Saturday, September 14, 2013
Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan on Saturday resigne
London Fashion Week kicks off with burst of Turkish colour - September 13, 2013
LONDON: London Fashion Week got off to a colourful start on Friday with a sun-drenched trip to the Aegean Sea courtesy of Turkish designer Bora Aksu, who whisked trend-setters away from Britain's dreary autumn drizzle.
Aksu hunted through childhood memories for inspiration for his new spring/summer 2014 collection, which heavily featured the colours of Turkey's traditional "evil eye" lucky amulet -- indigo, white and pale blue.
"I felt that I wanted to re-ignite the passion coming from the rich culture and traditional artistry of Turkey that had inspired me in the first place."
Sudden bursts of hot Mediterranean colour punctuated Aksu's show, including a bright golden-yellow skirt and a majestic floor-length fuchsia dress.
Brilliant yellow also made an appearance in the catwalk show by Latvian-Israeli duo Fyodor Golan, but they went for a more urban, sporty look.
Their new collection, dubbed "Electric Children", paired shorts, skirts and trousers with bras, sports jackets and sweatshirts as well as natty white patent shoes.
Silky, transparent fabrics and feathers brought a touch of elegance to the duo's athletic designs.
They kept the look young and fun, with one corset top seemingly stitched together from dozens of yellow smiley faces in a nod to the 1980s, while acid colours brought a hint of psychedelia to pleated dresses.
For young South Korean designer J. JS Lee, minimalism reigned supreme.
Monochrome and sharp silhouettes dominated her collection, broken up by blocks of pink and turquoise. Her models wore flat sandals with their hair side-parted in low ponytails.
Bright red lipstick gave a flash of colour to a sober ensemble of black trousers with a white sleeveless blouse.
Other designs played with geometry, such as a PVC dress in gingham print, and a checkered fine-knit sweater.
Seen as the edgier sibling of Paris, Milan and New York, a total of 58 catwalk shows are crammed into London Fashion Week's five-day programme.
The London event sees the biggest names in British fashion, including Burberry, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood, rub shoulders with up-and-coming designers such as Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou and Henry Holland.
Brazilian designer Barbara Casasola is one of this year's newcomers to London Fashion Week, which will also feature new collections by Tom Ford and Stella McCartney for Adidas.
London Fashion Week attracts more than 5,000 buyers and journalists and sees designers take in more than £100 million ($159 million, 120 million euros), according to its organisers, the British Fashion Council. (AP)
Mixing quilted cotton, silk tulle and delicate crochet, the Turkish designer teamed his feminine silhouettes with embellished shoulders, high heels and messy bun hairstyles.
Skirts and shorts were matched with bolero jackets and sleeveless vests, while touches of lace gave a nod to tradition.
"When I realised that this would be my tenth year at London fashion Week, it struck me how long it has been since I left Turkey," the British-based designer said. (AFP)
Thousands of Morsi supporters rally in Egypt - September 14, 2013
CAIRO: Thousands of Mohamed Morsi's supporters rallied on Friday in Cairo against the military, as supporters and opponents of the deposed president clashed elsewhere in Egypt.
The rallies come nearly a month after the August 14 crackdown by security forces on two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo that led to clashes in which hundreds of people were killed, the worst carnage in Egypt's recent history.
"Either we recover their rights, or we die like them," protesters chanted of those who lost their lives in the crackdown, as they marched toward Rabaa al-Adawiya Square, the site of one of those camps.
An AFP correspondent said soldiers used barbed wire to block roads to the square in the Nasr City district, with troops in helmets and carrying shields standing guard.
Protesters chanted "Abdel Fattah is the butcher", referring to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as they passed a government building guarded by soldiers.
The protesters, including several in cars, carried flags bearing portraits of those killed in Rabaa al-Adawiya.
They made a stop outside the apartment building of one of those killed, where his relatives had hung his picture outside a window.
The man's mother told AFP he was killed when police broke up the Rabaa al-Adawiya camp.
Morsi supporters also rallied in other parts of Egypt.
Clashes between pro- and anti-Morsi demonstrators were reported in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria where one person was killed and five injured, state media said, adding that security forces arrested several protesters nationwide.
State media and security sources said police fired tear gas when protesters clashed with opponents in the Nile Delta towns of Tanta and Mahalla, while three people were injured in the province of Bahaira.
Friday's protests were called by the Anti-Coup Alliance, led by the Muslim Brotherhood to which Morsi belongs, under the slogan of "Loyalty to the Martyrs' Blood".
The group has called for more protests to be held on Saturday.
Morsi, the country's first democratically elected president, was ousted by the army on July 3 after massive protests demanding his resignation.
The new military-installed authorities have since arrested more than 2,000 of his supporters.
On Thursday, interim president Adly Mansour extended for another two months a state of emergency in force since the mid-August bloodshed, citing security concerns. (AFP)
US not expecting UN resolution on Syria to include use of force - September 14, 2013
At least four dead in US consulate attack in Afghanistan
SSGC announces four days a week CNG closure in Sindh - September 14, 2013
Minor girl assault case: six suspects released after interrogation - September 14, 2013
22 suspects arrested during targeted op by Rangers - September 14, 2013
CJ takes notice of two policemen killing in Islamabad- September 14, 2013
CJP seeks immediate report on Lahore sexual assault case
Friday, September 13, 2013
New rules stall Pakistan gold imports after ban lifted
The News 13 Sept
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is unlikely to resume gold imports soon even though the government has lifted an outright ban imposed during August, as the new rules for buyers are too restrictive, the jewellery industry said on Thursday.
Pakistan stopped all gold imports for August after purchases soared in the first half and topped $514 million in July alone - more than double what it bought in the first six months of 2012 - citing smuggling into neighbouring India.
New Delhi has itself stopped short of a total ban but has a record 10 percent duty on imports and strict controls on buyers as it tries to rein in purchases which helped swell its current account deficit to a record 4.8 percent of GDP in 2012/13.
India's July imports were $2.9 billion - just short of half last year's monthly average as the government measures took grip in the world's biggest buyer of bullion. Imports slumped to $0.65 billion in August but could pick up from September.
Now, Pakistan has said imports must be turned around into jewellery and exported within 120 days and has more or less doubled the amount of value that must be added in manufacture. Sales must be officially recognised by legal authorities in importing countries and Pakistan missions there.
Only 25 kilograms of precious metals - gold, silver and platinum - can be imported on a revolving basis and cannot be used in the domestic market.
"In light of the new rules, the future prospects of the import/export business are quite bleak," said Mazhar Ali, chairman of the All Pakistan Gems Merchants and Jewelers Association which says it represents almost 100 percent of the gold industry.
"Earlier it was a very simple procedure as only a contract letter was required for import," he added.
Mazhar Ali said that since the outright ban was lifted at the end of August, there have been no new imports of gold and only the balance outstanding from old contracts before the ban have been released by customs.
All gold imports to Pakistan are currently meant for making jewellery for export. Domestic demand is met by recycling, Mazhar Ali told Reuters. (Reuters)
Oil prices mixed amid Syria focus
The News 13 Sept
SINGAPORE: Oil price were mixed in Asian trade Friday as dealers monitor diplomatic efforts to make Syria give up its chemical weapons and avert a US-led military attack, analysts said.
New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in October,
eased three cents to $108.57 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for October
rose 15 cents to $112.78.
Nine NATO oil tankers destroyed in Balochistan attack
Karachi: CID police arrest alleged target killer in SITE
Qaeda chief calls for US attacks, economic boycott
Pakistan preparing to take up drone issue at UN: FO
MQM says it has no control over emotions of activists following Altaf’s speeches
LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said that it has no control over how the party activists react – violently or peacefully – after the speeches made by its London-based leader Altaf Hussain, who is being investigated by Scotland Yard after allegations were made that Hussain is responsible for inciting violence in Karachi.
In a news article titled “Feared in Karachi, living in London: man who runs his party ‘like a cult’”, The Times said on Thursday that the MQM has been described as “a mafia and a cult” which has been accused of “maintaining control of the mega city through a lethal cocktail of extortion, killings and intimidation”.
MQM leader Senator Nasreen Jalil was quoted as saying by the paper that how people react after Hussain’s speeches is not the party’s responsibility. “How people feel about it emotionally, we are not able to control that.”
She told the newspaper: “He sings, he acts, he cries, he laughs, people move with him. The way he feels about things so passionately, that is his strength.”
When asked about the widely-held allegation that the MQM runs an armed wing to intimidate its opponents, Nasreen Jalil didn’t deny the existence of the armed wing. However, she said that the party felt it needed to defend itself. “I don’t know about the armed wing, but definitely we need to protect ourselves.”
But the paper said a youth worker of party said that “he was given a gun to intimidate opponents”.The paper said: “The confession is a rare admission of the existence of the armed wing of the MQM, which has helped to maintain the party’s grip.”
The paper said that the MQM’s venerated leader Altaf Hussain was granted British citizenship in 2002 – “a year after writing to Tony Blair offering MQM’s help in the battle against Islamic militants in Karachi, where the party is accused of violent intimidation of opponents”.
The MQM leader has denied that he ever incited violence but the Karachi based liberal party has for long been associated with using violent tactics against its opponents, which the party denies.
The MQM told the paper that Altaf Hussain was cooperating with the Scotland Yard “as a witness only” in the murder investigation of Dr Imran Farooq, former senior MQM leader who was killed in Edgware outside his home three years ago.
The paper said that in spite of the party’s reputation Mr Hussain’s supporters “adore him as an ideologue and spiritual leader, and say his movement is battling local Islamism”.
The paper said that the MQM’s student wing - the All Pakistan Muttahida Students’ Organisation (APMSO) - demands three promises from new recruits: “blind faith in the party leader; to destroy one’s ego to become a better worker; and to strive for mutual co-operation within the party”.
The paper said those who choose to leave the MQM are “forced into hiding”. It quoted an ex-party affiliate as saying that “loyalty is the biggest part” of the MQM politics and said that the ex party member had a “bruise under his eye” which was a reminder “that the party was still watching”.
Pakistan’s economic growth could be worse, warns IMF
Police command changed in Karachi Four additional IGs, 14 DIGs changed;
The News 13 Sept
KARACHI: The Sindh government on Thursday did a major reshuffle in the provincial police department as four additional IGs and 14 DIGs were replaced and a new Karachi Police chief appointed.
Shahid Hayat was appointed as the Karachi Police chief while SSPs of all the districts were also transferred.Reports said that the provincial government took the decision of large scale reshuffling as it was not satisfied with the performance of current police officers.
Khadim Rind, Farhat Junejo, Javed Odho, Ghulam Qadir, Bashir Memon, Zakir Hussain, Amir Sheikh, Arif Hanif, Sharjeel Khar, Tahir Naveed, Sanaullah Abbasi, Ghulam Sarwar and Mushtaq Mehr were appointed as DIG Crime Branch, DIG Admin, DIG West Zone, Additional IG Traffic, Additional IG Development, Additional IG Special Branch, DIG Traffic, DIG Sukkur, DIG Larkana, DIG CID, DIG SRP, DIG Finance and DIG Headquarters respectively.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has made up its mind to get necessary legislation passed from the provincial assembly for preventing forcible calls for shutter-down protests in the future so that concerned public did not face any hardship in continuance of their necessary socio-economic activities.
PM gives go-ahead to privatise PIA 26pc shares of national flag carrier to be sold; Nawaz calls for initiating schemes for poor, youth
Thursday, September 12, 2013
US arms experts going with Kerry to meet Russians
Strikes could worsen Syria sectarian violence: Ban
Warship with 'special cargo' sent by Russia toward Syria: navy source
Opposition to Syria strike urged by liberal group
Why governor’s rule is a must for Karachi operation Viewpoint
The News
WASHINGTON: The Karachi operation flight has hit the brick wall before it could even reach the runway for a take off. One arrest of an ex-MPA of MQM and half of Sindh was shut down with threats and protest drums already beating on high notes.
The dynamics of the Karachi power politics and control of war zones by war lords and their units is so complicated, it just appears impossible that the people who are to be targeted should be given the charge of running the operation themselves. With the city shut on Wednesday because one former MPA was booked, no big gun can be touched risking similar shutdowns.
Some hard ground realities can be summed up briefly as:
- The vast areas to be targeted are MQM controlled. So, it is inevitable that MQM leaders, sector commanders and others will come into the net, rightly or by accident. The MQM would not allow it.
- PPP in Lyari and at other places is to be targeted, but the PPP government will not allow it.
- Since police are deeply politicised, with men from the PPP and MQM proliferating at all levels, they will be a major blockade and not a helping hand in any operation by the Rangers or the Pakistan Army.
This is not going to change any time soon.
- As some of the militants are heavily armed with rocket launchers, suicide jackets, latest weaponry et al, a full-fledged army action may be needed in places. That would need full powers, autonomy and control without any political or government intervention. That appears hard to get in the present circumstances.
- During and after the APC presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Karachi, reservations expressed by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had sent instant messages that the PPP would not let anyone have a free hand in the operation. If the Captain of the team, nominated by the PM is not ready to play an unbiased game, without any likes or dislikes, the whole operation becomes a non-starter.
- Smaller groups and gangs and mafias who have come to Karachi from other places are likely to disappear for the period when the operation is going on. So the Afghans, Taliban, al-Qaeda, non-Pakhtoon visitors will lie low and not get cleaned up. That would make the operation look more targeted against Karachi-based parties and organisations. It will not solve the problem until better control is exercised over who is coming in and going out of the city. That may need more powers, resources and personnel.
Given all these key factors, and many others as well, carrying out the operation with the existing government, officials like the chief secretary and IG Police already declared unfit by the PM and the political setup in tact will almost be impossible, a waste of time so to say.
Thus a suspension of the political setup and the provincial government may be needed if practical results are to be achieved.
Imposing Federal Rule for a constitutionally allowed period, to start with, can only do that.
Before the Rangers and then the Army get involved and face casualties, Nawaz Sharif will have to decide whether he will suspend the Sindh Assembly, impose Governor’s Rule, remove the governor, replace the officials he has already said were not competent to handle Karachi and then order the Rangers and Army to go ahead and clean up the mess.
The longer this action is delayed, the messier it may be to achieve peace and end violence. The political cost may also multiply. If this is not done, failure of such a major initiative will make the Federal Government look like helpless in handling Karachi. That would be a recipe for total disaster and chaos.
A New Islamabad across Margallas, linked by a tunnel Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision...Dubai’s Shaikh Zayed Avenue being copied; Islamabad Highway to be widened and commercial multi-storey buildings to be built on both sides; govt to earn billions of dollars
Protests, violence grip Karachi, interior Sindh Former MQM MPA’s arrest...Violence forces sudden closure of schools, public transport, business centres
MQM slams arrest of Ex-MPA, Karachi operation
Pak army rejects reports or prisoner swap with Taliban: ISPR
Altaf terms targeted operation a replay of 1992
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
ABC7 News - CRISIS IN SYRIA
ABC7 News - DISCRIMINATION RULING
ABC7 News
Dictator sent army to Fata under foreign pressure: Nisar Says framework for talks with TTP complete but waiting for suggestions from provinces; crime rate on the decline in Karachi; APC on Balochistan under consideration
Senate body opposes electricity import from India Presses need to generate cheap energy
ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power Tuesday opposed the government’s plan of importing electricity from India and urged it to exploit own local water resources and expedite work on on-going hydropower projects to produce cheaper electricity.
It took notice of bureaucracy’s ‘misleading’ the government through wrong information. The committee which met here with Senator Zahid Khan in the chair said that the US and Chinese companies have caused the national exchequer losses of billions of rupees, as they have backtracked their contract on Lakhra power project on pretext of technical faults.
It summoned Secretary Mines, Power and Coal, Sindh, in the next meeting to provide details on the contract and action taken by the government against foreign companies for the project failure.
The committee recommended that indigenous resources should be utilised for power generation, instead of importing electricity from India. Instead of importing electricity from India, the same fund should be spent on hydropower projects to get cheap power, the committee recommended.
The committee took briefing from National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) on electricity import from India. It told to the committee that NTDC had no knowledge about $1.5 billion aid given by the World Bank for the purpose. It, however, said that $100 million has been earmarked by the Bank for the purpose, but the loan agreement has not yet been signed.
Besides, the NTDC informed the committee that the price for the import of power from India had not been decided yet and that India preferred to export DC (direct current) electricity, which was costly. As a first step, it was told, an interaction was planned to be built between Amritsar and Lahore through 400 or 500 KV DC line.Additional secretary of the Ministry of Water and Power also disclosed that a company, Fateh Group, is mining on 8000 acres of government’s land in Jamshoro and extracting precious coal and selling it in the market to seven private factories. He also briefed the committee about the background of leasing of Lakhra Power Plant. He said in 2001, it was decided that the Sindh government should take necessary action to privatise Lakhra plant in consultation with Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).
It was told that Wapda has asked interested parties to submit their proposals, however, the matter was sub judice as the Supreme Court had set aside the decision of Sindh High Court and also transaction of leasing. After the SC decision, if the government decides to rehabilitate FBC Power Station Lakhra, then after refurbishment, two units will generate at least 80 MW at a time while the third will be on maintenance/stand by and boiler cleaning cost of units in thermal power plants, said the additional secretary.
The meeting was attended by Moula Baksh Chandio, Senator Khalida Parveen and Senator Shahi Syed besides officials of the ministry of water and power and other relevant officials.
Strike threat fades as Syria agrees to hand over chemical weapons
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