Eleven Muslims killed in sectarian attacks in India's Assam

GUWAHATI: Suspected tribal rebels in India shot dead 11 Muslims, including two women, in attacks in the northeastern state of Assam where tension has run high during an election, officials said on Friday. Police said they suspected the militants behind the overnight killings were members of the Bodo tribe. “The gunmen entered the house and shot them dead on the spot,” a senior police officer in the state capital, Guwahati, with knowledge of the investigation told Reuters. He was referring to an incident in which the militants shot dead three members of a family, including two women, while wounding a baby. In a second attack, eight people were killed by a group of guerrillas. Bodo people have frequently clashed with Muslims, they say have illegally entered from neighbouring Bangladesh and encroached on their ancestral lands near the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Candidates in India’s general election, including opposition front runner Narendra Modi, have contributed to anti-Bangladeshi feeling in Assam. Modi, a Hindu nationalist, last week said immigrants from Bangladesh in a nearby state should have their “bags packed” in case he came to power. He accuses the state government of being soft on immigration. Voting was held over several days in Assam to help security forces handle any violence from several separatist and tribal militant groups active in the state. Polling in the Bodo region ended on April 24, in what residents say was a tight race between a Bodo and a non-tribal candidate. Police reinforcements were sent to the two districts where the attacks took place, which have a history of sectarian violence. Dozens of police in military style uniforms armed with automatic rifles patrolled the area, television pictures showed. “The authorities will take firm action against those involved in this crime,” said state government spokesman Nilamoni Sen Deka. Two years ago, dozens of people were killed in clashes between Bodo people and Muslim settlers in the same area and about 400,000 people fled from their villages. The state government, led by the ruling Congress party, was criticised for not acting quickly enough to stop rioting. The riots stoked tension nationally, triggering sometime violent protests by Muslims in cities across India. About 30,000 migrants from the northeast temporarily returned home after threats of reprisals by Muslims circulated by text message.

Heinous crime: 10-year-old girl raped, throttled to death

CHARSADDA: A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and then strangled to death by unidentified men in Charsadda, police said on Thursday. Hifza*, daughter of Saulat Khan*, went to a relative’s house on Wednesday evening but did not return. Khan told the police he had assumed his daughter was spending the night there and wasn’t too alarmed. The next day, however, he received a call from his neighbours saying Hifza’s body was lying in a canal near his house in Bogrow Saha area. Khan said he rushed to the site and shifted his daughter’s body to District Headquarters Hospital, Charsadda for an autopsy. Khanmai police SHO said initial investigation revealed the girl was raped and then asphyxiated. He said they have registered a complaint and initiated investigation. Charsadda DPO Shafiullah Khan visited the bereaved family at their residence and assured them the culprits would be arrested soon. *names have been changed to protect identities Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2014.

Rationalisation: Reduced tariffs likely on vehicle import

ISLAMABAD: The government is expected to reduce duties on imported vehicles in the next budget and is planning to offer a big relief to middle-income car users by introducing a new slab with low tariff for those who want to switch from motorcycles to small cars. The plan to rationalise tariffs on imported vehicles is at a final stage that may be announced in the upcoming budget for 2014-15, say senior government officials. In the first phase, approval of the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet will be sought, which is soon expected to give the go-ahead to the Auto Development Policy for the next five years. Any such package will mark a shift from the policy of protecting domestic auto assemblers at the expense of consumers. In the past, plans to cut duties were opposed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the lobbies working to protect the interest of local assemblers. In the last fiscal year 2012-13, Pakistan imported vehicles worth Rs121 billion with Rs69.1 billion paid in taxes including Rs42.3 billion in customs duty, according to the FBR documents. Officials believe that despite the rationalised tariffs the FBR will get significantly higher revenues due to an expected surge in imports. Under the plan, maximum benefit may be offered to those who are paying higher duties, particularly those desiring to switch from motorcycle to a small car. Against the current lowest slab of up to 800cc engine capacity carrying 50% customs duty, 17% sales tax, 5% income tax and 1% federal excise duty, the government was likely to introduce a new slab of up to 700cc with reduced customs duty, officials said. Because of heavy duties, most of the people are not able to purchase cars of 660cc, which cost in the range of Rs800,000 to Rs1 million, according to market analysts. In case of cars having engine capacity of above 1800cc, the importer is paying 150% in customs duty in addition to other taxes. Now, the government wants to differentiate between buyers of 1,801cc and 3000cc vehicles, according to officials. It may merge the current three slabs of 1501 to 1600cc, 1601 to 1800cc and above 1800cc and announce a new slab of 1500 to 2000cc with duties far less than currently paid. At present, users of 1501 to 1800cc cars are paying 75% in customs duty in addition to other taxes, according to the FBR. There may be two new slabs, one from 2001 to 3000cc and the highest slab for above 3000cc vehicles. According to officials, the importers of up to three-year-old used cars are paying a price with which they can buy a new imported car, provided the government reduces tariff rates. Another consideration is to facilitate the customers in buying a quality vehicle. However, the government would not increase the age limit of used cars that would be kept at three years, they said. No used vehicles older than three years would be imported and no used vehicles would be brought into the country except through the personal baggage scheme, transfer of residence scheme and gift scheme, they added. To stop misuse of the schemes, the duty on imported vehicles will be paid in dollars by expatriate Pakistanis through the banking channel. “The government should allow direct imports that will provide a wide range of vehicles to the customers,” suggested HM Shahzad, Chairman of the All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association, adding the restriction of importing used vehicles only through special schemes should be abolished. Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2014.

Call me, maybe: Five Rawalpindi police officials transferred for alleged harassment

RAWALPINDI: Five police officials have been transferred after being accused of blackmailing female litigants at the Rawalpindi district courts. Two of the cops happen to be women police officials. While frisking women visiting the courts, the two female constables would ask them to document their mobile numbers, “for security reasons”. Three days ago, a female litigant informed her lawyer that she received a phone call from an unknown number. The person on the other end of the line offered her a victory in the ongoing court case, and also demanded to meet in the evening. The woman, S*, told The Express Tribune that the caller introduced himself as a sessions judge. “The caller made me an offer — that he will decide the case in my favour. He also asked me to meet him in the evening to discuss the matter,” she said. When her lawyer learnt of this, he informed the president of Rawalpindi District Bar Association (RDBA). A team of lawyers started looking into the unusual claim, during the course of which they went to the security cell near the lower court’s main entrance, where police constables would perform their duty. The team, led by RDBA Secretary Junaid Akhtar Khokar, found a register containing the cell phone numbers of over 250 women. The team informed RDBA President Raja Nasir Mehmood, who brought the issue to the attention of a district and sessions judge. The judge handed over the register to the city police officer (CPO) and ordering him to investigate and take stern action against the constables. The Express Tribune also learnt that the caller would first research a woman’s family background and then modify his offer on a case-by-case basis. At least 40 women have received such calls, said Mehmood. “They would definitely abuse these innocent women,” he said. These calls were made from unregistered SIMs to minimise chances of being traced. CPO Humayun Bashir Tarar admitted that the five cops were transferred but denied that it prompted by their involvement in the scam. “A similar case occurred in Sheikhupura, where a man involved in a similar crime was arrested,” he said. The police are investigating and will interrogate the accused personnel, he added. The phone numbers of almost all the complainants were in the register, so their involvement cannot be ruled out, said the lawyers’ team. “Through what coincidence did the fraudsters get so many numbers which happen to be listed in that register? It looks like one of the constables either provided the numbers or was the actual perpetrator,” they said. Mehmood added that as far as they knew, the constables had been suspended. If they were only transferred in response to the crime, the CPO should have informed them. Some court officials are also believed to be involved in the scandal, he said. If they are found guilty, strict action will be taken against them. Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2014.

Resolution against murders of MQM workers passed in Sindh Assembly

KARACHI: A resolution against the murders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers was passed in the Sindh Assembly on Friday, Express News reported. Just ten days after joining the provincial government, MQM is observing a day of mourning today, after bodies of four party workers were found in Memon Goth on the night of April 30. Addressing the provincial assembly, MPA Rauf Siddiqui alleged that the four workers were tortured for 15 days. “Four mothers have lost their sons today,” said Siddiqui, asking for justice and an end to extra-judicial killings. MQM MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan stated that the party has been constantly speaking out against the murders of its workers but “we have not got justice from the courts.” Hassan questioned if the party had made a mistake by supporting the law enforcement agencies in the Karachi operation and were being punished for it. Party representative Faisal Sabzwari also expressed concern over the killings of MQM workers. Govt support Sindh local government and information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, in response to these allegations against security agencies, asked party workers to submit any evidence they have in the court so an inquiry can be based on it. Memon added that the government is responsible for finding the people responsible for the killings but the party should help them by nominating suspects. He also suggested that the party file an FIR to help with the investigations.

Funeral of 2 MQM workers held in Karachi

KARACHI: The funeral of two of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers, whose bodies were found in Memon Goth, was held after Friday prayers at Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi, Express News reported. Just ten days after joining the provincial government, MQM is observing a day of mourning today, after bodies of four party workers were found on the night of April 30. High security arrangements were made for the funeral and a large number of police officials were present for the safety of the people present at the funeral. All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir said in a statement that businesses will be opened after the funeral. Public transport will also be opened after the memorial service.

Discretionary spending: Hearing of govt review petition set for May 6

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani has fixed the government’s review petition against the Supreme Court’s December 5, 2013 judgment regarding transfer of funds to May 6. In the December 2013 ruling, the SC had banned the transfer of funds from an account approved by the parliament to another as technical supplementary grant. This ruling curtailed the government’s discretionary powers, which are often used in May and June. The three-judge bench, headed by CJP himself and comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed will hear the case on Tuesday. Meanwhile, The Express Tribune has learnt that the federal government is in a quandary these days because of the Supreme Court’s ban. “The major problem is on the development side where the government used the powers to transfer funds from low priority projects to schemes initiated under political consideration,” sources have said. The sources also revealed that in view of the difficulties of the federal government, the office of the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) has been active for the early hearing of the government’s review petition against the court’s judgment, which bars even the prime minister from exercising his discretionary powers in the matter of supplementary and excess grants. Former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had authored the 38-page judgment in the suo motu case regarding the doling out of billions of rupees in the form of development funds by former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf during the last 10 days of his tenure. Review petition The finance ministry, in its review petition, has requested that the court enable the government to continue to work on the basis of a system of fiscal management that has been practiced since the creation of Pakistan. The ministry argues that it is not only consistent with constitutional provisions but has also proven its utility and worth. The government has also expressed apprehensions in the review petition, saying that if the judgment is implemented it would cause serious governance problems. The review petition questioned whether the court misinterprets Article 84 read with Article 90 of the Constitution to hold that the prime minister cannot authorise expenditure on account of supplementary grants from the Federal Consolidated Fund. The government also contended that though no provisions are made explicitly mandating the use or allocation of elected representatives and notables, some development schemes identified and recommended by the parliamentarians are funded through the budget after completing all procedural and financial formalities by the competent authority. “The prime minister is the chief executive of the federation and the chief minister is the chief executive of the province. As such, the federal government and provincial governments act through respectively their prime ministers and chief ministers,” it read. Raising objections over paragraph 32 of the judgment, the petition contended that the federal government acts through the prime minister and the actions of the prime minister in performance of functions under the Constitution shall be considered as actions of the federal government. “Even the rules of business 1973 of the federal government empower the PM to dispose of matters of business as he may consider appropriate without reference to the cabinet. The prime minister is also empowered to permit relaxation of the rules of business he considers appropriate,” it said. Objecting to paragraph 39 of the judgment, in which prior approval of the National Assembly will be required for decisions on supplementary expenditure, the government submitted that there is no requirement in Article 84 that the supplementary or excess budget statement be placed before the NA in the same or next financial year. Raising questions over para 52 (4) of the judgment, the government submitted that the constitution does not provide any specific provision to regulate the re-appropriation of funds and that this part of the judgment is liable to be reviewed. “Budgetary allocations for the next fiscal year are prepared largely on the basis of previous expenditure trends and are only estimates,” it further said. “Therefore, it is almost impossible to forecast needs/exact requirements of funds under numerous heads of accounts for the forthcoming financial year. Therefore, funds are re-appropriated within the same demand of ministries/divisions/ departments organisations in order to meet shortfall under certain heads from the savings from other heads of same demand with the approval of principal accounting officers and finance division for the efficient and effective functioning of the government,” it added.

Like yawning, stress is highly contagious too, claim experts

Did you know that you can catch stress just by watching bad news on TV or spending time with a stressed out friend? Like yawns, stress can be highly contagious, according to a new study which found that merely observing another person in a stressful situation is enough to make our own bodies release the stress hormone cortisol. Even the observation of stressed strangers via video transmission was enough to put some people on red alert, researchers found. Whether at work or on television: someone is always experiencing stress, and this stress can affect the general environment in a physiologically quantifiable way through increased concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol, researchers said. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig and the Technische Universitat Dresden found that empathic stress reactions could be independent of ("vicarious stress") or proportional to ("stress resonance") the stress reactions of the actively stressed individuals. During the stress test, the subjects had to struggle with difficult mental arithmetic tasks and interviews, while two supposed behavioural analysts assessed their performance. Only five per cent of the directly stressed test subjects managed to remain calm; the others displayed a physiologically significant increase in their cortisol levels. In total, 26 per cent of observers who were not directly exposed to any stress whatsoever also showed a significant increase in cortisol. The effect was particularly strong when observer and stressed individual were partners in a couple relationship (40 per cent). However, even when watching a complete stranger, the stress was transmitted to ten per cent of the observers. Accordingly, emotional closeness is a facilitator but not a necessary condition for the occurrence of empathic stress. When the observers watched the events directly through a one-way mirror, 30 per cent of them experienced a stress response. However, even presenting the stress test only virtually via video transmission was sufficient to significantly increase the cortisol levels of 24 per cent of the observers.

7 tips to protect your coloured hair this season

Colored hair is more prone to damage, since chemicals tend to make your tresses more fragile and frail. You will need to go an extra mile, when it comes to hair care. We bring to you some simple tricks to take care of your precious locks. - The absolute best way to preserve your hair color doesn’t require you to visit the salon or purchase another product; just wash your hair with cool water rather than with hot. - Don't shampoo your hair everyday! Shampooing your hair can strip/fade the color and strips your hair of it's natural oils, which dyed hair needs. If your hair is naturally greasy, try taking a shower every other day. If your hair is naturally curly, wavy, or dry, you can probably go for a few days without shampooing. - Sunshine is coloured hair’s enemy. The UV rays can deplete colour-treated hair of its brilliance if strands are left unprotected. - Colour-enhancing shampoos and conditioners enhance the look of your colour treated hair while protecting it against damage. - Use a sun protection oil on your hair every day, as it is a great additional barrier to sun fading. - Condition every time you shampoo, even if you have fine hair. "You really want to make sure you condition the longest part of your hair. - Do not leave your hair open for long, it will attract more colours and dust.

Shocking: Man stabs woman 30 times for refusing to marry him

New Delhi: In a horrific incident, a 23-year-old woman Baljeet Kaur was stabbed 30 times in in Okhla, South Delhi by her male friend as she refused to marry him turning down his marriage proposal. The dead body of the victim was found seven days after her murder at a rented house. The 39-year-old accused has been arrested. According to the police, the accused Aneesh has already admitted his crime saying that he was overtaken by his anger. "Aneesh has confessed to having killed Kaur. In a fit of anger, he stabbed her 30 times with a scissor," a police official said. It is suspected that Kaur refused to marry Aneesh due to the huge age difference. She visited his friend on 23rd of April and was killed on the same day. Terrified with event, Aneesh decided to escape after locking the room. The police immediately launched an investigation after recovering the dead body and was able to nab the accused soon on April 30 from Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

26-year-old woman hangs self in Rashtrapati Bhawan premises

New Delhi: A 26-year-old woman committed suicide in Rashtrapati Bhawan premises on Friday, said reports. She was found hanging from the ceiling fan, said cops. An investigating cop said that the woman has been identified as Shazia, daughter of a servant, who was allotted a servant quarter in Rashtrapati Bhawan. She was found hanging from a ceiling fan inside the servant’s quarter at around 5:30am this morning. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but doctors declared her brought dead.

Shocker: 84-year old lady allegedly molested, dies in hospital

Thiruvananthapuram: A shocking incident that sent shock waves across the region, 84-year-old woman died at a hospital after she was allegedly molested by unknown people at her home in Kerala. The woman lived alone at her residence. She was found in an unconscious state at her house by her neighbours at Chavara in Kollam district in Kerala on Thursday, as per police. She was admitted to the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where she died later. A post-mortem conducted on her body revealed that she was molested, hospital sources said. The police said that investigations were on to trace the person who molested the woman.

Suspected terrorists kill at least 10 people in two separate firing incidents in Assam

Guwahati: At least 10 people were killed in two separate incidents in Baksa and Kokrajhar districts of Assam on Thursday. In the Kokrajhar district, at least 7 people were gunned down by the suspected terrorists after they opened indiscriminate fire on the civilians. According to media reports, the police suspects them to be Bodo militants. In another incident in Baksa region, they killed 3 members of a family which included 2 women and an infant. They died on the spot. The severely injured infant was rushed to the nearby hospital as he suffered injuries from the bullet. According to sources, suspected militants fled the spot after killing nearly 10 people at different locations. A massive combing operation has been launched in the area by the Army and police to flush out the terrorists.

Diggy Lovegate: Digvijaya Singh's two faced strategy exposed by sister-in-law!

New Delhi: The former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh probably didn't chose the right time to disclose his relationship with TV anchor Amrita Rai While he earned enough criticism for the revelation from the opposition, he also managed some appreciable words for the courageous decision taken by him. While Congressman Digvijaya Singh is in complete spotlight, his own sister-in-law Rubina (wife of Digvijaya's brother Laxman Singh) does not seem to be moved by his revelation. While talking to The Telegraph, Rubina told about the time she was married to Laxman Singh in 2002 after his wife passed away. At that time, Digvijaya was completely against the marriage of duo saying Rubina was much younger (30 years) than Laxman. Rubina told The Telegraph 'Even Laxman’s daughter, 13 years younger to me from his first wife, was instigated against me. Now when Digvijaya marries Amrita, his daughters will all be older than his new wife.'

Digvijaya Singh's revealed relationship was much welcomed by several leaders and people while others sidelined themselves calling it their 'personal matter.' Amrita Rai has filed for a divorce with the mutual consent of husband Anant Pradhan. He has also wished her a good life ahead. In a statement, Digvijaya Singh had taken a jibe on Modi after openly talking about his relationship with journalist Amrita Rai. He had said 'I am no coward like Modi who kept his marital status hidden for years.' Acording to media reports, there was a buzz of Digvijaya Singh's secret marriage with Amrita Rai. It was said that the video of him with Rai was leaked by the in-house rivals. Thus, his jibe on Modi is exposed by his sister-in-law now. It is time to see if he is yet able to maintain his goodwill and come out clean.

Shiv Sena compares 'Gujaratis' to 'sex workers' in its mouthpiece Saamna

Mumbai: After completion of polling for general elections in Mumbai, the gestures of BJP's associate political party Shiv Sena seems to have changed. Shiv Sena attacked BJP and Narendra Modi's close Gujarati community and compared it to 'sex workers'. The party has questioned why does Modi supporters Gujarati businessmen living in the state do not celebrate Maharashtra Diwas. A column written in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' stated that Gujarati businessmen are exploiting Mumbai like 'sex workers'. The newspaper quoted 'These businessmen who say they are happy with their work and have no interest in politics altogether ensured that the person of their caste and religion becomes the Prime Minister.' It further stated 'But how many from them came out of their homes and celebrated Maharashtra Diwas? They are earning money living in Mumbai. They have exploited Mumbai like a prostitute. The people who came with just a pot in their hand are now living in their world of gold.' The column written in Saamna said 'After earning money in Mumbai, these businessmen are affecting the politics of the country. They are planning about who should become the Prime Minister. Gujaratis and people from other communities who come together in the name of Narendra Modi should also come forward for celebrating Maharashtra Diwas for the city was named after warrior Shivaji.' 'Will the Gujarati community stand behind us to realise the dream of hoisting the saffron flag atop Maharashtra’s Mantralaya? On this Maharashtra Day [state’s foundation day on May 1], the 11 crore citizens of Maharashtra need to pledge to ensure that the dream of the 105 martyrs does not go unrealised', the editorial said. Subhash Desai, the senior leader of Shiv Sena said the editorial must not be taken in a negative manner. He said 'The Sena-BJP combine has fought the elections together and have vowed to get the Congress out of power. The dream to make Narendra Modi the PM is soon to be realised. We should show the same unity in ensuring Mumbai’s development is all the editorial was trying to convey.'

Centcom chief, Raheel discuss regional security

ISLAMABAD: Commander US Central Command Gen Lloyd Austin met Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Thursday for discussions on Afghanistan and bilateral military-to-military cooperation. The Inter-Services Public Relations said the two discussed matters of mutual interest with special emphasis on regional security. Gen Austin’s visit to Islamabad comes in the backdrop of reports that Taliban in Afghanistan had signalled their willingness for a deal with the US on the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who has been in Taliban’s captivity for almost five years. Sgt. Bergdahl is believed to be held by the Haqqani network on the Afghan side of the Pak-Afghan border. Centcom considers the Haqqani network as one area where US and Pakistani interests diverge. The terror outfit is alleged to be enjoying sanctuaries in Pakistan’s tribal areas. No details about the Sharif-Austin meeting were given, but a source privy to the agenda said that the two were to discuss on the post-2014 situation, particularly in the context of the Afghan-US Bilateral Security Agreement, the size of the residual force in Afghanistan and the retrograde movement of equipment. The retrograde operations are said to be continuing smoothly via Pakistani ground routes and US projection is that the movement of equipment would continue into 2015. Furthermore, it is said the US is looking at various options for having less than 10,000 troops. Gen Sharif and Gen Austin also reviewed security assistance, training and support for Pakistan and reimbursements under the Coalition Support Fund. Discussion between Pakistan and US over security assistance have centered around enhancing the capacity of Pakistani troops specifically in the areas of counter-improvised explosive device (IED) capability, battlefield communications, night vision and border security.

Govt likely to withdraw tax exemptions granted through SROs

ISLAMABAD: The government plans to cut customs duty on import of up to three-year-old automobiles of all capacities and to withdraw a number of tax exemptions being enjoyed by various groups through discriminatory statutory regulatory orders (SROs) in the next budget. A minister told journalists at a briefing that the government had in fact decided in principle to reduce duty on vehicles of different engine capacities to be imported under various schemes. “For example, 150 per cent customs duty on import of bigger vehicles is too much and unnatural. So the duty reduction will be across-the-board, but obviously the cut will be significantly bigger on big vehicles and smaller on small ones,” he said. He clarified that by allowing bigger duty reduction on luxury vehicles the government did not want to favour rich people but it was because that the space for reducing 150pc duty was greater than cutting it from 45pc to 40pc on small cars. Vehicles having a capacity of over 2000cc are liable to 150pc duty. “The duty reduction will be across-the-board, for 800cc, 1300cc, 1800cc and even 3000cc and above but with varying percentage,” he said, adding that the age of vehicles would remain unchanged at up to three years. He said the government had to clear some older vehicles in the past, but it was because of the Federal Board of Revenue’s fault and it would not be repeated now. He said the issue of duty reduction was on the agenda of a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet last week, but it could not be taken up. The ECC is expected to approve it in its next meeting. The minister said the government was trying to create a new classification of vehicles below 800cc capacity like 600cc and 700cc to encourage import of smaller cars like Indian Nano car. The focus would be on boosting revenue by increasing the number of vehicles rather than too much tax on fewer vehicles, he said. He said a special arrangement would also be made for duty rates with a marginal increase in engine capacity. For example, if duty on up to 1800cc vehicle is 90 per cent, it would not drastically increase to 120 per cent if engine capacity increased to 1801 or 1820cc. TAX EXEMPTIONS: The minister said the picture would become clear after detailed consultations, also with the International Monetary Fund, but “we have to do away with SROs quite significantly”. According to official estimates, about Rs480 billion revenue is lost every year due to a number of duty and tax exemptions through a series of SROs. The minister hinted at eliminating all exemptions in about three years. He said federal ministries had been asked to submit their proposals for the budget, not only related to their own area but also outside it. He conceded that the investment-cum-incentive scheme announced by the prime minister last year for tax exemptions to investment in a number of sectors had failed to produce any tangible outcome because of lack of tax culture in the country.

Islamabad metro bus project begins

ISLAMABAD: The contractors have started work on the first portion of the metro bus project in Islamabad, even before the public hearing of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The digging has commenced at the right side of the Ninth Avenue, between I. J. Principal road and Peshawar Mor. The EIA, which is being conducted by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), will be held on Saturday, May 3 in the federal capital. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials say that the EIA is not a serious issue for the metro bus project. The project manager, Zahid Saeed, said it was alright to initiate the work, as the project shall not harm the environment. “The contractors are not chopping the trees, rather the CDA is uprooting the entire trees for re-plantation at another location,” he added. Similarly, an official of CDA said that the contractors were not violating the environmental laws of the federal capital, as the said area was not a green belt; instead it had been earmarked for road expansion. “Since there is not violation, it is clear that the EIA report would not be against the project,” he said. However, the on-ground reality is completely different as trees are being thrashed and severed in the presence of the CDA staff.

Militants planning to use Indus River for movement between provinces

ISLAMABAD: Security agencies have started surveillance of the Indus River on the basis of an intelligence report that outlawed militant groups were planning to use the waterway for transporting arms and ammunition and kidnapped persons between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Officials in intelligence agencies, interior ministry and the capital police told Dawn that the outlawed Al Qaeda and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had chosen the waterway in order to skip security checking on motorways, national highways and other land routes. There are only three points where militants can be intercepted on the River Indus - Sukkur Barrage, Gudu Barrage and Kotri Barrage in Sindh, the officials said. Apart from that, there are no security pickets on the river right from KP to the Sukkur Barrage. Even at the three barrages, the security measures are aimed at protecting the water reservoirs - not countering the movement of militants. The officials said the new tactic of the militants would put the national security at risk if it was not countered immediately. They said the possible water route was discovered early last month. The intelligence report alerted that Al Qaeda and TTP had planned to kidnap officials, especially Chinese working at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)’s project at Chashma in the Mianwali district of Punjab. It said the militants had completed reconnaissance to kidnap the officials during their movement between Balkasar interchange in the Chakwal district and Kundian in the Mianwali district. “After kidnapping the officials, including the Chinese nationals, the terrorists intend to flee towards Laki Marwat in KP via the Indus River by using boats from near the shrine of Patang Baba, Ghundi Kundian Kundal, in Mianwali,” the officials quoted the intelligence report. The report added: “The same groups may also target those Chinese officials who travel between the Thal Canal Kudian and Talagang-Mianwali Road.” They said mounting vigilance along with setting up of checkpoints along the river was a very tough task but not impossible. Different options are under consideration, including the deployment of the Frontier Constabulary, Punjab and Sindh Rangers along the Indus River in KP, Punjab and Sindh.

Mysterious disease claims lives of 14 women in Bajaur

KHAR: At least 14 women have died during the past one week and several others suffering with infection after a mysterious disease broke out in Warah Mamond area of Bajaur Agency. Local people told Dawn on Thursday that the disease had hit people in the mountainous areas of Dabar, Badan, Saro Sha and surrounding localities of Warrah Mamond, 16 km from Khar, the agency headquarters. “As many as 14 women have died within a week while many others are infected after the disease spread in the area,” said Tahir Khan, a local tribesman, said. When contacted, Agency Surgeon Dr Zakir Hussain also confirmed the prevalence of the disease and casualties of several women because of it in the area. He said that the health condition of all the women who died from the disease was normal before being infected. They were between 40 and 50 years of age, he said. Talking to this correspondent on Thursday, he said that the mysterious disease broke out among women in different areas of Warrah Mamond a week ago. “Several women have died within a week and many others are seriously affected by an unknown disease,” he said. The agency surgeon, who visited the affected areas, said that a large number of women had been infected by the disease. “The disease is serious and fatal and we have not seen indications of such a disease in the agency before,” Dr Hussain said. He said that several health teams comprising senior doctors and paramedics had been sent to the affected areas to overcome the situation and identify the cause of the disease. Answering a question, he said that the health department was making efforts to find out main cause of the disease, adding that all patients died in a short time after contracting the disease. Bajaur Agency political Agent Abdul Jabar Shah told reporters on Thursday that the administration had asked the local health department to arrange medical camps in the area to ensure medical care to the affected patients. The residents have complained of lack of health facilities for the infected women in the area and expressed concern over the situation.

Punters put gentle Lucknow on electoral map

India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate and Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat Narendra Modi (2nd L) offers a saropa, holy cloth, to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's brother Surjit Singh Kohli (L), as Punjab state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal (2nd R) and BJP senior leader and candidate for Amritsar's parliamentary seat Arun Jaitley (R) look on, during an election rally in Amritsar on April 25, 2014. — AFP ********************************************************************************************************** LUCKNOW: The city in slow motion, as it rests on the banks of the Gomti river, was always a punter’s delight. Be it the fabled chessboard experts of Premchand’s stories, or the kite flyers of yore or its famous (or notorious) contests between vicious pairs of lacerating roosters, a small bet was always on in some corner of Lucknow on any given day. On Thursday, the observant punters had shifted their gaze to a new phenomenon in the electoral battle under way in the country: they had put Lucknow well up in their newly invented category for the dark horse. Should Narendra Modi fail to deliver his tidy sum of seats in spite of the deafening media chorus rooting for him, what then? The dark horse is not to be dismissed lightly or as a betting syndicate’s way of minting money. Many believe the punters are often better clued in vis a vis the craven polls that increasingly resemble paid news. Who could the dark horse, or horses, be? And let’s also look at why the punters feel it might be from Lucknow. A little history would help. Pocked-marked with canon shots fired by the rebels of 1857, the ruins of the British Residency in Lucknow still bear witness to the hard resolve this city is capable of, although idealists prefer to flaunt it as the promenade of genteel and etiquette-obsessed nawabs, a rendezvous of kathak dancers or as an endless fiesting at kebab shops. And yet there must be compelling reasons why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will project its shrill Hindutva face to garner votes anywhere in the country, but not here. Lucknow’s past as the hub of resistance to the British forces expands the respect and awe it draws from competing ideologues, and their political representatives. Atal Bihari Vajpayee represented a Hindutva party as prime minister, but he first imbibed a certain eclectic décor in the way to conduct politics, and that was Lucknow’s gift. It is this history of rebellion and courteous embrace that is thought to have nudged the BJP president Rajnath Singh to happily put on a common cap associated with Muslims, a gesture that Narendra Modi had pointedly refused to embrace. It is this small token of a gesture ironically that the punters could be leaning on. Should his divise overreach take a toll on Modi’s game plan, the punters are looking at and even helping recast Rajnath Singh as a moderate man to save the day for the BJP. The Singh calculation is a significant departure from the media projection of Mr Modi’s invincibility. The Hindustan Times on Thursday reported the ‘the worst-case’ political scenario as the betting syndicates are putting it: a coalition government with the BJP at the helm and regional political parties playing a significant role in New Delhi. While this scenario has Mamta Banerji’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the AIADMK as important allies, the BJP is still the bookies’ favourite to wrest power at the Centre — but projects a different Prime Minister: the BJP’s president, Rajnath Singh, the Hindustan Times noted. “These new rates presuppose a scenario where Narendra Modi somehow loses both Vadodara and Varanasi — or at least one of these — in addition to losing substantially down south and in the east,” a bookie told Hindustan Times. “In this case, given the fact that Modi as PM would be unacceptable to the leaders of the TMC, the LJP and the AIADMK, the BJP will be forced to put up another candidate for the post of PM. This will be Rajnath Singh,” the bookie added. Will Lucknow get its second prime minister from the BJP? The bets are on.

Karachi shuts down as MQM calls to mourn killed workers

KARACHI: The country’s financial capital was shut down due to a call for observing a ‘day of mourning’ by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) against extrajudicial killings of its party members, DawnNews reported. The party has called for a day of mourning in protest against the ‘extrajudicial killing’ of four MQM workers shot dead on Wednesday. Associations of transporters and fuel filling stations announced that that they would open for business after 3 pm today. On MQM’s appeal to observe a day of mourning, traders closed down their businesses, commercial centres and shops in Karachi. Due to absence of public transport on roads, it became quite difficult for people to reach their destinations. Transporters had also said they would support the party’s call by keeping their vehicles off the roads. Petrol and CNG stations as well as major and minor business centres were shut across the city. The Private School Management Association on Thursday had announced that schools operating privately would remain shut. Moreover, the Matriculation and Intermediate boards also postponed all examinations scheduled for today, the new dates for which would be announced later. Funerals of two of the deceased workers were held yesterday where as funerals of the remaining two, whose bodies were found at Super Highway on Thursday, took place at Numaish chowrangi on Friday afternoon. Raods from Numaish to Gurumandir were blocked for vehicular traffic along the route of the funeral processions. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had also taken notice of the killings of the MQM workers and ordered the formation of a committee headed by DIG Karachi East Munir Ahmed Shaikh to probe the matter.

Corps commanders’ meeting underway at GHQ

RAWALPINDI: The army top brass was meeting on Friday under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at General Headquarter Rawalpindi, DawnNews reported. The meeting was discussing the country’s security situation as well as the armed forces’ occupational affairs. During the meeting, the corps commanders expressed satisfaction relating to the army’s operational preparedness. According to sources privy to the meeting, important decisions relating to national security issues were also expected to be taken today. Gen Sharif also apprised the commanders on the discussions held in his meeting with US central command chief Gen Lloyd Austin. The meeting, which is commonly known as Corps Commanders’ Conference, is a routine monthly affair at the GHQ where the commanders get together to discuss “professional matters and issues that are impacting national security”.

WB approves $12 billion loan for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved a $12 billion loan for cash-strapped Pakistan to be given out in a period of five years, the country's finance ministry said on Friday. The finance ministry said the money will target “energy, economy, (fighting) extremism and education”, with $1 billion being transferred to Pakistan in the next week increasing Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves substantially. The loan will carry a two per cent interest rate. Pakistan is struggling to overcome a massive energy crisis, and a shortfall in tax revenues, and has borrowed heavily to pay government expenditure. Pakistan Day was celebrated at the World Bank yesterday, and in the two Development Policy Credit (DPCs) USD one billion was approved for energy and revenue support during the current financial year. The other land mark achievement of the day was the approval of Country Partnership Strategy under which Pakistan will get US $ 11 billion in the shape of project loans and budgetary support, a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance said on Friday. It may be mentioned that the World Bank loans are purely concessionary in nature with repayment schedule spanning over a period of thirty years including five years grace period and the interest rate will be nominal at the rate of 2 per cent per annum. On receipt of USD one billion, an equivalent amount of Rs100 billion will be reduced from the domestic debt which is much more expensive at 12.5 per cent per annum. The WB loan will incur 2 per cent interest per annum and the Government of Pakistan will be saving net 10.5% in payment of interest on Rs100 billion. Resultantly, there will be no net increase in overall public debt. The Finance Minister has congratulated the whole nation on this success and observed that, the Country Partnership Strategy is aligned fully with the vision of Pakistan's development challenges around the four ES “Energy, Economy, Extremism and Education,” based on the manifesto of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) and its commitment to the nation.

Govt one of the biggest electricity defaulters, says Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Khwaja Muhammad Asif on Friday declared the federal government as one of the biggest defaulters of electricity bills and warned consumers of having to tolerate frequent and prolonged load shedding in the hot summer days to come, DawnNews reported. Addressing media persons in the federal capital city Asif presented stats and figures related to a decrease in the production of electricity. He added that non-payment of bills and electricity theft was rampant in the country. The minister for power and water attributed the increase in load shedding to the increase in temperatures and said that electricity would be provided only to those consumers who paid their bills. Asif said that the federal government was itself one of the biggest defaulters of electricity bills. He further said that electricity supply to defaulters was disconnected in all provinces and 2,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity would be added in the national grid system in the next two-three months. The federal power minister said that alot was yet to be done for curbing line losses and electricity theft.

Azam Khan stirs another controversy, says Baba Ramdev neither a man nor a woman

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party’s Muslim face and U.P’s senior leader, Azam Khan's courtship with controversy is long-drawn, in another contentious remark he targeted yoga guru Ramdev Baba, who is also an ardent supporter of BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi. Azam Khan said that Ramdev’s remark against Dalit women is condemnable; he further added that Ramdev left Ramlila Maidan dressed in a woman’s attire, if he had the courage he would have left the Ramlila Maidan with honour. Khan also said people who need women’s clothes to escape arrest cannot be beneficial to the people of the country and winning the support of people like Ramdev reflects BJP’s hollowness. Azam Khan has been in the news for his various controversial statements this election season, he remains defiant about his statement made on Kargil, instead he said his statement is worth appreciation. Azam Khan has been on Election Commission’s scanner after his series of controversial remarks on Narendra Modi and Kargil. Azam Khan was close to an apology for controversial comments during his campaign, but instead he hit out at the Election Commission once again for banning his rallies in UP. "The Election Commission is not above law," he said. The Samajwadi Party leader accused the Election Commission of being partial to Amit Shah, a close aide of Narendra Modi, who was spared a similar ban after he apologized to the Election Commission. "I replied to them (Election Commission) but they did not even wait for it or see it and punished me. They wrote 'reply is awaited' when it was in their office. Election Commission is not above the court of law. In a democracy, to make us silent and punish us like this is absolutely wrong. It shows the country that the EC is turning into a CBI," Khan said. Khan was banned from campaigning in UP earlier this month for saying at rallies that the Kargil war of 1999 was won by Muslim soldiers. "I did not say anything about the Kargil. I just read out the names. If I had made a mistake there, I apologise. I have not divided on the basis of religion. Isn't there a Sikh regiment? These divisions should have gone with the British, maybe they can go now, they can improve now," he said. The Samajwadi Party leader said he had been "persecuted" for championing the cause of a community that is numerically weaker. "My secular credentials are beyond doubt. And by secular credentials, I imply my respect and concern for the rights and sentiments of all religions," he insisted.

Here is how Digvijaya Singh's son Jaivardhan reacted to his father's affair with journalist Amrita Rai!

New Delhi: On Wednesday, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh committed to his extra-marital relationship with TV anchor on Rajya Sabha TV Amrita Rai. After their video went viral on internet, the duo accepted their relationship on social networking website Twitter. Amrita Rai, meanwhile, also confirmed her separation from her husband. She added that she would later marry Digvijay Singh. Digvijay Singh's wife Asha Singh, 58, had passed away on February 27 at a hospital in New Delhi after battling cancer for several years.

When Digvijaya Singh's son Jaivardhan Singh was contacted for his reation on this revelation by his father, he said 'This is their personal matter.' He denied making any further comments on the incident. Jaivardhan Singh is the youngest child of Digvijaya who was born on July 9, 1986. He is the only son among 4 sisters. He is also known as 'Kunwar.'

After completing his higher education from Doon School, he went to Delhi University to pursue his graduation. Thereafter, he went to Colombia University in America for further studies.

After returning to India, he also got involved in politics like his father. In 2013, he fought in the assembly elections from Madhya Pradesh. Currently he is the MLA from Raghogarh. Jaivardhan defeated BJP leader Radheshyam Thakar by 58204 votes. He got 98041 votes while Radheshyam received just 39837 votes.

He grew up under the strict watch of her father Digvijaya Singh. Digvijaya tried his level best to keep his son away from the world of politics. Like Digvijaya Singh, Jaivardhan is also a party loyalist. According to him, whatever his father is today is because of the blessings of Congress party.

Jaivardhan said that when his father became the state president for the first time, it was because of Rajiv Gandhi's blessings and whatever their family is today is only because of Nehru-Gandhi family. He said that his father never wanted him to enter politics but he had to bow down in front of his son and Jaivardhan joined the politics then.

Blasts in south Indian train station kill 1 woman

NEW DELHI: Twin explosions ripped through two coaches of a passenger train Thursday morning in a southern Indian railway station, killing a 22-year-old woman and injuring nine people, officials said. Authorities suspect the blasts were caused by bombs planted on the Bangalore-Guwahati Express that detonated minutes after the train pulled into the station in the south-coast city of Chennai, according to the spokesman of India's southern railway system, M. Bhupati. "The police are already on the job, they are investigating what kind of bomb it was and what was the purpose," Chennai Central station General Manager R.K. Mishra said. At least one of the blasts erupted from underneath a coach seat where the 22-year-old victim was sitting, killing her, Mishra said. Two of the nine injured were being treated in a hospital for serious injuries, while police investigated and bomb squads checked the train for more explosive devices, Mishra said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in a region of India considered relatively peaceful.

Militant attack in Afghanistan kills 4 policemen

KABUL: Officials say a militant attack on a security post in eastern Afghanistan has killed four policemen. The Khost provincial government says in a statement Thursday that two members of the national police and two border police died in the attack the previous night in Ali Shir district. It says three militants were killed in the battle and one was captured. The deputy police chief for Khost, Yaquob Khan, says the battle for the post lasted two hours. He says the attackers were from the Haqqani network. (AFP)

Blast reported in Karachi

KARACHI: A blast has been reported in Qasba colony of Karachi, Geo News reported. SSP Irfan Baloch has confirmed the initial reports and said the explosion occurred in the cylinder shop.

Asif says he signed application against Geo

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Wednesday that the application moved against Geo in PEMRA was signed by him. He said that as a defence minister it was his responsibility to send the application. Speaking to media after attending Youm-e-Shuda ceremony at the General Headquarters, the minister said that talk of tension between the government and the military was baseless. Replying a question he said that his meeting with Opposition Leader Syed Khursha Shah was aimed at discussing electricity issues.

Prof. Ibrahim appeals TTP, army to lay down arms

PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader and member Taliban negotiating committee, Professor Ibrahim has appealed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the army for making dialogue process successful, Geo News reported. Addressing Tribal Jirga in Peshawar here Thursday, Professor Ibrahim said the army and Taliban are real parties and if the military wants, the dialogue process would become successful. He appealed both TTP and the military to lay down their arms. He also asked both the parties for ceasefire in respect of the sacred month. JI leader said if the Islamic articles of the constitution were implemented, they gave assurance that Taliban would accept the constitution. “We organized a meeting between government committee and Taliban shura in which process of confidence building began”, he added. Ibrahim said the judiciary is a major part of the constitution, however, the people of Fata are deprived of its benefits.
Peace Jirga-01 May 2014 by GeoNews

Bodies found from Memon Goth identified as MQM workers

KARACHI: The identity of the four bodies, recovered from Memon Goth a day earlier, has been ascertained here on Thursday, Geo News reported. The bodies have been identified as Sameed, Ali Haider, Faizan and Salman Qureshi. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) spokesman has claimed that all the four were party’s workers. The MQM spokesman further claimed that all four deceased were arrested by Rangers and police from Country tower and Gulshan-e-Maymar on April 13 and were brutally tortured to death. Police on Wednesday recovered four bodies from Link Road in Memon Goth. Police said the hands and legs of the deceased were tied up with rope while shells of 9MM and TT pistols were recovered near the bodies.