Punjab may get direct access to telecom, Nadra data

The News 21 Sept 2013 LAHORE: The federal government, at the request of the Punjab government, has decided to give Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) independent access to telecom data in order to counter terrorism, documents available with The News have revealed. This was decided in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Model Town a couple of weeks back. The meeting was attended by chief secretary Punjab, IGP Punjab, additional secretary to PM and home secretary Punjab. In this regard the Prime Minister Office Islamabad through a letter conveyed to the Punjab government that the prime minister had accepted in principle the request of the Punjab government regarding giving CTD independent access to telecom data.The PM also accepted the request regarding providing the CTD direct access to the database of Nadra. However, Additional Secretary to the PM Fawad Hassan Fawad would prepare the case for independent access to telecom data and direct access to Nadra database. He would put up the cases to PM Nawaz Sharif for his formal approval. The meeting was informed that the CTD was established to counter terrorism in the province. However, CTD has to face difficulties in tracing out culprits since it has no facility of direct access to the telecom data and Nadra database. If the CTD requires any information about a caller, it has to submit a request to Intelligence Bureau which takes much time. In order to improve the efficiency of the CTD and tracing and catching the culprits as quickly as possible, the CTD should be given independent access to the telecom data and Nadra database. While agreeing the point of view of the Punjab government, the prime minister accepted its request. In the meeting it has also been discussed that the counter terrorism laws like TADA and POTA be examined for necessary amendments in anti-terrorism laws in the country. Furthermore the PM also directed CTD to propose a functional model of counter terrorism. Sources in the Home Department Punjab said the Punjab government was trying to get direct access for call tracing system for last few years. However, some influential institutions opposed it and this facility remained with the federal institutions. The Punjab government would purchase call tracing equipments after the approval of federal government regarding giving direct access to the CTD to the telecom data. When contacted Chief Secretary Punjab Javed Aslam said the summary was submitted to the PM and the federal government has given approval regarding allowing the CTD direct access to the telecom data and Nadra database. Furthermore the CTD is collecting data independently on case to case basis, he maintained.

Science book confiscated for containing ‘obscene material’

The News 21 Sept 2013 LAHORE: The Punjab government has issued orders to confiscate the science book of class six of Lahore Grammar School (LGS) having obscene material provocative for the youth in sexual sphere. A special department committee, formed on the instructions of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, has submitted the report based on its recommendations after a detailed review of controversial issues in the syllabus of the LGS. These issues include the removal of the subject of compulsory Islamic Studies from the curriculum of class six of LGS and its replacement with the subject of Religious Studies which is tantamount to mislead and confuse the young generation with complexity of topics like comparative study of religions at such a lower level. According to a handout, the orders have been issued through the Punjab Education Department. Meanwhile, addressing a Press conference on Friday the Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said the importance of private sector in promotion of education was quite evident but no one could allow them to misuse this position. He explained that it was complained from various sections of society that the LGS was indulged in teaching obscene material provocative for the youth in sexual sphere. This obscene material was available in the market with the result that the Punjab government had to take action. The minister added that Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan was quite clear about the provision that no Pakistani citizen should be taught a religion other than his own. Similarly, provocation of sexual sentiments was also cognizable under Pakistan Penal Code Section 293 and Section 298, he added. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan reiterated that the Punjab government would not allow anyone to make our youth hostage of foreign mindset by teaching them material having topics which are against our social norms, values and religious beliefs. He announced to constitute a special committee under the convener-ship of Secretary Schools Education Punjab Abdul Jabbar Shaheen which will review the syllabi of all the private sector educational institutions in the Punjab. The minister appealed to the media to identify objectionable material included in the syllabus of any type of school saying the government would take prompt action. Talking to The News Abdul Jabbar Shaheen said the science book being taught at the LGS was Cambridge’s Checkpoint Science 2. He said page 70 of the book under sub-topic was highly obscene which was being taught to small children.