Newsletter: November 26, 2011

Today's Headlines

November 26, 2011

National Reconciliation Ordinance: Case closed, SC dismisses govt's appeal Qaiser Zulfiqar Two years after the Supreme Court's verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance, the case has finally concluded. _______________________________________________  National/City 'Mullah Omar is pushing TTP to reconcile with govt' Zia Khan Afghan Taliban supreme commander Mullah Muhammad Omar is pushing Pakistani militants based in the tribal areas to strike a peace deal with the government and has advised the chief of the Haqqani network to mediate between them. Bahrain commission report: Expats subjected to 'physical, psychological torture' Saba Imtiaz Around 8,110 complaints and statements of various human rights abuses were received, and a "systematic practice of physical and psychological mistreatment" was uncovered when the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) began an investigation in July into protests that took place in the Gulf Kingdom earlier this year. NATO helicopters attack checkpost on Pak-Afghan border Iftikhar Firdous An early Saturday morning attack by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) helicopters killed eight security personnel and injured four soldiers on a Pakistani checkpost in Salala, which is located on the Pak-Afghan border of Tehsil Bayzai in Mohmad Agency, sources said. Jumping in: Parliamentary panel to probe memogate Our Correspondents Regardless of whether or not the Supreme Court will take up the petition calling for a judicial probe into the memogate, and when and if the prime minister comes around to forming his 'high-level' committee to look into the matter, the parliamentary panel on national security will be conducting its own investigation. 16 days: 'Gender violence is everyone's problem' Sehrish Wasif Gender-based violence is not and never has been a women's issue. It is a human issue, a fundamental issue of human dignity and human rights. Gas pipeline: Munter against Pak-Iran deal Ali Usman Iran is "an unreliable partner" and Pakistan should not engage in a gas pipeline deal with the country, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Friday. _______________________________________________ Business Bailout: Govt promises guarantees for fresh Pakistan Steel loans Shahbaz Rana The government has decided to provide guarantees to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) in its bid to acquire Rs6 billion loans from a consortium of banks required to run the once profitable enterprise that incurred losses of over Rs40 billion from 2008 through 2010. Pak, India agree to provide multiple entry business visas Our Correspondents Accepting the long-standing demand of businesspersons, the Home Ministry of India and Interior Ministry of Pakistan have agreed to give one-year multiple entry visas to prominent businesspersons of the two countries. _______________________________________________ Sports Misbah, Afridi earn Pakistan Twenty20 win AFP A cameo performance from Shahid Afridi and some mature batting from Misbahul Haq saw Pakistan win the only Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka to sweep all the honours in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Down but not out, says Aisam Natasha Raheel The ATP World Tour Finals loss has disappointed Aisamul Haq Qureshi but the Pakistan tennis ace has vowed to bounce back and reminded everyone of the wins he registered throughout the year. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Sharad Kapoor: In Pakistan and loving it Sher Khan "People have this desire to live vicariously through an actor," remarks Sharad Kapoor who has been a stalwart veteran villain of the Indian film industry. "Actors are the most popular people in India because they connect with the masses." Good Balan gone bad Our Correspondents Bollywood actor Vidya Balan's daring bare-act in her upcoming film The Dirty Picture is the talk of the town. The actor, who has previously been recognised for her girl-next-door roles, confesses that in the beginning it was not easy for her to play the ultra-sensuous role, reports IANS. _______________________________________________

Opinion The Haqqani affair and its aftermath Najmuddin A Shaikh Beloved leaders and others Amina Jilani The making of the modern maulvi Ajmal Kamal Greeks in Pakhtunkhwa? Salman Rashid Vertical expansion — at a cost Zahrah Nasir Blogs When grown men fight, Mirza,our nation dies Dr Mohammad Ali Rai Polio is not a US conspiracy Mariam Ishaq The spy that 'danced' me Vaqas Asghar Is Imran Khan peaking too soon? Michael Kugelman Poll Has Misbahul Haq played a satisfactory role as the Pakistan cricket team's captain? No  (23%, 112) Yes (77%, 370) Total respondents: 482 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

The Express Tribune, 5 Expressway Off Korangi Road, Karachi, Sindh 75500, Pakistan You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.

News Beat with Fereeha Idrees Nov 24, 2011

Sindh floods: ‘Mismanagement and irregularities’ cloud relief efforts

KARACHI: A survey has revealed that a majority of flood survivors in the worst affected districts have not received their Pakistan cards worth Rs20,000 apiece.

The ‘Civil Society Flood Situation Report’ shows that the distribution of cards by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been rather slow. This, coupled with alleged extortion, has led to concern over the National Disaster Management Authority’s work. The Peoples Accountability Commission on Floods (PACF) Pakistan, a network of flood-affected communities, volunteers and humanitarian activists, conducted the survey and the report was released on Thursday.

People have to queue at card distribution centres for six to eight hours which is taking its toll on the people. The women and elderly in particular, are worse off for the long waits and there have been reports of ill people dying while they wait their turn in line.

Meanwhile, new distribution systems have evolved. They are operated by agents that require people to pay bribes of Rs500 to Rs1,500 for each card. More often than not, NADRA officials ask the flood survivors to contact these agents for the cards.

The NDMA’s mess

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also came under criticism in the report. The PACF claims that the authority violated international humanitarian laws with their decision that humanitarian aid would not be required when the floods first began. They banned cash support by humanitarian agencies and are now being blamed for increasing food insecurity among the flood-affected communities.

The report says that flood-affected communities are still suffering the setback this decision caused. International humanitarian organisations are not yet up to speed with their efforts while many of them have decided not to help at all after the NDMA first rebuked them.

The report slammed the NDMA’s ‘anti-people policy’ decision. “NDMA has issued a policy decision banning the distribution of cash grants amount among flood affected communities by national and international organisations,” it claimed. This move deprived the poorest of poor, the sick, widows, and households headed by women from basic funds and quick support that they could have spent on food and medicine, the report added.

Inadequate support

The report expresses dissatisfaction when it comes to the sanitation, food and shelter being provided. It estimates that tents and shelter have only been provided about 35 per cent of the flood-affected households.

Clean drinking water is another missing necessity in many areas. The report claims that there has been a 10 per cent decrease in the number of people receiving water from protected sources in some districts.

Odyssey of a sailor: First commanding officer of PNS Karsaz launches memoir

KARACHI: A handful of people are aware of the fact that if it were not for Rear Admiral (retd) Syed Zahid Hasnain, PNS Karsaz would not exist. He practically built it from scratch and helped the Pakistan Navy acquire land for PNS Bahadur and PNS Raza.

Rear Admiral (retd) Ejaz Husain said that Hasnain had to literally fight with the army for the land. “At the time of partition, the navy only had three engineers – no money, tables or chairs,” said a frail looking Hasnain at the launch of his memoir, ‘Odyssey of a Sailor’, on Thursday. “PNS Karsaz was based in Manora and this piece of land was crawling with snakes. The idea behind PNS Karsaz was to train technical manpower.

While speaking at PNS Karsaz, Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila said that although he was not a fast reader, he managed to read the memoir in five days. He added that Hasnain’s memoirs were based on the trials and tribulations faced by the navy after partition. “It talks about a time when everyone in the country loved to work together,” said Sandila. “He must have kept a lot of diaries because he has even shared details of the navy ships.”

Hasnain is known as a naval legend as he was the first commanding officer at PNS Karsaz. He also served with the Royal India Navy and the Merchant Navy.

Rear Admiral (retd) Mian Zahir Shah said that the book also talked about British naval officers and what they did before partition. Shah added that Hasnain also worked as the director-general and chairman of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT). “Managing the KPT was a completely different experience for Hasnain, given the labour union problems,” he said. “There was a time when the KPT union was forcing him to bow out but he did not budge.”

PTV to launch sports channel: Firdous Awan

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan informed the National Assembly on Friday that Pakistan Television (PTV) is launching a sports channel by December to promote sports activities in the country.

Awan said that the channel is being launched on the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Replying to various questions raised by parliamentarians during Question Hour, the minister said that a PTV sports channel is imperative. She also said that PTV revenues would increase by telecasting events like the cricket World Cup, hockey and football.

Awan said that PTV is being digitalised with latest technology and will compete with other private channels. The process of digitalisation will be completed by December 2012, she said.

She said that PTV Global is also being overhauled in order to project the “true image of the country” internationally. The entertainment component of PTV Global will be enhanced to provide more recreation to its viewers , she added.

Firdous Awan said PTV is effectively safeguarding ideological and geographical boarders of the country and that efforts are underway to make it a “mouth piece of people’s aspirations”.

Government imposes ban on pillion riding in Karachi

KARACHI: The government of Sindh has once again imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Express 24/7reported on Friday.

The ban, which has been imposed under Section 144, will remain intact until an indefinite period of time.

Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan has said that the government will also issue a notification in this regard.

The ban has been imposed to curb the recent surge of robberies in the city. Senior citizens, women, children and journalists have been exempted from the ban.

The ban had earlier been lifted after an improvement in the law and order situation in the city.

Charges in the FIR registered for cases of pillion riding are lodged under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code and the judicial magistrate grants bail to the offenders under Section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Section 188 terms the offence punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of Rs 1,000 maximum. Though the second refers to offenses without bail, magistrates usually grant bail while they are confirming the charges.

KIU convocation: G-B governor advises students to work for peace, sectarian harmony

GILGIT:

Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah on Thursday urged the people to promote peace and harmony and bring an end to sectarian violence in the valley.

“Students should play their role in reviving the traditional peace, harmony and hospitality of G-B, which are now fast diminishing,” Shah said.

He was speaking at the 5th and 6th joint convocation ceremony of the Karakoram International University (KIU), where 850 students were awarded degrees.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of parents, faculty members, government officials, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Legislative Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig and G-B force commander. The governor also announced an amount of Rs500,000 for the university, which had been requested by KIU Vice-Chancellor Najma Najam.

Earlier, the vice-chancellor briefed the audience on the university’s achievements and said that the number of PhDs in the university has reached 33 from eight in just two and a half years.
In addition to that, KIU has signed a number of agreements with foreign universities to promote quality education, she added.

She explained that the convocation had been delayed due to the Attabad tragedy, followed by the floods last year.

She also said that the university has introduced several new courses while admissions into engineering programs would start in a year. In addition to that, the university will also start fine arts and law programs next year, she added.

Official challenges removal over ties with Mirza

HYDERABAD:

Suhail Mirza, who was removed from his post as the chairman of the Left Canal Area Water Board, has been granted a stay order by the Sindh High Court.

The organisation, which is located in Badin, works under the umbrella of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida). It oversees an area of 620,000 hectares, including three canals emerging from the Kotri Barrage.

Mirza, who was replaced by Ramzan Chandio a few days ago, challenged the new appointment on Thursday. The circuit bench issued notices to Chandio and several officials from Sida, including the organisation’s managing director, Ehsan Laghari. They will have to appear in court on December 20.

Employees of Sida, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Mirza, who had not completed his five-year term as the chairman, was replaced for his alleged ties with former Sindh home minister, Zulfiqar Mirza. However, this fact has not been stated in the petition.

The petitioner said that he was falsely reported to have sought a one-month leave from Sida for his kidney operation. “I did not undergo any kidney operation and have been fulfilling my responsibilities which grew during the recent flood situation,” Mirza told the court.

Children with heart disease are living active lives say experts

KARACHI: Early diagnosis and treatment can go a long way in ensuring that children born with congenital heart diseases live active lives as they grow older.

Experts at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) shared their views on infant and children illnesses, treatment and nutrition at a session to mark World Children’s Day on Wednesday.

Consultant paediatric cardiologist at AKUH Dr Babar Hasan detailed some of the procedures which could help children lead fuller lives. These include total anomalous venous return repair, tetarology of the fallot repair with a valved transannular patch, percutaneous atrial and ventricular septal closures.

Speaking of other illnesses, diarrhoea was identified as the most common infectious disease in infants.

A consultant with AKUH on paediatric infectious diseases, Dr Farah Qamar said young breastfed infants with diarrhoea could pass between three to 10 stools per day. In comparison, toddlers and children could have one to two bowel movements during a 24-hour period.

A major cause of concern when infected with diarrhoea is dehydration which can be treated with oral rehydration solutions, experts advised.

Contrary to popular belief, doctors suggested that medication such as antibiotics or antidiarrhoeal are not necessary as treatment and rather could prove harmful.

However, Qamar warned children with bloody diarrhoea or those who show signs of moderate to severe dehydration must be provided with medical attention immediately.

Help should also be sought if children refuse to eat or drink and have periodic abdominal pain which lasts longer than two hours.

“The most common complaint that we hear from mothers is that their one-year-old has stopped eating,” said Dr Maqbool Qadir, a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at AKUH.

“As long as your child is active, developing adequately and has some weight gain, parents should be reassured that their child is growing normally,” he added.

A record of their height and weight over time plotted on a growth chart is a better indicator of whether there really is a health problem.

Pakistan

I love Pakistan