| DAWN/The News International, KARACHI | 6 March 2002, Wednesday, 21 Zilhaj 1422 |
HYDERABAD: Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convenor of Muttahida Qaumi Movement has said without elections to a new constituent assembly, democracy cannot flourish in the country. Talking to newsmen at the Valima ceremony of the son of Syed Afzal Shah, Central President of All Pakistan Akhbar Faroosh Federation, Farooq Sattar said that the Muttahida would participate in the elections if they were held free and fair in true sense. "The Muttahida has some reservations about the elections and its delegation met the chief election commissioner," he said, adding, however, that party chief Altaf Hussain had directed the party to prepare for the next polls.
Youth shot dead; Afghan couple slaughteredKARACHI: A young man was shot dead and another injured while two Afghan beggars - husband and wife - was murdered in different incidents on Tuesday. Police said unidentified assailants opened fire at 28-year-old Shahid Alam and Khalid, 30, while they were sitting at a Bhaakra restaurant in Kharadar late on Tuesday night. Shaid, who was taken to Civil Hospital in the mobile van of Kharadar police station, succumbed to the wounds during treatment while Khalid, who was taken to the hospital in an Edhi van, was being given treatment till filing of this report. Police held that the attack could be result of some personal dispute.
Unidentified people killed 60-year-old Qari Kamal and his wife Gulnar, 55, in their house in an Afghan camp in Surjani Town. Kamal was slaughtered while his wife's head was smashed to death with some blunt weapon. Police termed the murder of the couple as a result of enmity. Kamal was blind and they were beggars.
BURNS VICTIMS DIE: Shahnawaz, 43, who had received burn wounds a few days ago in Future Colony, Landhi, died at Civil Hospital on Tuesday. He had received the injuries while trying to save his wife whose bed and clothes had caught fire erupting due to burning of a lantern while they were sleeping. His wife is presently in the hospital with 43 per cent burn wounds.
Faisal, 26, who received burn wounds while heating food at his house in Korangi, Sector A-32 on February 8, succumbed to the wounds at the hospital. Shahnaz, 30, apparently burnt while cooking at her house in Majeed Colony Quaidabad on March 1, died at the hospital.
VEHICLES: At least 11 vehicles, including six four wheelers and five motorbikes, were either snatched or stolen from different areas of the city. Three four wheelers and three bikes were snatched on gunpoint, while three four wheelers and two motorcycles were stolen.
Class IX, X exams now from March 29ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday rejected a US State Department report that called its human rights record poor, saying it had taken steps to improve the plight of women and child labourers.
"Despite these developments, the report states 'the government's human rights record remained poor.' This is unacceptable and a gross misstatement of facts," a foreign ministry spokesman said.
In a statement, the spokesman said the state department report cited an April 2000 conference on human rights in Pakistan but "ignored the fact that almost all initiatives announced at the conference have been implemented".
Among Pakistan's achievements in human rights, the spokesman said, was amending the law to enable women of Pakistani descent to claim nationality for children born to foreign husbands.
The spokesman also said Pakistan had ratified International Labour Organisation conventions calling for remuneration for child workers and the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. "The government of Pakistan remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights and will welcome the assistance of friendly countries towards that end," the statement added.