18 Feb 18

CMYK 

CMYK 

CMYK 

Metropolitan: 

Once again, over 

17000 missing 

persons issue 

repressed in Pakistan 

Page 2 

National: 

PML-N's 

former MNA 

Umer Ayub 

joins PTI 

Page 3 

Back: 

Calling elected 

representatives mafia, 

thieves not acceptable: 

PM Abbasi 

Page 8 

CMYK 

Member APNS 

ABC CERTIFIED 

Reg. No. 1655 

CMYK 

CMYK 

Rs 10.00 Vol. X No.50 8 Pages 

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Prayer Timings Karachi 

Fajr 

5:47am 

Sunrise 

7:054am 

Zohar 

12:46pm 

Asr 

4:51pm 

Maghrib 

6:28pm 

Isha 

7:44pm 

City Temperature 

Min Max 

Khi 16 ο C 32 ο C 

Lhr 08 ο C 26 ο C 

Isb 08 ο C 23 ο C 

Qta 04 ο C 18 ο C 

Psh 08 ο C 24 ο C 

FOREX RATES 1800GMT 

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USD/JPY 106319 

USD/CHF 0.93 

PML-N consultative 

meeting held under 

Nawaz in Jati Umra 

LAHORE: An important 

consultative meeting 

has been held under former 

PM Nawaz Sharif in 

Jati Umrah and vital decisions 

have been taken 

with reference to Senate 

polls and political situation 

of the country. 

The meeting was 

attended by PM Shahid 

Khaqan Abbasi and other 

PML-N leaders including 

Speaker National 

Assembly, Sardar Ayyaz 

Sadiq, railway minister 

Khawaja Saad Rafiq, 

chief minister Punjab 

Shahbaz Sharif, interior 

minister Ahsan Iqbal. 

The prevailing political 

scenario of the country, 

Senate election, 

Election-2018 and attitude 

of Nawaz Sharif and 

his daughter Maryam 

Nawaz about national 

institutions came under 

discussion in the meeting. 

ECP to publish 

revised list of 

Senate candidates 

I S L A M A B A D : 

Election Commission 

will publish revised list 

of candidates for the 

Senate elections of four 

provinces on Sunday. 

Candidates can withdraw 

their nomination 

papers on Monday. 

Revised lists of candidates 

for the Senate 

elections against Federal 

Capital seats and FATA 

seats will be published 

on Tuesday. Polling for 

the Senate elections will 

be held on 3rd of next 

month at all provincial 

assemblies and NA. 

15 teams 

constituted to 

remove IEDs in SW 

R A WA L P I N D I : 

General Officers 

Commanding, South 

Waziristan, Major 

General Noman Zakria 

has said that fifteen teams 

have been constituted to 

remove Improvised 

Explosive Device laid by 

militants in different areas 

of South Waziristan 

Agency. 

Talking to media at his 

office, he said forty-nine 

army men have been 

injured in the demining 

process. He said thirty 

civilians injured by IEDs, 

are being treated by Pak 

Army. Civilians who were 

martyred and injuries by 

IEDs, would be compensated 

and those who lost 

their limbs will be provided 

artificial limbs. 

CMYK 

LAHORE: A special 

anti-terrorism court on 

Saturday handed four death 

sentences and one life 

imprisonment to Imran Ali, 

charged with raping and 

murdering a little girl 

Zainab, in a case that 

shocked the nation and 

sparked countrywide 

protests against child abuse. 

Imran Ali, 24, had killed 

Zainab in Kasur city of 

Punjab last month. 

He faces further charges 

in the cases of eight other 

children attacked in the city - 

- five of whom were murdered. 

KARACHI EDITION – Sunday, February 18, 2018, Jumada-al-Thani 1, 1439 http://www.dailymessenger.com.pk 

Zainab’s killer handed 

four death sentences 

Hang him at the same spot he took my daughter to: Zainab’s mother 

LODHRAN: Deposed prime minister 

Nawaz Sharif says he is sensing a ‘good 

atmosphere’ in days to come as the election 

is drawing near. 

“When it comes to decision making, people’s 

thumb is more powerful than umpire’s 

finger,” he says. 

Speaking to the workers convention in 

Lodhran, Mr. Sharif expressed his resentment 

with his ouster following court’s verdict 

and asked the rally participants: “Will 

you keep witnessing your elected PM facing 

this embarrassment over and again?” 

In an indirect reference to Imran Khan, 

He has confessed to all 

eight attacks, including the 

death of Zainab. 

Ali was handed four separate 

death sentences after 

being convicted of the rape 

and murder of Zainab, as 

well as terrorism charges. 

Under Pakistani law, 

crimes that are considered to 

have spread terror in society 

can be charged as acts of terrorism. 

Prosecutor general of 

Punjab, Ihtesham Qadir, 

Imran received further life 

imprisonment and fines 

totalling 3.2 million rupees 

for additional charges of hiding 

his victim's body. 

One million rupees of the 

fine would be given in compensation 

to Zainab's family, 

public prosecutor Abdul 

Rauf Wattoo said. 

The trial was held in 

Lahore's Kot Lakhpat prison 

for security reasons. 

Zainab's mother Nusrat 

Bibi demanded execution of 

the death penalties be carried 

out in public. 

"I want him to be hanged 

publicly at the place where 

he took Zainab," she told 

reporters after the verdict. 

Zainab's murder last 

month sparked outrage 

People’s thumb more powerful than 

umpire’s finger: Nawaz Sharif 

People will vote in coming general elections on performance 

LAHORE: Interior 

Minister Ahsan Iqbal on 

Saturday said the bid by 

some western countries to 

place Pakistan on a global 

terrorist-financing watchlist 

is a political act. 

Speaking to media in 

Lahore, the interior minister 

said the West wants to 

pressurise Pakistan to 

achieve certain objectives, 

because of which it is 

pushing to place the country 

on the Financial Action 

Task Force (FATF) watchlist. 

The United States earlier 

this month put forward a 

motion to place Pakistan 

Sharif said the ‘blue-eyed’ [Laadla] said he 

would be learn lesson from Lodhran byelection 

defeat. “Have a fear of God; you 

lost the polls by 27,000 votes. Don’t ever 

feel yourself superior.” 

He urged people to make ‘big decisions’in 

the next general elections. He sounded confident 

that his party PML-N would emerge victorious 

in the polls, once again. The ex-PM 

also asked the participants: “Will you protect 

the sanctity of your vote [or not]?” 

Would you allow your vote to be trampled 

upon like happened in the past, the former 

PM inquired. 

Bid to place Pakistan on terror 

watchlist a political act: Ahsan 

NEW DELHI: Iran has awarded 

a much-awaited agreement to India 

over the management of part of its 

strategic Chabahar port – a move 

that could enable India to dodge 

Pakistan and reach markets in 

Afghanistan, Central Asia and 

beyond. 

The agreement which was signed 

during a visit to New Delhi by Iran’s 

President Hassan Rouhani would 

lease the operational control of 

Shahid Beheshti port – phase one of 

Chabahar port - to India for 18 

months. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi who oversaw the signing of 

the agreement together with 

Rouhani later told reporters in a joint 

press conference that the expansion 

of connectivity was important for 

New Delhi. 

on the FATF watchlist. The 

FATF, an intergovernmental 

body based in Paris, 

sets global standards for 

fighting illicit finance. 

Iqbal shared concern 

that such pressure tactics 

would negatively impact 

Pakistan’s efforts in the 

war against terrorism. 

across Pakistan, with riots 

erupting in Kasur as thousands 

swarmed police stations 

and set fire to politicians' 

homes, while 

Pakistanis across the nation 

took to social media 

demanding action. 

The killing sparked calls 

for the public execution of 

Ali after officials said his 

DNA had been recovered 

from the scene of the crime 

and matched samples from 

similar cases. 

At least twelve cases of 

rape and murder have been 

recorded in the Kasur area in 

the past two years. 

Sharjeel, Jatoi moved 

back to jail on apex 

court orders 

KARACHI: On the 

directives of the Supreme 

Court, the Pakistan 

Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker 

Sharjeel Inam 

Memon and Shahrukh 

Jatoi, the prime accused in 

student Shahzeb Khan 

murder case, were shifted 

to prison from hospital. 

Headed by the Chief 

Justice of Pakistan Mian 

Saqib Nisar, the apex court 

three-member bench came 

down hard on Inspector 

General Prisons Nusrat 

Mangan, asking him as to 

why the high profile 

inmates were taken to hospitals. 

Justice Faisal Arab 

and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah 

were other two members of 

the bench hearing the case 

at its Karachi registry. 

During the hearing, 

Mangan submitted the 

report and informed the 

judges that Jatoi was shifted 

to Jinnah Postgraduate 

Medical Centre on the 

behest of central jail 

administration on the complaint 

of cardiac pain. 

Iran, India ready to expand ties in all areas 

Modi also emphasized that his 

country was interested in the construction 

of a rail link between 

Chabahar and Iran’s southeastern 

city of Zahedan – a crucial link that 

India would need to expand its reach 

northward. 

"We will support the construction 

of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link so 

that Chabahar gateway's potential 

could be fully utilized," he said. 

WASHINGTON: Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari meets with US Secretary of 

State Rex Tillerson at NPB during his visit to the United States. 

Ishaq Dar allowed to 

contest Senate polls 

LAHORE: Lahore High 

Court (LHC) Appellate 

Tribunal has allowed former 

Finance Minister (FM) 

Ishaq Dar to contest Senate 

election. 

Provincial 

The court has also rejected 

the appeal pleas filed 

against the acceptance of 

nomination papers of Saadia 

Abbasi sister of Prime 

Minister (PM) Shahid 

Khaqan Abbasi and senator 

Nuzhat Sadiq. 

LHC appellate tribunal 

headed by Justice Amin ud 

Din took up Ishaq Dar petition 

for hearing Saturday. 

Advocate Suleman Butt 

appeared on behalf of Ishaq 

Dar taking the plea all the 

legal formalities were met by 

his client for contesting 

Senate polls. Returning 

Officer (RO) rejected his 

nomination papers against 

the facts and his client was 

not given chance to defend 

him. He prayed the court to 

Iran, India finalize deal over control of Chabahar port 

NEW DELHI: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are seen at the 

premier’s Hyderabad House in the Indian capital. 

"We want to expand connectivity, 

cooperation in the energy sector 

and the centuries-old bilateral relationship." 

Rouhani for his part emphasized 

that Chabahar could reinforce Iran 

and India’s historical ties by serving 

as a bridge connecting the subcontinent 

to Afghanistan, Central Asia, 

and Eastern Europe. 

“We are ready to sign bilateral 

and trilateral agreements to turn the 

transit route passing through 

Chabahar into a strategic pathway 

serving the reinforcement of regional 

ties,” he said. 

On a related front, Iran’s Minister 

of Road and Urban Development 

Abbas Akhoundi said Iran and India 

would jointly operate Shahid 

Beheshti port, adding that New 

Delhi would invest as much as $87 

million in the project. 

Akhoundi emphasized that this 

would be part of a total investment 

of $2 billion that India would make 

in Iran’s port and rail projects. 

Iran and India also signed several 

other agreements during 

Rouhani’s meeting with Modi. They 

included a double taxation avoidance 

agreement, an extradition pact, 

a basic agreement to cooperate over 

traditional systems of medicine and 

a deal to cooperate in the field of 

agriculture and associated sectors. 

set aside RO decision of 

rejecting his client nomination 

papers and Ishaq Dar be 

allowed to contest polls. 

The counsel for 

Election 

Commission said showing 

one bank account by Ishaq 

Dar for contesting polls on 

two seats is based on 

malafide intent. The nomination 

papers of a candidate are 

rejected if the verified copy 

of identity card is not provided 

by him. The court allowed 

Ishaq Dar to contest the polls 

after hearing the arguments 

from both sides. 

It is pertinent to mention 

here that Ishaq Dar had filed 

nomination papers separately 

against two seats of Senate 

including general and 

Technocrats. Returning officer 

had rejected Ishaq Dar 

nomination papers and latter 

had resorted to Lahore High 

Court against rejection of his 

papers. 

RIYADH: Exercise 

Naseem Al Bahr XI (NAB) 

between Pakistan Navy and 

Royal Saudi Naval Forces 

(RSNF) concluded in Saudi Marines 

Arabian waters off Al Jubail, Amphibious 

KSA. The Exercise was conducted 

from 09 to 17 Feb 18. 

Operations, 

The exercise NAB comprised 

practical demonstrations 

of Fast Boat Attacks, 

various formations, maneuvering 

drills, defence against 

asymmetric attacks using 

fast boats, Helicopter landings, 

Boarding Operations, 

Anti Piracy and joint 

response to conventional 

threats at sea. Live Weapon 

Firing was also conducted in 

which PN and RSNF ships 

successfully engaged their 

respective targets. PN P3C & 

helicopters conducted joint 

operations with Saudi Air 

Force & RSNF Air Arm elements. 

Mine Counter 

Measure Exercise (MCM) 

was also conducted for the 

first time as part of exercise 

NAB. During the sea phase 

of MCM Exercise, Survey 

and Diving Operations and 

under water demolition of 

targets were also conducted. 

Pakistan not to be 

allowed to be made a 

secular state: Fazl 

JACOBABAD: JUI-F 

chief Maulana Fazlur 

Rehman has said there is no 

religious extremism in the 

country and Pakistan will 

not be allowed to be made a 

secular state. 

“there is no religious 

extremism in Pakistan. 

Stooges of west want to convert 

Pakistan into secular 

state. We will not allow constitution 

of Pakistan to be 

made secular”, he said this in 

a statement issued here by 

JUI-F Jacobabad Amir Dr 

AG Ansari here Saturday. 

He went on to say there is 

no religious extremism in 

Pakistan. “I accept that state 

institutions played pivotal 

role in weeding out terrorism 

from the country. But I want 

to tell that had there been no 

cooperation from deeni 

madaris (seminaries) then it 

would not have been possible 

to eliminate terrorism”, 

he added. 

Pak-Saudi joint naval 

exercises conclude 

This year, Exercise Deraa 

Al Sahil was also a part of 

NaseemAl Bahr XI in which 

Pak Marines and RSNF 

exercised 

Landing 

Escorting 

Operations, Beach Landing, 

Sniper Camouflage Training 

and Boarding Operations. In 

addition, Small Arms Firing, 

Cover and Maneuver drills 

and Para Drop Operations by 

RSNF Marines were also 

undertaken. 

PN-RSNF Joint Naval 

Exercises were followed by a 

closing ceremony, held at 

KingAbdulAziz Naval Base 

Al Jubail. Chief of Staff 

(Personnel), Vice Admiral 

Abdul Aleem of Pakistan 

Navy was the Chief Guest on 

the occasion. 

While addressing the 

debrief/ closing ceremony, 

Chief Guest said that the first 

ever conduct of Naseem Al 

Bahr XI including Mine 

Counter Measure (MCM) 

and Deraa Al Sahil exercises 

in Saudi Arabian waters at 

mega scale is a manifestation 

of high level of mutual faith, 

trust and confidence. 

CMYK 

CMYK

2 

Sunday, February 18, 2018 

Metropolitan 

15000 FAMILIES UNDER THREAD OF STATE, BAN ORGANIZATIONS 

Once again, over 17000 missing 

persons issue repressed in Pakistan 

SJA Jafri 

Bureau Chief Australia 

K A R A C H I / M E L - 

BOURNE: As many as 

15000 Pakistani families 

are under threads of state, 

institutions, ban outfits, law 

enforcing agencies (LEAs) 

and pressure groups directly 

or indirectly since last 20 

years nationwide because 

of the issue of missing persons 

while over 17000 people 

are still missing across 

the country including South 

and North Waziristan, 

Gilgit Baltistan, Azad 

Kashmir and Federal 

Administered Tribal Areas 

but once again, because of 

State policy, LEAs directions 

and some security 

operations as well as constitutional 

hurdles and legal 

decisions either most victims 

and their families were 

prearranged to remain 

silent or this issue repressed 

erroneously. 

According to the independent 

sources 1241 persons 

including teenagers, 

women, human activists, 

political workers, religious 

personals even minors were 

either missed or kidnapped 

in 1998, 1102 in 1999, 1009 

in 2000, 941 in 2001, 594 in 

2002, 1004 in 2003, 843 in 

KARACHI: Families of the missing, disappeared persons protesting outside Khairul 

Ammal mosque in Federal B area. 

2004, 1113 in 2005, 729 in 

2006, 380 in 2007, 1022 in 

2008, 1274 in 2009, 307 in 

2010, 443 in 2011, 601 in 

2012, 926 in 2013, 809 in 

2014, 732 in 2015, 905 in 

2016 and 1005 in 2017 all 

over Pakistan but none of 

one was recovered by LEAs 

hence, no release was 

reported through court or 

state policy but 1005 persons 

were reached their 

homes warily and most of 

them were also tortured 

reportedly. 

Missing persons data 

and victim families statements 

illustrate that majority 

of people were abducted 

or missed from different 

parts of Balochistan while a 

large number of abductees 

were released after payment 

of heavy amount to the kidnappers, 

political and religious 

arbitrators and LEAs 

officials and no case was 

registered by any victim 

against any culprit and 

SMIU to establish three new campuses 

KARACHI: Sindh 

Madressatul Islam 

University (SMIU) Vice 

Chancellor Dr Muhammad 

Ali Shaikh has said that 

during the last six years, 

SMIU had achieved a lot of 

successes and in forthcoming 

three years, there 

would be three more campuses 

of SMIU with enrollment 

of twenty to twenty 

five thousands. 

Addressing the 6th 

anniversary of grant of university 

charter to SMIU, 

held at the Main Building 

of SMIU on Saturday 

night, Dr Shaikh said that 

the federal government had 

allocated Rs 1.57 billion 

for first phase of SMIU’s 

campus in Education City 

of Karachi, spread on 100 

acres of land. Similarly, he 

said, the Sindh government 

had allotted 10 acres of 

land in Hawks Bay, where 

Institute of Information 

and Communication will 

be set up. Apart from it, a 

tower will be constructed 

on its plot, located in the 

premises of the present 

campus. This plot has 

recently been evacuated 

with the help of Sindh government 

from land grabbers. 

The vice chancellor further 

said that during the 

last three years, SMIU 

KARACHI: Tehzeeb Foundation General Secretary, Sharif Awan addresses to media 

persons during press conference regarding Indus Raag Gold Edition, held at local hotel. 

Two injured as 

house Catches 

fire in Clifton 

KARACHI: Two persons 

were injured when fire 

broke out in their house due 

to gas leakage in Clifton 

area of the city on Saturday. 

According to rescue 

sources, fire erupted at a 

house due to gas leakage 

near Chandani Chowk 

Clifton. As a result, a 45- 

year-old man, Zahid 

Hussain, and a 25-year-old 

Abdul Rafi sustained serious 

burn injuries. 

The injured were shifted 

to Civil Hospital Karachi 

for treatment. 

Man dies of 

overdose 

KARACHI: A drug 

addict died of an overdose 

at Hub River Road of the 

city in the wee hours of 

Saturday. 


sources, a 40-year-old drug 

addict, Sami son of 

Muhammad Nabi, took an 

overdose of a drug that 

deteriorated his health. 

Violence is second leading 

cause of death in boys 

KARACHI: Violence is 

the second leading cause of 

death in boys aged 10-19 

years, with a global homicide 

rate for that age group of 7 

per 100,000 population, 

according to a WHO report. 

Across their lives, more than 

1 in 5 children have experienced 

physical abuse, while 

more than 1 in 3 children 

have experienced emotional 

abuse. Around 18% of girls 

and 8% of boys have experienced 

sexual abuse. 

Dr Etienne Krug, from 

WHO, says experiencing 

violence in childhood has 

lifelong impacts on the health 

and well-being of children, 

their families and communities. 

Violence is not 

inevitable. Its causes are 

understood and it can be prevented; 

only will is needed.” 

“Evidence-based measures 

include those reflected in 

the WHO-led INSPIRE: 

Seven strategies for ending 

violence against children, 

namely: Implementing and 

enforcing laws (e.g. banning 

violent discipline and restricting 

access to alcohol and 

firearms); Norms and values 

change (e.g. altering norms 

that condone the sexual abuse 

of girls, or aggressive behaviour 

among boys); Safe environments 

(e.g. identifying 

neighbourhood “hot spots” 

for violence and then 

addressing the local causes 

through problem-oriented 

policing and other interventions); 

Parent and caregiver 

support (e.g. through the provision 

of parent training to 

young, first time parents); 

Income and economic 

strengthening (e.g. providing 

cash transfers to families on 

the condition that their children 

attend school); 

Response services provision 

(e.g. ensuring that children 

who are exposed to violence 

receive effective emergency 

care and appropriate psychosocial 

support), and 

Education and life skills (e.g. 

providing children with life 

and social skills training, 

including the skills to manage 

emotions, maintain self-control, 

empathize with others 

and express themselves 

assertively). 

besides imparting quality 

education, had groomed 

and trained its students for 

future leadership roles 

through leadership development 

programs. He said 

in this respect, a number of 

SMIU’s groups had met the 

national leadership of the 

country, visited major universities 

located in 

Islamabad and also visited 

China, UK, Turkey and 

Malaysia. 

Anti-polio campaign in 

Karachi from Feb 19 

KARACHI: 

Operation Centre (EOC) 

for Polio in Sindh is 

launching a five-day anti 

polio drive in Karachi 

from February 19, 2018. 

Approximately 2.3 million 

children under fiveyear 

age would be administrated 

polio drops in all 

188 Union Councils 

(UCs) of the city during 

the drive. 

many cases were already 

been registered against 

unknown culprits by their 

families were either withdrawn 

or still pending 

because of non-prosecution, 

no interest of victim, and 

their families, no evidence 

and majority of the cases 

were disposed off after submitting 

the police challan in 

A, B or C class. 

Sources told Messenger 

that because of ‘agencies 

fear’, ‘alarm of ban organizations’, 

‘poor strategy and 

individual interests of some 

front men and women’ as 

well as due to their release 

now neither the victims 

themselves nor their families 

have any interest of 

proceed their cases individually 

or collectively while 

on the other hand some 

‘state characters’ and their 

promises the families of 

abductees are very careful 

and avoid to disclose any 

detail to anyone especially 

to media as per the policy 

given to them. 

Another source related 

with the Inquiry 

Commission on Enforced 

Disappearances (ICED) 

also known as the Missing 

Persons Commission 

(MPC) told Messenger 

anonymity that the commission 

itself is nothing, neither 

it can issue the order, 

nor take any action against 

anyone while has no source 

of income or has no sufficient 

power accept to collect 

the data of missing person, 

record the statement of 

victim families, issue the 

press releases, provide the 

information which have 

already been collected even 

cannot guide to victims or 

their families. 

Forensic probe 

demanded into school 

girl Sumera murder 

KARACHI: Aafia 

Movement Pakistan leader 

and noted neurophysician 

of the country Dr Fowzia 

Siddiqui has demanded justice 

for the family of 

Sumera, a ninth class student, 

who was kidnapped 

from Baldia Karachi, trafficked 

to Mandi Bahauddin 

and murdered after prolonged 

alleged detention 

and gang-rape. 

In a statement issued on 

Saturday Dr Fowzia 

Siddiqui has said that with 

help of forensic report the 

Emergency killers of school girl 

Sumera could be easily 

traced. She said that the 

examination of bones of 

the exhumed body would 

also prove helpful. 

She expressed solidarity 

with the mother of slain 

Sumera, Humera 

Muhammad, who struggled 

for three long years so that 

the killers of her daughter 

are taken to the task. 

KARACHI: Sindh 

Rangers on Saturday 

claimed to have arrested 13 

alleged criminals, including 

two members of 

banned Tehreek-e-Taliban 

Pakistan, from different 

parts of the metropolis. 

According to rangers’ 

spokesman, the paramilitary 

forces carried out targeted 

raids in Kharadar 

area and apprehended two 

alleged members of banned 

T e h r e e k - e - T a l i b a n 

Pakistan. The accused were 

identified as Abdul Aleem 

and Muhammad Tariq. 

They were stated to be 

involved in target killings 

CJP visit different wards of 

JPMC to review health facilities 

KARACHI: Chief 

Justice of Pakistan Mian 

Saqib Nisar on Saturday 

paid a visit to Jinnah 

Postgraduate Medical 

Center (JPMC) to review 

healthcare facilities and the 

state of cleanliness at one 

of the biggest governmentrun 

hospital of the metropolis. 

Accompanied by top 

health officials, the chief 

justice visited emergency 

and other wards of the hospital 

and expressed displeasure 

over poor sanitation. 

He said the emergency 

ward reeked of unpleasant 

smell and directed heath 

officials to pay heed to 

cleanliness. 

He interacted with 

patients, who complained 

of lack of facilities at the 

hospital. 

Earlier, headed by CJP 

Nisar, a bench of the apex 

court, heard a case pertaining 

to healthcare facilities 

in Sindh at the apex court’s 

Karachi registry. During 

the course of the hearing, 

the chief justice announced 

to visit the hospital to 

review the situation there. 

Taking great exception, 

he said reports showed the 

situation at hospitals was 

far from satisfactory. 

He asked health secretary 

Dr Fazlullah Pechuho 

to explain as to when the 

situation at governmentoperated 

hospitals would 

get better. 

Free medical camp: Over 500 tested, 

vaccinated against hepatitis 

KARACHI: Hepatitis Prevention & Control Programme 

Sindh in collaboration with Jinnah Postgraduate Medical 

Centre (JPMC) organized free Hepatitis vaccination and 

screening camp at Hepatitis Clinic at JPMC on Saturday. 

More than 500 people, including women, children and 

men, were vaccinated and screened during one-day camp 

that started from 09:00 am and continued till 03:00 pm. 

Liver Clinic JPMC head, Dr Syed Masror Ahmed and 

Sentinel Site In-Charge Dr Syeda Fariha Kamran supervised 

the camp. 

Hepatitis Prevention & Control Program Sindh 

Programme Manager Dr Khadim Qureshi visited the camp, 

where said efforts were underway to make Sindh free of 

Hepatitis by 2030 in collaboration with all stakeholders of 

the society. 

Fariha told PPI that more than 500 people were 

screened against hepatitis B & C out of which six were 

diagnosed Hepatitis B and four tested positive for hepatitis 

C. She said the prevalence of hepatitis is more common 

in rural areas of Sindh as compared to the urban 

areas. She said: “Mass awareness is the key to prevent 

people from the disease. Hepatitis diagnostic facilities are 

very costly, but the Sindh government is providing all 

facilities free of cost at Sentinel Site. 

Fariha said hepatitis screening camps are being organized 

in schools, colleges, and universities on regular basis to make 

Sindh Hepatitis free. She informed that approximately 

49,000 people had been screened by Sentinel Site JPMC in 

last three years. 

Teenager 

dies in road 

mishap 

KARACHI: A teenage 

boy was killed in a road 

accident in Clifton area of 

the city on Saturday. 


sources, an 18-year-old boy, 

Sarzamin, son of Bakhtiyar, 

was hit by a speeding vehicle 

near Benazir Park in 

Clifton. As a result, he suffered 

serious injuries and 

died on the spot. 

The body was shifted to 

Jinnah Postgraduate 

Medical Center for an 

autopsy. 

Rangers nab 13 alleged criminals 

including two TTP men 

and extortion terrorist 

activities in the city. 

Meanwhile, a rangers’ 

team conducted a search 

operation in Kharadar area 

and nabbed a Lyari gangster, 

Muhammad Kamil, 

and an activist of MQM- 

London Muhammad 

Raheel Kaleem. 

KARACHI: Artist paints the portrait of Quaid on the outer wall of college at Dr. Zia 

Uddin Ahmed road. 

Chairman DMC East inaugurates 

water filtration plant 

KARACHI: Chairman 

DMC East Moid Anwar 

along with UC 16 

Chairman Noshad Khan 

inaugurated Water 

Filtration plant in Soldier 

bazar, The Filtration plant 

was installed by the cooperation 

of Community 

Advisory Welfare 

Services. 

In the inauguration ceremony 

Chairman shared 

that “It is a commendable 

effort towards providing 

clean water to the citizens, 

Public private partnership 

is a good step in this 

regard” 

“It is every citizen’s 

basic right to get clean 

water, In this regard Water 

and sewerage board needs 

to do lot more” He added. 

Pechuho replied the 

government was providing 

funds to the hospitals to 

improve healthcare and 

other related facilities. 

CJP Nisar asked the 

health secretary to swear an 

affidavit that the JPMC and 

other hospitals were wellequipped 

and had all 

healthcare facilities. 

The chief justice 

expressed dissatisfaction 

over performance of Jinnah 

Medical and Dental 

College and issued notice 

to officials of the college to 

submit their comments. 

It is pertinent to mention 

here that CJP Nisar was 

repeatedly criticized by the 

ruling elite for visiting a 

medical facility in Punjab. 

SC issues notice 

to MDA chief for not 

clearing employees’ dues 

KARACHI: Issuing 

notice to Malir Development 

Authority (MDA) director 

general on contempt of court 

application, the Supreme 

Court on Saturday directed 

him to release salaries of 98 

employees, which are outstanding 

for last 19 months, 

by Monday. 

A two-judge bench of the 

apex court comprising 

Justices Gulzar Ahmed and 

Maqbool Baqar was hearing 

the petition of former 

Karachi Development 

Authority (KDA) employees 

who were transferred to 

Malir Development 

Authority (MDA) but were 

not paid their outstanding 

dues. 

In Saturday’s hearing, the 

court expressed extreme displeasure 

when it learnt that 

employees were not paid 

their pending salaries despite 

its directives. 

Furthermore he said 

that “If these type of initiatives 

taken in other areas 

also so we can provide 

clean water to every citizen” 

Moreover He urged to 

the Non-Governmental 

organizations for coordination 

with DMC east to 

resolve different types of 

civic issues. “Public private 

partnership would 

prove helpful for our 

department as we have 

lack of funds” He told. 

Later Chairman appreciated 

the efforts of 

Community advisory & 

Welfare services and water 

board for doing efforts to 

fix water filtration plant. 

Other officers of DMC 

East were also present. 

KARACHI: Chairman DMC Central, Rehan Hashmi in a 

group photo with School children at Nasira Public School. 

KARACHI: Chairman DMC Malir, Jan Muhammad Baloch 

along with Vice Chairman, Abdul Khaliq Marwat visiting 

Govt College.

PML-N's former MNA 

Umer Ayub joins PTI 

Imran Khan advises Nawaz, Maryam to stop befooling the nation 

G U J R A N W A L A : 

Three brothers died Friday 

night here in Ilyas Colony 

after one of them committed 

suicide and the other 

two, consequently, had 

heart attacks. 

Zahid Ali, 35, committed 

suicide on Friday for 

unknown reasons by 

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chief Imran Khan welcome former finance minister Oar Ayub Khan 

in his party. 

ISLAMABAD: Former 

Member of National 

Assembly (MNA) belonging 

to Pakistan Muslim 

League-Nawaz (PML-N) 

Umer Ayub has joined 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 

(PTI) on Saturday. 

Ayub announced to part 

ways with ruling PML-N in 

a meeting with PTI chief 

Imran Khan in Bani Gala. 

The meeting was attended 

by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

(KP) chief minister (CM) 

Pervez Khattak among others. 

The fresh member 

expressed his trust in the 

party manifesto while PTI 

chairman welcomed the new 

member. Ayub has quitted 

PML-N months away from 

General Elections 2018. 

Meanwhile, Imran Khan 

said that former prime minister 

Nawaz Sharif and her 

daughter Maryam Nawaz 

should stop trying to befool 

the nation. 

shooting himself, a statement 

from the Saddar 

police station said. He was 

a welder by profession and 

left behind a daughter. 

His two brothers one 

younger, the other older 

passed away when they 

suffered heart attacks after 

hearing the news of 

In a series of tweets, 

Khan tweeted that Pakistan 

Muslim League-Nawaz 

(PML-N) leaders should 

Zahid's death. 

Abbas Ali, 40, became 

unwell following the news 

of his younger brother's 

suicide and was being 

moved to the hospital 

when he suffered a heart 

attack and passed away en 

route. 

As the two brothers' 

stop trying to fool the nation 

by declaring repeatedly that 

they are going to nation’s 

court for justice. 

Two brothers die of heart attacks after 

third committed suicide in Gujranwala 

bodies were brought back 

to their residence, Saddam 

Ali, 28, the third and 

youngest brother, also suffered 

a stroke and died. 

The tragic news put the 

entire neighbourhood in 

mourning as the bereaved 

family prepared for three 

funerals. 

Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2018 launches 

by planting a sapling at green area of BPC 

Demo held 

for recovery of 

missing man 

LARKANA: The wife 

of Shahid Junejo held A 

protest demonstration 

along with her two little 

daughters and two minor 

sons in front of Dokri Press 

Club on Saturday, demanding 

the immediate release 

of her husband who was 

allegedly whisked away by 

law enforcement agencies 

personnel seven months 

ago from Dokri town. 

Staff Report 

BADIN: Additional 

Deputy Commissioner-I, 

Badin, Dr.Ali Nawaz Bhoot, 

on Friday has launched 

Spring Tree Plantation 

Campaign 2018 by planting 

a sapling at the Green area of 

Badin Press Club (BPC) to 

contribute the greener Sindh 

campaign launched by 

Sindh Govt. 

Prayers were also offered 

for the success of the campaign, 

part of massive tree 

planting program launched 

by Sindh Govt amid the 

greener Sindh. 

District authority will 

plant over 300,000 saplings 

of trees of various species 

throughout the season in 

spring when more than 6000 

saplings of trees were planted. 

Addressing the event, 

chief guest of event, ADC-I, 

Dr. Ali Nawaz Bhoot added 

that the tree is a part of our 

life, with which we can also 

avoid environmental pollution 

and helps to make a 

healthier, sustainable environment. 

He said that Sindh government 

has decided to start 

the “Greener Sindh” campaign 

in Badin district and 

we are glad that Badin Press 

Club has also participated in 

the campaign. 

He urged all citizens particularly 

farming community, 

students, professionals of 

various fields and women to 

actively participate in the 

Spring Tree Planting 

Campaign 2018 by planting 

maximum trees. 

On the occasion, District 

Forest Officer Zulfiqar 

Memon while addressing 

the event expressed that 

Sindh government is taking 

keen interest in the promotion 

of forestry and increasing 

the forest cover in the 

province adding that all out 

efforts were being made to 

support such campaigns on 

every level. 

On the occasion, 

Information Officer, 

Keenjhar Memon, 

President, Badin Press Club, 

Tanveer Ahmed Arain, 

Shoukat Memon and others 

also addressed the participants. 

LARKANA: Residents of Village Pakho are holding protest demonstration against high 

handedness of police officials, at local press club. 

“Everyone knows in 

democracies people use 

their vote to elect their reps 

but is judiciary that must dispense 

justice,” he tweeted. 

He further said, “Other 

state institutions have the 

task of exposing and acting 

against corruption etc. 

Sharifs are implying once 

one is voted into power one 

becomes above the law of 

the land and beyond any 

accountability.” 

Khan added, “They 

should see how in South 

Africa the ANC threw out 

it’s leader Zuma bec of corruption 

charges against him; 

Israel’s Netanyahu, while 

PM, is facing a police investigation 

against him for corruption! 

Being voted into 

power does not place one 

above the law.” 

Forest dept Rawalpindi 

establishes 150 sale 

points to provide saplings 

at subsidized rates 

RAWALPINDI: Forest 

Department has established 

150 sale points in 

Rawalpindi to provide different 

species of plants at 

subsidized rates of Rs. 8 to 

10 for the citizens. 

Conservator Forest 

Syed Athar Hussain Shah 

informed that under the 

directives of Punjab 

Minister for Forest Mian 

Yawar Zaman and 

Secretary Forest Mian 

Waheed ud Din, special 

focus has been laid to 

ensure maximum plantation 

during spring season 

and different public awareness 

activities were also 

being performed to attract 

masses for afforestation. 

He said that it is imperative 

to bring maximum 

area under the green cover 

to combat adverse effects 

of climate change. He said 

that instructions have been 

issued to Sub Divisional 

Forest Officers to undertake 

afforestation programmes 

in their respective 

forest circles effectively 

and also involved citizens 

in plantation campaign. 

He informed that 

17 lakh plantations are 

being carried out in 

Rawalpindi North, Murree, 

Attock and Timber 

Extraction Division is in 

progress. 

Staff Report 

BADIN: Human Rights 

Commission Badin chapter 

organized a gathering to 

pay tribute to prominent 

lawyer and vulnerable figure, 

late Asma Jahangir. 

The gathering was participated 

by large number of 

workers of human rights, 

representatives of civil 

society and workers of 

political and social parties. 

ISLAMABAD: MQM- 

P leader Kamran Tessori 

said on Saturday that he 

would disclose important 

secrets pertaining to the 

party and the prevalent crisis 

it was facing after 

February 18. 

Talking to private TV, 

Kamran Tessori said that 

ever since he had come to 

Islamabad he had not 


National 

talked to Dr Farooq Sattar. 

"I'm not upset with him 

(Sattar), I consider him the 

only leader of MQM-P," he 

said. 

Tessori said that he 

would accept any decision 

taken by Dr Farooq Sattar 

and said that Rabita 

Committee did not consider 

him their leader. 

Kamran Tessori said 

3 

Will disclose important secrets 

after February 18: Kamran Tessori 

JAHANIAN: JI general 

secretary Liaqat Baloch 

has said parliament is 

supreme and as per law 

enacted by Parliament we 

consider as constitutional 

the decisions being taken 

by Nawaz Sharif as his 

party president. 

“the court disqualified 

Nawaz Sharif. Parliament 

enacted law. When Nawaz 

Sharif became president of 

PML-N we also said he is 

disqualified. But as per 

law enacted by parliament 

whatever decisions and 

steps are taken by Nawaz 

Sharif as his party president, 

his all steps and 

decisions will be considered 

legal”, he said this 

while talking to media 

men here after expressing 

condolence with Haroon 

Rashid Nizami advocate 

over the death of his 

brother Saturday. 

He held corrupt mafia 

wants to create chaos and 

tension in the country to 

pave way for confrontation. 

Without coming 

under any pressure the 

that the workers meeting 

called by Dr Farooq Sattar 

and those in Bahadurabad 

was for all to see. He said 

that after yesterday's workers 

meeting, Rabita 

Committee should go 

home. 

Kamran Tessori said 

that people thought he was 

influencing the decisions 

taken by Dr Farooq Sattar. 

We consider Nawaz Sharif decisions as 

party head constitutional: Liaqat Baloch 

Supreme Court should 

play an independent role 

by giving decisions on the 

basis of merit for the sake 

of supremacy of the constitution, 

he added. 

He underlined that 

MMA will take part in the 

polls with full preparations 

and this alliance of 

religious parties will prove 

a best options for the people. 

Following its defeat in 

Lodhran bypolls, PTI 

should pay serious attention 

towards it, he stated. 

HYDERABAD: People are celebrating Basant Festival during 2nd International 

Watercolor Biennale “Pearls of Peace Season-II” at Mehran University in Jamshoro. 

Minorities are enjoying 

complete freedom: Sardar Yousaf 

RAWALPINDI: Federal 

Minister for Religious 

Affairs Sardar Muhammad 

Yousaf said that Islam and 

constitution of Pakistan 

provides full protection to 

minorities. 

He said this while 

addressing a Khatam-e- 

Addressing the event, 

central member of human 

rights commission of 

Pakistan, Advocate Amjad 

Palejo said that in nations 

some people were born 

who change the destiny of 

millions adding that she 

was an institution who 

introduced so many persons. 

She would be remembered 

for ever for her services, 

he added. 

Nibawaat conference 

organized by Dar-ul-Afta 

Gowalmindi. 

The Minister said that 

non-Muslims living in 

Pakistan perform their religious 

rites freely. Islam is 

the religion of peace and 

tolerance. 

He announced that the 

year 2018 is being celebrated 

as year of Khatam-e- 

Nabawaat. Conferences in 

this regard would be held in 

various parts of the country 

adding that these conferences 

would be helpful in 

removing differences 

among various segments of 

society. 

“The Ministry of 

District Coordinator, 

human rights commission 

of Pakistan, Saleem Jarwar 

expressed that Asma 

Jahangir was symbol of 

bravery and ever courage. 

He said that she practiced 

what she said actually 

adding that late Asma 

Jahangir attended various 

programs in Badin in connection 

of different issues. 

Downtrodden people were 

Religious Affairs has constituted 

a Ulema council. 

Like Islamabad in 

Rawalpindi the timings of 

Azan should be same. 

Traders community and 

Ulemas should play their 

role in this regard”, he 

added. 

Sardar Yousaf said that 

our elders had rendered 

great sacrifices for Khatame-Nabwaat 

and as a result of 

their sacrifices our goal has 

become easy. 

Iconic human rights activist & leading lawyer 

late Asma Jahangir remembers in Badin 

deprived of sincere figure, 

he added. 

The event was also 

addressed by member bar 

council Badin Advocate 

Kamran Lakho, Advocate 

Ram Kolhi, ProfessorAbdul 

Manan Soomro, D. M 

Maharaj, Muhammad Khan 

Arisar, Vikyo Rajwani, Ali 

Raza Jarwar, Shafi Dal and 

others and they paid tributes 

to Asma Jahangir. 

How does exercise preserve the aging brain? 

ISLAMABAD: Further 

evidence that doing aerobic 

exercise can preserve brain 

health and function — and 

thereby reduce the risk of 

dementia — is revealed in a 

study of older individuals 

with slight but noticeable 

declines in memory and 

thinking. 

How can exercise help to 

protect seniors' brains? 

The researchers — from 

the University of Texas 

Southwestern Medical 

Center in Dallas — think 

that their study is the first to 

use an objective measure of 

aerobic capacity to assess 

the relationship between 

white matter integrity, cognitive 

performance, and cardiorespiratory 

fitness in 

older individuals with mild 

cognitive impairment 

(MCI). 

"This research," explains 

first study author Kan Ding, 

an assistant professor of 

neurology and neurotherapeutics, 

"supports the 

hypothesis that improving 

people's fitness may 

improve their brain health 

and slow down the aging 

process." 

She and her team report 

their findings in a paper that 

was published in the Journal 

of Alzheimer's Disease. 

People with MCI have 

noticeable problems with 

memory and reasoning, but 

they are not serious enough 

to interfere with daily living 

or the ability to take care of 

oneself. Research suggests 

that "15–20 percent of those 

aged 65 and older may have 

MCI." 

Study measured 

VO2max to assess fitness 

The causes of MCI are 

not yet fully understood, 

although experts suggest 

that in some cases it may 

result from brain changes 

that occur in the very early 

stages of Alzheimer's disease 

or other types of 

dementia. 

The factors that raise the 

risk of developing MCI are 

the same as those that raise a 

person's risk of dementia — 

such as advancing age, having 

conditions that increase 

the risk of cardiovascular 

disease, and having a family 

history of dementia. 

How bilingualism may 

protect against Alzheimer's 

Learn how knowing two 

languages may alter the 

brain to make it more 

resilient to MCI and 

Alzheimer's disease. 

MCI often precedes 

dementia, but not everyone 

with MCI will develop 

dementia. In some, it can 

revert to normal cognitive 

functioning or simply not 

advance. 

There are several types 

of MCI, depending on 

which aspect of cognition 

is most affected. The new 

study investigated people 

with amnestic MCI. 

Amnestic MCI mostly 

affects memory and could 

give rise to problems such 

as forgetting names, 

appointments, events, conversations, 

or other information 

that would previously 

not have been difficult 

to recall. 

For their investigation, 

Prof. Ding and her colleagues 

recruited 81 participants 

aged 65, on average. 

Of these, 55 were people 

with amnestic MCI and 26 

were healthy individuals 

without MCI (the controls).

4 


National 

KARACHI: Head office: 509, Land Mark Plaza, I.I Chundrigar Road, Karachi, Pakistan. 

Ph: +9221-32214988- 32214990, Fax: +9221-32214989 

messengerdaily@yahoo.com, editor@dailymessenger.com.pk 

Chief Editor: Muhammad Taqi Alvi 

Associate Editor: Ali Razavi - Editor Special Reports: Muhammad Rafique Rajpar 

Hyderabad Bureau Chief: Abbas Kassar - Islamabad Bureau Chief: Hameedullah Khan 

ISLAMABAD –– LAHORE –– RAWALPINDI –– KARACHI 

EDITORIAL 

Has The End Of US Superpower Begun 

With War Monger Allies & Death Culture? 

By Jeffrey D. Sachs 

Much of the carnage that has ravaged Syria 

during the past seven years is due to the 

actions of the United States and its allies 

in the Middle East. Now, faced with an alarming 

risk of a renewed escalation of fighting, it's time for 

the United Nations Security Council to step in to 

end the bloodshed, based on a new framework 

agreed by the Council's permanent members. 

Here are the basics. In 2011, in the context of the 

Arab Spring, the US government decided to bring 

down Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's regime, 

even though overthrowing another country's government 

amounts to a blatant violation of international 

law. We know that in 2012, if not earlier, 

President Barack Obama authorized the CIA to 

work with America's allies in providing support to 

rebel forces composed of disaffected Syrians as 

well as non-Syrian fighters. US policymakers evidently 

expected Assad to fall quickly, as had 

occurred with the governments of Tunisia and 

Egypt in the early months of the Arab Spring. 

The Assad regime is led by the minority Alawi 

Shia sect in a country where Alawites account for 

just 10% of the population, Sunni Muslims account 

for 75%, Christians make up 10%, and 5% are others, 

including Druze. The regional powers behind 

Assad's regime include Iran and Russia, which has 

a naval base on Syria's Mediterranean coastline. 

Whereas America's goal in seeking to topple 

Assad was mainly to undercut Iranian and Russian 

influence, Turkey's motive was to expand its influence 

in former Ottoman lands and, more recently, to 

counter Kurdish ambitions for territorial autonomy, 

if not statehood, in Syria and Iraq. Israel aimed to 

counter Iran, which threatens Israel through 

Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria near the Golan 

Heights, and Hamas in Gaza. Qatar, meanwhile, 

tried to bring a regime favourable to it to power. 

The armed groups supported by the US and allies 

since 2011 were assembled under the banner of the 

Free Syrian Army. In fact, there was no single army, 

but rather competing armed groups with distinct 

backers, ideologies, and goals. The fighters ranged 

OPINION 

One percent plus leaders are on wrong side 

of history as they incite terrorism against 

good leaders, groups or governments, 

and support kings of terror and their obedient 

horses, with divide and rule war mongering in 

Mideast and around the world. 

Big powers and their Mideast allies led by 

Saudi Arabia and Emirates with +50 OIC Muslim 

heads of state are reportedly partners in crime as 

their stooge dictators ruling against democratic 

system and are committing treason against their 

own countries and nations. They wage wars 

instead of resolving the problems through dialogues. 

Most low states went up to their high 

points and later down slided. 

Promoting state terrorism instead of really 

countering and ending non state terrorism will 

still breed more terrorism on both the state and 

the non state sides. 

Like of US and allies with Mideast pawn 

rulers, deceptions in war policies, etc, may all be 

defeats in long term ahead, even when majority 

triumphs against minority, individual or group 

terrorism. As for counter terrorism against 

Taliban or al-Qaida, both US and some al-Qaida 

affiliates, notably and allegedly US CIA creation 

Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS or IS), are 

partners in terrorism in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, 

Libya and other countries. So one ought to ask: Is 

this war for terrorism or against terrorism? Why 

have governments been unable or lazy to reduce 

or end terrorism instead of increasing it worldwide? 

There are more terroristic attacks in so 

many countries, so many wars being waged 

inside and against so many countries, than there 

were before allegedly Mossad architected 9/11. 

Some intelligence heads had already warned 

against anti-American Spying Jew Americans 

with inroads into US intelligence system as one 

of the biggest security risk against national 

American interests at home and abroad. 

Each US presidential candidate ought to be thoroughly 

investigated and fully introduced with his or 

her personal, social, financial and political character 

for the great American nation who had embraced all 

nationalities from all over the world and accommodated 

them a proud and benefitting United States as 

their own home to enjoy its freedom, independence, 

human rights, civil liberties and opportunities for all 

to prove their mettle in their respective fields. Both 

these sides made each other. 

Comparatively, oppressor kings and kingdoms 

had their glory and prime time before their 

oppression expedited their downfall. Soviet 

Union, a superpower with iron curtain until 

recently, had its glorious rise and then an anti-climax 

fall, without a single soldier invading or 

through any conventional war. Many small and 

big countries apparently seem powerless to set a 

natural human course. However, they can try it as 

a worthwhile effort for a human or reasonable 

survival with pro-people rule. 

Since time immemorial, Mideast was among 

hot climatic and short tempered people's region 

where so many prophets were sent by God centuries 

ago: Middle Eastern prophet defying and 

prophet killing people had religions which now 

have largest following: including Judaism in particular. 

Instead of physically abusing and killing 

their prophets as they did in ancient times, 

nations who follow major world religions are 

abusing and killing divine orders of their 

prophets they claim to follow but defame and dishonor 

in practice. 

Muslims must now supplement their daily 

Namaaz prayers with daily practical proofs of 

aims and purpose of worship, without un-Islamic 

bloodshed, as Mideast is on war missions and 

killing spree, while claimed Islamic rules are supposed 

to live with obedience to Allah without 

human distortions of divine commandments to 

suit an ideology of terrorism that defamed Islam 

and Muslim Ummah worldwide. 

However, world may do well to remember that 

Mideast Muslims since past fourteen centuries 

gave as much knowledge and progress to the 

world as much as they incited in recent century 

civil wars and terrorism, by latest count through 

big powers promoting culture of death through 

sectarian killings like in Syria against culture of 

life worldwide. Yesterday it was Palestine, Iran, 

Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and now it is Gaza, 

Syria, Bahrain and Yemen. 

Great Prophet Muhammad (S) was sent by 

God as a mercy for all the worlds. Even in 

Christianity "Man is called to a fullness of life 

which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly 

existence," said Pope John Paul II in Nineties. 

Where political leaders failed, truly religious 

Muslim and Christian leaders can unite, end 

hatred of leaders and unite Muslims and 

Christians and their leaders on some acceptable 

human and divine framework as these nations do 

not hate each other, thereby terminating deathful 

wars. 

"Culture of life" and "culture of death" are the 

two very important concepts, especially of the moral 

theology of various religions and also of the Church. 

It has also been used widely in the United States politics 

to refer to the importance to human life, as 

opposed to the term "culture of death" that refers to 

life-taking practices, such as murder, abortion, etc. 

US must accept the reality in Syria 

The UN Security Council must take the lead for peace 

from dissident Syrians and autonomy-seeking 

Kurds to extremists. 

While vast resources were devoted to overthrowing 

Assad, the effort ultimately failed, but not 

before causing massive bloodshed and displacing 

millions of Syrians. 

Many fled to Europe, fomenting Europe's 

refugee crisis and a surge in political support for 

Europe's anti-immigrant extreme right. There were 

four main reasons for the failure to overthrow 

Assad. First, Assad's regime had backing among not 

only Alawites, but also Syrian Christians and other 

minorities who feared a repressive regime. Second, 

the US-led coalition was countered by Iran and 

Russia. Third, when a splinter group of extremists 

split away to form Daesh, the US diverted significant 

resources to defeating it, rather than to toppling 

Assad. Finally, the anti-Assad forces have been 

deeply and chronically divided; for example, 

Turkey is in open conflict with the Kurdish fighters 

backed by the US. 

All of these reasons for failure remain valid 

today. The war is at a stalemate. Only the bloodshed 

continues. America's official narrative has sought to 

conceal the scale and calamitous consequences of 

US efforts - in defiance of international law and the 

UN Charter - to overthrow Assad. While the US 

vehemently complains about Russian and Iranian 

influence in Syria, America and its allies have 

repeatedly violated Syrian sovereignty. The US 

government mischaracterizes the war as a civil war 

among Syrians, rather than a proxy war involving 

the US, Israel, Russia and Iran. 

In July 2017, US President Donald Trump 

announced the end of CIA support for the Syrian 

rebels. In practice, though, US engagement continues, 

though now it is apparently aimed more at 

weakening Assad than overthrowing him. As part of 

America's continued war-making, the Pentagon 

announced in December that US forces would 

remain indefinitely in Syria, ostensibly to support 

anti-Assad rebel forces in areas captured from 

Daesh, and of course without the assent of the 

Syrian government. 

Shutdown in India-held 

Kashmir against state 

terrorism of Indian forces 

SRINAGAR: Complete 

shutdown is being observed 

on Saturday against the state 

terrorism of Indian forces in 

occupied Kashmir valley. 

RAWALPINDI: As 

many as 3 terrorists have 

been killed in a joint operation 

conducted by Punjab 

Rangers, Elite Police and 

intelligence agencies on a tip 

off in DG Khan. 

Two Rangers personnel 

are also stated to have been 

in exchange of fire with the 

The strike is being held 

following shifting of 

Kashmiri detainees from 

Srinagar Central Jail to 

Jammu, staying of an FIR 

terrorists. 

Land mines, Hand 

grenade , IED and Rocket 

Launchers have been recovered 

from the terrorists during 

the operation.. 

According to ISPR 3 terrorists 

were killed in an operation 

conducted by Punjab 

Rangers, Elite police and 

against the Indian troops 

involved in recent killing of 

civilians in Shopian by the 

Supreme Court of India and 

the brutal killing of a 

3 terrorists killed 

during joint operation 

RAWALPINDI: Upgradation 

of Cantonment 

General Hospital has been 

approved, under which 

OPD and ICU of Cantt 

General Hospital will be 

upgraded. 

Dental, Gyne, 

Psychotherapist, Surgical, 

and Skin Departments will 

also be upgraded with latest 

requirements and facilities. 

Dental Surgeon, 

Administrator, Deputy 

Administrators and 

Assistant Administrator 

will also be appointed. 

177 new doctors, 2 

Surgeons, 1 Gyne, 2 Dental 

Surgeons, 2 Surgical 

intelligence agencies on a tip 

off under operation Radd-ul- 

Fasad on Saturday in DG 

Khan. Arms, land mines and 

Hand grenades were recovered 

from the terrorists and 

taken into possession during 

the operation. Two Rangers 

personnel were injured during 

Operation. 

Up-gradation of Cantonment 

General Hospital 

Specialists, 3 Anesthesia 

Specialists, 20 female and 

6 male Nurses, An 

Administration, 3 Deputy 

Administrators, 3 Admin 

officers, 2 Assistant Admin 

Officers and 2 Accountants 

will be hired in the month 

of February at the initial 

stage of up-gradation. 

Drive against sale of 

kites, strings in full swing 

RAWALPINDI: The campaign against 

sale of kites and strings and flying of kites 

is continued in full swing in Rawalpindi. 

Special teams had been constituted to 

keep a vigil eye on illegal sale and flying of 

kites in different localities. CPO 

Rawalpindi, Israr Ahmed Abbasi informed 

that 320 culprits had been arrested by registering 

262 cases against them besides 

confiscating 1,10,000 kites, 3900 strings 

and booked 6 suzuki vans, 12 motor cycles, 

one Autho Riksha, 8 sound speakers, one 

Five Pulwama 

youth remanded 

to NIA custody 

JAMMU: The special 

court of India’s National 

Investigation Agency (NIA) 

has granted seven-day 

remand of five men arrested 

in connection with the 

escape of a prisoner, 

Naveed Jatt. 

According to KMS, 

Naveed Jatt, who was 

arrested in 2014 from 

Kulgam district, had 

escaped from the police 

custody on February 06, 

during an attack on a police 

team accompanying him at 

the SMHS hospital, where 

he was brought for medical 

check-up from Srinagar 

Central Jail. 

Inspector General of 

Police, Alok Mittal, said 

that the court granted seven 

days remand for Shakeel 

Ahmed Butt, Tika Khan, 

Syed Tajamul Islam, 

Muhammad Shafi Wani and 

Jan Muhammad Ganai, all 

residents of Pulwama. 

The NIA has registered a 

case for investigating the 

prisoner’s escape during the 

attack in which two Indian 

policemen were killed. 

deck, 2 sound systems and 2 pistols. 

Israr Ahmed Abbasi said that there is 

zero tolerance against all those who had 

been indulged in this criminal act which 

has claimed a number of innocent lives 

due to kite flying. He said that the 

progress of anti-kite campaign was being 

reviewed on daily basis. He asked citizens 

to point out the sale and flying of kites in 

their respective areas so that the persons 

involved in this crime could be apprehended 

under the law.. 

Owner kills servant 

FAISALABAD: Doubting illicit relations with his 

wife the owner shot dead his servant and threw the dead 

body into the fields. 

According to Online Wasif Ali s/o Hayat was working 

at the residence of Mohammad Aslam in village 

Yarake close to Chenabnagar. 

A few days ago Wasif disappeared upon this his parents 

have given application to police for his kidnapping. 

Police on suspicion have arrested Mohammad Aslam 

and Mohsin. During investigation the accused confessed 

the crime and discovered the dead body from the 

fields. Mohammad Aslam doubts that Wasit has illicit 

relations with his wife. 

Hurriyat leader, 

Muhammad Yousuf 

Nadeem. 

Call for the shutdown 

has been given by the Joint 

Resistance Leadership 

(JRL) comprising Syed Ali 

Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar 

Farooq and Muhammad 

Yasin Malik. All shops and 

business establishments are 

closed while traffic is off the 

road in response to the 

strike. 

The puppet authorities 

have deployed Indian troops 

and police personnel in 

strength in Srinagar, 

Budgam, Shopian and other 

towns of the occupied territory 

to prevent people from 

holding anti-India demonstrations. 

Sheema Kermani 

performs dhamaal 

at Sehwan 

SEHWAN: Renowned 

social activist and theatre 

artist Sheema Kermani on 

Saturday performed 

dhamaal at the shrine of 

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. 

A group of artists and 

Kermani swayed to beats 

of traditional Sufi poetry as 

they performed in front of 

a packed courtyard in the 

shrine. 

The performance 

comes a year after a bomb 

tore through the shrine, 

killing dozens and injuring 

many more. 

Haripur policeman 

arrested for reported 

sexual assault on woman 

PESHAWAR: A case 

has been filed against a 

policeman for reported sexual 

assault on a woman in 

Haripur. 

According to the police, 

the survivor registered an 

FIR stating the accused, sub 

inspector Aqeedat Shah, 

intercepted her vehicle at 

midnight on February 14. 

She was in the car with her 

daughter and driver when 

they were stopped. 

The FIR, filed by the 

survivor on February 15, 

states that the policeman 

forced her daughter and 

driver to leave the vehicle 

while he himself sat inside 

and sexually assaulted her. 

She added that the sub 

inspector told them to 

leave, after committing the 

crime. 

Following the incident, 

the woman filed a case at 

Sarai Saleh police station in 

Haripur. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

IGP Salahuddin Mehsud 

said the sub inspector has 

been arrested, while a 

spokesperson for the 

Haripur police said the 

accused would be presented 

before a local court. 

Later in the day, the district 

police officer in 

Haripur said medical 

reports show the woman 

was not raped. But, he 

added, the accused sub 

inspector was in police 

custody. 

BHAWALPUR: Camel dance being presented during 13th Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally.

US charges Russians with 2016 US 

election tampering to boost Trump 

MUMBAI: 

WASHINGTON: A 

Russian propaganda arm 

oversaw a criminal and 

espionage conspiracy to 

tamper in the 2016 U.S. 

presidential campaign to 

support Donald Trump and 

disparage Hillary Clinton, 

said an indictment released 

on Friday that revealed 

more details than previously 

known about 

Moscow’s purported effort 

to interfere. 

The office of U.S. 

Special Counsel Robert 

Mueller charged 13 

Russians and three 

Russian companies, 

including St. Petersburgbased 

Internet Research 

Agency known for its 

trolling on social media. 

The official who oversees 

Mueller’s work said the 

investigation was not finished. 

The court document 

said those accused “had a 

strategic goal to sow discord 

in the U.S. political 

system, including the 2016 

U.S. presidential election.” 

The indictment said 

Russians adopted false 

online personas to push 

divisive messages; traveled 

to the United States to 

collect intelligence, visiting 

10 states; and staged 

political rallies while posing 

as Americans. 

In one case, it said, the 

Russians paid an unidentified 

person to build a cage 

MOSCOW: Russian the whole period that the 

Foreign Minister Sergei Washington-led coalition 

Lavrov has censured the 

“illegal” military presence 

of the United States on the 

ground in Syria, saying 

Washington plans to keep 

its forces in the Arab country 

“forever.” 

Lavrov told multilingual 

has worked in Syria, and all 

this time, the US special 

forces and other units are in 

Syria on the ground, illegally, 

without any invitation 

from Damascus, or 

without any mandate of the 

UN Security Council,” he 

news media service said. 

Euronews on Friday that 

US special forces had been 

operating on the ground in 

Syria in the past few years 

The US has been leading 

a number of countries 

in an aerial bombardment 

campaign against purported 

without the Syrian government’s 

Daesh positions in 

consent and a Syria and Iraq since 2014. 

United Nations (UN)’s But the US has also stationed 

mandate. 

a number of special 

“They have been there forces on the ground in 

consistently for two or Syrian territory. 

three years — almost for Lavrov warned that “the 

aboard a flatbed truck and 

another to wear a costume 

“portraying Clinton in a 

prison uniform.” 

The surprise 37-page 

indictment could alter the 

divisive U.S. domestic 

debate over Russia’s meddling, 

undercutting some 

Republicans who, along 

with Trump, have attacked 

Mueller’s investigation. 

“These Russians 

engaged in a sinister and 

systematic attack on our 

political system. It was a 

conspiracy to subvert the 

process, and take aim at 

democracy itself,” said 

Paul Ryan, Republican 

Speaker of the House of 

Representatives. 

The indictment is silent 

on the question of whether 

Russia: US plans to keep forces inside Syria forever 

Public accounts 'clearly show' Assad's continuing 

use of chemical weapons: McMaster 

MUNICH: U.S. 

National Security Adviser 

H.R. McMaster said on 

Saturday that public 

reports showed that 

Syrian President Bashar 

al-Assad was using chemical 

weapons and added 

that it was time for the 

international community 

to hold the government 

accountable. 

“Public accounts and 

photos clearly show that 

Assad’s chemical 

weapons use is continuing,” 

McMaster said 

while speaking at the 

Munich Security 

Conference. 

“It is time for all 

nations to hold the Syrian 

regime and its sponsors 

accountable for their 

actions and support the 

efforts of the 

Organization for the 

Prohibition of Chemical 

Weapons,” he added. 

Ethiopia says state of 

emergency will last six months 

ADDIS ABABA: A state 

of emergency imposed in 

Ethiopia a day after the 

prime minister resigned will 

last for six months, the 

defence minister said on 

Saturday, as authorities 

sought to tamp down unrest 

in Africa’s second most populous 

nation. 

Outbreaks of violence 

had continued in parts of the 

country and the government 

BANGKOK: This Feb. 

16 story has been refiled to 

correct name of Executive 

Director of Burma Human 

Rights Network in paragraph 

nine.) 

Thailand awarded 

Myanmar’s army chief a 

royal decoration on Friday 

amid allegations of crimes 

by Myanmar security forces 

against Rohingya Muslims 

that have prompted international 

condemnation. 

Nearly 700,000 

Rohingya have fled 

Myanmar’s Rakhine state 

and crossed into Bangladesh 

since last August, when 

attacks on security posts by 

insurgents triggered a military 

crackdown that the 

United Nations has said 

amounts to ethnic cleansing, 

with reports of arson 

attacks, murder and rape. 

was banning protests, along 

with the preparation and dissemination 

of publications 

“that could incite and sow 

discord”, Siraj Fegessa told 

journalists. 

“The government has 

previously made several 

efforts to curtail violence, but 

lives have continued to be 

lost, many have been displaced 

and economic infrastructure 

has been damaged.” 

Further measures 

would be announced later in 

the day, he said. 

Prime Minister 

Hailemariam Desalegn 

announced his surprise resignation 

in a televised speech 

on Thursday, the first time in 

modern Ethiopian history 

that a sitting prime minister 

had quit. He said he wanted 

to smooth the way for 

reforms. 

Myanmar army commander-in-chief 

Senior 

General Min Aung Hlaing 

was granted the Knight 

Grand Cross (First Class) of 

the Most Exalted Order of 

the White Elephant at a ceremony 

in Bangkok, according 

to the general’s official 

website. 

The website also showed 

a picture of the commanderin-chief 

shaking hands with 

international presence of 

the US doesn’t decrease, 

but rather grows.” 

“It is clear that the US 

probably has such a strategy 

to settle in Syria forever, 

with its armed forces, just 

as they want to do in Iraq 

and Afghanistan, despite all 

promises made,” he said. 

Turkey denies 

use of chemicals in 

Syria's Afrin, says 

accusations baseless 

BEIRUT, ANKARA: 

Turkey never used chemical 

weapons in its operations 

in Syria, and takes 

the utmost care of civilians, 

a Turkish diplomatic 

source said, after Syrian 

Kurdish forces and a 

monitoring group accused 

it of carrying out a gas 

attack in Syria’s Afrin 

region. 

“These are baseless 

accusations. Turkey never 

used chemical weapons. 

We take utmost care about 

civilians in Operation 

Olive Branch,” the source 

said. Syrian Kurdish 

forces and a monitoring 

group said the Turkish 

military carried out a suspected 

gas attack that 

wounded six people in 

Syria’s Afrin region on 

Friday. 

The source also 

described the accusations 

of wounding six civilians 

through a suspected gas 

attack as “black propaganda”. 

Turkey launched an air 

and ground offensive last 

month on the Afrin region, 

opening a new front in the 

multi-sided Syrian war, to 

target Kurdish fighters in 

northern Syria. 

the Trump campaign colluded 

with the Kremlin, 

which Mueller is investigating. 

In a tweet on Friday, 

Trump gave his most 

direct acknowledgement 

that Russia had meddled in 

the election, which he has 

frequently disputed. 

“Russia started their 

anti-US campaign in 2014, 

long before I announced 

that I would run for 

President. The results of 

the election were not 

impacted. The Trump campaign 

did nothing wrong - 

no collusion!” Trump 

wrote. 

Russian Foreign 

Ministry spokeswoman 

Maria Zakharova 

denounced the allegations 

as “absurd” and ridiculed 

the notion that so few 

Russian nationals could 

undermine U.S. democracy. 

“13 against the billions’ 

budgets of the secret services?” 

she asked in a 

Facebook post. 

Oxfam sex 

abuse criticism 

disproportionate, 

chief executive says 

LONDON: Oxfam’s 

chief executive said criticism 

of the charity following a sex 

abuse scandal had been disproportionate, 

according to 

comments published on 

Saturday. 

In an interview with 

British daily the Guardian, 

Mark Goldring again apologized 

over allegations of 

sexual abuse by Oxfam staff 

in Haiti, which broke last 

week and have shaken the 

whole aid sector. 

“(But) the intensity and 

ferocity of the attacks makes 

you wonder, what did we 

do? We murdered babies in 

their cots?,” he was quoted 

as saying. “Certainly the 

scale and intensity of the 

attacks feels out of proportion 

to the level of culpability.” 

UK-based Oxfam, one 

of the world’s biggest disaster 

relief charities, has neither 

confirmed nor denied 

the Haiti allegations but has 

said an internal investigation 

in 2011 confirmed unspecified 

sexual misconduct 

occurred. It has also agreed 

not to bid for any new state 

funding until Britain’s government 

is satisfied the charity 

meets appropriate ethical 

standards, development minister 

Penny Mordaunt said 

on Friday. 

MEXICO CITY: A prolonged 

7.2 magnitude quake 

that rocked Mexico on 

Friday left nearly a million 

homes and businesses without 

power in the capital and 

south but the only reported 

deaths came when a military 

helicopter crashed after surveying 

the aftermath. 

At least 50 homes suffered 

damage in the southern 

state of Oaxaca, which, 

along with Mexico City, is 

still reeling from earthquakes 

that caused widespread 

damage in 

September. 


International 

Actress 

Parineeti Chopra says she is 

proud of her association 

with Yash Raj Films, under 

which she not only made her 

debut but also did movies 

like "Ishaqzaade" and 

"Shuddh Desi Romance". 

Parineeti on Friday 

attended the Yash Chopra 

Memorial Award ceremony, 

where veteran singer Asha 

Bhosle was feted an award 

in memory of late filmmaker 

Yash Chopra. 

Since the actress has 

worked in films like "Ladies 

vs Ricky Bahl", "Meri 

Pyaari Bindu", "Kill Dil" 

and "Daawat-e-Ishq" -- all 

produced under Yash Raj 

Films, Parineeti took a 

moment to talk about her 

journey. 

"I am a very proud YRF 

(Yash Raj Films) girl. I 

have had the privilege to 

debut under the banner. 

Even though I could never 

be directed by Yash Chopra 

sir, but he was cutest, 

sweetest and friendliest 

mentor to have." 

Reminiscing one such 

incident with the filmmaker, 

known for his romantic 

sagas, Parineeti said: "One 

day when my first film 

'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' had 

just released and I was 

shooting for my second 

film 'Ishaqzaade', I was on 

the set at 6:30 a.m. and suddenly 

I got a call from Yash 

Chopra sir. 

"At that time, I panicked 

because I thought I had 

made some mistakes 

because I was very new at 

that point. But when I picked 

his call, he said something 

so special that it made me 

cry. 

"He said, 'Yesterday I 

saw your film 'Ladies vs 

5 

I'm a proud YRF girl: 

Parineeti Chopra 

WEST BANK: At least 

40 Palestinians have been 

injured in clashes with 

Israeli forces across the 

Israeli-occupied West Bank 

and the besieged Gaza Strip 

on the anniversary of a massacre 

of Palestinian worshipers 

by an American- 

Israeli extremist. 

On Friday, Israeli forces 

fired tear gas canisters at 

Palestinians in Ramallah in 

the West Bank, as well as 

the cities of al-Khalil 

(Hebron) and Nablus, 

respectively in the south 

and north of the Palestinian 

territory, Xinhua reported. 

The Palestinian Red 

Crescent Society said in an 

e-mailed press statement 

that 17 Palestinians were 

injured during those clashes. 

Friday marked the 

anniversary of the day in 

1994 when Baruch 

Goldstein, a member of 

Kach, a former radical 

Ricky Bahl' and thank you 

for being part of my film'. I 

couldn't believe that Yash 

Chopra the great was saying 

this to me and I just realised 

in that instance that there is 

nothing bigger than humility. 

The bigger you become, 

the more humble you should 

become and that is something 

that I always remember 

Yashji for." 

Israeli forces injure 40 Palestinians 

on massacre anniversary 

BERLIN: Support for 

Germany’s Social 

Democrats (SPD) hit a 

record low, a poll showed, 

and the party’s leader-inwaiting 

said she had “no 

Plan B” should members 

reject a coalition deal with 

Angela Merkel’s conservatives. 

The SPD’s 464,000 

members vote in a postal 

ballot beginning on Feb. 

20 on whether the centerleft 

party should go ahead 

with the agreement its 

leaders clinched last week 

to renew their power-sharing 

alliance with the chancellor’s 

CDU/CSU bloc. 

Israeli movement, killed 29 

Palestinians and wounded 

125 others who were praying 

in al-Khalil. 

In Gaza, protesters 

amassed on the territory’s 

border, shouting slogans 

and waving Palestinian 

flags. 

Ashraf al-Qedra, the 

spokesman of Gaza Health 

Ministry, told reporters that 

23 Palestinians were shot 

and wounded during border 

clashes with Israeli forces. 

As support falls, German SPD 

sees 'no Plan B' to Merkel coalition 

The epicenter was about 

90 miles (145 km) from 

Pacific coast surfer resort 

Puerto Escondido in the 

southern state of Oaxaca 

and had a depth of 15.3 

“I am convinced we 

will get a majority,” 

Andrea Nahles, who senior 

SPD officials this 

week endorsed as the 

party’s future leader, told 

Der Spiegel magazine in 

comments published on 

Saturday. “I don’t have a 

Plan B.” 

Big Mexico quake cuts power and 

damages homes; two dead in crash 

his Thai counterpart, 

General Tarnchaiyan 

Srisuwan. 

B u d d h i s t - m a j o r i t y 

Thailand often gives royal 

decorations to army chiefs 

of other countries who are 

supportive of Thailand’s 

army, Thai army spokesman 

Lieutenant General 

Nothapol Boonngam said. 

“He received the honour 

because of our military relations. 

We support each 

other’s missions and 

exchange visits. Our armies 

have many joint activities,” 

Nothapol told Reuters, 

adding that the Thai army 

had requested Hlaing’s 

award since last year. 

“This is a separate issue 

from human rights.” 

The Burma Human 

Rights Network said 

Thailand had crossed a “red 

miles (24.6 km), according 

to the U.S. Geological 

Survey. 

Thailand decorates Myanmar's army chief amid Rohingya crisis 

line” by granting the award 

to Hlaing because Thailand 

is seen as a place of refuge 

by many Rohingya and 

other minority groups fleeing 

persecution in 

Myanmar, also a Buddhistmajority 

country. 

“This kind of person 

doesn’t deserve to win this 

great award,” Kyaw Win, 

the group’s executive director, 

told Reuters.

6 


Biz 

Hefty taxes on petroleum products 

disaster for economy says BMP 

I 

KARACHI: The 

Businessmen Panel (BMP) 

said on Saturday that Rs 40 

per liter tax on diesel and Rs 

34 on petrol is a disaster for 

the economy as it would put 

a heavy burden on the people 

while Pakistan’s annual 

inflation had climbed to 4.4 

per cent in January from 3.7 

pc in the same month last 

year, mainly due to hike in 

petroleum prices. 

BMP Secretary-General 

(Punjab), Mian Usman 

Zulfiqar, said such heavy 

taxes on petroleum products 

was shocking which 

showed how the finance 

ministry was serious for the 

welfare of the people. 

"I think officials of 

finance ministry don’t 

know the cost impact on the 

farmers and businessmen 

who already faced the high 

cost of business and inputs, 

R A W A L P I N D I : 

Director General, Akhter 

Hameed Khan National 

Center for Rural 

Development (NCRD), 

Fida Muhammad Wazir, 

has said livestock sector 

has great potential of 

income resource and it can 

be taped by adopting good 

practices of Livestock 

Management. 

He stated this while 

addressing the participants 

of 5-Day training Course 

about Livestock 

Management for Income 

and these figures will put 

further disappointing them. 

Generation in rural areas. 

The participants of course 

belonging to different 

areas shared their experiences 

and success stories. 

Fida Muhammad Wazir 

said that it is need of hour 

that we should adopt modern 

methods of Livestock 

Farming to increase the 

production. He said 

increasing the production 

of food stuff in different 

sectors is dire need of 

future and by conducting 

capacity building training 

programmes, we can 

Usman said high oil 

prices meant that 

improve efficiency and 

production. 

He also mentioned the 

role of NCRD for extending 

training facilities to the 

participants from all over 

the country and abroad. 

Director Training Israr 

Muhammad Khan, 

Research Officer 

Muhammad Ahsan Jamil 

and Deputy Director 

Training II Ms. Soba 

Saleemi in their presentations 

highlighted various 

issues regarding use of latest 

methods of farming, 

Pakistan’s export competitiveness 

went down and 

Livestock sector has great potential 

of income resource says DG NCRD 

RAWALPINDI: A vendor displaying strawberries to attract the customers at roadside. 

Stock volatility: back with a 

bang and here to stay 

NEW YORK: U.S. stock markets are 

unlikely to return to the unusually calm conditions 

seen last year, even though equities 

have already recovered more than half the 

ground lost in the recent selloff and traders 

have rapidly dialed down fear. 

Stock market volatility spiked to a multiyear 

high in the selloff and some products 

that flourished in low volatility collapsed. A 

higher-volatility environment means the 1 

percent stock market swings of the past two 

weeks will become commonplace, strategists 

said. 

It is something that investors will have to 

get used to. The Cboe Volatility Index .VIX, 

the most widely followed barometer of 

expected near-term volatility for stocks, last 

year logged a historically low average of 11. 

“We expect the current shock to herald a 

higher volatility regime,” said Jim Strugger, 

CHINIOT: Farmers loading sugarcane on trolley in a field . 

derivatives strategist at MKM Partners in 

New York. 

The VIX reached a 2-1/2-year high of 

50.30 on Feb. 6. Since then it has slipped to 

17.60, still well above the record low of 8.56 

hit in November. 

“Fear has come down dramatically but 

certainly not to the level of complacency 

seen pre-correction,” said Randy Frederick, 

vice president of trading and derivatives for 

Charles Schwab in Austin, Texas. 

“VIX futures seem to indicate that the 

VIX could trend down from current levels to 

maybe as low as 15 over the next couple of 

months, but there are few, if any, signs we’ll 

see 10 again any time soon,” he said. 

The VIX is derived from the price of 

S&P 500 options and is an indicator of 

investors’ collective estimate of near-term 

gyrations for the benchmark stock index. 

value addition, quality production, 

effective marketing 

and proper care of animals 

to get benefits of livestock 

and their by-products. 

Dr. Mahida of 

Livestock & Dairy 

Development Department 

Punjab, Rawalpindi along 

with other doctors and 

trainees presented the 

model of Mobile Training 

which has been specially 

designed to train rural 

population about care of 

animals. 

ADM, Syngenta 

settle lawsuit 

over biotech corn 

exports to China 

CHICAGO: U.S. grain 

merchant Archer Daniels 

Midland Co has settled a 

lawsuit with Syngenta over 

the seed company’s launch 

of a biotech corn strain that 

roiled grain exports to 

China, according to regulatory 

documents filed on 

Friday. 

ADM sued Syngenta 

four years ago for selling 

the corn variety known as 

Agrisure Viptera or MIR 

162 before it was approved 

for import by China, an 

importer on U.S. grain. 

China rejected U.S. corn 

cargoes that contained the 

unauthorized strain, which 

caused financial losses for 

ADM, according to the 

lawsuit. 

China 

approved imports of 

Viptera corn in 2014. 

ADM and Syngenta 

reached a confidential settlement 

over the matter in 

December. 

VIENNA: International 

Monetary Fund chief 

Christine Lagarde has no 

objection to plans to turn 

the euro zone’s bailout 

fund into a European 

Monetary Fund, she said 

in comments published on 

Saturday. 

The European 

Commission has suggested 

transforming the role of 

the government-controlled 

European Stability 

Mechanism (ESM) into a 

full-blown European 

Monetary Fund under parliamentary 

control and 

anchored in European 

Union law, which would 

also become a backstop 

for the euro zone’s bank 

resolution fund. 

The plan is backed by 

countries including France 

and Germany. 

“Why not?” Lagarde 

said in an interview with 

exports were already 

falling. It also raises questions 

about the decision to 

depreciate the Pakistani 

rupee. The logic of depreciation 

was to make the 

export sector more competitive 

but in an importdependent 

economy, 

depreciation is likely to 

increase domestic prices by 

a similar amount. The 

petrol price had to go up 

simply because the value 

of Pakistani currency has 

gone down and petrol is an 

imported good. The only 

way to control its price is 

to reduce the tax charged to 

consumers. 

BMP Secretary-General 

further added that the country’s 

energy import bill had 

already risen heftily as the 

global oil prices had spiked 

by almost a third in the last 

several months. 

Trader sues Fidelity 

over website glitch 

during market rout 

BOSTON: A New Jersey 

trader filed a lawsuit against 

Fidelity Investments, accusing 

it of “gross negligence” 

because he could not make 

trades on the company’s website 

earlier this month during 

a volatile time on the stock 

market. 

The complaint by 

Christopher Musso comes 

after mutual fund company 

Fidelity, which also operates 

one of the largest U.S. online 

brokerages, said on Feb. 6 

that its website experienced 

“intermittent technical difficulties” 

as brokerage clients 

watched a stock market rout 

reverberate around the globe. 

The lawsuit is seeking classaction 

status. 

Musso said he could not 

execute trades using Fidelity’s 

Active Trader Pro platform 

when the market opened on 

Feb. 6, according to his lawsuit, 

filed in U.S. District 

Court in Trenton, New Jersey. 

“Considering the volatility 

(a day earlier), it was 

important for (Musso and 

others) ... to have access to 

Fidelity’s Active Trader Pro 

platform in order to monitor 

their respective investments 

and be able to execute fast 

and quick trades,” according 

to the complaint. 

President FPCCI leads delegation 

to Iran for ECO-CCI Meetings 

S L A M A B A D : 

Ghazanfar Bilour, President 

of the Federation of 

Pakistan Chambers of 

Commerce and Industry 

(FPCCI) and ECO 

Chamber of Commerce and 

Industry (ECO-CCI) will 

preside the forthcoming 

statutory meeting of ECO- 

CCI scheduled to be held on 

March 5, 2018 at Tehran, 

Iran. 

The meetings will be 

attended by the representatives 

of Chambers of 

Commerce and Industry of 

Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, 

Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, 

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz 

Republic, Turkmenistan, 

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 

Prior to the statutory meetings, 

there will be six 

TORONTO: Commerce 

Minister Pervaiz Malik has 

invited Canadian companies 

and investors to invest in 

Pakistan where there is no 

restriction on repatriation of 

profits and dividends. 

He was talking to representatives 

of large multinational 

companies of 

Canadian origin at Chamber 

of Commerce in Ontario on 

Saturday. 

The Minister apprised 

them that Pakistan has overcome 

socio-economic and 

security related challenges 

and laid down the foundation 

of sustained economic 

growth in the Country. 

He said the government’s 

prudent policies 

have also restored macroeconomic 

stability. 

The Minister informed 

that Pakistan’s investment 

policy is one of the most liberal 

in the region, provides 

conducive environment for 

Specialized Committees 

Meetings on Trade facilitation, 

Transportation, 

Tourism, Arbitration, 

Industry, Investment and 

SMEs Promotion and 

Women Entrepreneurs 

Council on March 3 & 4, 

2018. 

At present, the total trade 

of all ECO members countries 

stood at US$ 638 billions 

which has registered a 

declining trend compared to 

US$ 836 billions in 2012 

and the reason behind the 

declining of trade is global 

recession and low oil prices 

on which this natural 

resources heavily depend. 

The contribution of ECO 

region in world trade is just 

two percent despite the fact 

that ECO has 6.2 percent of 

attracting FDI. 

He said that no foreign 

firm has made losses in 

Pakistan. 

Pervez Malik said 

besides the China-Pakistan 

world population. Intraregional 

trade accounts 8.4 

percent of total trade of 

world which is far below 

the potentials available. 

The Executive 

Committee and General 

Assembly will review 

lower intra-regional trade 

and investment, removal of 

trade barriers, harmonization 

in trade and investment 

regulations, SMEs, arbitration 

and gradual integration 

of the member state’s 

economies, development of 

transport and communication, 

effective infrastructure 

linking in the region. 

Pakistan will handover 

Presidentship of ECO-CCI 

for the year 2018-19 to 

Afghanistan as per the 

statute of ECO-CCI. 

Commerce Minister invites Canadian 

companies to invest in Pakistan 

PESHAWAR: In 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government 

is spending more 

than fifteen billion rupees 

on construction of various 

hydro power projects. 

A spokesman of 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

TORONTO: Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile, 

Mohammad Pervaiz Malik after a meeting with president 

Ontario chamber of commerce, Rocco Rossi. 

Energy Development 

Organization told that two 

hundred and fifty 

hydropower projects have 

been completed, while 

work is underway on one 

hundred and six hydro 

power projects will be 

Economic Corridor, 

investors from USA, UK, 

France, Germany, Japan, 

Switzerland, South Korea 

and the oil rich Gulf States 

are investing in Pakistan. 

KP govt spends Rs15bn on 

construction of hydro power projects 

completed within next two 

months. 

These projects are 

being constructed in 

Hazara and Malakand 

divisions which after completion 

will generate forty 

megawatt electricity. 

Cyberattacks are costly, things could get worse: US 

Swiss newspaper Tages- 

Anzeiger. 

“The crisis the euro 

zone went through showed 

that it needs a crisis management 

system that is 

independent, able to act 

quickly and that works 

according to strict rules. 

What that mechanism is 

called is secondary. If one 

wants to call it European 

Monetary Fund, then 

please.” 

She also brushed aside 

the suggestion that the 

IMF’s role was being 

usurped in a region where 

it has been involved in 

bailing out Portugal, 

Ireland, Cyprus and 

Greece in recent years – 

often in exchange for 

oversight and painful 

reforms. 

“We do not serve a 

region but 189 countries. 

That also includes euro 

zone countries. And if 

together they decide that 

other crisis mechanisms 

like the ESM are involved, 

WASHINGTON: Cyberattacks 

cost the United States between $57 billion 

and $109 billion in 2016, a White 

House report said Friday, warning of a 

“spillover” effect for the broader economy 

if the situation worsens. 

ultimately A report by the White House 

Council of Economic Advisers sought 

to quantify what it called “malicious 

cyber activity directed at private and 

public entities” including denial of 

service attacks, data breaches and 

theft of intellectual property, and sensitive 

financial and strategic information. 

It warned of malicious activity by 

“nation-states” and specifically cited 

Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. 

The report noted particular concern 

over attacks on so-called critical infrastructure, 

such as highways, power 

grids, communications systems, dams, 

and food production facilities which 

could lead to important spillover 

impacts beyond the target victims. 

“If a firm owns a critical infrastructure 

asset, an attack against this firm 

could cause major disruption throughout 

the economy,” the report said. 

It added that concerns were high 

around cyberattacks against the financial 

and energy sectors. 

“These sectors are internally interconnected 

and interdependent with 

other sectors as well as robustly connected 

to the internet, and are thus at a 

highest risk for a devastating cyberattack 

that would ripple through the 

entire economy,” it said. 

IMF chief says ‘Why not?’ to European Monetary Fund plan: report 

VIENNA: Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 

attends a conference on "Transforming France’s Economy and Completing the Integration 

of the Eurozone" with French Treasury and the IMF at the Bercy Ministry in Paris. 

that is in order,” she was 

quoted as saying.

PCB mulling Malaysia as new 

home venue: Najam Sethi 

LAHORE: PCB chairman 

Najam Sethi is headed 

to Malaysia to 'explore 

alternative options' of a 

new home venue for 

Pakistan - at least for the 

forthcoming series against 

Australia and New 

Zealand - owing to the 

clash of itineraries of the 

national cricket team and 

various T20 leagues that 

UAE is slated to host. 

"We have started looking 

at alternate venues for 

our home and PSL matches 

and I am going in March 

to Malaysia to see the 

grounds and facilities there 

and if everything works 

out well then obviously we 

see Malaysia as a venue 

which can host our international 

home series and the 

PSL as well," Sethi was 

quoted as saying by PTI. 

UAE has invariably 

served as "home" ground 

for Pakistan since international 

cricket was moved 

Dr M Arif Hafeez 

Sports Reporter 

KARACHI: Pakistan 

Cricket Board (PCB) has 

appointed ex-cricketer and 

fast bowler as Advisor to 

Chairman Najam Sethi on 

Cricket/Brand Ambassador 

of the board. 

Sethi said, “Shoaib 

Akhtar has been appointed 

Advisor to Chairman on 

Cricket Affairs/Brand 

Ambassador PCB”. 

“Rawalpindi Express” 

out of the territory following 

the militant attack on 

Sri Lanka's team bus on 

their 2009 tour. It has also 

hosted the two editions of 

Pakistan Super League 

thus far. However, 

Sharjah's growing popularity 

as the first-choice 

destination for various 

new T20 leagues has left 

PCB with one less venue 

Shoaib Akhtar frequently 

appears on television channels 

to express his views 

regarding the situation of 

Pakistan cricket. 

Being the fastest bowler 

in the world, Akhtar has 

bagged 178 Test wickets, 247 

One-Day International 

Wickets and 19 Twenty20 

for internationals as well 

as the domestic league. 

Sharjah is due to host 

the new Arabian Cricket 

League - run by the 

Emirates Cricket Board - 

in January, just ahead of 

PSL season that kicks off 

in February. Further, PCB 

reportedly is unhappy with 

ECB granting the 

Afghanistan Cricket 

Board permission to 

launch its T20 league in 

Dubai and Sharjah, that 

coincides with Pakistan's 

series against Australia 

and New Zealand, to be 

played in October- 

November. 

Sethi also noted that 

PCB had not been able to 

register any significant 

profits from its home 

Shoaib Akhtar appointed 

PCB’s brand ambassador 

International wickets 

throughout his esteemed 

career. He has represented 

several teams across the 

world Asia XI, Chittagong 

KARACHI: Anum Zahra in acting during 37th CAS 

Open Golf Championship at Airmen Golf Course PAF 

Base Korangi. 

Division, Durham, ICC 

World XI, Kolkata Knight 

Riders, Somerset, Surrey and 

Worcestershire. 

Aania Farooq Takes 

Lead in CAS Open 

Golf Championship 


KARACHI: Five times 

consecutive CAS Golf 

Champion Aania Farooq, 

having lead on the first 

day of ladies in 37th CAS 

Golf Competition. 

The young and talented 

Aania who has established 

herself as one of the best 

lady golfer scored 44 

gross (in 9 holes). Humera 

Khalid stood second with 

45 gross, followed by 

Dania Syed as third with 

47 gross. 

In Professionals 

Category, Matloob 

Ahmed maintained his 

last days lead in Third 

round with gross score of 

211 (05 under-par). 

Zulfiqar Ali stood second 

with gross score of 215 

(01 under par). While 

Third position tied 

between Muhammad 

Shabbir, Muhammad 

Munir and Waheed 

Baloch with gross score of 

216 (par). 

In Amateur Category, 

Ghazanfar Mehmood 

retained his last days position 

on third day by carding 

in gross score of 224 

(08 over par). Second 

position in Gross 

Category remained with 

M.Shraif with the score of 

226 

(10 over par). Under 

Net Category, M.Adnan 

stands First with score of 

216 (par) followed by 

Robin Bagh with the net 

score of 217 (1 over par). 

With mixed fortunes 

for golfers, 37th CAS 

Open 

Golf 

Championship-2018 has 

entered in final phase. 

series since 2010 because 

of the costs involved in 

hosting and organising 

matches in the UAE, 

where the crowd turnout 

has been poor. While 

maintaining that UAE 

remains PCB's first 

choice, Sethi hasn't ruled 

out the possibility of opting 

for another, financially 

more viable option. 

Malaysia, that holds 

Associate membership, is 

on top of PCB's list of 

alternate venues primarily 

due to low investment. 

"Our first preference 

will remain the UAE, but 

if what they are trying 

now ends up hurting our 

interests, then we will 

explore other options," 

Sethi said. "So I am just 

going to Malaysia to 

check out their facilities 

and cost and expenditures 

of holding our bilateral 

FTP [series] there for the 

time being. 

Asif Memorial beat 

Iftikhar Cricket Academy 

by 2 wickets in a series 


KARACHI: Asif 

Memorial beat visitors 

Iftikhar Cricket Academy 

(ICA) Karachi by 2 wickets 

in the second match of 

the series played here at 

Bhutto Cricket Ground. 

Iftikhar Cricket 

Academy skipper won the 

toss and opted to bat first. 

They got off to decent 

start but later superb 

bowling by Asif 

Memorial restricted them 

to 163 in 29.3 overs. 

Jaseem was top scorer 

with 48 runs studded with 

7 fours while Adnan made 

unbeaten 26 and Hammad 

23. Jabbar, Razzaq and 

Awais took two wickets 

each. 

Asif Memorial were in 

all sort of trouble while 

chasing the target but 

when Mukarram took the 

responsibility, he hammered 

54 smashing 8 

boundaries while he was 

ably assisted by skipper 

M Irfan , who struck 

unbeaten 59 with the help 

of 3 boundaries and as 

many sixes, as Asif 

Memorial achieved the 

target in 34.3 overs losing 

8 wickets. Saeed Ullah 

and Adnan got two wickets 

apiece. 

RAWALPINDI/ISLAM 

ABAD: Middle order batsman 

Shafiq Ahmed scored a 

brilliant 74 runs while spinners 

Waqaf Shah and Malik 

Kashif shared 7 wickets 

between them to help his 

team Islamabad Disabled 

defeated strong Peshawar 

Disabled Team by 42 runs in 

the second semifinal of 6th 

National Disabled T-20 

Cricket Championship here 

at Pindi Cricket Stadium. 

The winner Islamabad 

Team will meet two times 

defending championship 

multan in the final after the 

Pakistan Super League in 

Karachi, Multan Team have 

already booked there play in 

the final after defeating 

Karachi in First Semi Final 

of the event in Karachi in 

January. 

In the 2nd Semi Final 

Peshawar won the toss and 

decided to field first. 

Islamabad posted a decent 

total of 139-9 in 20 overs, 


Sportlight 

7 

West Indies decides to 

play three T-20s in Lahore 

KARACHI: International cricket will 

once again return to Pakistan. 

West Indies cricket team is scheduled 

to travel to Pakistani next month. This was 

confirmed by Dave Cameron, the president 

of the Cricket West Indies (CWI). 

Speaking exclusively he said, "our 

team will play three T-20 matches in 

Pakistan". 

"All the three matches are to be played 

in Lahore", he further confirmed. 

The PCB was also keen to host a trination 

series in Florida, but the plan has 

been shelved for this year, it is also learnt. 

Very few teams have traveled to 

Pakistan since the terror attacks on visiting 

Sri Lankan team in March 2009. And 

the PCB have staged their home series and 

the PSL matches in the UAE. The last 

international team to play in Pakistan was 

Sri Lanka in October last year. 

Karachi has not been allotted any 

match, however, few PSL (Pakistan Super 

League) matches may be staged this year. 

Shafiq, Waqaf Shah stars as Islamabad 

disabled cricket team reached in the final of 6th 

national disabled T-20 cricket championship 

Shafiw Khan scored a brilliant 

74 runs in 47 balls with 

the help of 7 huge sixes, Ali 

Abbas made 17 runs and 

Adil Abbasi contributed 15 

runs. 

Right Arm Left Spinner 

gripped 3 wickets for 17 

runs, slow left armer captain 

Nihar Alam took 2-11 

Peshawar Disabled Team 

were bundle out 97 in 16.5 

overs Abdullah Afridi 18, 

Nihar Alam 16 and Sareer 

Ullah 15 were the only batsman 

who cross the double 

figures. 

Slow Left Armer Waqaf 

Shah captured 4 wickets 

only 24 runs in 4 overs, right 

arm left spinner malik kashif 

grabed 3 wickets for 10 runs 

in 2.5 overs while off spinner 

Himayat Khan took 2-15. 

Later the Chief Guest 

AIG General Islamabad 

Farrukh Rasheed was distribute 

the prizes among the 

players and officials with 

head of communication cosponsor 

ICRC Pakistan 

Najum-ul-Saqib, Ortho 

Work Shop Manager 

Muhammad Younus Alam 

ICRC Pakistan representative 

ICRC Pakistan Ramsha 

Ali Shah, Former First Class 

Cricketer Surgeon Naeem 

Taj, Hon. Secretary PDCA 

Amiruddin Ansari, Head 

Coach and Director PDCA 

Sabih Azhar, Director PDCA 

Muhammad Sadiq Khatri, 

Media Manager Muhammad 

Nizam, Aezaz ur Rehman 

(World Bank), Match 

Referee Masood Anwar and 

other officials. Waqaf Shah 

and Shafiq Ahmed were 

received the joint man of the 

match award from the chief 

guest. Hon. Secretary 

Amiruddin Ansari was presented 

the honorary Sheild to 

the chief guest AIG General 

Islamabad Farrukh Rasheed, 

while the other individual 

prizes and honorary shield 

were also present to Guest of 

Honors. 

RAWALPINDi: Chief Guest AIG General Islamabad Furrukh Rasheed is presenting a 

jointly man of the match award to Waqaf Shah and Muhammad Shafiq of Islamabad 

here on Friday at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Director PDCA Muhammad Sadiq Khatri and 

Aeaziz-ul-Rehman also seen . 

Jeevan Mendis' sensational comeback didn't surprise his coach 


Karachi : Jeevan Mendis' coach at 

Tamil Union was "not surprised" with 

his sensational comeback. 

The 35-year-old leg break bowler, 

playing his 17th T-20 match after a gap 

of more than four and half years, took 

the wicket with his very first ball 

against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla 

National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka. Not 

only that, his first three deliveries 

yielded two wickets. 

"We knew about his talent and were 

"not at all surprised" with his bowling", 

Kapila Weerasinghe, his coach at the 

Tamil Union said exclusively. 

"He is a very good and hard working 

player. We had not lost hope and 

were certain about his performance". 

"Though he was not getting chance 

from the selectors, and was not being 

invited at the National Cricket 

Academy, we used to boost his morale 

all the time and he proved our confidence". 

"He has been included in the 

team for his good performance at the 

domestic level". "The new selection 

committee gave a chance to him and 

our new coach Hathurusinghe had 

maintained a good rapport with him 

and I am sure he can still play ODIs' 

and become a member of the World 

Cup", the coach signed off. 

Top of the world: Federer, 36, becomes oldest number one 

ROTTERDAM: Roger 

Federer became the oldest 

world number one on 

Friday when the 20-time 

Grand Slam title winner 

reached the semi-finals of 

the Rotterdam Open. 

The 36-year-old Swiss 

overcame an early setback 

to beat Robin Haase of the 

Netherlands 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 

and will replace old rival 

Rafael Nadal at the top of 

the rankings. 

“What an amazing run 

it´s been, to be number one 

again means a lot to me,” 

Federer said. 

“This is incredibly special, 

I´m so happy. I didn´t 

really think I could get back 

to number one, this is a significant 

moment in my 

career.” 

Federer surpasses Andre 

Agassi, who held the top 

spot aged 33 years and 131 

days in 2003, as the oldest 

man to claim the world 

number one spot. 

It is Federer´s first time 

back at the summit since 

October 2012 having first 

claimed the top position in 

February 2004. 

“Reaching number one 

is the ultimate achievement 

in tennis. When you´re 

older you have to work 

double the amount, you 

have to wrestle it back from 

someone who´s also 

worked hard to get there. 

It´s a dream come true,” 

added an emotional 

Federer. 

“It´s been an amazing 

journey and to clinch it 

here, where I got my first 

wildcard in 1998, means so 

much.” 

Agassi was amongst the 

first to congratulate 

Federer. 

“36 years 195 days… 

@rogerfederer continues to 

raise the bar in our sport. 

Congratulations on yet 

another remarkable 

achievement!!,” tweeted 

the American. 

Federer had talked on 

Thursday of his desire to 

retake the world number 

one spot but doubted it 

would ever happen after he 

underwent knee surgery 

last year. 

“I´ve struggled to try 

and get there. I had to win a 

lot of matches last year,” 

said Federer, who was as 

low as 17 in the world in 

January 2017 before he 

returned to form with the 

Australian Open title. 

The ageless wonder 

dropped his first set of the 

week against Haase, who 

later said he had been sick 

all week and unable to do 

any more than play his 

matches. 

Federer is back on top 

after winning three majors 

in 13 months, including 

another Australian Open in 

January. 

´Double nice at my age´ 

Federer was on his heels 

in the opening set as the 

aggressive Haase prevailed, 

but the Swiss top seed 

regained control to ease to 

the victory as he controlled 

the Dutchman in the 

remainder of the contest. 

The Swiss triumphed to 

the cheers of the fans in 79 

minutes, ending with six 

aces. Haase finished on a 

disappointing note with his 

second double-fault on 

match point. 

Federer will now face a 

decision whether to try and 

stretch his leading margin 

over Nadal by competing in 

just over a week in Dubai, 

his Gulf training base. 

“To rank this high, I 

don´t know how I did it. 

This is really big for me, 

especially because of the 

gap (between his last time 

at the top). 

“It´s double as nice at 

my age to be number one, 

there is a lot that goes into 

it.” 

Despite his achievement, 

Federer still has a 

semi-final to play on 

Saturday. 

“I hope all this is not a 

distraction, it may or may 

not be. I came here to get to 

number one and then win 

the tournament. 

“But I´ve got all day 

tomorrow to recalibrate. 

This could also free me up, 

lay the pressure aside and 

start to play my best tennis.” 

Second seed Grigor 

Dimitrov edged towards a 

possible first final in 

Rotterdam as he dispatched 

young Russian Andrey 

Rublev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the 

semi-finals. 

Sixth seed Tomas 

Berdych withdrew prior to 

his quarter-final, with the 

Czech´s absence putting 

fourth seed David Goffin 

into the semi-finals.

CMYK 

CMYK 


CMYK 

CMYK 

CMYK 

US, Pakistan continue to work closely 

against terrorists: Gen Harrigian 

W A S H I N G T O N : 

Pakistan and the United 

States continued to work 

closely in the fight against 

terrorism, said US Air Force 

Lieutenant General Jeffrey 

Harrigian, who is the commander 

of US Air Force 

Central Command. 

He was addressing a 

Pentagon press briefing 

through a video-conference 

this week from the 

Combined Air Operations 

Center at Al Udeid Airbase, 

Qatar, from where he commands 

U.S. Air Forces 

Central Command. 

“So, we continue to work 

closely with our Pakistan 

partners,” he said while 

replying to a question. “And 

what I will tell you is, first 

off, our intent is to make 

sure that Pakistan continues 

their fight against terrorists 

and does all that they can to 

LAHORE: The Lahore High 

Court on Saturday dismissed a petition 

of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf ( 

PTI) challenging the nomination 

papers of Prime Minister Shahid 

Khaqan Abbasi’s sister Sadia Abbasi 

for the forthcoming Senate polls. 

An appellate bench of the high 

court gave this verdict after hearing 

arguments of both sides. 

PTI leader Andleeb Abbas challenged 

the returning office’s decision 

to accept Sadia Abbasi’s nomination 

for the Senate on a seat reserved for 

women. 

Abbasi’s lawyer argued that the 

petitioner did not raise objections on 

his client’s nomination papers before 

the returning officer during their 

scrutiny. 

He stated the petition was not 

support, not only protecting 

themselves, but also protecting 

coalition and Afghan 

partners that are operating 

there.” 

As the air component 

commander for U.S. Central 

Command, the general is 

responsible for developing 

contingency plans and conducting 

air operations in a 

20-nation area of responsibility, 

covering Central and 

Southwest Asia. 

To a question about the 

close air support mission in 

maintainable and requested the court 

to dismiss it. 

In the petition, the PTI leader 

argued that the premier’s sister had 

concealed details of her assets in the 

nomination papers. 

Besides, she also possessed the 

nationality of more than one country, 

therefore, she was not eligible to be a 

Afghanistan, the General 

said that his command had 

been able to work closely 

with the Resolute Support 

headquarters to understand 

their requirements and then 

provide that air support 

that’s necessary to support 

senator, the petitioner argued. 

The PTI leader pleaded with the 

bench to declare the premier’s sister 

ineligible to contest the Senate polls. 

Meanwhile, the bench also dismissed 

another petition filed by the 

PTI leader through which she challenged 

the acceptance of PML-N candidate 

Nuzhat Sadiq’s nomination 

papers for the Senate polls. 

Andleeb Abbas challenged Ms 

Sadiq’s nomination, arguing that she 

had not placed on record any proof to 

show that she had surrendered her 

dual nationality. 

The PML-N candidates – Sadia 

Abbasi and Nuzhat Sadiq – had filed 

nomination papers for the Senate seat 

reserved for women from Punjab, 

which were accepted by the ECP’s 

returning officer after their scrutiny. 

the Afghan partners on the 

ground and our delivered air 

campaign. 

The General told a 

questioner that his air command 

did use F-22s Raptor 

aircraft to drop Small 

Diameter Bombs (SDB) on 

terrorist targets when the 

new offense kicked-off in 

November, but added that 

since then these fighter jets 

have not been used for 

strikes inside Afghanistan. 

“We look at targets, 

we’re going to match the 

best weapon for that particular 

target. And based on 

the assets that we had at 

that time in theater, 

Raptors made the most 

sense,” the General said 

adding it was his responsibility 

to make sure that 

appropriate assets are 

available to support US 

forces in Afghanistan. 

Cabinet body nods 

LHC rejects petition challenging ‘restructuring 

process’ in PIA 

Senate nomination of PM’s sister 

ISLAMABAD: The 

PM launches Health Insurance Card Scheme 

Calling elected representatives mafia, 

thieves not acceptable: PM Abbasi 

HAFIZABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi distributing Health Cards at the 

launch of PM's National Health Program. 

HAFIZABAD: Prime Minister Shahid 

Khaqan Abbasi said on Saturday that calling 

elected representative mafia, thieves 

and dacoits in the court of law is not 

acceptable under any circumstances. 

Speaking in Hafizabad during the distribution 

of health cards in the area, the 

premier said polling stations decide the 

result of politics, and the decisions of 

masses are above all. 

The premier added that the government 

accepts all decisions of the court, irrespective 

of the people and whether history 

accepts it or not, however, he reiterated 

that the government won’t accept censure 

of any law made in the parliament. 

“The institutions should remain under 

their limits and should not interfere in the 

domain of other institutions,” he said. 

Prime Minister Abbasi also said political 

results come through polling stations, 

adding that one of its decision 

came in Lodhran in which the masses 

voted for the politics of Nawaz Sharif, 

and its next decision will come in July 

2018 general elections. 

People will again 

give mandate to 

PML-N: Asif 

SIALKOT: Federal 

Minister for Foreign Affairs 

Khawaja Muhammad Asif 

said that politically matured 

masses will again give the 

heavy mandate to the PML- 

N and will again bring 

PML-N into power with the 

power of their votes during 

the 2018 general elections 

in the country. 

He said that during the 

coming general elections , 

the people will ensure the 

sanctity of their votes , not 

allowing anyone to do contempt 

of the masses’ trust in 

shape of the votes. 

He stated this while 

addressing a largely attended 

convention of the party 

workers held at Karimpura- 

Sialkot city here on 

Saturday. 

Foreign Minister added 

that the PML-N’s convoy 

led by Nawaz Sharif will 

reach soon to its destination 

by crossing and 

removing all the hurdles 

from the way of strengthening 

the true democracy 

and democratic norms and 

values in the country, 

besides, putting the country 

on the highway to national 

political and economical 

stability as well. 

Provision of fundamental rights to people my dream: CJP 

CJ forbids action against footpath school till alternate location provided 

KARACHI: Chief 

Justice of Pakistan (CJP) 

Mian Saqib Nisar has 

remarked he is not fond of 

taking suo motu notice. 

“ Providing basic rights 

is my dream and I don’t 

know this dream will come 

true when. I remained silent 

for one year. When I saw 

people are in miserable condition 

then I started taking 

suo motu notices”, he gave 

these remarks on Saturday 

during the course of hearing 

of suo motu notice regarding 

footpath school in 

Clifton in Karachi registry. 

The petitioner told the 

court government is going 

to abolish his footpath 

school. 

CJP remarked “ whosoever 

desires sits on the road. 

It is fundamental right of the 

citizens that paths are kept 

open. When the facility is 

available to you then why 

you don’t shift to the building. 

The CJP directed the 

secretary education not to 

touch footpath schools 

unless alternate place is provided 

for footpath school. 

CJP remarked “ we will 

ensure provision of better 

place for school. The school 

be not abolished unless better 

place becomes available 

for it. 

Cabinet Committee on 

Privatization (CCoP), which 

met here at the PM Office on 

Friday with Prime Minister 

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in 

chair, gave go-head to the proposal 

for initiating restructuring 

process in Pakistan 

International Airlines 

Corporation (PIA). 

The go-ahead was given 

after a detailed presentation on 

PIACL and the discussion that 

followed in the meeting which 

addressed issues related to 

PIACL and Pakistan Steel 

Mills (PSMC). 

It was decided during the 

meeting to segregate core and 

non-core functions of the 

organization. 

Minister for Privatization 

Daniyal Aziz gave a detailed 

presentation on various issues 

including the financial challenges 

faced by the two organizations 

and possible way forward 

for addressing those 

issues on permanent basis. 

The PM in his remarks 

observed that past mismanagement 

and neglect of the 

two important organizations 

had not only resulted in creation 

of huge financial liability, 

on annual basis, for the 

government but also caused 

great difficulties for the 

employees of organizations. 

Security forces kill more than 

75 including 5 Daish militants 

KABUL: More than 75 

including 5 Daish militants 

have been killed in Afghan 

security forces attacks targeting 

Taliban hideouts in 

various areas of Uruzgan 

BERLIN: British actor 

Robert Pattinson does not 

believe in true love, he said 

at the Berlin Film Festival 

on Friday, in contrast to the 

lovestruck pioneer he portrays 

in the western comedy 

period film Damsel. 

Directed by David and 

Nathan Zellner, Damsel 

stars Pattinson as the 

wealthy Samuel Alabaster 

who traverses the Wild West 

in search of his love 

Penelope, played by 

Australian actress Mia 

Wasikowska. 

"Do I believe in true, 

pure love? No. No, I think 

it's, yeah, I mean it's obviously 

more complicated," he 

said at a news conference 

after the screening. 

Damsel is one of 19 films 

competing for the festival's 

Golden Bear award. 

Pattinson was in a relationship 

with his Twilight 

co-star Kristen Stewart. But 

the couple broke up when 

reports of Stewart dating her 

Snow White and The 

Huntsman director Rupert 

Sanders surfaced. 

The Good Time star then 

started dating singer FKA 

Twigs in September 2014. 

The couple got engaged 

after seven months in the 

province. 

According to foreign 

news agencies security 

forces told that 12 hideouts 

of the Taliban have been 

destroyed in the attacks. 

Meanwhile, security 

forces targeted Daish hideouts 

in district Deh Bala of 

Nangarhar province in 

which 5 militants were 

killed and 15 injured. 

'Twilight' star Robert Pattinson 

says he does not believe in true love 

SIALKOT: Federal Investigation 

Agency (FIA) has announced to publish 

the sketches of as many as 400 human traffickers 

and thier agents wanted by the FIA 

in dozens of the cases of the human trafficking. 

According to the senior FIA officials, 

the FIA has started a vigorous public 

awareness campaign in this region to raise 

public awareness againt the curse of human 

trafficking and its hazards. 

Senior officials added that FIA would 

also display the sketches with the complete 

data of the human traffickers and their 

agents at all the important government and 

public places in Gujranwala Division’s all 

the six Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi 

Bahaud Din, Hafizabad and Gujranwala 

districts in the larger public interest as well. 

PESHAWAR: The ed on Saturday. 

Peshawar's Bus Rapid Sources within Peshawar 

Transit (BRT) Project will Development Authority 

now be completed with an 

additional cost of Rs2.5 billion 

after nearly a dozen 

changes in its design, report- 

(PDA) said some major 

changes have been made in 

the design of the mega project, 

which have resulted in 

relationship. But according 

to a report in The Sun, in 

October the singer was spotted 

minus her engagement 

ring and was also photographed 

with model 

Brieuc Breitenstein in Ibiza 

while Pattinson was reportedly 

getting close to pop 

diva Katy Perry. 

“Rob is tired of it, has 

called off their engagement 

and told friends they have 

split. With so much -history 

between them, though, there 

are still strong feelings there. 

FIA to publish sketches of 

400 human smugglers 

increasing the cost. 

Nine major changes have 

been made in three sections 

of the project, which include 

construction of an underground 

station at Aman 

Chowk and a new flyover 

The senior FIA officials will also give 

the important lectures about human trafficking 

to the students in universities, colleges 

and schools as well, the officials 

added. 

The officials added that the several 

accused human traffickers and their agents 

have changed the particulars and their get 

ups including having beard or being clean 

shaved as well besides changing their 

addresses due to which the FIA was facing 

difficulties in nabbing these accused wanted 

in the dozens of the cases of human trafficking 

as well. 

FIA officials said that the FIA would 

soon get the properties of as many as 400 

human traffickers sealed through local 

courts besides getting their all the bank 

accounts sealed , in this regard 

Peshawar BRT project to cost another 

Rs2.5bn due to design change: sources 

KARACHI: Family of Jamil Ahmed snapped group photo at Aisha Ali wedding. 

for the BRT alongsideArbab 

Sikandar Khan Khalil flyover, 

according to sources. 

Similarly, a decision has 

been made to construct a 

route to airport near CSD on 

section 2 of the project. 

CMYK CMYK 

CMYK 

Chief Editor and Publisher Muhammad Taqi Alvi, Office No.509, Land Mark Plaza, I.I. Chundrigar Road Karachi. Tel. 021-32214988/32214990 Fax: 021-32214989 Printed by Jilani Printing Press ST-8 Block-10/A Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi.

18 Feb 18

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