For almost over a year now, cinemas in Karachi are witnessing the glamour galore that are film premieres: from a grand red carpet to a celebrity wall, moviegoers get some facetime with the glitz of the film world. The fanfare usually sets up in one of our modern multiplexes; the classic single-screen cinemas like Capri and Bambino just screen the films once they release.

Asadul Haq's Dekh Magar Pyar Se is here to change that: the film will be premiered in Karachi on August 15 at Capri, finally breaking the jinx after a decade.

The director of Capri cinema, Farrukh Rauf told Dawn.com that it has ten years since the cinema saw a premiere: "The last time we premiered a film was in 2005 when Sonya Jehan's debut film Taj Mehal was released and given that it was an Indian film, four to five Indian actors also came to see the film. It's a coincidence that Humaima Malik starrer Dekh Magar Pyar Se marks her brother, Sikander Rizvi's debut."

He further revealed that Salakhain (2004) and Ye Dil Aap Ka Hua (2002) had also been premiered at Capri and the star cast attended the event: "In those times, red carpets were there but they weren't as grand as they're now."

It's time to give back to cinemas that saw the golden age of films: Asadul Haq

Talking about this unique approach to premiering his film, Asadul Haq shared why he decided to bring the classic cinema back into limelight: "My childhood was spent in Capri and when we are talking about the old days and places like Lahore, then why shouldn’t the premiere also be held at Capri? The rest of the cinemas are great and they see premieres every time, so why not go back to the old days of the cinema because we all have childhood memories associated with the cinema."

With multiplexes replacing cinema houses in Pakistan, the question rises whether people would come to them and Asad is very optimistic about it: “A few years ago, the same audience had quit coming to cinemas altogether but we brought them back, didn’t we? If we can do that, we can even bring them back to Capri. These cinemas have seen the golden age of our cinemas, we had those old staircases, balcony seats and that’s what we want to celebrate!”

Celebrating the legacy of Capri, Asad felt that many have forgotten their roots hence they refrain from going to good old theatre houses:

“When our team went to check out Capri, we realised that it was indeed a unique cinema. The thing is that we have forgotten our roots and we have gotten used to things accessible to us. This is my way of giving back to the old cinema.”

The rom-com, DPMS is set in Lahore and has been dubbed "a complete family entertainer, which will showcase the city's history and culture".

The script of the film has been written by journalist/Karachi You're Killing Me author Saba Imtiaz and will be a debut film for the writer, director as well as the actor, Sikander. The music score for the film has been done by none other than the very soulful Abbas Ali Khan.

Built in 1968, Capri was also amongst those cinemas that faced the brunt of protesters who set fire to theatre houses an an outrage to blasphemous film released on YouTube. Unlike Nishat and Prince, Capri was back in business in December.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1200395/subcommittee-agrees-agencies-should-have-access-to-isp-data

Azadi Mubarak to our readers!

August 14 is a day of celebration, on which many stop to reflect about Pakistan's journey so far.

What do our celebrities have to say on the occasion?

Some kept their Independence Day messages short and sweet:

Ali Zafar's message was one of hope and optimism:

Shafqat Amanat Ali also expressed hopes for a bright future:

Faysal Qureshi's message was full of zeal:

But OKB got his Mubaraks mixed up! Oh, well...

Meanwhile, Mawra Hocane sent the motherland a shout-out from Cape Town:

Humaima's tweet was spot-on - a public service message and a shout-out to her film opening in cinemas today:

Mehreen Syed roped in her tiny tot in the celebrations! Can you decipher the inverse message on the placard?

Nadia Hussain shared her family plans on this Independence Day:

... and Umair Jaswal? He was clearly making the most of this holiday!

Tapu Javeri did what he does best, encapsulating patriotic fervour in a frame:

And Dino Ali also shared a shot from the streets:

Xulfi chose to get lyrical:

Feeha Jamshed also got a little poetic:

Bilal Lashari took a little help from Coke Studio for the same:

HSY says he is a proud Pakistani:

And could we ever forget the forever patriot Hamza Ali Abbasi?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Awami (PML-A) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Thursday that he had decided to cancel a public meeting at Rawalpindi’s Lal Haveli after receiving threats to his life.

The party chief was scheduled to address his party workers on the eve of Independence Day just like he did every year. This year, the programme was dropped on the suggestion of the local administration and security departments.

Talking to Dawn, the PML-A chief said the administration had claimed that a terrorist group wanted to attack the annual programme, “so we decided to cancel it”. “The administration informed me that it was the same terrorist group which had attacked me three times in the past,” he said.

Sheikh Rashid added that he didn’t want to put the lives of his workers in danger and therefore decided to postpone the event.

Meanwhile in Karachi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Arif Alvi also revealed that he had received threats to his life.

He informed the National Assembly on Thursday that he had been receiving threats from people who claim to be workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

“I have spoken to MQM leader Farooq Sattar about this issue,” said the PTI leader. “For some time now I have been facing death threats by people who claim that they are working for the MQM.”

The PTI and the MQM have been at loggerheads for some time after PTI chief Imran Khan accused MQM chief Altaf Hussain of supporting target killers in Karachi.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2015

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QUETTA: Around 400 militants on Friday laid down their weapons before authorities in Quetta during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.

Militants from various banned Baloch organisations handed over their weapons to officials at a ceremony held at Quetta's Police Lines area. School children present at the ceremony handed national flags to the militants who surrendered to adopt peaceful lives.

"You have laid down your weapons as per your free will," Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Nasir Khan Janjua said while addressing the ceremony.

The picture shows weapons laid down by the militants. — Photo by author

Home Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Provincial Minister for Irrigation Nawab Jangayz Marri, Deputy Speaker Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo and senior military and civilian officers were among those attending the function.

"Abandoning violence and adopting peaceful lives is a positive stride," the commander said.

The government of Balochistan had already announced a reconciliation policy a few months back to pave way for solutions on issues relating to the province which has been under the grip of violence for over a decade.

Read: Another 59 Baloch militants surrender

The militants chanted zealous slogans of "long live Pakistan" during the ceremony. They vowed not to work against the state and assured that they would be part of endeavors for development and prosperity of the country.

Militants waving flag during the ceremony. —Photo by author

"We welcome you all in joining this process for peace," Home Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti said on the occasion.

He added that the blood of innocent people has been shed in Balochistan and it was high time to make joint efforts for restoration of peace in the province.

The militants waved national flags during the function, which was organised amidst tight security.

The government of Balochistan has announced provision of Rs500,000 to Rs1.5 million to each militant for laying down weapons before the authorities.

"We will provide jobs and education to you and your kids," Bugti assured the militants while addressing the function.

The militants laid down their weapons in Quetta, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti and other parts of Balochistan in the aftermath of a reconciliation policy announced by the provincial government.

Also read: Militants, key commander surrender in Balochistan's Sui

The southern commander termed the laying down of weapons as a good omen for peace and development of the Balochistan.

"This country will prosper at all costs," Lt Gen Janjua said while referring to incidents of violence in the past.

The government also announced amnesty for the militants adopting peaceful lives and they will be integrated in Balochistan.

Take a look: Balochistan govt announces amnesty for youths abandoning violence

Pakistan's largest province — which borders Iran and Afghanistan — is riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence.

Its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.

Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources have frequently targeted security forces and police for years.

BELIEVED to be part of a centuries-old city, the ruins and graves in Sindh’s Badin district uncovered by the 2011 torrential rains and the subsequent floods are a picture of neglect, mostly ignored by the provincial government. The historical city, 60km from Hyderabad, is close to Gulab Leghari town and is locally known as Agham Kot or Aghamano.

In the aftermath of the 2011 rains and floods, human bones were disgorged, which had been buried for centuries. Local residents say they saw several skeletons after the rains, which were bloodcurdling, but with the frequent and reckless human activity in the area many of the precious entities have been damaged.

“The skeletons seemed to be laughing and were quite scary, but they were hugely precious,” said Ashraf Leghari, a local social worker who took it upon himself to safeguard the site.

“We asked people to tread carefully but they didn’t listen and shattered almost everything that surfaced then. We appealed to the government to come and protect the ruins. Just a single official showed up,” who soon retired, said Mr Leghari.

Agham Kot has its own myths and legends, narrating how stubbornly it survived a slew of wars and attacks by marauding troops for centuries. The ruins included structures made of stone and centuries-old designs. The site contains an early mosque, called ‘Patan-wari maseet’ (mosque along the quay). The building was in shabby condition, with its bricks falling apart, while there was no one to stop visitors from openly stealing the precious artefacts.

Legend has it that the city along the river was founded by Agham Lohano, a local king, and the mosque was constructed along its jetty where passenger and cargo boats would frequently arrive and depart. The city was said to be part of ancient Brahmanabad province of Sindh that was governed by Raja Agham until Raja Chach ousted him.

Clambering further, one reaches several tombs, one of which is Bibi Maham’s. Locals believe she had come from Arabia, having a sacred ancestral background. A headstone says she died in 170 Hijri (more than 1,200 years ago). However, experts said she actually died in the 11th century according to the Islamic calendar, meaning the tomb was around 500 years old. Besides, her name indicated that she had actually come from Central Asia, they added.

Another tomb is related to Makhdoom Mohammad Ismael, who was believed to be one of the judges on a panel that had given a verdict to execute the 16th-century saint Makhdoom Bilawal by crushing him in a seed grinder. But that anecdote is neither denied nor corroborated by historians.

A little distance away lies the shrine of Shah Abdul Majeed, a figure highly revered by the Lohanas, who practise Hinduism. It is close to the ruins of another mosque that locals say had been destroyed for some unknown reason.

Sindh’s Watayo Faqir, an equivalent to Mullah Nasruddin of Central Asia, known for his wisecracks, was said to have an abode in Agham Kot and was forced to leave by the ruling elite for his witticism and independent thinking. “Before leaving Agham Kot, Watayo cursed the city and destruction started with the falling of this mosque,” said Mr Leghari, relating the legend.

The rocks and buildings show dark spots and lines here and there. Black articles believed to be burnt human limbs are easily found; it is said that the city was among the several parts of Sindh which Afghan invader Madad Khan had ravaged and burnt.

Books such as Chach Nama and Tohfat-ul-Karaam mention that Raja Agham Lohano ruled the area before the Arabs invaded Sindh. Brahmanabad was dominated by Brahmins and Buddhists and was ruled by Raja Agham’s dynasty on behalf of Rai Saheeras, son of Rai Sahisi, of the Rai dynasty.

Several stones engraved with ancient scripts and decorations have already been removed by the visitors and some local influential people have reportedly kept them in their bungalows or had sold them in the market.

The site has not been preserved as it has not been recorded on the provincial government’s list to ensure its protection. An official, however, says the site along with hundreds of others — equally important — is on the government’s ‘tentative list’. This means it could get official protection and funds, pending several mandatory expert investigations. “It is highly unfortunate,” admits the official, “that our rulers are playing with the relics of Sindh.”

Wars and violence wreaked havoc on ancient places, but it is believed that most cities and civilisations died due to economic reasons and the ancient economy of this part of the world flourished on the flow of rivers. “This city continued to flourish until the 18th century,” said Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, a renowned archaeologist who formerly headed the provincial antiquities and archaeology department. He says: “Agham Kot died once the Indus changed its course in 18th century and subsequently the maze of roads constructed by the British did not consider it a priority. The town was left to the rigours of time.”

Mr Leghari said people in his village, located near the ruins, had earlier established a separate room where they kept precious relics to protect them from thieves. “We try to protect this heritage to the best of our capabilities until the government wakes up and relieves us of this responsibility,” he smiles.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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QUETTA: Unidentified armed men opened fire on a police mobile van in Sohbat Pur district of Balochistan on Friday wounding at least six policemen on Friday.

A Station House Officer was also travelling in the mobile van which came under indiscriminate fire of the attackers. The SHO was critically wounded.

Earlier during the day, security forces claimed to have foiled a major bid of terrorism as they seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Balochistan's Zhob district on Friday.

Frontier Corps personnel, accompanied by intelligence officials, conducted a joint search operation and apprehended two militants from Gwal Ismail Zai area of Zhob district.

A security official requesting anonymity told Dawn.com that security forces also recovered five suicide jackets, 14 rocket launchers, 50 kg explosives and other weapons from the possession of the arrested militants.

“The militants were trying to smuggle the weapons in a bid to carry out terror attacks in Quetta to sabotage independence day celebrations,” he said.

Both the militants belonged to a banned militant outfit and were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation, the official concluded.

Also read: 400 militants in Balochistan lay down weapons on Independence Day

Country's largest province — which borders Iran and Afghanistan — is riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence.

Its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.

Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources have frequently targeted security forces and police for years.

— An earlier version of the story incorrectly reported three policemen as dead, the error is regretted

SRINAGAR: Authorities imposed a curfew in parts of the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday to prevent any move by separatists to celebrate Pakistan's indepedence day, police said.

The restrictions in Srinagar, which included the closure of the city's main mosque during Friday prayers, were announced on the eve of independence day in both India and Pakistan and follow a recent spike in violence.

“The restrictions are imposed to prevent miscreants from hoisting Pakistani flags and to avoid loss of life,” director general of police, K. Rajendra, told AFP.

Forces from both sides of the Line of Control, Kashmir's de facto border, exchanged heavy fire and mortar shells in the southern Poonch sector early Friday, according to Indian defence ministry spokesman Manish Mehta.

Additional checkpoints and razor wire barricades have been erected along major arterial roads in Indian-controlled Kashmir to thwart militant attacks amid the deployment of thousands of troop reinforcements.

On Thursday a bomb kept in a steel pot exploded in the compound of a mosque in the south of the Kashmir Valley, injuring 10 worshipers as they were leaving after morning prayers.

While relations between the two nuclear-armed countries remain chilly, their respective national security advisers are scheduled to meet in the Indian capital New Delhi on August 23 as a confidence-building measure.

The anniversary of the partition of the sub-continent in 1947 is often a tense period in Kashmir, a picturesque Himalayan territory which has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule.

Kashmir is India's only Muslim majority state and several rebel groups have spent decades fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan. The conflict has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead.

KARACHI: Three security guards were shot dead in Karachi’s Ibrahim Hydery area Friday evening, according to police and hospital officials.

Unknown gunmen stormed a furniture factory near Bhittai Colony at around 4:30 pm and attacked the guards, said Sukhan DSP, Rao Iqbal.

Two of them died on the spot while a third person succumbed to his wounds later on, added the officer.

Two victims belonged to the Hindu community, said the DSP.

The police official said the attackers also took away the guards’ weapons before fleeing, adding that two guards were attacked at the main gate while the third was killed in a room.

The factory was closed on the occasion of Independence Day.

Dr. Seemin Jamali of Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre said the guards had been brought to the hospital dead.

The Sukhan DSP said the murders did not appear to be related to a robbery bid, adding that investigators were probing why the deceased were targeted.

The police identified the deceased as Usman, 20, and two Hindu community members: Popat, 40, and Tulsi.

ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of Independence Day, President Mamnoon Hussain has approved conferment of civil awards on Pakistanis as well as foreigners who have exhibited excellence in their fields.

The awards would be given away on Pakistan Day (March 23, 2016), said a press release issued on Friday.

The names of the recipients of civil awards as follows:

NISHAN-I-IMTIAZ: Parvez Butt (Punjab) engineering; Dr Ishrat Hussain (Sindh) public service; and Anwar Ali (Punjab) science.

HILAL-I-IMTIAZ: Ejaz Ahmed Mukhtar (Punjab) science; and Zeba Ali (Punjab) arts and films.

SITARA-I-SHUJAAT: Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali (Shaheed) Punjab; Retired Maj Muhammad Aslam Pervez (Gilgit-Baltistan); Moeen Habib Khan (Punjab); Tehseen Ullah Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa); Sohail Akbar Khan (Punjab); and Syed Mohsin Raza (Punjab).

Zeba Ali & Ishrat Hussain

SITARA-I-IMTIAZ: Prof Carlo Alberto Pinelli (Italy) sports; Mohamed Jamaludin (Sri Lanka) services to Pakistan; Dr Muhammad Zafarullah Khan (Punjab) science; Khalid Iqbal Chishtee (Punjab) science; Dr Talat Naseer Pasha (Punjab) science; Dr Qamar Mehboob (Punjab) engineering; Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwer (Punjab) engineering; Dr Nasrullah Khan (Sindh) engineering; Dr Numan Iqbal (Punjab) engineering; Retired Air Cdre Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad (Punjab) engineering; Muhammad Ajmal Javed (Punjab) engineering; Dr Masood Hameed Khan (Sindh) health; Dr Abdul Aziz Othman Altwaijri (Saudi Arabia) services to Pakistan; Ajmal Khan (KP) education; Dr S. Sohail H. Naqvi (Punjab) education; Dr Arshad Ali (Punjab) education;

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed (Punjab) education; Dr Farhat Abbas (Sindh) medicine; Dr Faisal Saud Dar (Punjab) health; Sahar Ansari (Sindh) literature; Dr Shahbaz Malik (Punjab) literature; Dr Attash Durrani (Punjab) literature; Ijaz ul Hassan (Punjab) literature; Masood Ashaar (Punjab) literature; Ms Ronak Lakhani, sports; Soofian Zuberi, (USA) services to Pakistan; Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad (Balochistan) public service; Jamil Ahmad (Punjab) public service; Prof Khalida Tareen (Punjab) public service; Rana Ghulam Shabbir (Punjab) public service; Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema (Punjab) public service; Aziz Boolani (Sindh) public service; Abdul Jabbar Khan (Balochistan) public service; Shaharyar Sultan (Punjab) public service; and Dr Asif Mahmood Jah (Punjab) social work.—APP

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Friday hit a boundary to kick off a fund-raising exhibition match being staged on the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan in support of the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi bowled a delivery to the army chief who played a shot sending the ball across the boundary. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa was the wicketkeeper for the delivery.

Maj-Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted that the proceeds of the Azadi (Independence) Cup cricket match, played between the national and army teams, will be utilised to support IDPs.

Pakistan's mercurial all-rounder Afridi, who led the army team, was up against Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq in the 10-overs-a-side game. True to his nature, Afridi entertained with the bat in the army's six-wicket win.

The Independence Day match was played at the GHQ stadium in Rawalpindi in solidarity of those who had rendered sacrifices for the country, the ISPR said.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was the chief guest of the event.

General Raheel Sharif and Major General Asim Bajwa also met with members of the national cricket team and management Head coach of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Mohammad Akram, Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Hafeez, ODI captain Azhar Ali and batsman Ahmed Shehzad.

A large number of people were displaced due to the Zarb-i-Azb, Khyber I and Khyber II military operations being conducted in North Waziristan and Khyber tribal regions and living in various refugee camps or with host families in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

ISLAMABAD: Indian Border Security Force (BSF) opened ‘unprovoked firing’ at Line of Control (LoC) in Nezapir sector of Rawalakot, killing one woman and injuring her husband and two daughters.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement on Friday saying Ms Munir Akhter, 42, embraced martyrdom while her two daughters, Nasreen and Zeenat, and husband Muhammad Azam were injured when a mortar shell hit their house.

ISPR said unprovoked firing and shelling began earlier in the day in village Mohri in Nezapir Sector.

Indian troops resorted to ‘unprovoked firing’ of heavy weapons in Nezapir Sector, the ISPR said, adding that Pakistani troops responded to Indian firing in a befitting manner and silenced the Indian artillery.

Pakistan protests over bail of Samjhauta Express suspect

Pakistan on Friday lodged a strong protest with India against the decision of the Indian National Investigation Agency to not contest the bail granted to the main suspect in the Samjhauta Express case, Swami Aseemanand, on ‘special leave permission’.

“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was called in by the Director General South Asia at the Foreign Office on Friday, and an official protest was lodged," FO spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.

“Pakistan has serious reservations on the efficiency of the court in processing and disposing off cases regarding terrorism, especially those involving the deaths of Pakistani citizens," the FO spokesman said.

The Samjhauta Express, one of the two active rail links between Pakistan and India, was bombed in February 2007.

The spokesman said no action has been taken by the Indian authorities against the mastermind and perpetrator of this dastardly attack.

"Pakistan expects India to take steps to bring to justice all those involved in the heinous act of terrorism on the Samjhauta Express, in which 42 Pakistani innocent citizens lost their lives," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan called on Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security Sartaj Aziz.

The adviser conveyed to the Indian envoy Pakistan's decision to attend the meeting between national security advisers of the two countries on August 23 and 24 in New Delhi, the FO spokesman added.

ISLAMABAD: The ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-N, has shot itself in the foot once again.

On the evening of Independence Day, when the celebrations were still ongoing, a federal minister’s remark have thrown the ever fragile civil-military relations into a tail spin, compelling the government to deny the cabinet member’s remarks and the military to issue a denial as well.

The strongly worded denial of the military is not going to be a good omen for the PML-N government, which is far from stable.

It was an old plot though some of the characters were new.

The culprit was Senator Mushahidullah, Minister for Climate Change, who told the BBC that the “former head of ISI had devised a conspiracy to remove the elected government.”

Within hours of his remarks having hit the airwaves of the news channels, the prime minister’s secretariat and then the ISPR, the military’s media wing, denied the existence of the conspiracy in statements that snubbed the minister as well as others.

Interview that set the ball rolling

The minister highlighted that the plan was made when the two marches — the ‘Azadi March’ by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Inqlab March by Pakistan Awami Tehreek — entered Islamabad in August 2014.

In his interview to the BBC, one year after the two marches set forth from Lahore towards Islamabad, the minister claimed that the plan made by the then head of ISI General Zaheerul Islam Abbasi was aimed at creating unrest and chaos.

“Telephone discussions of the former intelligence head have been recorded in which he was giving directions on how to create chaos and take over the PM’s house,” Senator Mushahidullah claimed in the interview.

He then added that these telephone conversations were recorded by the civil intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), which reports to the interior ministry.

Senator Mushahidullah also told the BBC that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif played the telephone recordings for the Chief of Army Chief, Gen Raheel Shareef, during their meeting on August 28, 2014.

After this, the minister claimed, the horrified army chief made his director general of ISI listen to the tapes. In his interview the minister further elaborated that after listening to the audio recording the army chief called in the head of the intelligence agency and got the tape played.

“General Abbasi was asked by the army chief if the voice was his or not? And receiving the confirmation from him, the head of the intelligence agency was asked to leave the meeting,” Senator Mushahidullah stated in his interview.

The minister even said that the government had received several other reports that the conspiracy prepared at that time in this connection would have a “bloody and destructive outcome”.

“The conspiracy was not only to target the civil government led by Nawaz Sharif but it was even against the army chief,” he said, “The action plan was to create a deep rift between the PM and the army chief so that the prime minister may take action against Gen Raheel Sharif and then some people would come into action.”

Unsurprisingly, the interview caused immediate controversy.

What had preceded the interview?

In order to understand the attention the interview garnered, it is important to point out that such rumours had been doing the rounds since last year -- about then DG ISI General Zaheerul Islam being behind the sit-in by PTI and PAT; how the conspiracy was nipped in the bud by a democracy loving General Raheel Sharif; and how the government of PML-N was saved.

These rumours had died down as other events took place but they appeared to have made a comeback since the judicial commission’s report was announced, declaring the elections free and fair.

Shortly after the report came out, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who is known to say the “wrong thing at the wrong time” where the army is concerned, caused a small storm when he named General Zaheerul Islam and others of having been behind the sit-ins. This was the first time a government official had identified an army official instead of simply pointing the finger at unknown generals.

Later, the prime minister’s brother and chief minister Punjab also called for an inquiry into the factors behind the sit-in.

This set more alarm bells ringing.

Observers and commentators pointed out that the PML-N government was deliberately gunning for the retired army officials including General Zaheerul Islam. The combined statements of the defence minister and the chief minister were seen as a party policy that enjoyed the prime minister’s approval.

In addition, some news reports also once again referred to these audio tapes that proved the DG ISI’s guilt. A PTI member said in one interview that the plan was to make the prime minister so nervous that he would try and remove the army chief (as he had tried in 1999) and thus ‘provoke’ the military to carry a coup.

The unease in Pindi

There is no doubt that the military was deeply uncomfortable with such statements.

As more than one observer pointed out, if these statements were being made and there was no response from the military, it strengthened the perception that General Raheel Sharif and General Zaheerul Islam were not on the same page. Why else would the military allow multiple statements accusing a retired general of instigating a coup?

When a senior military officer was asked about the institution’s silence in the wake of the statement by the defence minister, he argued that any reaction from the military would not serve the democratic set-up well.

He, however, hinted that the some within the federal government had been informed of the unease in the military.

However, on Friday, it seems as if the PML-N Senator caused far too much unease.

The denials begin

It was the government that swung into action first.

The media wing of prime minister’s secretariat denied Mushahidullah’s statements including the notion that the PM played any tape in front of anybody.

It also added that Senator Mushahidullah had been asked to clarify his position over his statement.

After that the minister as well as the information minister spoke to television channels to deny the interview. Senator Mushahidullah went so far to say that he simply repeated rumours he had heard from here and there.

But clearly, their efforts did not satisfy the military because at midnight, the DG ISPR took to his preferred social media platform, twitter, and tweeted that “The story about any tape recording as being discussed in media is totally baseless and farthest from truth...Such rumours are irresponsible and unprofessional”.

While this will stop some of the rumour mongering for the time being, the more important question about the state of the civil- military relations will continue to be discussed. And the prime minister has his ministers to thank for that.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Friday claimed to have arrested multiple alleged criminals including target killers in a surgical operation conducted in the city’s Landhi-VI area on Thursday.

According to the Rangers press release, a precise raid was conducted on Thursday night in Landhi-VI after information was obtained about the presence of wanted criminals taking shelter in the area.

Read: Rangers ask MQM to hand over 187 murder suspects

According to the paramilitary force's spokesman, those arrested are activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and there details are as follows.

Aqil, unit incharge of MQM unit 84, was arrested for carrying out target killings and is said to be a close associate of Saleem Inqlabi and Manzoor Lamba, according to Rangers.

Nasiruddin, joint unit in-charge MQM unit 84, was arrested over charges of multiple murders and other heinous crimes.

Rangers also arrested Sajid, an active worker of MQM, on charges of smuggling weapons, said the Rangers news release.

Another individual, Ghayas Uddin, who was arrested will be freed because he has no criminal record, said the spokesman.

Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar earlier last week had reiterated his trust in Rangers and other law enforcement agencies leading the ‘Karachi operation’, which he said, was “apolitical, indiscriminate and free of any compromise” aimed at bringing the violence-hit city back to normality.

Read more: Target killers linked to MQM arrested in Karachi, Rangers say

“Karachi operation is apolitical. It is indiscriminate and free of any compromise and pressure. Terrorists, their aides and facilitators are targets of the operation. We will not leave any stone unturned to achieve these targets,” he had said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the MQM on Wednesday resigned from Parliament in protest against the Rangers-led operation in Karachi. The political party claims it is being targeted under the garb of the Karachi security operation, whereby its workers are being detained and killed illegally.

Read: MQM lawmakers tender resignations.

KARACHI: “Let’s go to Baba’s mazaar,” suggested one motorcyclist to another with a couple of pillion riders holding long bamboo poles with Pakistan flags.

“I only know one ‘baba’ — Baba Ladla. You want to go to his mausoleum?” the other inquired.

“You don’t know Baba?” The first one asked him.

“I only know the Quaid-i-Azam. Don’t call my Quaid ‘baba’ or I’ll take you to wherever Baba Ladla may be buried,” his friend warned.

The conversation was overheard in a big traffic jam at the Boat Basin intersection. Guessing by their looks, way of speaking and accents, the two men and their friends on the motorcycles appeared to be from the Lyari area.

On Karachi roads the party wouldn’t stop. Many people heading to Clifton and the Hawkesbay side, too, stopped several times to dance and entertain people stuck in traffic jams at different locations throughout the city. Only when the realisation that it was they who were making the jam worse dawned did they stop and move on, only to repeat it at the next juncture.

Almost all children out to celebrate with their elders sported the green colour, no matter what shade. White was also there. Ideally some looked like complete flags with green shirts and white trousers. Little girls with green bands in their neatly-tied hair showed off the green and silver bangles on their wrists. A big brother riding a bike brought out some candy from his pocket for his kid sister behind him becoming a little restless at a traffic light and lo and behold, even the wrapper was green!

The motorbikes were in majority. Some riders in their enthusiasm became rather reckless. Bursting silencers doesn’t a trail-bike make, but who was going to explain this to the riders?

Road rage also couldn’t be avoided, especially on Defence Housing Authority roads, where some people from the other side of the Clifton Bridge and Kala Pul weren’t so used to the odd one ways as they also missed the signs telling them about these.

One driver in a bright green T-shirt came out of his shiny black Toyota Camry to confront and give a piece of his mind to a Suzuki car driver coming from the wrong side from Zamzama to Khayaban-i-Shamsheer. The Suzuki driver, who was also wearing green with his friend wearing a clown’s mask popping out his head from the widow, then smiled, apologised and said: “Look brother, let’s not ruin our festive moods for petty matters. Let’s just say Pakistan Zindabad and leave it at that.” At this the Camry driver, who looked furious just a few seconds back, broke into a broad smile and patted the other on the back, asking him to be careful, which he promised to do before parting.

What was surprising was that the healthy atmosphere on the roads transformed the normally quite impatient police mobile drivers who just gesture for you to move aside to make way for them to pass through. On Friday, they gingerly requested for space to pass and when accommodated, turned around to wave and mouth a thank you with a smile. Unbelievable!

For once even K-Electric didn’t disappoint what with all the tall buildings decorated with green and white lights making Karachi once again ‘the city of lights’.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday lambasted India for releasing on bail the central figure behind the Samjhauta Express tragedy – Swami Aseemanand – and said the international community's silence on the development was concerning.

"India has been voicing concern on the Mumbai attacks suspects; why have they closed their eyes when terrorists in their own country are allowed freedom," said the federal interior minister.

"The international community, which has been lecturing Pakistan on terrorism, has today ignored the release of Swami Aseemanad. This raises a lot of questions."

Nisar said it appeared that those behind the hue and cry against terrorism consider India a "holy cow" where no one has any objections to "terrorists roaming about freely."

The minister said clear evidence existed that India did not let state witnesses record their statements in court which led to Aseemanad's freedom.

"The fact that a man responsible for recruiting 68 innocent individuals as terrorists has been freed reflects not only India's hypocrisy, but the entire international community's double standards as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned," said the interior minister.

Also read: Hindu extremists bombed Samjhauta Express

Earlier in the day, Pakistan lodged a strong protest with India against the decision of the Indian National Investigation Agency to not contest the bail granted to the main suspect in the Samjhauta Express case, Swami Aseemanand, on ‘special leave permission’.

“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was called in by the Director General South Asia at the Foreign Office on Friday, and an official protest was lodged," FO spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.

"Pakistan expects India to take steps to bring to justice all those involved in the heinous act of terrorism on the Samjhauta Express, in which 42 Pakistani innocent citizens lost their lives," the spokesman said.

Know more: Prosecutor says she was told to go soft on Hindu extremists

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry had earlier this year, while meeting his Indian counterpart, voiced concerns over issues ranging from India’s interference in Balochistan, the Samjhauta Express case and the LoC ceasefire violations.

He had also raised the issue of delay in the Samjhauta Express probe. “No investigation details on the incident have been shared with us by India,” he said.

“Terrorism is not only Pakistan’s concern, but both countries are equally affected by it.”

ISLAMABAD: Ayesha Khursheed is just 10-year-old but has big worries. Her world of school and friends crumbled on July 30, crushed by the bulldozers which flattened the I-11 katchi abadi of Islamabad on that day.

She symbolises the worries of some 10,000 slum dwellers uprooted by the Capital Development Authority’s campaign to clear the city of ‘illegal’ slum communities.

“It was a bad day for all of us when they destroyed our houses. I will not be able to rejoin my school in Dhoke Hassu after the summer vacations,” she said, sadly for her family has moved to far away Tarnol locality. The third grader now sits doing her unfinished home work in the small house her father has rented in Ittefaq Colony near Tarnol.

But Ayesha longs for the teachers and friends she left in the Dhoke Hassu Government Girls High School in Rawalpindi. Her school was situated just a few hundred metres away from her destroyed mud house in the katchi abadi.

“I have lost all of them,” she said, moaning she has no friends in her new home.

That sentiment pervades among the families forcibly evicted from the I-11 katchi abadi. They now live unhappy lives scattered in different parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Some migrant families from the disturbed Fata have returned to their native areas.

“A few dozen of the uprooted families, which could afford small rented houses, have taken up residence in Ittefaq Colony near Tarnol, Sarai Kharboza on the outskirts of Islamabad and Chakraa in Rawalpindi,” said Bilal Khan, an uncle of Ayesha. “We have no idea where the thousands of other displaced people went.”

Bilal had a regular job in I-11 Sabzi Mandi but is now jobless. His days are spent in search of daily-wage jobs. Still he did not sound too worried.

“No doubt, livelihood is a serious issue for us, but we can and are ready to do all sorts of hard labour anywhere. It is a matter of days that we will adjust to our new life,” he said with great confidence.

However, he is as worried about the education of the children in the family as his niece Ayesha.

“All my nieces and nephews were getting education in Dhoke Hassu school and a private school in Pirwadhai area,” he said.

“Now, we wonder where to put them as I learn there is no government-run school in this locality, and we can no more afford private schools. They (CDA) have played havoc with our lives and our children’s future,” he added.

According to Bilal, 300 children of the I-11 slum families were getting education either in government or some NGO-run schools.

“I have no idea about their fate but know dozens of children have become schoolless,” he said.

Bilal now encourages Ayesha and her siblings and cousins to continue their education at home.

“Meanwhile, family members are searching if any government school exists in this area,” he said.

Those who razed the ‘illegal slum’ had no plan at all for resettling the evicted families.

“After destroying our houses, they (the CDA) left us at the mercy of God. We are citizens of Pakistan, aren’t we? They didn’t care for our aged and our children. Wasn’t it their responsibility to help us in resettlement,” fumed evicted Fazal Shah who now lives in Ittefaq Colony.

Now the angry Shah is planning to contest the upcoming local bodies elections from I-11 on the ticket of Awami Workers Party.

“Hundreds of the uprooted people are still running from pillar to post to get a roof over their head,” he said.

“The Ittefaq Colony landlords raised their rents when they heard of our relocation here. Now, they demand Rs6,000 in rent of a two-room house, which most of the destroyed families cannot afford.”

Like so many others, 13-year-old Daud Khan is also upset over the demolition of their houses. His father is a vendor in Sabzi Mandi and he used to help him after attending school.

“I was born in I-11 slum, I have special affiliation with that area and I miss my lost friends and our lost life,” said Daud.

With its estimate 10,000 dwellers, the I-11 slum was one of the biggest in the federal capital. It was allowed to grow to that strength over three decades before being leveled on July 30.

CDA had a plan to clear all 42 ‘illegal’ slums from the federal capital. But the criticism that the bulldozing of the I-11 slum without any alternative plan for the evicted poor drew appears to have stayed the CDA from going after the other slums for the time being.

A few days back, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated that Islamabad administration and police will not assist in the job until the CDA took action against those of its officials who let slums grow in the city. He also ordered ‘immediate action’ against the alleged facilitators.

Insiders claim that a large number of officials of CDA are involved in this scam.

“This is injustice,” agreed a senior CDA officer. “First you let slums grow in exchange of graft and then when directed by high-ups you raze houses of the poor,” he said, disclosing that an inquiry committee has been formed, which will furnish its finding in 15 days.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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KARACHI: An air of festivity swept through the streets of the coastal city with the national flag fluttering on top of public and private buildings and vehicles on Friday, as many youngsters danced on roads and moving trucks to the tunes of national songs.

The unusual enthusiasm was also witnessed on the green lawns of the Quaid-i-Azam mausoleum and many other public places which were filled by huge crowds, mostly comprising the youth, as political parties also took out rallies which all concluded at the mausoleum after passing through various parts of the city.

In an early morning visit to the Quaid-i-Azam mausoleum, Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and senior party leaders paid homage to the Father of the Nation and offered Fateha.

PPP pays tribute to personnel of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Rangers and policemen

Strict security measures were in place then as the public was not allowed to visit the mausoleum till the departure of Mr Bhutto-Zardari.

A statement later issued by the Sindh PPP media cell said: “The people of Karachi are celebrating this year’s Independence Day in an absolutely different and peaceful atmosphere due to the ongoing operation led by Pakistan Rangers and initiated by the government.

“The City of Lights has different significance of this year’s celebrations. The PPP pays tribute to soldiers of Pakistan army, Pakistan Rangers and policemen whose sacrifices have ensured this freedom and prosperity to the country.”

The Jamaat-i-Islami organised more than 12 rallies in different districts, while a flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the party headquarters, Idara Noor-i-Haq, where a large number of workers and party leaders turned up.

“The spirit which we are witnessing today reminds us of the one which was witnessed during the Pakistan movement,” the statement quoted JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rahman as saying.

“The same spirit is required to implement the philosophy of Pakistan and fulfill the dreams of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders of the nation.”

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had organised a musical programme in Jinnah Ground near the party headquarters. Later, MQM senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar spoke to a rally in Landhi No 6.

Dozens of Jamaat-ud-Dawa workers led by senior leader Muzammil Hashmi rallied from Safari Park to the Mazar-i-Quaid.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf said “thousands of people” attended the rallies organised in all districts of the metropolis and all the participants later converged on the Mazar-i-Quaid.

A cake ceremony was organised by the Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen at its camp near the Mazar-i-Quaid.

“It was a 68-pound cake and the ceremony was attended by senior MWM leaders, including Nasir Shirazi, Allama Anwar Ali and Allama Sadiq Jafri. The leaders later visited the Mazar-i-Quaid and offered Fateha,” said an MWM statement.

At Nagan Chowrangi, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat held a rally which was addressed by senior leaders, including Taj Muhammad Hanfi and Maulana Khalid Mahmood.

Earlier, some 50 children aged between 12 and 15 years took part in a programme organised to celebrate Independence Day at the British deputy high commission.

British acting deputy high commissioner Gill Atkinson said: “Seeing these children here today – representing the future of Pakistan – enjoying themselves and celebrating the independence day with us reflects the close ties between the UK and Pakistan. It is partnership that is set to become even stronger and more important as we continue to work together for mutual prosperity.”

The children participated in many fun activities such as making pizza and cup cakes, musical chairs, a magic show, and face painting.

On Thursday night, a mushaira was organised at the Karachi Press Club, where Amjad Islam Amjad, Fahmida Riaz, Ejaz Rehmani, Prof Inayat Ali Khan, Alauddin Hamdam Khanzada, Fazil Jamili, Rashid Noor and others recited their poetry.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: The country is facing an unprecedented meat crisis these days apparently because of the ban on the culling of cows, female goats and buffaloes recently imposed by the Punjab government.

The ban has caused a sharp increase in the prices of red meat and an acute shortage of cattle in the market.

It is believed that the crisis will deepen in the run-up to Eidul Azha.

Also read: Punjab ‘reinvigorates’ ban on female animal slaughter

“The retail price of mutton has increased by Rs100 per kg in Punjab and Islamabad and it is expected that the price will rise by Rs200 per kg,” Ehtesham Shehzad, an office-bearer of the Jamiatul Quresh Meat Sellers Association, told Dawn.

He said since Punjab met more than 80 per cent of the meat requirement of the country, the ban had created a meat crisis not only in the province but also in other parts of the country.

Mr Shehzad said as Islamabad had no slaughter house, meat sold there came from animals slaughtered in Rawalpindi. Therefore the crisis has also hit the federal capital.

The Punjab government recently issued a notification, which has been sent to all slaughter houses in the province, under which slaughter of female animals has been prohibited to increase animal production. After receiving the notification, the management of slaughter houses has stopped slaughter of female animals.

Mr Shehzad said that his association had repeatedly suggested ways and means to the federal and provincial governments to increase cattle production, but they never responded.

If the governments were serious in increasing cattle production, they must stop meat export and open more livestock farms, he said.

The gossip in the meat market, he said, was that the government had imposed the ban because it wanted to export over 50,000 goats, cows and buffaloes to the Middle East.

Salem Khan, a meat seller in G-9 Markaz, Islamabad, said the government had started imposing heavy fines on cattle traders if they brought cows, female goats and buffaloes to the market.

He said because of shortage of animals, their prices had gone up, pushing the mutton price to Rs750 per kg from Rs650. Similarly, the price of beef has risen by Rs50 per kg.

“Earlier, we have observed that of 100 animals brought to the market, 60 were female and 40 male. Even then the number of animals brought to the market did not match the demand. Now a 60 per cent decline in the number of animals reaching markets has created a crisis,” he said.

Some meat sellers said they believed that the provincial government had made the move to favour the poultry industry.

Dr Furrukh, general manager of Sihala Slaughterhouse in Rawalpindi, said the decision had been made in the light of a livestock survey conducted by the ministry of livestock. It has revealed that cattle production has registered a 40 per cent decline in the province as compared to the last such survey conducted 15 years ago.

He said culling of those female animals which could produce calves had been banned but there was no ban on the slaughter of those female animals who had completed their reproductive life or those who could no more produce milk.

However, he said, the government also wanted to boost the poultry industry.

He expressed the hope that the crisis would be over in two years as the production of calves by protected female animals would increase the number of cattle heads.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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KARACHI: Condemning the arrests of its workers, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said that certain quarters are trying to sabotage its possible dialogue with the federal government.

The party blamed the Sindh Rangers for patronising its rival, Mu hajir Qaumi Movement, better known as MQM-Haqiqi, and to allow its cadre to occupy parts of Landhi at gunpoint.

Also read: Criminals linked to MQM arrested in Karachi's Landhi, Rangers say

Addressing a press conference in Landhi on Friday and later talking to people gathered to celebrate Independence Day at the Jinnah Ground on Friday, senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the Rangers had raided some party offices in Landhi and took 12 workers of the party into custody on the eve of Independence Day.

He termed the action a plot to destabilise Karachi. “The MQM will not stop celebrating Independence Day for fear of arrests,” he said.

However, he asked the paramilitary force to ponder what message they were sending to MQM on the Independence Day.

The party was being stopped from playing its political role and conspiracies were being hatched to re-impose “anti-MQM forces on the city”, said Dr Sattar, who is the parliamentary party leader of the party in the National Assembly.

“For the last several days, Haqiqi terrorists have been brought to many areas of the city in mobile vans of law-enforcement agencies,” he said, adding: “This had been done in 1992 to crush the MQM but the people had rejected the terrorist elements and continued to support the MQM and its leader Altaf Hussain. This will remain unchanged.”

He said by imposing “terrorists on the city” certain quarters trying to sabotage a possible political dialogue between the MQM and the federal government.

He alleged that at least five localities in the city were being made no-go-areas for MQM workers as well as law abiding citizens.

He said “terrorists” opened fire on MQM camps set up in Landhi, Korangi, Liaquatabad, Lines Area and Pak Colony to stop party workers and people to celebrate Independence Day.

He asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to order an inquiry into the arrests of MQM workers.

Dr Sattar called upon the establishment to clarify its policy towards MQM.

He appealed to Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Corps Commander Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar to take notice of “illegal and unconstitutional actions” against MQM.

Dr Sattar was accompanied by other members of the MQM’s coordination committee, including Kahfulwara and Zareen Majid.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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