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.”

PIA aircraft comes under fire in Peshawar

 

PESHAWAR: A woman was killed and two persons, including a flight steward, were wounded when a passenger flight of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) came under attack while landing at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar on Tuesday night.
The woman passenger, who is said to be a foreigner, died of wounds en route to the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar Cantonment, reports said.Sources said the PIA flight from Riyadh (No PK-756) wasabout to land in Peshawar when unidentified attackers opened fire on the aircraft. The bullets hit a woman, a steward and another person.

The firing panicked the passengers but the pilot safely landed the aircraft. Ambulances and security personnel encircled the parked aircraft.The wounded were taken to the CMH. The spokesman for the PIA confirmed the attack, saying that three persons had sustained injuries in the firing incident and were shifted to the CMH.

The attack was the first of its kind. There were a number of attacks on the airport in the past but it was for the first time that an aircraft was hit and its passengers were wounded.A search operation was launched in the Pishtakhara and Sarband areas after the attack while more security personnel were deployed around the airport and the airbase. While landing in Peshawar, all aircraft come close to the tribal areas and the nearby settled towns.

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.

Power sector close to collapse under Rs513.37 billion debt

ISLAMABAD: Amid the unprecedented power shortages of over 7,000MW, Pakistan’s power sector receivables have risen to a whopping Rs513.368 billion in the first 10 months of the current financial year 2013-14, threatening collapse of the entire system.
According to the latest documents on receivables as of April 2014 available with The News, the provinces are required to pay Rs87.256 billion that include Sindh’s Rs54.547 billion, KP Rs20.540 billion, Punjab Rs6.619 billion, Balochistan Rs5.550 billion and the AJK’s Rs36.693 billion.

The shocking fact is that the government has failed to collect electricity bills from private sector consumers as this sector has emerged as the biggest defaulter owing a mammoth Rs345.386 to the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco).

The document also unveils that the domestic sector in Fata is required to pay Rs32 billion, which has also been included in the head of private sector consumers.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the government was going to implement a special plan next week to improve the recovery of electricity bills as the finance ministry had no money to clear the circular debt that had risen to over Rs300 billion.

The prime minister is worried and annoyed over the appalling situation of power sector and it is clear that the Ministry of Water and Power is bound to speedily recover these bills and clear the circular debt. However, the finance ministry will also depute a senior official to help the Ministry of Water and Power to recover the dues.

Dar said that he was going to soon pay more to the Ministry of Water and Power from the head of inter-tariff differential subsidy so that PSO’s imminent default could be averted.

Meanwhile, the IPPs have reduced their power generation by over 1,600MW despite the fact that they have the capacity to generate 8,500MW of electricity. They have reduced their generation just because of non-availability of the required liquidity. They have no money to pay the interest to banks on loans they have borrowed to purchase the fuel. The government owes Rs210 billion to the IPPs and if the situation continues unabated, then the IPPs may halt their operations exposing the country to more loadshedding, according to Adbullah Yousaf, the Chairman of Advisory Council of the IPPs.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan State Oil is on the verge of being declared a defaulter as one of its letters of credit (L/C) is going to expire on Friday, June 13.The dues of PSO have also swelled to Rs130 billion as of today that the power sector has to pay to the state-run entity.

“We have supplied furnace oil of Rs160 billion to the power sector by June 9, 2014 in the current financial year and in return PSO miserably lacks the liquidity as the power sector is not paying for the fuel it has used so far,” a senior official in PSO told The News.“This situation has exposed PSO with zero liquidity because of which it has no fiscal space to place more orders to import furnace oil for power generation.”

Survey shows unemployment not under control

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Survey 2013-14 reveals that the unemployment rate in Pakistan has increased to 6.2 percent compared to 5.6 percent in 2009-10. The unemployment is the highest in Punjab.
According to the Survey, unemployment remained same in the urban areas while it increased in rural areas from 4.8 percent in 2009-10 to 5.1 percent in 2012-13.In Pakistan, according to the Economic Survey, unemployment rate is increasing in both Agriculture mechanization is major cause of reducing absorption capacity of this sector.

Although industries are being setup in some rural areas, however, employment generation opportunities due to these industries is not comparably higher.The unemployment rate in urban areas is even more than in rural areas. This high rate of unemployment is mainly due to two reasons, first is rural urban migration which is cause increasing urban population whereas job opportunities are not increasing accordingly.

The province wise comparison shows that the number of unemployed people increased in Punjab from 2.10 million in 2010-11 to 2.28 million in 2012-13. The number of unemployed people increased in Punjab is more as compared to other provinces. The apparent reason of high unemployment in Punjab is highest population among all provinces.

In case of Balochistan 0.10 million people are unemployed in 2012-13 an increase of almost 0.3 million people as compared to 2011-12. The main reasons of this increasing unemployment are bad infrastructure, law and order situation and lack of business and industrial activities.

The employment rate in Sindh decreased from 5.2 percent in 2011-12 to 5.0 percent in 2012-13. Whereas the rate in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan increased to 6.1 percent, 8.5 percent and 4.0 percent respectively as compared to the same period.

According to gender break-up, the Economic Survey 2013-14 shows that the female unemployment rate increased to 9.0 percent in 2012-13 as compared to 8.9 percent in 2010-11.While male unemployment ratio surge to 5.4 percent in said periods as compared t0 5.1 percent.

Province wise break-up shows that female unemployment rate in Sindh increased to 8.2 percent in 2012-13 from 7.2 percent in 2010-11, however, male unemployment rate in Sindh declined to 4.4 percent from 4.8 percent in comparison under review.

During 2012-13 in Punjab, female unemployment rate remained stable to 8.3 percent while male unemployment rate increased to 5.2 percent from 4.7 percent in periods under review.Interestingly, female unemployment rate in Balochistan decreased to 7.0 percent from 7.9 percent while male unemployment rate surged to 3.6 percent from 2.5 percent in said periods.

The data on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa showed similar statistics to Balochistan as female unemployment rate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa decreased to 16.3 percent from 16.5 while male unemployment rate increased to 6.7 percent in 2012-13 from 5.9 in 2010-11.

The overall main causes of unemployment are rising population, law and order situation, lack of technical education and shortage of skill training institutes.“Youth is also facing many challenges but some of these are common in the overall labour market,” states the Survey.

However, government is well aware of these issues and focusing on long term investment in human capital through formal and informal education and strategically strengthening the links between education, skill development and the labour market would greatly benefit youth in the long term, it concluded.

Imran must be tried under Article 6, says Abid

 

FAISALABAD: Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali on Sunday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan must be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution for treason with the nation.
He said that Imran Khan was trying to create a rift between the government and the army.Addressing a press conference here, Abid Sher Ali said the PTI was using protests to reverse the development process in the country.

The minister criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Pervaiz Elahi, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, Awami Muslim League (AML) Chairman Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan for hatching conspiracies against the governemnt. The minister said Khan was using the defence institutions for coming into power.

Abid Sher Ali said no one would be allowed to sabotage the progress, prosperity and peace in the country. He said the government would do whatever was needed to strengthen the domestic security.

He said the PML-N government had launched numerous projects to overcome the energy crisis. Criticising the political parties protesting against the government, the minister said Pervaiz Elahi was a conspirator and he was the root cause of the problem. Shaikh Rashid could not gather people at his residence, how could he launch a train march? he questioned.

The minister said these parties wanted to destabilise democracy and the country. “No one will be allowed to play the Sindh, Balochistan and KP cards and mislead the people,” he added.He said that record investment was now being made in the country.

Abid says Imran be tried under article 6

FAISALABAD: Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was trying to create rift among state institutions.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of ladies park here Sunday, Abid Sher Ali said Imran Khan should be tried under article of the constitution, adding Khan was trying to create rift between the government and the army.

He said Khan was using defence institutions for coming into power.

Criticizing the political parties protesting against the government, the State Minister said Pervaiz Elahi is the root cause of the problem.

Shaikh Rasheed could not gather people at his resident, how he could launch a train march, he questioned.

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.

Ebola outbreak under control, says Guinea president

GENEVA: Guinea's Ebola outbreak is under control, but the death toll could rise above the current 74 because sick patients remain in hospital, the president said Wednesday.

"For the moment the situation is well in hand, and we touch wood that there won't be any new cases," President Alpha Conde told reporters during a visit to Geneva, home of the World Health Organization (WHO).

However he warned that with a number of people still in hospital suspected to be suffering from the deadly virus, the death toll may yet rise.

"There haven't been any new cases. But of those who remain in quarantine, there certainly will be some who will die," he said.

Working with the UN health agency and aid groups, Guinea remains on high alert against the virus, an incurable disease that can kill up to 90 percent of its victims.

On Tuesday, the health ministry said that 74 people had died so far this year in one of the worst ever outbreaks of the virus, with 121 confirmed cases. A larger number of people have been diagnosed with haemorrhagic fever, but not all those cases have been confirmed as Ebola.

No new cases have been recorded since Sunday, although four people are receiving treatment in the capital Conakry, and six in Gueckedou, in the south, which has seen one of the most serious outbreaks.

There is no vaccine or cure for Ebola, which can be caught from handling the blood or the bodily fluids of sick or dead forest animals.

Researchers in the United States have confirmed that the Guinea outbreak began after contact with bats caught for their meat in the country's southern forests, Conde noted.

It then spread in the hunters' communities and to health workers who initially failed to identify the risk posed by feverish patients.

To try and limit the outbreak, the government has advised Guineans to stop eating bats and avoid other "bush meat" when possible, and has also striven to apply infection-control measures by monitoring potential cases and those they have come into contact with.

The disease has spread to neighbouring Liberia, with suspected cases reported in Mali and Sierra Leone sparking fears it could spread throughout the region.

But in a sign of subsiding concerns, Senegal, which had closed its border with Guinea, reopened the frontier on Tuesday, Conde said.

The WHO has described the outbreak as one of the most challenging since the virus emerged in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ebola leads to haemorrhagic fever, causing muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.

There is no vaccine or cure for the virus, which can easily spread among humans through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids and tissue.

Its spread can be stopped only by isolating suspected cases in ultra-clean conditions and quarantining those who have been in contact with them.

Ebola outbreak under control, says Guinea president

GENEVA: Guinea's Ebola outbreak is under control, but the death toll could rise above the current 74 because sick patients remain in hospital, the president said Wednesday.

"For the moment the situation is well in hand, and we touch wood that there won't be any new cases," President Alpha Conde told reporters during a visit to Geneva, home of the World Health Organization (WHO).

However he warned that with a number of people still in hospital suspected to be suffering from the deadly virus, the death toll may yet rise.

"There haven't been any new cases. But of those who remain in quarantine, there certainly will be some who will die," he said.

Working with the UN health agency and aid groups, Guinea remains on high alert against the virus, an incurable disease that can kill up to 90 percent of its victims.

On Tuesday, the health ministry said that 74 people had died so far this year in one of the worst ever outbreaks of the virus, with 121 confirmed cases. A larger number of people have been diagnosed with haemorrhagic fever, but not all those cases have been confirmed as Ebola.

No new cases have been recorded since Sunday, although four people are receiving treatment in the capital Conakry, and six in Gueckedou, in the south, which has seen one of the most serious outbreaks.

There is no vaccine or cure for Ebola, which can be caught from handling the blood or the bodily fluids of sick or dead forest animals.

Researchers in the United States have confirmed that the Guinea outbreak began after contact with bats caught for their meat in the country's southern forests, Conde noted.

It then spread in the hunters' communities and to health workers who initially failed to identify the risk posed by feverish patients.

To try and limit the outbreak, the government has advised Guineans to stop eating bats and avoid other "bush meat" when possible, and has also striven to apply infection-control measures by monitoring potential cases and those they have come into contact with.

The disease has spread to neighbouring Liberia, with suspected cases reported in Mali and Sierra Leone sparking fears it could spread throughout the region.

But in a sign of subsiding concerns, Senegal, which had closed its border with Guinea, reopened the frontier on Tuesday, Conde said.

The WHO has described the outbreak as one of the most challenging since the virus emerged in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ebola leads to haemorrhagic fever, causing muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.

There is no vaccine or cure for the virus, which can easily spread among humans through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids and tissue.

Its spread can be stopped only by isolating suspected cases in ultra-clean conditions and quarantining those who have been in contact with them.

 

COAS for Kashmir solution under UN resolutions

 

ISLAMABAD: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, said on Wednesday that Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan. Addressing a large gathering on the occasion of Youm-e-Shuhada here at the GHQ, he stressed the resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.He said that Kashmir was an internationally recognised dispute and added that matchless sacrifices offered by the Kashmiris would not go waste.

Pemra should be under parliament instead of executive

 

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage on Wednesday decided to form a task force, comprising legal experts to review 64 laws related to the media in the country.
With reference to the recommendations by the Media Commission, appointed by the Supreme Court in 2013, the Standing Committee agreed to the actions and proposals and adopted the resolution as follows:

* In the age of independence of media, globalization, IT and information, it is important to have a specific role of the Ministry of Information for policy setting, to facilitate media development with freedom and accountability.

* Review of the existing 64 laws on media is critical. New laws are equally required, specifically for advertising regulation, convergence, cross media ownership negative impacts, and self-regulation. The Standing Committee will be having special meetings with legal experts on this critical subject soon and will be appointing a Media Laws Review Task Force with a six-month mandate to examine 64 laws and to propose amendments as well as new laws where required.

* Make Pemra truly autonomous and accountable to parliament and not to the executive. Thus a change in mode of appointment of chairperson and its members along the lines of the ECP is recommended.

* The existence of a Ministry of Information is important. However, its restructuring is critical. The ministry and bodies, under the purview of the ministry, have assured the committee that their restructuring plans would be presented within one month to the committee.

* Ministry of Information and IT can be merged due to new areas of convergence. A new name for the ministry to be Ministry for Public Information, Media and National Heritage.

* Create a single new integrated regulatory body by merging Pemra, PTA including cinema on the lines of OFCOM in the UK. In the cinema sector, there is a need to ensure inter-provincial harmony in the implementation of censorship rules in the provinces. All foreign films to be censored by the federal government. Provincial censor boards should include federal representation.

* Policy to ensure minimal time for Pakistani content on TV and radio to be strengthened.

* Public, regular, structured dialogue of government and regulatory bodies with all stakeholders relevant to electronic media is necessary. Similar regular structured dialogue with non-media stakeholders i.e civil society, is extremely important.

* Judiciary should conduct expeditious and conclusive disposal of the large number of stay orders, obtained by TV and radio against Pemra as at present even non-licensed TV channels are operating freely.

* Actual compliance should be ensured by media of their own codes and transparency by appointing internal ombudsman and compliance coordinators to respond to complaints and concerns of citizens.

* Temporarily freeze (except community licenses) issuance of licenses for new TV channels as cable TV distribution capacity is already saturated and until transition to digital technology.

* Ensure effective actions by government authorities to prevent smuggling and sale of DTH set top boxes.

* Ensure licenses are issued for valid, eligible community radio stations and community TV channels with safeguards.

* PTV, PBC, APP should be transformed into genuine public service entities which are even handed and fair for them to be consistent with Article 19. New system should be introduced for appointment of chairman, CEO and board of directors. Government should look into options for restructuring the ownership of PTV, PBC and APP to make their ownership more broad-based and public service oriented.

* A new law is required within which self-regulation by media, can be conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, so that self-interest doesn’t substitute self-regulation in media.

* The funding for Press Council to be equitably shared by media proprietors (such as APNS) and other segments in order for it to be independent. Alleged corrupt practices indulged into by media and government should be investigated and discouraged.

* There is a need for more effective practice of existing codes by media themselves.

* Strict effective action is needed by Pemra and Press Council to prevent excesses by media against public figures, thereby preventing unfair defamation or ridicule of public figures. Strict action needs to be taken by the Council of complaints appointed by Pemra which could include parliamentarians to prevent unfair defamation.

* Forensic audits should be conducted to determine whether corruptions occurred in award of advertising contracts by NAB, FIA, etc.

* There is a need to rationalise the principles on the basis of which advertising rates are determined for placement of govt advertising in print and electronic media so as to end the discrepancies. Government should propose single transparent policy for awarding advertisement.

* There is a need to reform the system by which advertisements of federal and provincial governments are placed by restructuring the Audit Bureau of Circulation and inducting reputed firms from private sector to make ABC credible; and by other methods such as possible decentralization.

* ECP is urged to implement recommendation of Media Commission to ensure transparency in use of funds for advertising in the forthcoming local government elections. Pemra should facilitate preparation of options for new revenue model for TV channels to reduce existing 100% dependence on advertising.

* More effective regulatory actions are required to reduce imbalanced interruptions, disruptions, intrusions of advertising on TV and radio.

* Secret funds have been abolished. Second list will be presented to the committee and to the public after audit or as per SC instructions.

* It is considered opinion of the committee that Pemra has not satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised by the Media Commission Report regarding: the restructuring of Pemra, autonomy of Pemra from executive, Direct Parliamentary Purview & Oversight of Pemra, review of the Pemra Act 2002 (Amended 2007) and Private Monopolies in Media created as a result of the Amended Pemra Act 2007.

Unfortunately without addressing these core issues, it is difficult to conceive that PEMRA will be able to respond to the challenges it faces as an independent media regulator. It is therefore recommended that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should undertake an immediate examination of these concerns, with a clear deadline in mind, to suggest the best ways and means to implement the recommendations of the Media Commission.

* Ministry of Information has committed itself to help improve security for journalists and media. However, it has not presented any coherent plan so far. It needs to present an overview of its security plan, which it has designed after its consultations with the various media organisations. Ministry also needs to give action plan on the Committee of Information recommendations on the same.

* The existing reliance on an predominantly big cities audience measurement system to determine TV ratings should be replaced with new alternative options which accurately reflect the countries demographic realities.

* As per commitment made by PBA to the media commission, the actual rates charged by PBA members should be placed on the Internet and transparency ensured on the assets, income, expenses of media proprietors and senior journalists including TV anchors.

MNAs Parveen Masood Bhatti, Arifa Khalid Pervez, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Imran Zafar Leghari, Belum Hasnain, Murad Saeed, Dr Muhammad Azhar Khan Jadoon, Saman Sultana Jafri and Naeema Kishwer also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Secretary Information Dr Nazir Saeed informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee that on the issue of access to information, the government adopted a private member bill, which was approved by the Senate. However, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and some other stakeholders wanted to give their input in the proposed law. Now, he said, the bill had been sent to the cabinet, and then it would be sent to the Senate again for approval.

He said on the directives of the prime minister, the ministry was working on restructuring of public sector autonomous organisations and a ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was also constituted to look into the matter.

Senior journalists Hamid Mir and Absar Alam said media houses and senior journalists should be bound to declare their income and assets through the Federal Board of Revenue. They also urged the committee to issue directives for the release of second report about recipients of secret funds form the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

It was said the second list carrying the names of those media persons who received funds from secret funds would be made public soon after completion of the audit.

Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid said he had no objection to making public all lists related to release of secret funds.

Those nurtured under dictatorship should seek new jobs: Pervaiz

 

ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, on Friday said those who were nurtured under dictatorship should seek new jobs.
Talking to media persons here, he said all the state institutions, including the army, were bound to act within the ambit of the Constitution. He noted that certain elements, who thrived during the stint of dictators, were trying to spread rumours.

The minister said there had been no demand from the army for the removal of any minister, adding that there was no other thinking in the army except the defence of Pakistan.He said the entire nation was grateful to the armed forces for their sacrifices for the country and noted these would always be remembered.

About the trial of former military ruler General Musharraf, the minister said that the decision regarding Musharraf would be made by the judiciary and it would be acceptable to all.He claimed things had considerably improved during the last eight months and now every morning started with the dollar value going down and the launch of major projects.

Pervaiz said that consumers paying their bills would definitely get electricity.Online/APP add: Pervaiz Rasheed said no patriotic person could point fingers at the army. To a question, the minister said the economy had strengthened due to the positive policies of the government.

He said the government was committed to ridding the country of the energy crisis and inflation and to making the country a cradle of peace and stability.He said that “in the past we used to hear bad news like bomb blasts and terrorist attacks everyday but for the last few months good news have been coming.”

He said there were good news like stock exchange improvement, appreciation of rupee against the dollar, setting up of power generation plants and starting of construction work of new public transport system. Moreover, he said that the entire world now wanted to strengthen their relations with Pakistan and invest here, which was a big change.

He said that the Lok Virsa festival had been organised to bring cultures and civilisations of all the regions of the country under one roof. He said artists, singers and artisans participating in the Lok Mela were representing the real cultural values of the country. “They express their feelings through colours, words, music, etc,” he added.

Use of drones should be under global law

 

GENEVA: The United Nations called on all states on Friday to ensure that the use of armed drones complies with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, backing a proposal from Pakistan.
A resolution presented by Pakistan on behalf of co-sponsors, including Yemen and Switzerland, did not single out any state.The United States is the biggest armed drone user in conflicts, including those in Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia.

“The purpose of this resolution is not to shame or name anyone, as we are against this approach,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Zamir Akram told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). “It is about supporting a principle.”

The United States prizes drones for their accuracy against al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. Pakistan says they kill civilians and infringe its sovereignty.“The United States is committed to ensuring that our actions, including those involving remotely piloted aircraft, are undertaken in accordance with all applicable domestic and international law and with the greatest possible transparency, consistent with our national security needs,” Paula Schriefer, US deputy assistant secretary of state, told the talks.

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 states in favour to six against, with 14 abstentions at the 47-member Geneva forum. The United States, Britain and France voted against.The resolution urges all states to ensure that any measures employed to counter terrorism, including armed drones, comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of precaution distinction and proportionality.

The text voiced concern at civilian casualties resulting from the use of remotely-piloted aircraft or armed drones, as highlighted by the UN special investigator on counter-terrorism Ben Emmerson in a recent report.It called on UN human rightsexpert discussions on armed drones and report back in September.

The United States, Britain and France said it was not appropriate for the forum to put weapons systems on its agenda. The Obama administration preferred to discuss drones under an initiative of Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which it hoped would provide a “non-politicised forum” where military experts can discuss law of war issues, Schriefer said.

Akram, speaking before the vote, said opposition “can only lead to the conclusion that these States are guilty of violating applicable international law and demonstrate that they are afraid of being exposed in the expert panel”.

A separate UN human rights watchdog called on the Obama administration on Thursday to limit its use of drones and to curb US surveillance activities.The heavy mandate in favour of the resolution came about despite stiff opposition and intensive lobbying against the resolution by the US, the UK and France. As a result several European Union countries which are currently members of the Council were forced to change their votes. However, they refused to vote against the resolution and abstained. The only exception was Ireland which took a principled stance in support of the resolution.

According to the Pakistan’s Mission in Geneva, the adoption of the resolution by heavy majority underscored the success of Pakistan’s diplomacy in garnering international support for its principled position on the use of armed drones in violation of international law. This would further strengthen the country s efforts to address the issue of drones, it added.

ECC allows RPPs to operate under new name

 

ISLAMABAD: The Nawaz Sharif government has approved the revival of the Rental Power Plants under the new name of Short-Term Independent Power Plants (STIPPs).
The Economic Coordination Committee, which met here on Thursday with Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar in the chair, has accorded approval to the new policy under the subject of “Utilisation of the existing available generation capacity - short-term IPPs”.The News on March 22 broke the news that the government had decided to revive the Rental Power Plants (RPPs) under a new name to beat the power crisis.

The ECC has now approved the summary of the Ministry of Water and Power for utilisation of the existing available generation capacity from short-term IPPs subject to the fact that it is not in violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment announced on March 30, 2012.

It is pertinent to mention that the power generation equipment imported under another scheme was declared illegal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its judgment. In order to avoid obsolescence of such plants and machinery and to avoid monetary claims under arbitration, these plants and machinery can be utilised to add 200MW of electricity.

Those RPPs which will get clearance from the NAB will become short-term IPPs and then they will get tariff and generation licence from Nepra to generate electricity.

The more interesting disclosure is that the Ministry of Water and Power had worked out 400MW electricity to be generated, but now it has been decided that the government will get only 200MW of electricity from the STIPPs.

One of the top officials of the Ministry of Water and Power said the government wanted to oblige those RPPs which are their favourite ones and for this the ministry wants to clear the three RPPs that include the Gulf Power Limited (70MW), Reshma Power Limited (90MW) and Techno Power Limited (100MW) for short-term minister of water and power has approved this proposal. He said if it happens then there would be no level playing field for other RPPs, which can also be converted into STIPPs.

However, under the ECC decision, the project company will obtain generation licence and tariff determination from Nepra, which will also determine the terms and conditions of tariff. The tariff will be determined on take-and-pay basis and electricity actually delivered to the national grid.

The short-term IPPs may have an option to sell electricity to the bulk consumers like housing societies, industrial parks, etc. without the government guarantees and obligation of the public entities to buy all of the generated electricity. As per the summary the term of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will be of 3 year and the draft of PPA will be prepared by NTDCL for short-term IPPs for approval of the ECC. The project company will have to obtain ‘no objection’ certificate from NAB for utilisation of plant and machinery.

Unconditionally and irrecoverable waiver of claims of arbitration against the government and its entities shall be eligible under the short-term IPPs framework.

The ECC also approved export of 250,000 metric tons of sugar by sugar mills from the surplus sugar stock with conditions that export quota will be allocated on first-come-first-served basis; export may be made against irrecoverable letter of credit or a contract with 25% non-refundable advance payment and that shipment may be made within 45 days of the registration of contract with the SBP, and the non-refundable advance payment to be forfeited in favour of the government of Pakistan in case of non-performance.

The official said that the country has surplus sugar which the industry wants to export to ensure payments to the sugarcane growers.

In the meeting, the finance minister also directed ministry of industries and production to ensure outstanding payments to sugarcane growers by sugar mills in coordination with the provinces.

The ECC approved the summary of the Finance Division for import of 0.125 million tons of urea fertiliser for the incoming Kharif (April to September season) 2014 in order to meet the demand as recommended by the ministry of national food security.

This import will not impact the foreign exchange reserves, as it will be done through ITFC. The finance minister on the occasion said that the earlier decision of the ECC to maintain the retail price of Rs1786 per bag must be ensured in the local market.

He said the ministries of food security and industries & production should work in coordination with the provinces for the agreed price. The ECC also constituted a four-member committee comprising ministers for water and power, petroleum and natural resources, food security and industries and production to sort out the issue of supply of required gas to the local urea manufacturers.

The ECC approved the summary of the Aviation Division for release of an amount equivalent to US $29.9 million to PIAC for acquisition of aircraft on dry lease. PIA intends to lease eight A320S offered by Qatar Aviation Lease Company through international tender. These aircraft will be available from April 2014. The minister cautioned the management of PIA that it cannot go outside the tender and should ensure that all the requirements are met and relevant rules must be followed.

The ECC also considered the summary of the ministry of commerce regarding lifting of ban on the import of gold. The ECC directed the Commerce Ministry to resubmit the summary, incorporating the guidelines provided by ECC, in the third week of April for consideration.

Two majors to be tried under Army Act

 

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Balochistan government to furnish today (Wednesday) a detailed report on the DNA tests of human bodies recovered from a suspected mass grave in the Khuzdar district.
The top court sought the report during the hearing of the Balochistan law and order, missing persons and mass grave cases by a three-member bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk.The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, had taken suo moto notice of a news report that carried a statement of Chairman of Voice of Baloch Missing Persons Nasrullah Baloch, seeking a judicial probe into the mass graves.

Nasrullah said three of the identified bodies were of those mentioned in the missing persons’ list. Justice Nasir observed that the court had passed the orders on March 7 and it was now the end of the month but no progress had been shown so far.

Meanwhile, the counsel for the Frontier Constabulary (FC), Balochistan, Irfan Qadir, informed the court that he had met the AG Balochistan Nizamuddin, who informed him that the provincial government had requisitioned the federal government to try army officials Major Saif and Major Moin under the Army Act. He said the two officials were definitely going to be tried under the Army Act.

The advocate general told the court that two meetings were held on the missing persons’ issue on March 18 and 24.Justice Amir Hani Muslim asked if the Balochistan chief secretary had participated in the meeting. The AG replied in the negative.

Justice Nasir asked how many times the case would be adjourned. “Time and again anopportunity was given to the provincial administration but no solution has been found out yet, although the case has been pending since 2010,” he added.

To another query, the advocate general told the court that the tribunal had not so far finalised its investigation into the verification of bodies recovered from Khuzdar. The court adjourned the hearing till today (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry is likely to submit a medical report to the Supreme Court on a missing person, Tasif Malik, today.A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, will hear the case on Thursday (tomorrow).

Earlier, the court was told that a meeting had been arranged between Tasif Malik and his wife Dr Abida Malik.However, the counsel for Tasif Malik, Colonel (retd) Inamur Raheem, requested the court for Malik’s medical check-up.

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.