Pakistan offers joint investigation

FM says armed forces ready to defend frontiers

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said Pakistan has offered a joint investigation team to help India probe the Mumbai attacks.

"The government of Pakistan has offered a joint investigation mechanism, and we are ready to compose such a team which will help the investigation" he said in a televised statement.

Qureshi said that his government "wanted to get to the bottom of" the investigation and was ready to extend all possible cooperation and assistance. He asked the nation not to worry as the nation, the armed forces and the government stand united and ready to defend the ideological and geographical frontiers of the country.

The minister said both governments needed to show "maturity, seriousness and patience" amid rising tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals.

"I have offered this (cooperation) to my Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and to the Indian government in response of the demarche. We have sent this reply that Pakistan is ready to extend all kind of cooperation and assistance."

He termed terrorism a major challenge of the times and said it was common enemy that needed to be tackled through joint efforts.

The foreign minister said the region was passing through a critical phase and both the sides needed to show tolerance, seriousness and patience and avoid from finger pointing.

He said prevailing situation does not allow any irresponsible act by any side. - AFP/APP

Pakistani players, artists banned in Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena party will henceforth not permit any Pakistani player or cultural artist to come and perform in Mumbai or Maharashtra, a senior party leader said here Tuesday.

Indian media quoted Party MP Sanjay Raut as saying that it had always been the Sena's policy to discourage any kind of interaction between Pakistanis and Indians.

"However, after these terror attacks, we will ensure that not a single Pakistani player or cultural artist will ever set foot anywhere in the state," Raut said.

Castigating the Sena's stand, Jatin Desai, a prominent activist said: "This was on the expected lines from the Shiv Sena."

"In both India and Pakistan, the fundamentalist elements are strongly opposed to improved relations between the two neighbours.

They are against secularism and they are no different from these terrorists," said Desai, the spokesperson of the Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD).

He said contrary to general perception, there was a huge outrage in Pakistan against the last week's Mumbai terror attacks that left at least 183 people, including 22 foreigners, dead.

People took part in massive anti-terrorist rallies taken out in Karachi and Lahore, Desai said.

He said even in the past, the Sena had objected to Pakistani cricket team's playing in India, it had opposed a concert by ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali and other cultural artists from that country. - PPI

Govt killing the golden hen: APCA

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: All Pakistan CNG Association (APCA) NWFP chapter on Tuesday threatened to go on strike if domestic consumers were supplied gas at their cost in the winter season.

He said that the government was planning to shut down CNG filling stations for two months in order to give relief to domestic consumers.

Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, zonal chairman APCA Ghayas Abdullah Paracha said that the government wanted to close down the CNG industry but such a step will drive millions of rupees investment into the drain.

He said that Sui gas consumers consume gas after the fall of darkness and they had already suggested the ministry that they could keep their stations closed from 8:00 o'clock in the evening to 8.00 in the morning but they received no positive reply from the ministry.

He said that the suggestion was put forward by some members of the Board of Directors who wanted to ensure the availability of gas supply to their own textile units, adding that the closing of CNG industry would leave more than 8000 families without a source of income.

"More than 2.5 million vehicles run on CNG for which more than 2400 CNG filling station operates throughout the country while the number of stations in the NWFP stands at 401 filling stations.

Government receives Rs15 billion advanced tax per annum from CNG stations. "No other industry pays such a huge amount of tax," he claimed.

More than Rs160 billion has directly and indirectly been invested by the owners and CNG vehicle holders, he said, adding that CNG filling stations consumed 10 per cent gas but pay 16 per cent tax. He said that other industries and consumer consume more gas and pay less tax percentage."

He said that if the government decided to close CNG filling stations which would result in the shape of ruining of millions of rupees of investors and the government would also loss a source of heavy taxes which no any other industry paid.

He urged the government not to take such extreme step to benefit a officials who wanted to keep their own benefit supreme but did not care about the loss to employment and loss to the government treasury as well, adding that the country needed to earn more to boost its economy.

Ghyas said that CNG industry purchased gas at commercial rates which no other industry could match.

He said that the closure of CNG filling stations would pollute the environment as the petroleum products usage would become more widespread, billions of rupees investment would be ruined, the gas rates would be increased for domestic consumers, government would have to bear billions of dollars extra burden on the import of fuel.

He demanded of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani not to take such decision which create conflict, and also called for removal of SNGPL chief immediately.

Border situation

DG ISI, ministers to brief parliamentary body today

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee on national security has summoned Director General Inter Service Intelligence, Defence, Interior and foreign ministers for a briefing on the current situation of western border today.

While talking to mediamen after committee meeting, leader of house in Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik and DG ISI Lieutenant Gen. Shuja Pasha would brief the committee about the current situation of western border on Wednesday.

Raza Rabbani who is also chairman of parliamentary committee on national security said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi could not participate in Tuesday's meeting due to engagement in foreign ministry with regard to tense situation between Pakistan and India.

The committee, he said, would meet at 1:30pm today. "We had to cut short Tuesday's meeting due to All Parties Conference (APC) convened by Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on national security matters," he said.

Reply to a question, Raza Rabbani said, the matter regarding tense situation between Pakistan and India cannot be inducted in the committee agenda because under terms and references we can discuss the unanimous resolution adopted by the National Assembly.

Earlier, the meeting of parliamentary committee on national security was held here in the Parliament House. Raza Rabbani presided over the meeting, attended by Babar Awan, Israrullah Zahri, Abdul Razaq, Shahid Hassan Bugti, Rehman Malik, Sherry Rehman, Munir Khan Orakzai, Ishaq Dar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Haider Abbas Rizvi and DG ISI.

During the meeting, Rehman Malik and DG ISI were apprised about the modalities of the briefing and committee needs. - Online

FBI, Scotland teams launch probe in Mumbai

MUMBAI: A seven-member team of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a team from the Scotland Yard of UK, which have arrived in India, started their assessment of the Mumbai terror attack and met senior police officials Tuesday, state run PTI reported.

The teams arrived in the city Monday to probe the terror attacks in which at least 15 foreign nationals were killed and over 20 injured.

The total death toll in the terror attacks is presently been stated as 173.

There are reports that an Australian investigation team also is in Mumbai.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also registered a case of killing of six US citizens in connection with the Mumbai serial attack.

"There was a co-ordination meeting between the DGP, Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Commissioner (Intelligence), Additional Director General (Law and Order) and others," local Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria said. - Agencies

Pak, Afghan leaders to meet in Turkey

Monitoring Report

PESHAWAR: The leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan will meet in Istanbul on Friday to improve ties and boost cooperation, a Turkish government official said on Tuesday.

Afghan and Western officials have repeatedly accused Pakistan of failing to do enough to stop extremists based in its troubled tribal region and have expressed concern over its recent negotiations with Taliban militants.

Islamabad rejects the claims, saying that the root of the problem is in Afghanistan and that it has more than 90,000 troops along the border, with 1,000 Pakistani soldiers having died fighting insurgents since 2001

But more recently, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari have forged a closer personal relationship.

A government official told AP that the two leaders will meet in Istanbul on Friday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists.

Europe buyers skip India, buy basmati from Pakistan

NEW DELHI: European traders have bought 80,000 tonnes of basmati rice from Pakistan in the last 10-15 days, sidestepping main producer India's new season crop because of higher prices, a senior industry official said on Tuesday.

Gurnam Arora, joint managing director of Kohinoor Foods and former president of the All India Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters Indian exporters lost out largely because of an export duty of $200 a tonne imposed in April.

He said Indian basmati rice was quoting between $1,400 to $1,500 per tonne, about $400 to $500 above Pakistani prices.

"Traditionally, our rice is usually priced about $200 more than the Pakistani rice," he said. "We have requested the government to remove the export tax as Pakistan is eating into our share."

"There is no sense in this duty," Arora said, adding that Indian rice stocks were comfortable. India had also banned the export of non-basmati rice in April.

The country exported about 1.5 million tonnes of basmati rice in the year to March 31, 2008, out of total exports of 5.5 million tonnes of rice.

Arora said there was no clarity yet on whether the government will scrap the export duty, despite trade requests.

"There is going to be a shortfall of 30 percent in exports, if the export tax does not go immediately," he said.

Analysts say Pakistan, the world's fifth-largest rice exporter, has become more price competitive than India due to a bumper crop and depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the dollar.

"Most people are holding back purchases (of basmati from India), as they are saying that they will buy once the duty is scrapped," Arora said. - Reuters

Wheat stock of 2.6m tons available, ECC told

Statesman Report

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs, Shaukat Tarin here was informed that 2.6 million tonnes of wheat stock was available and import of 2.5 million tonnes wheat will be completed by December 31 this year.

The ECC decided to constitute a committee under the Minister for MINFAL, and comprising secretary commerce and other stakeholders, to investigate the problem of slow transportation of wheat from ports to down country and come up with appropriate proposals.

The ECC was further apprised that TCP was processing tenders for import of 250,000 metric tonnes urea while the import of 100,000 metric tonnes urea will be completed by December 15.

ECC advised MINFAL to make a schedule for availability of urea in the market and ensure its supply to the growers on time. It further directed MINFAL to closely monitor sugar stocks in the country and up its recommendations, if any, for ECC's consideration in its next meeting.

The ECC also reviewed the price situation in the country and economic indicators of the economy.

It also took a number of decisions on proposals submitted by different economic ministries.

While reviewing the price situation the committee noted with concern that the despite the phenomenal decrease in international commodity prices, including petroleum products and their consequent reduction in Pakistan, commensurate decrease in local prices was not evident.

The ECC constituted a secretaries committee to closely monitor the behavior of domestic prices that depend on international prices and take measures to ensure that reduced prices are transferred to the people.

In this regard it directed provincial governments to activate local price control committees and price magistrates to keep a eye on prices.

In particular, it directed that transport fares should be brought down and prevailing situation was not acceptable. It also directed Ministry of Interior to take appropriate measures to ensure that fares be reduced immediately.

The ECC was also informed that country's foreign exchange reserves stood at $9.1 billion on November 30, 2008, bolstered by the receipt of first IMF tranche of $3.1 billion.

It also noted that workers' remittances during July-October, 2008 increased by 12.7 percent to $2346.0 million compared to the same period last year.

Foreign direct investment of $1321.2 million for same period registered a growth of 0.2 percent compared with the same period of last year, though portfolio investment declined by $145 million for the same period.

With a view to lessening the difficulties faced by the automobile sector, ECC allowed exemption from 35% cash margin on Letter of Credit (LC), while it directed the Ministry of Industries to form a committee comprising representatives from FBR, Finance Division and other stakeholders to firm up proposals that could further ease the problems of the automotive sector.

With a view to speeding up the operationalisation of the Gwadar Port ECC directed that all import consignments of wheat and fertilizer will be through this port whereas cement can also be exported from this port.

NWFP to pay for water supply to Islamabad, Punjab

ISLAMABAD: The NWFP and Punjab governments have agreed to share around Rs47 billion cost of water supply of 200 million gallon per day from Ghazi Barotha to the twin cities.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has obtained no-objection certificate (NOC) from Punjab and NWFP governments for water sharing from Ghazi Barotha to the federal capital.

However, negotiations are underway with the governments of Balochistan and the Sindh provinces, Chairman CDA Tariq Mehmood Khan told the media person here on Tuesday.

He said the twin-cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will get a total 200 million gallon per day (MGD) water from the Ghazi Barotha and both would share the cost of the project that is approximately Rs47 billion.

He said an independent deputy directorate general would be set up for executing the project likely to be completed in five years.

Khan said the federal capital needs 125 to 130 MGD water while the exiting capacity of water supply is 111 MGD which is met through Simli Dam, Khanpur Dam, tubewells and some other means.

He said the existing water supply system is very old and the authority has planed to completely replace it that would cost six billion rupees. The feasibility study in this regard will be conducted in few months.

Referring to different road projects, he said all the ongoing projects including, Islamabad Highway, Faisal Flyover and Zero-Point Interchange would be completed timely.

He said the Islamabad Highway would be opened by April 2009 while the Faisal Flyover by January 2009.

The chairman said the upgradation and expansion of Murghazar zoo would be completed soon where 280 various species of animals, birds, mammals, reptiles would be added.

He further said that the families and children would be allowed free entry on every Friday.

Khan said a model park has been set up in the F-9 park for the special or disable children. Besides more parks including separate parks for women would be developed in different sectors of the capital.

To a question he said 11 more sectors would be developed in next few years, adding Langarkhanas (free food centres) would be set up in I and G sectors for the labourers. - APP

Israeli air raid kills 2 in Gaza

Jewish settlers desecrate Palestinian mosques

GAZA CITY: Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian medics said.

The attack, which apparently targeted Palestinian activists, was carried out in the Rafah area, according to the sources. There was no immediate word on the identity of the two dead.

The Israeli military confirmed it carried out an air strike in the Rafah area against "a group that had just fired a mortar round."

Palestinians fired a total of eight mortar rounds and two rockets at southern Israel on Tuesday, causing no casualties, a spokesman said.

Earlier Jewish settlers desecrated mosques in Israeli-occupied West Bank villages by spraying graffiti Palestinian officials and witnesses said on Tuesday. "Death to Arabs," written in Hebrew were spray-painted on the walls of a mosque in Al Sawyeh village in the northern West Bank, local councillor Mohammed Abdelrahim said.

The perpetrators also sprayed stars of David on the doors of several stores and slashed the tyres of eight cars in a pre-dawn attack, Abdelrahim said.

Settlers also painted stars of David and the word "Hebron" on two mosques in the villages of Sinjel et Turmusayya, witnesses said. The flashpoint city of Hebron has been the scene of clashes between security forces and settlers who have defied a court order to leave a house whose ownership is disputed.

Meanwhile, EU lawmakers told Israel's foreign minister on Tuesday that her country has to do more to stop the expansion of West Bank settlements.

Lawmakers at the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee said settlers' moves to defend their homes there were threatening Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in Brussels to seek closer EU ties, said it was no longer official Israeli policy to expand settlements in the West Bank and the government has been trying to reduce them since peace talks restarted last year. - Agencies

FM briefs envoys on Pak-India situation

Statesman Report

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday met the envoys representing P-5, EU member states and a select group of other countries based in Islamabad to brief them on Pakistan's position regarding recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai.   

Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the envoys, "Pakistan has proposed to India that a Pakistan-India Joint Commission, suitably composed, be set up to work together on the Mumbai incident."

He said the commission could be co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of the two countries and meet as early as possible for exchange of information and discussions on mutual cooperation in this regard.

Giving details, the foreign minister said Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

He said, "We condole with the families of the victims and the people and Government of India."

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan reiterates the assurances of utmost cooperation and assistance to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act of terrorism to justice.

He said, "The issue of terrorism is a major challenge of our times. Both Pakistan and India have suffered from indiscriminate violence."

The minister told the foreign envoys, Pakistan and India must enhance their coordination and cooperation in combating terrorism whether perpetrated by individuals, groups, or non-state actors.

He said serious, sustained and pragmatic engagement that is multi-tiered and comprehensive is warranted.

The foreign minister said as the government of Pakistan stands ready to extend its full cooperation, both sides must avoid blame game and hostile propaganda, which only works to the advantage of the terrorists in their nefarious designs.

He said allegations by Indian media about complicity of Pakistan in the Mumbai incident are strongly refuted.

Pakistan believes that both sides should work together to reduce tension and continue constructive engagement in a comprehensive manner.

The minister said the two countries have made significant progress in the Composite Dialogue process towards confidence building. He said terrorists must not be allowed to undo the gains made. 

CJ’s daughter issue

Senate body seeks enquiry report

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Education, Science and Technology has directed the Ministry of Education to conduct an enquiry into matter of the alleged re-marking and re-evaluation of the paper of Farah Hameed Dogar.

The committee, which met at the Parliament House on Tuesday-with Senator Razina Alam Khan in the chair, also ordered for submitting detailed report within three weeks.

However, it was also decided that if outcome of the enquiry was not satisfactory, the committee would itself conduct a probe into the whole affair to restore public confidence.

The committee was informed that the matter of the alleged re-marking and re-evaluation of the paper of Farah Hameed Dogar was sub-judice.

Meanwhile, discussing status of curriculum guidelines, the committee stressed that new textbooks must be published under new guidelines as ultimate objective was to pave way for uniform curriculum all over the country.

Members of the committee said that curriculum should reflect the norms and values of our society and promote creative thinking among the students.

Federal Minister for Education Mir Hazar Khan Bajrani, during the meeting, said that his ministry would seek guidance and instructions from the committee to help improve the things in true sense.

The meeting was attended by Senators Rehana Yahyah Baloch, Prof. Ibrahim Khan, Sajid Mir, Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Javed Ali Shah, Dr. Muhammad Said, Liaqat Bangulzai and senior officials of the education ministry and the FBISE. - APP

Karachi calm after intense violence

KARACHI: Police said they were hopeful that violence was easing off after days of bloodshed in which dozens of people have been killed. However four more people have been reported to be killed Tuesday.

City police chief Waseem Ahmed said four people were killed in different incidents in the early hours of Tuesday but the city had been mostly calm since then.

"There has been no major incident since the morning," Ahmed told Reuters.

At least 41 people have been killed since Saturday, according to a tally of reports from police and hospitals.

Rivals fought gun battles and burned shops and cars in several parts of the city of 15 million people over the weekend and more disturbances erupted on Monday.

Police have been told to shoot trouble-makers on sight and have banned pillion riding on motor bikes.

All schools and colleges in the city were shut for a second day on Tuesday and public transport was thin. But operations at the country's main port were normal, while financial markets and banks were open.

Ahmed said the violence had been confined to certain neighbourhoods where members of the rival factions lived in close proximity and police convoys were patrolling those hotspots. - Reuters