MQM's Kamran Farooqui was 'suddenly declared wanted', complains Sattar

https://youtu.be/gBWf_E6F8Qw

KARACHI: Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar on Saturday claimed that four of his party MPAs including Kamran Farooqui, for whose arrest his house was cordoned off, "were suddenly declared wanted".

In an interview with DawnNews, Sattar said that four of his party's MPAs were "suddenly declared wanted after the emergence of a group in Khayaban-i-Sehar", and out of these four MQM has only been informed about Kamran Farooqui's name on the list.

When asked as to why MQM did not hand over Farooqui when DG Rangers had communicated to the party about it, he claimed that it was more than a month ago that MQM was asked to hand over the MPA, but "MQM asked for some time and a reason".

"Now you are telling me and we got to know through media that he is perhaps involved in 120 murders," said Farooq Sattar, adding that during two-and-a-half years of operation since September 2013 no arrested suspect gave Farooqui's name nor his name was mentioned in any JIT.

Answering a question about the threat Mustafa Kamal-led- Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) poses to his party, he maintained that ideological workers are not leaving MQM for PSP but "if people like Kamran Farooqui are not leaving MQM, they suddenly become wanted".

About the raid on his house for Kamran Farooqui' arrest, Sattar said that he tried DG Rangers' phone for more than an hour on that day but he did not respond, adding that if DG Rangers had telephoned him, even for his own arrest, he would not have resisted.

"If you can help me, it will be a service to Pakistan, as to how these unwanted people suddenly became wanted and those who are declared wanted in JITs turn unwanted, this lack of trust between Rangers and MQM should end," Sattar said.

When asked as to why his party's call for business closure received a cold response, he claimed that his party is reconsidering its policy of strike calls, and the use of word 'strike', for a long time, adding that he was against the call after the raid on his house but the party acted upon 'majority's decision',

He claimed that after Eid, his party will gather public for a sit-in. "It will be the biggest sit-in in history", adding that the target of the sit-in will be Pakistan's current rotten system of government.

"It could be a movement for new provinces or for getting powers for local government," said Sattar.

Woman arrested for killing pregnant daughter over love marriage

ISLAMABAD: Police say they have arrested a woman who is accused ofkilling her pregnant daughter for marrying against the wishes of her family near Gujranwala.

Police Official Arshad Mahamood said Saturday that the mother and her son slit the throat of 22-year-old Muqaddas Bibi in the village of Butranwali in Gujranwala district. Bibi had a 10-month old daughter and was seven months pregnant when she was killed.

He said Muqaddas was lured into her parental home before she was killed on Friday. Her husband Mohammed Tofeeq reported the murder.

Violence against women is not uncommon in Pakistan where nearly 1,000 women are killed each year in so-called “honour killings” for violating conservative norms on love and marriage.

Last week sixteen year-old Zeenat Bibi was killed in Lahore by her mother for marrying a man of her own choice in a case that sparked condemnation throughout the country.

It was swiftly followed by another killing, of a couple in Lahore who married without their family's consent. On Sunday a young girl was killed by her brother for insisting on marrying the man of her choice in Sialkot.

Zimbabwe beat India by 2 runs in first T20

HARARE: Zimbabwe held its nerve to beat India by two runs in the first Twenty20 on Saturday as Mahendra Singh Dhoni failed to hit a four off the last ball for the win.

Zimbabwe seamer Neville Madziva conceded just five off the last over, and removed the dangerous-looking Axar Patel, as India fell short of the home team's 170-6.

Chigumbura pummelled seven sixes as he took Zimbabwe to 170 for six in their 20 overs having been sent into bat by the tourists.

India lost opener Lokesh Rahul on his Twenty20 debut in the first ball of their reply, but they went into the final over from seamer Neville Madziva needing eight to win.

That was reduced to four off the last ball with Mahendra Singh Dhoni on strike, but he could only bludgeon the ball to deep point and Zimbabwe celebrated a second consecutive victory over India in the 20-over format.

Aside from Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller (30 from 21 balls) and opener Hamilton Masakadza (25 from 15 balls) gave Zimbabwe their highest score against India in Twenty20 cricket.

India were behind the run-rate for much of their innings, but Manish Pandey (48 from 35 balls) kept them in the hunt until the last over.

With Dhoni on strike it looked like advantage to the tourists, but Madziva bowled a succession of excellent yorkers to limit India to five runs.

India ended on 168-6. Zimbabwe's total was set up by 54 not out off 26 balls from Elton Chigumbura and 30 from Malcolm Waller.

Manish Pandey made 48 for India, which easily won the one-day series 3-0 and was expected to continue its dominance in the three-match T20 series.

Aside from Rahul, the visitors handed 20-over debuts to batsman Mandeep Singh, seamer Jaydev Unadkat, all-rounder Rishi Dhawan and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

The second Twenty20 match will be played at the same venue on Monday.

'Death to traitors, freedom for Britain', Jo Cox murder suspect tells court

LONDON: The man charged with murdering British lawmaker Jo Cox gave his name as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain” when he appeared in court on Saturday accused of a killing that could be a defining moment in a vote on European Union membership.

The murder of Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, has shocked Britain, elicited condolences from leaders around the world and raised questions about the tone of campaigning before the EU referendum which takes place next Thursday.

Cox, an ardent supporter of EU membership, was shot and stabbed in the street in her electoral district in northern England on Thursday.

Wearing a grey sweat shirt and trousers and flanked by two security guards, 52-year-old Thomas Mair was asked his name by a clerk at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.

“Death to traitors, freedom for Britain,” Mair said. When asked again what his name was, Mair calmly repeated: “My name is death to traitors, freedom for Britain.” “Bearing in mind the name he has just given, he ought to be seen by a psychiatrist,” Deputy Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot told the court.

Mair, balding with a grey goatee beard, made no further comment in the 15-minute hearing, his first appearance in public since police arrested him in the town of Birstall, Yorkshire, where Cox was killed.

His brief comment in court furthered suggestions that the attack was politically-motivated as it echoed the message put forward by those supporting a so-called Brexit that leaving the EU would be a vote for freedom.

The case is also being by handled by the counter-terrorism unit of Britain's Crown Prosecution Service. Prosecutor David Cawthorne told the court that those who witnessed the attack said Cox had been repeatedly stabbed and then shot three times as she lay on the ground.

Her attacker was heard saying “Britain first, Keep Britain independent, Britain always comes first,” Cawthorne said. When he was arrested by police he told them “I'm a political activist”, the prosecutor told the court.

Material relating to far right ideology was found in a search of his home, Cawthorne said.

Mair is charged with murder, causing grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm and a knife. He was remanded in custody and will appear at London's Old Bailey court on Monday.

The killing has shocked the nation. Both sides have temporarily suspended campaigning ahead of Thursday's vote, which has far reaching implications for both the EU and Britain.

Balochistan to strictly monitor performance of doctors, teachers

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to set up an effective monitoring system to evaluate the performance of teachers in government schools and doctors and other paramedical staff in public sector hospitals.

The system will also put an effective check on attendance at schools and hospitals.

It has also been decided that the government will allocate Rs2 billion in the upcoming budget for providing facilities in schools, such as installation of hand pumps and construction of toilets.

These decisions were taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri on Thursday. The meeting also reviewed progress of some development projects.

It was attended by General Officer Commanding 33 Division Major General Azhar Hayath Khan, Chief Secretary of Balochistan Saifullah Chattah, Inspector General of Frontier Corps Major General Sher Afgan, General Officer Commanding 41 Division Major General Abid, Inspector General of Balochistan Police Ahsan Mehboub, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Daud Barech, Secretary Home Dr Mohammad Akbar Harifal, commissioners of Quetta, Makran, Sibi divisions and other civil and military officers.

The meeting was informed that the monitoring system would ensure attendance of doctors and paramedical staff in hospitals and teachers in schools during their duty hours. Strict action will be taken against all those who do not perform their duty honestly.

It has been decided that Rs50 million would be provided to district headquarters hospitals for the purchase of necessary equipment and upgradation of departments.

The meeting decided to put a complete ban on plastic shopping bags. The provincial government with the collaboration of the army would set up a factory to introduce environment friendly shopping bags.

The meeting was informed that for protecting the rights of the local people of Gwadar, they would be given ownership in development projects being launched in the port city. The earthquake-affected people of Awaran would be provided funds for the construction of their damaged houses.

Chief Minister Zehri said that his government was striving hard to improve the performance of government departments so that better health and education facilities could be provided to people.

He said big development projects would be included in the next budget.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2016

Here's why Udta Punjab hasn't released in Pakistan yet

If you thought the only battle Udta Punjab was fighting with was in India, you've got another thing coming.

The highly anticipated drug abuse drama, which released on Friday, June 17, has yet to hit screens in local cinemas. And that got us thinking, why do we still not have show timings for the Shahid Kapoor- Alia Bhatt starrer?

The answer lies with the Censor Board. Fakhr-Alam, Chairman Censor Board Sindh, told Images that the film has been viewed by the Board and they have asked the distributor to make a few changes.

"We have told the distributor to delete the bad language, swear words -- which are extremely explicit and in direct conflict with the law and censor code. We will [then] review to see that the compliance has been adhered to and then issue a certificate," said the artist.

Unfortunately, the release date of the film is yet to be announced, so the wait is going to be a little longer.

He added," As far as the release is concerned, it is up to the distributor."

Udta Punjab starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh in pivotal roles, deals with substance abuse and how it affects the youth of Punjab.

Indian 'rock star' central bank chief to step down in surprise move

MUMBAI: India's “rock star” central bank governor Raghuram Rajan, feted by foreign investors but under pressure from political opponents at home, stunned government officials and colleagues on Saturday by announcing he would step down after just one three-year term.

Rajan, a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, is held in high esteem by policymakers and investors at home and abroad for overhauling the way the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) operates.

But he has faced mounting criticism from a faction within Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party for keeping interest rates high and over a perception that he had begun to stray into politics.

In a letter to RBI staff, Rajan said he planned to return to academia, even as he noted two of his actions - the creation of a monetary policy committee to set interest rates and the clean-up of the heavily indebted banking sector - remained unfinished.

“While I was open to seeing these developments through, on due reflection, and after consultation with the government, I want to share with you that I will be returning to academia when my term as Governor ends on September 4, 2016,” Rajan wrote.

“I will, of course, always be available to serve my country when needed.”

It will be the first time since 1992 that an RBI governor has departed after a single three-year term.

A senior government official told Reuters there were seven candidates on an initial long list to replace Rajan.

While there had been some speculation Rajan might not stay for a second term — dubbed “Rexit” in a nod to Britain's vote on European Union membership — government officials said they were surprised by the timing and manner of the announcement.

“Rajan put this in an open letter. It's his decision and we will do what best can be done,” said one senior aide to Modi.

Hailed as a “rock star” and “James Bond” by India's media when he was appointed by the previous Congress government in September 2013, Rajan won praise for his sure-footed handling of the country's worst currency crisis in more than two decades.

“The government appreciates the good work done by him and respects his decision. A decision on his successor would be announced shortly,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a tweet on Saturday.

P. Chidambaram, the Congress finance minister who appointed Rajan, said he was profoundly saddened by the decision.

“I am not surprised at all. The government had invited this development through a craftily planned campaign of insinuations, baseless allegation and puerile attacks on a distinguished academic and economist,” he said in a tweet.

NAB gives PAF official Rs117m recovered from two firms

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry presented a cheque for Rs117.5 million to Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Saeed Muhammad Khan on Friday.

According to a NAB spokesman, the bureau’s Rawalpindi office successfully pursued a case involving M/s Al Hamra and M/s Eden Builders and concluded that the two companies had in 2010 cheated members of the Shaheen Foundation by collecting money in the name of allotment of plots in a fake housing project in Islamabad. The housing scheme was called Al Hamra Avenue.

NAB recovered Rs1.832 billion from the management of Al Hamra and Al Hamra Avenue.

According to the case details, the previous management of the two companies had deceived members of the Shaheen Foundation by inducing them to book plots in the project and received about Rs1.258bn from them.

The suspects failed to hand over the plots in the stipulated time and instead sold the land to other parties, depriving members of the Shaheen Foundation of their money.

When NAB took up the case, the present management of the companies expressed willingness to return Rs573m as a profit as well as the principal amount to the affected people.

In the first phase, an amount of Rs366m was returned to the affected members of Shaheen Foundation and in the second phase Rs50m was returned.

In the third phase, a cheque for Rs117.5m was returned on Friday.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2016

Abdul Sattar Edhi is feeling better, says Faisal Edhi

 

ISLAMABAD: While refuting rumours regarding the health condition of renowned philanthropist and Edhi Foundation Chairman Abdul Sattar Edhi, his son Faisal Edhi said on Saturday that his father is feeling better now.

While talking to a private news channel, Faisal Edhi said that Abdul Sattar Edhi was taken to hospital for routine dialysis.

The situation had turned awkward earlier in the day when the Foreign Office reacted to the rumours about Edhi’s death and issued an obituary statement which it had to retract later.

The Foreign Office statement carried tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi, extended by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. “Today, with the sad demise of legendary philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, everyone in Pakistan, Pakistanis abroad and millions of others, are in mourning,” it read.

“The iconic Edhi saheb was a soul who spent his whole life engaged in the noble cause of serving humanity. He lived for others.”

The statement added “we are deeply saddened to lose an ambassador of Pakistan, whose work in Pakistan and abroad has projected the country's true image and was a matter of great pride for all of us”. The adviser also offered his condolences to the bereaved family.

However, the Foreign Office had to later retract its statement.

“We are withdrawing the press release which was based on wrong information passed to this office. Inconvenience is regretted,” said the statement.

Prominent lawyer Naeem Bokhari joins Tehreek-i-Insaf

ISLAMABAD: Prominent lawyer and television host Naeem Bokhari announced his decision to join Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) after a meeting with party chief Imran Khan in Islamabad on Saturday.

Imran Khan arrived at Bokhari's residence just before Iftar and held a brief meeting with the lawyer, after which Bokhari announced the decision before media.

Talking to reporters, Imran Khan said Bokhari is his old friend and helped him during fundraising even when he was not a part of PTI.

Imran thanked him and expressed hope that Bokhari will be helpful in his party's fight against corruption.

Bokhari said he was always "Imran Khan's soldier" and if any politician in Pakistan is aware of poor people's misery, it is Imran Khan.

Naeem Bokhari is a senior advocate of Supreme Court and a television host. His television appearances include a talkshows and entertainment shows on DawnNews and PTV.

Back in 2007, Bokhari wrote an "open letter" to then President Pervez Musharraf levelling allegations against the former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Bokhari accused Chaudhry of running a "slaughter house" in the name of courtroom, and warned of a "rebellion" if he did not change his style and behaviour.

The lawyers attacked him in the presence of a police force who along with some senior lawyers tried to save him. Young lawyers beat Mr Bukhari black and blue and tore his black uniform. His license was cancelled by The Punjab Bar Council (PBC).

Bokhari was besieged with throwing stones, tomatoes and eggs. He was later escorted by a heavy police contingent to his car for his safe exit. Two policemen and five lawyers also sustained minor injuries during the melee.

Second black box recovered from EgyptAir crash site

CAIRO: Search teams on Friday recovered the second flight recorder of an EgyptAir plane from the bottom of the Mediterranean that could prove vital in establishing the cause of the crash.

Flight MS804 from Paris to Cairo disappeared from radar screens in the eastern Mediterranean last month with 66 people on board, and a vast search operation has since scoured swathes of sea off Egypt's northern coast.

Egyptian investigators said search teams managed to recover the Airbus A320's flight data recorder -- which gathers information among other things about the speed, altitude and direction of the plane -- a day after they retrieved its cockpit voice recorder.

The data recorder, which experts see as a vital part of the probe, was found in several pieces, according to investigators.

It was not immediately clear how much of its data would be usable, but Cairo's civil aviation authority said on Thursday that salvage experts had managed to retrieve the voice recorder's crucial memory unit despite extensive damage to the black box.

“The flight data recorder was also retrieved in several stages but the vessel equipment managed to pick up the memory unit which is considered as the most important part,” France's BEA air safety agency, which is assisting the crash probe, said in a statement.

The voice recorder was due to be transferred from the port city of Alexandria to Cairo, where Egyptian investigators supported by French experts and representatives of manufacturer Airbus will analyse its contents.

BEA said it had dispatched an expert to Cairo to assist the probe.

A statement from the Egyptian board of inquiry on Friday warned that “analysing the data could take several weeks”.

The cockpit voice recorder keeps track of up to two hours of conversation and other sounds in the pilots' cabin, but also ambient noise within the aircraft.

“Depending on what we can get from this black box, it could allow us to know exactly what happened,” said aeronautics expert Jean Serrat.

An Egyptian aviation ministry source, who declined to be named, said that if the voice data was heavily damaged, it could be sent abroad for further analysis.

Investigators have repeatedly said it is too soon to determine what caused the disaster, but a terror attack has not been ruled out.

Weeks of searching

Search teams spent weeks scouring an area about 290 kilometres (180 miles) north of the Egyptian coast for the recorders.

The area where the plane crashed on May 19 is believed to be about 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) deep and there were fears that the black box batteries -- which normally last between four and five weeks -- would be exhausted before the recorders could be assessed.

France's aviation safety agency has said the EgyptAir plane transmitted automated messages indicating smoke in the cabin and a fault in the flight control unit minutes before disappearing from radar screens.

On Monday, Egyptian investigators confirmed the aircraft had made a 90-degree left turn followed by a 360-degree turn to the right before hitting the sea.

Investigators were able to narrow down the search site thanks to an emergency signal sent via satellite by the plane's locator transmitter when it hit the Mediterranean.

The passengers on the plane were 30 Egyptians, 15 French citizens, two Iraqis, two Canadians, and citizens from Algeria, Belgium, Britain, Chad, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. They included a boy and two babies.

Seven crew and three security personnel were also on board.

The crash came after the bombing of a Russian airliner over Egypt's restive Sinai Peninsula last October that killed all 224 people on board.

The militant Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for that attack within hours, but there has been no such claim linked to the EgyptAir crash.

IS has been waging a deadly insurgency against Egyptian security forces and has claimed attacks in both France and Egypt.

In October, foreign governments issued travel warnings for Egypt and demanded a review of security at its airports.

My aim is to win ODI series against England: Azhar Ali

KARACHI: Pakistan's One-Day International (ODI) skipper Azhar Ali promised a good show in the challenging English conditions ahead of the team's departure to the British Isles.

Talking to DawnNews, Azhar Ali said that the experience of 2010 English tour will come handy. Ali, who made his international debut on the same tour, is aware of the threats posed by the English pace attack.

"No doubt England tour will be a daunting one. James Anderson really bowled well in 2010 series and now Stuart broad will be tough to handle. But I am hopeful that the team will perform well in the Test Matches," said the right-hand batsman, who averaged 26 in six Test matches on the tour.

"Personally I really want to prove myself in the English conditions, as performing in England gets you the limelight and you are recognised as a top player," said the ODI skipper.

Azhar is aware of the difficulties the alien English conditions will pose to the Pakistan throughout the tour.

"Pakistan's ODI ranking is very low and our performance in this format over the last 2-3 years is not up the mark. We are working hard on skill level and trying to improve in the ODIs as well. My aim is to win ODI series against England and improve our ranking."

The 31-year-old is hopeful that the experience of Mickey Arthur will help to change the fortune of Green Shirts in ODI cricket.

"Mickey Arthur have vast experience as coach with quality teams and I'm sure his experience will help us to perform better in England and upcoming foreign series. We have been trying to play aggressive cricket during the last 12 months, but we lack consistency."

Once reluctant to accept Mohammad Amir into the dressing room, Azhar praised the left-arm fast-bowler for his remarkable return to the international arena.

"Amir is a wonderful bowler. Since his return he has proved himself. The English tour is surely going to be tough for him but he has the ability to perform and counter the pressure," he said.

The ODI skipper termed Yasir Shah, along Amir, as his main weapons. "Yasir Shah will be key! His record in Test Cricket is exceptional and he will be the key factor for Pakistan"

Azhar praised the veterans — Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan — for their services to Pakistan cricket and wished that they could play for a longer time.

On a question regarding his extension of responsibilities on him when the duo retire, he stated that he is ready to help the country in whatever capacity.

Parliament watch: Of open-heart surgeries and constitutional vacuums

For well over three weeks now, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been in London.

He flew to the British capital on May 22 for a medical check-up, and on May 27, his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on Twitter that the premier will undergo open-heart surgery.

Since then, the prime minister has been running Pakistan from a Park Lane apartment owned by his sons. No wonder then that many critics have acidly commented that Mr Sharif is heading a government in self-exile.

He chaired the constitutionally-mandated meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC) and federal cabinet from the Pakistan High Commission in London through video link to give his formal approval to the federal budget for the year 2016-17.

Examine: Helped by aides, Sharif running govt from UK

Though he is now said to be recovering after the heart surgery – he was seen taking a gentle walk with his wife in London’s Hyde Park in an officially released photograph – his absence from the country is still the main topic of discussion back home.

Almost all opposition parties have voiced their concerns over his continued absence from the country and demanded an in-house change. For instance, Imran Khan has said that had such a situation arisen when his party was in government, he would have immediately brought in a fitter, healthier PM.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Zardari Bhutto has also argued that due to his health and the controversy surrounding the Panama Papers leaks, PM Sharif should step aside for the time being.

Smaller parties have also made similar statements.

Politics aside, the prime minister’s absence has led to questions about the length of time elected heads can stay away from their countries, and it is hard to find parallels to Pakistan’s current dilemma.

Political analysts and academics are also hard pressed for an answer; however, they had more to say when asked whether such an absence has highlighted the need for a constitutional solution.

Zafar Iqbal Cheema, president of the think tank Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), feels that a chief executive of the country who is also responsible for deciding when to press the nuclear button, should not be away for so long.

“There should be some alternate arrangement if the prime minister gets sick or becomes incapacitated,” he says, adding that while passing the 18th constitutional amendment, politicians took care to make the prime minister invincible; no senior minister or deputy prime minister was provided for who can act on behalf of the prime minister.

Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi, a well-known political commentator, agreed that there were genuine questions about who was in charge in the absence of the prime minister.

“I can’t think of any such precedent where an elected prime minister of a country has been out of country for such a long time,” he said. He also felt that political parties should come together to find a constitutional solution to this vacuum.

Justice (retired) Tariq Mehmood, a legal expert and former judge, was also of the view that no country could operate in a limbo.

“If our political leaders want democracy in the country then they have to act like democrats. PML-N has so many experienced parliamentarians and one of them could have replaced the prime minister while he was away. But unfortunately, our political party heads act like monarchs.”

However, this is not to say that everyone feels the need for a constitutional remedy.

But for Dr Rasool Baksh Rais, another academic, running a government from afar in this day and age is not a problem. For the professor, the prime minister’s absence did not matter as in the parliamentary form of government, governance is done through the cabinet, which is where collective responsibility resides.

“Agreed, that the prime minister’s absence is unprecedented but under the cabinet form of government, the prime minister is simply the first among equals [the cabinet members]; they all rise and fall together.”

In his opinion, it is wrong to equate a president with a prime minister, because the latter’s cabinet members were fully empowered to run their respective divisions. “The presence or absence of the prime minister doesn’t affect the day to day affairs of the government.”

However, Dr Rais’ arguments are not likely to win over the critics. Theoretically, he may be right about the collective responsibility of the cabinet but the reality is that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is far more than just the first among equals; his control of the party and the government is undisputed. The second tier of the party and the government doesn’t enjoy much power.

This is why his absence will continue to raise concerns.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2016

Ramazan is the best time to repair and renovate restaurants, say eatery owners

KARACHI: The light orange Windsor style dining chairs and tables are all lined on the footpath as they get their new dark-brown coat of polish at the little corner restaurant, which misses its usual crowd during the day due to the holy month of Ramazan.

Inside the big deep freezer is pushed out of the way to one side next to the manager’s counter while the floor is being washed. “We open for iftar and dinner at around 3pm each day and close at 4am after sehri. That leaves the mornings and early afternoons free for us to be able to tend to other things like repairing furniture and renovating the restaurant,” says Imran, a senior waiter supervising the work, at the eatery on Thursday.

“Ramazan is the best time of year for us to be able to do all that,” he adds. “Otherwise we remain open from early morning till midnight every day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea, savoury items and snacks. It leaves us with no time at all for fixing things around here.”

Meanwhile, lovers of biryani make their way to a well-known biryani franchise outlet only to be greeted by its partially closed shutters. Making use of the free time on their hands they decided to go for a complete renovation of their shop. “We opened around five years ago and have remained very busy since then. Who doesn’t love biryani?” says Mohammad Kashif, floor manager at the place.

“Hence there had hardly ever been any time left for us to tend to the shop or its decor. All we did was serve food and then clean-up before closing shop and before opening for business again every day,” he says.

Branch manager Faisal Shahid says that taking cue from others this year they, too, decided to renovate from inside out. “We are laying a new floor, getting new wallpaper, wall tiles, new chairs, tables, electrical appliances, paint, and a new artificial ceiling as well,” he says.

“I think it is better we clean up our act during this very welcome free time before anyone else pulls us up for lack of standards,” he adds.

Because the work is so extensive, we’ve had to close business for a while. Yes, we are missing out on the Ramazan iftar crowd but it will all be worth it in the end,” says Kashif.

Wheat scandal: NAB arrests Balochistan's former food secretary

QUETTA: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials on Thursday arrested former provincial secretary food Ali Bakhsh Baloch in connection with Balochistan wheat scandal case.

The officials arrested Baloch and shifted him to NAB's regional office for interrogation.

The former food secretary is a co-accused along with former Balochistan food minister Asfandyar Kakar in the embezzlement of government's wheat amounting to Rs292million.

NAB had filed reference against the accused and former minister in connection with the 251,000 wheat bags gone missing from a godown in district Pishin during the Pakistan Peoples Party led government in the province.

Related: PPP demands probe into wheat scandal

The anti-corruption watchdog arrested the accused following cancellation of his bail application by the Balochistan High Court the other day. BHC had also cancelled the bail application submitted by the former minister Asfandayar Kakar.

NAB sources said raids were being conducted for the arrest of Asfandyar Kakar and former director food Wali Kakar with regard to wheat scandal in district Pishin.

Asfandyar Kakar was elected as an MPA on the ticket of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on PB-9 from Pishin district of Balochistan. Kakar was given the portfolio of food by former chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani.

Residents clash in Chitral over Kalash girl’s ‘forced’ conversion to Islam

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of local residents clashed with members of Kalash tribe in Chitral on Thursday after a teenager claimed she was forced to convert to Islam, police and residents said.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd attacking a house in the Kalash tribe's valley of Bumburate in Chitral district, where the girl had gone to give a police statement about her conversion, said Kalash activist Luke Rehmat.

The Kalash are only around 4,000 in number, according to Rehmat

Increasingly their youth are converting to Islam, prompting activists to campaign to preserve the traditions of the ancient, diminishing tribe.

The teenager went to a neighbour's house to speak to police, the home's owner told AFP, but hundreds of people began to gather outside as word spread through the close-knit community.

“The Kalash community had also gathered to save the family and when the Muslims chanting slogans attacked the house with sticks and pelted stones everybody was running for their lives,” Rehmat, who was out of breath from fleeing the scene, told AFP by telephone.

“Dozens” were injured, he said, though apparently none seriously.

“Law enforcement agencies reached here on time otherwise they would have killed all of us,” said local Kalash politician Imran Kabeer.

It was not clear what happened to the teenager.

Police in the city of Chitral said the district police chief had gone to Bumburate with other senior officers, adding that the situation was under control.

The owner of the house that was attacked was also in Chitral, where he said police were refusing to let him return home.

“They came out in a mob to attack my house and to kill my wife and my children,” he said, asking to remain anonymous.

“They threw stones at the roof and at the windows. Police were firing in the air.”

Chitral, a northern district of Khyber-Pukhtunkwa province, has long attracted tourists for its beauty.