Headlines

PPP, JI, ANP, JUI-F support targeted operation in Karachi (August 29, 2013) 

 

ISLAMABAD: PPP, ANP, JI and JUF-F have expressed their support for Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s call for a targeted operation in Karachi. 

The ANP leadership has called for action against those criminals who identify themselves as party workers.

Earlier, the interior minister informed members of the National Assembly of a need to conduct a targeted operation in Karachi. Nisar said the operation would be led by Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, adding that it should be supported by the judiciary.

Meanwhile, in reaction to the arrest of innocent civilians and party worker during overnight raids in the metropolis, the MQM staged a walkout from the National Assembly. MQM leader, Dr Farooq Sattar also claimed that he and other party parliamentarians were on the arrest list prepared by the Sindh government.

While speaking to the media outside parliament, Sattar demanded that those arrested during overnight raids should be presented before courts within 24 hours. 

War on terror: Terrorism claimed 12,795 lives (August 28, 2013)

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry put the total number of fatalities in terrorist incidents since the year 2002 at 12,795 – roughly one-third of the figure claimed by unofficial and media sources.

During the Senate’s question hour on Tuesday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced the official figures. So far, at least 12,795 people have been killed and 28,881 others injured in acts of terrorism across the country since 2002, against unofficial claims of more than 40,000.

At least 1,318 were killed in Punjab, 646 people lost their lives in Sindh, 2,810 people fell prey to terror in Balochistan, while the highest number of fatalities was recorded in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 3,990. Similarly, 3,851 people were killed in Fata and 180 people in Islamabad Capital Territory.

Nisar said that he is doubtful about the figures adding that as many as 381 people went missing and out of them 93 were recovered. The highest number of missing persons was recorded from Punjab at 153.

The ministry further stated that Rs1,303.53 million were paid in compensation to those killed in terrorist incidents and Rs522 million was allotted to those injured in the terror attacks. The document also disclosed that as many as 16,560 alleged terrorists were arrested from across the country since 2002.

Chaudhry Nisar maintained that he had directed the ministry to withdraw official escort being provided to all former ministers and bureaucrats. He will ensure this order is carried out, as he himself is not enjoying this facility as the incumbent interior minister.

Unregistered SIMs

The government is planning to take action against cellular companies for not blocking unregistered SIMs, which are often used to coordinate terrorist attacks.

Nisar informed the House that only 199.569 million SIMs have been verified by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the remaining are still unregistered, which is a grave concern.

He said that he was shocked at why cellular companies have not taken any measures to block unregistered SIMs. “I will hold a special meeting in this regard and hold all the companies accountable.”

Both the companies and the retailers will be held responsible if any SIM is found unregistered in the future.

Court orders Mubarak released from prison (August 20, 2013)

CAIRO — Former President Hosni Mubarak may soon be freed from prison, judicial authorities said Monday, another measure of just how far the tumult now shaking Egypt has rolled back the changes and soaring hopes of the Arab spring.

The new government installed after the ouster of Mubarak’s Islamist successor, Mohammed Morsi, has brought back not only prominent faces of the Mubarak era but also signature elements of his authoritarian state.

The court said Mubarak, who has been detained on a variety of charges since his ouster in 2011, should be set free but it did not set a time, according to state media and security officials, and it remained possible that the authorities would find a way to keep him in detention.

Senate session: Cutting across party lines, senators denounce ‘Indian aggression’(August 20, 2013)

ISLAMABAD:  The upper house of parliament passed a unanimous resolution on Monday condemning the “unprovoked Indian aggression across the Line of Control (LoC)”.

Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq, who belongs to the PML-N, moved the resolution in the Senate which stated that Pakistan would not tolerate any aggression or threat to its sovereignty. “We want friendly relations with all our neigbours but we will not tolerate any aggression on the sovereignty of Pakistan,” he said.

All senators voted in favour of the resolution. The house also unanimously adopted a resolution, moved by PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, condemning the ongoing violence and toppling of the democratically elected government in Egypt.

Speaking on Indian aggression, PML-Q Senator Kamil Ali Agha said it has been a practice by successive governments in India, regardless of their party affiliations, to make up false stories about Pakistan and present them as facts before the world.

“It’s a pity that we’ve not been able to effectively counter India’s propaganda and its malicious campaign,” said Agha. He added that India was building illegal reservoirs on the rivers depriving Pakistan of its due share of irrigation water according to the Indus Waters Treaty.

“Recently, India resorted to violence by letting floodwater into the rivers that devastated crops on thousands of acres of land in Pakistan,” he said.

Senator Agha went on to criticise the Saudi Arabian government’s role in the Egypt crisis. “We should have also adopted a resolution against it.”

Jinnah Avenue incident 

Senator Agha who also took Interior Minister to task and held him responsible for the Jinnah Avenue incident.

Referring to the minister’s press conference following the incident, Senator Agha asked Nisar to resign because he had failed to provide security to the people.

Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan said the interior minister should be called to make a statement in the house. The leader of the house assured the lawmakers that the interior minister has agreed to brief them about the incident on Tuesday.

DSP’s daughter, two nephews killed in Naushero Feroz (August 20, 2013)

NAUSHEHRO FEROZE: Shafiq Ahmed and his companions opened fire on students in Naushero Feroz killing a DSP’s daughter, Bisma, along with his two nephews, Express News reported on Tuesday.

Shafiq is the DSP’s niece’s ex-husband and they have four children. Earlier this week he took three of his children with him.

Approximately a dozen students were boarded on a rickshaw when the armed men appeared in a car outside a private school at Habib Chowk in Naushero Feroz.

Ten-year-old Bisma was identified as the daughter of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Headquarter Jumma Khan Panore. The rickshaw driver and DSP’s three nephews Adil, Aqib and Ghulam were seriously injured in the incident. Later the two nephews Adil and Aqib succumbed to their injuries. The three dead children were aged between 8 to 10 years.

The rickshaw driver, identified as Mohammad Rehman, who is the main witness of the incident has not gained consciousness yet.

Police sources claimed that the incident is the result of personal enmity. The rival group targeted the DSP’s family over a matrimonial issue, reported The News.

Karachi violence: Two killed, five bodies recovered (August 20, 2013)

KARACHI: Two people were shot dead and five bodies were recovered from different parts of Karachi, DawnNews reported. 

Bodies of two kidnapped individuals were found on Tuesday near the city’s Northern Bypass which falls within the remit of the Surjani Town police station.

The remaining three bodies were found in the Shah Latif and Memon Goth areas of Karachi’s Malir Town. Further inspection of the bodies revealed that all three had been tortured before being shot to death.

Rescue workers say these areas are very familiar with such events. Every other day they find some dead body or the other to take to their grieving families.

Another incident of firing near Islam Chowk in the city’s Orangi Town resulted in one person being killed while firing at Martin Road killed a political worker.

Karachi is home to multiple conflicts that frequently turn violent, including gang wars and ethnic and political rivalries. Militants are said to use the city as a hiding place and a source of funds obtained through bank heists, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.

Engineer caught in Pakistan floods still missing (August 18, 2013)

Karachi: The body of an engineer who is feared to have drowned along with his wife and infant in the flash floods following torrential rains was still missing after 13 days, sources said.

The rains in this port city wreaked havoc a fortnight ago. Over 24 people died in different rain-related accidents, including drowning, electrocution and roof or wall collapses.

Muzaffar Saleem, a chemical engineer, along with his wife Yasmeen and infant Abeer, were trapped in gushing waters while driving past the Buffer Zone on August 3. Their car was discovered on August 5 and the bodies of the wife and son were found inside.

Deputy commissioner of the district Saifur Rehman told the media that his team, reinforced by divers from the Pakistan Navy, had tried searching for the engineer’s body, but in vain. The accumulation of garbage in the water bed was the main hurdle in recovering the body, the official added.

Meanwhile, authorities have warned people living around the bed of the Indus River. On Friday, torrential rains at the Sulaiman mountain range also increased flooding in the river.

Egypt under siege – again (August 18, 2013) 

Egypt’s US-financed armed forces have gone to war against its own people. Arab spring has become Arab winter.

So far, the army and security police have scored brilliant battlefield victories against unarmed men, women, and children, killing and wounding thousands who were demanding a return to democratic government.

The latest Cairo protests by supporters of the elected Morsi government have been scattered by gunfire and huge armoured bulldozers resembling the giant vehicles used by Israel to smash Palestinian barricades and protesters. All Egyptians opposing the Sisi dictatorship are now officially, “terrorists”.
Egypt’s generals and hard right Mubarakist supporters have ditched any pretence of civilian government and now rely on the bayonet and tank. The men with the guns make the rules. 

This is the third fairly elected Arab government to be overthrown or besieged, like Gaza, by Western-backed military regimes. Unlike Algeria, where the first elected government was crushed, Egypt’s Islamists have no arms and are unlikely to be able to mount serious domestic resistance aside from some pinprick attacks in Upper Egypt and Sinai.

The bloody Mubarakist counter-revolution, financed by some Gulf monarchies, has put the US, Egypt’s patron, into a serious jam. Washington was forced to denounce the coup and ongoing state repression as “deplorable,” in the words of US State Secretary John Kerry.

However, weeks earlier the clearly confused Kerry had praised the coup that overthrew Egypt’s first democratically-elected government as “restoring democracy.” He refused to brand the military putsch a coup, for that would have meant cutting off annual $1.3 billion in US payments to Egypt’s armed forces, a key US ally. President Barack Obama has simply ducked the whole issue.

Since Washington preaches democracy, civilian rule, and human rights, it cannot be seen to be openly backing Egypt’s brutal military and security forces. So the Obama administration has been pussyfooting around events in Egypt, pleased to see its generals in charge and the Islamists out of power, but unwilling to say so. 

The US Mideast policy is run from five different power centres: the White House, State Department, Pentagon, CIA, and Congress. America’s powerful pro-Israel lobby gives Congress its marching orders over Egypt, controlling financial aid, food supplies, and weapons deliveries. In effect, Israel is a sixth player in this game.

Now, the White House has made a significant démarche: after delaying delivery of a few F-16 fighters, it just cancelled the annual US-Egyptian Brightstar military exercise, an affirmation of the Pentagon’s domination of Egypt’s military. This is a blow to the Pentagon and a boost for Kerry’s State Department.

Egypt’s 440,000-man armed forces is joined at the hip with the Pentagon, which controls its arms, funding, training, high-tech equipment, promotion lists, spare parts, and munitions supply, the latter two always kept in short supply. 

So Egypt’s generals will soon have to sheathe their swords, withdraw tanks, and fabricate a figurehead civilian government that at least looks somewhat real, instead of the army-installed cigar-store Indians now supposedly running the government.

This will mollify Washington. After all, the US happily backed and financed the brutal Mubarak military regimes for three decades, turning a blind eye to its torture, executions, and massive human rights violations. The Western media obediently lauded the Mubarak dictatorship as a pillar of Mideast stability (US code talk for status quo).

Expect a rapid return to Mubarakism once the bloodshed dies down, and likely his release from jail. The prisons will fill again, the torturers will work overtime, and Egypt will return to full-blown military-police state led, most likely, by General el-Sisi, who looks every inch a modern dictator in his dark sunglasses and medals.

For once, leading Republican Senator John McCain got it right. “Washington should cut off all military aid to Egypt,” he urged, “as US law mandates.” America’s image in the entire Muslim world is at risk. Remember when President Obama called for full democracy across the Mideast?
But Obama is reluctant to move because Israel, its friends in Congress, and the Pentagon brass are squarely behind Egypt’s military regime, as they were behind Mubarak. Egypt, and its US guided armed force, are a pillar of the American Mideast Raj.

The writer is an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist. His articles appear in the New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Gulf Times, Khaleej Times and other news sites in Asia. He is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, Lew Rockwell and Big Eye. He appears as an expert on foreign affairs on CNN, BBC, France 2, France 24, Fox News, CTV and CBC.

Monsoon system weakening: Flood in three rivers damages crops, houses (18 August 2013)

LAHORE: The weather system generating widespread rain in the country for the past four days weakened on Saturday but the floods it triggered in the Indus, two eastern rivers and their tributaries in the Sialkot region continued to play havoc with crops and settlements along their embankments. 

Lahore received more rain and four people, including a minor girl, died as the roofs of their houses collapsed in different localities.

The Met office said the monsoon low over Bahawalpur and Indian Rajasthan had weakened. The westerly system converting moisture into rain too went away from over the northern areas. Therefore, there will no longer be heavy rain in the country.

“However, some cities in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and some other divisions may have scattered rain because of the low temperatures and residual moisture in the air,” Flood Forecasting Division chief Riaz Khan said.

According to the FFD, the Indus at Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu, the Chenab at Khanki and Qadirabad and the Ravi at Balloki and Shahdara are in medium flood.
The Indus at Kalabagh and Sukkur, the Kabul at Nowshera, the Chenab at Marala, the Ravi at Jassar and the Sutlej at Sulemanki are in low flood.

The Chenab will be in medium flood at Trimmu on Sunday and Monday. Its peak of 300,000 cusecs was crossing the Chiniot bridge on Saturday evening.

The Indus will be in high flood at Guddu on Aug 20 and 21. The tributaries of the Chenab and Ravi are still flooded because of the rain in the region and the adjoining Jammu.

The FFD said high to very high flood would continue to affect life and property along the tributaries on Sunday and Monday.

The floods in the rivers and the tributaries are affecting life, property and crops over thousands of acres in the riverine areas and along their embankments in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Chiniot, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura and Multan.

The medium flood in the Ravi at Shahdara created panic among people, displacing hundreds of nomads settled in its bed.

Nazir and his son Rashid of Kot Lakhpat’s Farid Colony were killed when the roof of their house collapsed. Three other members of the family sustained injuries.

Samrin, 5, was killed when then roof of her home in Nishter Colony collapsed. Her parents and other family members were injured.

Shakil Masih, 32, of Wandala Dyal, Shahdara, was killed in a similar accident. The Met office said that Kakul received 57mm of rain, Okara 44, Lahore Airport 39, Murree 35, Rawalakot 29, Lahore city 20, Sahiwal 10, Badin eight, Jhelum seven and Islamabad Airport, Faisalabad and Balakot 4mm.

Thais To Be Evacuated From Egypt In Case Of Emergency (17 August 2013)

BANGKOK, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says that her government has prepared military aircraft C-130 Hercules and coordinated with commercial airlines to timely assist and evacuate Thai nationals from violence-plagued Egypt in case of any emergency.

Thai News Agency (TNA) reported that Yingluck told journalists of the moves amid ongoing bloody political unrest in Egypt, having latest erupted since Aug 14.

Yingluck acknowledged that she has ordered the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely monitored the updated situation and to remain on standby to immediately assist and evacuate Thai nationals in case of any emergency.

The Thai premier suggested that families who are worried over their relatives in Egypt can contact the Thai Embassy in Cairo for assistance, though there have been no requests from any Thai national for a flight arrangement.

A most fatal crackdown in Cairo erupted last Wednesday amid a persistent anti-government protest, starting in June 2013, which led to a coup d'etat on July 3, bringing out together demonstrators to defend the legitimacy of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, the first-elected Egyptian president, until security forces resolved to crack down on them.

Pakistani forces kill 8 militants following train attack  (17 August 2013)

Pakistani security forces killed eight militants during a search operation in the restive southwestern Balochistan province in the aftermath of a train attack which left 2 people dead, officials said.

"Security forces launched an extensive search operation in the mountains of Machh and Kolpur, killing eight militants," Deputy Commissioner of Bolan district, Abdul Waheed Shah said.

The search operation was launched after militants attacked the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffer Express train in Bolan district yesterday, killing four passengers and injuring 27 others including women and children.
The attack was followed by fierce clashes between security forces and armed militants.

"There was heavy exchange of fire as the militants resisted the search operation by the security forces high up in the mountains. The exchange continued for atleast five hours," Shah said.

More troops were called in the area to control the situation developed after the armed clash.
A senior government official said that helicopters were also used in the search operation which was still continuing.

"Two helicopters are hovering over mountains of Machh and other areas of Bolan," he said.
Train service between Balochistan and other parts of the country was temporarily suspended. However Jaffar express was allowed to proceed toward Rawalpindi after alteration of engine.

Meanwhile, Bolan Mail from Karachi to Quetta was stopped at Notal area of Naseerabad for security reasons.

"We have been waiting for last five hours for departure," an awaiting passenger said.
The attack came just over a week after Baloch insurgents disguised as security personnel stopped buses at a fake check point near Machh and killed 13 civilians.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, is wracked by violence by Baloch nationalist groups that want greater control over natural resources.
The banned Baluchistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack.



LAHORE: At least 78,500 acres of Pakistan’s standing kharif crop have been damaged by monsoon flooding across the Punjab. (17 August 2013)

The crops especially under threat include cotton, orchards and even water-intensive paddy.

High inflows from rains have led to flooding in all major rivers of the country.

This includes the River Indus at Chashma, River Chenab at Marala, Khanki & Qadirabad, and River Indus at Kalabagh.

High to very high flood level is likely to continue in the nullahs of River Ravi and Chenab during the next 24-hours.

Preliminary reports say there is visible damage to standing crops following several days of heavy rainfall.

This includes paddy and cotton right from Narowal and Sialkot districts in North to Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts in the South.

Fairly widespread rains have been recorded in the country with heavy to very heavy falls in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and eastern Balochistan.

According to initial official reports, cotton crop has been damaged at an area of 70,000 acres in Rajanpur district alone.

Hill torrents played a major role in playing havoc with standing cotton plants.

This loss is in addition to the crop already damaged in kacha area along river banks.

Jampur and Rojhan Mazari are among the worst-hit areas of the district.

Cotton crop in as many as 3,500 acres of land in DG Khan has also been damaged due to floods. The actual damage would only be ascertained after the flood waters retreat, a senior official said.

Similarly, paddy crop at about 5,000 acres has been submerged in flood water in Narowal district. It is expected some of this crop will be revived.

There is damage to orchards and fodder at isolated places in the province where the situation is still being assessed.

Cotton crop, which is at its most crucial phase, requires special attention especially with respect to inundation as standing water can cause it irreparable loss.

Therefore, farmers must be given top priority in cotton districts. Standing water should be drained from field followed by pest scouting for timely protection.

Two per cent urea solution should be sprayed to give some vigor to crops. Opening of fields, and contouring and terracing for water harvesting in rain-fed areas is also very important.

Sugarcane and Paddy are water intensive crops - too much excess water is bad and submergence of paddy can be fatal – therefore maximum awareness by the farmers can save the crops.

Meanwhile, the threat is by no means over as the Met office predicted more rains in eastern parts of the country on Friday and Saturday (August 16, 17). Widespread rain-thundershower with isolated heavy falls in northeast Punjab including Gujranwala, Lahore divisions and Kashmir is expected.