Pakistan - DAWN Wire Service

[Rizwan]

Dr. Altamash Kamal - Coordinator
Oct 19, 1995

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N A T I O N A L N E W S
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Karachi
..........Two killed on MQM strike day
..........Policeman among six killed in violence
..........DSP, four cops among 11 killed in metropolis
..........Ten killed in two-day violence
..........Strike paralyses city five die in violence
MQM
..........Khan invites MQM to talks
..........MQM men arrested
..........MQM fears for arrested workers life
..........PPP replies to MQM points
..........Altaf seeks Ghali s help
..........Killing of workers Altaf wants case registered
..........Altaf wants to harm country, says Shah
..........Four held with rocket launcher
..........PPP flays MQM, India over city situation
..........Dehlavi blames govt for present situation
..........MQM chief demands change in govt policy
..........MQM threatens protest on Wednesday
..........MQM to support protest, says Ghous
..........MQM strike today
..........Altaf warns govt of more protests
..........Murtaza seeks MQM s support
..........Altaf urges Press to voice concern at State terrorism
EC has no plans for new delimitation s
PPP flays PML s silence over rocket attack
PPP chalks out plans to counter black day
Polls in held Valley will be a farce PM
PM confirms some army men under investigation
Country sliding into anarchy Nawaz
PPP holds anti-MQM rally in London
PM s brother-in-law held
Coup leaders wanted Islamic revolution
JSQM flays deaths in custody
No one will be allowed to disturb peace, warns Saroop
Fate of Brown Amendment to be decided today
Coup inquiry report to be made public, says Leghari
Delay resented PM orders privatisation of PTC by December
PML girds up for protest day
Police facing organised terrorism, says Babar
Black day today Gohar issues chargesheet
Case against Nasser termed victimisation
Altaf has deviated from people s mandate, says Shah
JI chief calls on President
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B U S I N E S S & E C O N O M I C S
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Overall economic situation improves, says IFC review
Further loans for Pakistan IMF calls for cut in deficit
Action against tax evaders New steps to yield Rs 30 to 40bn
Rupee falls by 6 paisa against $
Habib Bank to be sold in June 96
LCCI chief seeks tariff reforms
Pakistan on way to economic stability
IMF rejects Islamabad s request on ESAF terms
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E D I T O R I A L S & F E A T U R E S
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Sitting ducks Ardeshir Cowasjee
Dark forebodings about the future M.B. Naqvi
Prices the reality is far more disturbing M. Ziauddin
A lunch with the Sharifs Editorial Column
What's the truth about this 'ambush' episode? Editorial Column
New anti-corruption tools Sultan Ahmed
The grand design Mazdak
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S P O R T S
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3-Nation hockey tournament gets under way today
AAMIR S ALL-ROUND SHOW Pakistan turn tables on Lanka in Sharjah
Islamabad seeks Indian pledge safety of cricketers
BASIT, MOIN Ramiz steers Pakistan to victory over W.I.
West Indies coast to easy win against Pakistan
Germany overpower Pakistan in 3-nation hockey
Pakistan, S. Korea draw 2-2 hockey
W. Indies snatch 3-run thriller from Lanka
Pakistan humbled by Lanka in Sharjah
West Indies jrs in sight of victory in Test
Inquiry demanded into disappearance of players
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N A T I O N A L N E W S
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951013
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Two killed on MQM strike day
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 12 Thursday was a relatively lesser violent day of the
strike called by the MQM to mourn the death of its seven of its
workers allegedly gunned down by law enforcers on Tuesday.
In an abortive attempt, unidentified men fired three Russian- made
rockets at a firewood stall near Sohrab Goth, but it caused no
casualty.
Unidentified men fired two rocket-propelled grenades at the Gulzar-i-
Hijri police station, but they missed the target. The grenades blasted
through the boundary wall of the firewood stall and the debris
injuring two kids.
A heavy contingent of rangers cordoned off the locality at midday to
flush out suspects. However, no arrest was reported till late in the
night.
Later, two rockets were reportedly fired at Sachal Rangers
headquarters but they too missed the target and hit a tree outside the
building.
The day long shutdown disrupted normal life. However, there was thin
traffic in districts South and East and some parts of the district
West throughout the day.
A KTC spokesman claimed that despite the strike its buses operated as
usual throughout the day. No incident of burning or damage to buses
was reported from any of the KTC s seven depots.
Two men were shot dead, four wounded and three vehicles burnt in the
city on Thursday.
The bullet-riddled body of an unidentified man was found in Orangi
Extension. There was marks of torture on his person, the police said.
His identity and political affiliation could not be known.
The body of a heroin-addict was found at a desolate place in Orangi
Extension. He was identified as Mohammad Ayub, 40. He died of a bullet
shot on his head in Shah Waliullah Nagar. Police said his was a
chronic addict case.
951014
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Policeman among six killed in violence
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 Six persons, including a policeman, were shot dead
and 10 others wounded in the city on Friday.
Two bullet-riddled bodies were found in the rear seat of a Suzuki in
Sharifabad. The Suzuki was taken away by unidentified men at gunpoint
in the Gulbahar area on Thursday, police said.
The car was found abandoned on service road near Erum Bakery on
Friday. There were marks of torture and bullet holes on the bodies of
the victims. The bodies, with their hands tied, were found stuffed in
gunny bags.
They were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy. One of the
victims was identified from his ID card as Hayatullah Khan. A card of
Metropolitan Security Service was also found on him.
The identity of the other victim could not be known till late in the
night. The police had also found a note on them stating a gift for
Babar .
A batch of under-training police constables, patrolling in a private
van, was caught in a shootout in Malir. According to the police, some
unidentified men opened fire on the van patrolling in Mohammad Nagar.
Constable Sikandar Ali was killed on the spot, while constables Yaqeen
Ali, Mohammad Sharif and Iqtedar Ahmad wounded in the attack. An 18-
year-old boy, Azfar Hussain, was also wounded.
Three people were killed and four others injured in an encounter
with police in Azizabad. According to the police, a raid was conducted
in a desolate place in Banghoria Goth to nab some suspects. As the
police mobile reached there, a shootout took place.
One unidentified person was killed on the spot and another one
identified as Sharif, succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.
Those injured were identified as Mohammad Ayub, 35, Ghulam Hussain,
37, Zaheer Ahmad, 23 and Rasheed, 30. Constable Ejaz was also wounded
in the shootout . The police claimed that they had seized four TT
pistols from the suspects.
According to other reports, the victims were going to Gadap to attend
a marriage ceremony. When the police tried to stop them near Bhopal
cottage they ignored the call.
Police allegedly fired on them killing Sharif and two others and
injuring four others.
Sher Khan, 18, was wounded by snipers in Pirabad and Katay Khan in New
Town.
951016
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DSP, four cops among 11 killed in metropolis
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 15 A deputy superintendent of police and four policemen
were among the 11 people killed in city violence on Sunday.
Moreover a rocket was fired at rangers headquarter in Khwaja Ajmir
Nagri.
Some unidentified persons barged into the house of Bashir Ahmad
Noorani, 50, a prosecution deputy superintendent of police in North
Karachi, and fired at the family.
Bashir was killed on the spot and his elder son, Tanvir Ahmad Noorani,
25, was critically wounded.
In Liaquatabad, body of a police constable bearing marks of torture
was found near Choona Depot early in the morning. Police identified
him as Raja Mehmood, 35, who was kidnapped on Saturday.
His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy. Police said
Mehmood was kidnapped while on way to Liaquatabad. Some unidentified
men fired at Ghulam Mustafa Panhwar, 30, a head constable, near Ali
Public School in Korangi and escaped.
He was ambushed during patrol. His body was taken to the JPMC for
autopsy.
Head constable Khan Bahadur, 45, was killed in Orangi Extension.
Police said he was on way to duty when some persons riding a taxi
fired at him near Yaqoobabad and fled. The victim was posted at
district West headquarters.
Bullet-riddled body of a man was found in a gunny bag near Garden. He
was gunned down after severe torture. The victim had been kidnapped on
Saturday and taken to unknown destination where he was allegedly
tortured. Police identified him as Mohammad Hanif, 32. The victim was
a resident of Keamari.
A 12-year old girl, Ruqyya, was killed after a bullet hit her when she
was in her house in Saeedabad. It could not be ascertained whether she
was hit by a stray bullet or it was a targeted shooting. Her body was
shifted to the mortuary for autopsy.
Farhana, 18, was killed in her house in New Karachi, when unidentified
men entered her house and shot her. Two motorcyclists shot and killed
owner of a car show-room in Gulshan-i-Iqbal. Police identified him as
Abdul Mobeen, owner of Usman Motors. The motive of the murder could
not be ascertained. Pervez Kazmi, 20, was shot dead near a body-
building club in North Karachi. His father, late Qamar Kazmi, a
councillor of the area was killed in a similar style a few months
back. His body was found in a deserted street.
Subhanuddin, 53, was shot dead by unidentified men in Pirabad. The
motive of his murder could not be known. A gang of unidentified men
opened fire at Karim Bukhsh in Jumma Goth, Korangi and escaped. The
Korangi police did not reveal details of the incident.
951018
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Ten killed in two-day violence
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 17 Ten people were shot dead and several wounded in two
days of violence in the city on Monday and Tuesday.
Unidentified men fired a rocket at the Liaquatabad police station on
Tuesday evening which missed target. An armoured personnel carrier
(APC) also came under fire in the same area.
Three blasts rocked the Bahadurabad locality on Tuesday. The area
plunged into darkness when a PMT was damaged in one of the explosions.
Eyewitnesses said the blasts were believed to have been caused by
rockets fired from within Bahadurabad area. The first had blown up the
PMT, the second exploded near a restaurant and the third near a petrol
pump.
The Bahadurabad police, however, said the blasts were caused by fire
crackers.
Others witnesses said the explosions were caused by blasts in the
underground power cable of an under-construction building where the
labourers were working.
Ten people were injured and nine vehicles were set on fire by
arsonists during the two days.
Five people were shot dead in Districts South, Central and East on
Monday and two vehicles set ablaze.
Police said Asif Asghar, 26, was killed in an encounter near Gujjar
Nullah.
According to them, alleged terrorists were indulging in shooting near
Gujjar Nullah spreading panic in the area.
A police party reached the place and an exchange of fire followed
during which Khatri died, while his accomplices managed to escape.
The police claimed Khatri was involved in heinous crimes.
Imran Ali, 18, and Mohammad Badshah, 17, were attacked by unidentified
armed men in the Garden area while on their way home. Imran died
instantly but Badshah who was critically wounded died on Tuesday. The
unknown assassins fled, the police said.
The incident sent a wave of shock and markets were closed.
The body of an unidentified man with bullet wounds was found near
University Road.
The body of a young man was found in Model Colony with bullet holes.
He was identified by Edhi sources as Anees Ahmad.
Qadar, 28, was killed by unidentified men in Korangi. He was arrested
in March on a charge of possessing illicit arms and was released on
bail recently.
Mohammad Akbar, 36, was shot dead at the doorstep of his home in Old
Golimar, on Tuesday.
Police said some unknown persons pressed the bell of Akbar s house at
11.45 pm on Monday. When he opened the door and leaned out, they fired
at him and fled. His younger brother said they had no personal enmity
with anybody, the police said.
The body of an unidentified man with bullet wounds was found in
Liaquatabad on Tuesday. The Edhi ambulance took the body to hospital
for autopsy.
Shamroz Khan, 33, was killed in Orangi Town. The police said
unidentified men fired at an Al-Rehman passenger coach and killed
Shamroz Khan on the spot. Later, they torched the coach and fled.
Mohammad Akram, 26, was killed by a stray bullet while he was standing
on the rooftop of his house.
Dr Qurban, who was allegedly kidnapped by some unidentified persons in
Orangi Extension, was later recovered from the captors, police said.
Ten people, including a police officer, were injured in shooting
incidents in different localities during the two days.
Siraj, 30, was wounded in Nazimabad Shahsawar in Defence Housing
Authority Allah Rakha, 50 and Mohammad Akram in Liaquatabad ASI
Falak Sher in Arambagh Murad, 40, in Orangi Town Nek Mohammad in
Pirabad Mohammad Yar in Gulbahar Azam in Mochko and a young girl in
Baghdadi. An alleged terrorist , Haider Ali, was injured in an
encounter with police in Gulbahar.
At least ten vehicles were set ablaze on Monday and Tuesday.
Two mini-buses were torched in the Garden area on Monday. A truck
loaded with chemical drums, a Suzuki and a Mazda were set on fire in
Liaquatabad a bus in Arambagh, a car in Jauharabad and a taxi in
Orangi Town.
A water tanker and a taxi were burnt in Orangi Town. Fire- brigade
sources, however, confirmed burning of nine vehicles in the city.
Heavy shootings were reported on Burns Road, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad,
Gulbahar and Orangi Town, which spread panic there forcing the people
to stay behind indoors.
951019
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Strike paralyses city five die in violence
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By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 On a relatively peaceful day, five people were killed
and life in parts of Karachi was paralysed. As the MQM observed its
third strike of the month to denounce what it called extra-judicial
killings of its seven workers in the police custody
The Karachi Stock Exchange, big shopping centres, some of the
financial institutions, main markets and shops and private business
houses remained closed.
Two vehicles were set ablaze and six people, including two policemen,
were wounded during the violence.
Some protesters allegedly opened fire at a police mobile van near
Liaquatabad.
Some unknown persons scaled down into the house of Mohammad Tariq, 24,
in early in the morning, shot him dead and injured his brother.
According to the family sources, six masked men climbed down by a
ladder into the house. When they were opening grill, Tariq s father
woke up and raised alarm. As his sons came towards the gate, the
assailants pressed the trigger of the gun and fled.
Tariq, died on the spot and his elder brother Zubair, 28, and a worker
of the JUP, was injured.
According to the JUP sources, the police had picked up the shopkeeper
from whom the killers had purchased the ladder for interrogation and
were trying to track down the killers.
A passenger was killed and another critically wounded when some
unidentified men opened a volley of bullets on bus in Korangi.
According to the KTC sources, the bus when it reached near the
Korangi, it came under fire. While other passengers escaped unhurt,
Mohammad Farooq, 30, died on the spot. Inayatullah, who was critically
wounded, was later admitted to the JPMC.
Aamer, 24, was killed in an encounter with the police in Federal B
Area and one of his accomplices, Asif Rahim Abbasi, was arrested.
The police claimed that a gang of terrorists , who were riding in two
Suzuki cars, opened fire on a patrolling party when they were
signalled to stop for checking. As a result, Aamer was wounded, but he
later succumbed to his injuries in the JPMC, they said.
An unidentified young woman, 28, was shot dead by unknown men in
Bahadurabad. Her body was found in a street in KDA Scheme No. 1. It
was shifted to the JPMC for autopsy. The police investigation was
under way to find out the motive of the murder.
A mentally deranged 17-year-old, Kashif, who was suspected as an
informer, was shot dead by unidentified men on Nishtar Road, the
police said.
Six people, including a girl, were wounded in different areas. Police
constables Ashiq Hussain and Ejaz Hussain were shot and injured near
Al-Azam Square Shahid Khan in Saeedabad Inayet in Korangi Rizwana
in New Karachi and Shahid in Liaquatabad.
951013
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Khan invites MQM to talks
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 Law Minister N.D. Khan, who is also leading the
government side at the peace talks with MQM, has asked the MQM
leadership to resume the stalled talks before he leaves for a 10-day
foreign tour.
He said Mr Dehlavi had written an 11-page letter to him raising new
issues and making new demands to resume talks. We are ready to even
discuss these new issues at the talks.
The minister said the resumption of talks was necessary to give
confidence and a new hope for peace to the people who are facing
terrorism in Karachi. I will like to repeat my offer, let s have
talks, he said. For the sake of peace and normality we must meet.
When pointed put that Mr Delhavi had demanded an end to the siege of
MQM localities by para-military forces as a pre-condition for resuming
talks, he said if the MQM team returns to the talks, this issue can
also be discussed.
He regretted that MQM was resorting to strikes and thus causing damage
to the national economy. Political issues, he said, must be resolved
through political means.
The minister said a political settlement of the issue could be
achieved within a week provided the MQM stops terrorism. He said if
peace could be maintained in Karachi for only three months, we can
hold local bodies elections in that city.
The MQM has majority in Karachi and in case of local bodies elections
their members are likely to be elected in Karachi Metropolitan
Corporation so peace will only help them, he maintained.
951013
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MQM men arrested
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KARACHI, Oct 12 The police claim to have unearthed the terrorists
involved in the murder of the SDM of Arambagh, Nawaz Khushk, and his
gunman Bashir Ahmed Magsi.
The police said on Thursday that the actual culprit Raza Imam alias
Raza Bhai had been arrested in this regard with a pistol and a
motorcycle.
They said that after the killing of terrorist Farooq Dada, Amir
Zaki, Khurram and Saulat Mirza had, on the instruction of Shakil Azam
of Altaf group planned the killing of government officers.
The terrorists were unearthed by a special investigation team led by
SHO Zeeshan Kazmi of Nazimabad Police Station. The police said further
investigation was in progress and more arrests were expected.
According to the police the wife of Raza Imam had allegedly been
involved in the smuggling of arms and ammunition with Altaf Group s
most wanted terrorist Naim Sheri .
951013
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MQM fears for arrested workers life
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 12 The MQM s Deputy Leader of Opposition, Shoaib
Bukhari, has urged the chief justice of Sindh High Court to take
action for the recovery of Rehan Ahmed Khan, an interned MQM worker,
and expressed apprehensions that he might be killed in a fake police
encounter like many other MQM workers.
In a statement, he said Rehan was arrested on Oct 10 at his residence
and he is being continuously subjected to torture in custody. As a
result, he is precariously ill.
951013
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PPP replies to MQM points
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 12 Continuing his rebuttal to the MQM reply, the PPP
spokesman has challenged the claim that there are no gang leaders in
the MQM, so there is no question of handing anyone to the government.
When the government made such a demand, the MQM denied that the
government demand had any truth, and it made a counter- allegation
that there was a government-Al-Zulfikar axis. The allegation was
promptly denied by the government.
The spokesman claimed that the manner in which Farooq Dada and others
were owned by the MQM was a clear indication that it had gang leaders
within its ranks, who were allegedly involved in terrorism in the
city.
The PPP spokesman alleged that Farooq Dada had been killed with three
terrorists who were gang leaders of their respective areas. Each
gang leader, with the help of several youths, collected bhatta for
his gang and some for the self-exiled founder of the MQM, the PPP
spokesman alleged.
Striking at the contradictions in the stand of the MQM leadership, the
PPP spokesman said that the evening when Farooq Dada was killed on Aug
2, the deputy opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly and member of
the MQM negotiating team, with Kazi Khalid and Shaikh Liaquat Hussain,
had told newsmen that Farooq Dada had nothing to do with the MQM (A)
and that he had been expelled a year ago because of his alleged
criminal activities.
But at 10 in the night of Aug 2 a fax message from London was received
in newspaper offices in which Mr Altaf Hussain had described Farooq
Patni as a martyr .
Soon after this fax message, Shoaib Bokhari and other MQM(A) leaders
started pleading with the newspapers to mention Farooq Dada as an MQM
worker.
The PPP spokesman contended that if Altaf Hussain had not supported
the gang leader and notorious terrorist Farooq Dada, all other
gang leaders would have gone out of his control.
The PPP spokesman also denied MQM allegations that his party had any
links with Al Zulfikar.
Demanding that the Altaf Group should furnish the exact number of
people who had sought refuge in various countries the PPP spokesman
maintained that even if the claim of the MQM (A) was accepted, then
one would like to know who provided finance to so many people because
only travel expenses for about 20,000 people would be around one
billion rupees.
He contended that the weapons which filtered down to the MQM ranks in
Karachi was not beneficial for the country. He added that all acts of
the MQM (A) were detrimental to Pakistan s interest and was being
exploited by India.
He said the special relationship of Javed Langra with top Indian
leaders, including the interior minister, needed to be explained.
Emphasising the need for peace in the city, the PPP spokesman urged
Altaf Hussain to renounce terrorism and cooperate with Pakistan.
951013
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Altaf seeks Ghali s help
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Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 12 The United Nations Secretary-General has been informed
of the latest killings of MQM workers in Karachi, some of whom were
in judicial custody and were brought under police escort to a place
where they were shot dead .
Mr Hussain in his letter adds that attempts to reason with the
authorities in Pakistan, including the President and the army chief,
have been in vain, thus far. The UN secretary general had been
requested to circulate the petition from the MQM to the Security
Council members and to use his own position to alleviate the present
suffering of the Mohajirs, and initiate a move in defence of
international law.
Copies of the letter to the UN secretary general have, as before, been
sent to the President and the army chief in Pakistan, the Supreme
Court and high courts as well to world leaders and human rights
organisations.
951014
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Killing of workers Altaf wants case registered
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Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 13 MQM chief Altaf Hussain has asked the President to
order the registration of a murder case against those responsible for
the killing of three MQM workers who had been in judicial custody
since Aug 6.
In a statement issued here, Mr Hussain said all three of them were
brought to Nazimabad on Oct 10 on the pretext of providing
identification. They were killed when they were under police escort
and were handcuffed and had their feet in fetters.
The hospital report shows that they were shot at from a close range.
There was a fourth body also found and this was described by the
police to be that of another victim of the same ambush that killed the
other three.
Mr Hussain said that the interior minister said on the same day that
the three MQM workers Faheem, Zeeshan and Yousuf were killed due
to sniper fire and one of the attackers died because of police firing.
He also admitted that Khurshid Anwar and two of his sisters had been
arrested on suspicion of supplying arms to the attackers.
The MQM had issued a call for the release of the women of Khurshid
Anwar s family. The mother and one sister of the deceased on Friday
turned up at the MQM headquarters claiming that they were never
arrested and that Khurshid Anwar was still in custody, having been
arrested from his house on the morning of Oct 10. Mr Hussain said that
this statement seems to have been made under police duress.
Mr Hussain has said that he held the prime minister, the interior
minister and others responsible for the killings of the MQM workers.
If the President did not proceed against them in four days, he said,
the MQM would launch an appropriate protest, details of which would be
announced later.
951014
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Altaf wants to harm country, says Shah
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KARACHI, Oct 13 Sindh Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah said here on
Friday, there was mini insurgency and foreign interference in
Karachi and charged that MQM leader Altaf Hussain wanted to cause harm
to the progress and dignity of Pakistan.
Syed Abdulah Shah said that MQM in the initial stages had wanted a
separate province carved out of Sindh and then go for unilateral
declaration for independence and have a separate country.
This kind of programme suits the enemies of Pakistan and that is why
they (MQM) get covert and overt support from India and the Zionist
lobby who can never tolerate the emergence of any strong Muslim state.
We have evidence that foreign-trained terrorists are in Karachi and
are still coming. The influx of illegal arms to this province from
various sources and modern communication system prove our contentions
that there is foreign interference, he maintained.
He said the situation was now changing in a manner that the law
enforcement agencies were having an upper hand and the terrorists were
on the run.
The rocket attack at new Sindh Secretariat building a few days back
was aimed at damaging the image of the law enforcement agencies. It
was a high profile case to create fear among the people of Karachi.
The chief minister said that clearing the minds of the people of
Pakistan vis-a-vis the MQM was one achievement of our government. He
said any terrorist having a criminal record was owned by the MQM after
he was killed. Their frequent calls for strike for no reason were
meant to damage the economy of the country.
He said his (Altaf Hussain s) letters to the international
organisations and staging of demonstrations against the prime minister
only point to one thing he (Altaf Hussain) wants to cause harm to the
progress and dignity of Pakistan and was helping India in its actions
in Kashmir.
Asked whether the government would continue talks with the MQM in such
a situation the chief minister replied We have to have negotiations
with the MQM as the party has representation in the Senate and the
Sindh Assembly. People of Karachi voted for them but they did not keep
the mandate of their electorates in the assembly. They boycotted Sindh
Assembly session. If they did not want to go to the assembly why did
they get elected, he asked.
He said that by having talks with the MQM, the government wanted to
show its sincerity for solving all political problems. The only
condition of the MQM was release of all their criminals and giving
them a free hand. We will not permit this .
He admitted that in a few cases law enforcement agencies had committed
excesses, and added that the government had taken strict action
against policemen. In a situation like this, I do not deny excesses
as these are compulsions of the situation. I feel uncomfortable on
excesses by police, and go for judicial enquiry. Even on false
allegations of the MQM we have held judicial enquiry to restore
confidence of the people, he added.
951014
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Four held with rocket launcher
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KARACHI, Oct 13 Four MQM men were nabbed after chase of a yellow cab
in Federal B on Thursday night and a rocket launcher, 200 rounds of
kalashnikov, two mousers, and a TT pistol were recovered from them,
the police said on Friday.
The four were involved in siphoning weapons from Balochistan , police
said. Giving details of the incident, the police said during checking
of vehicles for suspicious persons it spotted a yellow cab and a white
car each carrying four persons.
When signalled to stop neither of the vehicles complied and instead
began racing into the lanes in Gulberg area. On being chased, their
occupants began firing on the police party which returned the fire. It
ultimately succeeded in catching the yellow cab in the lane of Power
House in the area.
Its four occupants Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Panah, Rahim Dino and
Muhammad Rasheed were arrested. They were identified as activists of
the MQM, involved in supplying arms from Balochistan , police said.
951014
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PPP flays MQM, India over city situation
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 The MQM was bitterly criticised for its alleged links
with India after New Delhi s representative at the United Nations on
Thursday referred to the situation in Karachi and cited Altaf
Hussain s letter to the Secretary-General in this regard.
In a joint statement, provincial ministers Nisar Ahmed Khuro and Abdul
Hakim Baloch, and adviser on information Mohammad Yousuf castigated
India for interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan and asked
Altaf Hussain not to play in the hands of India .
The ministers alleged that Altaf Hussain had gone too far and ignored
Pakistan s vital interests just to satisfy his personal interests .
It does not auger well for Pakistan and no patriotic person would
tolerate that anyone collaborates with the enemies of Pakistan, said
the ministers.
They alleged that on the one hand Altaf Hussain and Mian Nawaz Sharif
were conspiring against the democratic system in the country while,
on the other, they were joining hands with India.
As the leader of the opposition, it was the responsibility of Mian
Nawaz Sharif to dissuade Altaf Hussain to leave the suicidal path of
friendship and collaboration with India , said the provincial
ministers.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dehlavi blames govt for present situation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 The Chief MQM negotiator Ajmal Dehlavi said on Friday
we must put our house in order so that the opponents of Pakistan do
not get any chance to take advantage of it and embarrass us .
He was commenting on the criticism by some provincial ministers of the
Indian delegate s reference to the Karachi situation at the UN, and
Altaf Hussain s letter to the world body s Secretary General.
He was of the view that the government was to blame for the present
situation because it was not stopping what he called extra-judicial
killings and massive and indiscriminate arrests of the Mohajirs.
This situation, Mr Dehlavi said , was creating difficulties in the
negotiations and providing reasons for strikes. He contended if the
alleged State terrorism was stopped, the cause for strikes would not
be there.
The chief MQM negotiator recalled that when the talks had commenced,
his party had called off the strike and jointly condemned terrorism.
But he alleged State terrorism continued unabated and more and more
people were executed in police custody in a questionable manner,
providing a pretext for a strike.
Replying to a question, he confirmed that members of the MQM
negotiating team would visit London for instructions from Altaf
Hussain. The purpose of this visit would also be to inform Mr Hussain
about the various aspects of negotiations and the general situation
prevailing at home.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM chief demands change in govt policy
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Athar Ali
LONDON, Oct 13 The government policy to implicate MQM s female
workers and supporters in criminal cases or to involve their families
has to stop, said Altaf Hussain.
Mr Hussain called for the immediate release of four women, three
sisters and a mother of the MQM worker Khurshid Anwar, who was killed
while in police custody on the morning of October 10.
He added that the pattern of taking physical custody of the women
relatives of MQM workers, or of entire families of such people
emphasised that the Bhutto government is embarked upon this course of
action with a view to shatter the dignity, self-respect and personal
identity of the Mohajir nation .
He warned the authorities of an internal war if they do not desist
from their designs. He said no self-respecting people can allow such
state inflicted brutality to go unchecked.
He also reminded that the whereabouts of Rais Fatima have not been
disclosed after her disappearance in June and Shazia Farooq, the wife
of an MQM worker, is under detention since August 2.
He added that if the four women arrested recently were not released
within 48 hours, the MQM will then announce its response.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM threatens protest on Wednesday
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 14 In less than a week the MQM has called for another
day of protest on Wednesday against the alleged custodial murder of
Mufeez Farooqi, elder brother of Fahim Commando, who was also killed
in a mysterious ambush on Oct 10.
The protest precedes the countrywide black day being observed by the
opposition on Oct 19. The MQM leader has asked the people of Sindh to
close their business and abstain from work on Wednesday (Oct 18).
After much confusion about the identity of the fourth person killed in
the encounter in which Fahim Commando was slain, the MQM claimed that
it was Mufeez Farooqi, 26, Fahim s elder brother.
According to the MQM chief, Mufeez Farooqi was arrested by the police
on Oct 6 in Rawalpindi and was allegedly brought to Karachi.
MQM sources had first contended that the unidentified body was that of
Altaf Qureshi but then said it was Khursheed Anwar s as identified by
Shaikh Liaquat and others at the Edhi centre. But on Saturday, the MQM
chief Altaf Husain claimed that it was the body of the brother of
Fahim commando, Mufeez Farooqi.
Mr Hussain has given the government 24 hours to apprehend those
officials who were responsible for the murder of Fahim Commando and
three other activists, failing which the MQM would be forced to
observe a day of protest throughout the Sindh on Oct 18.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM to support protest, says Ghous
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
SUKKUR, Oct 14 PML-N chief Sindh Syed Ghous Ali Shah claimed on
Saturday that the Black Day on 19th of October was the referendum
against the government and despite hurdles, victimisation and state
terrorism the nation would express its opinion about the PPP regime.
To a question he said negotiations between the PML-N and PML-N were in
progress and he hoped that a positive result will come out in the next
sitting.
To a question he said that the PML-N has decided in principle that he
would cooperate with PML-J in the recent bi-elections especially on
the seat vacated by Jam Mashooq and he hoped that the PML-J would
reciprocate in the same spirit.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM strike today
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 17 The MQM observes a protest day on Wednesday to
mourn the custodial death of Mufeez Farooqi, brother of Fahim
Commando, who was killed on Oct 10.
The MQM had on Oct 14 given the government 24 hours to apprehend those
who were responsible for the murder of Fahim Commando and others.
Several vehicles were torched and heavy firing was reported from many
areas on Tuesday evening, preceding the strike.
The strike comes a day before the country-wide Black Day being
observed by some of the opposition parties. In view of the MQM strike
and the opposition s black day, the MQM negotiating team s departure
to London has been delayed.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Altaf warns govt of more protests
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 18 Altaf Hussain has said if the government did not put
an end to its repression more of such demonstrations will be held.
The MQM leader deplored what he called the partisan attitude of the
president in not holding the government responsible for the extra-
judicial executions of several MQM workers while in police or judicial
custody.
He also expressed surprise and concern over the remarks made by the
president to the effect that the crisis in Karachi and southern Sindh
will take some time to get resolved. He asked the president as to how
much time he thought was necessary to accomplish this goal.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Murtaza seeks MQM s support
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 Mir Murtaza Bhutto, head of his own faction of the
PPP, on Wednesday sought MQM s support for his party s candidate for
the Sanghar by-elections.
The by-elections were to be held after Jam Mashooq Ali was unseated by
the Election Commission, against which he has obtained a stay.
The MQM had played a vital role in his elections in 1993.
Mr Dehlavi said the proposal would be discussed by his committee and
advice would be sought from Altaf Hussain after which any decision
would be taken.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Altaf urges Press to voice concern at State terrorism
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday reiterated his
condemnation of the alleged State terrorism and urged the press to
voice concern at the genocide of the Mohajir nation.
In a letter addressed to editors of Pakistan newspapers and journals,
he slammed the prime minister s remarks during her meeting with
newspaper editors that the killing of four under-custody MQM activists
on Oct 10 was the result of action by their comrades and not extra-
judicial killings, as claimed by the MQM.
He accused the government of following a policy of summary execution
of MQM workers who were in police custody.
Accusing the government of Benazir Bhutto of moving towards absolute
dictatorship, Mr Hussain contended that the prime minister could not
escape the responsibility for the murder of the Mohajirs.
More recently, he contended, removal of governments in the NWFP and
Punjab under emergency provisions of the constitution was carried out
in the most corrupt and fascist manner.
Mr Hussain contended that our beloved country has the misfortune of
being ruled again and again by such acknowledged practitioners of
State terrorism, adding that there is no one left in the
constitutional civilian set-up that can do anything about it.
He was of the view that the press represents the last obstacle to the
establishment of absolute dictatorship in the country and of one-party
State.
But he regretted that the press, too, was under attack. In this
context, he mentioned the suspension of six Karachi eveningers and
harassment of a woman editor.
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
EC has no plans for new delimitation s
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasir Jamal
LAHORE, Oct 12 Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhre Alam
said here on Thursday the election commission was not considering
fresh delimitation of constituencies.
He said the commission would involve the Press as well as the people
whenever fresh delimitation of constituencies was undertaken.
He said the process of pre-printing revision of electoral rolls will
be completed by May 19, 1996. The existing electoral rolls will
remain valid as long as fresh lists are not finalised and printed, he
said.
Mr Alam rejected the opposition s charges that the names of its voters
were being deleted from the rolls. He said after the initiation of the
process of preparing new lists, the commission did not have powers to
delete any name from the existing voters lists.
Mr Alam said the commission had adopted several measures to reform the
electoral process. A control room would be set up at the Election
House in Islamabad where the leader of the House and of the
opposition, representatives of contesting parties and newsmen would be
invited during the elections to put an end to post-polling complaints
of rigging.
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP flays PML s silence over rocket attack
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 State minister for labour Ghulam Akbar Lasi said on
Thursday that rockets attack on new Sindh Secretariat by terrorists is
condemnable and tantamount to challenging the state authority.
Meanwhile secretary and spokesman for PPP parliamentary group alleged
that PML(N) high command s mysterious silence over the recent rocket
attack at Sindh secretariat by terrorists has convinced the nation
that Mian Nawaz Sharif has some thing to do with the escalating
terrorism in Karachi.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP chalks out plans to counter black day
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 The PPP provincial leadership of has decided to
counter the opposition s black day on Oct 19 with a week-long
celebrations for the two years of democratic rule by the party.
Mr Shah said the week-long programme included two seminars, a rally of
workers in the Landhi area, besides programmes for children, sports
and cultural events in the city. Programmes for the rest of the
province would be announced on Oct 15.
Urging the people of Karachi to participate with full vigour and zeal,
the provincial PPP chief said his party believed in peace and
democratic dispensation and was determined to end hatred.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Polls in held Valley will be a farce PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said here on Saturday
that All-Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) was the sole and
legitimate representative of the people of the occupied Kashmir and
the so-called elections India proposed to hold in the valley were
nothing but a farce.
The APHC which comprised 34 political parties of the occupied Kashmir,
she said, was the sole and legitimate representative of the Kashmiri
people.
The prime minister said the APHC had already announced to boycott
these elections. These elections cannot be an alternative to the
plebiscite promised by the United Nations, Pakistan and India to the
Kashmiri people, she added.
She said India had held similar elections in the past and the whole
world was aware how they were held. Even the former governors and home
ministers of the occupied Kashmir had confirmed that previous
elections in the valley were rigged at every level, she pointed out.
She said the recent elections held in Leh area of the occupied Kashmir
had exposed the designs of the Indian government and their claims of
holding free elections. Out of 26 seats, the Indian administration
ensured unopposed success of their stooges on 22 seats. A similar
election drama has been arranged for the rest of the valley, she
added.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PM confirms some army men under investigation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
M.Ziauddin
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto confirmed on Saturday
that some army officers were under investigation for being allegedly
involved in non-professional activities.
The prime minister, while confirming the arrests of the army officers,
said it would not be in the national interest to speculate on the
matter pending the completion of the investigations.
When a questioner asked about the future of Altaf Hussain, the prime
minister referred to Wali Khan and her own brother Murtaza and said
the two at one point of time had faced very serious charges, but now
Wali Khan, his wife Nasim Wali Khan and their son are all respected
politicians of this country while the latter two are members of
provincial and national assemblies, respectively, and my brother is an
MPA.
CORRUPTION In this connection she put part of the blame on the
attitude of her own party members, she said corruption was all
pervasive in the middle and lower echelons of the government, you
have to pay bribes to get anything done, even lowly jobs.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Country sliding into anarchy Nawaz
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mohammaed Nawaz
Sharif, in a statement said here on Saturday the country was
witnessing a decline of state institutions and proposed a new
citizens charter to reverse the situation.
Saying that the country was drifting fast into the orbit of anarchy,
the former prime minister accused the PPP government of failing to
respect the mandate of the Opposition and said pushed to the wall,
the Opposition has no option but to mobilise street power to counter
the misuse of state power.
He alleged that the Benazir government had politicised the bureaucracy
and attempted to destroy judiciary. The PPP government s large scale
victimisation of the Opposition, had created circumstances for
intense political polarisation he said.
The basic cause of the nation s ill, he said, was the loss of
political direction, and added, The incompetence and insincerity of
the present government has further accelerated this decline and as a
result increased the sense of despondency in the country.
This had resulted, he said, in such a state of national apathy that
even open admission by the Prime Minister that she saved India by
giving them information on the Sikh insurgency in the Indian Punjab is
not taken seriously.
This state of affairs cannot go on for any length of time without a
total collapse of the system.
People cannot be expected to dish out a certain proportion of their
income in taxes and get nothing in return as a matter of right.
Whatever strength of institutions we inherited at the time of
independence has also been gradually whittled away by a strong and
ambitious Executive. I propose an urgent review of the situation by
an app party parliamentary committee to re-establish state
Institutions and to ensure
Supremacy off the Parliament Independence of Judiciary Neutrality
and effectiveness of the civil service Non-interference in the
tenure and promotions of senior Defence Service personnel An
independent Election Commission along with neutral caretaker
governments to ensure free and fair elections That financial and
other state institutions are safeguarded against political pressures
That the system of merit based recruitment is followed at all levels
of government.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP holds anti-MQM rally in London
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 15 Pakistan People s Party activists in the United
Kingdom have intensified their campaign against the Mohajir Qaumi
Movement.
Nearly 150 demonstrators, stood in front of the MQM office for nearly
three hours. The police kept a watch.
The PPP protesters carried banners and placards demanding Mr Hussain s
extradition to Pakistan. PPP President Afzal Khalid said the
demonstration was to condemn the MQM for the attack on the Sindh
Secretariat for which he held them responsible.
A similar demonstration was held by the PPP on Sept 11 but on that
occasion there was a verbal exchange between the PPP and the MQM
workers. This time the MQM workers were not there to respond to the
PPP slogan-mongering. Instead, they had a slight confrontation with
the police, who wanted the PPP protesters to leave as the MQM offices
were locked. These offices being located in a residential area, the
noisy protest the police said was disturbing neighbours on a Sunday.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PM s brother-in-law held
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 15 Nasir Hussian, brother-in-law of Mir Murtaza Bhutto
and a member of the central committee of PPP (SB) was arrested on
Sunday from Karachi airport for his alleged involvement in the murder
of Ali Ahmad Soomro.
Talking to Dawn, Murtaza Bhutto confirmed his arrest and condemned the
action saying he was falsely implicated.
Defence police, however, denied any arrest saying No one has come to
lodge an FIR in the case. How we can arrest anybody?
A duty officer at the police station told Dawn, police had only
completed preliminary formalities and had not lodged any case so far.
According to reports, police arrested Nasir Hussain before he could
board a Dubai- bound flight at Karachi airport on suspicion of his
involvement in the murder of Ahmad Ali Soomro.
Other reports suggest he was arrested from Islamabad airport.
Mr Bhutto said police constable Rafique, the so-called witness to the
incident, was on guard duty at Bilawal House on the night of the
incident and was still posted there.
This action has exposed moral and political bankruptcy of the present
government, Murtaza said.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Coup leaders wanted Islamic revolution
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 The arrested army officers had planned to take into
custody the high command of the army on Sept 30 during the scheduled
corps commanders meeting in Rawalpindi and then launch an Islamic
Revolution in Pakistan.
However, they were arrested on Sept 26 after Major-General Ali Quli
Khan, Chief of the Military Intelligence (MI), reported the issue to
the top leadership of the army.
Simultaneous investigations have started in Quetta and Rawalpindi
against the purported revolt of these army officers. All the arrested
officers were sent to Quetta on Saturday night by a special plane.
This is said to be the fourth failed coup attempt in Pakistan s
history. The first was the so-called Pindi conspiracy in early 1950s
led by Maj. Gen. (retd) Akbar Khan. The second was during late
Z.A.Bhutto s tenure in 1970s, known as Attock Conspiracy Case and the
third was against late Zia-ul-Haq in early 1980s when a number of
senior army officers including Maj. Gen. (retd) Tajammal Hussain were
arrested.
However, there have been three successful organised coups. The first
was in 1958 when Ayub Khan grabbed power from Skindar Mirza. Then Late
General Yayha Khan replaced Ayub Khan in 1969. Later Zia-ul-Haq
overthrew the elected government of late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
JSQM flays deaths in custody
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
HYDERABAD, Oct 15 The governing body of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
expressed concern over law and order situation in Sindh and condemned
the conversion of the province into a police state.
The meeting through a resolution remarked that there was no difference
between the so-called democratic government of late Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto and the undemocratic government of his daughter where people
were being arrested without warrant, kept in wrongful confinement and
tortured and the judicial process was being destroyed.
The meeting, however, observed that the most despicable and ghastly
act was death in police custody. It quoted the examples of Fahim alias
Commando and other MQM activists in this regard.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
No one will be allowed to disturb peace, warns Saroop
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
LAHORE, Oct 15 Punjab Governor Raja Saroop Khan has said the
government will take action against the PML opposition if it tried to
disturb the peace during its planned black day on October 19.
The governor told newsmen it was the duty of the government to
maintain law and order and no one could be allowed to disrupt the
public peace.
He said the tenure of SHOs was being fixed and they were being made
accountable and responsible for the crime committed in their areas.
He admitted that the crime rate had not come down so far, but said the
government was putting in its best efforts in that direction.
Asked about the PPP s plan to also organise processions to highlight
the achievements of the PDF government on October 19, Governor Saroop
Khan said We ll make sure that the two parties do not clash.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate of Brown Amendment to be decided today
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, Oct 17 The nominees of the two houses of US Congress meet
on Wednesday to decide the fate of the foreign operations bill which
includes the Brown amendment, amid reports that President Clinton may
veto the bill if agreement was not reached on some controversial
clauses.
Indications that the president may be considering a veto were given by
the New York Times in a report on Pakistan on Tuesday.
All signals emanating from the Pakistan camp in Washington were mixed,
not predicting which way the conference of the two houses may go on
the Brown amendment.
The Indian lobby, was working hard to get the supply of military
equipment deleted from the version passed by the Senate last month as
the House had not adopted any such provision.
Pakistan, however, received unexpected support from a leading
Washington newspaper, the Washington Times, which strongly supported
adoption of the Brown amendment by the conference of the two houses.
A true display of bipartisianship in this town is about as rare as a
swallow in winter, but if you watch closely, there might just be one
on the horizon, the paper said editorially.
Believe it or not, it can be done. The paper said The legislation
in question is an amendment offered by Sen Hank Brown to clarify
restrictions on US aid to Pakistan, which has been frozen for the past
five years.
The appeal of the Brown Amendment is that it focuses on the
possible, which is to create a one-time exemption that will let
Pakistan get the weapons it paid for or at least a refund. The
amendment allows the delivery of $368 million in military equipment,
technology and defence services contracted for before Oct 1, 1990.
Given that the Pakistani defence is largely based on American weapon
systems, this is important. The bulk of the remainder consists of an
order for 28 F-16 fighter jets on which restrictions continue to
apply. However, if a third-party buyer can be found, Pakistan stands
to recoup its money. Simple fairness, it would seem, demands no less.
This should be one issue that the Republican Congress and the
Democratic president can readily agree on.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Coup inquiry report to be made public, says Leghari
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 President Farooq Leghari assured the nation on
Tuesday that the inquiry report about the arrested army officers, who
were allegedly hatching a conspiracy, would be made public.
Answering questions at a local function about the arrest of a major-
general, a brigadier and three dozen other officers, the president
said the people should await the outcome of the inquiry.
He advised the media to exercise restraint in making comments about
the case till the completion of the investigations. Responding to a
question, the president expressed satisfaction over the overall law
and order situation in the country.
Overall the law and order situation is improving in the country and
there is no restlessness anywhere, he said.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Delay resented PM orders privatisation of PTC by December
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtasham ul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 The government has decided to privatise the entire
Pakistan Tele-communication Corporation by December. Informed sources
told Dawn on Tuesday that the decision was taken after the prime
minister expressed her concern at the delay in the privatisation of
the PTC.
The commission has privatised 26 per cent shares of the PTC that
brought in about Rs30 billion. Mr Khan told the meeting that the prime
minister wanted the privatisation of the entire PTC by December by all
means.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PML girds up for protest day
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 17 The PML Karachi division will observe protest day ,
not a strike, on Thursday, Oct 19, on the completion of two years PPP
rule which has ruined the country.
Calling for holding fresh elections in the country, the party leaders
announced the Black Day programme at a press conference at Karachi.
Whether it is a matter of interior policy, economy, educational
affairs or the foreign front, the government s sinister actions did
not spare even the army.
They warned that if corrective measures were not taken, no matter
whether Nawaz Sharif gave a call or not, people on their own would
come out on the streets.
On one side unemployment is on the rise, unprecedented price spiral
and anarchy all over the country. Then there is removal of the NWFP
and Punjab governments through unconstitutional methods and the latest
victim of the ruling PPP is Balochistan where in Dera Bugti and Sui a
more dangerous situation is surfacing which if not controlled, will
bring down the whole edifice of democracy.
They hoped that all opposition parties in general and the people in
particular would join the protest day in a big way to express their
resentment against the government.
Haji Karimullah Yusufzai, Karachi ANP President, said The situation
in Sindh is worsening day by day, particularly in Karachi not a single
day passes when the day does not begin with killing.
Mian Ejaz Shafi s stress was on the sinking ship of the economy.
Pointing out the paradox in the utterances of President Farooq Leghari
and Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto he said The president in his speech
has conceded about dismissal investment owing to law and order problem
while the prime minister in the last session of the National Assembly
claimed of investment to the tune of $22 billion investment in the
country.
Mr Faizi said The government has introduced a new phenomenon to the
killings by continual murders in judicial custody. They can escape
from the grip of the law of the land, judiciary and even legislatures
but no one could save them once the people decided to try them in
their own (people s) court.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Police facing organised terrorism, says Babar
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KARACHI, Oct 17 The Interior Minister, Maj-Gen (Retd) Nasirullah
Babar, said here on Tuesday that police were faced with the challenge
of countering an organised terrorism supported by gun-runners and
drug Mafia having covert backing of foreign powers and their
terrorists .
Gen Babar said with the quality of training, the police force was
being imparted, he was fully convinced that our enemies at home and
abroad would not succeed in their nefarious designs.
He said in the present era such people or groups were not only
becoming united and organised but they were also being imparted
regular training from the enemy country.
The minister fully agreed with the IGP that the police were faced with
an organised terrorism with support facilities being provided to
criminal elements by our enemy.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Black day today Gohar issues chargesheet
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Deputy opposition leader, Gohar Ayub Khan warned on
Wednesday that the government s handling of the opposition s black day
protests would set the tone for our behaviour in the upcoming joint
parliamentary session on Oct 29 .
Gohar hinted that the opposition would not be taking as harsh an
approach as it did during last year s presidential address to the
joint session but threw the ball in the government s court by saying,
of course we will first have to see how the government behaves on Oct
19th .
He expressed the hope that the government would show restraint as the
opposition too had planned to take out peaceful protest processions
and rallies.
To another question, he denied any knowledge of mass arrests of our
workers or leaders till this time .
Earlier, the opposition leader accused the government of virtually
every possible act of commission and omission. Starting from foreign
policy fiasco s, to the deteriorating law and order situation in the
country, a dead economy, a corrupted judiciary and even the blatant
misuse of the Constitution.
The opposition s Fact Sheet accused the government of helping out
the Indians in Khalistan, capping the nuclear programme, isolating
Pakistan diplomatically, rendering the parliament irrelevant by
running government through ordinances and flaunting the rulings of the
speaker National Assembly and the chairman Senate among other things.
Gohar went on to blast the government for economic crimes. He said the
economy was virtually dead with over 70 per cent of the textile
industry facing certain death and cited IMF s refusal to release more
funds as a proof of the government s mucking up on the economic front.
He said that the business community was being hounded as never before
in the history of the country.
He said that the law and order situation had broken down all across
the country with Karachi being pushed to the brink of a civil war
where lawless acts of the government agencies have wiped of all sense
of security from the minds of the common citizens .
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Case against Nasser termed victimisation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 The way a criminal case has been instituted against
Nasser Husain reeks of political victimisation, alleged Inayat
Hussain, spokesman for the 70-Clifton.
He said it was a normal practice in a criminal case that when the
prosecution side lodged a report with a police station, it was
incumbent on the SHO to examine defence witnesses before filing formal
charges.
In the above case, he said, as the procedure had not been adopted, the
whole process was biased.
The spokesman said in a statement, Nasser Husain is being punished as
the prime minister and her husband think he has grown too big for his
political boots .
Mr Nasser, with Ahmed Ali Soomro, had run Murtaza Bhutto s successful
election campaign in Larkana in 1993. He had joined the PPP (SB) and
become an observer in its central committee, he pointed out.
But, he said, on Oct 12 he hosted the Central Committee meeting of the
party in which it was decided that the party would take part in the
forthcoming by-election in Sanghar and put up Makhdoom Khaliq-ul-Zaman
as its candidate.
The next day, i.e. Oct 14, Nasser arranged a dinner meeting between
his chairman Murtaza Bhutto and Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi alias
Raja Sain, who is president of the Sindh PML(F), the spokesman said
and added that when the murder of Ahmed Ali Soomro took place, Nasser
Husain, Murtaza Bhutto and Raja Sain were in the dinner meeting.
The Sindh Home Department had claimed, he said, that they had three
frightened eyewitnesses that accused Nasser of the murder of Mr
Soomro and had been shifted to safe homes and were under protective
custody as against this for Nasser Husain s part there were more than
25 unafraid eyewitnesses who would testify that he and Murtaza
Bhutto left 70-Clifton at 9.15 pm and were in Raja Sain s house from
9.15 pm till 1.45 am on the night of Saturday while Ahmed Ali Soomro
had reportedly been murdered at 11.30 pm.
Moreover, he said, there were a dozen of eyewitnesses who would
testify that just prior to the attack on the late Soomro, an adviser
of the chief minister from Larkana was seen driving several times by
the house of the deceased. They would testify that the perpetrators of
the crime came in a white Toyota and a yellow cab and were accompanied
by a police mobile which parted ways after the attack.
Recalling that these were the bare facts which an impartial
administration should have looked into before making arrest and filing
charges, the spokesman said We are facing an increasingly insecure,
isolated and repressive regime. Unnerved by the prospect of defeat in
Sanghar they were resorting, almost by instinct, to fascistic
measures. We will never succumb to these crude methods of control.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Altaf has deviated from people s mandate, says Shah
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 Sindh Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah has alleged
that MQM chief Altaf Hussain has deviated from the mandate of his
electorate and is playing in the hands of India to harm Pakistan.
Mr Shah said anyone who tries to bring harm to Pakistan will be
crushed. He added People who have sacrificed everything for the
creation of Pakistan will not accept such elements.
Mr Shah also criticised Mr Hussain for using an abusive language
against the prime minister who was determined to crush terrorism in
Pakistan.
He said the people of Pakistan had now seen the true face of Mr
Hussain who, according to him, was out to destroy Pakistan by
frequent strikes and terrorist activities.
Mr Shah also asked the PML and other parties supporting MQM whether
they were not becoming a party to conspiracy against the country by
supporting those who raised slogans for its division.
While appreciating the role of the police and rangers in dealing with
the terrorists, he nevertheless conceded that there had been some
incidents of police excesses which were being looked into.
The chief minister was of the view that these were destabilising
factors with which the government had to deal. Many people, he said,
voted for the MQM because they believed it was championing their cause
and it was very difficult to convince them Mr. Hussain was really
pursuing a policy that was detrimental to the integrity of Pakistan.
The most difficult task, he said, was to expose the real face of Mr
Hussain and his real objectives, said the chief minister.
The chief minister claimed his government had a documentary proof that
certain elements of the MQM were involved in activities detrimental
to the interests of Pakistan.
He contended that Mr Hussain was fighting not only against this
government but against the State.
On the question of law and order, he said the government had achieved
some success.
Much to the dislike of the enemies of Pakistan, who want the army to
be bogged down in the law order situation in Karachi, the government
has taken concrete steps to pull out the army which was called out by
the Nawaz government, and instead vested the police and rangers with
greater responsibility, Mr Shah said.
Mr Shah said his government was planning to hold the local Body
elections in December and that will show how popular and strong is
the MQM as compared to the PPP and Pakistan-loving parties.
Asked to comment on the allegations of rampant police corruption, the
chief minister, while acknowledging the general complaint, said the
issue must be seen in the background of the difficult Karachi
situation and society as a whole.
When we speak about police excesses, we must also say something
about the circumstances and why it is so, said the chief minister. He
said if the situation was normal, such complaints would have been very
few. He repudiated the allegation that the police excesses had the
government s backing.
In the context of recent MQM criticism of alleged custodial murder
he said the government had already ordered a judicial inquiry. If
anyone is found to be crossing the limits of the law, he will be
prosecuted, said the chief minister.
He, nevertheless, alleged that the MQM had deliberately targeted
police and other government institutions to bring Pakistan into
disrepute.
GANGRAPE In this context he mentioned the allegations of gangrape
levelled by the MQM on three occasions and said these cases were
politicised with mala fide intentions.
When the government ordered a judicial probe, nobody came forward,
not even the ladies whose honour was put at stake, for narrow
political gain by the MQM, he said.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
JI chief calls on President
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Qazi Hussain Ahmad on
Wednesday met President Farooq Leghari at the Aiwan-i-Sadr to discuss
the recent arrest of some army officers.
He said the meeting was held at the invitation of the president who
wanted to talk with the Jamaat chief on this issue.
Senator Qazi and his party had criticised the arrest of these officers
and had demanded of the government to take the people into confidence
on this issue.
He had also expressed his dissatisfaction over the government
statement regarding the arrest of these officers and threatened to
raise the issue in the National Assembly and the Senate.
The source said the president advised the Jamaat chief not to
politicise the issue which was purely a case of violating army
discipline.
The JI chief, the source said, was also requested by the president not
to raise this issue in the parliament as it would create unnecessary
unrest in an important security institution.
The source said the president assured Qazi Hussain Ahmad that the
inquiry report will be made public.
Senator Qazi also assured the president that his party would not
politicise the issue in the larger national interest, the source
added.
He said the two leaders also discussed the situation in Karachi and
the president sought Jamaat-i-Islami s support in helping the
government in its efforts to restore peace in the violence-hit city.
===================================================================
B U S I N E S S & E C O N O M I C S
===================================================================
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall economic situation improves, says IFC review
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 The overall economic situation in Pakistan has
improved and particularly the Karachi Stock Exchange recovered
following the holding of number of rounds of talks between the
government and Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM)says the International
Finance Corporation (IFC).
The IFC quoted the Karachi Chamber of Commerce which estimates
that the prolonged disturbances has cost city businesses more than $
80 million each day. However, the IFC pointed out that International
Finance Corporation Investable (IFCI) and International Finance
Corporation Global(IFCG) Pakistan Index rose 12.2 % and 7.3 %
respectively in dollars terms while the KSE 100 % Index rose 8.7 % in
local currency terms.
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Further loans for Pakistan IMF calls for cut in deficit
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, Oct 12 All the major financial institutions the World
Bank, the IMF and the IFC have told Pakistan to cut its fiscal
deficit and accept the IMF terms before any major project loan could
be sanctioned.
Mr. Jafarey had told newsmen that the IMF was concerned whether
Pakistan was pursuing the right policies they think that along with
the capital market, fiscal deficit is the major problem the country
has to resolve.
Mr. Jafarey had explained that the goal of the intensive dialogue
was to go back to a position where we are in line with the IMF. We
would like to go back to the IMF programme. How soon can we do it and
on what terms we will do it are the matters for negotiations.
Pakistan had brought a number of projects to be laid on the table for
World Bank assistance, including financing of the two billion dollar
hydro-electric project at Ghazi Brotha.
We were told to go and do something about the fiscal deficit during
the time the World Bank carries out an appraisal of the Ghazi Brotha
project. But the message was clear that unless we met their demands,
funding for the project would not be forthcoming, the Pakistani
official said.
It seems we have no option but to start meeting the conditions of the
IMF, we cannot possibly wait until the next budget as everything in
Washington will remain on hold until we start doing what they say,
the official said.
Economic experts said a decision by the government to meet the IMF
targets could mean an almost certain mini-budget by December in which
a lot of duties and taxes may be adjusted upwards cutting down the
deficit.
These experts said the slip of tongue by the Commerce Minister
Choudhry Ahmed Mukhtar that Pakistan may have to devalue its currency,
may not have been that innocent in essence because such a measure
would fit into the scheme of things that would shape up if the IMF
targets were to be met and exports had to be given a jump start.
A lot will again depend on the political situation as the right kind
of atmosphere is necessary for these difficult decisions.
If Punjab does not erupt into a crisis, Mr. Chattha stays the course
with the PPP, Karachi does not fall into a deeper morass and Nawaz
Sharif s opposition continues to play cool, only then Benazir Bhutto
may find the courage to go for such decisions, they added.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Action against tax evaders New steps to yield Rs 30 to 40bn
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 The government has decided to take new measures
against tax evaders and those constantly showing less income in order
to increase the overall annual revenue of the country.
Although sources said, she has expressed her satisfaction over the
performance of Central Board of Revenue (CBR) which collected record
revenue of Rs 226 billion during 1994-95, she asked the concerned
authorities to net those who were avoiding to pay their due taxes.
Most importantly, only 32 tax-payers declared income exceeding rupees
half a million per annum. All of these belong to Karachi. In the given
sample the non-corporate business community of north of Karachi,
therefore, restricted its tax contribution to the exchequer by
limiting the maximum declaration of income to less than rupees half a
million.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Rupee falls by 6 paisa against $
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerce Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 15 The rupee depreciated by six paisa against the US
currency on Sunday as the central bank refixed its new parity rate for
spot buying and selling at Rs 31.68 and Rs 31.83 to a dollar.
The parity of the rupee was last lowered by seven paisa on October 3
at Rs 31.62 and Rs 31.77 for buying and selling.
Since July 1, the rupee has lost 71 paisa against the dollar in
monthly readjustments. Although the State Bank sources did not give
any specific reasons for the downward revision of the parity,
financial analysts said it was technical adjustment to keep the value
of the rupee competitive within the basket of currencies.
Dealers, however, predicted that the rupee could hit the high mark of
Rs 33 to a dollar in kerb during the next two weeks.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Habib Bank to be sold in June 96
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Pakistan has set June 1996 as the target month for
the sale of state-owned Habib Bank Ltd, the country s largest
commercial bank, a Privatisation Commission official said.
The official, who asked not be named, said the commission was in the
process of selecting a financial adviser for the sale of a 26-percent
stake and transfer of management.
Habib has total deposits of 179 billion rupees ($5.4 billion) in 1,868
domestic and 66 foreign branches and total assets worth 306 billion
rupees ($9.3 billion), the official said.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
LCCI chief seeks tariff reforms
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaukat Ali
LAHORE, Oct 18 Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President
Tariq Sayeed Saigol has proposed to the government to undertake tariff
reforms, set currency exchange rate in favour of exporters, and re-
start process of dialogue with leading business leaders to put the
economy on right path.
Mr Saigol said that there had been a trade imbalance of $ 1 billion
during the first quarter of the current financial year. If the
situation is not improved by radical measures, there is every
likelihood that the export target for 1995-96 fixed at $ 9.2 billion,
could not be met. Mr Saigol argued that reliance on cotton crop to
achieve the export target was not a good omen for the economy.
In my view if Rupee is devalued under the prevailing economic
conditions, it will damage our exports, he said.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan on way to economic stability
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday said
that there is a harmony and affinity between the Centre and the
provinces, which was, perhaps, never there before.
This, she added, goes to prove that the elected government has not
only identified its political, economic and defence targets but has
also made sincere and serious efforts to achieve them.
When we came to power two years ago, the country s economy was in a
dismal condition. But now, the basic flaws have been removed. GNP
ratio has increased and has reached 4.7 per cent this year.
Pak-America relations had been deteriorating since 1990 but the
elected government s successful diplomatic endeavours have brought us
to a decisive turning point i.e. the Brown Amendment. This amendment
is a very happy news for all Pakistanis. All these achievements have
been made possible by the grace of Almighty and by people s
cooperation. Our goal is national security and solidarity side by side
with consensus among all political parties and organisations on
national issues. But we will not compromise our principles to achieve
this goal.
We want to eliminate crime from politics. Putting an end to terrorism
in Karachi is a part of this policy. We want the people of Karachi to
have an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity with all civic and social
facilities along with opportunities for economic development.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
IMF rejects Islamabad s request on ESAF terms
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Aslam Sheikh
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Pakistan s plea for a one-year moratorium for the
implementation of conditionalities attached to the extended structural
adjustment facility (ESAF) has been rejected by the Inter-national
Monetary Fund (IMF), informed sources said on Wednesday.
Under the circumstances, according to informed sources here, Islamabad
has no other option but to accelerate the pace of implementing the
reform agenda formulated as the price for IMF s badly needed balance
of payments support.
It includes substantial privatisation, drastic containment of
budgetary deficit, brisker pace of tariff reform and realistic
adjustment of external value of the Pakistani rupee.
Pakistan s predicament is that any further resistance to IMF s
pressures means risking strained relations practically with all other
international donors grouped together in the Aid-to-Pakistan
Consortium.
In view of a recent setback to exports and fall in foreign exchange
reserves, Islamabad s bargaining position has been considerably
weakened.
Besides it needs substantial inflow of confessional loans every year
just to service old debts. For example, out of roughly two billion
dollars negotiated every year as new loans, 1,200 million dollars go
towards servicing of the external debt liability.
According to indications here, the situation arising out of the IMF s
insistence on immediate enforcement of its conditions will be reviewed
soon after the prime minister s return to Islamabad later this month
to decide upon future economic strategy.
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951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sitting ducks
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
THOUGH relatively less proficient in scam-rigging, the members of the
loyal opposition in our honourable National Assembly sniffed out a
scam the proposed New City to be built east of Islamabad on the
right bank of the River Soan.
They asked questions in the House and succeeded in forcing the
Higher- Ups (HUs) of our government to hand around a sheet of paper
giving facts on the project, aptly headed We believe in
transparency. The transparency was immediately suspect.
The project is being undertaken by large well-reputed multinationals
on a turn-key basis... is one stated fact.
The well-reputed multinationals listed are MG Hertz (Pvt) Ltd and MG
Realtors (Pvt) Ltd, both registered in Pakistan, with an authorised
capital of Rs 100 million each, and SYNTEX International which is
registered in Singapore and also has an office in London.
The contract stipulates that the land has already been acquired... 50
per cent of Islamabad New City has been earmarked for the lower income
group, 30 per cent is for those who fall in the middle income group,
and only 20 per cent will be for those who have a large income.
All financial and regulatory control lies with the CDA and NHA... No
institution in Pakistan has made any investment by force or otherwise
in Islamabad New City... It took over 30 months of negotiation to
finalise the joint-venture company. No short-cuts were adopted.
The joint-venture company has not been named. Details of MG (Morris
Garage?) Hertz (Car Rentals?) or the other MG are not available.
Obtaining details of companies registered in well governed countries
is not difficult.
SYNTEX International was registered in Singapore as a Limited Exempt
Private Company on August 6, 1994, (14 months ago). The registered
office address is 74 Janan Benaan Kapal, Singapore 399653. The
principal activity of the company is declared to be Consultant
Engineering Services . The authorised capital is one million Singapore
dollars, the issued ordinary capital is two Singapore dollars (yes,
two) and the paid-up ordinary capital is also two Singapore dollars
(two again). The only two shareholders of the company are the
directors, each being the proud possessor of a one-dollar share. These
lucky gentlemen are Patrick Anthoy Finn, British passport holder (No.L
004329), of The Old Hall, Battersby, Great Ayton, North Yorkshire,
England, and Yap Lim Chong Jimmy, Singapore passport holder
(S11112054591), of 139 Lorong Ah Soo, #08-193, Singapore 1953.
No AGM has been held. The names of the auditors and bankers are not
available. The London office address is not known. No bank in
Singapore or England is in a position to give any reference concerning
this paper company or its directors.
The front page of Dawn on October 10 carried an advertisement inserted
through The Agency by the National Housing Authority, Islamabad, and
the Authorised Sales Agent Syed Mohammed Idrees, Modern Shelter
International, 3 Kamran Apartments, 79 Ferozepur Road, Lahore , who
has a Karachi office, telephone numbers 5890731, 540561, 5888278.
These telephones are located in a one-room estate agency, Syed
International, in the Defence Society, which doubles as an Agfa film
pick-up point.
A very polite gentleman at Syed International, in exchange for Rs 150,
gave me a brochure and a plot application form to be filed with the
first instalment by October 15. The master plan has not yet been
prepared. He did not know whether the advertised 10,000 acres of land
had been acquired or not, or how many plots were to be carved out for
the people, the sitting ducks.
The brochure bears the crests of the GOP, CDA, and NHA, and apart from
the usual bumph, and the sentence A reasonable space is left aside
for a graveyard , tells you the discounted pre- ballot prices of the
plots
250 sq yds Rs 330,000 500, Rs 660,000 1,000, Rs 2,400,000 2500, Rs
3,000,000 and 3000, Rs 3,600,000. 25 per cent is to be paid to the
NHA with the application 25 on or before one year from the date of
application 15 on or before 18 months, and 10 on delivery of
possession (when?).
The form requires the applicant to sign various undertakings as to how
and where one pays, and what extras one will have to pay if one does
not pay in time, but nowhere does it tell one how, when and what will
be refunded by whom, if for any reason, good or bad, the project does
not take off or deliver. Jim and Pat of SYNTEX, if found, will only be
able to dole out to the sitting ducks the lordly sum of two Singapore
dollars.
During the time I was at the estate agency the telephone did not stop
ringing, and there was a steady stream of people, obviously retired
officers of the government and the armed forces, none of whom looked
at all flush with money, but who had faith in what the NHA and the CDA
were selling them.
Could this be another grand scam perpetrated by our HUs? We cannot
prevent the government from advertising on their television channel.
But should our newspaper editors not have the project examined, the
shortcomings and loopholes assessed, lead the people, and then decide
whether to carry the advertisements? This duty, every responsible
newspaper owes to its readers.
I vividly recall the full-page advertisements of the many Samad Scams,
enticing sitting ducks to invest , and later reading the woes of the
thousands of poor people who lost their life s savings. Sermonising
editorials printed, after all is over, provide no succour. This must
not happen again.
The solvency and the viability of the CDA and the NHA, both headed by
recently appointed favourites, is not greater than that of the
monstrous ever-looted, ever-losing KDA operating under the direct
control of provincial minister Pir Mazarul Haque who is encouraged by
Chief Minister Abdullah Shah who in turn blindly obeys our HUs. How
could the KDA possibly remain solvent? It is BROKE. It cannot meet its
liabilities. Salaries for the month of August were paid to the lower
staff on September 11, and to officers on September 20. So far, no one
has been paid for September.
Take the KDA commercial complex on the Sharea Faisal (opposite the
turning to Fatima Jinnah Road), built with its funds with the express
purpose of generating income for the Authority. Before any areas could
be let out, the Government of Sindh (GOS), also BROKE, stepped in and
ordered the KDA to sell the complex to the EOBI (Employees Old-age
Benefit Institution, the government- managed peoples pension fund) at
the arbitrarily fixed price of Rs 200 million (20 crores). In May
1994, the EOBI paid Rs 100 million to the KDA without taking
possession of the complex, and the GOS immediately had this sum
transferred to its own coffers.
Then, some time during the second half of 1994, whilst the EOBI was
still clamouring for possession of the complex,in stepped Grand
Mandarin Salman Faruqui, provider of the needs, fulfiller of the
desires, of all our HUs. He took over the complex for his much-
publicised Civic Centre Company (CCC), formed with capital extorted
from the utility companies (Sui Gas, KESC, WAPDA, PTC, etc). The
complex is to house a centre to which the harried people of Greater
Karachi will have to travel, twice or thrice a month, from as far way
as outer Orangi, to pay their utility bills. The centre has yet to be
opened with the usual razzmatazz, our chief stone-layer tape-cutter
being far too occupied to find time.
The KDA has assessed the worth of its complex at Rs 250 million and is
now seeking Faruqui s help to get this money. Faruqui is being
difficult because the KDA is not waiving its NUF (non-utilisation
fees) amounting to Rs 28 lakhs, which landlord Faruqui owes in respect
of his plot (F-16, Block 5, Kekhashan 5, opposite the Boat Basin)
acquired, along with other plots, when he was provincial secretary of
housing and town planning in the Nizami era.
The frightened DG, KDA, cannot justify the waiver and has lobbed the
ball onto the court of the governing body of the KDA chaired by
Commissioner of Karachi Zia-ul-Islam, where it now lies.
The KDA is left to claim its Rs 250 million from whoever . The EOBI
is reclaiming from whoever , what it has paid, plus interest a
total of Rs 127 million of the people s money of which it was
deprived. The whoever is not concerned. There is no government.
The shenanigans do not end here. The KDA had reserved the 10,000 sq yd
commercial plot adjacent to the complex as a parking lot. They say
they were pressured by Hakim Ali to sell it to a friend for Rs 25
million, the market price then being 250 million. Honest Hakim,
affectionately known as Honhak , could never have done it. After all,
was he not the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in BB s first
Assembly? Now the CCC is after the parking lot, which the friendly
possessor, Summer Resorts, may sell at the market price of Rs 350
million!
Sitting ducks?
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark forebodings about the future
-------------------------------------------------------------------
M.B. Naqvi
SEVEN former bureaucrats have written a letter to the Prime Minister
expressing concern over the state of governance. They are disheartened
by the drift of events, remarks by foreign area specialists and the
assessment of prominent Pakistanis to the effect that the Pakistan
state might soon collapse by the turn of the century.
The issues they have taken up concern mainly the economic consequence
of leaving the various problems unresolved. The slide towards
lawlessness throughout the country and high inflation rates ought to
receive the most urgent attention. The seven former bureaucrats have
in fact indicated approaches to be employed and have contented
themselves with urging the government to bestir itself and do
something purposeful and positive. One of their substantive
recommendations is the establishment of a commission to enquire and
suggest remedies rather than directly suggesting them. Another point
they make is that if the government can register progress in certain
key areas it would make a sea change in the climate of opinion and
expectations and things will start looking up.
A specific recommendation has been made by the two former foreign
ministers, two former Air Chiefs, an interior secretary and a former
ambassador deserve special attention. It concerns Karachi. They say a
solution in this respect can no longer be separated from such
questions as holding local bodies elections, reviewing criminal cases
and removal of known grievances. It is in fact a positive and
substantive suggestion. Although it cannot be confused with an
endorsement of the basic MQM line, the elements of the solution
indicated here are in fact a dictate of common-sense.
Indeed if the problems of Karachi and Sindh do not get resolved, it
would be another Greek tragedy. Why? because the government has been
urged to be serious about negotiations and recognise the basic nature
of Karachi problem. It arises from not recognising the representative
character of the MQM and refusal to give it a share in the running of
the local government in the areas that it so convincingly controls.
Its right to manage the local government is legitimate.
There is no moral or political obligation on the PPP to offer a direct
power-sharing in the government. That may be PPP s need or requirement
but it is not a right that the MQM can claim. But what the MQM can
demand and should get is a dominant say in the affairs of local
government (with some amplification of functions and authority) in
places where they represent the urban population. Which is a fully-
fledged resolution of at least Karachi and Hyderabad problems that the
government has only to recognise.
While there is much that has created pessimism among the aware
citizenry, it is premature. There is also time to correct one s
mistakes, especially, the approach the PPP government has adopted to
the numerous and monumental problems facing the nation. The wholesale
loss of morale and widespread pessimism regarding the future of
Pakistan can itself work as a factor accelerating the movement in an
unending downhill process. We have to get a hold over ourselves if we
want to ensure a better future.
In terms of public perception, the widespread corruption should be
accorded highest priority after Karachi and Sindh. Human rights are
being violated throughout the country wholesale, though far more so in
Sindh and Karachi. These are systemic failures. Let us not forget the
old and familiar problems like high unemployment, technological
backwardness, insufficient and inefficient infrastructure and balance
of payments difficulties on the economic side.
The longer-term internal security situation should also be considered
a systemic problem alongwith the lawlessness. It had led to Pakistan s
dismemberment in the past and remains to be resolved. There is also
the ideological problem the religious extremists are for ever
demanding more Islamisation of an Islamic Pakistan.
The resolution of Karachi problem has already been indicated by these
seven. But what about other issues like the foreign policy questions
bearing on Afghanistan, Kashmir, India, relations with the US and the
isolation of Pakistan, not to mention the frustrations on several
other counts. It will be unwise to ignore the clutch of economic
problems. The main point to be registered is that should the systemic
problems be honestly tackled with determination, the grounds for
hoping for a turn- around in the estimations and expectations of
locals and foreigners would be possible. The evidence of an honest
effort can work like magic in changing the climate of opinion about
Pakistan s future. As a rule, this writer has no time for the opinion
of foreign experts. The point is that if we do what is right, the
opinion of foreigners will look after itself. Let us concern ourselves
what is the right thing to do.
This simply means more democracy. It also means, and certainly
involves rule of law that involves free judiciary through defanging
the government. A system that actually allows fundamental rights of
the citizens including the right to economic security (gainful
employment), a measure of education and healthcare through rule of
law the substance of good governance would have been achieved.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Prices the reality is far more disturbing
-------------------------------------------------------------------
M. Ziauddin
AN OUTDATED base and an irrelevant basket have rendered the official
inflation estimates largely meaningless, consequently depicting a
current price picture much less harsher than it really is.
According to an official document pleading for revision of the base of
the Consumer Price Index, a CPI can be treated as the most reliable
indicator of the price movements over time only when it represents
base as closely as possible .
It has been over 15 years since the present base was fixed in 1980-81.
Which makes the official inflation estimates totally unreliable.
According to an official study the base of the CPI reflects the income
and consumption patterns of consumers at any fixed point of time. The
CPI with an older base period may not be adequately representative of
present day patterns of household expenditure in many fields of
consumption due to following factors
1. Industrial development introduces new items of consumption which
causes changes in the pattern of household expenditure.
2. Economic changes also have an impact upon the availability of
commodities and purchasing power, which affect consumers behaviour to
their spendings and savings.
3. Changes in buying pattern of the consumers.
4. Coverage of index is extended to new geographical areas. The
Federal Bureau of statistics has been compiling and publishing
regularly on monthly basis successively the CPI series with 1980-81 as
base years for three categories of employees i.e. industrial
commercial, and government and four income groups for 12 major urban
centres namely Gujranwalal, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore,
Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sialkot and Sukkur.
>From July 1987, the coverage of CPI with 1980-81 as base was increased
from 12 to 25 cities. The additional cities covered were Bahawalpur,
Gujrat, Jhang, Muzafargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha,
Larkana, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Abbottabad, Bannu and Mardan selected
through sampling method.
The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet (ECC) in its
meetings held on 23.2.88 and 15.3.1988 constituted a committee under
the chairmanship of AGN Kazi, the then deputy Chairman of the Planning
Commission to review the methodology of price indices and make
recommendations for other reform to make them more representative and
meaningful. The ECC in its meeting held on 9.8.1988 approved the
report of the Committee.
But it is October 1995 and there is still no sign that the government
has made up its mind to face the facts of life and release the rate of
inflation estimated on the basis of 1990-91 base. However, by delaying
the inevitable, it is only compounding the country s economic ills and
making it impossible for the housewife to protect the family from the
vagaries of the prices and allow the entrepreneur to take sound
investment decisions.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A lunch with the Sharifs
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial Column
OPPOSITION Leader Nawaz Sharif and the rest of the Sharif family are
caught in what a typical American would call, a helluva big, big
B.S. (B.S. meaning the repelling remains of a bull s food) they
are being treated by Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari with huge doses
of their own medicine, reading from the prescriptions they wrote while
governing Pakistan from 1990 to 1993.
This impression is inescapable after meeting Mr. Nawaz Sharif, and his
family. The Sharifs are in a spin, or so it appeared. Benazir Bhutto,
they said, had ruined their business and industry to the point that
they were close to bankruptcy. They think she has handed over the
government and specially the financial controls of the country to
husband Zardari, who is so blatant in his enthusiasm to overdo things
that even the Sharifs are astonished.
Politically, they say, the squeeze is tight. The Bhuttos have got all
the money in the world to buy votes in the assemblies and so it is
almost impossible to outbid them for an in-house change. Mr. Zardari
is the richest man in Pakistan, NS claims.
Corruption, they say, is at its peak and Shahbaz Sharif thinks all
limits have been crossed. Interestingly, they point out, the Benazir
Government with its own President, a handpicked judiciary and total
control of all levers of power has not been able to bring even one
case of financial corruption against them.
No one has accused me of corruption in the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway
or Privatisation, Nawaz Sharif says. They have 150 cases against me
and my political allies but I don t mind these cases. But think of
what kind of cases they would face, he remarks.
The conversation soon turns to Karachi and in view of their meetings
with MQM s Altaf Hussain in London, I ask them what they think would
happen. Altaf Hussain is being pushed to the wall. What options have
you given him, Nawaz Sharif asks. And he says if Karachi remains
crippled, the entire country would collapse, given the present
situation of the economy and over-inflated claims of foreign
investment.
Both the brothers are keen to know what the Americans feel about them
and why the State Department so promptly issue a statement condemning
the treason case instituted by the Benazir Government against Nawaz
Sharif. They were genuinely surprised when I told them that someone in
the State Department called me to inform me that the State Department
had a statement ready on the treason case, if that question was asked
at the regular briefing by the spokesman Nick Burns. I did ask the
question and the response was there, in writing and in detail.
Why did the State Department persist later after the Benazir
Government protested against the response, the Sharifs were eager to
know. They had no idea that once a position was taken by the State
Department on any issue, and that is done after due deliberations and
consideration, it always stood by that position, no matter what the
reactions.
They appeared satisfied that the State Department had, in its fact
sheet on Pakistan issued in March 95, praised the Nawaz Sharif
Government for its economic policies. We understand, they say, that
the U.S. would be willing to deal with any elected government although
at the moment it appears the Clinton Administration is showing a
marked tilt towards Benazir Bhutto.
How do you see the political situation, they would ask me repeatedly.
I told them that my tentative conclusion was that Benazir Bhutto was
no longer interested in a third term and she might leave the country
for an international job once the present term expired.
He then gives out his thoughts about what changes are needed to ensure
that Pakistan survives all the corruption, mismanagement and political
wheeling dealing. A major constitutional reform package is needed in
which there should be one all powerful chief executive and not three
centres of power that we have today - the President, the Prime
Minister and the Army Chief.
Shahbaz Sharif says he would favour a system more like the American or
the French types with a directly elected President because then he
would be able to perform without being blackmailed by 300 legislators.
The two have yet to translate these thoughts into concrete proposals
which could be publicly debated but they think these changes should be
made through the present democratic process and not through a decree
of an unauthorised usurper of power.
Ninety minutes of discussions on all these subjects with the Sharif
brothers leave me with the thought that they are determined to come
back, they have not been intimidated by the strong-arm tactics started
by late Governor Choudhry Altaf Hussain and pursued thoughtlessly by
Benazir Bhutto, they are confident of their political support and
believe in their comeback, sooner or later.
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
What's the truth about this 'ambush' episode?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial Column
EVEN the gullible and the taken in would not take kindly to ache'
explanation offered by the government for 'the deaths of Fahim Faruqi
alias Commando and three other MQM activists while in police custody.
There is nothing unusual about fake encounters in this part of the
world. But the audacity marking this latest action is breathtaking, to
say the least. Faheem and the three prisoners, say the authorities,
died in an ambush while being taken from prison to a spot where they
were supposed to identify an arms cache. If it was an ambush that
'they ran into, how come that they were the only ones to have been
riddled with bullets, while the policemen with them escaped with 'not
a scratch on their bodies? As explanations go, this is about the
thinnest that has come the way of the public for a long time.
Were these killings carried out in revenge for the rocket attacks on
the Sindh Secretariat? Given their timing (a' day after the sacrilege
committed against the inner sanctum of the Sindh government) and the
brazenness distinguishing them, it is not easy to shrug off this
suspicion. If this is indeed the case, then nothing could be more
tragic because it marks another important step in Karachi's descent
into the law of the jungle. Is this what the authorities are trying to
establish in Karachi? And are they not aware of the consequences of
their actions? Already there are serious charges against 'them of
resorting to the most
arbitrary methods in their fight against violence in the city. This
incident provides damning evidence of an approach which is doing so
much to nurture feelings of ill-will and even hatred against the
government, and all that it is seen to stand for, amongst the Mohajir
population of Karachi. Mr Altaf Hussain does'not need to do anything
to consolidate or expand his constituency. The government with its
highhanded tactics and
thoughtless ways is doing the job splendidly well for him.
Needless to say, a government has a duty to crack down an lawlessness
But it should be equally plain even to the meanest intelligence that
when the government itself is seen to take the law into its hands it
not only loses its moral authority it also encourages the already
disaffected to take the law into their hands. This is precisely what
we are seeing in Karachi with the arbitrariness of law enforcement
adding grist to the mills of resentment and violence. If this is the
government's preferred method for winning the battle for hearts and
minds in Karachi, all we can say is that the sooner it turns its back
upon it the better for the country.
It is all too easy to read lectures to the MQM about the virtues of
moderation. But, in all fairness, if with every passing day- more and
more of its ' activists find themselves sacrificed at the altar of
extra-judicial justice what is it to do except make its feelings felt
through such actions as calls for strikes? Clearly, we cannot live
with this situation for too long. General Babar's approach to the
pacification of Karachi is being threatened by bankruptcy because
after its few initial successes it now seems to be doing more harm
than
good. Even if the government persists in doing what it has been doing,
it should not forget the fact that events often dictate their own
logic. To cite a telling instance, the army was inspired by high hopes
when it
set out to cleanse Karachi of violence in 1992. A little over two
years later it had to conduct an orderly retreat. The way things are
going in Karachi this government too may have to bow before the
pressure of
circumstances but not before causing more damage to the psyche and
fabric of Karachi. Meanwhile, it would help 'if a proper and impartial
judicial inquiry-and not the magisterial one that has been ordered-was
conducted into the deaths of Faheem and his colleagues and appropriate
action taken in the light of the' truth so ascertained. A cover-up of
this incident would send the wrong message to the people of Karachi.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
New anti-corruption tools
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sultan Ahmed
THE government has not taken seriously the listing of Pakistan as the
third most corrupt country in the world after Indonesia and China
by Transparency International as it is a new organisation and does not
insist on publicising its findings.
But the people have taken it seriously and consider it a confirmation
of the sorry state of affairs in Pakistan.
The federal cabinet, which discussed corruption and abuse of power by
higher bureaucracy on September 18, was told that a commission would
be set up soon to scrutinise the assets of officers in grade 20 and
above. The cabinet had noted that since government servants were
required to submit declarations of assets annually, there was no need
to investigate the hidden assets. The new commission, yet to be
constituted, is to determine the extent of hidden assets in each case.
The Chief Election Commissioner last month reminded members of the
Senate, national and provincial Assemblies to file their statements of
assets and liabilities with the Election Commission by September 30.
Last year the law-makers did not comply with the legal requirement.
How many of them have completed those formalities now remains to be
seen.
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is reported to have sent for details of
31 senior officials of National Bank of Pakistan who had squandered Rs
52 billion of the bank s funds. Malik Qasim who is appalled by the
extent of corruption in public sector banks and DFIs, says he has
proposed some changes in the rules of financial institutions. The
State Bank of Pakistan which has the primary responsibility to
supervise the banks is also at it, along with the Pakistan Banking
Council. But how could they improve the situation when a large number
of politically influenced loans were still being given, which may
aggravate the loan default further?
There are disturbing reports that the Social Action Programme funds,
inclusive of World Bank funds, are being used more to provide jobs
under it than to realise the original purpose for which the programme
was launched with large external assistance, and for which Rs 12
billion from the Privatisation fund is being drawn this year after Rs
11 billion was used last year.
The ambitious self-employment schemes for the young with the
assistance of bank funds, too, have grounded to a halt following
embezzlements of the funds by executives of National Bank and Habib
Bank. The long hands of corruption seem to spare no sector, small or
big. Ultimately even President Leghari has been forced to admit the
diabolical extent of corruption, particularly in the police service
where police stations are sold to the higher bidder among police
officers, who are then free to make as much money as they can.
When legislators, senior officers, and even local councillors behave
in this manner, corruption has to multiply to the extent that we are
condemned as the third most corrupt country in the world.
Fighting corruption is a sham exercise. Hence the FACC, Prime
Minister s Inspection Team, anti-corruption departments in the
provinces and Chief Ministers inspection teams have not been able to
do much except catching some small fry or shaming a few big ones at
times. But if real changes do not take place soon, we may take top
place in the table of the corrupt nations. It is time to think very
seriously.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The grand design
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mazdak
NORMALLY, given the way our tax money is misused, I am against public
waste in any form. But there are occasions where a bit of constructive
destruction, to coin a phrase, is fully justified.
Take the huge, monstrous building nearing completion on Islamabad s
Constitution Avenue as a glaring example. The sign outside this
hideosity proclaims it to be the Prime Minister s Secretariat,
although why our head of government would want to step inside this
horror is beyond me, specially as she did not approve its design in
the first place. Adorned with every architectural cliche in the book,
the structure is a jumble of domes, arches, minarets and other
assorted kitsch. Even though this avenue does not exactly serve as a
showplace for aesthetically pleasing buildings, the other structures
are models of elegance when compared to this eyesore.
There is a strong case for demolishing it and starting again from
scratch. Although what is wrong with the present PM s Secretariat is
not clear located in the Federal Co-operative Bank building, there is
no reason for it to move. And considering that the FCB has not been
much of a success, to put it mildly, why not just shut it down? This
way, we can recover some of the money already wasted on the under-
construction PM s Secretariat.
Ultimately, public buildings say a lot about how a nation views
itself. What does the new PM s Secretariat say about us? With its
mock-Moghul style and pseudo- Islamic pretensions, as well as its
gaudily ostentatious adornments, the building is a very revealing
statement about the level of taste that prevails among our ruling
elite s. Classic Moghul and Islamic architecture had a sweep and a
grandeur that have eluded the architect of the PM s Secretariat
completely. Indeed, the current, Zia-inspired fashion of sticking
domes and arches on everything has cheapened and devalued the building
traditions of our ancestors.
The extent to which this madness has been taken is highlighted by the
incident involving Kenzo Tange, one of the world s foremost
architects. Commissioned to design the Supreme Court building in
Islamabad during Bhutto s tenure, he found himself being asked to make
repeated changes in his design by Zia who was obsessed by a desire to
Islamise the building. Finally, the architect got so fed up during
yet another presentation that he hurled his drawings on the table and
told all present to do what they wished with them, stormed out and
flew back to Japan in his private plane. Fortunately, even Zia and his
flunkies could not completely ruin the original concept, and the new
Supreme Court building still retains elements that show Kenzo Tange s
brilliance. The bad news is that right next to it much like a
garbage dump in the middle of a formal garden stands the grotesque
new PM s Secretariat.
Another example of bad taste though fortunately on a much smaller
scale stands at the oddly-named Zero Point as you enter Islamabad.
The previous chairman of CDA a gentleman famous for his generosity
with the capital s expensive plots decided to beautify the city by
erecting a baradari on the island dividing the road. This grotesque
structure, devoid of taste and context, mars the approach into the
capital with its fake Moghul design. Soon, no doubt, its concrete
exterior will be covered with some form of tiles which will acquire a
layer of dust and grime. Over three million rupees have been spent on
this ugly carbuncle, and at least as much will be required to finish
it. I say it should be literally finished by pulling it down to avoid
throwing good money after bad.
It is remarkable that in nearly five decades of independence, we
should have so few well-designed public buildings. Nayyar Dada s
Alhamra Arts Complex in Lahore comes immediately to mind with its
sculpted mass and the richness of its red brick exterior. The Faisal
Mosque in Islamabad, designed by a Turkish architect, blends the
traditional Islamic style with modern lines. The Serena hotels in
Faisalabad and Quetta have successfully incorporated local themes and
styles into contemporary designs. The new boarding school near
Sheikhupura, now nearing completion and funded by private
contributions, promises to be an exciting campus. Designed by Kamil
Khan Mumtaz, the author of Architecture in Pakistan , the school will
break new ground in Pakistan.
All in all, this is not a very long list, and several of the buildings
mentioned here have been constructed by private funds, and a large
proportion have been designed by foreign architects. But it is not
that our architects are incapable of good design a number of private
houses albeit far too few are stunning samples of clean,
functional form. It is a fact that when government agencies (which
commission the overwhelming bulk of public structures) hire architects
and prepare design briefs, they are not qualified to do either. In
being penny wise, they are pound foolish. In addition, corruption is
now so much a part of government construction that good architects
prefer to stay well away from the PWD/KDA/CDA grid. Before being
appointed, an architect is routinely supposed to give a kickback. The
result is that second-raters without moral qualms get government
contracts and churn out the rubbish we see around us every day.
If we have to put up with poor governance, can t we at least expect
good taste from our rulers?
===================================================================
S P O R T S
===================================================================
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3-Nation hockey tournament gets under way today
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Fernandez
KARACHI, Oct 12 The nine-match three-city Three-Nation Triangular
Hockey Tournament involving host Pakistan, Germany and South Korea
gets under way at the astro-turf Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here
on Friday.
In the opener, Germany, recent winners of the Champions Trophy for a
record sixth time at Berlin, square off against Asian Games gold
medalists South Korea.
Host and World Champions Pakistan face off South Korea the following
day. On Sunday, Germany are pitted against Pakistan in the third
encounter of the series.
At the astro-turf Army Hockey Stadium in Rawalpindi, South Korea will
meet Pakistan in the fourth game on Oct. 17.
The next day at the same venue Germany will tussle against South Korea
in the fifth clash and on Oct 19 Pakistan will take on Germany in the
sixth match of the tournament before the circuit moves on for the
third and final phase of the series.
At the astro-turf National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, Germany combat
South Korea in the seventh game of the triangular on Oct 20 and on Oct
21 Pakistan will duel with South Korea in the eight game.
In the ninth and last skirmish of the triangular tournament, World
Champions Pakistan battle against Champions Trophy holders Germany on
Oct 23.
Pakistan team manager Rashid Junior and coach Saeed Khan have named a
16-man for the first game against South Korea. Rashid Junior, the
Manager of the team which regained the World Cup at Sydney after 12-
long years last December, he plans to try out all the 29 short-listed
probables plus one (inside-left Sarwar), in two matches each before
effecting any changes.
The doors are wide open for the 1996 Olympic team. If they have the
stuff in them they should prove it now, concluded the Pakistan team
manager.
Pakistan s ace centre-forward Kamran Ashraf, who sustained a right
wrist fracture during the Champions Trophy camp, was at the HCP
Stadium today. He told this correspondent that his orthopaedic surgeon
has said it would take another two weeks for his injury to heal and
then after two weeks physiotherapy he would be ready to return to
competitive hockey.
Germany s Paul Lissek, the top-ranked coach on the world hockey
circuit at present, mentioned he has brought only nine players from
the 16-member squad that regained the Champions Trophy at Berlin.
As Germany will only finalise their 1996 Atlanta Olympic team in June
next year, all the players who will be competing in the triangular
tournament have an opportunity to prove their worth and impress their
coach Paul Lissek.
South Korea s Manager Kim Sang Ryul told Dawn there is only one
change in the squad that beat Pakistan in last year s Asian Games
hockey semi-finals at Hiroshima. Yoo, Seung Jin, a youngster, has
replaced Park Shin Heum.
Asked as to how he fancies his team s chances in the triangular he
said Both Germany and Pakistan are the top teams in the world and
they should start off as the favourites. However we are lucky to have
been provided a chance to play in the triangular and this will greatly
help in our preparations for the Olympics.
The squads are as follows
GERMANY Christopher Reitz and Ingo Kruger (goalkeepers), Jan-Peter
Tewes, Tobias Warweg, Patrik Bellenbaum, Henning Helweg, Cristian
Mayerhofer, Florian Kunz, Frank Gemmrig, Klaus Michler (Captain),
Michael Green, Oliver Domke, Cristoph Bechmann, Cristian Stengler,
Dirk Bruse, Ulrich Moissl, Paul Lissek (Coach), Dr. Willi Wldenmeyer
(Medical Officer), Josef Muller (Assistant Coach), Ernst Joosten
(Physiotherapist), Mike de Vries (Manager),Markus Meyer (Umpire).
SOUTH KOREA Koo Jin Soo, Shin Seok Kyo, Han Beung Kook, Yoo Myung
Keun, Cho Myung Jun, Jeon Hong Ha, Kim Jong Yi, Yoo, Seung Jin, Kang
Keon Wook, Chol Jung Ho, Jeong Yong Kyun, Song Seung Tae, Kim Yong
Bae, Yoo Moon Ki, Kim Yooung Kyu, Kim Yoon, Kim Sang Ryul (Manager),
Jeon Jae Hong (Coach), Han Jin Soo (Umpire), Cho Sung Jun (Judge).
PAKISTAN Mansoor Ahmed, Rana Mujahid, M. Atiq, M. Usman, M. Khalid,
K.M. Junaid, Mohammad Ali, Atif Bashir, M. Aleem, Shahbaz Ahmad, Asif
Ahmed, Khalid, Naveed Alam, M. Fayyaz, Ejaz Ahmad, Mohammad Shahbaz,
Abdul Rashid Junior (Manager), Saeed Khan (Coach), Eric Johnson
(Physiotherapist).
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
AAMIR S ALL-ROUND SHOW Pakistan turn tables on Lanka in Sharjah
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARJAH (United Arab Emirates), Oct 12 Opener Aamir Sohail produced a
heart-warming allround performance which paved the way for Pakistan to
take a turbo start in the three-nation Champions Trophy cricket
tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
The world champions, entering the tournament in Sharjah not as
favourites probably for the first time since 1984, smashed Sri Lanka
by 82 runs to salvage some pride after they were embarrassed 2-1 by
the Islanders who won both the Test and one-day series by an identical
2-1 margins.
Aamir Sohail, popularly known as the heart-throb of the Pakistan team,
scored a superb 85 off 110 balls with the aid of four boundaries to
help Pakistan post a highly respectable 264 for seven from 50 overs.
The left-hander then produced his career best figures of four for 22
runs to restrict Sri Lanka to a paltry 182 for eight. Sohail s
previous best was three for 33 against Zimbabwe at Harare earlier this
year.
Sohail, for his match-winning performance, was later adjudged the Man-
of-the-Match.
Besides Sohail, Inzamamul Haq scored a sparkling 59-ball 69 while in-
form Salim Elahi contributed a solid 74-ball 50.
Ramiz Raja though could score only 12, managed to achieve a personal
milestone when he became the third Pakistani after Javed Miandad
(7,237) and Salim Malik (5,270) and 11th in the world to complete
5,000 runs in one-dayer.
Watching Pakistan perform today, it was very much evident that they
had prepared a game plan and religiously followed it. The batting,
which let Pakistan down in the Tests as well as in one-day games
against Sri Lanka, appeared more sensible and professional as evident
from the fact that at the half way mark, the scoreboard read 111 for
one while after the completion of 40 overs, the scoreboard showed 181
for three. In the remaining 10 overs, the Pakistan middle-order
yielded 83 runs.
As far as the bowlers are concerned, they bowled strictly according to
the field with a tight line and length giving no liberties to the
Lankan batsmen.
The Pakistan bowlers accuracy can be judged from the fact that all the
eight batsmen were dismissed inside the 30 yard circle. In fact, only
Ranatunga was caught at the 30-yard circle while the others were
either bowled or caught close to the bat in front or behind the
wickets.
Sri Lanka were unlikely to post any real threat to Pakistan after they
lost the top seven batsmen in a space of 80 runs to slump from 33 for
no wicket to 133 for seven.
None of the Sri Lankan batsmen could offer any significant resistance
against the determined Pakistani bowlers. Only Kumar Dharmasena (30
not out from 64 balls), Jayasuriya (24 off 34 balls with three
boundaries) and Rawan Kalpage (22 from 59 balls) managed to cross the
20 figure.
Besides, Aamir Sohail, highly promising Saqlain Mushtaq exhibited his
potential once again when he captured two wickets for 30 runs from his
quota of 10 overs. His success over Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva
in successive overs (12th and 14th of the innings) laid the foundation
of a comfortable victory.
The other encouraging news for Pakistan was bowling by Waqar Younis.
Younis, playing his first major match exactly after 30 days, generated
good speed from an unsporting track.
Earlier in the morning, Ramiz Raja defeated Arjuna Ranatunga on the
spin of coin and without hesitation elected to bat on a placid and
wicket tailor-made for the stroke-makers.
Pakistan openers Aamir Sohail and Salim Elahi helped Raja with a
magnificent century stand when they put on 107 runs off 143 balls. It
was their first century stand besides two half century partnerships in
lst four matches.
The two batsmen dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers who even struggled to
beat the bat. The two powerful hitters played shots at their will
though on a number of occasions they failed to beat the athletic Sri
Lankan fielders.
Aamir Sohail was first to reach his half century which he achieved off
67 balls with the aid of four blistering carpeted boundaries.
Immediately after Sohail reached his 14th 50 of career, Salim Elahi
also reached the landmark for the first time in four matches. Elahi,
whose previous scores are 102 not out, 47 and 30, faced 72 balls and
struck two boundaries and a superb straight six off Hathurusinghe.
After Pakistan lost Elahi and Raja in a space of 31 runs, Inzamamul
Haq walked in to join Aamir Sohail and straightaway made his
intentions clear by playing some very forceful shots. One of his three
sixes fell at least 40 yards behind the 70-yard boundary while one
fell in the enclosure at mid-wicket.
An agile Sri Lankan fielding deprived Inzamam of at least a couple of
more boundaries and he had to contend with a solitary hit to the
fence.
Inzamam, who raced to his 22nd half century off 46 balls with a four
and two sixes, was finally out when Sanath Jayasuriya brought off a
fine tumbling catch behind square leg to end a commanding 59-ball 69
with three sixes and a four.
Together with Aamir Sohail, who was the third batsmen out at the score
of 162 in 36.2 overs, Inzamam put on 51 runs off 46 balls.
Aamir Sohail, who even lost his temper when Ramiz Raja refused to take
an easy single, was unlucky to miss his century when wicketkeeper
Rumesh Kaluwitharna caught the left-hander in the second attempt after
the batsman got an inside edge while trying to cut off Muralitharan.
Saeed Anwar, who batted at an unusual No 5 spot, had an eventful
session in the middle. He survived a stumping appeal and on the very
next ball Muralitharan failed to hold onto a return catch. The next
ball saw his dismissal when he was smartly stumped by the wicketkeeper
off Jayasuriya.
With the slog overs already started, the rest of the batsmen had to
throw away their willows at every ball and thus could not find
themselves amongst notable scorers.
However, Mushtaq Ahmad and Waqar Younis delighted a crowd of around
2,000 with some fine fireworks as the two scored 18 runs off the last
eight balls, including 15 runs off the final over of the innings.
Mushtaq scored nine off three balls, including two boundaries, while
Waqar remained unbeaten on nine from five balls. Reuter
951014
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Islamabad seeks Indian pledge safety of cricketers
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NEW DELHI, Oct 13 Pakistan has asked India to guarantee the safety of
its cricket team during a possible visit for the 1996 World Cup
tournament in March.
Pakistan s official letter to India s Ministry of External Affairs
this week follows a sustained campaign by the Hindu militant Shiv Sena
group against the team s visit, they said.
He said Pakistan has also demanded an explicit assurance from the
government of India guaranteeing the security of Pakistani cricketers
and officials accompanying them.
Bombay-based Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray has threatened to stop
Pakistan from playing in India should it qualify to play in the
quarter-final matches, two of which are to be held in India.
The initial matches of the tournament, starting on February 14, are to
be played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with each host playing its
matches at home.
If it qualifies, Pakistan could play in the quarter-final round on
March 9 in Bangalore or in Madras on March 11.
The semi-finals will be played in Calcutta on March 13 and in the
northern Indian town of Mohali on March 14. The final match will be
played in Lahore.
951014
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BASIT, MOIN Ramiz steers Pakistan to victory over W.I.
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SHARJAH (United Arab Emirates), Oct 13 Skipper Ramiz Raja played an
innings of his life which helped Pakistan to win the final match of
the first round in the sixth Champions Trophy cricket tournament by 15
runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Friday.
Almost a packed-to-capacity crowd witnessed Raja at his brilliant best
as he pulled his team out of the woods by scoring a magnificent
unbeaten 104 which enabled the world champions to accumulate 242 for
four in 50 overs.
Raja s century, which was his first since Feb 4, 1993, helped him
become Pakistan s leading century-maker with nine. Javed Miandad and
Saeed Anwar have eight centuries against their names.
Raja, adjudged Man-of-the-Match, then for the first time showed his
leadership qualities when he made timely changes in the bowling to see
almost all his decisions go his way, as the West Indies were bowled
out for 227 with six balls to spare.
Raja s three decisions at crucial stages of the game swung the match
in favour of Pakistan who now lead the points table with 10.
Raja brought in off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq in the 11th over of the
innings knowing very well that only two fielders were outside the 30-
yard circle. At that stage, Brian Lara was in a very punishing mood as
he had already scored 21 runs from 14 balls with a six and two
boundaries, all off Waqar Younis third over.
However, Saqlain struck on his very first ball when a genius like Lara
tried to hit the off-spinner against the spin to be caught at the 30-
yard circle by Aqib Javed.
Raja then introduced Aamir Sohail in the 14th over of the innings who
complemented his skipper by accounting for Sherwin Campbell. Campbell,
who scored 86 against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener, scored a 46-
ball 42 with six fours including 14 runs off Zafar Iqbal s first and
only over of the match.
And when Richie Richardson plundered Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmad
to all parts of the ground, Raja brought in Aqib Javed for his second
spell. Aqib immediately struck when he shattered the stumps of the
West Indies captain to reduce the Caribbeans to 124 for four in 25
overs.
Richardson, who scored 67 on Wednesday, hit a six and a boundary in
his 34 which came off 50 balls.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was caught by Salim Elahi at square-leg
after scoring 37 runs off 51 balls with two boundaries and a six,
dismissal at the hands of Waqar Younis eventually was the last nail in
the West Indies coffins as the Caribbeans fell short by 15 runs
despite a last ditch efforts by the later order batsmen especially by
Roger Harper alone fought a lost battle and remained unbeaten on 43
off 57 balls with two fours and a six.
Saqlain Mushtaq, who was hit for 23 runs from his first three overs,
hit back to finish as pick of the Pakistan bowlers. He finished with
four for 47.
Waqar Younis showed improvement in bowling rhythm and speed but lacked
accuracy as he finished with two wickets for 51 runs from nine overs.
Earlier, Ramiz Raja defeated Richie Richardson on the spin of coin and
elected to bat. But only after 17.1 overs with the scoreboard reading
49, it appeared that the decision has backfired as Pakistan plunged
into crisis by losing three wickets including that of in-form Salim
Elahi.
However, at that stage, Ramiz Raja and Basit Ali joined hands and got
themselves involved in a rescue operation. They batted slowly and
surely to graft themselves before launching an assault.
Basit Ali though could not repeat his heroics against the same
opposition two years back when he had scored an unbeaten 127 but his
today s knock was as much valuable as was in 1993.
Basit not only scored a superb 64, but he put on 149 runs off 174
balls for the fourth wicket with Ramiz Raja. Basit, who scored his
first half century since Oct 28 last year when he remained unbeaten on
52 against South Africa, faced 87 balls and hit a four and a six off
Phil Simmons over mid-wicket. His ninth half century came off 72 balls
with a six and a boundary.
Ramiz Raja, captaining Pakistan in his fifth one-day international, on
the other hand kept his head down and kept pushing the ball for single
and twos.
The only blemish in the captain s knock of Raja was a dropped catch by
Roger Harper at short mid-wicket that brought him his half century
from 94 balls with three fours. However, Raja was clever enough to
cash in on this opportunity and return unbeaten for the 13th time in
his 164-match career.
Raja reached the coveted three figure mark off 133 balls with seven
fours and a six with a very crispy off-the-toes shot on the first ball
of the final over to become Pakistan highest century-getter with nine.
Raja came out of his shell soon after reaching his 50 to play some
very delightful shots in his next 50 which took him only 39 balls and
included four boundaries and a huge six off Ian Bishop.
However, it was the brilliance of wicketkeeper Moin Khan that for a
little moment overshadowed Ramiz Raja s century.
The wicketkeeper, who has established himself as a dependable batsman
after scoring 274 runs in the Test series against Sri Lanka, blasted
Ian Bishop for three successive sixes off the final three balls of the
innings to remind Imran Khan s onslaught against Joel Garner at the
very same ground some seven years back.
Moin, who later accounted for four batsmen behind the wickets, scored
a hurricane 27 off 10 balls with three sixes and a four.
With Raja, Moin equalled the world record of scoring 27 runs in the
final over. The previous record was also held by the Pakistan pair of
Salim Malik and Asif Mujtaba who struck Muttiah Muralitharan for an
equal number of runs last year at Colombo.
Bishop, who had conceded 19 runs from the final six overs, finished
with one for 78 from 10 overs while Anderson Cummins chipped in with
two wickets for 31 runs.
951016
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West Indies coast to easy win against Pakistan
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Samiul Hasan
SHARJAH (United Arab Emirates), Oct 15 West Indies kept the sixth
Champions Trophy wide open when they defeated Pakistan by four wickets
in the first match of the second round here at the Sharjah Cricket
Stadium on Sunday.
The defending champions, set a modest victory target of 195 in 50
overs by Pakistan, suffered mixed fortunes before achieving the score
in 39.1 overs.
By virtue of this victory, the West Indies are tied with Sri Lanka
with five points. Pakistan have 10 points from three games. The West
Indies play their last league match against Sri Lanka on Monday.
If the West Indies defeat Sri Lanka on Monday and then on Tuesday Sri
Lankans defeat Pakistan, all the teams then will be locked at 10
points each. It will then be the run-rate that will decide the two
finalists.
At present, Pakistan has an average of 4.66 runs per over while the
West Indies has an average of 4.64. Sri Lanka, who have two matches
and appear to be in the best position as compared to the other two who
have just one match remaining, has an average of 4.16 runs per over.
Nevertheless, if the West Indies lose to Sri Lanka tomorrow, the
Islanders and Pakistan will go through the final. A thrilling finish
is on the cards for the cricket fans.
Reverting to today s match, the Caribbeans fully capitalised the
opportunity of facing a weak Pakistan which had lost the services of
Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail because of injuries.
While Saeed is suffering from malaria and typhoid, Aamir had to miss
the match because of swollen shoulder.
Pakistan were so handicapped and short of players that despite playing
with an injured Inzamamul Haq, they could field in only four
specialist batsmen.
Four suicidal run outs because of foolish play starting from when
Pakistan were 139 for one in 34.1 overs that saw eight wickets falling
for the addition of another 42 runs in 13.1 overs, added salt to the
wounds as the world champions struggled to 194 for nine in 50 overs.
The Caribbean batsmen than fully exposed a half-fit Waqar Younis and
the limitations of Pakistan bowlers by racing to 148 for three after
the halfway mark to struck the final nail in Pakistan s coffins.
And although West Indies lost Lara, Richardson, Chanderpaul and
Simmons in a space of 42 runs to slump to 189 for six, no hope was
left when Ramiz Raja dropped Roger Harper off Aqib Javed at mid-on
when the West Indies still needed six for victory.
West Indies openers Stuart Williams, later adjudged Man-of-the-Match,
and Sherwin Campbell (20) laid the foundation of a comfortable victory
when they posted 44 runs for the first wicket in just 41 balls before
Campbell departed falling to Mohammad Akram. Campbell s brief 13-ball
innings included four boundaries.
Majestic Brian Lara joined Williams and continued the good job which
was started by Campbell. Both Lara and Williams ruthlessly hit the
Pakistan bowlers to all parts of the field.
Williams was first to reach his half century with a delightful
boundary, his seventh of the innings, off 51 balls. Besides, he also
hit a six off Aqib Javed at mid-off.
He finally fell to off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq when he attempted
another six only to hit the ball into the hands of a waiting Zafar
Iqbal at mid-on. William s 63-ball 57 included a 2.six and seven
fours.
Together with Lara, Williams added 65 runs for the second wicket in 12
overs (60 balls).
Lara, in the meantime, continued to hit some sparkling shots. A six
off Mushtaq Ahmad at square-leg was a treat to watch. It was a real
entertainment to see Lara who has made headlines all over the world
because of his magnificent batting.
Lara rode his luck well when Inzamamul Haq dropped him in the first
slip off Mohammad Akram. Lara was then 40 and the West Indies 134 for
two.
Lara punished Akram for getting his edge by hitting the very next ball
over mid-on and then flicking for a boundary to reach his half century
from 55 balls with the help of five boundaries and a couple of sixes.
Lara departed three balls later when Basit Ali caught him a mid-wicket
off Mushtaq Ahmad.
Richardson then played a little jab of an innings when he scored 34
from 50 balls including two boundaries and a six.
When the West Indies achieved the target in 39.1 overs, Roger Harper
was batting on 5 and Courtney Browne was 2.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Akram finished with two wickets for 36 runs
while Saqlain bagged two wickets for 42. Mushtaq accounted for Lara
conceding 43 runs in 10 overs after being hit for 20 in the first
four.
Aqib, who made Lara dance a little, finished with one wicket for 41
from 8.1 overs after being struck for 18 from the first two overs.
Earlier, Pakistan put into bat, were off to a flying start when
prolific Salim Elahi and Ramiz Raja put on 72 runs for the first
wicket in 18.2 overs. It was a partnership which wiped off tears after
Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail had to miss the game because of injuries
and Pakistan playing with just four batsmen.
The second wicket partnership between Salim Elahi and Inzamamul Haq of
67 in 16 overs further consolidated Pakistan s position.
Nevertheless, Pakistan middle-order batsmen squandered the chance of
posting a good score with some pathetic batting and stupid running
between the wickets. From 139 for one in 34.2 overs, Pakistan
collapsed to 181 for nine in 47.3 overs.
Salim Elahi, Moin Khan, Zafar Iqbal and Saqlain Mushtaq took
unnecessarily tested the skills of West Indies fielders while Basit
Ali, who was the seventh man out, played a shot which was highly
irresponsible considering the position in which Pakistan was at that
stage.
Salim Elahi was easily the best Pakistan batsmen as he has been since
making his debut three weeks ago. The teenage from Multan batted very
sensibly and showed that he was learning with the passage of time.
Elahi scored an attractive 66 off 109 balls with the aid of five
blistering boundaries. He achieved his second half century in six
games from 77 balls with the help of four hits to the fence.
Inzamamul Haq, nursing a groin injury, limped around for his 34 off 51
balls with two boundaries.
Ramiz Raja, opening the innings for Pakistan for the first time since
May 1993, scored a painstaking 20 off 50 balls with one four. His
today s dismissal was because of a careless shot when he danced down
to wicket to Phil Simmons only to find his symmetry of stumps
shattered. His today s innings was a complete contrast to Friday s one
when he had played a highly responsible and perhaps one of the best
innings of his career.
951014
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Germany overpower Pakistan in 3-nation hockey
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Walter Fernandez
KARACHI, Oct 13 Olympic gold medalist and Champions Trophy holders
Germany overpowered World Champions Pakistan by two goals to nil in
the third match of the Three-Nation Hockey Tournament for the State
Life Champions Trophy at the Astro-Turf Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP)
Stadium here on Sunday.
At half-time the Germans led by one goal to nil. The Germans today
inducted fresh blood in their playing eleven in reserve goalkeeper
Ingo Kruger, Dirk Bruse, Frank Gemmrig and Ulrich Moissel to groom
them in international competition and they did quite well to smother
the challenge of Pakistan. Towards the finale all 16 players of the
German squad were seen in the playing arena at one time or another.
Pakistan took the field without regular skipper Shahbaz Ahmad, who was
compelled to undergo a one-match suspension after being ousted by a
red card in the game against South Korea on Saturday.
The Pakistan forward line lacked cohesion in every sense of the word
and solely depended on individual effort to break down the opposition,
which in the final reckoning proved to be inadequate.
Pakistan Manager Abdul Rashid Junior gave wingers Mohammad Ali and
Asif Ahmad maximum exposure and they lacked not only finesse but also
the basic skills to rip through the wing at this level of the game.
Inside-right Atif Bashir and spearhead Aleem seemed to be total
misfits and Mohammad Shahbaz Junior was left to fend for himself in
the inside-left position.
In mid-field Mohammad Usman at right half stood out and he was given
admirable support by pivot Mohammad Khalid and left half Khawaja
Mohammad Junaid.
In the deep, left back Atiq was given a rough ride by the German right
wing and had it not been for some smart work by right back Rana
Mujahid and acting captain Mansoor Ahmad under the bar the margin of
Pakistan s defeat might just have been larger.
If Germany dominated the first session with controlled and relaxed
hockey, Pakistan came back briefly in the second by sustaining immense
pressure for a 12-minute spree but without being able the break the
German resistance.
The Germans surged into the ascendancy in the very 8th minute through
Oliver Domke slammed the ball home after intercepting a Christian
Mayerhoffer short pass from just outside the circle on the left.
Then in the 16th minute, a classic one-two move between Henning Helweg
and Ulrich Moissel was brought to an end before reaching danger
proportions by the Pakistan deep defence.
In the 25th minute another German onslaught resulted in the first
penalty corner award to them. But Christian Mayerhoffer s try went a
trifle wide off the mark.
Germany continued with their attacks and in the 29th minute, Dirk
Bruse found his attempt miss the target narrowly.
Pakistan came nearest to restoring parity in the 30th minute but
inside-left Mohammad Shahbaz muffed an easy chance after a 30-metre
solo dribble.
Soon after the resumption Pakistan went all out in search of the
equaliser and unleashed eight concerted attacks but could not find
that elusive goal because of good defensive work from the Germans and
inefficient marksmanship. Even the two penalty corners gained by
Pakistan in that period was to no avail.
In the 60th minute, Germany in a counter-attack earned their third
penalty corner and Christian Bechman sounded the board on the second
attempt on a rebound from goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmad s pads.
Four minutes later Mansoor Ahmad came to Pakistan s rescue by
effecting a splendid save.
Then almost on the stroke of time, Pakistan gained their third penalty
corner but right winger Ejaz Ahmad sent the ball wide off the far
post.
The teams were
GERMANY Ingo Kruger, Michael Green, Dirk Bruse, Patrik Bellenguam,
Frank Gemmrig, Jan Peter Tewes, Ulrich Moissl, Henning Helweg, Florian
Kunz, Christoph Bechmann, Tobias Warweg, Cristinn Stengler, Klaus
Michler (Captain), Oliver Domke, Cristian Mayerhoffer.
PAKISTAN Mansoor Ahmad (Captain), Rana Mujahid, M. Atiq, Mohammad
Usman, Mohammad Khalid, Khawaja Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Ali, Atif
Bashir, Aleem, Mohammad Shahbaz, Asif Ahmad, Ejaz Ahmad.
UMPIRES P. Schellekkengs (Netherlands) and Lee Won Seok (South Korea).
951018
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Pakistan, S. Korea draw 2-2 hockey
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Farhana Ayaz
RAWALPINDI, Oct 17 Asian champions South Korea were denied a serial
win by the new-look world champions Pakistan with 2-2 tie here in the
opening fixture of the second leg of Three-Nation Triangular State
Life Champions Trophy being played at the astro-turf field of
Rawalpindi Army Hockey Stadium, Tuesday.
The Koreans were leading 1-0 at the half time. Korea displayed agility
through out the game. Pakistani bench tried out seven of its on the
edge players to adjudge their future before the Atlanta Olympics.
At the onset, both teams distributed the ball through long hitting to
open up the field, utilising one such change into the opening
minutes skipper Shahbaz connected a change from right with a top of
the circle hit but keeper Koo Jin Soo was equally steady under the bar
to squash it.
A few minutes later Korea powered in with a flawless right trio move
initiated from the centre line found Kang Keon Wook charging in
unmarked from top of the shooting zone for a sizzling full bloodied
drive but Mansoor Ahmed brought a fabulous save.
After that Koreans gained control by keeping possession of the ball
launching in successive inroads into Pakistani defences, the onslaught
paid the dividends, although there were a number of neat and first
time thwarting by the world champ deep defence.
Korea moved ahead on its first penalty corner awarded after centre-
forward Kang Keon charging in for an attempt was sandwiched
by two defenders. Korea s specialist Kim Yong was brought into
the game to convert the penalty corner and positioning himself
on the top right Yong sent a high push into the left corner in the
15th minute.
Koreans stepped up the tempo and earned two more penalty corners,
they used similar technique seasoned Mansoor remained unbeatable.
Mansoor also figured in diving save after left inner Choi Jung had
hustled inside the danger area after dribbling through the
Pakistani defences, and a falling Mansoor, also beaten, feebly
spooned in with his hockey stick to stop the motion and dashing
Choi after recollecting pushed the ball off target from the left.
Pakistan brought in Shahbaz Jr. to strengthen its forwardline in the
21st minute.
Before the breather, Pakistan looking for equaliser missed out on
two chances by failing to convert the first penalty corner in the
27th minute in three separate attempts and then skipper Shahbaz aim
on an open try went far on the left goal post on a fabulous lay off
from Shahbaz Jr. who had beaten the whole of Koreans deep defence
charging in from right.
For Pakistan the newer lot produced better coordination and but for
atleast half a dozen missed opportunities. Pakistan was rather
unlucky not having levelled the scores when Shahbaz Jr. s left
flick landed on top left of the high bar in the 40th minute of
the play. However, moments later, Danish Kaleem converted the second
penalty corner to make it 1-1. The equaliser brought better
command into the ranks of hosts as they thumped in some well
knitted moves to topple the opponents.
During the 45th minute Korean strike player Shin Seok Kyo was
penalised with a yellow car by German umpire M.Myer after a wrong
tackle against Pakistani striker, the incident worsened after the
Korean full back protested abusively and the umpire changed the
penalty to red card, which means Shin is out of the vital game
against Germans today.
With ten players, Korea did not lack any aggression and on a open run
in from right flank centre-forward Kang slashing shot found the gap
between keeper Mansoor and the left goal post to put his team ahead
again in the 48th minute.
Efforts to equalise from Pakistan got squashed when on three penalty
corners Usman Malik failed to stop the hit in and Pakistan failed
to shoot in.
Four minutes before the final whistle, a diving Shahbaz Jr. connected
a rebound from the centre of the shooting range to restore parity to
the jubilation of a sizeable crowd.
The fixture between Korea and Germany is scheduled for 3.30 pm.
Teams Korea Koo Jin Soo, Shin, Seok, Han Beung, Yoon Myung, Cho
Myoung, Jeon Hong, Kim Jong, Joo Shong, Kang Koen, Choi Jung, Jeong
Yong, Song Seung, Kim Yong Bae, Yoo Moon, Kim Yooung, Kim Yoon.
Pakistan Mansoor Ahmed, Atique Rehman, Irfan Mehmood, M. Sarwar, Atif
Bashir, M. Usman, Ejaz, M. Fayyaz, Shahbaz Sr., Shahmim Paul, M. Anis,
M. Khalid, Shahbaz JR. Danish Kaleem, Aleem, Wahid Shahid. Umpires P.
Schellerkens (Holland), M. Myer (Germany).
951018
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W. Indies snatch 3-run thriller from Lanka
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Special Representative
SHARJAH, Oct 17 Hashan Tillekeratne overshadowed a magnificent 169 by
Brian Lara as Sri Lanka put up a fairy tale show against the West
Indies before surrendering by five runs in an exciting Champions
Trophy match on Monday.
In one of the most thrilling matches ever played in one-day cricket
which must have stopped the hearts of many, Sri Lanka were bowled out
for 329 in 49.3 overs while chasing a mammoth 333 for seven in 50
overs scored by the West Indies.
It was a new match aggregate of 662 for 17 wickets in 99.3 overs
breaking the 12-year-old record of 626 for 14 wickets in 120 overs set
between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the 1983 World Cup match at Swansea.
In addition to this, Sri Lanka also earned the distinction of scoring
the highest innings total while batting second. Their 329 in 49.3
overs eclipsed the previous best of 289 for seven in 40 overs,
interestingly, scored by them against India at Bombay in 1987.
Sri Lanka, needing an average of 6.66 from the word go, sprinted to
100 for two in 10.1 overs before they suffered a collapse and slumped
to 103 for five in 11.5 overs with defeat staring right in their
faces.
However, the lions from the Pearl Island did not give up the fight,
thanks to a fabulous 100 by Hashan Tillekeratne who when scored his
third run became Sri Lanka s fifth batsman after Arjuna Ranatunga,
Aravinda de Silva, Roshan Mahanama and Asanka Gurusinha to score 2,000
runs in one-day internationals.
Tillekeratne, who faced 105 balls and struck four fours and a six,
batted gallantly and almost single-handedly put Sri Lanka in sight of
victory when they needed five runs off the last four balls with the
last batsman in.
However, a shot, which for the first time appeared going over the
square-leg boundary, was held by Stuart Williams right on the ropes to
give West Indies victory.
The Islanders may have lost the match but Sri Lankans stood tall on
Monday. That was some innings. Sri Lanka rose to the occasion, fought
a lost battle and nearly turned the tides in their favour. Credit can
also not be taken away from the West Indies who lived by their words,
even if it was a cat s whisker.
Tillekeratne, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Series against Pakistan, was
involved in three great partnerships that evoked a ray of hope in the
Lankan dressing room.
For the seventh wicket, Tillekeratne added 68 runs off 90 balls with
Roshan Mahanama who scored an attractive 76 off 78 balls with five
boundaries and a six.
Tillekeratne, for the seventh wicket, put on 86 runs from 80 balls
with Chandika Hathurusinghe who was out after scoring a quickfire 45
off 43 balls with four boundaries.
In Association with Kumar Dharmasena for the eighth wicket,
Tillekeratne added 49 runs from 33 balls. Dharmasena s contribution
was 24 from 19 balls with two boundaries.
Sri Lanka, who were 159 for six after the halfway mark as compared to
West Indies 139 for three, scored 170 runs in the final 25 overs.
West Indies, on the other hand, hit 194 runs in the second half of
their innings.
Earlier, Kumar Dharmasena deprived Brian Lara of another world record
when he bowled the scorer of 375 and 501 runs in Test and first-class
cricket respectively for 169.
The 26-year-old Trinidadian was then only 21 runs short of eclipsing
Vivian Richards record of 189 not out against England at Manchester
in 1984. Lara, at that time, had 33 balls to spare.
Brian Lara exhibited his brilliance with the willow proving why he is
considered as the best modern day cricket batsman.
However, his innings was witnessed by not more than 300 spectators
that had grown after only 57 watched the first ball being bowled by
Pramodiya Wickremasinghe.
Lara played a champions innings making things look so easy for him.
Wherever and whenever he wanted to hit a shot, he struck it with a
perfect timing and ease. Watching him in full throttle, it appeared
that the fielders would not be able to restrict him from scoring.
Lara faced just 129 balls for his 169 that also included 35 dot balls.
His masterly knock was sparkled with 15 sizzling boundaries and four
towering sixes.
Lara achieved his first 50 off 47 balls with five boundaries and a
six. His second 50 came from 57 balls with six boundaries. His third
50 was simply magnificent as it took only 21 balls and included four
boundaries and three sixes.
Nevertheless, unlike the Test innings of 375 against England (a
chanceless one) and like the knock of 501 not out against Durham (in
which he was dropped five times inside 100), Lara this time also had
his share of luck when he was twice dropped and also survived a
certain run-out.
Lara was first let off by Kaluwitharna off Hathurusinghe when on 10
and the West Indies on 23 for one. He then survived a run out chance
on 75 when West Indies were 135 for three when Jayasuriya s throw
failed to hit the stumps at the non-striker s end. Lara was left
stranded almost half way down the track.
Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga was guilty of dropping Lara
immediately after the left-hander reached his sixth century of career
when he failed to hold on to the catch off Hathurusinghe at short-mid-
wicket. Lara was then 101 and the West Indies on 184 for three in 32.2
overs.
In the end, nevertheless, it will not be the drop catches that will go
into the record books. What will go down is that Lara scored 169 which
was not only his career-best but also the best score in the desert
city of Sharjah.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the other notable scorer after Brian Lara.
He slammed three sixes, two off the final two deliveries, and two
boundaries in his 45-ball 62. Together with Lara, Chanderpaul put on
89 runs for the fifth wicket in 59 balls as the West Indies scored 194
in the final 25 overs.
951018
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Pakistan humbled by Lanka in Sharjah
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Samiul Hasan
SHARJAH (United Arab Emirates), Oct 17 It was the same old story for
Pakistan against Sri Lanka when the world champions were thrown out of
the sixth Champions Trophy on run-rate by the new rivals who humbled
them by eight wickets in the decisive and final league match of the
event at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.
It was Pakistan s fourth defeat in six matches in an equal number of
months at the hands of Sri Lanka. Pakistan were blown off in the Asia
Cup in April and then lost the one-day series 2-1 in Pakistan. In this
event, Pakistan won the first game by 82 runs and lost the reverse
match by eight wickets.
After Sri Lanka had managed to increase their run-rate to 4.96 by
scoring 329 against the West Indies on Monday, Pakistan, who before
this match had a run-rate of 4.66, needed either an outright win or at
least 335 runs for place in the final.
But neither of the two happened. Irresponsible, careless and simply
pathetic batting from the top order allowed Pakistan to post a meagre
143 in 48.3 overs.
Sri Lanka, whose morale had been boosted by Monday s performance, took
only 26.5 overs to reach the modest score and for the loss of two
wickets.
After the completion of the double-league, all the teams were tied at
10 points each from four matches each. However, the West Indies, with
a run-rate of 5.17, and Sri Lanka, with a run-rate of 5.05, go through
to Friday s final while Pakistan, with a run-rate of 4.21, take a
flight back home on Wednesday.
This tournament and today s match was a complete replica of the Asia
Cup where Pakistan, after winning a couple of opening games, were
ousted by Sri Lanka in the final match on better run-rate. Sri Lanka
qualified for the final before losing to India.
Similarly, Pakistan won the first two games in this event in
convincing styles before losing the other two with below-par shows to
make an exit on low run-rate.
While there will be injury excuses ready for the second successive
disaster, there can be no explanation for the senseless batting by the
three top batsmen, viz Ramiz Raja, Salim Elahi and Basit Ali.
They were all caught behind the wickets while attempting drives on
balls which could have been declared wides had they left them go to
the wicketkeeper.
Out of the three, Ramiz Raja and Basit Ali were both experienced and
should have known their responsibilities after only four batsmen could
be fielded in the crucial match as Aamir Sohail and Inzamamul Haq
aggravated their shoulder and groin injuries respectively to sit on
the substitute bench.
Ramiz Raja, at least, should have led from the front and left an
example for others. After all, he was the senior most member of the
team having the experience of 166 one-day internationals.
But the skipper flashed a wide ball to become the second batsman out
at the score of 25 in 10.2 overs after young Salim Elahi earned his
first duck of the career when he fell at the score of 11 in 3.3 overs.
Honestly, except for an unbeaten 104 against the West Indies on
Friday, the other innings by Ramiz in this tournament were simply
casual and irresponsible. He danced down the wicket on Sunday against
the West Indies while in the opener on Thursday last against Sri
Lanka, he hit the ball into the hands of Hathurusinghe fielding at the
boundary.
Basit Ali, still remembering his 127 not out here two years ago
against the West Indies, failed to play his role of a dependable
batsman. His departure after he had hit a six and a four in his 46-
ball 21 was similar to that of Salim and Ramiz when he edged a wide
ball into the hands of Mahanama to become the third batsman out at the
score of 52 in 17.1 overs.
When three regular inform batsmen failed to deliver the goods, only
fools could have depended on the others.
Aamir Hanif, arriving only on Monday evening as Saeed Anwar s
replacement, was spectacularly run out by Muttiah Muralitharan after
making 17 to make Pakistan 63 for four in 21.5 overs. Moin Khan had
played the ball towards gully and started off. But when he saw
Muralitharan getting hold of the ball with a huge dive, returned only
to see Hanif standing besides him at the striker s end.
But even if any hopes were left, they disappeared with the addition of
only 21 runs in 30 balls when Zafar Iqbal (2) and Moin Khan (16) also
returned to the pavilion to leave Pakistan precariously placed at 82
for six in 28.1 overs.
However, Mushtaq Ahmad and Saqlain Mushtaq held the innings together
and put on 52 runs in 105 balls for the seventh wicket to take the
score to 134 for six in 45.3 overs before Pakistan lost the remaining
four wickets for the addition of only nine runs in 10 balls.
Saqlain emerged as the top scorer with a 52-ball 30 with a six and a
boundary while Mushtaq was the second notable scorer with 26 from 74
balls with a boundary.
For Sri Lanka, Kumar Dharmasena was the most outstanding bowler with
three wickets for 16 runs from 10 overs.
Wickremasinghe was responsible for Pakistan s rot when he sent back
Salim Elahi and Ramiz Raja in his first five overs to finish with the
figures of 2 for 19 from seven overs.
However, it was skipper Arjuna Ranatunga who won the Man-of-the-Match
award for his two wickets for Basit Ali and Zafar Iqbal for 21 runs
from 10 overs.
The accuracy and tight line and length of the Sri Lankan bowlers can
be figured out from the fact that Pakistan never achieved a run-rate
of three runs per over. The closest Pakistan came was 2.96.
Sri Lanka, set only 144 for victory in 50 overs, never found
themselves uncomfortable against a depressed and demoralised Pakistan
attack and fielders to reel off the target in 26.5 overs and for the
loss of only two wickets.
The two not out batsmen were Roshan Mahanama with 47 off 73 balls with
five fours and Aravinda de Silva on 35 with two sixes and a boundary
from 33 balls.
Sanath Jayasuriya, 25 off 23 balls with two fours and a six, and
Asanka Gurusinha, 31 off 38 balls with three fours, were the two
batsmen out.
951019
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West Indies jrs in sight of victory in Test
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Ilyas Beg
FAISALABAD, Oct.18 An excellent all-round performance by the West
Indies Juniors Mahendra, Nagamootoo brought sight of victory on the
second day of the first unofficial cricket Test against the Pakistan
juniors at the Iqbal Stadium here, on Wednesday. When the two umpires
decided to end the day s play nine minutes before the scheduled time,
the visitors needed only 91 runs to win with nine wickets in hand.
Two days play remains in this four-day match but it may conclude
before or a little after the luncheon interval on Thursday.
Buoyed by his best all-round display in the North Telecom Inter State
Junior competition in the West Indies, Nagamootoo first batted
intelligently here on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning to hit
the top score of 40 (studded with four boundaries) for his side and
later in the day bowled with unbelievable control over length and
variation of spin flight and pace to send the Pakistan juniors reeling
for 132 all out in the second innings. He claimed five important
wickets for 29 runs to not only remove both the Pakistani openers but
also destroyed the middle-order Pakistan batting. Not only that
Nagamootoo sent Zubair Ayub back to the pavilion to end all hopes of a
fight-back by the Pakistani tailenders. Bowling his fast-medium
deliveries from the far end, Donville McKenzie gave him admirable
support by accounting for three Pakistan batsmen, conceding 24 runs.
Nagamootoo had claimed three wickets in the first innings and in a
supporting role with paceman Reon King, who claimed five wickets to
destroy the Pakistani batting, had helped in restraining home side to
a paltry score of 116. Nagamootoo claimed eight wickets in this match
for 63 runs. His all-round display seems to be the most decisive
factor in the visitors supremacy over the home team in the first of
the three- Test series currently being played in this country.
The West Indies juniors went on to score 132 in the first innings,
gaining only 16 runs lead during the process of losing the last three
wickets. Mohammad Zahid, claimed six wickets for 48 runs. Captain
Naveed Rana took three wickets for 54 runs.
The Pakistan junior team crashed to 132 all out in the second innings,
44 minutes after the tea interval. The wicket had eased more and
whatever little bounce was in evidence on the first day, has now
disappeared completely. Despite a good start of 65 runs, the Pakistan
junior side lost quick wickets and offered an easy target to visitors.
Both the openers batted with action before lunch and opened out in the
second session to hit some delectable strokes. However, suddenly they
lost concentration and were out one after the other. None of the
following batsmen could show the resilience, application and
concentration. On this pitch, the batsmen have to graft runs. But the
Pakistanis impetuosity to go for strokes helped Nagamootoo and Clarke
show their magic .
Needing only 117 runs for victory,. the West Indies junior side scored
26 for one at the draw of stumps. At the total of 23, opener Wavell
Hinds went on the backfoot to play a delivery of Captain Naveed Rana
which kept low, he missed that completely and was adjudged leg for
wicket by umpire Professor Ikram Rabbani. Hinds could score ten runs.
The other opener Adrian Murphy (10) and number three batsman shirley
Clarke (2) will resume the West Indies second innings at 26 for one.
Captain Naveed Rana showed better ability to use the new-ball and was
rewarded with Hinds wicket. however, he failed to handle his bowling
resources well as he did not give a chance to any of the three
spinners on a turning pitch before the close of play. Mohammad Zahid
did not bowl as well as he had bowled in the morning session or
Tuesday afternoon.
Captain Gareth Breese showed better qualities of leadership. After a
few overs from the opening bowlers King and Richards, which the
Pakistan openers negotiated well, he brought on spinner Nagamootoo.
Not only that he afforded the opportunity of bowling to off-spinner
Ryan Hurley. He persisted with the bowling of Clarke from the far end
and the tall paceman cut and swung the ball appreciably to put the
Pakistan batsmen in trouble.
The Pakistanis openers took the total in the second innings to 46 at
the luncheon interval to give a good start to the team. Nagamootoo
broke Pakistani first wicket partnership by getting Adil Nisar out
five boundaries in his stay of 93 minutes at the crease. But rush of
blood saw Adil Nisar offering a catch to Groot at mid-wicket. The
first Pakistan wicket fell at the total of 65. To make things worse
for Pakistan team. Fahd Usman (24, scored in 103 minutes offered a
catch to Nagamootoo in his very next over. The Pakistani second
innings never recovered from these shocks. The second wicket fell at
the total of 74.
Shahid Afridi showed the temperament and technique to play on this
pitch to some extent and contributed 30 useful runs (laced with 5
boundaries) in 58 minutes. He fell leg before wicket to Hurley to
offer the off-spinner his only wicket. He was the eight Pakistani
batsman out at the total of 125. This signalled an end to the hasty
end of the Pakistani second innings. With his dismissal the hopes of a
good lead diminished.
Masood Ali (4) could not play an in swinger from McKenzie and fell leg
before wicket. The third Pakistani wicket fell at 74. Javed Sami
mistook a googly from Nagamootoo as a leg-break, went on the backfoot
to play a cut and was bowled. Majid Inayat (9) mistimed a ball from
McKenzie and offered a simple catch to the bowler, who accepted it
graciously during his follow-through. Captain Naveed Rana was yorked
by McKenzie for a duck to offer the pace bowler his third wicket. The
sixth Pakistani wicket fell at 87.
Top-scorer of Pakistan in the first innings, Zeeshan Pervaiz, snicked
a sharp delivery from Nagamootoo in the safe hands of wicketkeeper
Basdeo. Shahid Afridi hit McKenzie for three consecutive boundaries in
an effort to pull the Pakistan team out of trouble before falling to
Hurley. His drives were a treat to watch. Salman Fazal (9) fell to a
brilliant catch by captain Breese in slips off Reon King. Zubair Ayub
(6) skied a ball from Nagamootoo to give the deceptive leg-spinner his
fifth scalp. King held a good catch. Two fielders converged towards
the ball but the fellow-player gave a chance to King to make the
catch. That marked the end of the Pakistani second innings.
The West Indies junior team could manage a marginal 16 runs lead in
the first innings despite good batting by its overnight not out
Mahendra Nagamootoo (40) on the second morning of the first unofficial
Test at Iqbal Stadium on Wednesday.
The last three West Indies wickets fell with the addition of only 30
runs in 7.3 overs. The visitors batted for 44 minutes. The Pakistani
duo of pacemen Mohammad Zahid and Captain Naveed Rana mopped up the
tail.
Naveed Rana made the breakthrough early when he got the other
overnight not out Reon King out. The batsman mistimed Naveed Rana s
third ball of his first over of the morning and Zubair Ayub held a
simple catch at the short mid-wicket position. The eighth West Indies
wicket fell with the addition of only one run to the overnight total
of 102.
Although the Mahendra Nagamootoo showed was the ninth batsman out.
Mohammad Zahid claimed the last two wickets to wind up the West Indies
first innings. Mohammad Zahid had been concentrating one generating
pace, which did not bother the West Indies players on this slow pitch.
He sent down a slower one which Nagamootoo failed to cope with. he
offered an easy catch which the bowler accepted with grace during his
follow through. Nagamootoo top-scored (40) for the visitors.
Nagamootoo s knock was a mixture of solid defence and aggression. He
stayed at the crease for 99 minutes, faced 76 balls and hit four
elegant boundaries. The ninth West Indies wicket fell at the total of
123. Mohammad Zahid claimed the last visitors wicket when Denville
McKenzie (4) skied his delivery and wicketkeeper Majid Inayat caught
the ball quits easily. The West Indies first innings folded at 132.
951019
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Inquiry demanded into disappearance of players
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LAHORE, Oct 18 Hafiz Salman Butt, Secretary of his own faction of
Pakistan Football Federation on Wednesday demanded detailed inquiry
into the disappearance of 13 footballers in Japan.
Addressing a press conference this afternoon, he accused the rival
body headed by Mian Muhammad Azhar of showing negligence in this
regard and said the act has brought bad name to the country.
He said under FIFA rules only 25 persons, consisting of 20 players and
five officials are allowed in a football contingent.
In this regard Crescent Club, Faisalabad, took 27 persons in complete
violation of rules, he said.
He alleged that Chaudhry Zakaullah, an official of the rival body,
accepted Rs.500,000 from persons of Gujranwala, Wazirabad and
Faisalabad and included them in the Crescent Club and they
subsequently disappeared in Japan.
The Club had gone to Japan to compete in the Asian Club Championship
and lost 9-1 to Verdy Kawasaki.
Hafiz Salman Butt also demanded that Pakistan Sports Board should
investigate into whole matter and ascertain why so many persons were
cleared to proceed to Japan.
He said the names of the 27 persons who accompanied the squad should
also be released so that it could be known how many were genuine
players and officials.

(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 1995