DAWN / NEWS International, Karachi 21 September 1997 Sunday 18 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1418 Conditions in Karachi not conducive to conduct fair census: Palijo THATTA: "The existence of Sindh is at the most critical juncture because of two death warrants being issued by the present PML-N government. One is the conspiracy to construct the Kalabagh dam and the second is population census aimed at turning Sindh into slavery forever". The was stated by Chief of Awami Tehreek Rasool Bux Palijo while addressing meet-the press at the Press Club Thatta on Saturday evening. He said that PPP was equally involved in this conspiracy as despite having big mandate from Sindh in its tenure, the PPP and its leadership failed to cancel these projects. He said that NWFP and Balochistan were also being rounded up on various pretexts to favor these anti-Sindh projects. He said that the present the government, by taking undue advantage of its controversial big mandate, had decided to institute these most dangerous and disastrous steps for Sindh. He said Sindhis worshipped Benazir Bhutto and voted for PPP but it forgot the problems of Sindh and indulged into loot and plunder and betrayed the voters. He said that PML-N and PPP had given districts and talukas to waderas and their jagirdars and allowed them to rob, loot, and commit atrocities over poor masses like Mughul jagirdars. He said all local bodies were being eaten up by pro-government people leaving the cities and towns into archaeological heaps. He said that Benazir always wanted sycophants around her who had now left her. He said at present the government belongs to tillers of Sindh as Nawaz Sharif and men around her were the worst enemies of Sindhis. He said through Kalabagh dam, they would keep the key of Indus river and choke Sindh forever and by bogus census they would turn the Sindhis into a minority so as to make them slaves forever. He said the riot in Agricultural University Tando Jam and Latif University and postponement of examinations was a part of this conspiracy. He appealed to the Sindh governor that being Chancellor he should take notice and take measures to restore peace and conduct examination in time. He said the tussle between Sindhis and Balochis was also master minded by anti-Sindhis. To a question, Palijo said that the conditions in Karachi were not conducive to conduct fair census even by army. He said that Karachi was under the grip of terrorists who would never allow fair census, asking that which teacher would write the figure of family less when told by a terrorist. He said the census in Karachi would definitely be bogus. He accused Interior Minister Chaudhry Shujaat of threatening to legalize illegal immigrant to be enrolled into the census. Palijo condemned the baton charge on journalists in Karachi an said it was an attack upon freedom of thought. -------------------------------- Nine students hurt in clash at NED University KARACHI: At least nine students were injured at the NED University of Engineering and Technology when two groups of students affiliated with APMSO and PSA clashed on Saturday. The number of injured students could rise as some students did not turn up at the university's dispensary. Rangers emergency squad reached the scene after about half an hour and detained students from both sides. Reason for the clash could not be known immediately. According to an eyewitness, the brawl took place at around 1 pm and continued for about 40 minutes. Students used bottles, stones and batons as well as metal rods against each other. They also smashed glass panels of various departments, girls' common room, canteen, as well as of the administration block. Registrar of the university, Ghulam Qadir Shah, also received a cut on his forehead when he tried to calm down the angry students along with university staff and two Rangers personnel, but failed to convince them. At one stage, when two Rangers personnel were surrounded by infuriated students, they resorted to aerial shooting. During the brawl near the administration block one security staff of the university was also beaten. Later in the day, Vice Chancellor Abul Kalam called from Islamabad and talked to the registrar and Prof Qidwai and gave them necessary instructions, said sources and added that he also suggested closing down the university on Monday so that tension could be defused. One university official observed that tension mounted at the campus on September 17 when a group of students was denied permission to celebrate birthday of MQM chief Altaf Hussain on the campus as, according to authorities, it was against the norms and could threaten peace at the campus. Following the denial, a group of students resorted to teasing the group which was disappointed over the refusal and since then a tense situation was prevailing. Sensing danger, the Rangers were informed, said one official. The university doctor said among those who reported to his clinic, Umar Shaikh and Zaheer had deep wounds and were rushed to the JPMC. He said two more ambulances were called from outside the university for sending the remaining injured students to hospitals, but majority of the students left after receiving first aid. Rangers picked up about 30 students from the campus but released some of them after initial enquiries, said one source in the campus. It was further learnt that an MQM MPA also talked to some university officials to enquire about the conflict and its consequences. He also requested the teachers to play their role in maintaining peace. Soon after the hooliganism all exit points of the campus were closed and kept under vigilance of Rangers who allowed the students to leave around 3 pm. The security personnel checked the students' belongings and allowed them to leave after confirming their identities. When a group of students was asked by this scribe whether the university should be closed for some period, they viewed that it should be closed in order to defuse the tension. However, an administrative staff said closure should be avoided as it would encourage the people with ulterior motives. Meanwhile, APMSO in a press statement, while condemning the incident, stated that PSA men attacked their workers while they were coming out after appearing in examinations. Those who were injured included: Zakir, Ali, Tariq, Nauman and Asif, while some of the APMSO workers have been arrested and transferred to unknown place, added the statement. -------------------------------- Two sweepers drown, boy killed in road accident KARACHI: Two sweepers drowned in a manhole, while a boy was killed in a road accident on Saturday. Two sweepers, Rafaqat and Sabir Masih, died in the jurisdiction of Korangi Industrial Area. Sources said that both the deceased along with their third colleague Shafqat were cleaning a manhole in sector 7 of Korangi when they fell unconscious because of suffocation. They were taken out from the manhole by the area residents and were shifted to the JPMC. Rafaqat and Sabir were, however, pronounced dead at the hospital while Shafqat was admitted. Saulat, 15, was killed in a road accident in the jurisdiction of Artillery Maidan police limits. Sources said that he was going on his motorcycle with his friend Aamir. When they reached Shaheen Complex a truck ran over their motorbike resulting in injuries to both of them. The driver, however, managed to flee along with the truck. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital, however, Saulat expired on the way. Ayub was injured in the limits of Khwaja Ajmer Nagri police. Sources claimed that the injured received bullet wounds from his own pistol. Further details were not available till the filing of this report. Labourers fall to death: Noor Bacha (17) and Bakht Zaman (18), labourers by profession, were killed when they fell from an under-construction building at Rashid Minhas Road in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Their bodies were brought to the JPMC by their colleagues. Shabana (3) was injured when a wall of her house fell on her in Korangi. Her relativist took her to Sindh Government Hospital in Korangi from where she was shifted to JPMC. -------------------------------- 4 held on robbery charges KARACHI: The Clifton police on Saturday arrested a man allegedly involved in robbery case, while the Korangi Industrial Area police arrested three accused on the same charges. The Korangi Industrial Area police arrested three people including Gulfam, Pervez, and Sanaullah. Sources said that the accused were hiding in the bushes near the Gabol Goth when a police team patrolling the area reached the spot. The police signalled them to stop but accused tried to flee. Police, however, overpowered them. During their search, a TT pistol was recovered from them. The police have registered a case. The Clifton police arrested Abdul Ghaffar. Sources said that three accused barged into the office of Jauhar Enterprises, located on 24th Zamzama Street. In the meantime, a DSP Altaf Quadri passed through the spot. When he saw three suspected people, he ordered them to stop. Two of them, however, managed to escape while the third one was arrested by the police. Later the accused was handed over to Clifton police. The police claimed to have recovered a pistol from him. Cop overpowers bike snatcher: A man was killed while a policeman received injuries in an incident of motorbike snatching in the limits of Model Colony police on Saturday. ASI Amir of Gulshan Base was on his way to the Gulshan Base on his motorbike (KCJ-9104). When he reached the D-2 area of Saudabad near Model Colony graveyard two unidentified people intercepted him and tried to take him into the graveyard. However, the ASI managed to overpower one of the accused. The other person, however, opened fire which killed his accomplice while the ASI also got injured. The accused managed to flee after the incident. The injured and the dead were taken to the JPMC . -------------------------------- 21 vehicles taken away KARACHI, Sept 20: Carjackers and motorcycle-lifters on Saturday took away 21 vehicles, including six motorcycles, in different parts of the city. The automobiles were commandeered in the police limits of Sharifabad (KE-4790), Nazimabad (KG-0485, ABA-960 and W-7452), Gulbahar (PH-2527), Pirabad (JL-1422), Gulberg (PH-0411), Bahadurabad (T-0604), Azizabad (CK-1559), Clifton (AAN-777 and C- 4251), Soldier Bazaar (H-2732), Preedy (W-7452), Gulshan-i-Iqbal (AAb-3787), Darakhshan (AAP-718) and Artillery Maidan (D-0834). The motorcycles were taken away in the police limits of Artillery Maidan (KCI-8955), Gulshan-i-Iqbal (KCI-5671), Azizabad (KCK-5306), Sharifabad (KCA-5212), Garden (KCC-7320) and Gulbahar (KCK-8820). -------------------------------- Man stabbed to death, body found KARACHI: A man was stabbed to death, the police found a man's bullet-riddled corpse, while a man was injured in a firing incident on Saturday. Amir was stabbed to death in Mauripur police precinct. The sources said he worked at a cattle pen in the area and Nasir, Kamran, Adnan and Master Razzaq were his colleagues. They developed a dispute and after a row some of them stabbed Nasir and Amir. Both were rushed to the JPMC, however, Amir died on reaching the hospital. Nasir was admitted at the hospital and his condition was stated as serious. The police were looking into the matter. The body of a betel leaf seller was found in Shah Latif police limits. The sources said the police were informed that a corpse was lying in the bushes in Razaqabad. The police recovered the corpse and shifted it to the JPMC for autopsy. During initial investigations it was disclosed that the deceased Rafiq was a betel leaf seller and belonged to Waziristan. On Friday night he closed his shop but had not returned home. The police, on the report of his brother Shafiq, have registered a case against unidentified accused. A sweeper Saleem Masih was wounded in a firing incident in Liaquatabad police area. The sources said he was a worker of the KMC. He had a quarrel with some unidentified people who shot and wounded him. Saleem was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and the police were informed. -------------------------------- Five policemen sacked KARACHI: The DIG Police Karachi Range, Malik Muhammad Iqbal, on Saturday ordered the termination of services of five policemen who are allegedly involved in a robbery case. According to the sources, the five policemen deputed at Azizabad police station -- Sarfaraz Akhtar, Munawwer Ali, Ejaz Ali, Muhammad Atique, and Muhammad Arshad -- entered the house of Noor-ul-Islam located in Zaman Town police precinct and looted Rs 5,700, camera, watches and other valuables. Noor reported the matter to the police. The DIG took serious notice of the matter and issued orders for arrest. They were apprehended on September 16 from 48-H Area of Korangi. During initial enquiry the accused were found guilty on which the DIG issued orders for their immediate termination. Further investigations are continuing. -------------------------------- Leading computer institute yet to get foreign recognition KARACHI, Sept 20: A leading nationwide school chain which has been constantly advertising in national newspapers that students who enrol with it can earn a "world-class" BSc honours degree in computer sciences from "prestigious" American, British or Australian universities, has yet to gain accreditation from any foreign university which might allow it degree-granting status. The Beaconhouse-Informatics Institute, which has branches in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi and which is owned by the family of PML MNA and senior vice-president Khurshid Kasuri, has applied for recognition by the University of Wales to be able to grant degrees to its students in Pakistan. The institute began in Lahore in April 1996 and opened its Karachi branch later that year. An official of the institute told Dawn that a team from the British university is expected this year to examine the facilities offered and decide on the matter. He said it "normally" takes at least a year for the process of accreditation. He showed this reporter a long list of British and Australian universities where students enrolled with the institute could transfer to after two years of studies. However, in the case of the University of London, a student even after taking two years of courses at Beaconhouse-Informatics, would still have to take three more years of courses in Britain. The institute, which is a franchise of Informatics in Singapore, has over 150 students on its Karachi 'campus' in Defence Phase 7. The admission fees is Rs 7,500 and a security amount of Rs7,000 is charged. Each course costs Rs 4,000 and normally takes three years to complete. An institute spokesman told Dawn that on an average the annual expenditure on each student came to Rs 60,000 a year. An official at the British Council in Karachi said the Informatics institute claimed that it was affiliated with the University of Sunderland. He said the Council had received a letter which showed that this was not correct and that the University of Sunderland had said in the correspondence that it had no affiliation or had not given any authority to Informatics in Pakistan either to conduct exams on its behalf or to grant degrees. A senior advertising executive said ad companies could not be expected to check everything and that there was in any case a fine line between what could be deemed 'misleading' advertising. He said Beaconhouse in any case was a well- known name and that recent adverts did not specifically mention the University of Wales but made a vague generalization that students enrolled at the institute could earn "world-class" degrees at "prestigious" foreign universities. The British Council official said the number of local colleges and universities (many of them are situated in nothing more than bungalows which they prefer to call a 'campus') offering degrees from foreign universities had increased dramatically of late. He said no college or university in Karachi was connected or affiliated to the University of London although an establishment on Tipu Sultan Road calling itself the 'International College of Business and Management' claims that it is affiliated to the British institution. -------------------------------- Bid to smuggle narcotics foiled TAXILA: Wah Cantt and Taxila Police in a joint effort have foiled the smuggling attempt of narcotics worth billion of rupees from NWFP to the Punjab and arrested all four accused here. According to reports, excise police at Margala checkpost intercepted a flying coach which was on its way to Lahore from Peshawar and recovered 10 kg charas from a passenger Shahzad's possession. In another drive, a Sub Inspector Wah Cantt Muhammad Rafiq along with other policeman while on patrolling at Bahtar More nabbed Muhammad Akram and Muhammad Anwar of Faisalabad and recovered one kg of charas each from their custody respectively. Police also recovered two kg opium from Waras Khan of Peshawar. -------------------------------- N-power equipment for Pakistan BEIJING: Beijing authorities have approved the export of two steamers and a 300,000 kilowatt stabiliser to the Chasma nuclear power station in Pakistan, Xinhua reported on Saturday. The equipment, made by the Shanghai Boiler Factory, are the main components for the power station "and are crucial for preventing nuclear leakage," the official Chinese news agency said. The nuclear power station 200 kilometres southwest of Islamabad is the first "commercial nuclear station exported by China." -------------------------------- Police arrest Lashkar-e-Jhangvi activist MULTAN: Police have arrested an extremist near Multan, police sources said on Saturday. Sajid Tufail alias Abu Zar, a close associate of Malik Ishaq, a leader of underground militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, was arrested by a patrolling police party late Friday at Serai Sidhu town, some 40 kilometers north of here. The arrest was made while Tufail was waiting for a colleague who was due to supply him arms and ammunition. Tufail, 23, is believed to be involved in several murder cases. The killing of the Iranian air force men who were in Pakistan for technical training, followed the arrest of Ishaq in Faisalabad last week. The head of Lashkar, Riaz Basra have demanded the government to release Ishaq or face dire consequences. During the interrogation, Tufail told police that his next target was Punjab provincial assembly member Khawar Ali Shah and ex-speaker of parliament Syed Fakhr Imam, sources said. -------------------------------- Malik Ishaq's accomplice held MULTAN, Sept 20: The Serai Sidhu police arrested Sajid Tufail alias Abuzar, an alleged terrorist and a close associate of Malik Ishaq. Sajid, 24, a Lashkar-i-Jhangvi activist, was wanted in many murder cases to Khanewal, Jahanian and Kabirwala police and carried Rs 500,000 head money. The police said Sajid was waiting for an arms supplier when he was apprehended. However, it did not name the arms dealer nor mention the place from where he was taken into custody. The terrorist had confessed to the murder of five people during interrogation, and he was to target MNA Syed Fakhar Imam and MPA Khawar Ali Shah, police claimed. -------------------------------- Pakistan expels Hekmatyar aides PESHAWAR, Sept 20: The Government on Friday ordered the expulsion of two close aides of former Afghan prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, official sources here said. Haji Fareed, political secretary of Hekmatyar who heads the Hezb-i-Islami, and Abdul Hadi Arghandewal, a former Afghan finance minister, have been asked to leave the country immediately, they said. No reason was given for their expulsion. Sources said they were expected to leave Peshawar for Iran, where Hekmatyar was living. Arghandewal told reporters he had been living in Peshawar for almost 20 years and never indulged in any anti-Pakistan activity. --------------------------------