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“In the next elections we will grab at least five MPA seats and two MNA seats,” claimed Asad Usman, PML-N’s secretary-general in Karachi. He was talking to The Express Tribune about the increasing party activity in the metropolis.

“We are working seriously on our politics here,” said Usman. “The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won sympathy votes in the last elections. But we know that they have lost their game and it will be our party that gets the votes this time.”

Meetings are held every day in PML-N offices from Quaidabad to Gulshan-e-Hadeed. New members are being recruited and preparations are being made for Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Karachi in September.

For quite some time now, the PML-N has been eyeing the areas on the city’s peripheries, but has not been able to clinch the seats. This time around, they are not leaving any stone unturned and seem pretty confident of their success.

According to party leaders, PML-N has been looking for a chance to gain control of Ibrahim Haidery and its adjoining coastal villages, Keamari, Malir, Mehmoodabad, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Hadeed and some areas of Sohrab Goth, which are dominated by the Awami National Party (ANP).

The PML-N is also regrouping in constituencies which won them seats in the 1997 general elections. The current general secretary of PML-N’s Sindh chapter, Saleem Zia, won from PS-113 (previously PS-89) in 1997. The seat is now held by Askari Taqvi of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The constituency consists of Defence and Clifton cantonment areas.

Now that Irfanullah Khan Marwat, who used to head the Punjabi-Pukhtun Ittehad, has also joined, the PML-N considers Karachi Administrators Cooperative Housing Society, Mehmoodabad, Liaquat Ashraf Colony, Akhtar Colony and Manzoor Colony – areas falling in PS-114, already won.

Marwat has been a strong candidate from this constituency. He had become a provincial minister after being elected from this seat. But in 2008, MQM’s Abdul Rauf Siddiqi beat him only by a slender margin of 100 votes.

Meanwhile, senior leader of the PML-N, Sardar Abdul Rahim, also contested elections from this constituency and won in the 1997 elections. But no one knows if the PML-N will nominate Marwat or Rahim for the upcoming elections.

Another constituency which the PML-N is very confident about the PS-129 – which include Ibrahim Hydery and Bin Qasim Town by the inclusion of Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamot last week. The seat is currently held by PPP’s Muzafar Ali Shujra but Jamot believes he has a strong chance of winning since his son became a parliamentarian from this constituency in 2004.

Another area of interest is Saeedabad in Baldia, from where the late Mian Eijaz Shafi was elected as an MNA in the 1997 elections.

Asif, the president of PML-N youth wing’s Karachi chapter, said, “In the coming days, we will organise rallies in all of Karachi’s zones. We are determined to increase our vote bank but we will not display false shows of strengths,” said Asif, who is also the Karachi president of the party’s youth wing. Asif’s brother, Humayun Muhammad Khan won from the PS-89, Keamari, in 1997 elections and became a provincial minister. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif called upon Khan to invite youngsters to the party.

Asif, who contested the elections from this seat last year but lost to PPP’s Akhtar Jadoon, vows to come back with vengeance.

However, the enthusiasm of invitation extended to Uziar Baloch to join the party has lost its froth because of the cases piled up against him, party leaders told The Express Tribune. “For now we [the PML-N] have decided to do away with the offer,” they said. “But we will approach him when he has been acquitted by the court.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Saleem Zia as the “president” instead of “general secretary” of PML-N’s Sindh chapter. The error has been rectified.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2012.

As the elections near, and a helpful fall in prices of petroleum products in the international market, the government on Saturday approved cuts of up to Rs6.44 for fuel.

The new prices will be effective between July 1 and July 15.

According to a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), prices of petrol were reduced by Rs5.02. This is the second reduction in prices of petrol in the past month.

Prices of high speed diesel and light diesel were reduced by Rs2.48 and Rs2.46 respectively.

Price for high octane (HOBC) was reduced by Rs6.44.

Kerosene oil was also made cheaper by Rs2.54.

Gas prices reduced

Ogra also notified reduction in prices of gas and CNG by as much as 51%.

The notification read that prices of gas for home users have been reduced between 18.07% and 51.07%.

Prices of CNG were also reduced by 7.07%.

In contrast, however, the government has decided to increase the prices for gas being made available to the industries, power plants and IPPs. Rates for these sectors have been hiked by 10.03%.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has been declared as the most popular leader, based on the  findings of a survey conducted by the Global Attitudes project of PEW Research Centre.

According to the survey, seven out of ten Pakistani respondents offered a favourable opinion about Khan, while the favourable ratings for the leader increased by 18 percentage points over the last two years. The survey also revealed that Khan enjoys incomparable popularity among the youth.

On the other hand, President Asif Ali Zardari’s popularity went significantly down to 14% as compared to 64% in 2008, and popularity of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif dropped to 62% from 79% in 2009.

Drones

A majority of the respondents (97%), aware of the drone attacks, believe that the strikes have a negative impact on the country. “Those who are familiar with the drone campaign also overwhelmingly believe the attacks kill too many innocent people (94%). Nearly three-quarters (74%) say they are not necessary to defend Pakistan from extremist organisations.”

The survey says that PTI’s stance on drone attacks and its stand against the war on terror might be the reason of his popularity among the overwhelming majority of the people.

State of affairs

According to the survey, about nine in ten people (87%) are dissatisfied with the country’s state of the affairs and the direction it has taken. Around 89% describe the national economic situation as “bad”.

Nine in ten consider crime and joblessness as the top national concerns, and a vast majority (86%) considers terrorism to be a major concern for the country. Nearly three-quarters are concerned about corrupt political leaders (78%) and illegal drugs (76%).

LAHORE: Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf defended President Asif Ali Zardari’s immunity on Satuday, saying it would end the day after he leaves office.

His comments came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the new prime minister two weeks to indicate whether he would write a letter to the Swiss authorities, asking them to reopen corruption cases against the Zardari, the incumbent president.

The issue precipitated in the removal of Ashraf’s predecessor, Yousaf Raza Gilani from office as prime minister on June 19 after the court convicted him for contempt in April, refusing to reopen the multi-million-dollar cases.

“He (Asif Ali Zardari) is the democratically elected President of Pakistan and as per law he enjoys the immunity as long as he holds the office,” Ashraf told reporters in Lahore.

When the new prime minister was asked what the government’s stance would be at the next Supreme Court hearing on July 12, Ashraf reiterated the presidential immunity.

“All the legal experts have given us the same opinion… So we will see the matter from the same angle,” he said.

Analysts say the latest notice by the Supreme Court indicate the judiciary is unwilling to end a showdown with the government that could force elections before the stipulated dates for February 2013, when the administration would become the first in Pakistan to complete a full five-year mandate.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf defended President Asif Ali Zardari’s immunity on Satuday, saying it would end the day after he leaves office.

His comments came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the new prime minister two weeks to indicate whether he would write a letter to the Swiss authorities, asking them to reopen corruption cases against the Zardari, the incumbent president.

The issue precipitated in the removal of Ashraf’s predecessor, Yousaf Raza Gilani from office as prime minister on June 19 after the court convicted him for contempt in April, refusing to reopen the multi-million-dollar cases.

“He (Asif Ali Zardari) is the democratically elected President of Pakistan and as per law he enjoys the immunity as long as he holds the office,” Ashraf told reporters in Lahore.

When the new prime minister was asked what the government’s stance would be at the next Supreme Court hearing on July 12, Ashraf reiterated the presidential immunity.

“All the legal experts have given us the same opinion… So we will see the matter from the same angle,” he said.

Analysts say the latest notice by the Supreme Court indicate the judiciary is unwilling to end a showdown with the government that could force elections before the stipulated dates for February 2013, when the administration would become the first in Pakistan to complete a full five-year mandate.

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and that both Islamabad and Washington are working in good faith to try to resolve the issue over restoration of supply routes into landlocked Afghanistan.

“There continue to be discussions in this area. We continue to have a line of communication with Pakistanis to try to see if we can take steps to re-open the GLOCs. (ground lines of communication). The good news is that there continue to be those discussions. There are still some tough issues to try to resolve,” he said at the Pentagon news briefing.

“But I think the important thing right now is that that both sides, in good faith, keep working to see if we can resolve this,” he said, appearing jointly with Gen Martin Dempsey, Chairman Joint Chiefs Staff.

In answer to a question, he emphasised that the US and Pakistan should work together to curb cross-border activities and referred to this week’s meeting between US top commander in Afghanistan General John Allen and Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. “After all, they too have been the victim of terrorism. They lost 17 Pakistanis on a patrol to TTP. And so everyday they too are the victims of terrorism. So we have a common enemy. It would make sense if we could work together to confront that common enemy,” the defence secretary said.

Panetta’s remarks were significant for a marked tone-down in Washington’s recent statements. The positive tone by both sides this week indicate they are finally inching toward progress on resolution to some issues between the two allies.

Meanwhile, Pakistani diplomats in Washington, led by Ambassador Sherry Rehman, have been reaching out to the US Congress to convey Pakistan’s perspective on counterterrorism issues and also listen to American lawmakers’ views on some of the divisive issues.

Islamabad has asked Washington to apologise over Salala border posts airstrikes on November 26, 2011, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, to pave the way for repairing the strained ties and restoration of key Pakistani land routes that transport essential NATO supplies into landlocked Afghanistan.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Army has accepted the Punjab government’s request of sending in 150 doctors to cover for those who have been on strike in the province since the last few weeks.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Regional Public Relation Officer in Lahore Lt Colonel Shahid Abbas Kirmani confirmed the development to The Express Tribune. According to ISPR statement, the doctors would provide services on the request of the Punjab government in public hospitals due to the ongoing strike of Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab.

“These doctors will perform their duties in uniform. Army doctors will only provide medical consultancy while administration of hospitals will continue to remain the responsibility of the provincial government,” it added.

Earlier, Express News had reported that the Punjab government had dismissed the doctors who were on strike, which are around 6,000 in number among a total of more than 15,000 in the province. However, reports emerged later clarifying that the Punjab government, in a meeting with senior doctors, has stressed on an end to the strike and that no doctors were dismissed.

The senior doctors also urged Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to give them 24-hours time to end the strike.

Meanwhile, the YDA Punjab threatened to withdraw it services at indoors if the government decided to open outpatient departments (OPDs) by any means.

This was decided after YDA Punjab held a seminar and a meeting of its General Council to discuss its future strategy.

“YDA condemns Punjab government’s maligning and coward tactics to deprive doctors of their rights through force and decides unanimously to confront any kind of evil move to oppress any doctor in the province. If government tried to open the OPDs by any means, we shall withdraw services from indoors straightaway and go further,” said YDA General Council member Dr Mudassir Razaq Khan.

The YDA Punjab held a protest at the Mayo Hospital on Friday, shouting slogans against the government and vowing to continue their “struggle” until their demand for a service structure was met. The Punjab Medical Association (PMA) has also been holding protests in the province.

LAHORE: The Punjab government announced the dismissal of doctors who have been on strike since the last few weeks, Express News reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Army accepted the provincial government’s request to send in around 180 doctors to cover up for those on strike.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the doctors will serve in their army uniforms.

The Punjab government said that the “criminal elements in Young Doctors Association (YDA) will not be given any concession”.

The YDA Punjab held a protest at the Jinnah Hospital on Friday, shouting slogans against the government and vowing to continue their “struggle” until their demand for a service structure was met. The Punjab Medical Association (PMA) has also been holding protests in the province.

LAHORE:  Prime Minister Raja Parvaiz Ashraf has said that law and order is a provincial issue and the army cannot be sent everywhere, Express News reported on Saturday. He speaking to the media in Lahore.

He was speaking on the Sindh law and order situation.

The prime minister said that the federal government was hesitant about sending in the army to resolve provincial issues for fear that such measures may turn out to be the “wrong cure” to remedy the situation.

“The federal government will be willing to help the government of Sindh if they ask for it,” he said.

On the issue of the government’s answer to the Supreme Court’s order for writing a letter to Swiss authorities, Ashraf said that it would “become known on July 12.”

While taking about the severe energy shortfall and loadshedding, Ashraf said, “The electricity crisis is the first priority.”

Free, fair elections

The prime minister said that the government would take all possible measures to ensure transparent, free and fair election in the country.

He asked the opposition to cooperate with the government in resolving issues being faced by the country and to face the challenges.

“I respect the PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz] leadership and the mandate of the Punjab government,” he said.

He added that there was no need of distances among political parties when the common goal was free and transparent election as the voters have the right to decide the future of any political party.

Army’s positive role

The prime minister said that the Pakistan Army has been playing a vital role in the defence of the country and it is a very positive role.

He added that the Pakistan Army has played an important role in floods, earthquake and other challenges faced by the country.

Appreciating the courage, dedication and commitment of the Army, Ashraf said, “We are proud of our forces as it is the source and strength of national stability.”

He further said that the army also helped the provincial governments in improving the law and order situation under the laws.

Balochistan issue

Commenting on the Balochistan issue, Ashraf said that Pakistan has been facing problems since its independence but the Pakistani nation has the strength to face such things.

He said that the Balochistan issue is very important as it is the biggest province and has a huge quantity of minerals.

He added that he had already invited all stakeholder and all Baloch leaders to come to the negotiation table, and assured that the federal government will ensure to resolve their problems.

He further said that the federal government has empowered the provincial governments, including that of Balochistan, and ensured more funds to them under the NFC.

Energy crisis

The prime minister said the government had taken measures to overcome the energy crisis in the country and efforts would bear fruit soon, adding that the government had inherited the energy crisis from previous regimes.

On the loadshedding issue plaguing the country, Ashraf said that loadshedding was not a phenomenon limited to Pakistan only but Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and even European countries were facing problems in the energy sector.

He said that the increase in the cost of electricity was due to the high price of oil in the international market and listed projects the government had initiated to reduce reliability on oil as an energy source.

“We have taken initiatives like Neelam Jehlum Power project, Kohala wind mills project, Thar Coal project and many other projects to face the challenge of shortage of electricity.” However, he said, the available energy sources are equally distributed all over the country.

Speaking on the Independent Power Producers, the prime minister said that the accountability process initiated by Saifur Rehman in Nawaz Sharif’s government had damaged the expansion of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) units, saying that they were introduced in 1994 to face the serious power crisis at the time and were criticised without any justification.

He said under the capacity payment agreement, the IPPs were being provided money under international contracts and added that these contracts were very good as many countries followed this example. Ashraf cautioned that there would be a ‘disaster’ in the energy sector, if the IPPs were not there, since 9000MW were being produced by the IPPs.

Ashraf said if the IPPs were continued, Pakistan would have surplus electricity and would have been exporting it.

About Rental Power Projects, he said it was misunderstood, adding that the project was started even before he took over as the Minister for Water and Power.

He said RPP contracts were given on merit and advances were returned overnight on the instruction of the Supreme Court that indicated that the money was not misappropriated, otherwise billions of rupees could not be returned over night by any businessman.

The prime minister said, “We have to create a conducive atmosphere for the benefit of the investors so that they can earn from their investment and feel protected.”

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau Chief (NAB) Fasih Bukhari has said that due to corruption, the national treasury is facing a Rs6 billion to Rs8 billion loss per day, Express News reported on Saturday.

The NAB chairman said that the bureau’s job was to recover the ‘stolen’ money, not prosecute. He however added that if anyone was found guilty, they would be prosecuted.

“Till now, NAB has recovered Rs235 billion for the treasury but this is not enough,” said Bukhari, adding that the government has given approval for recruiting 300 new investigators.

Ongoing corruption cases

Referring to the rental power project case, National Accounability Bureau Chief Fasih Bukhari enquired whether the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) had placed Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) as yet.

The chairman also said that the Ashraf was interrogated for 3 hours before he was made the prime minister.

Bukhari told the media that a joint investigation team (JIT) including the FIA, NAB and police among others had been formed for investigating the Arsalan Iftikhar case and will be headed by the NAB director general (DG) Financial Crime Investigation Cell, as per the order of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s letter.

Speaking on the issue of conducting an unbiased investigation, the NAB chief said, “It doesn’t matter if we know Malik Riaz or Nawaz Sharif, the investigation will be unbiased.” He also added that he had never taken any money from Malik Riaz.

Referring to Arsalan Ifitikhar’s  letter which he sent through his lawyer, the NAB chief said it was insolent through. “The letter is threatening, it uses threatening language, said Bukhari, adding that a notice will be taken in this regard.

Bukhari said that although the Sharif brothers’ case could yield just Rs3 billion and the Swiss letter case, Rs6 billion but the case of former Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman Tauqeer Sadiq could restore Rs55 billion to the treasury. He told the media that a warrant was to be issued for Tauqeer Sadiq’s arrest.

COLOMBO: Mohammad Hafeez roared back to form with a career-best 172 not out as Pakistan made Sri Lanka pay for a failed gamble in the second Test in Colombo on Saturday.

Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, took advantage of Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene’s surprise decision to field first on a good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Hafeez led the Pakistani charge with his fifth Test century – and the first after 10 innings – as the tourists moved to a commanding 334 for one by stumps on the opening day.

The Pakistan vice-captain has put on 256 runs for the unbroken second wicket with Azhar Ali (92 not out) after sharing an opening stand of 78 with Taufeeq Umar (65).

It was the first time since making 379-4 against India in Faisalabad in 2006 that Pakistan scored over 300 runs on the first day of a Test match.

The century helped Hafeez overcome the disappointment of losing the first Test in Galle by 209 runs, where he led Pakistan in the absence of the banned Misbahul Haq.

The all-rounder had been under pressure to retain his place in the Test side after a barren run of 10 innings since making his previous best of 143 against Bangladesh in Chittagong last year.

But Hafeez answered his critics in style, smashing 18 boundaries and a six off Suraj Randiv that sailed over the mid-wicket fence.

Azhar was content to play second fiddle at the other end, scoring just six fours, as the second-wicket pair laid the foundation for a big first innings total.

Azhar will resume on Sunday needing just eight runs to complete his third Test century.

Hafeez earned a lucky break just before tea when he was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, but television replays confirmed Angelo Mathews had sent down a no-ball.

When Hafeez was on 171, umpire Simon Taufel turned down Rangana Herath’s confident appeal for a catch at the wicket even as television replays indicated the ball may have gone off the bat.

Hafeez took time to settle down, making only 20 till lunch, before opening out after the break with attractive strokeplay on both sides of the wicket.

He had scored only 12 when Taufeeq raced to his 14th Test half-century in the 18th over with two successive boundaries off Mathews.

Taufeeq fell just when he had mastered the Sri Lankan attack, edging an intended cut off Mathews to the wicket-keeper.

Hafeez began the post-lunch session by sweeping Herath for two fours to bring up Pakistan’s 100 and then drove Nuwan Kulasekara to the point fence to reach his eighth half-century.

Misbah returned to lead Pakistan after missing the Galle Test due to a one-match ban for slow over-rates. Middle-order batsman Mohammad Ayub was dropped to accommodate the skipper.

But the tourists were without frontline seamer Umar Gul, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. He was replaced by fast bowler Aizaz Cheema.

Sri Lanka retained the same side that won the first Test to take the lead in the three-match series.

The disclosure may earn him more trouble, as Rehman Malik, who is currently adviser to the prime minister on interior, has already been facing multiple lawsuits in the apex court.

In response to a question by PAC member Hamid Yar Hiraj, Interior Secretary Khawaja Sadeeq Akbar told the committee that Malik and he were issuing ‘Blue Passports’ to businessmen and other influential people.

However, he contested that neither of them did anything wrong as rules allow issuances of official passports to private persons. While refusing to accept Akbar’s response, the PAC, headed by Yasmeen Rehman, sought a detailed report and a copy of the rules that supposedly give such wild discretionary powers.

“I recently requested for an official passport for my brother and the interior secretary said the rules do not allow issuance of a Blue Passport to a private person,” Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada, a PAC member from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, pointed out.

The Supreme Court had suspended Malik’s Senate membership for holding dual nationalities, following which he was appointed adviser to the prime minister on interior.

Malik is also facing contempt of court charges after he constituted a joint investigation team to probe into alleged corruption in the Pakistan Steel Mills despite knowing that the matter was sub judice.

Malik’s security concerns

The PAC was told that Malik, who is in charge of homeland security, is afraid of stepping out of his house. “Rehman Malik doesn’t attend his office due to security reasons and has converted his house into his camp office,” disclosed the interior secretary.

The PAC also questioned the interior secretary on the deputation of Frontier Constabulary personnel with foreigners and VVIPs. “What is the point of having the FC when it cannot provide protection to the citizens,” said Noor Alam of the Pakistan Peoples Party. The committee also sought a report on expenses incurred during last five years by relatives of the prime minister, ministers and parliament while providing security.

Issue of missing passports

Meanwhile, the accountability body of parliament was unable to get the interior secretary to disclose the names of officials involved in stealing 5,634 passports. It also could not figure out whether the ministry held an internal inquiry to fix responsibility over the issue.

The interior secretary, instead, tabled a one-page summary, stating the background of the scam. According to the summary, which did not have any official seals, the Federal Investigation Agency has arrested the culprits and all stolen passports have been recovered.

In June last year, as many as 5,634 passports were stolen from the office of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, Karachi.  The PAC criticised the interior secretary for lack of financial discipline and unpreparedness for the meeting. The chairperson warned to cut 5% salaries of interior ministry officials if they came unprepared to the meeting again.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012. 

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister House, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf directed the finance secretary to release the HEC funds with immediate effect as it was a “question of the future of thousands of students who are studying both at home and abroad”.

The prime minister said that complacency will be tolerated in this regard, according to the statement.

HEC Chairman Javed Laghari has termed the release ‘peanuts’, saying it was insufficient to meet the commission’s demands.

The premier’s direction followed his meeting with Minister for Professional & Technical Training Shiekh Waqas Akram, during which the latter expressed his concerns over the stalled HEC funds and the gravity of the situation.

The minister met the prime minister after being briefed by the Federation of All Pakistan University Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA).

Akram informed the prime minister that the staff of 74 public sector universities remained unpaid due to stalled funds. Moreover, he said that due to non-issuance of funds, around 10,000 overseas PhD scholars and graduates would be affected and other overseas projects could also be jeopardised.

An official in the professional and technical training ministry said that following the detailed discussion, Prime Minister Ashraf ordered the finance ministry to immediately release Rs4.6 billion to the HEC.

A total of Rs12 billion were not released during the fiscal year 2011-12 – out of which Rs 6 billion was meant for development and another Rs6 billion for recurring expenditures. For the fiscal year 2012-2013, Rs10 billion less than HEC’s demand were allocated to the commission.

The HEC chairman told The Express Tribune that the finance division verbally conveyed that it would release Rs2billion, which is insufficient to meet the huge demands from different universities.

He added that they were currently facing a shortage of over Rs11billion, out of which Rs4.6billion was for salaries only, which was meant to be released six months ago. The remaining funds would be used in the development sector, Laghari added.

Meanwhile, the FAPUASA formally expressed concern over the delay and non-implementation of Prime Minister Ashraf’s directives. FAPUASA President Kaleemullah Bareach, Vice President Zahid Majeed and all provincial presidents have shared in their statement on Friday that only Rs2billion against Rs11billion was not enough.

They said the PAPUASA would go ahead with their protest if the premier’s directives were not honoured by the finance division soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

“Threats from across the border are not something we can ignore … we will have to reinforce our troops to keep them away from Swat,” a senior security official told The Express Tribune on Friday. He did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Troops may be moved to Swat from Punjab’s Kharian and Jehlum cantonments, the official said. According to him, the reinforcements would be deployed to secure hills and roads leading to Swat from Afghanistan’s bordering Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

Military spokesperson Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa did not offer comment on the matter of reinforcements, saying that Swat was beyond militants’ reach and that they could never pose any threat to hard-won peace in the valley.

The development came days after a spokesperson for Maulvi Fazlullah said the militants who fled the 2009 military operation to Afghanistan’s eastern provinces were preparing to launch a new offensive.

Sirajuddin Ahmad, Fazlullah’s spokesman and cousin, said the group’s aim was to recapture Swat and eventually take control of Pakistan.

“The establishment of Islamic Sharia is our goal, and we will not rest until we achieve it. We will fight whoever stands in our way,” he told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location in Afghanistan.

The threat from the militia followed the release of a video by its associates of what they claimed were the heads of 17 Pakistani soldiers along with their identification cards.

Maulvi Fazlullah has slowly regrouped his militia by securing support from Afghan militants in an area where groups form loose alliances against the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“He is extremely dangerous,” said a Pakistani security official. “Fazlullah has 150 men, rocket-propelled grenades and light machine guns. You only need a small number of men to carry out effective operations. This is a big number,” he told Reuters.

Experts, however, believe it will be impossible for the group to regain Swat from Pakistani military, which currently controls the most vital part of the valley.

“It looks extremely difficult… the militia does not have the resources and manpower. They cannot defeat the military, but can bleed them,” said Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Saad, a Peshawar-based security analyst who has been monitoring the Fazlullah’s rise.

“The most important thing such groups need to control a region is public support. Fazlullah had it when he started in 2007,” said Muhammad, concluding “but nobody will be willing to support him (now).” (With additional input from Reuters)

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the Hajj corruption case.

A joint secretary of the establishment division told the court that Hussain Asghar had been informed about the court orders and an inquiry will be led against him if he does not follow them. The joint secretary added that Asghar had violated the court’s orders.

He told the bench that a summary regarding departmental action to be taken against Asghar was forwarded to the prime minister on June 27.  The PM was also requested to appoint an officer to initiate inquiry against Asghar for non-compliance of government orders. The SC directed the government on Wednesday to suspend Asghar from his current post and block his salary after learning that the police chief failed to report back to the FIA as an investigator in the Hajj scam.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

Pakistan is home to 1.7 million refugees and hundreds of thousands more unregistered migrants from its neighbour, according to the UNHCR.

But Islamabad says it cannot be expected to tolerate illegal migrants, and 400,000 undocumented Afghans in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), face the imminent prospect of removal.

The UNHCR describes the situation of Afghans in Pakistan as the “largest and most protracted refugee crisis in the world” and warned that the question of how to deal with it was becoming ‘increasingly politicised’.

K-P Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said law enforcement agencies have been told to compile lists of illegal Afghans and once the June 30-deadline passes, orders will be issued for their arrest, appearance in court and subsequent deportation to Afghanistan.

“No country allows illegal immigrants, how is it possible to legalise something which is illegal?” Hussain said.

But Afghans are nervous about welcoming home so many people. The government in Kabul denied that expulsions would take place.

Afghan refugee ministry spokesman Islamuddin Jurat said the two sides had agreed to solve the issue and give the Afghans “some legal status to stay there”. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

“The two sides have covered some ground towards finding alternatives to missile attacks by CIA’s remotely-piloted aircraft,” said a top government official, who is part of covert and overt talks with the US.

The official said the US has agreed to explore other options after Pakistan made it abundantly clear that drone strikes were unacceptable.

However, he did not give any timeframe nor would he say what alternatives the two estranged allies could exercise in the absence of drones, which the US believes are critical to eliminating high-value targets associated with al Qaeda and the Taliban.

In the past, Islamabad had suggested using F-16 fighter jets as an alternative to drones to take out wanted militants. But the US had reportedly shown little interest in the proposal.

Experts believe that given the election year in the US, the administration of US President Barack Obama is unlikely to take any drastic decision on the use of drones in the tribal areas.

The American reluctance is attributed to growing mistrust between the two allies. There is perception in Washington that Islamabad opposes the CIA campaign, not necessarily because of the issue of sovereignty and collateral damage, but due to the elimination of ‘pro-Pakistan’ militants.

But the Pakistani official sought to quash the impression saying that Islamabad considered al Qaeda as an existential threat.

“Had it not been the case, we would not have apprehended and killed hundreds of al Qaeda operatives,” he explained.

Asked about the Haqqani network, the official conceded that Pakistan’s security agencies maintained contacts with what the Americans call ‘the deadliest Afghan insurgents’ group’.

“This is an open secret. There are many countries which are not only in contact with the Haqqanis but held talks with them in the past,” he said.But he denied that Pakistan was using these contacts to mount attacks against the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

“Our policy of seeking a non-military solution to the Afghan imbroglio is somehow being misconstrued in the US as if we are playing a double game,” the official pointed out.

Turning to the ongoing deadlock over the resumption of Nato supplies, the official said that significant progress had been made on a number of issues.

“We are moving in the right direction and are close to finalising a mechanism that will ensure no Salala-like incidents in the future,” he added.

However, he confirmed that the issue of apology was the main stumbling block in reopening vital land routes for foreign forces in Afghanistan.

Though, there is unanimity of views that Nato supply routes should be reopened, it will only be possible if Washington offers a public apology over last year’s cross border raid, the official maintained.

His statement was also endorsed separately by Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, who told reporters on Friday that the government stuck to its demand for an apology.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

In a written order of its earlier verdict, which gave the president till September 5 to resign from his post of Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman, the court stressed that the ruling is not only binding but has ‘enforceable legal effects’.

Friday’s written instructions of the LHC order passed on Wednesday also directed its office to immediately serve the order to President Zardari through his principal secretary. The secretary is to submit a reply regarding the president’s position regarding compliance with the order before the deadline of September 5.

The LHC also issued notice to the attorney general of Pakistan to seek his assistance on various constitutional aspects of the case.

A three-member bench on Wednesday had asked President Zardari to dissociate himself from political activities by September 5, in a contempt case that was a follow-up to an order passed by the LHC last year.

In May 2011, a bench headed by former LHC Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry had ruled the Presidency off-limits for political activity, saying the practice was “inconsistent with the dignity, neutrality and independence of the presidency.”

“In the present case, the respondent president has also accepted the judgment (issued on May 12, 2011) by not challenging the same. That confers finality on the judgment and stops the respondent from challenging it. It is also plain that even after the lapse of one year following the judgment, the respondent continues to retain in his private capacity the office of Co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Prima facie the forgoing facts are such that these require further probes by this court,” the court order stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

“Pakistan is looking to just import petrol while India is expecting a much larger order for which it has offered to lay an oil pipeline, a project that would be completed in a few months,” said a government official.

India wants to provide over 50 million tons of oil annually to meet the entire fuel requirements of its neighbour but Pakistan does not want to rely on its old rival.

A senior official said that Pakistan could import diesel, jet fuel and furnace oil but only in small quantities, if any, to avoid over reliance on India due to security reason. “If Pakistan hands India the contract for high-speed diesel and jet fuel, they will also be giving them the trigger to halt Pakistan’s entire security system.”

Officials from both the countries are scheduled to meet on July 12-13 in New Delhi and expected make some breakthrough in petrol. The two sides will also discuss the option of LNG import of 200 million cubic feet from India, a move that may decrease the costly freight charges that will be paid if it is imported from any other country.

A senior official said that experts of the two countries will finalise imports, price and transportation charges.

“The two countries want to complete the oil trade deal before implementation of MFN status to India,” a senior government official said. An official said that Pakistan is expected to complete the process of implementing Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India by December 2012 after getting the final nod from the Cabinet.

“During talks held in Islamabad, Pakistani team was of the view that small quantity of diesel and furnace oil could be imported from India as goodwill gesture,” sources said.

The other reason the country is reluctant to import Indian diesel is its steep price amid high quality.

“Indian refineries are producing diesel euro-4 quality whereas in Pakistani refineries are producing euro zero quality,” official said.

India refineries located in the south are producing furnace oil with an aim to export it to Sri Lanka and Singapore. “Furnace oil would be costly due to the long distance of these refineries from Pakistan border,” official said. Pakistan is not a permanent exporter of jet fuel and at present, its export is closed. Therefore, it is not possibility that Pakistan would import jet fuel from India.

“The other reason is that Pakistan has long-term diesel supply contract with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and certain quarters in the government believe that oil imports from Gulf countries should not be stopped.

On the other hand, a senior official from the petroleum ministry said that Pakistan had expressed the desire to import furnace oil, diesel and petrol from its neighbour. “We want India to deliver diesel through Karachi and furnace oil and petrol via the Wagah border to meet requirements of Punjab.”

Pakistan consumes 6.9 million tons of diesel per year, of which domestic oil refineries produce 3.2 to 3.4 million tons while the rest is imported.

Furnace oil demand stands at about nine million tons, of which domestic refineries produce about 2.5 million tons while the remaining is imported.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.

A province up in arms over the power crisis accorded a warm reception to the man who is largely believed to be responsible for the crisis – former water and power minister, and the incumbent Prime Minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

Along with office bearers of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), cabinet members of the Punjab government, belonging to the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), received Prime Minister Ashraf on his first visit to Lahore since becoming the premier.

That also made him the only PPP leader to receive an official reception and protocol in recent times – both President Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani were denied official protocol in Punjab for quite some time.

Prime Minister Ashraf appreciated the gesture, and returned the favour: Extending an invitation to the opposition parties to join him in consultation in the selection of a chief election commissioner (CEC).

Earlier, the PPP and PML-N had arrived at a dead end over the appointment of a CEC, with ousted premier Gilani and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan sending individual candidates lists to the parliamentary committee on the appointment of a CEC. The committee, however, has not yet agreed upon a single name for the post of CEC.

Warmth returned

Earlier, when premier Ashraf had visited the city as water and power minister, he was not extended an official reception purportedly for his statements against the construction of Kalabagh Dam. This time, however, the prime minister remained silent on the issue.

Provincial minister for planning and development, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, and senior adviser to the chief minister Senator Zulfiqar Khosa, along with Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa received the premier on his arrival.

The premier presided over a party meeting at the Governor House. According to an official handout, Prime Minister Ashraf stressed that the PPP government is committed to impartial elections. “The opposition should come forward for the selection of the CEC, which is vital for a smooth and reliable electoral process ahead,” he said.

Prime Minister Ashraf also rejected politics of confrontation amongst institutions and political parties, saying it is detrimental to the cause of democracy. “I hold the governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in high esteem and respect their mandates,” he said.

He also welcomed the Punjab government’s gesture of officially receiving him on his arrival in the city.

Prime Minister Ashraf said that overcoming the energy crisis is the top-most priority of his government, adding that the power shortfall has been reduced considerably due to recent initiatives by the government.

Election year

Later, talking to the media at a wedding reception, Prime Minister Ashraf said that the current year is an election year.

Time to scuffle with each other has gone, the premier said, adding that he, along with all opposition parties, will have to make a commitment of maintaining the rule of law, respect the judiciary, parliament and the National Assembly since this is the only way of survival of democratic forces.

Inside the PML-N

The granting of official reception and protocol to Prime Minister Ashraf was not an arbitrary move.

Sources in the PML-N told The Express Tribune that party president Nawaz Sharif held meetings at Raiwind two days ago which lasted six hours.

Among the decisions arrived at during the meeting, one was to accept and give official protocol to Prime Minister Ashraf in Punjab.

Earlier, the PML-N had decided to abandon giving official protocol to Gilani and President Zardari since the party believed they are involved in corruption and obeying the rulings of the apex court, Chaudhry Ghafoor told The Express Tribune.

The party has now decided to move forward, he added.

Meanwhile, sources said the PML-N has prepared a list of issues to be negotiated with the PPP, including the CEC, appointment of a caretaker set up including a prime minister and chief ministers, and the announcement of a date for the upcoming general elections.

“Ashraf’s invitation of negotiations with the opposition has been taken by PML-N’s leadership as a positive step” Ghafoor said.

Later at night, Prime Minister Asharf laid a floral wreath at the Data Darbar. He will meet journalists, lawyers and other party officials at the Governor House on Saturday before returning to Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.