A full bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has observed that people are being served with dead animals’ fat at some restaurants in the name of delicious food but authorities concerned are taking no action against the criminal act.

The officers of the Food department are taking bribe to allow the hotels and restaurants play havoc with innocent lives, the court further observed.

The bench headed by Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday gave these observations while hearing a suo motu case against serving sub- standard food at local restaurants and hotels. The notice was taken on a report aired by a local news channel against the hotels and restaurants serving unhealthy food to the masses.

Taking a strong note of the carelessness on the part of the Food Department, the bench summoned the Secretaries Food, Health and Prosecution for Friday (today). The bench also directed the Deputy Food Controller, Lahore, to appear before the court and apprise the court about the measures taken under Pakistan Hotel & Restaurants Act 1976.

Justice Ramday also directed district officer food Dr. Masood Ashraf, chief food inspector Muhammad Ayub, food inspector Kamran Butt and Saleem to come up on Friday with a detailed report after conducting raids on different hotels and restaurants of the city. The judge also asked the administration of a renowned restaurant of the city to up their standard, otherwise, the court would order its closure.

Justice Ramday observed that the performance of the district food officer under pure food ordinance was not satisfactory as all the work was shown only on paper. The bench also took serious note of non-perusal of cases against hotels and restaurants pending before the courts concerned. At this, food officials informed the court that the department had counsel to plead their cases.

Action on purchase of many flour bags

Lahore commissioner Khusro Pervez has directed special magistrates to arrest anyone carrying many flour bags in his vehicle and also those involved in stocking and selling the subsidized flour and sugar.

According to a press statement issued on Thursday, the commissioner said that the consumption of flour bags in Lahore was 70,000 but now it had been increased to 190,000 to ensure the provision of subsidized flour to people.

He ordered the magistrates to arrest all those selling sugar at rates higher than Rs. 47 per kg, sentencing the culprits to six-month imprisonment on the spot.

He also ordered the establishment of separate terminals for elderly people so that could get flour without standing in long queues.

Following the policy prescribed by the commissioner, the action committee, on the direction of DCO Sajjad Bhutta, apprehended a pick-up wagon with the registration number LXC 1514 which was carrying 100 subsidized flour bags. The action committee arrested the driver Abdul Waheed and his partner Shahzeb.

10 Sindh SPs transferred

The Inspector-General Police (IGP), Sindh, Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khatak, on Thursday ordered transfers of 10 Superintendents of Police (SPs) with immediate effect.

According to a police handout, SP Abdul Hameed Khoso who was awaiting posting has been posted SP Liaquatabad while SP Manzoor Ahmed Khaitan has been posted SPO (DPO) Naushero Feroze. He was earlier serving as SP, SRP, Baldia Base-II.

Tanvir Ahmed Odho, SP, has been posted as SP SRP Baldia Base II while SP Nisar Ahmed Channa has been posted as Principal, Commando Training Centre Sakrand. He was awaiting†posting.

Jam Zafar Dharejo has been posted SP, Traffic Zone-IV, CCPO. Earlier he was serving as SP, Liaquatabad, while SP Waqar Millan has been posted as SP Khwaja Ajmernagri Headquarters. Earlier, he was serving as SP Traffic Zone-IV.

Aitizaz Ahsan Korejo has been posted SP Investigation Sukkur, who was earlier serving as SPO Sukkur. Javed Jaskani has been posted SP, Landhi.

SP Zahid Hussain Shah has been posted as ADIGP Establishment, CCP, Karachi, Earlier, he was serving as SP Landhi. Imran Shoukat, SP, has been posted AIGP, Forensic Division, Sindh, Karachi.

Hasan Turabi assassination case transferred to ATC-III

The Administrative Judge (AJ) of the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATC) in Karachi granted a complainant’s application for transferring Pakistan Islami Tehrik and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal leader Allama Hasan Turabi’s assassination case from the ATC-II to the ATC-III for trial.

Mohammad Amin alias Khalid Shaheen, Sultan Mehmood alias Saifullah, Mohammad Rehman alias Mani, Ashfaq Qureshi, Mohammad Akbar Khan and Raheemullah are facing trial for allegedly killing Hasan Turabi in a suicide attack.

Turabi, along with his nephew Imran Ali, were killed in a suicide bomb blast in the limits of the Sachchal police station Karachi on July 14, 2006. According to the prosecution, the alleged suicide bomber, later identified as Abdul Karim, had blown himself up with explosive material when Turabi reached his house after attending a rally against Israeli aggression on Palestine and Lebanon. Three policemen, Azhar Hussain, Fakhar Hussain, and Mohammad Rashid, and a woman, Noreen, were injured in the blast.

The Complainant of the case, Shafat Hussain, filed an application before the AJ of the ATCs, Justice Maqbool Baqar, accusing the presiding officer of the case of favoring the defendants. The applicant’s counsel, Syed Tasawar Hussain Rizvi, submitted that the prosecution witnesses were treated harshly by the presiding officer of the court, and that the complainant had no confidence on the trial court due to the conduct of the presiding officer. He sought the transfer of the case to any other ATC “in the interest of justice”.

ATC Judge Abdul Ghafoor Memon denied the allegation in his comments, and submitted that trial was transferred from the ATC-III in November 2008 and the case could not proceed due to the want of defense counsel for one of the accused, Raheemullah. The presiding officer submitted that his attitude towards the prosecution witnesses was not harsh. He submitted that the court examined 23 witnesses but only a third of them were examined by the complainant counsel, adding that this case was given preference while the prosecution wanted to adopt its own procedure.

The ATC judge submitted that adjournment dates were given at convenience of both sides.

AJ Justice Maqbool Baqar, after taking the comments on the record, transferred the case to ATC-III. On the other hand, the defendants counsel also filed an application in the Sindh High Court (SHC), seeking open trial of the Allama Hasan Turabi assassination case instead of jail trial. The defendants counsel Abdul Waheed Katpar submitted that the trial against the defendants was pending for the past three years and only 10 prosecution witnesses, out of 57, had been examined thus far by the trial court.

He said that trial against the defendants seems to be held in-camera as no defendant’s relatives are allowed to observe the proceedings. Prosecution witnesses are also facing hardships due to the inside-prison trial, he said, adding that the open trial of the defendants was their right as guaranteed under the criminal procedure code. He requested the court to issue directions for an open trial against the defendants in the ATC instead of trial inside the prison.

Shah Latif police arrest six accused

Khuldabad check post police arrested six culprits in different raids and recovered arms from their possession, here on Thursday.

In-charge Khuldabad police check post, Nawaz Ali Zardari along with his team raided different areas including Quaidabad, Zafar Town, Murghi Khana, Kohat Colony and National Highway and arrested five street criminals including Dil Murad, Nadeem alias Kala, Imran, Malik Wakeel and Rehmat. Police also recovered five TT pistols, five magazines, 35 cartages, and stolen home appliances from their possession.

In another incident, police also arrested a drug peddler Sajid and recovered several rods of hashish from his possession.

Sukkhan police arrested three dacoits after an encounter and recovered snatched money, mobile phones and arms from their possession, here on Thursday. The SHO of the Sukkhan police station along with his team was busy in routine patrolling when informed that a dacoits’ group was fleeing from the scene after looting animal traders at Bhains Colony no 2. The police challenged the bandits and nabbed three dacoits Sher Dil, Nisar Muhammad and Junaid were arrested.

Pakistan’s first provincial child labour unit set up

The Provincial Child Labour Unit (PCLU), Sindh, was inaugurated on Thursday at the Sindh Secretariat by Labour Minister Ameer Nawab Khan. The PCLU that has been established in collaboration with the European Commission and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and aims to eradicate child labour from Sindh, the minister said, adding that child labour was a major hurdle in the economic and social development of the country.

The newly-inaugurated unit is the first amongst five child labour units that are soon to be set up in other provinces as part of the federal government’s programme for the elimination of child labour.

Children in the third world countries and even in the developed countries are engaged in labour that “takes away their childhood,” Khan said. “At a stage when they should be attending school and spending time in recreational activities, these children are made to work hard in factories, streets and houses,” he said.

Considering the global scenario, the ILO has made various conventions and Pakistan has ratified many of them, the minister said. According to Convention 138 of the ILO, the minimum age for labour is 15 years, and 18 years for jobs that include any danger. However, even though Pakistan has ratified this convention, but as per the lenience given to developing countries, children who are at least 14 years of age can be engaged in work that does not include any risk or danger.

Khan said that Articles 11 and 13 of the Constitution of Pakistan do not allow children and women to be engaged in difficult forms of labour. Moreover, the Factories Act 1934, Shops and Establishment Ordinance 1969 and the Employment of Children Act (ECA) 1991 protect children’s rights while guarantying the prevention of child labour.

Referring to a major aspect of the ECA 1991, which allows the citizens to complain against any violation of the act, the labour minister said that citizens, as major stakeholders in society, should also help the government in its efforts against child labour.

Earlier, ILO Chief Technical Advisor Sujeewa Fonseka congratulated the Sindh government on launching the PCLU for the first time in Pakistan. While pointing out that the issue of child labour was interlinked with poverty and education, he recommended that the government ensure two things as part of its poverty eradication programme: sufficient income for families, and education instead of work for children. Moreover he laid stress on the implementation of ECA 1991 that clearly prevents child labour.

Thardeep Rural Development Program Senior Strategic Manager Shahbano Aliani shared the findings of a survey on child labour that had been carried out in 2007 in districts Tharparkar, Umarkot, Jamshoro and Dadu.

“Sixty per cent of the families in these districts live below the poverty line and almost the same percentage were under debts at that time,” she said, while pointing out that parents could not afford to send their children to school and utilised them for earning livelihood instead.

She ensured full cooperation of the TRDP in the government’s initiative and said that her team will be able to identify setbacks in the eradication of child labour in these districts while it would also lend a hand to the government in capacity building and community sensitisation.

DHA Cogen power, desalination plant recommissioned

The Cogen Power and Desalination Plant of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was recommissioned at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club on Thursday.

Nasim Khan, Defence Cogen Ltd (DCL) Managing Director (MD) and representative of Ashmore Energy International (AEI), informed the gathering that the damaged Cogen plant had been repaired and was producing water and electricity since August 21.

He said that the plant was in the testing and pre-commissioning mode, and that all tests, including vibration tests, were returning technically sound results. He said that the Cogen plant would start commercial functioning by the end of August.

Chief Guest Commander V Corps Lt-Gen Shahid Iqbal said that stakeholders concerned rose to the occasion, and resolved all technical, financial and administrative impediments in a professional and competent manner. He said that Phase-II of the project consists of a similar power and desalination plant, with a production capacity of 105 megawatts (MWs) of power and five million gallons (MGD) of water. Urging the DCL to ensure that Phase-II of the Cogen project takes off promptly and successfully, he said that the second phase was essential to meet the growing water and energy needs of the city. DHA Administrator Brig. Khalid Tirmizi described the recommissioning of the Cogen Plant as a “momentous event” and a “massive breakthrough” towards addressing the depleting energy needs and water scarcity problems of the metropolis. He thanked all stakeholders of Cogen project for their support; the KESC for providing the energy needed for energising the plant, the SSGC for restoring gas supply, Siemens for their cooperation in recommissioning the plant and the banks for providing the much-needed financial support to DCL.

He also thanked residents and residents` associations for their support, understanding and cooperation. Tirmizi also lauded the Role of the media for provided adequate coverage and highlighting the issue in a positive manner.

A large number of people, including the DCL MD, representatives of AEI, officials of KESC, SSGC, various banks, representatives of stakeholders from Turkey, Brazil and representatives of various residents associations attended the event.

Modest rate for commodities at Delhi Colony Market

While prices in most of the city markets have doubled since the arrival of Ramazan, rates of commodities at the Delhi Colony Market are relatively more modest than other markets as surveyed by The News.

Bananas were being sold at 40/kg per dozen in the market, whereas according to the list, it had to be sold for Rs 36/per dozen. Guavas were being sold for Rs 23, equal to the price of the pricelist, whereas one kg apples was being sold at Rs68 instead of the stipulated price of Rs 62.

On the other hand, potatoes is sold for Rs 20, instead of actual price of Rs 15, onions for Rs 25 as compared to actual price of Rs 22, Loki for Rs 20 instead of actual price of Rs 15. Tomatoes were being sold at lesser prices than the actual prices; the common quality at Rs 28 and the good quality at Rs 37.

Meanwhile pulses such as Mash daal was being sold for Rs 90 instead of actual price of Rs 84, Dal Mong Sabit was sold at Rs 46 equal to the retail prices, Dal Masoor Sabit for 93 instead of 86, Daal Chana at 45 instead of actual price of Rs 44. Basen on the other hand was sold at a high price for Rs 70 instead of Rs 52 in the retail market.

Affected SHC judges to file review petition in SC today

Two Sindh High Court (SHC) judges, who have been affected by the Supreme Court’s (SC) judgment on the November 3 [2007] Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), are going to file review petitions before the SC.

“The review petitions on behalf of Justice Mrs Yasmeen Abbasey and Justice Nadeem Ahzar Siddiqui could not be filed on Thursday in the SC due to want of time,” advocate-on-record Mazhar B. Chohan told The News. “They will, however, be filed on Friday.” The counsel further said that review petitions of three more judges are likely to be filed on Saturday.

SHC judges who took oath under the November 3 PCO believed that they were “discriminated against and condemned unheard” by the SC in the judgment. Justice Mohammad Afzal Soomro had taken oath as SHC chief justice soon after the proclamation of emergency and the imposition of the PCO on November 3, 2007, while Justice Munib Ahmed Khan, Justice Mrs Qaiser Iqbal and Justice Mrs Yasmeen Abbasey had taken oath as SHC judges. Justice Ali Sain Dino Maitlo and Justice Nadeem Azhar Siddiqui, along with two other additional SHC judges, took oath under the PCO on November 4, 2007.

These judges were not assigned cases after the SC’s order, and were of the view that they were constitutionally appointed judges and their appointment and confirmation was not challenged in any petition that was heard by the larger bench of the SC, sources said. They added that judges who took oath under the PCO were of the opinion that equitable relief was not given to them in the SC’s judgment and that, they were not allowed to defend or present their point of view before the larger bench.

Corruption reference: Meanwhile, Justice Afzal Soomro, sent a reply to the corruption reference being proceeded against him by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and denied all allegations. Justice Soomro submitted that the reference against him was baseless and there were contradictions in the statements of the witnesses. He said that the reference does not fulfill constitutional requirement either, and that, he was willing to appear before the SJC if the council felt the need to examine him.

Sindh sugar stocks likely to last four months: Marri

Sindh’s sugar stocks are likely to last three to four months, said Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri at a press conference at New Sindh Secretariat on Thursday.

Flanked by Agriculture Secretary Agha Jan Akhtar and Information Secretary Malik Israr, Marri said that the consumption of sugar in Sindh was estimated at 75,000 tonnes per month, while 240,000 tonnes of sugar were available at present in the province.

She said that the Sindh government had reached an agreement with sugar mills owners, wholesalers, and retailers’ associations over pricing of sugar, under which the ex-mill price of sugar has been fixed at Rs44.75 per kilogramme (kg). This price, she said, was even 25 paisas less than the price fixed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, while retail price of sugar would be Rs47 per kg.

The minister said that all stakeholders would abide by this decision and warned that strict action would be taken against hoarding and black-marketing of the commodity. She said that raids had been conducted on godowns in certain areas of Karachi, and similar action would be taken in other districts of the province. She said that the provincial government was satisfied with this agreement, adding that no leniency would be shown if the price of sugar was increased arbitrarily.

She said that the government had taken steps to provide relief to the masses but because of “defective infrastructure”, it did not reach the people it was intended for.

Vendors blame wholesale traders for soaring prices

Shopkeepers and fruit vendors at Defence Market blamed Mandi traders for the increase in rates of vegetables and fruits, and demanded that government officials should keep a strict tab on traders to control the situation of over- pricing which has frequently been reported in the city.

Speaking to The News, vegetable and fruit vendors said: “We are forced to sell the commodities at prices higher than the fixed prices, since the Mandi traders sell fruits and vegetables to us at higher prices than those stipulated by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

“When we ask them to sell commodities at prices which comply with the price list, they (traders) tell us to follow their demands, else they won’t supply us fruits and vegetables,”said a fruit vendor.

Citing examples, a vendor said: “On the very first day of Ramazan, we got one kg guava at a price of Rs 85 from the Mandi, whereas its actual price mentioned in the list is Rs 41. However to cope up with the soaring prices, we sold it at Rs 80. Similarly, two days ago, we got 1kg grapes for Rs 116 rates from the mandi, so how can the government expect us to follow the price list which has fixed the rate of grapes at Rs 60 per kg. Also, in the Mandi, we got one kg watermelon for

Rs 18 although it is supposed to be sold at Rs 12. Now we are selling it at Rs 20.”

The vendors also stated that before making and issuing the price list, the government should check whether the sellers at the Mandi are following the list. “Raids are conducted at our markets and we suffer. People blame us for soaring prices, whereas no official ever goes to the Mandi to check and conduct raids there.”

The vendors also said that when raids are conducted, officials misbehave with people. Altamash, a vegetable vendor said: “On the first day, when the officials came to raid our market, the magistrate misbehaved and charged everyone Rs 5,000 fine for overpricing. On the second day, an unidentified official along with a security guard and policemen came and demanded fruits and vegetables from us free of cost. However when one of them slapped me, the rest of the vendors cornered them and they fled away.”Kala Khan, a fruit vendor said.

Kidnapping, murder of three-year-old girl

The counsel of two policemen accused of abducting and murdering a three-year-old girl questioned on Thursday the proceedings against the defendants under the anti-terrorism law. He submitting that case pertained to blind murder of a girl and does not fall under the ambit of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) reserved order on transfer application seeking transfer of trial against the policemen, to the Sessions court.

The policemen were earlier booked for murder and kidnapping charges on July 5 and remand was obtained from the concerned Magistrate, but section 6 (1) (b) and 7 of the ATA were included by the police after four days of their arrest and a case was made for the trial of the suspects before the ATC.

Bashir Ahmed and Noor Mohammad are charged with killing three-year-old Sana after kidnapping her in the Korangi area on July 5 this year. According to the prosecution, the defendants, after kidnapping and raping the girl, killed her and later threw her body in a graveyard in the Korangi area and due to their act a sense of fear prevailed in the society.

The defence counsel also submitted that the Judicial Magistrate’s order regarding direction to Investigation Officer (IO) for obtaining remand from Additional Judge is also illegal and prayed to the court to remand back the case to the Sessions court.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), Mohammad Khan Buriro, vehemently opposed the defence counsel contention and contended that the suspect counsel did not challenge the impugned order of the judicial magistrate before appropriate forum neither was it assailed before the superior courts. He prayed to the court to dismiss the application as the Administrative Judge also observed that prima facie the case falls under the ATA and is triable before the ATC.

The court also recorded statement of the defendant Noor Mohammad who denied the prosecution charges. He said that he was a father of five children and had nothing to do with the offence. He said that because he was Sindhi speaking and a policeman that is why he was implicated in the case by the complainant to save the real culprits. He denied giving his statement on oath however his counsel prayed to the court to call the medical officer where the defendant went for hepatitis C vaccination and official of airport police office where he stayed on the day of incident. The IO, however, opposed the plea contending that the IO is not bound to produce the defence witnesses and counsel should make such arrangements for their testimony.

Defendant head constable Bashir Ahmed also recorded his statement on oath before the court and denied all the allegations levelled against him, submitting that he was falsely implicated in the case. He submitted that he is a father of four children and being a policeman could not even think to commit such an offence. He was cross-examined by the SPP.

The ATC headed by Judge Syed Hasan Shah Bukhari fixed August 29 for order on transfer application and hearing the final arguments of the defence and prosecution counsel.

Surroundings of Gutter Baghicha still tense

The surroundings of Gutter Baghicha in the limits of Pak Colony police station remained tense on Thursday although no untoward incident took place owing to presence of heavy contingents of police and Rangers in the area.

Protestors took to the streets on Thursday too and tried to pelt law enforcers and passers-by with stones but police apprehended several of them.

Rangers claimed to have arrested eight persons but did not disclose their identities while police showed arrests of two persons who were identified as Tariq and Asif.

Meanwhile, PS Pak Colony arrested two separate cases against Nadir Baloch and Nisar Baloch, later the

President of Gutter Baghicha Bachao Tehreek along

with hundreds of other unidentified persons for Wednesday’s unrest in which a police constable Amir and a Rangers personnel Afzal were injured.

PS Pak Colony officials said that they registered two separate FIRs, 195/09 and 196/09 against Nadir and Nisar Baloch as well as scores of other unidentified persons for disturbing the law and order situation in the area.

They said that the situation remained controlled in the area on Thursday, however, some unrest was observed on Saleh Muhammad Village Road but law enforcing agencies’ personnel took timely action and dispersed the culprits.

Recent disclosures vindicated PPP of past allegations: Fauzia

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Friday that the present government with the support of the masses has achieved unprecedented success in war on terror.

He was addressing the media persons at Peoples Secretariat at an Iftar cum Dinner hosted by PPP Information Secretary Fouzia Wahab.

Leader of the House in Senate Syed Nayyar Bukhari, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Syed Sumsam Ali Bukhari and senior PPP leader and in charge Peoples Labour Bureau Chaudhry Manzoor were also present on the occasion.

The minister said that with the grace of Allah Almighty the operation against militants in Swat and adjoining areas succeeded within ten weeks.

He said that the entire world was surprised over the swiftnessof the operation in Swat and Malkand.

He also said that rehabilitation of the displaced persons of Swat and adjoining areas was a big challenge, but the people of Pakistan met this challenge with courage and determination.

The Minister for Information appreciated the role of media in war on terror.

However he urged a section of the press not to give over projection to the terrorists' activities as it was not in the interest of the country.

He said that the present government was following the vision of its Shaheed Chairperson Mohtarma Benazair Bhutto and has adopted the policy of national reconciliation.

"The political forces of the country should join hands on the issues of national interest as it was imperative for the political stability and economic progress of Pakistan," the minister added.

"We should bury the past and look forward for the future of the country," he remarked.

The minister asked the media to play positive role and do objective reporting in highlighting the weaknesses of the government and become a catalyst of better governance.

Earlier PPP Secretary Information Fouzia Wahab said that the PPP leadership had been victimised and vilified through baseless allegations in the past.

She said that the recent disclosures have vindicated the PPP and now its leaders and workers can feel pride in the fact that not a single name of the PPP leader appeared in the affidavit presented in the Supreme Court.

She said that recent events have again proved that the PPP was the biggest political force in Pakistan and enjoys the support of the masses of the four provinces adding the certain elements had been trying since 1977 to suppress the voice of the people, but failed.

Fouzia Wahab said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto suffered a lot during her struggle for democracy.