DAWN/The News International, KARACHI
31 August 2004, Tuesday, 14 Rajab 1425
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Altaf's advice to followers
Law, order in Karachi not ideal, says Arbab
HSC-II (Humanities Private) results
3 LEAs men gunned down in Jacobabad
RAHIM YAR KHAN: Policemen accused of criminally assaulting singer
3 rockets fired in Bannu
Bodies of militants handed over
No place for terrorism in Islam: speakers
US diplomatic car attacked in Jeddah
'Success in Afghanistan, Iraq to be beginning of end for extremists’
Altaf's advice to followers
KARACHI, Aug 30: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief, Altaf Hussain, has persisted on accusing the "hidden hands" for conspiring to damage the party and asked the party followers to be mentally and physically prepared in order to foil any such conspiracy. Talking on telephone to the leaders of the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization, Mr Hussain said that all ideological movements had to face such conspiracies. However, he added, only those movements survived whose followers remained clinched to their ideologies despite repression. Recalling
June 1992 military operation
against the party in which thousands of his supporters were allegedly killed, Mr Hussain cited the courageous freedom struggle in British and French colonial territories and emphasised that only those who endured oppression succeeded in winning freedom. He urged the party workers to prepare themselves to deal with the severity of rapidly changing world.
Law, order in Karachi not ideal, says Arbab
KARACHI, Aug 30: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that law and order has been his top priority since he took charge of his office. "The situation is not ideal and I don't want to tell lie to people," he remarked, and observed that there were some defects needed to be rectified. Dr Arbab was speaking in a PTV programme, Roobaroo, telecast here on Monday, in which ministers, social workers, businessmen, industrialists, educationist, intellectuals, students and other people were present. They threw critical questions to the chief minister who responded with all patience. "The situation is not all well and it has to be improved. We will work and improve it," he declared. He pointed out that law and order was one factor which could attract investment and his government had chalked out short- and long-term plans for bringing about an improvement in the situation. Pointing out that political situation, too, was a factor, he said if political conditions were conducive, then it was bound to attract investment. Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the province was faced with a shortage of irrigation water to the extent of 60%. He observed that there had been opposition to the construction of big dams, but the confrontation was now heading towards reconciliation. "The country faces super floods after every five years. With the amount of rainfall received last year, big dams could have been filled. But the water had gone waste." Regarding linkage of KESC with Hub power system, the chief minister said that the KESC had sought a plot for the establishment of a grid station and the demand had been met without any hesitation. President Musharraf, he said, had directed the KESC that laying of transmission line be completed within 16 months as against the stipulated 36-month time frame. "Once the linkage is done, Karachi will get rid of loadshedding and power breakdowns." He also referred to the desalination plant being installed by the DHA, and said that the plant would generate electricity also. Its production, he added, would be meant for the Defence area. Dr Arbab pointed out that it was President Musharraf's keen interest, in resolving the problems being faced by people in Sindh, that the mega projects like Lyari Expressway, Thar Coal Power project, Northern Bypass, etc., had been launched. In reply to a question about quality of education in Sindh, Dr Arbab recounted the efforts being made in this regard. He pointed out that cadet colleges and public schools would be provided adequate funds and the private schools imparting quality education would also be supported suitably. Speaking about representation being given to womenfolk, the chief minister pointed out that there had been only one woman minister in the previous cabinet whereas the number in the new cabinet had risen to three and it could go up further. While responding to a questioner on the issue of clashes between rival student groups in educational institutions, Dr Arbab held political parties responsible for the situation and said alleged that they had been resorting to use labour and student forces for meeting their political ends. He advised all political parties to do away with this practice and work towards developing 'civic nationalism' in students. In reply to a question about the recent raid on Prince Cinema and the related matters, the chief minister observed that there had been a 'technical error' in handling the matter. Stressing that women police force should have been involved, he said: "The intention was right but action was not correctly taken." Regarding crimes like theft, dacoities and car-snatching in Karachi, Dr Arbab said that he had a briefing on the use of electronic gadgets and cameras to curb such crimes. -APP
HSC-II (Humanities Private) results Girls clinch top six positions
KARACHI: Girls bagged all the top six positions in the HSC Part-II (Class XII) Humanities (Private) group Annual Examinations-2004 results which was announced by the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) on Monday. The pass percentage this year was 46.16, which is 12.8 per cent higher than the last year’s pass percentage. The pass percentage for male and female candidates is 43.35 and 47.87 respectively. A total of 11,595 candidates, including 7,155 females appeared in the exams out of which some 5,308 candidates, including 3398 girls passed the exams. Sana Zehra secured first position by scoring 857 marks (77.91%) out of total 1,100. Khudaija Tu Zohra scoring 810 marks (73.64%) and Farhana Kausar securing 808 marks (73.45%) clinched second and third position respectively. None of the candidates secured in A-1 grade, seven female candidates passed in A-grade, 239 candidates, including 188 females secured in B-grade, 1519 candidates, including 1,103 passed in C-grade, 2964 candidates, including 1,806 passed in D-grade, 562 candidates, including 288 passed in E-grade. Speaking at a ceremony held at the BIEK, the position holders, who have been getting proper religious education, maintained that securing positions by them had dispelled the generally prevailing impression that students affiliated with religious institutions were incompetent and less qualified in mundane education. They said that the students enrolled at the madressah could fully prove their competency and mettle in the mainstream education, as they are not less in intelligence than students in general schools and colleges. Sana said that despite getting admission to the college she had opted to pursue intermediate-level studies as a private candidate, due to her commitment to religious education. She added that she would continue to study as a private candidate at the graduation-level due to the same reason. Kausar said that studying in an environment of co-education in the university would pose no problem or hindrance for her, as Islam has defined the specifications and boundaries for women in the field of education. She opined that curricula in general had become outdated and obsolete and it should be updated with modern advancements and research. Farhana said that being a regular student at a religious school in the metropolis she had chosen to do intermediate education as a private candidate. Also speaking on the occasion, BIEK Controller of Exams Prof Muhammad Amin Khalid told newsmen that result of Humanities Part-II for private candidates was announced this year some 47 days earlier than the previous year. Chairman BIEK Prof Iftikhar Hussain Zaidi said that girls securing top slots in the exams had shown that they were more laborious and committed with studies. He said that girls now pose a serious and formidable challenge to boys. DIPLOMA RESULT: The BIEK on Monday also announced the results of Diploma in Physical Education Annual Examinations-2004. A total of 24 candidates appeared in the exams out of which 19 passed with pass percentage of 79.17. None of the candidates secured in A-1 or A-grade, three candidates secured in B-grade, nine secured in C-grade, while seven candidates passed in D-grade.
3 LEAs men gunned down in Jacobabad
JACOBABAD: Two Levies and one Balochistan Reserve Police (BRP) officials were killed and one Levies official injured in the firing by dacoits near Dera Mural Jamali on Monday morning. According to reports reaching here, the Levies and BRP officials along with Naib Tehsildar of the Chatter Tehsil of district Naseerabad [Dera Murad Jamali] were on routine patrolling when in the Shehanshah area dacoits opened indiscriminate fire on their vans. Levies’ Bahadur Solangi and BRP’s Noor Bahar Khan were killed on the spot while Levies constable Shaukat Ali Khoso died of injuries in the District Headquarters Hospital, Naseerabad. DPO Nasseerabad along with a heavy contingent of police reached the scene and challenged the dacoits. In the encounter, one more Levies’ official, Allah Dito, was injured, who was rushed to the hospital. Sources said the law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the whole area to arrest the dacoits, and firing from both sides was going on.
RAHIM YAR KHAN: Policemen accused of criminally assaulting singer
RAHIM YAR KHAN, Aug 30: A woman alleged that some 10 policemen had kidnapped and raped her in Sadiqabad. Victim 'R' was going to her house from the market by a motor-rickshaw. On the way, three policemen in plainclothes boarded the vehicle and asked the driver to divert to Rashidabad. Raising objection, the woman insisted the driver to drop her to Zorkot but he paid no heed to her request. Instead the driver took her to a vacant house where she was gang-raped. Later on, the criminals took her to another house near Ghalla Mandi where seven other policemen were waiting for them. They also raped her. The victim identified the two policemen as Nasir Majeed and Zafar. However, the police refused to register a case against their colleagues on the report of the victim's husband. The victim said that she could identify all the accused policemen, but the Sadiqabad City SHO presented some other policemen for identification just to save his colleagues. When contacted, SHO Afzal Lodhi said that Nasir Majeed and Zafar along with other policemen had arranged a party at their house and 'R' was invited there as a singer. During the party, he said the policemen had a monetary dispute with the singer and she fabricated the story with the help of advocate Abdul Sattar. However, the SHO did admit that he had registered a case number 310 on Sunday against two policemen Nasir Majeed and Zafar. Meanwhile, the victim urged the Bahawalpur DIG and Rahim Yar Khan DPO to register a case and take stern action against the accused policemen. This was the second incident in which a singer was allegedly gang-raped by policemen. Earlier, two singers were kidnapped and gang-raped by policemen in Multan a few months ago. They had also identified the accused policemen, but their colleagues saved them by giving a twist to the case. The matter is now under judicial investigation.
3 rockets fired in Bannu
BANNU: Five people, including three kids and two women, were wounded and a telephone exchange partially damaged in a rocket attacks here on the night between Sunday and Monday. Unidentified terrorists fired five rockets into different parts of Bannu city at midnight. One of the rockets landed in the house of Haji Nawab Khan, an Afghan refugee, in Kacheri Gate inside Bannu cantonment. Five members of his family, including his wife Gul Jamala, two sons Shams-ur-Rehman and Nasibullah, a close relative Shafiqa and a minor girl Saima, were injured in the attack. Nasibullah is stated to be in critical condition and has been shifted to Peshawar for treatment. Another rocket also landed in the same locality, partially damaging Faid Khan’s house. The third rocket hit a house near the Government High School No-3. However, no causality was reported in the two attacks.
Bodies of militants handed over
MIRAMSHAH, Aug 30: Military authorities on Monday handed over in Rawalpindi bodies of three 'militants' to tribesmen of North Waziristan. The bodies of Munirullah Borakhel Wazir, Ahmad Hassan Dawar and Azam Khan Borakhel Wazir , were taken to Mirali sub-divisin in North Waziristan for burial. Eyewitnesses said that a large number of people, including students of seminaries, attended the funeral prayers held in Nourak Madressah in Mirali, some 15km east of Miramshah. Four persons were killed and two were captured when security forces conducted a raid on a compound in Bangi Dar area of North Waziristan on Aug 23. The dead were then shifted to Rawalpindi. Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan, the army spokesman, said that three of the four 'militants' were foreigners. However, tribesmen rejected the claim, saying that those killed in the attack were their fellow tribesmen. They demanded that the authorities hand over bodies to them. A delegation of tribal elders and ulema visited Rawalpindi and held talks with the military authorities to get possession of the bodies. Sources quoting the tribal elders said that they could not ascertain the identity of the fourth victim in the mortuary. The elders and ulema have announced that they would observe a strike in North Waziristan on Tuesday against the killing of tribesmen.
No place for terrorism in Islam: speakers
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: Speakers at a conference here on Monday stressed that there was no place for terrorism in Islam, and asked Muslim to forge unity among their ranks to face challenges at national and international level. The participants of the "Maulood-i-Kaaba Conference" also paid tributes to Hazrat Ali (RA). The event had been organized by Central Imam Hussain Committee in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of Hazrat Ali. Those who spoke on the occasion included MNA Dr Ashiq Firdoos, Senator Dilawar Abbas, parliamentary secretary, ministry of education, Jafar Hussain Bukhari, Syed Ghazanfar Mehdi, Pir Naqeeburehman and officials from the Iranian embassy. MNA Dr Ashiq Firdoos said the time had come that "we should mend our differences for ever and unite for the betterment of the country and Muslim world". Parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Education, Jafar Hussain Bukhari, said Muslims had always been the target of terrorism by outsiders, which was due to their inability to understand and follow the true spirit of Islam. Senator Dilawar Abbass said Muslims would never bow before any power, and would sacrifice their lives to save their coming generations from the slavery of the imperialistic powers. He said Pakistan was the back bone of Muslim countries and a strong Pakistan meant strong Muslim world. The speakers also condemned the desecration of holy places in Iraq and accused the US of state terrorism. They said the US had trampled human rights and violated international laws by attacking and destroying Iraq for the sake of occupying its oil reserves and serving the interests of the corporate world. They also condemned the US threats to Iran and said it wanted to occupy Muslim states one after another to safeguard the interests of Israel.
US diplomatic car attacked in Jeddah
JEDDAH, Aug 30: Shots were fired at a US diplomatic car near the consulate in Jeddah on Monday, but there were no injuries, the US embassy said. "There was a Jeddah consulate vehicle that was fired on this morning. There was very minor damage and no one was hurt," an official said, declining to give any details on the occupants of the car or how many people it was carrying.
‘Success in Afghanistan, Iraq to be beginning of end for extremists’
WASHINGTON: US President George W Bush defended his decision to topple Saddam Hussein in an interview broadcast Monday and said success for the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq will mark the "beginning of the end for extremists." "When Iraq emerges as a free society, the people will see the wisdom of the decision we made," Bush told NBC television’s "Today" show. "When they see a free Afghanistan and Iraq emerge, they will understand why we made these decisions," he said in the interview aired to coincide with the opening of his Republican Party’s national convention Monday in New York. "The decision in Iraq was a hard decision," Bush continued. "No doubt in my mind we made the right decision. No doubt in my mind the world is better off with Saddam Hussein in a prison cell." Asked whether the US can win the war on terror, Bush said: "I don’t think you can win it. But I think you can create conditions so that those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world." "I don’t have a definite end (for the war on terror)," the president continued. "But I want to make sure your kids can grow up in a peaceful world. If (you) believe you can’t win, the alternative is to retreat. "We cannot show weakness in this world today, because the enemy will exploit that weakness," Bush said. "It will embolden them and make the world a more dangerous place. "The country must never yield, never show weakness, and must continue to lead to find the al-Qaeda affiliates, who are hiding around the world and who want to harm us, and bring them to justice," Bush said. He said he had never considered what it might have been like to govern without the spectre of terror looming in the background. "I haven’t had that luxury," he said, noting that his presidency "was defined by 9/11. "As I tell the people, every day I wake up thinking about how better to protect America," he said.
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