Cable operators offer lame excuse of security threat

 

ISLAMABAD: In response to the cable operators’ bogus excuses that they cannot show Geo because of security threats, a Jang Group spokesman has come up with a rejoinder.
The spokesman said it is a bogus excuse and a total lie. The incident in Sadiqabad was also totally stage-managed to create this excuse. No one threatens these cable operators when they show round-the-clock illegal Indian dances. No one threatens these cable operators when they show channels that have shown blasphemous content 60 times more than Geo.

The spokesman said as many as five channels also faced many court cases and police action in this regard but surprisingly, the cable operators do not receive threats for showing these channels. Even before Geo has shown it, two leading channels have already aired it many times.

The spokesman said a security threat was also raised as an excuse during the last government when cable operators suspended transmission of Geo News. The excuse of a security threat then was exposed as completely bogus when the Supreme Court of Pakistan told chairman Pemra that he could not leave the courtroom till the Geo News transmission was restored by cable operators all over the country. The result was that within three hours, Geo News’ transmission was restored all over the country.

The spokesman said cable operators, just like broadcasters, are operating on the basis of a licence that they have applied for and that Pemra has granted them. The basic term of the license is that no cable operator can itself suspend or disrupt transmission of a licensed channel unless Pemra directs it to do so. If a cable operator violates this term of licence, its licence is liable to be revoked. Even if security threat is accepted as genuine, this cannot be used as an excuse for a cable operator to violate the term of their licence by illegally suspending Geo’s transmission.

“What if a duly licensed mobile phone company suspends its mobile phone network for a week and uses security threat as an excuse when PTA wants to suspend its licence? What if a duly licensed commercial bank shuts down all its operations all over the country and uses security threat as an excuse when State Bank of Pakistan wants to suspend its licence? And what about our police that face life threat on a daily basis? Can police officers remain at home drawing the salaries on the pretext that they are facing security threats? And what about courts and honourable judges, especially those of lower courts, who are expected to try and convict dangerous criminals and terrorists?” the spokesman said.

He reminded that when Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Qazi Faiz Isa summoned journalists and editors of all the newspapers of Balochistan and questioned them as to why they were publishing versions of terrorists, who claimed responsibility of killing policemen. When publishers of those newspapers produced before him evidence of serious threat that they are facing in Balochistan, Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa gave them a long summon. He said that don’t publish any newspaper if you cannot face any threat. He said if security threat is accepted as a valid excuse to break the law then there will be anarchy all over the country. The chief justice also said that if security threat is valid then he and his fellow judges in Balochistan should stop hearing cases and dispensing justice just because their lives were threatened.

The spokesman said the cable operators have decided to do their business in Pakistan within the prevailing environment. They cannot pretend that they are working in some European country. Lawyers, judges, police etc. everyone is facing security threat in Pakistan these days. This does not exempt people to just violate their legal obligation and use security threat as an excuse.

He said Geo itself received a most direct and serious threat in writing from terrorists who wanted their version and their ideology to be properly broadcasted. “Just because it received the threat, can Geo broadcast TTP’s version when it is murdering and beheading our soldiers? Will its licence not be liable to be revoked? Can any channel in Pakistan start showing TTP’s version round the clock just because it is facing security threats?”

The spokesman further said even if the threat being faced by cable operators is genuine, then it has nothing to do between cable operation (the licensee) and Pemra (the licensor) for correct and legal position is if any cable operator violates terms of its licence, e.g. by keeping transmission of Geo suspended when Pemra has directed them to show it, its licence is liable to be revoked. If a cable operator is receiving life threat because of some business dispute or professional rivalry or from some extortionist or criminals or even because of showing any channel of Geo, it is a matter between cable operator and police. If they are facing any threat then they should seek help from police and pursue remedies through law enforcing agencies. Instead of the path provided under the law they cannot just suspend valid transmission of Geo and thus violate a direction of Pemra.

The spokesman said suspension of Geo News by Pemra ended two weeks ago and Pemra has never suspended Geo Kahani and Geo Tez. Despite this, Geo News is either not being shown in 80 per cent areas of Pakistan or it has been pushed to last channels where it is difficult/impossible for viewers to find. Geo Kahani and Geo Tez are also not being shown.

He said the cable operators are deliberately refusing to show channels of Geo because they are being threatened for showing channels of Geo.The federal government and Pemra have only two options. Either what cable operators are claiming is a lie in which case they must take action against them to restore transmission of all Geo channels. Or if the federal government and Pemra believe that the excuse of cable operators regarding security threat is genuine they must make a candid public admission of it:

“a. All cable operators are liable to show Geo channels;

b. 80 percent cable operators are not showing it because some hidden force is threatening all of them from doing so;

c. There is nothing that the federal government can do about it because it simply has no writ to do anything about the people who are threatening cable operators.”

After that, at least Geo can claim compensation for the government’s failure to fulfil its obligations.

On the cable operators excuse that they are showing Geo at last numbers because it is their discretion on which number to show it and also that number of TV channels that have been licensed by Pemra is far in excess of the capacity of TV sets owned by ordinary people, the spokesman reminded that in 2010, when hearing a petition of Geo, honourable Supreme Court set up a one-member media commission to look, among other things, into the issue of shuffling and placement of channels. According to the commission report, cable operators are constitutionally required to show TV channels having nationwide viewership at starting numbers. This was a constitutional requirement and the right of the viewers. The commission also found that shuffling of channels, disrupting their signals, throwing them at last numbers etc. was illegal. The honourable Supreme Court adopted that report and made it part of its judgment.

In the latest petition of Geo News, honourable Supreme Court has once again reproduced from 2010 judgment and from the Media Commission Report and disposed off Geo News’ petition only when Pemra undertook to restore the channel to its original position. So it is not up to discretion of cable operators to decide to show Geo News at No. 3 position today and No. 93 tomorrow. According to the Supreme Court judgment each cable operator has a constitutional obligation to show Geo News and all Geo channels at their original starting numbers.

The spokesman said Pemra’s direction to cable operators also requires each licensee cable operator to restore Geo news transmission at its original position. This also shows that the discussion of their own discretion and capacity of TV set is bogus and mala fide.

The spokesman said all cable operators were showing Geo channels at certain numbers on 19th April. “Why is it that after Pemra received a complaint about Geo following attack on Hamid Mir on 19th April, cable operators are either blocking its transmission or are making every kind of excuse not to show it at its original position? Why is it all of a sudden cable operators are using excuses such as it being a matter of their own discretion and that TV sets do not have capacity to show all the licensed channels when there was no such talk before 19th April 2014?”

The spokesman said the original scheme put in place through Pemra Ordinance for regulation of electronic industry anticipated and sought to prevent this very problem by barring any broadcasters from owning or controlling a cable business and vice versa. The implementers of the scheme were aware that even if one TV broadcaster were given control over cable operation, it would use that power to damage competitors in the same way that the Geo’s competitors are doing today.

The spokesman said the real problem is that one media group that owns one news channel has purchased or, directly or indirectly, concluded a business deal with cable operators in the country while apparently cable operators are still continuing with their previous names and owners, in reality they are in the hands of one media group, the owner of which is openly boasting that Geo is finished, “I will keep Geo channels off air and because of lack of viewership they will not get any advertisements and they will go bankrupt anytime now.” The spokesman said all cable operators led by Khalid Arain are now employees of that group and they only do and say what the owner of that group instructs them to do.

Both Khalid Arain and owner of the media group use the name of hidden hands to get the Geo closed. They claim that they are acting on behalf of hidden hands. They also arrange meetings of cable operators with hidden hands.

The spokesman said if the apex court forms a commission, many secrets will come to the fore. He said the Pemra and the federal government are fully aware about the above dangerous development and are yet avoiding doing anything about it.

Is ‘democracy’ really under threat?

KARACHI: By giving a call for a ‘million march’ to Islamabad on August 14, leading opposition leader Imran Khan is perhaps optimistic that the present army chief General Raheel Sharif will do the same for him what the former army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani did for Nawaz Sharif, though neither he nor the general had any answers to his demands but rather ‘questions.’

Nawaz Sharif’s ‘long march’ for the restoration of judges was halted at Gujranwala and after the interference of Gen. Kayani, the former prime minister and former president Asif Ali Zardari restored Chief Justice was among those politicians who sided with Sharif on restoration.

Zardari was against his restoration and only agreed after immense pressure. It was also Zardari who for the first time declared last elections as the “Elections of Returning Officers.” Today Khan is also saying the same.

Perhaps Khan is hopeful of a similar kind of interference and believes if he managed to gather few millions, the government of Sharif may “fall.” What he is not realising is the “fall of democracy” in the process, because such a situation would create a “constitutional deadlock.”

But what disturbed me most was his “tone” which reflects an anarchist tendency in otherwise a very “cool Captain.” Did Imran Khan realise the outcome of his remarks about personally “hanging “ policemen if they tried to stop his “Long March” or used force. He may not do that, but what if his emotional workers enforced his orders, in their own way?

Imran should have known that how the interim setup was constituted in 2013. How the chairman of the Election Commission was nominated with consensus. He himself was the firm support of former Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry even when he himself appeared in a “contempt of court” case against him.

The media took Altaf Hussain to task for his remarks about “three swords.” What about these remarks of Khan. Earlier, Dr Tahirul Qadri had also threatened that policemen would be “dragged” on the streets if they did not behave and followed illegal orders.

So, I wonder who can answer these questions. The most surprising of them was about the 11 pm speech of Nawaz Sharif. I request him to please go through the past elections and see whether from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, has made such claims on the day of elections or not. He should also enquire how many channels (not GEO alone) showed his speech.

As for the rest of his demands or questions, it relates to the Election Commission, the judiciary and to the caretaker government. Thus it’s quite clear that he has already made up his mind for an all-out attack on the government even if it leads to “military interference”.

Dr Tahirul Qadri is also gearing up to create unrest in the country and may go shoulder to shoulder to Khan, even if they are not united.At present, the opposition stands divided. Major parties in parliament have refused to side with Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri, as they fear their movement could derail the democratic process.

There is opposition led by Tahirul Qadri and backed by PML-Q that wants to change the “system.” Then, there is opposition led by Imran Khan, who has set one month deadline to the government, failing which he would lead a “million march.”

The opposition led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is though critical of government policies, it wants the PML-N-led government to complete its term.Except for the PTI, they enjoy the support of other opposition parties on this issue.

Qadri’s APC shows that the PML-N, PPP, ANP and JUI are on the one side and the PTI, PAT, PML-Q and MQM are on the side of the political spectrum.Dr Qadri, who intends to bring his “green revolution” already received a setback when major opposition parties, including the PTI, refused to join what once was aimed as “Grand Opposition Alliance.” His frustration was clearly reflected when he left after giving statement that he never tried for GOC, causing embarrassment to Chaudhries of Gujrat. He also surprised the two Chaudhries when he said: “I never want change of government, but struggling to change the system.”

The decision for the GOC was taken in the London meeting and veteran politician Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was given the task. The two parties — Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Pakistan Muslim League — got the first shock when Khan despite his presence in London stayed away from Dr Qadri and Chaudhries. They got the second shock when Khan and PTI’s core committee officially turned down the offer of joining hands with the PAT and PML. The third shock came when even the MQM, which otherwise supported Dr Qadri, also kept distance from GOC formula, at least at this stage.

All these aftershocks created a major dent in the “take-off” of the green revolution. It would now be interesting to see how many parties will attend Dr Qadri’s All Parties Conference on Monday, which would be on “one point agenda” i.e. incident of Model Town. Since almost all parties, including the PPP, PTI, JI and others, condemned police firing and killing of 14 people, the PAT is hopeful that they all would attend the APC.

However, Ch. Shujaat and Ch. Pervez Elahi, the two key players and supporters of Dr Qadri, are still optimistic that many parties would join the GOC.One man army, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, who looks like a 12th man of both Imran Khan and Dr Qadri, for the first time feared that if the two leaders and parties did not come on one platform and unite, the opposition stands no chance of getting rid of the government.

Ahmad, who had seen many opposition movements, knows well that there are two factors which ensure the success of any movement. One, grand alliance of major opposition parties including those capable of creating unrest; two, the backing of establishment.

Chaudhries too were well aware of these facts. Perhaps, that is why Ch. Shujaat Hussain a few days back hinted at the presence of “Political Cell” of ISI, which he claimed still exists and also defended its presence. However, he said, he was not “directly in touch” with them.

The statement did not get much attention in the media nor did the government or the ISPR react, though it did raise a serious question if the “Political Cell” has been revived. During the Asghar Khan case, the previous government had submitted that the cell had been closed.

The political cell, which had been operating since the government of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was allegedly used by successive regimes and intelligence agencies for political maneuvering. It was finally exposed when veteran politician Asghar Khan in 1996 filed a petition with the Supreme Court and raised this question regarding distribution of money in the 1990 elections to opposition alliance called Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, IJI, the brain-child of former ISI chief General (R) Hameed Gul.

Dr Qadri was also disappointed over the cold response of the army.Prior to his arrival, he asked the army chief to provide him security and that the army should take over the security of Benazir International Airport, Rawalpindi. He again did not get any response from the army when a foreign airline plane was diverted to Lahore. He wanted senior army officers, including the Corp Commander Lahore, to come out and assure him security.

The only factor, which so far went in his favor is the “media.” He is getting maximum media coverage but what he does not know that if his dream of “green revolution” fizzled out he may face a very tough media.

Imran Khan, on the other hand, also looks confused after setting the “deadline” for the government and giving the time frame for an anti-government movement. In the past three months, he has often reviewed his earlier statements. He once stated that he would disclose the name of a Brigadier of Military Intelligence (MI) whom he accused of playing a role in rigging. He then stated that he never meant that a serving Brig was involved. He again withheld the name of even the retired brigadier, which he was supposed to name in the public meeting.

Similarly, Khan in an interview with well-known anchor Shahzeb Khanzada first stated that after the deadline he would dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa government and would also resign from the Assemblies. But within 24 hours after the statement he once again reviewed his decision after facing harsh criticism not only from the opposition, but also from his allies like the Jamaat-e-Islami. Khan did not realise that the KP Assembly could elect a new Leader of the House, comprising PML-N, JUI-F and other smaller groups.

Even if Khan decides to quit the NA, he may face a mini revolt within the party in the KP where the PTI is facing a serious internal rift.

Khan, who has the charisma and also enjoys good following in the masses, also has the reputation of putting his party in an embarrassing position on different occasions. The PTI central leadership once took him to task when during the last elections he announced on TV that he would go to Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad’s public meeting without taking the party into confidence. He was reminded not to repeat such mistakes.

Thus when he initially stated in the interview that he would dissolve the KP government, even the party leaders were shocked.

But to the credit of Khan, it was because of his personality that the party managed to come out of a serious crisis within, whether it is party elections or mini revolt against the KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak.

Thus in the present scenario, the chances of success for Dr Qadri or Imran Khan look very bleak. Sharif government is not as weak as it looked like. The opposition movement is so far confined to Punjab, the strong base of Sharif, where they have been ruling since 1985. The division within the opposition’s rank and file is too sharp and more importantly the civil-military relationship in the last two months has improved, though they are not completely on the same page on certain issues. The army does not want political unrest particularly during the operation, which may take some time though they want to complete the major phase before winter.

However, if Khan and Qadri along with Altaf Hussain launch a joint movement and manage some half a million people in the “Combined Long March,” things can be different for the government.

There is no chance of movement like the 1977 as those factors do not exist. The situation is also different from what it was before the elections of 1988 when the then ISI created IJI and backed anti-PPP forces.

Despite odds against the opposition, Khan certainly poses a greater political threat to PML-N than the PPP in the Punjab. Thus the future political battle would be fight in Punjab and there could be certain forces which now want to weaken the PML-N in Punjab to end its political supremacy.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is now seriously considering veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s proposal for forming a “Pro Democratic Front,” comprising parties which believe that the present system should continue despite differences with the government and a change should only come within the parameters of the Constitution.

However, the opposition which supported Achakzai, includes the PPP, which is not happy with the government’s handling of Tahirul Qadri’s welcome reception, but sees Qadri’s movement as “anti -democracy.”

The government overreacted in panic and now by initiating a probe against Dr Qadri it is perhaps giving him too much importance either out of fear or some personal reasons.

Major political developments are expected after Eid, as Khan has set the “deadline” and has thrown the ball in Sharif’s court. The prime minister did the right thing by inviting Khan to visit the IDPS camps. Sensing the move, Khan also stayed away because of his public meeting but he did allow the KP chief minister to accompany the PM.

Now, it would be interesting to see Sharif’s next move. Will he invite Khan for discussion on his demands, may be on “Iftar.” He will certainly be trying to isolate Dr Qadri, Chaudhries of Gujrat and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.

The role of the army in the last six years has been pro-democracy despite having reservations about certain issues, both during the PPP’s five years and the PML-N’s one year. Yet, it seems some politicians are trying to drag the army into politics. In the present political scenario, there is no immediate threat to the government or democracy. Major parties are convinced that the PML-N must be given full chance to complete its tenure, but they believe that the government should not create a situation of pushing the opposition to the wall.

Now, one has to wait and see how Khan, Dr Qadri and Sharifs play their cards in the next three months. Major opposition parties, including the PTI, is not very convinced with Dr Qadri’s agenda while parties like PPP feel that he is “unfit” for democracy.

As has happened in our political history, it’s not the opposition strength or power but the government weakness and political blunders, which create vacuum that is often filled by “un-democratic forces.” 1968, 1971 and 1977 are before us. The era of “Political Cell” is over as the fourth pillar, the media, irrespective of how irresponsible it may be, would be there to defend democracy.

Six hours a day loadshedding plan under threat

ISAMABAD: The Nawaz government has carved out a loadshedding plan of maximum six hours a day during Ramazan but it is most likely to fizzle out as receivables of the power sector have further surged to a whopping Rs520 billion.
On top of it, circular debt has risen to over Rs330 billion further multiplying the financial miseries of the government. The ministry has chalked out a plan under which in urban areas loadshedding duration will be up to five hours and in rural area seven hours so that the people may not face difficulties while they are fasting. But this plan seems a mission impossible keeping in view the fiscal constraints that have further swelled, a senior official confided to The News.

Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the official said, is demanding immediate release of Rs100 billion in the first week of July for smooth and uninterrupted fuel supply to thermal power houses for maximum electricity generation, but the Finance Ministry is going to release Rs40 billion on Monday out of which Secretary Water and Power is likely to give Rs15 billion to IPPs and Rs25 billion to PSO.

Out of Rs330 billion, IPPs want to be paid Rs115 billion, but they are being given just Rs15 billion. IPPs are currently generating 1700-1800 MW less electricity because of their financial constraints and with release of Rs15 billion, they are not going to increase their generation. The source said that some of the IPPs have already issued notices to Ministry of Water and Power seeking to invoke sovereign guarantees.

And the PSO that needs Rs100 billion will be paid Rs 25 billion which is just one quarter and will not enable the state owned oil marketing company to ensure incessant fuel supply of 22,000 tons per day which is mandatory for required increase in electricity generation.

The government plans to keep electricity generation at over 16,000 MW per day in the month of Ramazan. The PSO is facing high magnitude of financial constraints owing to which it is feared to default on Rs53 billion L/C in the month of July.

The official said that if Ministry of Water and Power wants the supply of 22000 tons of furnace oil per day for running all thermal power houses, then the PSO needs Rs50 billion more.So much so the receivables of PSO’s have skyrocketed to over Rs80 billion with payables of Rs95 billion.

It may not be out of place to mention that for the first time PSO defaulted on Rs26 billion L/C in the month of May this year owing to which it has lost its credibility before the international suppliers and banks. To a question, the official said that in the month of July, Rs70 billion L/C and in August Rs82 billion L/C will mature and need to be paid.

The PSO is currently providing 18,000-20,000 tones daily to power houses and the ministry wants the increase of fuel supply to 22000 tons per day in the months of Ramazan. The fuel stocks of power houses have depleted and left only for 4 days consumption. Now, the official said that PSO has been asked to build the fuel stock for 10 days consumption at least but again the question arises where is required liquidity PSO has?

The official also said PSO is no more in a position to provide 22,000 tones fuel a day on credit and the government will have to come up with Rs100 billion at least to off load some of the organisation’s liabilities.

The Ministry of Water and Power, however, said on Sunday the government had already approved maximum electricity generation during Ramazan and the same has been lined up by the ministry by taking all necessary steps.

The government has also approved necessary funds for enhanced generation during these days, a press release issued by the ministry said on Sunday.“Better generation from hydel, thermal power plants, addition of new plants like Uch II, Guddu will reduce load shedding during Ramazan. Oil supplies have also been enhanced and their stocks are being built at different points. Fuel stocks at various power plants combined with continued daily fuel supply has been planned to ensure smooth operation of the power plants during Ramzan,” the ministry said.

“To tightly monitor the load management plan, the Ministry of Water and Power under Secretary, MS. Nargis Sethi and all Distribution Companies Chief along with their officers at their headquarter will remain open during Sehar and Iftar in Ramzan, beside their daily routine times. They will remain on Video Link during these hours. Each DISCO and the Ministry has installed dedicated landline and mobile numbers at their respective controls centers so that in case any fault occurs it can be rectified on fast tract basis.”

The release said at distribution level, down the line duties of the staff have been assigned, necessary equipment and their replacements have been arranged so that prompt action can be taken in case of technical faults.

“Due to transmission system constraints, there exists demand and supply gap. The ministry is making all-out efforts to reduce the loadshedding during Ramazan. The consumers are also requested to curtail their usage of electricity so that maximum number of people can get power supply.”

CJP says intolerance is the real threat to democracy

LAHORE: Chief Justice Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani said on Saturday that the real threat to democracy and rule of law in the country stems from intolerance.

Addressing a ceremony in honour of Justice Umar Atta Bandial being elevated to the Supreme Court, the CJP said Pakistan lacks a culture of tolerance.

Chief Justice Jillani added that independence of the judiciary could not only be achieved through what was written in the constitution and it was essential to restore the trust of people in the justice system.

According to the CJP it is required that the authority of law and supremacy of constitution be established in the country.

Democracy under threat: Achakzai

ISLAMABAD: As the National Assembly continued its debate on the budget, veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Thursday called upon Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to be on the same page for the cause of democracy as the democratic set-up in the country was facing severe threats.
“The two Sharifs — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and General Raheel Sharif — should give a message that they are one for continuation of the democratic system in the country,” Mahmood Khan Achakzai of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) said.

He suggested to the government to convene a joint sitting of parliament or the All Parties

Conference (APC) to develop a joint and comprehensive strategy to deal with the threats to the democracy and democratic dispensation in the country.

Saying that the democracy was under threat in Pakistan, Achakzai asked the establishment not to interfere in the democratic process. “We will respect the establishment if they do not interfere in the democratic process,” he said.

He said there should be a joint commission comprising judges, politicians and media to save democracy. He also asked the government to convene joint sitting of Parliament to address the threats being faced by the democratic process.

He said if he were the prime minister of the country, he would have sent Tahirul Qadri back to Canada.He said that democracy itself was a big power and it was because of it that sons and grandsons of dictators were sitting in Parliament.

Achakzai said the United States should be told that its military and economic aid to Pakistan should be linked with democracy in the country.He also asked the leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) to play their due role in saving the democratic system.

He suggested to PTI chief Imran Khan to demonstrate good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and provide good education and inexpensive justice to the people of the province. “He is holding public meeting here and there. What politics is this,” he said.

Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) urged the government to take steps for the uplift of the backward areas and provide modern education and health facilities there.

Marvi Memon said the opposition had declared the budget as product of IMF advice and pro-wealthy but the budgetary measures announced by the present government had belied this impression. She pointed out that GDP growth rate during the last five years was 3 percent but it increased to 4.1 percent this year.

She also challenged claims of the opposition members that the budget was anti-poor.Shazia Mari criticised the budgetary proposals and said the taxation measures announced by the government would add to the difficulties of the poor. She was of the view that budgetary allocations for the provinces were on the decline.

Maulana Amir Zaman of JUI-F said Pakistan is an Islamic Republic but its economic is revolving around interest which is not permissible. He said recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology should be implemented

Syed Asif Hasnain said MQM has been presenting shadow budget with a view to recommending proposals to make the budget people-oriented but these have not been given any importance. He said the people are suffering from hunger, disease and ignorance and the budget should have priority allocations for these areas.

Democracy is under threat: Achakzai

ISLAMABAD: Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said on Thursday that democracy in Pakistan was under threat.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Achakzai said it is necessary to deal with all individuals who are trying to destablise democracy.

Achakzai called on the government to convene a joint session of Parliament or an All Parties Conference (APC) to deal with these threats.

The PMAP chief also demanded that Dr Tahirul Qadri should be arrested and sent back to Canada upon his arrival in Pakistan.

Jang Group/Geo employees, offices under threat

 

KARACHI: The Jang/Geo management on Friday urged the civil and military authorities to take notice of the “relentless campaign” against the largest media group of Pakistan and provide security and protection to its employees and offices.
In a letter written to the top civil and military leaders, including the army chief and interior and information ministers, the Jang/Geo Group management said since the April 19 attack on Hamid Mir incidents of intimidation of its staff had increased to an alarming level.

“They have been taken to a level now where our employees clearly feel threatened and fear they could be attacked on the way to the Geo offices,” the letter said.

“We are apprehensive that any day anything could happen. The campaign of vilification and physical threat is being taken to a higher pitch every day.”

The letter, copies of which were also sent to the home secretaries, top police officials and director generals Rangers and Inter Services Public Relations, said these incidents assume an alarming perspective when seen against the backdrop of statements emanating from official ‘uniformed’ quarters.

“We have been accused of being anti-state, anti-army … in short, we are being accused of being traitors… our employees, contributors, distributors and editorial writers are now being targeted. They are being followed, accosted on the streets, (and) sent threatening letters. A sustained and relentless campaign of harassment and intimidation has been unleashed,”

said the letter adding that attempts were being made to shut the media group down.

In this context, the recent speech of the GOC Hyderabad in which he called the Geo/Jang Group “anti-state, anti-Islamic and working on a foreign agenda” remains a case in point, the letter added.

“The statement of another Maj. Gen. to the effect that ‘those wanting to buy cameras should wait; Geo’s cameras are about to be auctioned’ are the cause for much concern.”

The Jang/Geo Group said it does not wish to make a difficult situation worse, but would like to bring all these threatening statements and incidents of intimidation on the record.

“All these incidents seem to be part of a well-planned campaign to shut Geo down and harm our people and property,” said the letter which quoted a number of incidents in which the Jang/Geo Group staff members have been targeted in recent days.

Giving details of the recent cases of harassment of its employees, the letter said: “Unfortunately, not only do these incidents have an official stamp about them, reports coming from all over Pakistan show official backing and encouragement.”

The letter quoted the case of Geo cameraman Asif Kabeer who was attacked and severely beaten on Tuesday as he was going to cover the Jamat-ud-Dawa and Al-Muhammadia Students rally in support of the Pakistan Army and ISI in Rawalpindi. “They called him an Indian agent and threatened to kill him.” In another incident, the residence of the investigative reporter of The News, Imdad Soomro, was attacked and burnt in Sehwan. The incident was reported in The News and Jang on Thursday.

The group chief executive also faced an embarrassing situation when he visited his lawyer. His bullet-proof car was parked at a distance from the lawyer’s office. As the chief executive entered the office of his lawyer, the police and private guards went to a restaurant for a meal. Benefiting from this situation, some people tried to smash the car window with iron bars and stones. According to some Jang Group employees, attackers have come on motorcycles and sped away after roughing them up. They openly ask the victimised Jang/Geo Group employees to apologise. The social media is also full of such intimidation.

Geo’s Karachi Bureau Chief, who has been staying at the AKU ever since the attack on Hamid Mir, is constantly followed and called a “traitor” (Ghaddar). When he confronted his follower, he was told ‘Hamara kam hae aap pe nazar rakhna’ (It’s our job to keep an eye on you), the letter said.

“One of the editorial writers of The News received a phone call at 4 am on Wednesday in Islamabad; he was told to stop writing for The News and threatened with dire consequences if he didn’t. He found an envelope slipped under the door containing the same threat. The same letter was delivered to his Karachi residence as well.”

The letter from Jang/Geo added a large number of Jang Group agents and hawkers have been denied access to many localities and have been told not to carry and deliver Jang or The News. Similarly, many agents all over Sindh and Punjab have received telephone calls ordering them to stop selling ‘Ghaddar’ newspapers, the letter said.

The letter said many employees, including female staff members, in Karachi and elsewhere were being followed from home to office and on assignments. “If they confront the followers, they are told ‘you are working for Geo, which is a traitor organisation. Stop working for them otherwise we will take care of you. We know the names and addresses of all your brothers and sisters’.

“On Wednesday, the Geo office in Islamabad was surrounded by an unruly mob. They chanted slogans accusing us of being anti-state. Some of the people were seen carrying petrol canisters. The slogans raised branded us anti-state, anti-army, traitors and Wajibul Qatal (liable to be killed). The police stood by and took no action.”

The Jang/Geo management said copies of this letter were being sent to every person responsible for providing security and protection.

“We call upon all of you to take note of this relentless campaign against the largest media group of Pakistan and take necessary steps.”

The media house urged the civil and military leaders to instruct the relevant police officers all over Pakistan to meet the Jang/Geo management and discuss security steps which need to be taken immediately.

“Failing this, we will have no recourse but to appeal to international missions and journalist associations all over the world, inform them of this threat to the lives and property of our group and our employees in an attempt to silence the voice of the largest media group in Pakistan,” the letter said.

Khurshid Shah says no threat to Nawaz-govt

HYDERABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah has said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will back the Nawaz Sharif government if any threat to democracy emerges.

He, however, said that there was no such imminent threat to the democratically elected government.

Speaking to media, he said Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s support for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was limited to statements.

He said had those who supported Mushararf in 1999 been tried there would have been no dispute.

Ansar receives e-mail threat

 

ISLAMABAD: Editor Investigations of The News Ansar Abbasi on Saturday received a threatening e-mail message from someone identifying himself as “Khaki Power” and threatening the senior journalist to “Behave” and “weigh the pros and cons” of his words.

Received from “Khaki Power” via the email address “khaki@safe-mail.net”, the message clearly said: “This is not a reminder but a serious suggestion”.The Interior Ministry as well as the FIA Cyber Wing have been formally informed of this threatening message.

The e-mail received at 11:42 am at Abbasi’s official address ansar.abbasi@thenews.com.pk reads: “This is not a reminder, it is a serious suggestion. Behave yourself and weigh the pros and cons of your words. Sometimes its hazardous to bite the hand that once fed it.

“Skeletons can fall out of anyone’s closets miraculously from the heavens and effectively ruin a ‘journalists’ career. And we all have skeletons. Good day.”

It is for the authorities to find out if this message from the unidentified “Khaki Power” has been authored by some frustrated soul unhappy with the work of Ansar Abbasi, by a pawn of the security agencies, by some disgruntled elements within the military establishment or by someone who wants to smear the name of the Pakistan Army.

However, the fact is that this e-mail has been received by Ansar Abbasi within a few days of his writings in The News and Jang where not only he was among the first ones in the media to have disagreed with the recent controversial statement of the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif but had also exposed General (retd) Musharraf and how he had hurt the institution of the Pakistan Army.

Ansar Abbasi had warned that General Raheel’s statement would lead to misunderstandings between the civilian and the military leadership.

He had also observed that the army chief’s statement would be exploited by those elements, including General Musharraf and his men, to fuel the fire and lead the country towards yet another martial law.The senior journalist also differed with the view that General Musharraf’s trial should be treated as the trial of the institution of the Pakistan Army.

Unfortunately, the social media is grossly misused in Pakistan but there is no law to check the crimes and wrongs done through this medium of communication. Although in this case the e-mail and other relevant details have been forwarded to the FIA Cyber Wing, the agency has hardly solved or caught anyone in such a case before.

Massive turnout in Afghan polls defies Taliban threat

 

KABUL: Afghans flocked to polling stations nationwide on Saturday, defying a threat of violence by the Taliban to cast ballots in what promises to be the nation’s first democratic transfer of power.
Polling stations closed after nearly 10 hours of voting that saw a massive turnout, including in some of the most dangerous areas of the country. Electoral workers wearing blue vests with the logo of the Independent Election Commission pulled the paper ballots out of boxes and carefully showed them in footage live on national television on Saturday. Partial results are expected as soon as Sunday. Saturday’s vote was a sharp contrast from Afghanistan’s 2009 election, which was marred by widespread allegations of vote-rigging that tarnished President Hamid Karzai’s re-election.

Turnout from Afghanistan’s presidential election was seven million out of 12 million eligible voters, or about 58 percent, election commission chief Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani said. Nuristani told reporters the figure of seven million was based on preliminary estimates.

The excitement over choosing a new leader for the first time appeared to overwhelm the fear of bloodshed in many areas, as Afghans embarked on a major transition nearly 13 years after the US-led invasion toppled the rule of the Taliban.

Despite Taliban threats, voting was largely peaceful with long queues in cities across the country as voters cast their ballots at around 6,000 centres under tight security. The Taliban rejected the election process saying that the polls under the supervision of the foreign forces had no importance. The Taliban had urged their fighters to target polling staff, voters and security forces, but there were no major attacks reported during the day.

Polling stations started to close at 5:00pm (1230 GMT), though officials said that people already in line would still be allowed to vote. In Kabul, hit by a series of deadly attacks during the election campaign, hundreds of people lined up in the open air to vote despite heavy rain and the insurgents’ threat of violence. “I’m not afraid of Taliban threats, we will die one day anyway. I want my vote to be a slap in the face of the Taliban,” housewife Laila Neyazi, 48, told AFP. Poll security was a major concern following the attacks in Kabul, most recently a suicide bombing on Wednesday that killed six police officers.

But a fatal blast was reported in Logar province, south of Kabul, where one person was killed and two wounded according to Mohammad Agha district chief Abdul Hameed Hamid. IEC chief Nuristani said attacks or fear of violence had forced 211 of a total 6,423 voting centres to remain closed. The day before the poll, Associated Press photographer Anja Niedringhaus was shot dead by a police commander in eastern Khost province. She was the third journalist working for the international media to be killed during the election campaign, after Swedish journalist Nils Horner and Sardar Ahmad of Agence France-Presse. Interior Minister Omar Daudzai said all 400,000 of Afghanistan’s police, army and intelligence services were being deployed to ensure security around the country.

Afghans have taken over responsibility for security from US-led forces and this year the last of the Nato coalition’s 51,000 combat troops will pull out, leaving local forces to battle the resilient Taliban insurgency without their help. In the western city of Herat, a queue of several hundred people waited to vote at one polling station, while in Jalalabad in the east, voters stood patiently outside a mosque. Voters also lined up in Kandahar city, the southern heartland of the Taliban, with some women among the crowd in contrast to the 2009 election when turnout was very low due to poor security.

The country’s third presidential election brings an end to 13 years of rule by Karzai, who has held power since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.

Around 13.5 million people were eligible to vote from an estimated total population of 28 million. As well as the first round of the presidential election, voters also cast ballots for provincial councils.

The front-runners to succeed Karzai are former foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul, Abdullah Abdullah — runner up in the 2009 election — and former World Bank academic Ashraf Ghani. There is no clear favourite and if no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round — preliminary results for which will be announced on April 24 — a run-off is scheduled for late May. Massive fraud and widespread violence marred Karzai’s re-election in 2009 and a disputed result this time would add to the challenges facing the new president. Whoever emerges victorious must lead the fight against the Taliban without the help of more Nato troops, and also strengthen an economy reliant on declining aid money. The election may offer a chance for Afghanistan to improve relations with the United States, its principal donor, after the mercurial Karzai years. Relations fell to a new low late last year when Karzai refused to sign a security agreement that would allow the US to keep around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan to train local forces and hunt al-Qaeda.

Sana claims Rehman Malik penned threat letter to Bilawal

LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah made a startling claim on Sunday, saying former interior minister Rehman Malik authored the letter containing threats to Pakistan People’s Party Patron-in-Chief, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Rana Sana was replying to a question while talking to media persons after laying a foundation stone for Thalassemia Center here.

“The initial investigation has revealed that the threat letter was penned by Rehman Malik,” he claimed.

He said Rehman Malik had been making moves in the previous five years win an aim to cause damage to the Punjab Government.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had claimed in a Twitter message on Thursday that he had received ‘a threat letter’ from the proscribed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).

The Punjab Law Minister assured that fool-proof security would be provided to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari if he undertook a visit to Punjab province.

On the ongoing peace process between the government and Taliban militants, he said the TTP appeared serious and hoped that the ceasefire would be extended.

Rampant corruption in Sindh poses a major threat

ISLAMABAD: Security officials in Sindh have warned that if the present political dispensation does not ensure good governance and does not check massive corruption, the nationalist and separatist voices in the province would strengthen beyond anyone’s imagination, sooner rather than later.

Official sources told The News that things are going from bad to worse, both in terms of governance and corruption in the province, leading to the worsening law and order situation and a greater sense of deprivation among the people, particularly in the interior Sindh.

Corruption, it is said, has reached extreme levels and there is no check on such illegal practices. The provincial bureaucracy is badly politicised and the police and Rangers, particularly in Karachi, are completely frustrated for not getting the political backing; instead they are facing hurdles from government authorities and political parties in going after the criminals.

It is said that as the government is preparing to do some huge purchases worth Rs5 billion for the Sindh Police, a reputed Additional Home Secretary Syed Mumtaz Hussain Shah was transferred on Sunday.

While Rs5 billion for police procurement is being released, the Rangers demand for Rs01 billion for the purchase of weapons, protective clothing and vehicles is not being cleared for several months. The source alleged that it is being done because for the Rangers procurement, a transparent system is to be followed.

It is added that despite of late frustration of the DG Rangers in public, the provincial government is not ready to announce head money for 162 most wanted criminals, belonging to different political parties and groups. They are also waiting for the appointment of prosecutors.

They lament that despite the promise made by the provincial government in the presence of the prime minister, the development package for Lyari is not being announced. “Such is the situation in the province that some of the senior police officers have been approached by chief minister’s daughter Nafeesa Shah requesting the top cops to press Qaim Ali Shah to announce the Lyari package.”

Despite the recent Thar embarrassment that involves the death of nearly 200 children due to the apathy and callousness of the provincial government, it is said that things are not improving and the state of affairs remain unchanged.

The security official said that only a few months back, some key political figures were trapped in a Rs06 billion hawala scandal. These political figures were alleged to have sent their Rs06 billion abroad through a hawala agent who, interestingly, fled to Canada with the money.

No FIR could be lodged as these public figures had no justification to tell the world from where they got this money. They reportedly raised the issue with one of their political superiors, who allegedly gave them a shut up call and suggested them to forget and move on.

JUI-F Chief condemns attack in Kunming, says terrorism poses regional threat

BEIJING: A senior Pakistani religious scholar and Chief of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Fazalur Rahman said that terrorism has become a regional threat.

Maulana Fazalur Rahman, expressed these views while talking to Chinese Ambassador, Sun Weidong, Islamabad Tuesday, said a Xinhua news agency news report from federal capital.

The JUI(F) Chief said that Pakistan has all weather friendship with China and the people of both countries have supported each other in very difficult circumstances, the news report said.

He said that JUI-F has always condemned terrorist acts against Chinese people and it's government and will continue to do so.

He pointed out that militancy and terrorism has no future and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif government was trying to deal with the problem through various options including dialogue and reconciliation as set out by the Parliament.

According to JUI-F spokesman, Jan Muhammad Achakzai, the party chief said that Islam is a religion of peace, stability and development and it is only possible after restoring peace.

He said that parts of Pakistan and China are suffering from terrorism so both countries have shared interest for securing their people against the menace.

The JUI-F Chief welcomed the ground work on Economic Corridor project by the Chinese government saying that this project will bring in enormous opportunities for Pakistan.

The Maulana said that being part of current coalition, JUI-F strongly supports Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government in attracting Chinese investment in Pakistan.

The Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said that China recognizes and appreciates Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism.

"Terrorism is the common enemy of the world, Pakistan and China. We see China and Pakistan as victims of terrorism. Terrorism is also a complex background. We want to cure the symptoms and roots of terrorism. But it should not be tolerated", he concluded.

China would want to further strengthen the relationship between Pakistan and China.

"We share the same common perspective and common dreams that China, Pakistan and other countries have so we should develop together", he said.

He said that restoring the old Silk Road will link China, Pakistan and Central Asia and beyond. Now planning of Pak-China corridor will help in practically restoring one part of that Silk Road.

He said the Corridor will link Kasgher to Gawadar port creating huge opportunities of cooperation and collaboration between the people of two counties.

"I appreciate the vision shared by Maulana Fazalur Rahman to build economic zones and develop economy in the region", said the Chinese Ambassador.

Aamir Khan rubbishes threat rumours amid reports he bought ’bullet-proof’ car

According to the Press trust of India Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has quashed rumours that he has been receiving threats after covering sensitive topics in his highly-successful talk show ‘Satyamev Jayate’.Khan, who is gearing up to host the second season of the reality talk show –which kicks off tomorrow, further said he is not afraid of any threats. The Press Trust of India quoted the 'Peekay' star as saying, “I have not got any threats. ...

Hollande warns Ukrainian sovereignty under threat

PARIS: French President Francois Hollande warned that Ukraine's sovereignty was under threat following the Russian parliament's decision on Saturday to authorise sending troops.
The move by the upper house of parliament "poses a real threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," Hollande said in a statement.