LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday adjourned hearing of Zain murder case after two prosecution witnesses refused to recognise prime accused Mustafa Kanju, son of former state minister Siddique Kanju.

Earlier, maternal uncle of Zain, complainant of the case, had also told the court that he did not know whether Mustafa Kanju killed his nephew. The court on an application of the prosecution summoned record of television channels to watch statements of complainant Sohail Afzal wherein he accused Kanju of killing Zain.

The court had in June indicted Mustafa Kanju and six others on charges of killing 16-year-old orphan Zain and injuring Hussain, 18, in Cavalry Ground area.

According to the prosecution, Kanju was drunk when his car hit another vehicle driven by a woman. It said Kanju got infuriated and opened fire. However, the woman had already driven away from the scene and Zain and Hussain, the passersby, had fallen prey to the firing.

On Saturday, Hussain and his father Zahoor appeared before the court and recorded their statements. Hussain said he was standing outside his house when a bullet hit him causing injuries. However, he said he did not know who fired the shot.

In his statement, Zahoor said he was in the house when he heard the fire shots. When he came out the house, he found his son injured and took him to the hospital. Zahoor said he was unable to recognise the people who were firing.

The court recorded the statements of the duo and asked the prosecution to present more witnesses on Sept 10.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that his party came forward to play a role on the issue of MQM resignations on the request of the parliament.

He informed members of the party’s central shura here on Saturday that he had brought MQM and the government to the negotiation table, said a press release.

He said that he facilitated talks between the government and MQM to end the deadlock which had arisen after the resignations of MQM lawmakers from the parliament and Sindh Assembly.

Mr Rehman gave this clarification to the party’s powerful body after he came under tremendous criticism for visiting the MQM headquarters in Karachi and meddling in the ongoing issue.

The two-day session of the central shura started at the JUI-F secretariat that would discuss national issues as well as regional situation, said the press release.

Mr Rehman said that his party would continue efforts for the supremacy of the parliament and constitution. In this connection, he said, his party would play a role inside the parliament.

He told the meeting that JUI-F believed in peaceful struggle for the promulgation of Islamic laws in the country. He said that the country was passing through a critical phase that’s why he offered his services to end the stalemate.

Mr Rehman also supported China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and said that it would not only play a role in the prosperity of Pakistan but of the entire region.

The statement said that the JUI-F shura appreciated the reconciliatory role of Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the solidarity of the country and supremacy of the Constitution.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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LAHORE: Former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has said despite irreconcilable positions of Pakistan, India and Kashmiris, the back channel diplomacy of the Musharraf government had finally devised a framework acceptable to all stakeholders.

Giving the contours of a possible agreement on Kashmir, involving inter alia demilitarisation, the challenge of non-state actors: centres to wean militants off through DDR, self-governance, conduct of elections in J&K, defining units of Kashmir, joint mechanism, common policies towards development of water resources, monitoring and review process, conversion of the Line of Control (LoC) into a mere ‘Line on the Map’ and signing of a ‘Treaty of Peace, Security and Friendship’ like the Élysée Treaty between Germany and France, Mr Kasuri said Pakistan faced 10 wars and war-like situation over the Kashmir dispute.

He was talking about preparing a framework solution acceptable to all three stakeholders through three-year back channel diplomacy at a discussion on his book ‘Neither A Hawk Nor A Dove’ here on Saturday.

The book is being launched here on Tuesday (Sept 8). Former Indian diplomat and politician Mani Shankar Aiyar will be key-note speaker.

“Pakistan would not accept a status quo solution to the Kashmir dispute. Kashmiris did not want a division of the erstwhile princely state and India would not accept any changes in geography. This was the challenge and this is what took three years of hard work and negotiations involving an exchange of drafts between the two countries as well as multiple meetings in different capitals of the world before a framework was devised which the negotiators thought would be acceptable to a large majority of the people of Pakistan, India and Jammu and Kashmir and which they proposed to present to their respective constitutional authorities for final approval,” Kasuri says.

Mr Kasuri (foreign minister 2002-07) further says: “One of the most important features envisaged in this mechanism was to encourage the promotion of common policies towards the development of infrastructure, hydroelectricity and exploitation of water resources. Water is and can become even a greater source of friction between the two countries. Water poses existential threats to Pakistan since two-thirds of its population relies on water from rivers coming through Kashmir. Even the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee has warned in a recent report that unless Pakistan and India are able to resolve their water disputes amicably, a future war between them cannot be ruled out.”

Mr Kasuri says he met with leaders in Pakistan and India and other countries of the world, sometimes secretly, over Kashmir framework to understand their position. “I did this because I feared that any solution that the two governments worked out could be rejected by them. As a politician, I knew if the majority of the Kashmiris rejected the envisaged framework, the people of Pakistan would do likewise. Talking to Kashmiris was very useful in devising the framework.”

Mr Kasuri says Pakistan cannot just accept the status quo because the territorial situation has not changed despite wars and continued tension and the two countries have now become nuclear states, making war impossible. Pakistan was in no position to compromise on the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. The Pakistani would have rejected any solution if it gave the impression of bartering away Kashmiri sentiments on the issue, he adds.

Mr Kasuri expressed his belief that the framework worked out during his tenure was better than the others as it would stand the test of time and that at an appropriate moment it would serve as a benchmark or a guideline when there were statesmen at helm in both the countries with the required political will.

On being asked by senior journalist Najam Sethi, who moderated the discussion, to name the three most memorable politicians, Mr Kasuri listed Aghar Khan, Z.A Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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KHAR: Scores of people, including tribal elders and workers of various political parties, joined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf here on Saturday.

They made the announcement during a ceremony held for the purpose at Jalal House in Khar, which was attended by the elders and notables of various areas and PTI activists and leaders, including Nawabzada Jalaluddin and Asadullah Khan.

On this occasion, the elders and notables of various areas of Salarzai tehsil and activists of different political parties, including the PML-N and PPP, joined PTI.

The elders said that they were inspired by the vision of Imran Khan about bringing positive changes in the country.

They said that earlier they had no interest in political activities, but now they had found a party that was working according to their wishes. The elders vowed to work for the changes in the tribal system and said that positive reforms in the system were needed for the development and prosperity of people of the region.

Those who joined PTI said that in their view it was the only party that had been striving for bringing about real change in the country and also in the tribal areas. They showed confidence in the leadership of Imran Khan and announced to work for strengthening PTI in the region.

Local PTI leaders welcomed the newcomers and said that the party would continue its struggle for introduction of positive reforms in the tribal system as changes were essential to protect the people’s dignity and eliminate hurdles to protection of their basic rights.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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KARACHI: An antiterrorism court asked on Saturday the police to initiate proceedings of proclamation and attachment of property against Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain in a case pertaining to criminal intimidation.

The self-exiled MQM leader was booked for allegedly threatening Rangers officials during a TV talk show following a pre-dawn raid on his party headquarters, Nine Zero, in Azizabad, on March 11.

The police chargesheeted Mr Hussain under Section 512 (record of evidence in absence of accused) of the criminal procedure code and showed him an absconder in the investigation report.

Subsequently, the court twice issued non-bailable warrant for the arrest of the MQM chief. However, the investigating officer submitted a report during the hearing on Saturday saying that the warrants could not be executed since Mr Hussain had left the country in 1992 and had since been residing in London.

ATC-III Judge Saleem Raza Baloch asked the IO to start proceedings against the absconding accused under Sections 87 (proclamation for persons absconding) and 88 (attachment of property of person absconding) of the criminal procedure code and submit the report till Sept 22.

According to the charge sheet, the paramilitary force raided the MQM headquarters and surrounding areas and arrested several criminals and suspects along with a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives during the raid.

It contended that on the evening of March 11, the MQM chief during the TV talk show allegedly hurled threats at the Rangers officials, who took part in the raid at his party headquarters.

A case was registered against the MQM chief under Section 506-B (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, on the complaint of Colonel Tahir at the Civil Lines police station.

Report on Safoora bus carnage sought

Another antiterrorism court asked on Saturday the police to submit the final investigation report in the Safoora Goth bus carnage case till Sept 19.

Tahir Hussain Minhas, alias Sain; Saad Aziz, alias Tin Tin; Asad-ur-Rehman, alias Malik; Hafiz Nasir, alias Yasir and Mohammed Azhar Ishrat, alias Majid, have been booked for their alleged involvement in the killing of 45 people, including 18 women, of the Shia Ismaili community in an armed attack on their bus near Safoora Goth on May 13.

The investigating officer had submitted an interim charge sheet in court on Aug 20 and sought time for the final report on the grounds that the reports of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and digital video recorder (DVR) were still awaited.

When the case came up for hearing before ATC-I Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso on Saturday for submission of the final report, the IO sought more time to file the final charge sheet on similar grounds.

While allowing the request, the court granted two weeks and directed the IO to submit the final investigation report till Sept 19.

The police in the interim investigation report had chargesheeted five detained suspects and their 10 accomplices were shown absconders. The report said that the suspects were affiliated with terrorist organisation Al Qaeda and the self-styled Islamic State militant group.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Saturday asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to get ready to feel the heat of a massive protest demonstration in Islamabad on Oct 4.

He called upon the “suppressed segments of society” to join him in the protest.

At a Kissan Convention at Hafizabad Stadium, Mr Khan said the government had pushed almost all segments of society against the wall as they were not being given their due income despite hard work. Particularly, he said, the farmers were being penalised for contributing to the country’s economy.

He said the petroleum products prices had come down by 30pc in the world but the farmers here were not given any relief. Expressing his resolve to fight against the cruel system in the country, Mr Khan dispelled the impression that he would be running away from any arena, including the by-polls and local elections, and sarcastically referred to the Sharifs’ exile following the National Reconciliation Order issued by Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He said the PTI would even be ready to contest by-elections and local elections with Nawaz Sharif’s own umpires. “The party is grooming its youth to enable them to check any kind of rigging in the elections,” he said.

He said the PML-N would now be facing a well-groomed and powerful PTI instead of the 2013 party that naively believed in the system and expected fair play in the elections. “Any rigging or unfair activity will be checked with full might,” he added.

Mr Khan criticised the PML-N for “using police to seek votes for his party candidates” and claimed that he had a recording of a superintendent of police asking people to vote for the PML-N candidate in Hafizabad.

Challenging defense minister Khwaja Asif not to hide behind the Supreme Court, the PTI chief predicted that the Election Tribunal would give a similar decision in the NA-110 as in the three constituencies -- NA-122, NA-125 and NA-154. He said these were the four constituencies where he had asked for the vote audit to determine the extent of rigging in the 2013 general elections.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was requested on Saturday to initiate contempt proceedings against National Account­ability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry, as well as other government officers and private individuals, for allegedly misleading the court by submitting an incomplete list of mega scams.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who moved the petition, alleged that an imperfect list of mega scams was presented before the Supreme Court. This, he claimed, was done with mala fide intent to favour the culprits and obstruct justice.

The petitioner has named 17 individuals as respondents, including the NAB director general for operations, NAB Rawalpindi DG Zahir Shah, Bahria Town Chairman Malik Riaz Hussain, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal, Rawalpindi Com­mis­­sioner Zahid Saeed, Rawalpindi District Coordination Officer Sajad Zaffar Dal, the Punjab chief minister’s principal secretary and Punjab forests secretary, along with others.

On July 10, NAB had submitted a list of 150 mega corruption scandals to the Supreme Court, through its DG Operations, containing 50 cases each of financial and property scandals, as well as cases involving abuse of power by holders of public offices.

But realising its mistake, NAB — of its own accord — submitted another list of 29 mega scams on July 22, conceding that the fresh cases should have been included along with the initial list. The petitioner, however, believes that the actual number of cases involving corruption of a large scale has been concealed by NAB officials. In reality, the petitioner contended, cases involving embezzlement or misappropriation of tens of billions of rupees have still not been identified, allegedly to help the actual culprits.

The additional list of 29 cases is, in fact, a confession and thus NAB has admitted to criminal breach of trust, he maintains.

Dr Rahman contended that in response to a notice issued to him by NAB on July 27, he appeared before the Director (Operations Division) at NAB headquarters on Aug 5, where he pointed out a number of cases that, he claimed, NAB officials were already well aware of. Some of the cases highlighted, the petitioner contended, included the encroachment of over 4000 kanals of CDA land in Sihala, Rawat, Humak and Kotha Kalan by DHA, Islamabad and Bahria Town, valued at over Rs80 billion.

The cases also include the encroachment of around 12,000 kanals of land in the Rakh Lohi Bher and Rakh Takht Pari Forest Reserve — again by DHA and Bahria Town — which is valued at over Rs240bn. The Supreme Court has already taken cognisance of these cases.

The petitioner contended that he also presented a number of documents to substantiate his claim to the NAB officials. The director (operations) was also informed that there were sympathisers within NAB who favoured the big fish. To substantiate the claim, a letter written by the NAB director general on Dec 9, 2010 was cited.

The letter was addressed to CDA and dealt with CDA’s land holdings acquired for the construction of the Islamabad Highway.

Not including these land scams in the list of mega scams that was submitted in court indicated that there were corrupt practices prevalent within the rank and file of NAB, the petitioner alleged.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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LAHORE: The Last Word hosted a session in collaboration with the Digital Rights Foundation to raise awareness on online harassment on Saturday.

The talk was titled ‘Call to Action: Online Misogyny in Pakistan and How to Combat It’. The panel had Susan Benesch, a faculty associate of the Berkman Centre for Internet and Society, Harvard University, and director of the ‘Dangerous Speech Project’, Nighat Dad, founder of the ‘Digital Rights Foundation’ and Nabiha Meher Shaikh, a member of the ‘Pakistan Feminist Watch’.

Some of the important points that were raised during the talk included how misogyny was a cultural problem but the people end up shaming individuals because of it, especially in the retrospect of the recent events in Pakistan. Another point raised by the panel was that patriarchy was so deeply embedded in the society that people didn’t even realise when they were involved in it.

Ms Nabiha talked about how a woman’s body had become a symbol of national honour and there was urgent need to raise a voice against it.

Ms Susan shared her expertise on the matter, saying the governments and online platforms were not capable of dealing with such issues.

She gave examples how societies themselves had dealt with the issue.

She talked about how people had reacted to the comments of the Turkish deputy prime minister, who tried to define ‘a proper woman’ by saying that women should not laugh out loud in public. There was an ‘explosion’ of pictures of women laughing on social media along with a hashtag that went viral, causing a negative impact on the political campaign of the Turkish deputy prime minister, she said.

Mr Jahanzaib Haque, editor of the DAWN.COM, joining the discussion, said 70 to 85pc of all Pakistanis online were male and thus turned the debate towards how to get internet access to more people that could lead to a better way to deal with the issue.

He suggested using media groups to fight misogyny as they had the power to change mindsets faster.

He said the solutions to the problems like misogyny were not only limited to digital world but required solid steps to be dealt with as “internet is a reflection of society”. — Moneeza Burney

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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Celebrations of Pakistan's 50th Defence Day are under way across the nation on Sunday as the day commenced with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals, Radio Pakistan reported.

Special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the golden jubilee of Defence Day paid tribute to all those who laid down their lives and lost loved ones in the 1965 and 1971 wars and in the ongoing war against terrorism.

The leaders said they are fully aware of the conspiracies and tactics of the enemies and expressed a desire for regional peace and good relations with neighbouring countries.

President Mamnoon said that although Pakistan is a peace-loving country and desires regional peace, this desire must not be construed as a weakness.

PM Nawaz said Pakistan is a responsible and peaceful nuclear power, and its armed forces and other law enforcement agencies are determined to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country.

A Defence Day ceremony was held at the Naval Complex in Islamabad where Commodore Khalid Pervez was the chief guest.

Commodore Khalid Pervez said the morale of Pakistan's armed forces is higher and firmer than ever and they are "prepared to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy". He paid tribute to the gallantry and courage of those who participated in, and lost their lives in, the 1965 war.

Change of Guard ceremonies were held at the Mazar-i-Iqbal in Lahore and the Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi.

Brigadier Bilal Javed of the Pakistan Rangers offered prayers and laid a floral wreath at the Mazar-i-Iqbal mausoleum and Pakistan Rangers Punjab took over guard duty at the venue.

Around 75 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Risalpur cadets took over guard duties at the Quaid’s mausoleum. Air Vice Marshall Asim Zaheer who was the chief guest at the ceremony laid a floral wreath on the Quaid's grave, and a parade was held at the venue.

At 9:29am, a minute of silence was observed, followed by transmission of the national anthem across all radio and television networks.

A ceremony held at the martyrs monument of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti at Baidian in Lahore was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Corps Commander Lahore, senior military officials, veterans of 1965 war and relatives of the martyred soldiers and officers.

PM Nawaz laid a wreath at the memorial of Maj Aziz Bhatti, who was given the highest military award, the Nishan-i-Haider, for his gallantry.

The PAF presented a special aerobatics display over Islamabad's F-9 park. The exhibition included displays of JF-17 Thunders, F-16s and Mirage aircrafts.

A function will be held at General Headquarters Rawalpindi to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives fighting for Pakistan. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the main function of the day will be held at Corps Headquarters Force Command Northern Areas.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a function paying homage to the nation's fallen heroes is being held at Neelum Stadium.

Explore: Defence Day rehearsals in pictures

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan asked Pakistan to act against Afghan Taliban militants operating on its territory during weekend talks in Kabul, while Pakistan said the South Asian neighbours needed to build trust, officials said after the meetings.

The Afghan Taliban, ousted from power by a US-led coalition in 2001, has been gaining territory in its insurgency against the government led by President Ashraf Ghani.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have long accused each other of sheltering Taliban fighters and other Islamist militants who conduct attacks inside their territory, charges both deny.

“We reiterate our position and state facts, asking Pakistan to take action against terrorist groups inside its territory that declare war against our people,” a spokesman for the Afghan president's office said in statement on Sunday.

Pakistan said after the meetings that both countries should work together to restore trust, and that an agreement had been reached to end a blame game over a spate of attacks.

“We will work on establishing a memorandum of trust building to avoid such a situation in the future,” Sartaj Aziz, foreign affairs adviser to the prime minister said on state television on Saturday about his meeting with Ghani.

Aziz visited the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday for a regional economic conference and also held meetings with the president, foreign minister and national security adviser.

Ghani made closer ties with Pakistan a priority when he took office last year, hoping Islamabad could push Afghan Taliban leaders to the negotiating table to end Afghanistan's long war.

Progress appeared to have been made in July after both governments said a peace process with the militants had restarted.

This was not confirmed by the insurgents however, and early meetings came to a halt after the Taliban's leader Mullah Omar was revealed to have died.

News of his death was followed by a wave of deadly attacks in Kabul that killed over 50 people and wounded hundreds more, prompting the Afghan president to lash out at Pakistan demanding it act against militants sheltering on its territory.

Aziz said the talks had produced an agreement to avoid any further breakdown in relations between the countries.

“The main thing that we both agreed upon was to restore trust, end the blame game against each other,” he said.

ISLAMABAD: The state has been guilty of ignoring a tenet of the constitution by showing indifference to the misery of the multitude, Chief Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja said in a speech at an event organised by the Law and Justice Commission on Saturday.

“The constitution clearly states that it (constitution) reflects the sentiments and feelings of the people. The aspirations of the people are often conveniently ignored by the state,” Justice Khawaja said in an address that touched upon the deepening chasm between the rulers and the ruled.

The chief justice observed that state as an institution was based on a social contract with the people. This social contract found a clear mention in the preamble to the 1973 constitution, Justice Khawaja added.

A state structure “built in isolation of the people leads to division of society on ethnic, linguistic and sectarian lines”, he warned.

The chief justice said there was an urgent need on the part of state institutions to make people feel a part of the decision-making process.

“Weaknesses in enforcement of law and the constitution are a major impediment in the way to achieve this noble objective.”

Justice Jawwad Khawaja said it was heart-rending to see that a vast majority of citizens had no institution to turn to in distress.

The chief justice described as archaic the tendency to view the state as something isolated and transcending society. It was this approach which hindered the goal of developing a state structure that was responsive to social realities, he observed.

He called upon powers that be to take a hard look at a model that had brought the nation to a stage where the state had become so intrusive that it had “become the centre of every process from start to end” in the life of a common man.

The concept of state’s superiority reflected the philosophy introduced by German political economist Max Weber in the 19th century and by Nizamul Mulk Toosi five centuries before it in his book ‘Riyasat Nama’, the chief justice recalled.

Justice Khawaja said this superiority complex had crept into all state functionaries, leading to a neglect of social needs.

Justice Khawaja conceded that no research had been conducted by the judiciary to gather statistics, without which it was not possible to present effective proposals and reforms.

He said as chairman of the Law and Justice Commis­sion, he had ordered the compilation of data required for effective reforms and measures.

Citing an example, the chief justice said the Police Order was introduced in 2002, but could not be meaningfully implemented for reasons which also included lack of competence.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday slammed the Indian premier saying that even though Narendra Modi had been elected as the prime minister, “his approach was still limited to that of a chief minister.”

“What Modi did in Bangladesh is for everyone to see.”

The minister cautioned India over inciting war, adding that such actions could put at risk the entire region’s security.

Speaking at the inauguration of a local development project in Lahore on Defence Day, the federal minister said the entire nation stood with the armed forces in the war against terror and the Karachi operation.

The PML-N stalwart went on to say that operation Zarb-i-Azb and the Karachi operation were the need of the hour, adding that for almost 50 years the people of Karachi have been facing atrocities.

“Political parties now have to rid their ranks of target killers and extortionists,” said Saad Rafique.

Just a day ago, the minister had said at a local event in Lahore that the MQM should “cleanse itself from terrorists and criminals” who are behind disrupting Karachi’s peace.

Take a look: MQM should remove terrorists from ranks, says Saad Rafique.

It is pertinent to mention here that the MQM and the federal government are at loggerheads following the former’s resignation from three legislative floors over excesses committed in the Rangers-led Karachi operation.

MQM claims these excesses include extrajudicial killing of workers, forceful detentions, bans on Altaf Hussain’s speeches and the MQM’s political and social activities.

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Sunday, addressing a ceremony on Defence Day at the GHQ to honour the martyrs of the armed forces, said Pakistan Army is fully able to respond to attacks on a small or large scale, adding that the enemy will face heavy consequences in any case.

Gen Raheel said September 6 was an important day in Pakistan’s history, when it repulsed the enemy’s attack and inflicted heavy losses on it. He paid rich tributes to the nation’s martyrs, saying that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

Gen Raheel saluting martyrs of the armed forces. – Photo courtesy ISPR

“I’m honored that soldiers from that war are present among us today.”

The army chief said in the past 50 years Pakistan has seen many ups and downs. “But I can say with certainty that today we are stronger than before and the nation is more hopeful than ever.”

Kashmir

Gen Raheel said Kashmir is an unresolved regional issue since partition of the subcontinent, adding that for the past seven decades, the people of Kashmir have been facing Indian hostility and cruelty.

“There can be no peace in the region without resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the UN resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.”

Zarb-i-Azb

The army chief said operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched at a time when terrorist networks had solidified in the country, adding that the armed forces had been fighting an “untraditional war” for the past many years.

“Our success is the result of our martyrs and ghazis.”

Genral Raheel said the Peshawar school massacre was the epitome of barbarity and praised the parents who had shown immense patience in the face of the tragedy.

“Their patience gave the nation a new motivation,” said Gen Raheel, adding that today most terrorists involved in the school attack had “met their faiths.”

“Today, armed forces and all security agencies are in control of the situation and the writ of the state has been fully established.”

Gen Raheel said the journey to success was a tough one. “Now all state institutions have to play their roles so that all objectives of the National Action Plan (NAP) are achieved soon.”

He also paid tributes to Fata residents for their sacrifices, adding that IDPs’ return to their homes had already begun and the process will be further expedited.

The COAS also paid a rich tribute to the country’s media for unveiling the “true face of terrorists,” which he said was a key aspect of the war against militants.

The army chief reiterated his resolve to eliminate “abettors, financiers, sympathizers, and facilitators” of terrorists at all costs.

Karachi operation, Balochistan

Talking about the situation in Karachi and Balochistan, he said peace had returned in the areas after coordination between civil and military leaderships, adding that operations in both regions will be taken to logical conclusions.

CPEC

The army chief said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not only crucial for Pakistan, but would benefit the entire region. “Therefore its completion is a national duty and Pakistan Army will play its full role to that end.”

Afghanistan

General Raheel also said Afghanistan and Pakistan were tied by blood, and the two countries had a deep rooted, historic relationship.

“We have taken sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan. Some forces want to foil these efforts but we will never let them succeed.”

The COAS went on to say that Pakistan’s efforts against terror have been key for “regional and international peace,” adding that “we hope the international community will appreciate and support us in our struggle.”

In his concluding remarks, the army chief said he was proud to be the commander of the “best war force in the world.”

“This army has no match. We are capable to face all internal and external challenges, whether tradition or untraditional, hot start or cold start. We are ready.”

He assured the nation and the families of martyrs present on the occasion that the sacrifices of their loved ones would not go in vain.

Army Chief alongside Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani and federal cabinet members. – Photo courtesy ISPR

The ceremony was attended by all service chiefs, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, opposition leader in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah, federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Pervaiz Rashid, Sartaj Aziz, families of martyrs, and other civil and military dignitaries.

Earlier, anthems and documentaries to honour the officers and men of the armed forces were played and families of the martyred soldiers were given the rostrum to express themselves on the occasion.

KARACHI: “I am not here just to protest for the compensation money for my son, I want that no more mothers go through what I have to,” said Saeeda Khatoon, mother of 20-year-old Ayan, one of the over 200 victims of the Baldia Town factory fire, the worst industrial fire incident in the country’s history.

Saeeda, a resident of Orangi Town, was among scores of the family members of the victims of the Baldia factory fire who gathered in front of the Karachi Press Club on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of the tragic blaze that killed 260 people and wounded hundreds others.

The incident took place on Sept 11, 2012. However, the organisers held the protest demonstration to mark the third anniversary on Sunday as most participants were wage-earners and it was not easy for them to join a protest on a working day.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke about her son, her only child, who had started working in the factory just a few weeks before the deadly incident.

“It is not just a matter of money,” she said. “Our aim is to strive for better conditions in factories to ensure that no mother should lose her son in the future.”

Muhammad Jabir, 65, who lost his 22-year-old son Jehanzaib, said that the incident psychologically affected him so badly that he quit his work as a gas cutting machine operator in Shershah’s scrap and disallowed any of the remaining three sons to work in any factory.

“My son was a machine operator in the factory,” said Mr Jabir as he tried to suppress tears. “I raised my four sons and two daughters as their mother as my wife died 19 years ago.”

The demonstration he was part of was organised by the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and Baldia Factory Fire Affectees’ Association.

The protesters said three years had passed and the heirs of the victims were still waiting for justice.

“Life and health of workers is still not safe in factories, industries and workplace,” said NTUF President Rafiq Baloch.

Broken promises

Speakers said mill owners, international institutions, senior government functionaries and everyone else connected with the issue had failed to keep their promises.

They said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had promised to give a plot and a government job to one member of each affected family. However, they got nothing.

Similarly, they said, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose party was then in power in Punjab, had promised on behalf of the Punjab government to give Rs300,000 as compensation to every affected family. However, that promise was also not fulfilled.

A famous builder too had announced Rs200,000 for every family, but still around 100 families had not received the money yet.

They said the government had promised to take solid measures for safety of workers in all factories and at workplaces, but that promise too was not kept.

“Even today, the workers are dying and getting maimed in factories and at workplaces because of the lack of adequate safety measures,” said a speaker.

They demanded that German brand KIK and Italian social audit company RINA should accept the responsibility of the Baldia factory fire and pay compensation to the families of the victims.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau headquarters has directed its Lahore office to hold a ‘fact-finding inquiry’ to ascertain why no complaint verification has been carried since 2007 (till date) against different housing projects of a leading builder.

In an official correspondence, the NAB (monitoring and complaint cell) has expressed surprise why the matter of Eden Housing Ltd has been kept into complaint verification (level) from 2007 to 2015.

The NAB headquarters has also sought explanation from the Lahore office and informed it that this matter is already under process for re-authorisation of inquiry at the headquarters.

The NAB says: “Questions are being raised upon its (NAB) credibility as numerous mega corruption (scams) are under scrutiny in the Supreme Court for not having been attended to since long.”

The NAB headquarters has also asked its Lahore region office to call officials of the CMP wing of LDA (Lahore Development Authority) in order to seek further information regarding the whole matter. Besides, complainants about the said housing group should be called in order to unearth any other “untoward development”.

The NAB headquarters says it has received a number of complaints, including that of overseas Pakistanis, alleging that they have made huge payments (Rs60million) to this housing group. “The purpose to move the instant file is the NAB Lahore letter dated July 2014 stating that NAB is conducting verification of complaints against the developers made by general public regarding delay in execution of development work and thus failing to handover possession of plots/homes by the management of the housing group.”

The NAB headquarters says the most glaring aspect of the reply of the NAB Lahore is “accordingly the matter was deliberated upon and it has been decided that the work being carried out by the housing group on the said projects/sites be monitored by the LDA being regulator to ensure timely completion of the projects...”

The NAB says the perusal of the complaints has revealed that though the subject schemes and projects started in 2007 to 2009, the NAB Punjab had already received “hundreds” of complaints against the housing group and its owner Dr Amjad. “Since it is an issue of approximately billions of rupees and simultaneously the complaints are covered under the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 - cheating public at large, efforts should be made to sort out the matter,” the NAB headquarters says and has expressed its wonder how “the NAB Lahore ignored hundreds of complaints/claimants against Eden Housing Ltd”.

Despite repeated attempts by Dawn, the housing group’s version was not forthcoming.

Last week a petition was filed in the Supreme Court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the NAB chief and some top government officials, including the Punjab chief minister’s principal secretary and private individuals, for allegedly misleading the court by submitting an incomplete list of mega scams.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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RAWALPINDI: The Hindu community on Sunday offered special prayers for the martyres of the 1965 war.

The prayers were held at the Krishna Temple in Saddar Bazaar on the occasion Janmashtami, the birthday of god Krishna.

The community celebrates Janmashtami in the Bhadoon month of the Bikrimi calendar which this year coincided with the Defence Day of Pakistan.

“We always pray for the prosperity of the country and this year we celebrated Janmashtami and Defence Day by holding special Pooja for the protection of our country,” said Jag Mohan Arora, the president of All Pakistan Hindu and Sikh Welfare Association.

He said the Hindus in the twin cities paid tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the defence of the motherland. He said special prayers were held for their services to the nation.

“This year, the community belonging to the Bahai faith also joined the Hindus for the celebration of the birthday of Krishna,” he said. He informed the gathering that Christians had also arrived at the temple to show that all the residents of Pakistan were united for their homeland.

In the small temple, there was a lot of activity as the main hall and prayer room were decorated with lights and buntings. All the participants were wearing colourful dresses.

The function started with prayers (Pooja) of Krishna whose pictures at prayer room were decorated with garlands. They recited versus from Geeta, the holy book of the Hindus containing the speeches of Krishna. The celebrations were followed by the distribution of sweets and fruits.

Jai Ram, a priest, explained that Hindus had been celebrating Janmashtami for more than 5,000 years. “The festival gave us the message to stand for truth.” He said lord Krishna always stood up for the truth and the festival symbolised the victory of good over the evil.

Jaq Mohan Arora told Dawn that the festival started on Friday and ended on Sunday night with special prayers. The Hindus also kept fast for 24 hours before the final day.

He said lord Krishna was the incarnation of truth, awareness, love and peace. He said that there was a dire need to spread the message of love and peace in the world.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: After continuous crackdowns on sellers of unhygienic meat in Punjab and rumours that meat of dead animals was also being sold in the province, the Islamabad capital territory administration has started considering amending the food act.

Moreover, the absence of a slaughterhouse in Islamabad has increased the possibility of unhygienic and even Haram meat being sold in the city.

It is pertinent to mention that for the last few weeks crackdowns have been launched in Punjab after reports that meat of dead animals was being sold by butchers in the province. There were also reports that meat of donkeys was sold in the butcher shops besides being used in some restaurants.

The ICT administration last week held a consultation to look into the matter. The consultation was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed and attended by officials of all the departments concerned.

Officials discuss enhancing punishment for those involved in sale of unhygienic meat

“The issue was taken up because a majority of the citizens are worried about it. On the other hand, the current food act envisages a minor punishment against those who are involved in the sale of unhygienic meat,” Mr Mushtaq told Dawn.

At the moment, there is just three months’ punishment or a fine of a few hundred rupees or both for anyone found selling unhygienic meat, he said.

Another important matter discussed during the consultation was that the federal capital has no slaughterhouse due to which meat is supplied to the city from outside, he said.

“Mostly meat is brought to Islamabad from Rawat or Sihala so during the consultation it was decided to toughen the mechanism to check butchers from selling unhygienic meat,” he said.

In reply to a question, the DC said there was a need to amend the food law and increase the punishment and make it a non-bailable offence.

“However, the amendment to the law cannot be carried out in a single day. It is a time-consuming exercise and after drafting the law it has to be sent to the ministry of law for a review,” he said.

After getting the clearance from the ministry, the law can be promulgated through a presidential ordinance, he said.

“Besides the meat of Haram animals, the sale of unhygienic meat is also a big issue for us because it can be injurious for health. We are working on it and will hold another consultation within a week to finalise a strategy,” he said.

When contacted, healthy expert Dr Javed Akram said in Pakistan 90 per cent of gastro diseases were caused by unhygienic food and water.

“Unhygienic meat can become a reason for as many as 38 diseases, including liver disorders. Animals die from different diseases and their meat becomes infected,” he said.

Moreover, after slaughtering animals their meat is kept in such a condition that it becomes unhygienic. There are unregistered slaughterhouses which are never checked. There should be registered slaughterhouses and proper inspection should be ensured, he said.

Naeem Ahmed, a resident of the federal capital, said because of the continuous reports in the electronic media about the sale of meat of dead animals and donkeys, his wife had stopped cooking mutton and beef.

He said the government should ensure that only hygienic and properly slaughtered meat is sold in the market. Moreover, the capital city should have its own slaughterhouse, he said.

It may be mentioned that in 2010 the Capital Development Authority (CDA) decided to establish a slaughterhouse in Sector H-9 but the project could not be completed.

When contacted, CDA spokesman Ramzan Sajid said though work on the project was going on, some citizens approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) terming it not environment friendly.

“We have been trying to resolve the issue through negotiations and assuring the citizens that the project would not affect people’s health,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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BAHAWALPUR: A boy was allegedly gang raped on Saturday night in Satellite Town, while the suspects also took pictures of the act on their mobile phones.

According to police sources, a student of class eight was taken from his house by a friend on the pretext of playing together. He was then taken to a house where four men allegedly raped him and when the boy’s condition deteriorated, they let him go.

The sources said when the boy reached home his father noticed his condition. On questioning, he told his family about the incident at the hands of his friend and others. The boy’s uncle contacted police and on his complaint the Baghdadul Jadid police registered a case and claimed to have arrested the four suspects, including the friend who had taken the boy along.

According to the district police officer’s public relations officer, Jam Sajjad, 11 people were involved in the incident and seven were yet to be arrested.

He told Dawn a complaint had been registered on the application of the boy’s uncle of village 7/BC and the case was being investigated.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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CHINIOT: All the 1,341 acres of forest land in Baela Chak Sarkar and Baela Mangeeni have been lying barren for decades while efforts for afforestation made on hundreds of acres bore no results due to lack of funds for irrigation and negligence of the forest department.

The land includes 856 acres of Baela Chak Sarkar and 485 acres in Baela Mangeeni along the River Chenab.

During the British era, there was natural forest spread over the area but along with increase in population, the tree theft started and all the trees were felled illegally by local communities.

Efforts were made a couple of times to afforest the land but in vain. In 1995, the then Range Forest Officer Tajammal Chughtai made afforestation on 100 acres of Baela Mangeeni and the electricity poles, transmission wires, transformers were purchased by the forest department for its tubewells for the first time.

But soon after Chughtai’s transfer a couple of years later, not only the tubewells and electricity installations were stolen but non-provision of budget for irrigation resulted in drying out of thousands of plants.

In year 2004-05, some area was afforested but the planted saplings died due to lack of irrigation caused by the absence of funds. Since then, the land has been lying barren and weeds are growing there while at a number of places the locals occupied the land by cultivating crops.

Range Forest Officer Waqas Shah told Dawn the forest department had not sanctioned budget for new afforestation in the last one decade. He said the employees who had neglected their duty and who were behind the drying out of plants in the past decades were either dismissed from service or the recoveries were imposed on them.

Jhang Divisional Forest Officer Abdul Razzaq said the forest department had not sanctioned any new budget for afforestation in the last decade except for the Chief Minister’s Mass Afforestation project some two years ago for Shorkot tehsil in Jhang district where saplings were planted 262 acres of land. But this afforestation was also facing drying out due to lack of funds for irrigation and opposition of the irrigation department to provide water from its canal, he said.

Mr Razzaq said the new plants needed water badly and two canals were passing along the Baela Shorkot from which the irrigation water was sought for the forest. The Irrigation department sent the request to high-ups for approval which was still being awaited.

The forest department had arranged the water from canal for the new plants and also paid Abiana (water tax) of Rs700,000 to the department, he said, adding that the irrigation department officials got infuriated and lodged seven FIRs of water theft against the forest department officials. In such circumstances, how could the new forest be sustained, he asked.

Haroon Malik, president of the Shaheen Welfare Society, said they had applied to the forest department for the Agro Forestry under the public-private partnership which could result in raising the forest with no cost of the department but it was yet to be approved.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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RAHIM YAR KHAN: Ceremonies to mark the golden jubilee of the Defence Day and Youm-i-Shuhada (martyrs’ day) were held in Punjab on Sunday.

Rahim Yar Khan’s Bahadur Cantonment event was dedicate to the soldiers’ who laid down their lives during 1965 war and fighting against militants in Zarb-i-Azab and other operations against militants.

On the occasion, Brig Khurram Nawaz Khan, the Station Commander of 60th Brigade highlighted the significance of sacrifices rendered by the soldiers and officers of the country’s armed forces for the defence of motherland.

Schoolchildren of Army Public School sang national songs at the event that was attended by families and relatives of martyrs, civil and military officers and other guests.

BAHAWALPUR: A large number of families turned up on Sunday at an exhibition of armaments organised in the cantonment to mark 50th anniversary of the 1965 war between India and Pakistan.

The exhibition, inaugurated by Corps Commander Lt Gen Javed Iqbal, was opened for public after 1pm. It attracted a large number of people, including women and children. Visitors were also informed about functioning of each weapon displayed at the exhibition.

Earlier, Lt Gen Iqbal laid a floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument at a ceremony in the cantonment and offered fateha. He was joined by personnel of army, civil and police bureaucracy, relatives and families of slain soldiers, students and the media.

This was followed by laying of wreaths at the monument by families of the martyrs. Each of the relatives was given a floral wreath by an army contingent.

The corps commander in his address paid tribute to all those who laid their lives for the country from 1945 to 2015 as well as their families.

Students from various schools, colleges and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur presented national songs.

SARGODHA: The Pakistan army has been fighting terrorism for the last 13 years and succeeded to combat this menace with the active support of public, says Station Commander Brig Sajid Akram.

At a flag-hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 1965 war, he said: “We have restored peace in Fata and now fight is going on in Shawal.”

He paid a tribute to the police, Rangers and all law-enforcement agencies for making Pakistan peaceful.

Earlier, the TMA administrator presented welcome address and highlighted the bravery of citizens of Sargodha who had been honoured in recognition of their support against Indian aggression and support for the armed forces during the war.

The commissioner inaugurated an exhibition of photographs depicting war scenes.

GUJRANWALA: The Defence Day was observed with enthusiasm at Gujranwala Cantt on Sunday.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Yadgar-i-Shuhada (Nishan-e-Manzil) to pay homage to the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces personnel during the 1965 war.

Gujranwala Corps Commander Lt Gen Ghayur Mahmood laid floral wreaths at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada and offered prayers for the martyrs.

A contingent of soldiers presented salute to pay homage to sacrifices rendered by the soldiers during the war against India and miscreants in different parts of country.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Mahmood said the army was committed to defend the country at all costs. He said Defence Day marked the resolve, will and determination of the army and the people.

Martyrs’ families, war veterans and serving/ army men were present.

KASUR: Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said the rulers ought to press India to grant right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir.

Talking to a huge gathering of people on Defence Day, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had confessed during his visit to Bangladesh that India hatched a conspiracy to disintegrate Pakistan. He said India would get a befitting response to any aggression.

The party workers and police ensured security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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