KARACHI: Former federal minister and chairman of the provincial Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Asim Hussain was reportedly detained by plain-clothed men allegedly belonging to an intelligence agency Wednesday.

HEC sources told Dawn that some 15 plain-clothed personnel arrived at the HEC office in three to four vehicles around noon today.

Dr Asim Hussain was chairing a meeting of the search committee for vice chancellors which was also attended by other high-ranking officials of the HEC. The meeting's objective was to select a new vice chancellor of the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and it was taking place at the Karachi office of the HEC when the raid took place.

Personnel of the raiding team asked the attendees of the meeting to switch off their mobile phones following which the Sindh HEC chairman was whisked away to an undisclosed location.

DawnNews quoted NAB sources as saying that the former adviser to the Ministry of Petroleum was in the custody of the anti-corruption watchdog and that he might be shifted to Islamabad in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The sources added that NAB officials also conducted a raid on Karachi's Civic Centre to seize records of the properties owned by Dr Asim Hussain.

Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, talking to media personnel, condemned the reported detention of Dr Asim Hussain and said such measures could result in a disastrous outcome.

Responding to rumours, a spokesperson of the National Accountability Bureau Karachi had earlier said Dr Asim Hussain had not been detained by personnel from the anti-corruption watchdog.

Dr Asim is regarded as a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari. He was appointed federal petroleum minister during the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in 2008 and is currently serving as head of the HEC’s Sindh chapter.

ASTANA: Pakistan and Kazakhstan held delegations level talks in Astana on Wednesday to discuss the means to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

The Pakistani delegation was headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while the Kazakh delegation was led by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

According to a report by Radio Pakistan, discussions were held between the two delegations to increase cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, economy and science and technology.

Matters relating to the establishment of strong economic and trade relations were also considered. Both sides agreed to the creation of a joint ministerial commission to prepare a road map for increased trade and economic cooperation.

In terms of trade, the delegations reviewed issues related to hassle-free visa approval for traders from both countries as well as the establishment of an air link between the two countries.

PM holds one-on-one meeting with Kazakh President

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif held a one-on-one meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in which a wide variety of issues were discussed.

Nawaz in his discussions and later statements, emphasised his desire for strong economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. Specifically, the premier talked about increasing the volume of trade between the two countries as well as cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

The prime minister was glowing in his tribute to the country of Kazakhstan, affirming the importance that Pakistan attaches to its relations with Kazakhstan. He declared that the two countries are bound by historic and cultural relations, and being a brother Islamic country, it is like his second home.

The Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also expressed the importance he attached to relations with Pakistan. He lamented that the lack of infrastructure between the two countries was an impediment to improved relations, but appreciated the efforts made by the Pakistani government to bring economic stability and bridge the gap between the countries.

KARACHI: The joint investigation team (JIT) formed to probe the Baldia Town factory inferno case has been granted permission to travel to London carry out further investigations in the case, DawnNews reported on Wednesday.

According to the details, the joint investigation team will record statements of the factory owners — currently present in London.

JIT members Sultan Khwaja, Munir Sheikh and Pir Mohammad Shah will travel to London to record statements from the factory owners with regards to the investigations in Baldia Town factory inferno case.

Know more: Baldia factory fire case: SHC wants JIT report placed before ‘competent forum’

Earlier this year, the case took a dramatic turn when a report by Rangers claimed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was behind the deadly fire that claimed the lives of at least 280 factory workers.

The report prepared by the joint investigation team was submitted to the Sindh High Court by an additional attorney general, along with a statement of the deputy assistant judge advocate general of Rangers, Major Ashfaque Ahmed.

Also read: Baldia factory fire: Victim families’ hope for justice fading away

The statement said the information had been disclosed by suspect Mohammad Rizwan Qureshi, an alleged worker of the MQM, on June 22, 2013 during joint investigation of the factory inferno.

According to the JIT report, the MQM worker revealed that a “well-known party high official” had demanded Rs200 million as Bhatta (extortion money) though his frontman from Ali Enterprises, the owners of the ill-fated factory, in Aug 2012.

Owner of the burnt industrial unit Abdul Aziz Bhaila and his sons Arshad Bhaila and Shahid Bhaila, general manager Mansoor and some gatekeepers have been booked in the case while on the directive a magistrate then managing director of SITE Abdul Rasheed Solangi, director of the labour department Zahid Gulzar Shaikh, additional controller of civil defence Ghulam Akbar and chief inspector (electrical) Amjad Ali were also named in the case for their alleged negligence.

More than 500 people, including 50 women, who were working in the evening shift of a garment factory, named Ali Enterprises, were trapped inside the building situated in Karachi's Baldia Twon when a fire erupted in September 2012.

Also read: Death toll of Karachi factory fire rises to 289

At least 280 people had lost their lives in the blaze.

MULTAN: Punjab election tribunal's commission on Wednesday announced its verdict in favour of Jahangir Tareen over a petition filed by the former secretary general of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) against alleged rigging in NA-154 (Lodhran) during the 2013 general elections.

The tribunal deseated Pakistan Muslim League—Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Muhammad Siddique Khan Baloch and ordered re-election in the constituency.

The election tribunal on Aug 20 had reserved its verdict after the lawyers of both the parties completed their arguments.

Read: Verdict reserved in NA-154 rigging case

The verdict comes days after the ECP de-notified National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq based on the decision announced by Punjab election commission's tribunal.

The PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq had defeated Imran Khan in the 2013 general elections from NA-122 after which PTI had challenged the results. Punjab election commission's tribunal had ordered re-polling in NA-122, declaring the election in the constituency null and void.

Know more: ECP de-notifies Ayaz Sadiq

Furthermore, earlier this year ECP issued a notification of annulment of PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique's membership from the National Assembly after an election tribunal annulled results of the NA-125 election and ordered a re-poll on the seat won by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.

Take a look: ECP denotifies Saad Rafique

Verdict proves I should have been a MNA, says Jahangir Tareen

Addressing a press conference in Multan, PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen said that, "This verdict proves that I should have been a Member of the National Assembly after the 2013 general elections."

He congratulated party chairman Imran Khan 'as it is his efforts that had resulted in the fall of PML-N's third wicket'.

"I demand that the four provincial election commissioners step down from their posts after the third announcement of the election commission's tribunal regarding the rigging charges in the four constituencies highlighted by Imran Khan," the former secrerary general of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf said.

He added, "What is to stop the ECP officials from performing the same way in the upcoming by-polls and local government elections. As long as these officials are not held accountable, democracy cannot flourish in Pakistan."

Referring to the ECP's assertion, that it was not answerable to the PTI, Tareen said that the commission is answerable to the citizens of Pakistan and the political parties are the representatives of the citizens. He further said that, "We will make the ECP answerable to us."

Jahangir Khan Tareen also said, "We will not wait for the verdict of the fourth constituency as the hat-trick has been completed and will continue our protests against the Election Commission of Pakistan as per our democratic right."

ECP members should resign before by-polls: Qureshi

Talking to DawnNews, PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: “before gearing up for by-polls, PTI wants the ECP members to tender their resignations.”

Major political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), have expressed reservations over the integrity of ECP members, said Qureshi.

“We hereby request that, in order to uphold the integrity of the institution and working in the better interest of nation, the ECP members should step down,” suggested the PTI leader.

Responding to a question that whether the PTI will take to the streets to demand resignations from ECP members, Qureshi said, “we can only suggest and request, we can’t order or force them”.

PTI thinks that ECP, as an institution, should be trusted by all political parties and if due to any reason this trust is lost then its ethical of the ECP members to resign to uphold and strengthen democracy, said Qureshi.

NA-154 is among the four where PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been demanding a recount and verification of the thumb impressions.

PTI supporters, gathered outside the election commission tribunal in Multan, erupted in celebrations after the verdict was announced.

An independent candidate, Muhammad Siddique Khan Baloch who later joined PML-N, was declared successful by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in this constituency in 2013.

The result was challenged by Jehangir Tareen through an election petition filed under Section 52 of the Act, claiming that Mr Baloch possessed fake secondary education, intermediate and undergraduate degrees and he committed illegal practices on polling day.

The tribunal on May 21, 2014, had directed National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to carry out thumb verification on the request of Mr Tareen but Mr Baloch got a stay order from the Lahore High Court on May 26.

Mr Tareen moved the Supreme Court through his counsel Abdul Hafeez Pirzada against the LHC decision.

The apex court on June 6, 2014, vacated the LHC stay order and directed the tribunal to hold proceedings on a daily basis for the verification of thumb impressions.

Read more: Nadra report vindicates PTI stance: Tareen

In its report submitted to the tribunal, the Nadra revealed that it failed to authenticate the thumb impressions of 179 voters in NA-154.

According to the report, 218,056 votes cast at 290 polling stations were received by Nadra from the election tribunal for verification, out of which 20,601 were polled with invalid CNICs or without identity cards.

Similarly, 121 voters were found to be out of constituency, while there were 728 duplicate votes and 587 were without thumb impressions, the report said.

Also read: NA-154: Over 20,000 votes were polled with invalid CNICs or without CNICs

It said 73,707 votes had authenticated fingerprints while thumb impressions on 179 votes could not be verified.

Nadra could not decipher 122,133 votes that were having fingerprints of bad quality due to unavailability of proposed (magnetic) ink, besides other possibilities. However, CNIC numbers mentioned on counterfoils of these votes having bad thumb impressions were valid.

According to the ECP, Siddique Baloch had bagged 86,177 votes against Mr Tareen who stood second with 75,955 votes. There were 370,150 registered votes, out of which 235,938 were polled. As many as 9,904 votes were rejected and the voting percentage was 67.4.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the first phase of local body elections in Punjab and Sindh, the process of which will commence in September and will come to an end with polls scheduled for October 31.

District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) have already been appointed by ECP for this purpose, and they have been asked to fulfill their duties in accordance with the provision of law and rules and maintain neutrality and impartiality.

According to the notification by the ECP, severe action will be taken against those returning officers who fail to fulfill their responsibilities.

Furthermore, the commission has declined the requests of the provincial governments and provincial election commissioners (PECs) of Punjab and Sindh for the replacements of DROs, ROs and AROs, directing that the proposal for any changes — if required in the public interest — may be sent to the ECP for approval with full justification and compelling reasons.

A notification by the ECP regarding local government polls in Punjab — courtesy: ECP website

A notification by the ECP regarding local government polls in Sindh — courtesy: ECP website

Last month, the ECP filed a petition in the Supreme Court for a 30-day extension in the date for holding local government elections in Punjab and Sindh province.

The ECP had said that it will be difficult to print nomination papers as the Sindh government intends to change election rules.

Read: Sindh proposes local polls in phases

The commission had also informed the apex court that the Punjab government has partially or impartially changed several clauses of the local body election rules through an ordinance.

“The decision has been taken in view of inability expressed by the provincial governments to spare administrative officers for the election process and training due to relief and rehabilitation of flood affected people,” the ECP had said.

Also read: Announcement of schedule for LG polls deferred

Previously, the ECP had deferred the announcement of schedule for local government elections in Punjab and Sindh.

The had ECP further said it was all prepared to hold the polls as expected but pointed out that certain activities were required to be carried out prior to the announcement of the schedule, including publication of final delimitation of constituencies, revision of electoral rolls on the basis of claims and objections received by the registration officers and completion of legal formalities required for the purpose of elections.

The National Assembly’s standing committee on parliamentary affairs recommended last week that local government elections in Punjab and Sindh planned for Sept 20 be put off in view of floods in the two provinces.

Read: NA committee calls for delay in Punjab, Sindh LG polls

The committee, headed by Mian Abdul Rahman, had previously recommended holding of polls in division-wise phases.

Briefing the committee on the process of local government elections, Election Commission Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad had said the Sindh government would face numerous problems in case polls were held on a single day, including shortage of security and polling personnel and ballot boxes.

He had said the Sindh government had not yet updated and finalised local government election rules, 2013, adding that nomination papers would be printed only after the rules were finalised.

He said the manual of instructions for District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) also would be prepared only after the finalisation of rules.

Both the Sindh and Punjab governments also want holding of polls in phased manner and the Sindh government has already proposed polls in three phases to the ECP.

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday warned the relevant authorities of initiation of contempt proceedings against them if they fail to immediately remove all hoardings and signboards which do not conform to the prescribed guidelines.

A two-judge bench of the SC, headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali that had earlier fixed Aug 26 as the deadline for the removal of all such outdoor advertisement boards, directed the heads of different agencies including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to remove all illegal signboards immediately without waiting for any further order by the court on the matter.

The judges rejected the reports filed by the KMC and Karachi, Clifton, Faisal and Korangi cantonments and observed that none of the reports was satisfactory.

The bench that also comprised Justice Gulzar Ahmed directed the respondent agencies to file a compliance report and put off the hearing for four weeks.

Justice Jamali remarked that several people had died due to these signboards when they were uprooted during the wind storm, but still there were huge outdoor advertisement boards.

Another bench member remarked that trees were being cut and signboards were being installed.

The Faisal cantonment board in its report said 93 illegal hoardings were installed within its jurisdiction, while 31 and 33 such boards were installed on the land owned by Pakistan Navy and Civil Aviation Authority, respectively.

Besides, the report said, 26 illegal signboards were installed on the land of station headquarters, two on the land owned by Pakistan Air Force and one illegal signboard was installed on the land of Pakistan Railway.

It said 14 illegal signboards were removed from Karsaz and 10 others were uprooted from Rashid Minhas Road.

The bench gave the direction for the removal of illegal hoardings while hearing a petition of the Karachi Cantonment Board against the Sindh High Court’s order that had nullified the excessive advertisement tax imposed by the board on private outdoor advertisement boards.

According to the KMC, there were 17 agencies which permitted the installation of hoardings in the city.

Oil tanker case

Meanwhile, another bench of the apex court rejected the report of the DIG South on the shifting of oil tankers from Shireen Jinnah Colony to the Zulfikarabad Oil Terminal.

The bench directed the police officer to appear in court on Thursday along with a detail and comprehensive report on the matter.

The bench was seized with the hearing of an application of the KMC administrator seeking directive to the police and the Rangers to ensure shifting of oil tankers to the Zulfikarabad oil terminal as the tanker operators resisted their shifting from Shireen Jinnah Colony to the terminal.

The KMC application was tagged with a petition filed by Shagufta Bibi, a resident of Clifton Block-1, who had in 2012 asked the then Chief Justice of Pakistan to order the shifting of the oil tankers from the locality. The woman had initially written a letter to the then CJP, who converted it into a petition.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Punjab chapter may write a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to express its reservations against the “manner of holding the upcoming local elections.”

The PTI had plans to send its letter to the Punjab Election Commissioner on Tuesday but held it back following party’s stance against the four provincial members of the ECP. “If the party will be campaigning against the Punjab Election Commissioner demanding his removal from the office, how it can write a letter to him for holding free and fair elections,” a source privy to the development told Dawn.

Sources say the PTI has rejected the holding of indirect elections on reserved seats. In an All-Opposition Parties Conference, the opposition parties had decided to file joint petitions against the holding of indirect election on reserved seats.

Sources say the PTI also rejects holding of local elections in three phases and upon insistence of the Supreme Court demands that the elections should not be held in selected districts of different divisions. Rejecting pick and choose policy, the PTI Punjab wants that the elections should be held on divisions’ basis in three phases.

It is also learnt that the letter also includes a demand that the Election Commission should investigate the issuance of development funds to the PML-N candidates ahead of local elections that is tantamount to pre-poll rigging.

Sources claim the PTI is also demanding that the elections should be held under the direct supervision of the Rangers instead of the Punjab bureaucracy to ensure transparency.

The PTI Punjab also wants to warn that it could boycott the local elections, if its genuine demands are not met. However, the party could not reach the consensus till the filing of this report.

PTI Punjab deputy organiser Omar Sarfraz Cheema confirmed that the PTI Punjab was ready to send a letter to the Punjab Election Commissioner on Tuesday but stopped due to his controversial position along with other three provincial members of the ECP. “The PTI Punjab will make further consultations on Thursday (today) and then decide about sending the letter,” Mr Cheema said.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Environment Protection Agency’s (Pak-EPA) environmental, regulatory and monitoring functions have been put on hold after the position for head of the agency became vacant more than a month ago.

The regulatory body has been unable to take legal action against hospitals, clinics and pathology laboratories for the poor disposal of hazardous waste, and the steel mills for polluting the air of the twin cities.

“Half a dozen environment protection orders (EPO) are pending against private housing societies for the irreversible environmental degradation of their natural surroundings,” a senior official from the agency said.

The position of head of the agency has been vacant since July 13 after the acting director general (DG) moved abroad. Since his departure, the Ministry of Climate Change has not been able to assign a qualified official to fill the position. Agency officials have attributed this failure to ‘internal politics’.

Among the other tasks on hold, there is no one to remind the concerned departments to submit environment impact assessment (EIA) reports on the construction of the road from Golra to the new Islamabad International Airport. Like many projects executed in the past, the road may be in violation of the Environment Protector Act 1997.

Officially, developers must provide EIAs before initiating large development projects in order to assess the environmental damage that comes with the movement of heavy machinery or the cutting of trees.

One of the most damaging ongoing projects to take place in the absence of a Pak-EPA DG is the widening of the Islamabad Highway. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) began the project even though work is in violation of the Environment Protection Act.

Former DG Dr Muhammad Khurshid said that his office had been reminding the CDA to submit an EIA report since March 2015. The agency previously threw out a draft EIA for the project, prepared by private consultants, which Khurshid described as ‘poor’ and ‘unprofessional’.

The consultancy firm was engaged by the CDA to prepare the report after the project began.

“The EPA would have served the authority with an Environment Protection Order (EPO) in July for continuously violating environmental laws. Unfortunately, the DG left and all our actions have been pending since. At the moment the agency is unaware of the design and plans for the expansion of the highway. It is also unclear how many trees have been cut to build the I-8 interchange, as are the remedial measures taken by the developers to make up for the environmental losses,” a Pak-EPA official said.

Last week, Ministry of Climate Change Secretary, Arif Ahmed Khan, criticized the lack of manpower and finances available to the Pak-EPA to the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

“I will bring the issue to the Prime Minister’s attention in order to strengthen this department and save Islamabad’s green character,” he said.

Khan said that the Ministry is in the process of finding a head for the agency.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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SUKKUR: Jacobabad police on Wednesday claimed that Balochistan Liberation Army commander Daren Shambhani Bugti and his close associate Ali Hassan Banglani were picked up and taken away by security agencies personnel on an intelligence report that they had planned to bomb the Peshawar-bound Khushal Khan Khatak Express originating from Karachi.

Jacobabad SSP Malik Zafar Iqbal Awan told a press conference in his office that three hand grenades, a rocket launcher, two Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and explosives were seized from them during a raid carried out jointly by the police and intelligence agencies in the Channa Laro area in Thull town.

Quoting the intelligence report, the SSP said that the terrorist attack was planned to mark the ninth death anniversary of Jamhoori Watan Part founder leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.

“The suspects were taken away by secret agencies personnel to an undisclosed place for interrogation and, as such, no case was registered at the A-Section police station, within whose jurisdiction the raid was conducted,” the SSP said.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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LAHORE: Efforts have been intensified to form a ‘new party’, under the possible title of United Muslim League and the leadership of former president Gen Pervez Musharraf and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain ahead of local body polls.

The objective is to have a ‘new look party’ that can hold its own in the presence of PML-N, PTI and PPP.

Dawn has learnt Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi have been authorised by the PML-Q stalwarts to discuss the proposed plan with All Pakistan Muslim League president Gen Musharraf, PML-F chief Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, former Sindh chief minister Syed Ghaus Ali Shah and ‘disgruntled’ politicians within PML-N and evolve some joint strategy.

In a meeting here on Wednesday, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat discussed the proposal of forming the United Muslim League with the PML-Q leaders SM Zafar, Khalid Ranjah, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Basharat Raja, Chaudhry Zahiruddin, Aleem Adil Sheikh, Asad Junejo, Anwar Bhindar and Salik Hussain, son of Chaudhry Shujaat. The participants authorised Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi to take a decision in this regard. Chaudhry Shujaat told his party men about the ‘need’ of gathering all the factions of the Muslim League except PML-N on one platform.

A participant of the meeting told Dawn that Chaudhry Shujaat was leaving for Karachi on Friday (tomorrow) and he would meet Musharraf, Pir Pagara and Ghaus Ali Shah. He said the PML-Q leadership would also reach out to angry PML-N leaders such as Zulfiqar Khosa and take them on board.

To a question about who was likely to lead the new party - Musharraf or Shujaat -, the PML-Q leader said: “It will be decided mutually.”

“At the moment we are only concerned about bringing all Muslim Leagues minus ‘N’ on one platform and establish ourselves a strong political force,” he said.

Veteran politician from southern Punjab Sirdar Zulfiqar Khosa told Dawn that the new party having all Muslim Leagues except for ‘N’ on board was need of the hour. “We earlier had discussed about forging an alliance of all Muslim Leagues but later decided to form a new party,” Zulfiqar said.

The former governor said he had met at least 75 PML-N MNAs and MPAs from central and upper Punjab who were not happy with the “dictatorial mindset” of the Sharif brothers. “The Sharifs believe in on-man show and do not give respect to the party men,” he said and added Ghaus Ali Shah was also in contact with several disgruntled leaders of the PML-N. “The decisions in the new party will be taken in mutual consultation. Once all modalities regarding its formation are finalised its head will be picked in consultation with all leaders,” Zulfiqar Khosa said and disclosed that the new party of Muslim Leaguers was likely to be formed ahead of local body polls.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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Remember that striking embellished skirt and top Humaima rocked at a Dekh Magar Pyaar Hai event recently? And that edgy red and white outfit Mahira wore at a Bin Roye promotion?

They were both by design house Mahgul.

Humaima (L) and Mahira (R) in Mahgul creations.

Though Mahgul burst onto the scene just two years ago, it's made a significant impact on the fashion market. From unconventional cuts to artistic embroideries, the design house focuses on experimenting not just with its silhouettes but also techniques. With a very straightforward design philosophy, the brand continues to grow as its first concept studio just opened up in Lahore, and it's also part of the line-up for PFDC L’Oréal Paris Bridal Week 2015 this September.

Mahgul Rashid, the creative head of Mahgul, was at hand at the studio's open house to talk about the brand's future – which is nicely encapsulated by the interiors around us.

The concept of the studio is three-fold, with a section to browse through the entire collection, a bridal cube and a designated section for appointments. There is a particular rawness to the the space that brings the focus to the clothes.

From textured grey floors to sleek racks, the studio is anything but what you would expect from a typical studio. The simplicity of the interiors complements the intricacy on the clothes and rather than becoming a overwhelming experience, the space creates a harmonious balance that makes the client comfortable in their surroundings.

"I wanted an unfinished, industrial feel to the studio so it would complement the ornateness of the clothes," says Rashid. "It is all about a personalized shopping experience where my clients not only get to see the process we undergo in making the clothes but I get to interact with them and get a feel of what will not only suit their body type but their personality also."

"The most challenging aspect is finding out what women want," says Mahgul Rashid. "I am so set in my ways that it is challenging to break people's notions about clothes and styles."

While most designers are looking into retail stores, this young brand opted for a studio instead. "We are a very young brand and I feel a studio allows for us to develop the foundation of a retail store in the future. But for now I am very happy working out of the space we have created," explains Rashid. While she stocks at multiple multi-label stores across the country, Rashid feels retail is very impersonal and in order to grow as a design house it is imperative to be hands-on with the clients. "This is where I will be creating the foundation of a retail store eventually," she says.

An artist by training, Rashid opens up about some of the most challenging aspects of having a design house, admitting: "As cliched as it might sound, the most challenging aspect is finding out what women want. I am so set in my ways that it is challenging to break people's notions about clothes and styles, getting them to try on something new and different is what challenges me the most."

While understanding what women want, the brand is becoming known as a 'skinny girl' brand, something which the designer gently refutes. "This is a notion out there but we actually cater to all sorts of body types," she says. "I can see where this comes from, at the moment I am the only one designing the silhouettes and so the experimental cuts stem from what I would wear. "As the brand grows and we have more designers on our team the range of silhouettes will also become diverse."

As the premise of the design house stems from the designer's background in fine art, she feels it is hard for her to do something typical. "I constantly want to innovate and try to keep my designs fresh and that is what keeps me going," she says. "My clients understand the kind of aesthetic the brand has but I am very honest with my input, if I feel a certain silhouette will not suit a particular body type I will explain it to the client and that has worked out well for me so far."

Rashid also feels that because the brand experiments with different techniques, it keeps her artisans on their toes and interested in the design process. "This is the biggest compliment for a designer: when the artisans who are actually translating the designs onto the fabric remain interested and willing to try new things. I want to be known as an artist in their field rather than just a designer and that is what drives me to create something unique for my clients."

After this milestone, what's next on the horizon for Mahgul?

"One thing I do know," says Rashid, "is that whenever we open up a retail outlet it will be a concept store rather than just a store."

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has claimed that he can prove in any court that the ongoing Karachi operation is partial and aimed only against the MQM.

Speaking from London to the office-bearers of his party here on Wednesday night, Mr Hussain said some people were trying to change the direction of the operation.

He appealed to Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif to take notice of alleged injustices against his party.

Know more: No let-up in Karachi operation: army chief

He said that when the operation was launched it was claimed that it would not be against any political party. However, he said, despite all good intentions of the army chief, the operation was being used only against the MQM.

Mr Hussain said that since 2013 the headquarters of no other party except the MQM had been raided twice.

He said that it was being said that the proceeds of corruption were also used to fund terrorist activities but “why no corrupt element has been arrested in the three other provinces”.

He alleged that Rangers personnel and officials in plainclothes were involved in enforced disappearances of MQM workers but no-one from his party had taken the law into his own hands.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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LAHORE: Three terrorism cases, including that of the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, are reportedly being withdrawn from military courts due to insufficient evidence and technical reasons, Dawn learnt on Wednesday.

The Punjab government had sent seven terrorism cases to military courts for trial.

Officials said the cases were found unfit for trial by these courts, asking the Punjab government to transfer them to anti-terrorism courts.

The request was discussed and accepted by the provincial Apex Committee headed by the chief minister. As a result, the provincial home department wrote to the Interior Ministry to withdraw the cases from military courts.

Officials said Dr Usman, who was one of the principal accused in the Sri Lankan team attack on May 3, 2009 in Lahore, had been executed. Another main accused Malik Ishaq who was on bail was killed along with 13 others in Muzaffargarh last month. Of the remaining nine accused, five were on bail and the remaining three in jail.

The provincial government had agreed to a request of the military courts to withdraw the case on the grounds that ordinary courts could not cancel bail of the five accused. And that the military courts were unable to deal with their cases.

The second case was the Jan 17, 2014 bomb blast on the track of Kushhal Khan Khattak Express and the accused belonged to Balochistan Liberation Army, officials said.

They said the third case was the Jan 15, 2012 attack on a Muharram procession and was being withdrawn on the grounds that one of the accused was a juvenile and military courts might not be able to deal with him adequately.

Another reason was that the evidence against him and others was based on confessions corroborated by police officials.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: A Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday issued show cause notices to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its ‘poor coordination’ in ensuring the attendance of US lobbyist Mark Seigel to record his statement in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.

Mr Seigel, a star witness against Gen Musharraf in the Benazir murder case, had consented to testify. The foreign ministry had informed the ATC that the US lobbyist would testify on August 26 and 27 via video-link from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington DC.

ATC Judge Rai Mohammad Ayub Marth had resumed hearing of the Benazir murder case on Wednesday.

Since the Rawalpindi commissioner had already informed the judge that Mr Seigel would be available on October 1 and 2 due to an ailment, the judge told special public prosecutors Mohammad Azhar Chaudhry and Khawaja Imtiaz that he had received a written intimation to that effect from the Rawalpindi administration.

“The letter stated that Mr Seigel is suffering from a kidney problem and is undergoing a surgery,” the judge said. “The new dates the commissioner’s office had intimated are October 1 and 2,” he further said.

The ATC judge also informed the prosecutors and the defence counsels that he had designated the commissioner’s office – where the court would convene to record the witness’ statement via video-link – an extension of the ATC under Section 15 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, in order to give level cover to Mr Seigel’s testimony.

Malik Mohammad Rafique, counsel for the accused police officers DIG Saud Aziz and SSP Khurram Shahzad, alleged that the prosecution had deliberately delayed the testimony with mala fide intentions.

He suggested the court may give up this witness or accept his statement as reported by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) if Mr Seigel could not appear before the court. Judge Marth asked the prosecutors whether that would be acceptable for them, to which the special prosecutor replied, “This is not a matter of choice, but the court should proceed in this matter in accordance with the law.”

He suggested the court to seek an explanation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as to why they did not coordinate with Mr Seigel and kept everyone in the dark about his unavailability until the eleventh hour.

The prosecutor claimed that Mr Seigel would be available to testify after a couple of weeks and requested that the court summon an official from the foreign ministry.

Subsequently, the court directed the foreign secretary to depute the director of the United States desk to brief the court in this matter and pursue the case with the US government, before adjourning further proceedings until August 31.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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RAWALPINDI: Fearing retaliation from militants, the government has placed the country’s 36 airports on red alert.

According to sources, security of major airports, including Benazir Bhutto International Airport and Nur Khan Airbase, had been heightened on Tuesday but extra caution was extended to all the airports.

Though security had been beefed up at airports, passengers were being handled smoothly, a senior security official told Dawn.

He, however, said temporary passes for visitors had been cancelled while people entering airport premises were being subjected to questioning and search.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: Perturbed over the arrest of former federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Dr Asim Hussain, the PPP has sought explanation from the federal government over recent actions taken by investi­gation agencies in Karachi.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah condemned the arrest of Dr Hussain, who is chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, and claimed that the provincial government was not informed before taking action.

He alleged that certain institutions had become “a state within the state”, and warned that if institutions were allowed to interfere in the affairs of the government or other institutions, the consequences could be dangerous for the country.

The arrest should have been made after proper investigation and only if any concrete evidence had been found, he added.

Dr Asim Hussain was reportedly detained by men in plain-clothes when he was presiding over a meeting of the Sindh HEC. He is considered to be a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari.

Mr Shah, who had earlier met PTI’s senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, reiterated his demand that members of the Election Commi­ssion of Pakistan should immediately resign in view of a report of the poll inquiry commission and latest decisions of election tribunals.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Qureshi said he had met the leader of opposition as part of his party’s strategy to take all political parties on board on the demand for ECP members’ resignation.

He said both the PPP and the PTI were of the view that ECP members should immediately resign because they had become controversial.

According to him, Mr Khurshid Shah said that he had already apologised to the nation over his role in the appointment of the ECP members and that Chaudhry Nisar, who was the leader of the opposition, should do the same.

Talking to reporters outside Zardari House, PPP’s information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira and party’s Punjab president Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo also criticised the government over the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain and said the party had serious reservations over the way he had been detained.

Mr Kaira said that since Dr Asim was a government official the Sindh government should have been informed prior to his arrest.

He also said that ECP members should quit after recent decisions of election tribunals.

All political parties, currently discussing electoral reforms in a parliamentary committee, should find a mechanism for removal of ECP members and appointment of their replacements, he added.

The PPP leaders informed newsmen about meetings being presided over by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Zardari House.

They said the PPP had decided to raise its voice in support of farmers.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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MULTAN: A death row prisoner, convicted of killing at least six persons, was hanged to death in Multan's Central Jail on Thursday.

Condemned inmate Maqbool Hussain was sentenced to death by a sessions court after he was found guilty of murdering six people in 1996, allegedly to avenge the murder of his own brothers.

Hussain's mercy petitions had been rejected by higher courts and President Mamnoon Hussain before his hanging.

Pakistan lifted its moratorium on the death penalty in all capital cases on March 10.

Initially executions were resumed for terrorism offences only in the wake of a Taliban massacre at an army-run school in Peshawar which had claimed the lives of more than 150 persons, mostly schoolchildren, on December 16, 2014.

The execution of convicted prisoners had been suspended for a month by the federal government prior to the commencement of Ramazan. However, hangings resumed after Eidul Fitr.

The United Nations, the European Union, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on Pakistan to re-impose its moratorium on the death penalty.

PESHAWAR: A pro-government tribal elder was killed on Thursday in a blast in Bajaur tribal agency's Chamarkand tehsil.

According to security sources, the blast was caused by a planted improvised explosive device (IED) which led to the demise of tribal elder Malik Gul Rahim.

Banned militant outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility for the killing in a statement issued by its spokesman Khalid Khurasani.

The attack comes days after two tribal elders were killed in Bajaur Agency's Uthmankhel tehsil. Tribal elders Malik Dawa Khan and Malik Gul Kareem Khan were travelling to the region's main town of Khar along with their relatives when a remote-controlled bomb blew up their vehicle.

Read: Two tribal elders among three killed

Bajaur, a tribal region in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), is governed by tribal laws. An extremist insurgency led by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) plagues the region and the area is known to be infested with militants, including those from Al Qaeda and other armed extremist organisations.

Several attacks on polio vaccination workers, peace committee members and suicide bombings have taken place in the tribal region in the past few years.

QUETTA: At least two labourers were killed when unidentified armed opened opened fire at them on Quetta's Sariab road on Thursday.

Police sources said motorcycle-riding armed men opened fire at the labourers on Sariab road, critically injuring them. The assailants fled from the scene after the attack.

The victims succumbed to their wounds while rescue teams were shifting them to a nearby hospital.

Police stated that both victims had received multiple bullet injuries.

The bodies were dhifted to Civil Hospital Quetta for post-mortem.

Police and personnel of frontier corps reached the spot arrived at the attack site and cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway.

No immediate claim of responsibility was made following the attacks.

Police said the incident seems to be an act of targeted killing. Incidents of targeted violence frequently take place in the restive Balochistan province.

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