DAWN / NEWS International, Karachi 04 September 1997 Thursday 30 Rabi-us-Sani 1418 Change in Sindh set-up ruled out KARACHI, Sept 3: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the government is implementing a "national plan" to improve the law and order situation. Terming the introduction of Anti-Terrorist Act a part of the plan that had already started bearing fruit, he said elimination of crime from the country was the first priority of his government. The prime minister dispelled an impression about any change in the provincial set-up. "Why there should be a change in the Sindh government when its performance is satisfactory and law and order situation is improving." He was talking to newsmen after inaugurating the Karachi Stock Exchange's Central Depositary System (CDS) at a local hotel here on Wednesday. Later, he presided over a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's House. The meeting, which lasted over 45 minutes, reviewed the law and order situation in the province, with particular reference to Karachi. Sindh Governor Moinuddin Haider, Chief Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Interior Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Finance Minister Sartaj Aziz, Interior Secretary, Home Secretary, Sindh IGP, Rangers DG and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister attended the meeting. MNAs Ejaz Shafi, Humayun Akhtar Khan and Khawaja Asif, who accompanied the Prime Minister during his visit to Karachi, also attended the meeting. After the meeting the Press Assistant to the Prime Minister, Siddiq-ul-Farooq, briefed newsmen. Replying to newsmen's questions after inaugurating the CDS, the prime minister said the government was committed to eradicating terrorism and sectarianism."We want to move forward in a democratic and peaceful manner", he added. He said the government was taking steps to improve the working of the administration, police and agencies. "I am confident that we will achieve this objective," he said. COURTS: Presiding over a law and order meeting, the prime minister issued directives for early setting up of special courts in Sindh. Expressing satisfaction over an improvement in the law and order situation, he appreciated the efforts of the provincial government and the administration in this regard and felicitated senior and junior police officers for arresting terrorists and for containing crimes. The Prime Minister referred to his meeting with the Overseas Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and said there was an impression that a positive change and improvement had come about in the situation, with encouraging investment coming from domestic and foreign investors. However, he issued directives for more close coordination between law enforcement and other agencies. He assured all necessary assistance from the federal government to the provincial government in curbing crimes. He pointed out that the foremost priority of his government was elimination of crimes and to provide a sense of security to citizens. Earlier, Chief Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi briefed the meeting on the law and order situation in the province and said the morale of the law enforcement agencies was "very high." He said efforts were being made to solve problems being faced by police and other law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their professional responsibilities. Besides, he said, the Sindh Government had sanctioned Rs 10 million to Police Foundation for the welfare of its members. The Chief Minister also spoke of the cooperation between police and other agencies which had lately enhanced and said the way the prime minister was taking interest in the affairs of Sindh, had greatly helped the administration, and provided a boost to our spirits. The Interior Secretary briefed the meeting about steps taken to maintain law and order. Sindh Home Secretary Wajid Rana informed the meeting that so far 115 "bhatta collectors" (extortionists) had been arrested, 40 terrorists killed and 44 others nabbed. Those arrested included the killers of two US Consulate officials in Karachi. He further said some 217 dacoits had been killed during encounters with the police in Sindh since January. --------------------------- Operation against terrorists in Karachi: Shujaat RAWALPINDI: Operation would be launched against terrorists in Karachi, Interior Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. All illegal expatriates would not be deported but only those involved in crimes would be targeted. It is not right to force somebody embrace Islam. Investigations into such instances have been ordered and provincial governments should also take notice, said Shujaat Hussain. --------------------------- No operation against MQM, says Nawaz KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the government would effectively implement the 'National Action Plan' for maintaining law and order in the country. Talking to newsmen here, the prime minister said that the government was committed to eliminate terrorism and sectarianism from the country. "We want to move forward in a democratic and peaceful manner," he added. About any possibility of operation against the MQM in Karachi, Nawaz said that there should be 'no such apprehensions'. The government, he maintained, was making efforts to improve the law and order situation for the betterment of the country. The prime minister maintained that the Sindh chief minister was working well and the law and order situation in Karachi was improving. "It is not the chief minister alone, but all persons responsible for maintaining peace should fulfil their assignments in a responsible manner," he stressed. When a newsman inquired whether the government was losing its mandate, the prime minister said: "What do you mean. These are also rumours that we read in newspapers." Our correspondent adds: The prime minister, who chaired a high-level meeting on the law and order situation in Sindh, directed to set up special courts in the province so that terrorists and other criminals could be convicted immediately. This was stated by the press secretary to the prime minister while briefing newsmen after the meeting was held at the Chief Minister's House here. Nawaz said that elimination of crime in the country and protection of lives and property of law-abiding citizens were the top priorities of the government. In this regard, he said, the federal government would provide all possible assistance to the provincial government. The prime minister also pointed out that the law-enforcement agencies should increase their coordination further with other agencies, in order to reduce criminal activities. He also appreciated the administration and the chief minister for improving the law and order situation. According to the secretary, Nawaz also quoted some foreign investors, who had met him on Wednesday and said they too understood that the situation had improved. Those who attended the meeting included Sindh Governor Lt Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider, Chief Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Federal Minister Sartaj Aziz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Shujaat, the secretary interior, the home secretary, the director general Rangers and the IG Police Sindh. The prime minister was informed during the meeting that so far 115 extortionists, 40 terrorists and dacoits, and 44 other criminals had been arrested, while those allegedly involved in the killing of US consulate officials in Karachi had also been arrested. The meeting was also told that 217 dacoits were killed during encounters with the police in the province. Giving an account of the prevailing situation, the chief minister observed that the morale of the law-enforcement agencies personnels was high. He said that measures were also taken to solve the problems facing the police and other law-enforcement agencies while encountering crime. ---------------------- Farooq protests MQM's exclusion from meeting KARACHI, Sept 3: "Another violation has been committed by the coalition partners by not inviting the MQM at the meeting held to review the law and order situation under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the CM House", said Senior Sindh Minister Dr Farooq Sattar on Wednesday. Talking to this reporter on telephone, Dr Sattar said that he was not sure whether any MQM legislator met the Prime Minister during his brief visit to Karachi. He, however, added that Sardar Ahmed, Finance Advisor to the chief minister of Sindh, ran into the prime ministerial delegation as he happened to be at the CM House in connection with some task assigned to him by Mr Jatoi. Replying to a question, Dr Sattar said he was invited to the inauguration ceremony of Central Depository System held at a local hotel, but since the function had not begun upon his arrival there, he left after registering his attendance with the host, Arif Habib, also chairman of the board of directors of Central Depository Company. ---------------------- MQM team apprises CJ of apprehensions KARACHI, Sept 3: The Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, passed by parliament on Aug 13 is likely to be misused and the powers given to the law enforcing agencies under this law are extraordinary. These apprehensions were expressed by a delegation of the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement which called on Chief Justice of Pakistan Sajjad Ali Shah at his chambers in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Deputy Convenor of the MQM Senator Aftab Shaikh told this reporter over telephone from Islamabad that the MQM delegation besides the Senator himself comprised Sindh ministers for Labour and Education Shoaib Bokhari and Qazi Khalid Ali respectively. Relaying their reservations to Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, the MQM delegates said the Anti-Terrorism Act gave extraordinary powers to police which is already accused of staging fake encounters and extrajudicial killings. Sen Shaikh said that there was no guarantee that the people will be safe against police atrocities if this law is implemented. Referring to the suo motu proceedings initiated by the Chief Justice to probe the law and order situation in Sindh and Punjab, Sen Shaikh said that the constitution of a larger bench comprising three judges had been ordered by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, but so far the judges had not been nominated. Later, on the directive of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, the delegation visited the British High Commission on his behalf to record deep sympathy and grief on the demise of Princess of Wales Lady Diana. The delegates recorded their sentiments in the condolence book. Sen Shaikh also informed this reporter that he would approach Federal Minister for Information Mushahid Hussain on Thursday "to protest the manner in which the MQM has been totally ignored on the PTV". Dilating upon this, he said that not only other coalition partners of the PML such as the ANP but even the members of the opposition PPP were invited by the PTV to take part in discussions on various issues, "but the MQM has been meted out a discriminatory treatment". Replying to a question about the PML-MQM Coordination Committee meeting held at the Chief Minister House on Tuesday evening to review the implementation of accord between the two parties, Sen Shaikh said a number of issues were discussed with Chief Minister Sindh Liaquat Jatoi who presided over the meeting. The MQM delegates - Sen Shaikh and Sen Ajmal Dehlvi - complained to Mr Jatoi about the delay in provision of paraphernalia, i.e office, staff, to the judicial commission established to probe the extrajudicial killings in urban areas of Sindh. Sen Shaikh said he apprised the chief minister that no funds had been placed at the disposal of the Compensation Committee set up to look into the cases where people lost their lives or were maimed during the Operation Cleanup in Sindh. He said though the committee had forwarded a list of people who suffered during the said operation, owing to non-availability of funds the compensation procedure had come to a standstill. According to Sen Shaikh, replying to his objection regarding the MQM's exclusion from meetings held to review the law and order situation, Chief Minister Jatoi said that since he himself held the portfolio of home minister, he represents all coalition partners at these meetings. Sen Shaikh, however, informed Mr Jatoi that the MQM would prefer that at least one of its representatives should be invited to these meetings. The MQM delegates also discussed the continued existence of the "no-go areas" during the meeting. Sen Shaikh said the meeting which was held in a cordial atmosphere decided to strengthen the democratic system in the country and to thwart all conspiracies to destabilise the coalition government. Provincial Ministers for Law, and Excise and Taxation Salim Zia and Ismail Rahoo, respectively, were also present during the meeting. ---------------------- PIA downsizes by closing three offices in US NEW YORK: After taking huge losses of more than $3 million due to faulty decisions by its corporate officers, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to downsize its operations in the US. PIA offices in Boston, Los Angeles and Detroit are being closed within the next few weeks, sources told The News. The Chairman PIA, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, was in New York on a short trip and is believed to have given the green signal for the closure of three offices. No estimates of the closing costs are available. In terms of manpower, at least three Pakistan-based and three locally-appointed staff members are likely to loose their jobs. No downsizing of the staff or operational costs in New York, Chicago and Washington DC is in sight. The PIA has lost more than three million dollars during the last 12 months on its ill-planned experiment of flights to Washington and Chicago. Now, the PIA has closed flights to these two destinations and reverted to its previous flight schedule with New York as the terminating point in the US. "The PIA was spending about $45,000 to $50,000 per flight to Washington and Chicago while the passenger load from these points would range from 20 to 30 passengers per flight, at the most. The add-on fare between Chicago and New York was only $150 per passenger. It was a question of simple economics that we were making $3,000 in revenues by spending $45,000. No market was developed and no revenue increase was planned. Now, the PIA is licking its wounds without even investigating the reasons and holding anyone responsible for such faulty decisions." A source told The News, "By closing these three offices, the PIA will loose all its money and time invested in building these three distant areas. Some travel agent will be given PSA and other concessions to pick the fruits of PIA's labour. The fate of Pakistan-based employees of the PIA in these three offices is yet unknown." ---------------------- Four killed in incidents KARACHI: Four people, including an aged woman, were killed while two others were injured in different incidents on Wednesday. Altaf Hussain (14), a milk seller, was killed when his horse-driven cart was knocked down by a hit-and-run truck in Quaidabad. An unidentified 80-year-old woman was crushed to death by a speeding minibus at Shahra-e-Firdous in Clifton while she was crossing the road. Yaqoob Maseeh, 40, was cut to death by a passenger train at Cantt Railway Station, while he was crossing the tracks. Saleem Maseeh, 30, a sweeper by profession, was electrocuted, while he was cleaning the floor of a factory in Korangi Industrial Area. Naushad and Imran, employees of City Bank, received injuries when their motorcycle collided with a bus near Habib Bank Plaza in Mithadar. Meanwhile, Muhammad Saleem, 23, who had received burn wounds when a kerosine oil stove burst and his clothes caught fire in his home in Naushero Feroz on Tuesday and was admitted to Civil Hospital, Karachi, expired on Wednesday. ---------------------- Two injured by robbers, 15 vehicles snatched KARACHI: Unidentified armed men injured two people at a hospital during an attempted robbery, besides eight people were relieved of cash and valuables at gunpoint, while 15 vehicles were snatched from different parts of the city on Wednesday. The armed men also injured two people on their resistance. Four armed men broke into the Fatima Bai Hospital in Azizabad and held all the patients and their attendants hostage at gunpoint, ordering them to hand them over their cash and valuables. Faheem and Muhammad Yousuf, however, offered resistance upon which the gunmen opened fire on them and fled after leaving them in a pool of blood. Unidentified armed men looted Rs 50,000 from the cashier of a local company in Quaidabad; Rs 18,000, jewellery and other valuables from a house in Jamshed Quarters; Rs 50,000 and a Suzuki pick-up (KG-5099) from the owner of a godown in Mehmoodabad; cash, gold ornaments and electrical appliances from the residence of Beena Qazi in Clifton; Rs 26,860 from Aqeel Ahmed in Tamuria area; Rs 7,000 from Muhammad Hussain in Gulshan-e-Iqbal; a revolver from Zubair Khan in Jauharabad and Rs 160,000, jewellery and other valuables from a house in Bahadurabad. ---------------------- Man killed, two injured KARACHI: A man was killed in a clash near Sagheer Centre in Jauharabad in the early hours of Wednesday , while two persons were injured. Sikandar Baig, 27, received bullet wounds when Amir Baig after exchanging hot words opened fire on him near Sagheer Centre. Sikandar was being taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in critical condition, however, he expired on way to the hospital. According to police, the father of deceased Sikandar has lodged an FIR that Amir tried to snatch cash from his son and when he resisted the accused opened fire and fled. ---------------------- Bandit, baker injured KARACHI: Owner of a bakery and a bandit were injured in a shootout in Darakshan in the late hours of Wednesday. Kaleemullah, owner of Bismillah Bakery in Darakshan, was returning to his residence after closing his shop, when he reached his vehicle five armed men riding a car intercepted him and ordered him to hand over all the valuables, when he shouted for help, armed men opened fire on him. On hearing the fire shots a mobile of Darakshan police reached the spot. Armed men when saw the police opened fire, police returned the fire and in the shootout an armed man received injuries, while four of his accomplices managed to escape. The injured was rushed to the JPMC in critical condition, where he was identified as Sadiq. ---------------------- Bandit killed, cop hurt in encounter KARACHI: An alleged bandit was killed while a cop received injuries in a brief encounter with Surjani Town police on Wednesday. Police claimed to have recovered a shot gun from bandit. According to details, four armed men were roaming suspiciously on foot in sector 7 near House No 652 in Surjani Town. A mobile of Surjani Town police station asked them to stop. Armed men, however, opened fire which resulted in injuries to a constable Tahir. His colleagues when saw him injured opened fire which caused injuries to an armed man, while his three accomplices managed to escape. The injured, who was about 30 years of age, was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in critical condition, where he expired. ---------------------- Five arrested, vehicles recovered KARACHI: The Jauharabad police on Wednesday arrested three people in two raids, allegedly involved in robbery and vehicles snatching cases. Police also claimed that they recovered a snatched car, one motorcycle and two TT pistols from their possession. According to details, two armed men were roaming suspiciously in a Suzuki Margala (AAB-746) near Yousuf Plaza in Jauharabad police jurisdiction. When police gave them signal to stop the armed men sped away. However, police chased them and arrested both of them. During interrogation, the accused disclosed their names as Ashiq Maseeh and Yaqub Maseeh. In the same police jurisdiction two armed men snatched a motorcycle (KCC-7409) from Muhammad Tariq and injured him on his resistance. When informed, the mobile of Jauharabad police reached the spot and arrested Faraz, while his accomplice Shahdab managed to escape. Meanwhile, the Risala police arrested two people including a woman, allegedly involved in forgery cases. The accused, identified as Nadeem Rabbani and Fakhira, were arrested from a park in Risala police limits. ---------------------- HSC-II (pre-engg) results: boys clinch top slots KARACHI: A neck to neck contest was observed between the top position holders in the HSC Part-II Science group (pre engineering) annual examination '97. There was a difference of only three marks between the first and third position holders. The Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi, announced the results on Wednesday, with a pass percentage of 42.54, which is 3.31 per cent lower than that of last year. In all 13,115 candidates, including 1,859 females, took up the examinations. Those declared to have passed were 5,580, including 941 females. Adamjee Govt Science College regained the glory of '95 when its three students held the top positions. This year, Noman Hai, Roll No 77268, clinched the first position securing 955, out of 1100 marks, Syed Adnan Shahab, (77301) bagged second position securing 954 marks and Muhammad Khurram Rasheed Khan (77240) securing 952 marks held third position. The number of A-1 and A graders further decreased this year. According to BIE statistics the total number of A-1 and A graders remained 650, while it was 804 in '96 and 756 in '95. This year the female candidates' pass percentage (50.62%) remained higher than the males (41.21%). In all 1,859 females appeared in the exam and 941 were declared to have passed. Results of 48 were withheld either for want of correct/complete information or on account of "resorting to unfair means". Marks statement would be issued after two weeks, said a BIE notification. The grade-wise breakdown of candidates is as follows: Males : A-1 Grade: 69(0.61%), A Grade: 450(3.99%), B Grade: 920(8.17%), C Grade: 1,394(12.38%), D Grade: 1,596(14.18%), E Grade: 174(1.54%) and Pass: 36(0.32%). Females : A-1 Grade: 18(0.97%), A Grade: 113(6.07%), B Grade: 284 (15.27%), C Grade: 340(18.28%), D Grade: 174(09.35%), E Grade: 01 (0.33%) and Pass: 47(0.36%). The first position in the female candidates' merit list went to Qurat-ul-Ain AhmAd, Roll No 83903 of St Joseph's Govt College. She secured 923 marks. Tayyaba Matloob Husain (83821) of PECHS Govt College for Women got second position, while Rabia Iqbal (84589) of DHA Degree College for Women, got third position. ---------------------- SSP leader produced in court LAHORE, Sept 3: Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan leader Maulana Azam Tariq, brought to Lahore on Tuesday night, was produced before special court judge Sardar Mashkoor Ahmad, hearing the sessions court bomb blast case , on Wednesday. The SSP leader, however, did not record his statement. He submitted that he would make a statement after engaging a lawyer and consulting the complainant, a brother of the late Maulana Ziaur Rahman Farooqui. He said he would record his statement in both the cases registered against the accused (at Islampura and Mughalpura police stations). The judge adjourned the hearing of the case till Friday when Maulana Azam Tariq would record his statement. The hearing is taking place at the Kot Lakhpat jail. ---------------------- Farmers accuse 'mango king' of causing losses HYDERABAD: Farmers and landlords of Kot Ghulam Mohammad taluka have accused 'mango king', Rafi Kachelo, for his monopoly over irrigation water which led to an acute shortage of irrigation water in the tail-end areas causing more than a Rs. 300-million-loss to them. The farmers and landlords, including Mir Ali Ahmed Talpur, Mehboob Ahmed and Mohammad Jameel, said this at a joint press conference on Tuesday. They further said that the influential landlord was stealing irrigation water and ultimately there was none left for their crops in the tail-end areas. Because of the shortage of water various crops had been destroyed. They stressed that since 22 water courses were facing an adequate shortage of water, standing crops over an area of 12,000 acres had been destroyed causing them insurmountable loss. They said that despite providing sufficient proof to the authorities, no action had yet been taken against Rafi Kachelo. They further said that the administration was backing him rather than launching an investigation against him. ---------------------- MAC protests over custodial deaths HYDERABAD: More than a dozen people, belonging to the Minority Action Committee (MAC), observed a token hunger strike in front of the Press Club Hyderabad on Tuesday to protest against the custodial deaths of Chanesar Palari and Finyas Maseeh at the hands of the Bhittai Nagar police. The MAC Dadu District President, Javed Shana, alleged that the country had become a police state and police personnel, who were bound to protect the lives of the people, were instead killing them by torturing the capives. ---------------------- Anti-Terrorism Act challenged KARACHI, Sept 3: The Sindh High Court Bar Association has filed a petition in the High Court of Sindh challenging the Anti- Terrorism Act of 1997, passed by the National Assembly and the Senate last month on the eve of the 50th birth of Pakistan, on the ground that the country's constitution and the Act cannot go together. The petition has been filed by the secretary of the SHCBA, Latif-ur-Rahman Khan Survey, through the president of the association, Syed Sami Ahmed, who will appear as counsel. The petitioner has maintained in the first such petition filed in the province of Sindh that the Act is a clear violation of fundamental rights conferred upon the people of Pakistan under the Constitution. "This piece of legislation on the face of it is violative Article 13 and 14 of the Constitution. It violates the dignity of man and privacy of home, which empowers the law enforcement agencies to extract confession by the application of torture," the petitioner submitted through his counsel. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, aims at converting Pakistan into a full-fledged police state, throwing the people at the mercy of those who are reputed to be indulging in extrajudicial killings and human rights violations, the petition filed on Wednesday said. The petitioner has challenged the Act as being unconstitutional, void, inoperative and ultra vires of fundamental rights as guaranteed, on the following grounds: - The impugned Act clearly offends the principles and provisions of Article 2-A of the Constitution which has guaranteed fundamental rights including equality of status, of opportunity and before law, social, economic and political justice; - That the Act further comes in conflict with Article 13(b) of the Constitution which clearly postulates that no person shall, when accused of an offence, be compelled to witness against himself; - That in view of the provisions of Article 13(b) of the Constitution, it has already been held by the Supreme Court in the case of Ameer Khatoon vs Faiz Ahmad, as reported in PLD 1991, Supreme Court, page 787. - That the Act clearly negates Article 38 of the Qanoon-i- Shahadat, 1984, which clearly prohibits the confession to a police officer, as it says that no confession made to a police officer shall be proved as against the person accused of any offence; - That the impugned piece of legislation is a clear infringement of Article 14(2) of the constitution. The fundamental rights conferred by virtue of Article 14(2) clearly lays down that no person shall be subjected to torture for the purpose of extracting evidence; - That the Act further suffers from a grave constitutional defect, as neither the President nor Parliament is competent to make any law that takes away or abridges the rights conferred upon the people by way of fundamental rights under Article 8 of the Constitution and further that any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of such contravention, be void; - That the minute appraisal of the Act clearly demonstrate that it is in fact violative of the entire chapter of fundamental rights and principles of policy, that is being so, it amounts to abrogation vis-a-vis subversion of the constitution in terms of Article 6 thereof. According to the new law, the law enforcement agencies have been given unlimited powers to combat terrorism, including the power to fire or order the firing upon any person or persons, in case any person is committing or in all probability is likely to commit a terrorism act or a schedule offence. Other features included in the law are that any member of the law enforcement agencies may arrest, without warrant, any person who has committed an act of terrorism or against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed or is about to commit any such act. The Act provides that any law enforcement officer can enter and search, without warrant, any premises, to make any arrest or to take possession of any property, firearm, weapon or article used, or like to be used in the commission of any terrorist act. The Act under Section 26 empowers a police officer to extract a confession from an accused in his custody in the following terms: "Notwithstanding anything contained in the Qanoon-i-Shahadat, 1984 (P.O. 10 of 1984), a confession made by a person accused of an offence punishable under Section 7 of section 8 of this Act or an offence covered by sub-paragraph 3 of the schedule to this Act, or robbery or dacoity with murder or rape before a police officer not below the rank of a deputy superintendent of police may be proved against such a person. Provided that a special court may for admission of the confession in evidence, require the police officer to produce a video tape together with the devices used for recording the confession. ---------------------- Rs 238m lost in duty, tax exemptions on vehicles ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was deprived of a hefty amount of Rs 238 million through import duty and other taxes exempted on 48 luxury vehicles imported by dignitaries since 1985. The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that the list of beneficiaries, who availed the privileged opportunity of importing duty-free vehicles, contains the names of late president General Zia-ul-Haq, former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Chairman Senate Wasim Sajjad, former prime ministers late Muhammad Khan Junejo, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Benazir Bhutto, former chief ministers Syed Abdullah Shah, Aftab Sherpao, Sardar Arif Nakai and Nawab Zulfiqar Maqsi, and others. Benazir availed the privilege twice. Out of 48, three vehicles were imported by the presidents, four by the prime ministers, 22 by the governors and acting governors, four by the chief ministers and 15 by the chiefs of the Armed Forces. The chief justice is not entitled to import duty-free car. The government, however, has withdrawn the privilege of importing duty-free vehicles by the highups of the country. Parliamentary Secretary on Finance Kamil Agha told the National Assembly that no member of the ruling party had imported a duty-free car. "It is not atradition of the Muslim Leaguers to import duty-free cars. Nawaz Sharif neither as a prime minister nor as a chief minister imported any vehicle," he added. The details tabled in the Lower House suggest that former presidents General Zia-ul-Haq imported Mercedez Benz 300 ACL 1986 for Rs 464,088 after getting exemption of Rs 2,329,722; Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Mercedez Benz 300D for Rs 929,433 saving Rs 4,804,000; and Wasim Sajjad, Mercedez Benz S-320 3000cc 1994 model for Rs 2,088,866, saving Rs 6,616,901; Former prime ministers Muhammad Khan Junejo, Mercedez Benz 300SEL 1986 for Rs 5,46,850, saving Rs 27,45,187; Benazir Bhutto, Mercedez Benz 500SEL 5000cc 1989 for Rs 14,06,080, saving 70,58,522; Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Mercedez Benz 300 SEL 3000cc 1991 for Rs 10,63,506, saving Rs 54,96,096; and Benazir Bhutto, Mercedez Benz 600S 6000cc 1991 for Rs 27,86,950, saving Rs 88,28,222; Governors/acting governors General Jahandad Khan, Mercedez Benz 300D 2500cc 1986 for Rs 2,92,335, saving 14,67,522; Lt General K K Afridi, Mercedez Benz 300D 3000cc for Rs 5,03,596, saving Rs 25,28,052; Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Hoti, Mercedez Benz 300 SEL 3000cc 1986 for Rs 5,56,320, saving Rs 27,92,726; Makhdoom Muhammad Sajjad Hussain Qureshi, Mercedez Benz 300E 3000cc 1986 for Rs 4,69,440, saving Rs 23,56,588; General Muhammad Musa, Mercedez Benz 300D 3000 cc for Rs 5,05,931, saving Rs 29,01,645; Fida Muhammad Khan, Mercedez Benz 300D 3000 cc 1987 for Rs 5,78,017, saving Rs 29,01,645; Justice (retd) Qadeeruddin Ahmed, Toyota Corolla XL-II-1300 cc 1988 for Rs 1,56,859, saving 3,03,130; Ashraf Tabani, Mercedez Benz 260E 2600 cc 1986 for Rs 56,135, saving Rs 32,93,798; Amir Gulistan Janjua, Mercedez Benz 300D 3000cc 1989 for Rs 8,05,360, saving Rs 31,35,993; Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, Mercedez Benz 260E 3000cc 1990 for Rs 8,71,500, saving Rs 43,74,930; General (retd) Tikka Khan, Mercedez Benz 300SE 3000cc 1991 for Rs 8,35,056, saving Rs 43,16,165; Mehmood A Haroon, Mitsubishi Pajero 2446 cc 1991 for Rs 4,53,200, saving Rs 6,40,145; Mian Muhammad Azhar, Mercedez Benz 300SEL 3000 cc 1992 for Rs 13,14,328, saving Rs 74,53,881; Sardar Gul Muhammad Khan Jogezai, Mercedez Benz 300SEL 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 17,84,270, saving Rs 94,31,613; late Chaudhry Muhammad Altaf Hussain, Mercedez Benz 5320L 3000 cc 1993 for Rs 16,25,000, saving Rs 53,46,250; Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Iqbal, Toyota Corona 1994 for Rs 4,92,095, saving Rs 8,41,040; Chaudhry Muhammad Altaf Hussain, Mercedez Benz SO320L 1994 for Rs 16,75,190, saving Rs 51,51,209; Maj Gen (retd) Khurshid Ali Khan, Mercedez Benz 250D 2500 cc 1994 for Rs 11,14,505, saving Rs 34,28,775; Brig (retd) Sardar A Rahim Durrani, Mercedez Benz S-320-L 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 21,26,451, saving Rs 65,42,027; Lt Gen (retd) Imranullah Khan, Mercedez Benz S-320 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 21,89,469, saving Rs 71,84,743; Kamaluddin Azfar, Mercedez Benz E-300D 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 15,49,064, saving Rs 67,29,103; and Lt Gen (retd) Raja Saroop Khan, Mercedez Benz S-320L 1996 for Rs 23,30,287, saving Rs 83,58,503. Former chief ministers: Syed Abdullah Shah, Mercedez Benz S320L 3000 cc for Rs 26,56,912, saving Rs 11,102,016; Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, Mercedez Benz S32CL 3000 cc 1996 for Rs 24,74,395, saving Rs 10,117,237; Sardar Arif Nakai, Mercedez Benz S320L 3000 cc 1996 for Rs 27,71,807, saving Rs 1,18,71,655; and Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Austin Martin Coupe Automatic 1996 for Rs 39,63,514, saving Rs 14,749,462. Chiefs of the Armed Forces: Admiral Tariq Kamal Khan, Chief of Naval Staff, Mercedez Benz 250D-2500 cc 1985 for Rs 1,94,000, saving Rs 11,49,450; General Khalid Mehmood Arif, Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, Mercedez Benz 250D-2500 cc 1987 for Rs 4,09,667, saving Rs 20,56,528; Air Chief Marshal Jamal Ahmed Khan, Honda Accord 1600 cc 1988 for Rs 2,27,324, saving Rs 6,38,780; Gen Akhtar Abdul Rehman, Chairman JCSC HQ, Mercedez Benz 260E 2600 cc 1988 for Rs 6,88,585, saving Rs 34,56,696; Admiral Iftikhar A Sirohey, Chief of Naval Staff, Mercedez Benz 260E 2600 cc 1989 for Rs 6,78,327, saving Rs 34,05,202; General Mirza Aslam Baig, Chief of Army Staff, Mercedez Benz 230E 2300 cc 1989 for Rs 5,18,735, saving Rs 26,04,049; Air Chief Marshal Hakeemullah, Mercedez Benz 260E 2600 cc for Rs 7,08,022, saving Rs 35,54,270; Admiral Yasturul Haq, Chief of Naval Staff, Mercedez Benz 260E 2600 cc 1992 for Rs 8,12,000, saving Rs 4,19,725; Nuzhat Asif w/o late Gen Asif Nawaz, Mercedez Benz S-500 5000 cc 1993 for Rs 24,17,506, saving Rs 76,57,934; Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroz Khan, Mercedez Benz CE-2500 3000cc 1993 for Rs 12,00,242, saving Rs 38,02,022; Admiral Saeed Muhammad Khan, Chief of Naval Staff, Mercedez Benz E-250 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 13,02,357, saving Rs 42,84,754; General Abdul Waheed, Chief of Army Staff, Mercedez Benz E-300 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 14,11,974, saving Rs 50,54,866; Gen Jehangir Karamat, Chief of Army Staff, Mercedez Benz E-300 3000 cc 1994 for Rs 12,29,311, saving Rs 44,82,375; Admiral Mansurul Haq, Chief of Naval Staff, Mercedez Benz S320L 3000 cc 1997 for Rs 3,535,473, saving Rs 11,531,175; and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Abbas Khattak, Mercedez Benz S320L 3000cc 1997 for Rs 2,023,847, saving Rs 6,701,088. ---------------------- Turkish F-16s arrive ISLAMABAD: Four F-16 fighter aircraft, belonging to the Turkish Air Force, flew into Pakistan on Wednesday to participate in ceremonies marking the country's Defence Day, the defence sources said. The contingent, which includes 49 personnel, will perform aerobatics on the Pakistan Air Force day being observed on Sunday, they said. The Turkish government has sent the team in a show of "solidarity and deep feelings of brotherhood" for the people of Pakistan during the country's Golden Jubilee Celebrations. ----------------------