Egypt confirms 183 death sentences, including Islamist chief

MINYA: An Egyptian court on Saturday confirmed death sentences for 183 Islamists, including Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie, a prosecutor said, after a speedy mass trial that sparked an international outcry.

The court in the central city of Minya had initially sentenced 683 people to death, but on Saturday it commuted death sentences of four to life in prison, including two women, and acquitted 496 other defendants.

Since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July last year, hundreds of his supporters and Badie himself have been sentenced to death in trials criticised by Egyptian and global human rights bodies.

Those sentenced on Saturday, in a session that lasted about 15 minutes, were accused of involvement in the murder and attempted murder of policemen in Minya province on August 14, the day police killed hundreds of Morsi supporters during clashes in Cairo.

Saturday´s sentencings came after the court´s initial ruling was referred to Egypt´s top Islamic scholar as required under the country´s law.

In March, the same court presided by judge Said Youssef Sabry had reduced 492 of 529 death sentences to life in prison.

 

Need to rid country of terrorism: Army chief

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Monday terrorism in Pakistan needs to be eliminated.

General Sharif visited the National Defence University and addressed participants of the National Security and War Course. According to an ISPR press release, the army chief’s address focused on the internal and external situation of the country with particular reference to the ongoing operation in North Waziristan.

The army chief emphasised that the operation is aimed to eliminate all terrorists and their sanctuaries in North Waziristan and ‘get rid of the menace of terrorism.’

Upon his arrival at the National Defence University, General Raheel Sharif was received by President National Defence University Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal.

 

President, PM, army chief pay tributes to armed forces

 

KARACHI: Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have paid tributes to the armed forces for successfully foiling the terror bid on the Karachi airport through a well-coordinated operation.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said security forces protected the national assets with great courage and valour. The prime minister talked to Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan and directed him to proceed to Karachi and hold meetings with officials of Rangers, army, police and the Civil Aviation.


The PM said security forces protected the national assets with great courage and valour.Gen Raheel Sharif paid rich tributes to all martyred and the injured for their supreme sacrifices. He directed the DG Rangers and corps commander Karachi to take stringent action against the terrorists.


Taking notice of the attack at the Karachi airport, the army chief spoke to the Karachi corps commander and DG Rangers on phone and asked them to monitor the operation. Gen Sharif said, “I salute all the troops who took part in this undefeated the troops who took part in this undefeated counter-terrorism operation.”


Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan People’s Party, has appreciated Inspector General of Police, Director General Rangers and Corps Commander Karachi for personally commanding their forces in the operation against the terrorists who attacked Karachi airport.


“Let us salute the members of law enforcing agencies and armed forces for display of bravery during their engagements with the ruthless and blood-thirsty terrorists armed with heavy weapons and suicidal vests,” he added.


Bilawal also praised Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah for personally monitoring the situation on the site and encouraging the morale of the law enforcers fighting the terrorist gang.He also paid rich tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives for protection of the citizens, passengers and others adding nation takes pride in having such brave martyrs and salutes them.


Talking to media persons, DG Sindh Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhtar said the terrorists had come in two groups and they gained access to the terminal through the Cargo gate and Fokker gate.


He said no aircraft was damaged in the attack and all sensitive installations remained safe.At least 18 people including thirteen security personnel have been martyred and ten terrorists killed in an operation to clear Old Terminal of Karachi Airport from terrorists.


The terrorists attacked the airport after 11:00pm on Sunday with grenades and automatic weapons and gained access to the old terminal, he said.Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and the other terrorist attack that targeted buses carrying Shia pilgrims in Balochistan.


“The government of Afghanistan believes that the continuation of such attacks is a testament to the fact that our region is facing a rising insecurity. We all must, therefore, have recognized by now that the use of extremism and violence as a tool serves no one’s interest,” Karzai office said.


“Having suffered so much from such acts of violence imposed on them, the people of Afghanistan once again call on Pakistan to sincerely cooperate in the elimination of this evil scourge to which the people of Pakistan are also unfortunately falling victim today, so that the region can achieve peace and prosperity.”


He said Afghanistan stresses once again on the need for an effective cooperation between the two countries, and believes that without comprehensive cooperation to fight terrorism and an end to the use of extremism as a tool, the region won’t be able to achieve stability, peace and prosperity.


Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced monetary compensation for the victims of Karachi airport attack.He has announced Rs2 million for each martyred Rangers personnel and Rs1 million for each martyr of police and Airport Security Force (ASF). Each injured will get Rs100,000.


Ansar Burney Trust International Chairman Ansar Burney has condemned terrorist attack on Karachi airport and appreciated the great role of armed forces in foiling the terror bid. He said terrorist group TTP has claimed responsibility of Karachi airport attack.


“Attack on Pakistan army personnel is an attack on us, our homes, country and nation. Now may I request my nation that this is the right time to stand with Pakistan Army,” he said. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has said that involvement of foreign hands in Karachi Airport attack could not be ruled out.


He said the militants launched the attack to paralyze Pakistan. He claimed that those who planned and funded the attack didn’t belong to Pakistan. Paying tributes to armed forces at a press conference here on Monday, the minister said that terrorists will be dealt with the same fashion.


He said Jinnah International Airport had started functioning after being cleared of militants.Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attack of terrorists on Jinnah International Airport Karachi and paid tributes to the security forces over their successful operation against the saboteurs.


He said that Jawans of security forces have foiled the evil designs of terrorists by laying down their lives and safeguarded national assets through their courage and bravery. He said that security personnel have achieved martyrdom and the whole nation is proud of them.


He said that the Jawans of security forces have set a noble example of courage and valor by laying down their lives in the line of duty and their sacrifices will never go waste. He said that attack on Karachi airport is highly deplorable. He prayed for the early recovery of the injured security officials.


Former President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned terrorist attacks on Karachi airport and Taftan.He said there are no strong words for condemnation of this series of heinous attacks in which our brave soldiers and innocent civilians have been martyred and injured.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has said that theinvolvement of foreign hands in the Karachi Airport attack could not be ruled out. He said the militants launched the attack to paralyse Pakistan. He claimed that those who planned and funded the attack didn’t belong to Pakistan.

Paying tributes to the armed forces at a press conference here onMonday, theminister said that terrorists will be dealt with in the same fashion. He said the Jinnah International Airport had started functioning after being cleared of militants.—Agencies

IHC summons Pemra’s acting chief on June 9

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s acting chairman on June 9 over a plea of a private member of the authority.

Mian Shams, the private member, filed a petition with the IHC, calling the Pemra’s Friday meeting a violation of the court orders. The authority, in a meeting attended by only government members, on Friday suspended the licence of the Geo News for 15 days and imposed a fine of Rs 10 million over a complaint of the defence ministry.

Pemra member Israr Abbasi, after announcement of the decision, said the government had interfered in the functioning of the authority. He said the Pemra members were intimidated, adding that the decision would be challenged in the court. He called the Pemra meeting held on Friday illegal.

Ex-CIA station chief be booked for murder: IHC

 

ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the Secretariat Police Station to register a murder case against former CIA station chief in Islamabad Jonathan Banks and former CIA General Counsel John A Rizzo in the matter pertaining to Kareem Khan, a resident of North Waziristan Agency (NWA), after his brother and a son died in a drone strike in 2009.
While hearing the matter, Justice Siddiqui inquired the Secretariat Police Station SHO whether any cognizable offence was committed or not. The SHO said that the offence was cognizable but it was not in the territorial jurisdiction of Islamabad Police.

Justice Siddiqui then said, “If a cognizable offence was committed, you must act as per law,” and disposed of the matter.Kareem Khan, a resident of North Waziristan Agency, had lost his teenage son Zahinullah and a brother Asif Iqbal who was a primary school teacher in Mir Ali, in a drone strike on December 31, 2009. While proceeding in this matter, Kareem Khan also remained missing for 10 days after he was allegedly picked up by the security agencies on February 5, 2014 from Rawalpindi when he was goingto narrate his woes before the European Parliament on February 15.

Kareem Khan, a native of Machi Khel, Mir Ali, North Waziristan, had filed an application for FIR with the Secretariat Police Station in 2010.The Secretariat Police refused to lodge the FIR and Kareem Khan then filed a case under Section 22-A with the civil court of Islamabad while praying that the police might be directed to register the FIR.

A civil judge of Islamabad dismissed the application in December 2013 citing lack of jurisdiction as the reason. The civil judge had observed that the attack was carried out in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) of Pakistan and hence the Islamabad court could not assume jurisdiction in this matter.

The petitioner then filed an appeal with the IHC and the same court while hearing in the matter on February 10, 2014 referred the matter to civil judge once again. But the civil judge refused to issue an order in favour of Kareem Khan citing lack of jurisdiction.

Kareem Khan then filed an appeal before the IHC that was heard on Thursday with directions to register cases against Jonathan Banks and John A Rizzo.Mirza Shahzad Akbar, advocate, represented Khan in the court and argued that the drone strike was carried out in North Waziristan but the FIR could not be registered as the CIA station chief was based in Islamabad. He further argued that the decision of civil judge dismissing the application on account of territorial jurisdiction was misconceived while under the Pakistani law, the FIR could be registered.

After the court’s decision, Akbar through a press release said, “There is no doubt under Pakistani and international law that the US officials are committing murder through drone strikes in Pakistan and today’s decision simply vindicates this very point as after this order, all those who have been killed in drone strikes have a right to proceed in similar criminal actions against the CIA officials and others involved. This remarkable order also highlights the strength of independence of judiciary in Pakistan which is truly protecting the rights of citizens of Pakistan under the Constitution”.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain to undergo angiography

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain will undergo an angiography procedure today (Thursday) at a private hospital in London on Thursday (today).

The MQM chief has been admitted at a London hospital after he was arrested by Scotland Yard on suspicion of money laundering on Tuesday.

On Wednesday night, the MQM chief was allowed by Scotland Yard to make a call to the International Secretariat and called on workers to remain peaceful.

MQM and hospital sources confirmed that Altaf Hussain underwent at least half a dozen tests on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commission said on Wednesday that Acting High Commissioner Imran Mirza had written to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) seeking consular access to Altaf Hussain. It was said that Pakistan High Commission had written to the FCO on advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“We can confirm that we have received a diplomatic note from the Pakistani High Commission and have passed it on to the relevant authorities. It’s for the relevant authorities to make a decision on this,” FCO spokesperson said.

Governor Sindh Ishrat Ibaad also called Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner Imran Mirza and asked about Pakistan’s consular access request to the FCO. Mr Mirza assured the governor that every effort was being made to ensure that counsellor access is provided to the MQM chief.

Media house can't rig elections: FAFEN chief

KARACHI: Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) chief Mudassar Rizvi said that only those who have the power and authority could rig elections, media couldn’t do it.

Briefing journalists about election reforms at the Karachi Press Club, FAFEN chief, Syed Mudassar Rizvi and FAFEN member Sarwar Bari urged upon the political parties to immediately start debating over the issue in a bid to give a collective shape to the scattered electoral laws and facilitating the holding of transparent elections.

He said that all the members of the Election Commission should be appointed for one year and besides including two females, the tribal areas and Islamabad should also be given representation in the Commission.

He further said that the Election Commission should have the legal justification for all of its actions and should have not only the power and authority to issue directives to the administration, but to punish those failing to comply.

Syed Mudassar Rizvi said that the biometric system should be tested, but its enforcement at this point of time would not be wise.

Responding to a question relating to the allegation of a media house rigged elections, Syed Mudassar Rizvi said that only those who have the power and authority could rig elections, a media house couldn’t do it.

Army Chief embarks on official visit to China

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif left here for China on Monday on an official visit at the invitation of Chinese authorities.

According to a press release of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), during the visit, the COAS will call on China’s political and military leadership. The interaction will encompass Pak-China relations with particular emphasis on defence and security cooperation.

Earlier, the Army Chief was seen off at Nur Khan Air Base by senior military officials.

Sethi had nothing to do with selling PCB rights: Imran hospital audit body chief

 

LONDON: The former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) adviser Ehsan Mani has said that Najam Sethi, ex-PCB chairman, had nothing to do with the bidding procedures or sports rights for the cricket series against Sri Lanka.
Geo TV’s detractors and Najam Sethi’s critics, without presenting any evidence, have alleged that Sethi, who hosts one of the most watched current affairs shows on Geo called ‘Aapas Ki Baat’, may have helped Geo Super get the sporting rights for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series held in the United Arab Emirates last year.

But in an exclusive interview over phone with this correspondent from France, Ehsan Mani, who was the head of the PCB committee that approved the Geo Sports’ bid for the Sri Lanka/South Africa series, expressed shock that such baseless allegations were aired without giving any thought to the facts.

Ehsan Mani is a board member of Imran Khan’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and a friend of Imran Khan — who has led the campaign of allegations against the Jang and Geo Group, accusing the group of being involved in election rigging and winning favours from Nawaz Sharif — but Mani said he was astonished that such allegations were being made knowingly by some whose aim was to malign rather than to do anything good.

But the stern rebuttal by Ehsan Mani will come as a shock to Imran Khan who faces court cases from Jang and Geo over these allegations.

Ehsan Mani clarified: “The committee that I headed comprised Justice Shabbar Rizvi, an ex-Lahore High Court judge, Ahmed Hussain and a lawyer. It had three PCB management members Subhan Ahmed, COO, Badar Khan, CFO, and Salman Naseer, PCB’s internal legal adviser. It has had an ex-PCB Board member Bughio, a close aide of Zaka Ashraf.

“It was on my request that renowned accounting firmErnst & Young was taken on board to oversee all the process and to ensure that the whole bidding process was independent and transparent. The aim was to ensure transparency so that no bidder should be given undue advantage. Ernst and Young made the final report with recommendations and sent it to the PCB.”

Ehsan Mani said that the highest bidders were Ten Sports and Geo and they were recommended on the basis of the merit of their bids, the highest amounts they put down to win these rights. “Najam Sethi wasn’t involved at any stage. He had nothing to do with the bidding at any of the stages. There was only one PCB representative Bughio who sat in the meeting as an observer. Najam Sethi didn’t have any influence at any stage. There was no pressure, corruption or manipulation. Everything was independent and the bid was open, negotiations were opened and on board. Everything was on record and minutes were taken down.”

After the bids were received, Mani said, the committee only recommended to the PCB board that the South African series shall go to Ten Sports and the rights for Sri Lanka shall go to Geo Super. “We had no power other than to make recommendations. The PCB governing body finalised the decision. There was no interference at all at any level, there’s no question of any pressure. It was not possible. The highest bidder won and it’s simple. The terms and conditions were provided in writing in advance to all the parties involved.”

Ehsan Mani refused to disclose how much money was offered by Geo Super and Ten Sports because it was “confidential” but he stressed that the rights were won by the highest and the most competitive bidders. “There is no doubt about that. This is all on the record. Ernst & Young witnessed the negotiations and recorded everything. Their report was confidential and private which we didn’t see. Everyone involved was satisfied with the procedures and no objections were raised.”

When asked if the chairman PCB could manipulate at any stage using his powers, Ehsan Mani said that the process of establishing committees was such that the chairman couldn’t do anything. “The PCB chairman cannot manipulate. When I was approached to be a part of this committee, I said I will help.”

Mani said that he has been helping the Pakistan cricket since 1992 and had been involved in many deals and at various stages. “My only condition was that this committee will be independent and the PCB chairman will not be involved. The committee was completely independent and any involvement from any quarter was out of the question. I had done the ICC deal for $500 million in 2000. In 2006 and 2007, I was asked again by the ICC to help with their rights and one of the deals was done for $1.1 billion. When my reputation is so high and I am trusted so much, then why would I do anything untoward?”

When asked again if Najam Sethi had anything to do with the bidding process, Ehsan Mani said that Najam Sethi had no involvement. “Najam Sethi had absolutely no involvement. He couldn’t have done that. We followed a transparent procedure. No bidder knew who was offering what amount. No one knew what was on board. We wanted maximum money. We wanted maximum money for the PCB and that was our aim. Those who failed our targets failed to get the rights. All bidders were there and they knew what was going on.”

Ehsan Mani’s interview has proved the allegation leveled by Imran Khan, Mubashir Luqman and several TV channels as a complete lie. Several channels, particularly ARY, were alleging that Sethi favoured Geo in getting the cricket rights. Imran Khan leveled this allegation in his several TV interviews. He particularly attended Mubashir Luqman’s programme at ARY and repeatedly leveled this baseless allegation.

The Jang Group’s response to this allegation was present at its website, parts of social media and even published several times in newspapers, but no anchorperson ever asked any question from Imran Khan about the role and stand of Ehsan Mani, who is the chairman of the audit committee of Shaukat Khanum Hospital.

As Imran’s allegation has been proven a lie, the lawyers community in the UK is discussing what would be the worth of Imran’s other allegations against the Geo and Jang Group. They think Imran, who enjoys respect in the UK, will face embarrassment on failure to prove his charges against the Geo/Jang Group in the UK courts.

Jang Group boycott by PTI chief a bid to fool nation: PPP leader

LAHORE: Hyder Zaman Qureshi — senior vice-president of PPP south Punjab — said the press conference by PTI chief Imran Khan in which he announced a complete boycott of Geo News and Jang Group after one year of the general elections was another gimmick to fool the nation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Qureshi said the abrupt position vis-a-vis a media group and the former CJP almost a year after the general elections was shocking and equally disturbing to say the least as it raised many questions for the PTI brigade to answer.

He asked what had happened that forced Imran Khan to blast and target a media group and the former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP). “Does Khan Sahib think the people of Pakistan are so naive and ill-informed or does he think he can play around with their perceived political immaturity or a memory lapse phenomena?”

He asked why it took Imran 12 months to finally realise and identify the real bad guys behind the alleged election rigging and the warehouse where the punctures were sorted out. “Did Khan not know this when he was all praise for the former CJP in Court Room No 1 and rendering an unconditional apology to the former CJP and when he had to eat his own words,” questioned the PPP leader.

Qureshi further asked if Khan had not spotted the so-called rigging nexus (Geo and the former CJP) when he used to praise the media group and its coverage and programming content and independence in dozens of media programmes, including ‘Capital Talk’.

Qureshi also questioned the timing of the sudden move and said Imran opted to speak against the Jang Group at a time when it was being targeted and involved in an unpleasant situation with the armed forces that mattered for all Pakistanis.

“Did Khan realise and formulate conclusively that the media group was the real engine of rigging and for creating perceptions in favour of the PML-N in winning the elections,” the PPP leader asked.

US military intelligence chief stepping down

WASHINGTON: The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency and his deputy will step down later this year, officials said Wednesday, but denied reports they were being forced out.

Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who had served as director of the DIA since July 2012, and deputy David Shedd, said in a joint memo to employees that "they will depart the agency and retire by early Fall 2014," according to an agency statement.

Their "retirements have been planned for some time," said Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby in an email.

Flynn played a key role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving under General Stanley McChrystal as part of US efforts to dismantle insurgent networks through raids by special operations forces.

But The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, said Flynn was being pushed out of office after disagreements with other senior figures, including Michael Vickers, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and a former CIA officer.

The DIA is undergoing dramatic changes under a plan to deploy more spies in the field, and Flynn´s efforts to speed up the transformation proved "disruptive," according to his critics, the Post reported.

US defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, rejected the report and said Flynn and Shedd both had planned to retire for a number of months.

The intelligence agency´s statement said the pair had led a "transformation" that "helped reshape DIA culture," allowing "the agency to nimbly respond to recent crises without having to create special task forces or move people.

"Flynn´s successor has not been announced but the Post said it would likely be Lieutenant General Mary Legere, who would be the first female officer to lead the agency if nominated and confirmed by lawmakers.

Top tribal chief of NWA, driver, bodyguard killed

 

MIRANSHAH: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a prominent tribal elder, designated by the government as the chief of North Waziristan, along with his driver and a bodyguard in Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency, on Thursday.
A senior government official said Malik Qadir Khan was on his way home in a car when armed men opened fire on them near the Chashma Pul.It is the same place where a senior local journalist Malik Mumtaz Khan was killed by unidentified people two years ago.

Malik Qadir Khan belonged to the Madakhel tribe. He was among the leading tribal elders and someone who tried to maintain peace in North Waziristan. He was the head of the tribal Jirga constituted by Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s JUI-F to promote peace talks with the militants. However, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif didn’t use the services of the tribal Jirga much to the annoyance of Maulana Fazlur Rahman.

Due to security concerns and following the targeted killing of tribal elders, Malik Qadir Khan had shifted his family from his native North Waziristan to Lakki Marwat district in the southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province a few years ago.

Most of his tribe continued to live in North Waziristan, a volatile tribal region where local and foreign militants are active.“He used to come to Waziristan to help settle local disputes and would return home after spending some time,” the government official said. Pleading anonymity, he said the three men died on the spot.

A local elder said the killing of the noted tribal elder, Malik Qadir Khan, had contributed to the concerns of the people in North Waziristan. “He was widely respected and had no enmity. We don’t know who would have done it,” he said.The government had given Malik Qadir Khan the status of the chief of Waziristan as he wielded considerable influence among the tribes.

Pervez Rashid terms army chief remarks on media as positive

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rashid has termed Army Chief’s remarks about media as positive.

In his brief media talk after the Youme-Shuhda ceremony at the General Headquarters, the minister said that there should not be any ambiguity after the speech of Chief of the Army Staff.

Talking to Geo News, Defence Secretary Yasin Malik said that the army chief expressed positive views abut media and media should also adopt a positive behavior.

BISP chief may quit after rift with secretary

ISLAMABAD: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairman Anwar Baig is likely to tender his resignation within a couple of days after severe administration crisis in multi-billion project, ‘The News’ has learnt reliably.

According to sources privy to Mr Baig, the powerful secretary of BISP has taken over the affairs of the multi-billion programme asking the junior staff not to engage with the chairman.Sources said the rift between the two top officials has jeopardized the future of 5.5 million families benefiting from Rs70 billion poverty alleviation programme.

This situation has put the entire BISP staff in a dilemma whether to follow the orders of the influential secretary or the chairman who was appointed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.Sources said no policy decision had been taken regarding the crucial affairs related to BISP for the last few weeks owing to complete breakdown of communication between the chairman and the secretary.

Sources said the foreign donors were also concerned over the internal crisis in the mega project.BISP is a flagship poverty alleviation programme which is partially funded by the international donors. An amount of Rs70 billion had been allocated for the programme for the financial year 2012-13 to provide cash assistance to 5.5 million families, which constitutes almost 18 percent of the entire population. The programme is aimed at covering almost 40 percent of the population below the poverty line.

The rift started when BISP Secretary Rab Nawaz made a payment of Rs2.6 million to an NGO owned by a US-national without approval of the scrutiny committee just a few days after assuming his post. The company chairman, however, said it was a Pakistani company registered with SECP and it had nothing to do with US. He said the company accomplished its task of conducting spot checking and holding surveys in 66 districts of the country and its work was approved by BISP but the payment of over Rs 220 million was pending since last June 2013 because of ongoing infighting in BISP.

The powerful secretary had also immediately removed an honest internal auditor who had unearthed the corruption of Rs150 million in award of a consultancy contract worth Rs2.63 billion.

The BISP chairman took strict notice of the irregularities and sought explanation from Rab Nawaz. However instead of giving any explanation, Rab Nawaz ordered the entire BISP staff not to engage with the chairman.

When contacted, BISP Chairman Enver Baig confirmed the rift and said he would request the prime minister to intervene for the future of 5.5 million families who are living below the poverty line.

The matter even came to the attention of Parliament where three ruling party MNAs and one legislator of Muttahida Quomi Movement (MQM) moved separate calling attention notices. However even the parliamentary notice could not improve the situation in BISP as sources said the secretary is backed by a group of very influential bureaucrats and a powerful cabinet member who are supporting the secretary despite his tainted past.

Sources said the issue had become a test case for the prime minister who would have to decide soon whether to allow Grade-20 bureaucrats to run the affairs of the government or let the politicians control their respective departments and be answerable for their performance.

Sources said the incumbent BISP secretary was removed twice by the PML-N’s Punjab government for dismal performance and negligence.

First he was removed from the post of the Punjab Irrigation and Power Secretary after he was found guilty of negligence during devastating floods of 2010 by a judicial commission constituted by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The commission had not only recommended immediate removal of Rab Nawaz from the post but also asked for inquiry against him after he was found responsible for loss of hundreds of lives and of property worth tens of billions of rupees.

The report of the commission concluded that the officer had failed to meet the monumental challenge of two floods in the River Indus during the 2010 monsoon, causing widespread devastation. But the officer of the powerful District Management Group again managed to get the prize posting in the province as secretary energy. However, he could not satisfy the fast-paced chief minister with his performance in the energy sector and was subsequently removed for failing to initiate any new power project in the province.

Despite repeated calls and messages on his mobile phone for last five days, Rab Nawaz did not respond to The News for his version.However talking to this correspondent earlier this month, the BISP secretary denied committing any irregularity. He said the payment of Rs2.7 million was released on merit. He said the service provider had submitted his bill six months ago but the scrutiny committee never met nor examined his case.

“So I asked the service provider to hold a presentation in the presence of the committee members and when no one objected to the performance of the said service provider, I directed them to release the payment,” he said.

Referring to the transfer of the internal auditor, Rab Nawaz said the officer had completed his five-year tenure so he was transferred. He also claimed that there were certain audit paras against him.

The secretary added that he was asked to work in BISP on the basis of his past experience with poverty reduction programmes in Pakistan and abroad and with foreign funding agencies.When asked about the reports that he was removed twice in Punjab over poor performance, Rab Nawaz denied these reports and said that it was a matter of official record if someone would bother to check. And as far his integrity and repute was concerned, that could easily be verified from anyone in the offices he previously served.

He was asked about the reports that the Flood Enquiry Tribunal had held him responsible for poor management of the flood, he replied that Punjab government had not agreed to the commission’s findings and therefore, no action was initiated against him.

About the institutional issues in BISP, the secretary said that no proper rules had been framed in BISP to define the roles and guide the work of various offices. Once the rules were framed, there would be no issue in proper working of BISP, he said.

Basit Ali named PCB Junior chief selector

 

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Monday named former Test batsman Basit Ali as the head of a four-member Junior Selection Committee.

Former Test opener Ali Naqvi, former Test left-arm spinner Farrukh Zaman and Ali Zia of National Cricket Academy Lahore are the members of the selection committee.

Talking to reporters at the National Stadium before supervising Karachi Region Under-19 trials, he said it was a big responsibility and challenge for him.

Basit thanked PCB Chairman Najam Sethi for appointing him as junior chief selector and expressed the hope that he will try to fulfill his job to best of his abilities.

He said cricket had always been his love and priority and he was looking forward to give the country best junior talent available. Spotting talent and pure merit will be his main focus, he commented. (APP)

Indian SC refuses Srinivasan return as BCCI chief

NEW DELHI: India's Supreme Court has refused to reinstate the suspended Narainswami Srinivasan after he requested to return as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The court on Wednesday asked the BCCI to share its plans of investigation into corruption in the Indian Premier League during a hearing next Tuesday.

The court last month ordered a reluctant Srinivasan to step aside until the investigation was finished.

Srinivasan´s son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, was among those found guilty in a report submitted to the Supreme Court, and indicted in February.

The court appointed test great Sunil Gavaskar as interim president for the duration of the IPL, which was due to begin late Wednesday. (AP)

Waqar likely to be head coach, Moin chief selector or manager

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again started looking for suitable candidates for the head coach and chief selector of the national team, following Rashid Latif’s refusal, Geo News reported on Sunday.

Sources said that the PCB has made contacts with the fast bowler Waqar Yunus for head coach and Moin Khan for chief selector.

The destiny seems to be favouring both Moin Khan and PCB chairman, as their one contract ends, the other starts. But in a very short time Moin Khan has proved his worth in every position that he held thus far. NO wonder that after having served as head coach and team manager, he has emerged as a strong candidate for the chief selector slot also.


Following Rashid Latif’s excuse from assuming the charge of chief selector, PCB now considering Moin Khan for the posts of chief selector or manger of the team.

On the other hand, fast bowler Waqar Yunus likely to be offered head coach slot.

PCB has already approached both the former captains, but the final decision in this regard yet to be taken, sources said.

US defence chief to visit China's first aircraft carrier

TOKYO: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected to get a rare tour Monday of China´s first aircraft carrier, becoming the first foreign visitor to go aboard the ship.

A senior defense official said Hagel requested the visit, which comes a day after he told reporters that China must better respect its neighbors — a pointed allusion to Beijing´s ongoing territorial dispute with Japan and others over remote islands in the East China Sea. He also has continued to urge Beijing to be more transparent about its expanding military.

China spent a decade refurbishing the derelict Soviet-era carrier bought from Ukraine before commissioning it as the Liaoning in 2012. It moved to Qingdao in February 2013 and is part of a major expansion of the Chinese navy that includes sophisticated new surface ships and submarines.

Early this year the Liaoning completed sea trials in the South China Sea. The official Xinhua News Agency said the carrier tested its combat system, conducted a formation practice and "attained the anticipated objectives.

"On Dec. 5, early in the Liaoning´s trial run, one of the Chinese ships accompanying it was involved in a near collision with a US Navy cruiser, the USS Cowpens, when it was operating in international waters in the South China Sea.

US Navy officials said the Cowpens maneuvered to avoid the collision, but it marked the two nations´ most serious sea confrontation in years. At the time, a Chinese media report said the U.S. ship got too close to the Liaoning.

Hagel is on a 10-day trip to the Asia Pacific region and was leaving Japan Monday to travel to China. He is scheduled to meet with senior Chinese leaders before traveling to Mongolia, then returning home.

Pakistan chief selector says picking seniors backfired

Latif, who took over as chief selector on Tuesday, said Pakistan´s decision to select too many senior players at the expense of youth had led to their downfall.

"Just like Australia failed in their plans of selecting senior players, Pakistan also fumbled because of selecting senior players," said the former captain and wicketkeeper.

He declined to name any players but speculation is likely to focus on keeper Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Shoaib Malik, both aged 32 and recalled to the tournament after long periods out of the side.

Akmal scored just 48 runs in four outings, performing only moderately behind the stumps, while Malik hit 52 runs in the tournament and was not given a chance to bowl.

Both were selected for their experience but could not prevent Pakistan from being shot out for a paltry 82 -- their second-lowest total ever -- in pursuit of 167 runs.

Latif also joined a chorus of ex-players decrying Pakistan´s batting in particular for once again letting them down on the big stage."West Indies were outstanding in their batting and Pakistan were shocking," he said.

"They won the match because of outstanding batting and we lost it because of our batsmen."

After being pinned down for the first 15 overs, Dwayne Bravo (46 off 26 balls) and skipper Darren Sammy (42 off 20) lifted the West Indies by smashing a whopping 82 runs in the last five overs to take their team´s total to 166-5. Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad was bowled for a duck on the first ball, and Pakistan thereafter never looked in the game.

Former batting great Javed Miandad termed the defeat insipid."Fans and former players can accept defeat but if you lose without putting up a good fight, like Pakistan did last night, it´s unacceptable," said Miandad.

"This is a fact that Pakistan do not have quality players in batting but the team was not as bad as it looked against the West Indies," said Miandad. "The way they were stumped off spinners was shameful."

Ex-batsman Mohammad Yousuf, renowned for his elegant technique during his playing days, blamed an inability to rotate the strike under pressure for the batting failure.

"Not a single batsman in the team has proper technique to deal with the spinners and hitting fours and sixes is not the only way to bat," he said.

Team coach Moin Khan, meanwhile, said Pakistan must address its flaws in batting before their series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates in October.

"We have a big five month gap in our next series so we need to improve on our batting in training camps," said Khan, who was appointed coach for the preceding Asia Cup and World Twenty20 only.

IB chief gets extension

 

ISLAMABAD: The Director General of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Aftab Sultan, who was to retire on reaching the age of superannuation on Wednesday, was asked by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to continue till the ‘reforms’ being introduced in the spy agency were implemented.
“Sultan is likely to serve for another year. He also had the option of getting three-year posts of the government,” a senior official told The News.He said that the extension was given as the officer had been working to the satisfaction of the prime minister. The IB’s main job is to assist the law enforcement agencies in counter-terrorism efforts.

The official said the IB was specifically contributing a lot in Karachi and the interior of Sindh in catching criminals and terrorists.The IB recently got a huge amount of funds from the government to replace its outdated equipment and gadgets. The surveillance tools of the IB became obsolete and outmoded long ago as they had not been upgraded after 1999, the official said.

He said that neither Pervez Musharraf nor the subsequent governments paid any attention to the poor state of the IB, which had affected its performance.The second major handicap the IB faced was the serious deficiency of manpower. To overcome it, the ban on recruitments in the IB was lifted by the prime minister some time back, and resultantly recruitments were made.

The official said the police could not get the requisite assistance unless the IB was sufficiently equipped with modern gadgetry and manpower.The IB played a key role in tracking down the attackers who struck the Sindh High Court judge Justice Maqbool Baqar and wounded him grievously. Besides, the agency is doing a comprehensive job in the anti-terror war.

At one time, the counter-terrorism duty was taken back from the IB but it was assigned to it again. Like most prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif is relying too much on the IB. While civilian rulers generally want to strengthen the IB, military dictators ignore it totally and pay more attention to the army or army-led spy agencies.