Read Think And Lead

RESEARCH PAPERS: "IMPACT ON STUDENTS' NEWSPAPER READERSHIP AFTER THE PROLIFERATION OF TV NEWS CHANNELS"

2010-07-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Researchers: AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR
SHAIKH KAMRAN SALIM
SYED WAJEEH-UL-HASSAN

ABSTRACT

Newspapers have always been a source of information and news for all the ages. However, with the proliferation of TV News Channels, students' choice of getting news and information has changed. The new media has expanded the horizons for news and information gatherers, but the focus of this study remains newspapers and TV. It has also become an academic debate that students do not read newspapers and prefer other sources for news and information. This survey is designed to find out how many students read newspaper and watch TV. As newspapers carry vital informations that are not available on TV, therefore we will also find out what is the students' preference of getting news details; Newspapers or TV. In this study we will also try to find out the impact of these TV news channels on Newspaper readership.

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan has seen a rapid growth in electronic media in the last decade. Old stalwarts in the field of journalism coupled by a complete new breed of media enthusiasts, Satellite TV channels have proliferated magnanimously. Pakistan's successive governments have also encouraged the freedom of information. In modern times press is one of the most important features of civil liberties. [1] This has seen a number of new TV News Channels on the scene, most of them are Urdu and some English and other languages.

Since last decade, the availability of news via 24-hour television channels and then the Internet posed an ongoing challenge to most newspapers in developed countries. Paid circulation has seen a downward trend, while advertising revenue — which makes up the bulk of most newspapers’ income — has been shifting from print to the new media, resulting in a general decline in profits. Newspaper publishers now a days emphasise mainly on how to sell as many copies as possible. [2] Many newspapers around the world launched online editions to stay in the competition and to cater to their virtual audience.

Most of the recognized Pakistani English dailies like, Dawn, The News, Daily Times and Business Recorder have online editions. However, in other parts of the world some publishers find their print-based models increasingly unsustainable. Therefore Web-based "newspapers" have also started to appear, such as the Southport
Reporter in the UK and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in US, which stopped publishing in print after 149 years in March 2009 and went online only.

Newspaper readership is on continuous decline. Although online availability of newspapers has improved the readership of newspaper, but the print form of newspaper has seen a significant decline. Mark Choate in an article on his blog wrote, "Newspaper circulation is in decline, but if you combine readership between the print and online version of a newspaper you'll find that net readership has increased. Despite this, there is a widespread perception that the decline in print newspaper circulation represents a shrinking market for local news." [3]

Newspapers emphasize more on the editorial contents and are presented in a detail version of the news story. Whereas, TV news channels having a time constraints and therefore they prefer condensed version of news story. Newspapers were the most preferred medium over radio and TV for disseminating and gathering news in the early twentieth century. During 60's and 70's television became popular. [4] However, with the advances in technology the trend has changed and TV has become the dominant media in bringing breaking news stories to people in their own homes instantly.

Newspapers reports are formal and they adopt a standardized language while TV news reports are less formal. Newspapers cover routine issues like city court, municipal matters and other district news in detail while TV news doesn't usually

cover these issues unless something unusual or controversial is taking place. However, TV has the ability to "Breaking News", something like early morning restoration of Chief Justice of Pakistan on 16th March, 2009, while a newspaper reader had to wait until the next day to read about the news.

A newspaper usually reports the story in more detail while TV news hardly gives any details due to time constraints. Also newspapers do more follow up of the news story as a subject evolves over time, such as the court proceedings, local issues, while TV news would only focus when the news is fresh. Newspapers also tend to give more background of the story and inform the audience in detail. TV news is quick and doest not last long compared to newspapers that have longer life.

This tendency of getting the news or information as and when happens is popular among the younger generation. Therefore, choosing TV as the medium is obvious. However, details are only available in newspapers which provides in depth reports and background of the story to enrich readers. Information may come quick on TV but it vanishes out of mind more quickly. A newspaper remains a handy source.

The advertisements in newspapers play a key role. More than three fourth of the newspapers' expenditures are met through advertisements. A newspaper not only advertises glamorous products but also publishes advertisements that are useful for students and their parents, such as university admissions, jobs, special incentives from government and others.

Whereas, TV commercials have a total different dimension. They are fleshy, expensive and glamorous. Due to the expensive air time, TV ads are mostly of commercial nature. Informations in these ads are limited and are targeted to general people. Also, TV ads are supplemented by print media, which is evident from so many ads where a manufacturer or service provider refers to newspaper for details.

Due to the very nature of being expansive and general, TV ads do not cater specifically to students. However, newspapers also publish advertorials that is useful for the students such as, educational policies, admission procedures, scholarship details and others. Therefore, newspaper reading habit among students should be developed to keep them informed from different activities relating to their interests.

Newspapers offer a variety of subscription plans. For example, some readers prefer only a Sunday paper, or maybe only a workweek subscription, or perhaps a daily subscription. However, newspapers also offer some or all of their content on the Internet, either at no cost or for a fee – not in the case of Pakistan where online newspapers are free only. In some cases, free access is available only for a matter of days or weeks, after which readers must register and provide personal data. In other cases, free archives are provided.

With the proliferation of TV news channels and growing number of TV sets ownership, newspaper readership among students has become an academic debate.

TV exposure is far too high. Since 2001, when the first Pakistani Cable and Satellite Channel went on air, the number of TV channels has grown to 93 along with 28 foreign satellite television channels granted landing rights permission by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

Our area of research is focused on the impact of these TV channels on the Newspaper readership. We have chosen the students to conduct our study. The students of this era have wide range of medium to gather information or news. Several surveys in the developed countries indicate that students have started to loose interest in newspaper reading.

Through this survey we will try to find out how many students read newspapers and watch TV news channels? Our survey is also designed to find out if students read newspapers or watch TV news channels to get details of news? And, has the proliferation of TV channels affected the newspaper readership among students?

Although there are number of entertainment, sports, fashion, music and Islamic channels among others, but our area of study remains the TV News Channels. Therefore, wherever we use the term TV Channels or Channels or simply TV that must be taken as TV News Channels.

We have chosen 75 male and 75 female students. Because our study is directed towards the students from masses, therefore we have preferred public university over

private. Karachi University is our focused institution and we have tried to cover almost all the departments to make the study more comprehensive.

DEFINITIONS

Newspaper

Newspaper is usually issued daily, weekly, or at other regular time that provides news, views, features, and other information of public interest and often carries advertising. More or less regular papers printed from movable type appeared in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands in the early 17th century. [5]

Newspaper is a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements. The physical object that is the product of a newspaper publisher; a cheap paper made from wood pulp and used for printing newspapers. [6]

News

News is the information about recent and important events. News is the communication of information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience. [7]

Reader

Rreader is one that reads, who publicly recites literary works. A reader is a person employed by a publisher to read and evaluate manuscripts. [8]

Viewer

Viewer is someone that views some spectacle; an onlooker or spectator; Someone who watches television; Any optical device used to view photographic slides; A program that displays the contents of a file of digital images; an image viewer or file viewer. [9]

Television

Television (TV) is a widely used telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images, either monochromatic ("black and white") or color, usually accompanied by sound. "Television" may also refer specifically to a television set, television programming or television transmission. The word is derived from mixed Latin and Greek roots, meaning far sight". [10]

LITERATURE REVIEW:

According to Newspaper Readership Survey (NRS) 2006 by Aftab Associates Pvt. Ltd. (AAL) TV has the highest exposure across all media followed by newspaper and then radio. The overall incidence of newspaper readership is 54 per cent of which 35.4 per cent are frequent readers while 18.6 per cent are occasional readers. Interestingly, the survey shows that newspaper readership in cities is higher. The readership is higher in Karachi followed by Rawalpindi Islamabad and then Lahore.

However, according to a similar study NRS-2007 conducted by MEMRB, a private research organization, the incidence of readership dropped down to 39.2 per cent. This is significantly lower then the study by ALL. However the results of NRS-2007 shows that readership in Karachi dropped to 36 per cent with Lahore taking the lead at 54 per cent. Newspaper readership is higher in males as compare to females. [11]

The survey conducted by the Pew Research Center for the people and the press, (PRCPP) 2006, more people turned to TV for news and use it for a longer period of time. According to the survey average number of minutes per user for TV is 53 as compare to 40 for newspaper.

Despite the new, vast and easy news sources these days, 40 per cent of Americans under the age of 30 watched a movie at home on video, DVD, or pay per view a day

before, says the report. This is far more than newspaper reader i.e. 24 per cent. This indicates newspaper readership is on decline among the age group under 30. [12]

Trends in media consumption of individuals have changed with the proliferation of new media. Internet access, TV channels and now mobile phones have given consumers a wide choice of media to gather news and informations from. With so much of choice for news gathering, priorities differ among younger generation or more precisely students.

2009 survey on youth readership in India, conducted by National Book Trust (NBT), shows that TV is the most exposed medium to youth, with average time spent a day at over 97 minutes. Radio (61 minutes), magazines (44 minutes) and newspapers (32 minutes) lag far behind.

According to the survey—with a sample of over 311,431 literate youth (102,021 rural and 209,410 urban) covering 432 villages in 207 districts as rural and 753 urban blocks in 199 towns as urban— India’s youth population grew at over 2% to 459 million in 2009 from 390 million in the 2001 census, while the literate youth population grew at a more rapid 2.5% to 333 million from 273 million. Growth was faster in urban India (3.15% a year) than in rural India (2.11%)

77% of the 333 million literate, or 259 million, youth are exposed to TV. However, newspapers too are able to maintain their dominance, with over half (53%) of all literate youth, or 177 million, exposed to them. [13]

In the Pew Research Center's 2008 news media consumption survey, 39% said they read a newspaper yesterday - either print or online - down from 43% in 2006. The proportion reporting that they read just the print version of a newspaper fell by roughly a quarter, from 34% to 25% over the two-year period.

Overall newspaper readership declined in spite of an increase in the number of people reading online newspapers: 14% of Americans said they read a newspaper online yesterday, up from 9% in 2006. This includes those who said they read only a newspaper online (9% in 2008), as well as those who said they read both print and Web versions of a newspaper (5%). These numbers may not include the number of people who read content produced by newspapers, but accessed through aggregation sites or portals such as Google or Yahoo. [14]

Wilson and Brenda in a research title, "Factors that predict newspaper reading habit in college students", says that, "Overall newspaper readership in the United States has been steadily declining in the past 30 or more years. Robinson (1990) states that the decline in newspaper reading stands in marked contrast to an overall increase in free time and to the increase in the public’s overall use of mass media. College students are part of the elusive 18- to 34-year-old demographic segment that is the least likely to read a daily newspaper and that newspaper publishers have sought for years to attract. Often electronic media are blamed for the decrease in print use. However, Schlagheck (1998) asserts that “long before any competition from cable or Nintendo, American newspaper publishers were worrying about declining readership among the young , . . .” [and] “the age at which young people form attachments with newspapers appears to be moving upward” (p. 74-75)". [15]

Penn State Student Newspaper Readership Program was established by President Graham B. Spanier in 1997. The program offers students the USA Today, the New York Times, and a local/regional newspaper. At University Park, the Centre Daily Times and The Daily Collegian are available. All newspapers are provided at no additional cost to students.

"In 2005, Penn State partnered with Educational Benchmarking, Inc. to pilot a national study on newspaper readership. The data overwhelmingly support the relationship between newspaper readership and developing cognitive skills; increasing one's awareness, understanding, and ability to articulate views on current issues; and developing civic-mindedness. In addition, there is a strong relationship between newspaper readership and student engagement both on campus and in the community.

Furthermore, the evidence suggests that utilizing the newspaper in the classroom promotes newspaper readership and further extends the learning outcomes articulated in the survey. With students' reporting that the Student Newspaper Readership Program increases their readership and their high levels of satisfaction with the program, the findings of this survey firmly support the educational value of providing a newspaper readership program on college campuses." [16]

METHODOLOGY:

It is essential to apply the right methodology to make a research successful. After going through several research papers of the same nature, it became very convenient for us to decide for the methodology for our research. Most of the researchers have adopted the survey methodology for these kinds of researches. A comprehensive result can be achieved through a survey.

Although, conducting surveys are not an easy task, but the results are instant and easy to analyze. Target audiences are given a multiple choice questions which makes it easier for them to choose from. Surveys can give you a lot of data and it will assure you that you have a verifiable resources. It provides you direct knowledge of people’s opinions and it can give you good data for your analysis.

Definitely the most important aspect in the process of survey is the designing of questions that should measure the opinions, experiences and behaviors of the public. Ambiguous and confusing or for that matter bias questions simply distracts the audience. Adopting careful measures in designing a questionnaire gives a fair chance in achieving the results. Procedure in designing a questionnaire requires a thorough literature review and is evolved after many deliberations.

A questionnaire was designed for the students to fill in. The objective of the research was to find out if students are more into reading newspaper or watching TV and which medium do they choose to get news details? Therefore when creating questionnaire we also placed question that can also find out the frequency at which students use these medium and which language they prefer. In this survey we also tried to find out the affect of TV news channels on newspaper readership.

Twelve questions were included in the questionnaire. Students were asked to respond on newspaper readership and TV viewership. Questions were also asked on the frequency of readership and viewership along with the language they prefer. We also asked students about their preference of news consumption or simply where they prefer getting news details from.

After consultation with our advisor, Dr. Shamsuddin, we had chosen 75 male and 75 female students. Because our study was directed towards the students from masses, therefore we preferred public university over private. Karachi University was our focused institution and we have tried to cover almost all the departments to make the study more comprehensive.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The questionnaire for the survey was carefully created to achieve best possible results. To analyze how many male and female students read newspaper or watch TV, we stratified the readers and viewers into two categories.

Those students who opted for 'Yes' as readers and viewers we categorized them as 'Regular'. While those who opted for 'Very Often' or 'Sometimes' are called as 'Occasional' readers or viewers.

Also, wherever the term 'Reader(s)' or 'Viewer(s)' appears in this paper, it is understood that it means both the 'Regular' and 'Occasional' readers and viewers.

The sampling size of this research is 150 students from Karachi University. Total numbers of students are equally divided among both the genders. 75 male and equal numbers of females consists of our total population.

Data collected during the survey shows that 74.66% males are Newspaper 'Readers'. Whereas, 25.33% male students responded that they do not read newspapers. (See Table: 1)

Newspaper readership trend in female students is slightly lower. According to data collected, 80% of females are Newspaper 'Readers'. 20% of female students never read newspapers. (See Table: 1)

Therefore, when we combine the results of both male and female the numbers of students are 116 out of 150 which makes 77.33% Newspaper Readers. Therefore, out of the population of 150 students 37.33% are male readers whereas 40% are female readers. (See Table: 2)

Data shows that 72% of male students are TV 'Viewers'. And 28% male students replied they do not watch TV at all. (See Table: 3)

Females, according to data, are more into watching TV news channels with 93.33% of females are TV 'Viewers'. Whereas only 6.66% never watches TV. (See Table: 3)

On combining the results of both male and female we can see that out of 150 students 82.66% are TV Viewers. Out of total population, 36% 'Viewers' are male whereas 46.66% are female. (See Table: 4)

With the above results we can see that TV viewing is higher than newspaper readership. The result authenticates our research where we tried to find out how many students read newspaper or watch TV news channels. (See Table: 5)

It is also been observed that female students are more exposed to TV with 93.33% of them are 'Viewers' as compared to 72% male 'Viewers'.

Similarly, females also read more newspaper than their opposite sex. 80% of female students read newspaper as compared to 74.66% male 'Readers'.

TV viewership is higher among female students and the data also shows more male students do not watch TV as compared to those who never read newspaper.

To make our research more comprehensive we ask our population that from which medium they prefer getting details of news? We found that 34.66% males get details of news from newspaper, 28% get details from TV news channels and 34.66% prefer getting details from both mediums, while only 2.66% male students do not want details of news from any medium. (See Table: 6)

The data of female population shows that only 8% females get details of news from newspaper, whereas 21.33% from TV news channels. However, 68% females

prefer getting news details from both medium. Only 2.66% females do not want news details from any medium. (See Table: 6)

The above statistics show that male students rely on newspapers for details significantly higher than female students. It is also noticeable that the number of female students who uses both medium for getting news details is higher than male students.

The amount of time students, both male and female, spent in newspaper reading was also obtained during the survey. Out of 56 male student 'Readers', only seven male students, which makes it 12.5% of the total population, read newspaper for more than an hour. However, 46.42% spends half an hour or less and 41.07% reads newspaper for an hour or less. (See Table: 7)

In females out of 60 'Readers', 45% read newspaper for half an hour or less. While 40% read newspaper for an hour or less and 15% read newspaper for more than an hour. (See Table: 7)

As for watching TV, the data shows that 57.40% male students spend less than an hour in watching TV news channel, while 42.59% spend more than an hour in watching TV news. (See Table: 8)

Female population is more exposed to TV with 64.28% students spend less than an hour and 35.71% spend more than an hour in watching TV news. (See Table: 8)

Our questionnaire also addressed to find out the frequency of readership among students. The data shows that 71.42% male students are daily 'Readers'. Whereas those who read newspaper several days a week and once a week stand equally at 5.35%. Furthermore, 17.85% males only read newspaper whenever they get a chance. (See Table: 9)

51.66% females read newspaper daily, which is lower than male students. 11.66% female 'Readers' read several days a week; while 8.33% read newspaper once a week and 28.33% read newspaper whenever they get a chance. (See Table: 9)

64.81% males watch TV news daily whereas 5.55% watch TV news several days a week. Only 3.70% watch TV news once a week which is lower as compare to newspaper readership. 25.92% male students watch TV news whenever they get a chance. (See Table: 10)

Females are more into watching TV than reading newspaper. The data shows that 62.85% females watch TV news daily and 5.71% watch TV news several days a week. While 5.71% females watch TV news once a week and 25.71% watch TV news whenever they get a chance. (See Table: 10)

Our data also shows that 55.35% of male student 'Readers' read Urdu dailies, while 28.57% read English dailies and 16.07% prefer reading both language dailies. (See Table: 11)

In females, 36.66% are Urdu daily, 'Readers', whereas, 40% read English dailies and 23.33% prefer reading both language dailies. (See Table: 11)

Similarly, we found that 62.96% males watch Urdu news channels, 12.96% watch English news channels and 24.07% males prefer watching both language news channels. (See Table: 12)

Whereas, 58.57% female students watch Urdu news channels, 20% watch English news channels and 21.42% prefer both language news channels. (See Table: 12)

CONCLUSION:

The objective of the research was to find out how many of students read newspaper and watch TV. Also we wanted to know where the students prefer getting news details; Newspaper or TV.

We can see from the data collected that out of total population (both males and females), 77.33% read newspaper, whereas 82.66% of the total population are TV 'Viewers'.

The above results are self explanatory. Newspaper readership is lower than TV viewership. The trend of newspaper readership among students is also alarming. The data shows that 25.33% male students do not read newspaper at all as compared to 20% females. Overall 22.66% students are non 'Readers'.

It is evident from the results that there is a decline in newspaper readership. After the proliferation of 24 hours TV news channels, students' preference of getting news details from TV, 24.66%, is higher than newspaper, i.e. 21.33%. However, a significant number of population, 51.33%, prefers using both medium for getting news details.

Newspaper readership programs should be designed in faculties to enhance readership. Research studies have shown that by implementing such programs, the

readership among students has improved. Newspaper reading in classrooms should also be encouraged. By this way non readers will also adopt the readership habits.

Newspapers are beyond the classroom tutors. They cater to all walks of life and carry information that no other medium does.

References

1. See, Al-Sulami, 2003, 'The West and Islam', Routledge Curzon, London, p- 104.

2. Ibid, p-105

3. Article: "Newspaper Readership Decline" by Mark Choate. Available online: http://choate.info/2008/03/03/Isnewspaperreadershipindecline/ ,(Downloaded : June 8, 2010).

4. See, Curran and Seaton, 1991, 'Power without Responsibility', 4th edition, Routledge, London, p-229.

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13. National Book Trust (NBT) Survey 2009, undertaken by National Council of Applied Economic Research on behalf of National Book Trust, "National Youth Readership Survey", Available online: http://india.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2010/03/26/youth-readership-survey-india-some-trends/, (Downloaded: June 11, 2010).

14. The Pew Research Centre for the People & the Press, "Newspapers Face a Challenging Calculus: Online Growth, but Print Losses are Bigger". Available online: http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1133/decline-print-newspapers-increased-online-news, (Downloaded: June 13, 2010)

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LPG Container Blast in Hyderabad By Aqeel Ahmed Rajpar

2010-06-28T02:19:00.000-07:00

Hyderabad,June 28 (RTL): Eighteen people have been killed and forty others injured in a LPG-Container blast in congested area named Hala Naka Bazaar near Grid Station Hyderabad on Monday.

RPO Hyderabad Fiyaz Leghari talking to media informed that blasts occurred in LPG Container and the intensity of the blast was so severe that it damaged ten shops in the vicinity of the blast place and approximately fourteen people died on the scene and forty others get injured who were shifted to Civil Hospital.

DPO Hyderabad Javed Alam also said that a truck carrying Gas-Container was parked near Grid station in Halanaka bazaar that exploded with a severe bang adding that the blast couldn't be termed as terrorists attack.

He also informed that blast occurred owing to explosion in truck carrying LPG Container that was carrying thirty thousand thinner gases and was parked beside the Grid station in Halanka Bazar. After the blast an electricity transformer also exploded that destroyed all the nearby shops and a hotel.

Eye-witnesses also said that Halanaka bazaar has been very congested area, as there have been numerous Truck mechanics shops and various bus-stands and the blast occurred in a truck that was parked before a scrap shop and the intensity of the blast was so severe that it damaged all the nearby shops and number of people also came under debris of their shops.

Police and Rangers reaching on the blast place cordoned off the area and assisted the rescue team to shift the victims of the blast to civil hospital.

It was worth mentioning that intensity of the blast was so severe that it also damaged the main electricity lines that disconnected electricity supply to the city.

Interior Minister Sindh Zulifqar Ali Mirza expressing his heartfelt grief over the loss of innocent lives in the unfortunate incident said that the incident couldn't be termed as terrorist activity adding that police has been investigating from all angles over the incident.

Pakistan-India ties

2010-06-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

Not much was expected in terms of public announcements from the meeting of the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India yesterday in Islamabad and not much was offered afterwards for public consumption other than blandishments. With their bosses, the foreign ministers, set to meet on July 15, such meetings are invariably about setting the stage for higher-level interactions. From the perspective of nudging forward Pakistan-India relations, the meeting to be held between Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Home Minister P. Chidambaram may hold greater promise. Undeniably, terrorism is a key issue between the two countries at present. Yet, bizarrely, there is no effective mechanism for sharing intelligence on potential terrorist activities between the two countries.

The Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism set up in 2006 had become a posturing club, involving members of the bureaucracy who were content to exchange ‘wanted lists’ periodically. A more meaningful mechanism would involve the exchange of real-time intelligence between the two countries, and would almost surely require the active participation of the intelligence agencies on both sides. Messrs Malik and Chidambaram could use their meeting towards at least initiating such a process, one that would in concrete ways address some of India’s concerns on the terrorism front.

The fact of the matter is that big breakthroughs are not likely any time soon. Perhaps because of external, read US, pressure or perhaps because India is afraid the shifting tide in Afghanistan may jeopardise its investments there, India agreed to talk to Pakistan. But it’s striking that even now, some months after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made his surprise announcement, there is no decisive shift away from the Indian position post-Mumbai. What seems to have changed is more the tone and tenor rather than the substance of the conversations. Also not very encouraging is the lack of creative thinking on the Pakistani side.

As long as India clung to its ‘no composite dialogue’ line, Pakistan seemed to know what to say: restart the composite dialogue. But given some kind of ambiguity in the Indian position, Pakistan has not been able to put any new ideas on the table. To be sure, it’s in Pakistan’s interests to talk, and talk soon, about the ‘core’ issues, Kashmir, water, etc. Yet, diplomatic breakthroughs are not had by sitting back and sticking to traditional demands. In Prime Minister Singh, Pakistan has a potential peace partner who appears willing to at least go beyond the bare minimum in the quest for peace. Creative thinking here could give the latest ‘process’ the necessary impetus.

More football excitement despite World Champions crashing out

2010-06-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Karachi, (RTL): The last day of group matches at the World Cup with Brazil and Portugal heading Friday’s action.

On Thursday, former world champions Italy joined France in crashing out of the tournament losing 3-2 to Slovakia at Ellis Park. It was the first time both the winner and runner-up from the previous World Cup have failed to make it to the second round.

Italian fans expressed their disappointment in their team’s performance. “It was disappointing,” said a fan, “I am distraught, I want to go home and get into bed,” added another.

Slovakia fans were delighted with the players’ performance.

“First time in history that we qualify for the next stage,” said a fan. “It is a great day for Slovakia, Slovakia rules,” said another.

Cameroon disappointed African fans, losing 2-1 to Holland in Cape Town. Japan is through after a 3-1 victory over Denmark while Paraguay has advanced to the last 16 after a goalless draw with New Zealand.

Germany vs. Australia World Cup 2010 Match Results

2010-06-14T01:38:00.000-07:00

Karachi, (RTL) June 14: Germany win against Australia in their round game of 2010 world cup at South Africa.

The Germans’ performance were good enough as it stunned spectators in Durban South Africa.

I was watching the Germany vs. Australia World Cup, Germany’s football skills and cooperation were no match to that of the Australians. The Germans had an early goal in the 8th minute of the football game. The match continued scoring another goal for the Germans before the second half began. With the two accumulated goals, Australia was stunned by Germany’s performance in the World Cup 2010.

The second half finished with another two goals for Germany ending the game with a total final score of 4-0. Well, Germany’s win just proved that they were one of the best teams in the World Cup. Germany has never lost a single football game in any preliminary matches they have in all of the World Cup they are in.

Having said that, it would be very exciting seeing a World Cup football match between Germany and England as both football teams showed great skills in the World Cup. Who do you think will win if this happened? Will it be Germany or England?

Stay tuned to us for more World Cup 2010 updates. Tomorrow, we will be reporting once again another set of football matches in the World Cup 2010 with Netherlands vs Denmark in the first football match at 1:30PM local time.

This will then be followed by Japan vs. Cameroon at 4PM and the last would probably be the most exciting football match in the World Cup 2010 tomorrow between Italy vs. Paraguay at 8:30PM.

Football World Cup 2010

2010-06-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

South Africa hosting the month-long 2010 football World Cup, the nation has shown it has come a long way since the dark days of apartheid.

Before this event South Africa has hosted various international sporting events since the end of apartheid in 1994, including the 1995 rugby World Cup and cricket’s 2003 World Cup.

However, hosting football world cup if real proud for the nation as the game is globally popular. If the tournament goes smoothly, it should raise South Africa’s profile, as the country is already Africa’s economic powerhouse.

The event will improve the continent’s weak image on the whole. Former South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela lobbied hard to bring the cup to his homeland.

The flashy stadium of Johannesburg where the World Cup kicked off is not too far from Soweto, the sprawling township considered to be the bastion of the anti-apartheid movement.

There has been criticism on South Africa for not having the infrastructure to hold a global sporting event of the cup’s calibre, while high crime rates are also an issue. In the run-up to the event journalists have reportedly been mugged while cash has been stolen from the Greek team’s hotel rooms.

The South Africans government ensures that there are no major security lapses. Bomb squads are sweeping the venue and thousands of police officers are on high alert. It is a pity that Pakistani football fans will have to root for other national sides as this country does not register very high on the chart of international football.

Master pieces shown at KSA (By: Aqeel Ahmed Rajpar)

2010-06-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

Karachi, June 05 (RTL): Photo Club of Karachi (PCK) organized a photography exhibition at Karachi School of Arts here on yesterday.

Master pieces of club members have shown to promote this art and explorer talented photographers of Pakistan.

The club has been running for nearly two years, and in that time the members of the club has discovered masters in the field of photography.

In the long run, the club plans to broaden their scope and outreach and for that very purpose they have now started exhibiting their work since last year.

The PCK is a nonprofit club aiming to raise awareness of this art among the people and promote this form of the art throughout the country.

Mass media with strong future BY: FATIMA SHIEKH

2010-05-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

The impact of mass media has been outstanding throughout the history; in the ancient times people were dependent upon story tellers to hand down the history, information and culture as to get knowledge.

At present time it is one of the method to shape the minds of the people, to educate them, to inform them abut life happenings. Now-a- days an illiterate person, try get as much as information he can through different sources of mass communication including radio, television or by going through the pictures in magazines ,newspaper etc.

The future of anything in its initial stages is not sure or somehow uncertain. To illustrate it we can take the example of radio, when it started in 1910’s, its future was uncertain but very soon it was considered as the important medium similar was the case of mass media but the increasing industry has proved its importance, in every walk of life.

One can find that the strongest impact of media is over our youth as they are the regular followers and tend belief and adopt everything, infect they are the target of may businesses. It is media who plays its role in globalization, also boost culture, not only this also give freedom of expression. It has enhanced political consciousness and made the masses aware of it.

As it is describe above that media is giving boost to cultures as a result of which fusion has taken place and a new culture known as global culture has evolved. We can further elaborate as:

Blogs will be the 1st place that news breaks, and the only place to go for serious insightful reporting. Local newspapers will be replaced by loose networks of local blogs. National newspaper will be driven to extinction by logarithms (Google, Blogdex) and information clearing house blogs.

The wikimedia projects overtake the New York Times to become the “news of records”, the first place people go for unfamiliar information or to follow-up on previous event. Eventually the cultural importances of wikipedia will spwan the wikiprint project in order to provide printed editions of the latest versions of wikipedia articles periodically. When national news paper go up for sale.

The wikimedia foundation well starts buying their archives and hiring a few wiki friendly reporters and editor to work on developing content and editing full time.

Satellite has made a huge difference to the choice of viewing available even in relatively small towns in economically under developed parts of South Asia. it has opened windows to word which were inaccessible before except to the well to so and it has provoked a lively often debated about the implication for nations, communities and culture.

It has also offered a major challenge to the national broadcasters of South Asia who had the field to themselves for so long. Satellite TV is no respecter of borders. It has created new electronic communities which transcend old political boundaries .the same programs can now be watch in Karachi, Kandy Katmandu, Kolhapur and Khulna, even if the language isn’t always understood. It is the challenge not just to the national broadcasters but to nationalism itself.

Local TV news will be replaced by what we now think of as public access television, delivered over the web, but with the advent of low cost digital video recording and editing equipment, it will rival the cable network in terms of quality, cutting edge content and personal engagement. Most future of film makers gets their start producing pieces for local video websites. In short future of mass media is so bright.

(The writer is the student of Mass Communication, University of Karachi.)

DRUG ABUSE AFFCETS THE YOUTH BY: FATIMA SHEIKH

2010-05-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

QUAID-E-AZAM said; “Future of Pakistan based on its youth”. It is true that youth is basic pillar of any state. if it destroy by any mean state will destroy itself. Now-a-days drug abuse is become a major social problem which especially affect youth. First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you. - F. Scott Fitzgerald.

In a recent study by the University of Michigan, 8th, 10th, and 12^th graders across the country are continuing to show a gradual decline in the proportions reporting use of illicit drugs.

"The cumulative declines since recent peak levels of drug involvement in the mid-1990s are quite substantial, especially among the youngest students," said U-M Distinguished Research Scientist Lloyd Johnston, the principal investigator of the MTF study.

The proportion of 8th graders reporting use of an illicit drug at least once in the 12 months prior to the survey (called annual prevalence) was 24 percent in 1996 but has fallen to 13 percent by 2007, a drop of nearly half. The decline has been less among 10th

graders, from 39 percent to 28 percent between 1997 and 2007, and least among 12th graders, a decline from the recent peak of 42 percent in 1997 to 36 percent this year.

Among the substances abused are: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, "club drugs" (ecstasy, etc.). Stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, prescription drugs, and steroids.

Drug and substance abuse among teenagers, is substantial. Among youth age 12 to 17, about 1.1 million meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs, and about 1 million are treated for alcohol dependency.

According to National institute of health, from 2006 to 2007, the percentage of 8th graders reporting lifetime use of any illicit drug declined from 20.9% to 19.0%. Reported past year use among 8th graders declined from 14.8% to 13.2%. Past year prevalence has fallen by 44% among 8th graders since the peak year of 1996.

Past year prevalence has fallen 27% among 10th graders and 15% among 12th graders since the peak year of 1997. In 2007, 15.4% of 12th graders reported using a prescription drug nonmedically within the past year2. Vicodin continues to be abused at unacceptably high levels. Attitudes toward substance abuse, often seen as harbingers of change in abuse rates, were mostly stable. However, among 8th graders, perceived risk of harm associated with MDMA decreased for the third year in a row. Attitudes towards using LSD also softened among 10th graders this year.

Between 2005 and 2007, past year abuse of MDMA increased among 12^th graders from 3.0% to 4.5%; and between 2004 and 2007, past year abuse of MDMA increased among 10th graders from 2.4% to 3.5%.

The remaining statistically significant increases involved teen alcohol use. The percentage of 10th graders who had been drunk in the past year rose from 38.3 in 1998 to 40.9 in 1999. Also, the percentage of 8th graders having 5+ drinks during the 2 weeks prior to being surveyed increased from 13.7 in 1998 to 15.2 in 1999.

Teenagers at risk for substance abuse include those with a family history of substance abuse, who have low self-esteem, who feel hopelessly alienated, as if they don't fit in, or who are depressed.

Different substances lend themselves to different groups of symptoms. The most glaring symptom in all cases is a change, sometimes a radical one, in behavior. Other physical signs of substance abuse are: slurred speech, memory impairment, in coordination, and impairment of attention.

There are three categories of substance abuse:

A. Use: The occasional use of alcohol or other drugs without developing tolerance or withdrawal symptoms when not in use.

B. Abuse: The continued use of alcohol or other drugs even while knowing that the continued use is creating problems socially, physically, or psychologically.

C. Dependence: At least three of the following factors must be present: a. Substance is taken in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than the person intended.

In order to cope up with this social problem governments of the states should take appropriate measures and pass such laws against smuggling of such drugs which causes substance abuse in society. Moreover drugs should not supply without doctor’s prescription.

(The writer is the student of Mass Communication, university of Karachi.)

Female Genocide in India By Jalil Ahmed

2010-04-09T01:28:00.000-07:00

India worships a score of goddesses seeking “shakti” (divine power}. The divine mother Durga and the Great Mother - Kali Ma are worshipped across the country by both male and female for strength.

However the hypocrisy of Indian society is pellucid as on one hand it worships women goddesses and on the other it doesn’t hesitate to kill these goddesses’ vivid manifestations.

Some ten million female births in India have been lost to abortion and sex selection over the past 20 years because of a traditional preference for boys.

The shocking report, published in the British Medical Journal, Lancet lays the blame squarely on the use of ultrasound screening, which tells families whether their child will be a boy or a girl.

The research, based on a national survey of more than one million households, found an unusual gender imbalance in the country, the study said adding the gender imbalance in India has been known for some time. It has caused a marriage crisis in rural areas where thousands of young men are failing to find brides.

The research, carried out by Prabhat Jha of St Michael's Hospital at the University of Toronto, Canada, and Rajesh Kumar of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Research in Chandigarh, was published in the Lancet journal (Jan 2006).

They said prenatal selection and selective abortion caused the loss of 500,000 girls a year.

The research based on a national survey of 1.1 million households in 1998 claimed the "girl deficit" was more common among educated families irrespective of religions. The study found an alarming tendency to select boys when previous births were girls.

Prabhat Jha concluded conservative estimates suggest half a million girls were being lost each year. The practice has been common for most of the past two decades since access to ultrasound became widespread, hence the figure of 10 million missing female births does not sound “unreasonable”, he added.

In most countries, women slightly outnumber men whereas research for the year 2001 showed that for every 1,000 male babies born in India, there were only 933 girls.

Traditionally female children are held inferior and a liability across the sub-continent .The region, a large agrarian society, considers boys more useful for farm work. ###

5 Largest Libraries of the World

2010-04-07T04:39:00.001-07:00

Library of Congress

Library of congress is currently dwelled in three buildings in Washington D.C, the United States of America. It holds 29 million books and is presently listed as the World’s Largest Library in the “Guinness World Records Book”. The Library of Congress was set up on April 24, 1800. Currently the head is the Librarian of Congress James H. Belington. This Library is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States.

National Library of China

National Library of China is housed in Beijing, China. It is the largest library in Asia and world’s second largest library which contains over 23 million volumes. It was founded on 24 April 1909 by the Qing government and was first formally opened after the Xinhai Revolution, in 1912. Currently the director is Mr. Zhan Furui.

Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The world’s third largest library contains 20 million books. The Academy was founded in Saint Petersburg in Russia by Peter the Great, inspired by Gottfried Leibniz in January 28, 1724. The Library was called as Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences between 1724 and 1917.

National Library and Archives Canada

National Library and archive Canada is located in Ottawa, Canada with number of 18.8 million books. It is the multipart of the “Public archive of Canada” and “National library of Canada”, founded in 1953.The Director, librarian and Archivist is Dr. Daniel J. Caron of Canada.

German National Library

German National Library is situated in Frankfurt, Germany. In German language it is called as “Deutsche Bibliothek”. It was established in 1912. It contains 18.5 million books. The Director of German National Library is Dr Elisabeth Niggemann.

5 Pictures that Shocked the World

2010-04-07T04:35:00.000-07:00

Death Caused by Earthquake 2005

Burning Monk

Thích Quảng Đức a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who burned himself to death at a busy Saigon road intersection on 11 June 1963, as a protest against persecution of Buddhists in Vietnam.

Iraqi Soldier

The image shows a burned-beyond-recognition Iraqi soldier in the front window of a destroyed truck.

Burial of Unknown Child

One of the victims of the world’s worst ever industrial disaster known as Bhopal gas tragedy, took place at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in the Indian city of Bhopal on December 3, 1984.The plant released (MIC) gas and other toxins, resulting in the exposure of over 500,000 people.

Sudanese child

Sudanese child being stalked by a vulture nearby. It is quite obvious that the child was starving to death, while the vulture was patiently waiting for the toddler to die so he can have a good meal. Nobody knows what happened to the child, who crawled his way to a United Nations food camp. Photographer Kevin Carter won a Pulitzer Prize for this shocking picture, but he eventually committed suicide three months after he took the shot.

5 heaviest people in the history

2010-04-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

Carol Yager (peak weight 727 kg/ 1,600 lbs)

Carol Ann Yager is topping the list of heaviest people, her peak weight reached up to 727 kg (16, 00 lbs); Carol Ann Yager was also famous for losing most weight by natural means,she lost 521 lbs weight in just three months.

According to news reports her skin was breaking down due to a bacterial infection, that’s why she was admitted to Hurley Medical Center, where she spent terrible time till her death.Carol Yager was unable to stand or walk because her muscles were not strong enough and she died at the young age of 34,main causes of her death were kidney failure, multiple organ failure and morbid obesity.

Jon Brower Minnoch (peak weight 635 kg / 1400 lbs)

Like Carol Yager, Job Brower was also fat in his childhood, his weight was 132 kg (292lbs) ,when he was just 12 years old; Minnoch was admitted to hospital for 16 months where he lost 419 kg but after being discharged, his weight doubled. He couldn’t control his weight and died on September 10, 1983, at the age of 42.

Manuel Uribe (597 kg / 1,316 lb)

Like other heavy weights, Manuel Uribe is also living a hard life. He spent 9 years in bed from 2001 to 2009,even he got married in bed with Claudia on October 26, 2008.On his wedding, Manuel Uribe spoke loud and clear to all dishearten people saying “I am proof you can find love in any circumstances, It’s all a question of faith. I have a wife and will form a new family and live a happy life”.

Walter Hudson (544 kg / 1,200 lb)

World’s fourth heaviest power house was born in Brooklyn, New York. Walter came into lime light when he was trapped inside of his room’s door. Recue team had to break the wall to take him out. He loved to eat as once he said and I quote “”I just ate and enjoyed it”. Although he announced his wedding plans but that remained a dream . He died few weeks later.

Rosalie Bradford (544 kg / 1,200 lb)

Rosalie Bradford was Foodaholic since her childhood. Like all other weight giants, she gained weight when she was young. At the age of 14 her weight was 92 kg and 140 kg at the age of 15. Rosalie married and had one son. After her marriage, she spent most of her time at home and gained more weight. All that depressed her and she tried to commit suicide. Her weight eventually reduced to 136 kg (300 lb). She died on November 29,

Top 5 Weird Animals

2010-04-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

Cyclops Kitten

Cyclops Kitten was s a creature, which was born in Redmond, Oregon, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005,actually that kitten was suffering from cephalic disorder in which theprosencephalon (the forebrain of the embryo) fails to develop into two hemispheres, it survived only one day.

Miracle Mike

Miracle Mike was a headless chicken born in April 1945 in USA,it survived 18 months. The story of this chicken is very interesting, Lloyd Olsen,a farmer residing in Colrado decided to cook a chicken named “Mike” for his supper ,he tried to kill Mile with but axe missed the jugular vein, leaving one ear and most of the brain stem intact, Mr. Olsen decided to continue to care permanently for Mike, feeding it a mixture of milk and water via an eyedropper; it was also fed small grains of corn; Olsen also used Mike’s fame to earn hand some bucks through its display on public shows.

Cham Leck

Cham Leck is a six legged Cambodian cow which was born in October 7, 2003, this cow was gifted to a monk by its owner due to danger of bringing him a bad fortune ,Cham leck means strange in local language.

Three headed frog

Scientists are calling this creature a product of environmenta problem, it was discovered by a children of Green Umbrella nursery in Weston-super-Mare,United Kingdom in the year 2004.

Alligator mississppiensis

A rare white albino alligator is seen during a photocall at the ‘Serengeti’ Safari park in the northern German village of Hodenhagen. The 14 year-old albino alligator (Alligator mississppiensis), named ‘White Diamond’, was born in Louisiana in the U.S. and grew up at the St. Augustin-Alligator Farm in Florida

Top 5 Biggest and Deepest Holes of the World

2010-04-07T04:30:00.000-07:00

Mirny Diamond Mine

Mirny Diamond mine is considered to be the biggest hole in the world; it is located in Mirny, Eastern Siberia, Russia ,it is 1 1/2 km wide, 500 meter deep hole, average winter temperature in mirny is just below -40 Celsius; flights are not allowed above the hole because due to suction many helicopters fell down into the hole.

El Zacatón Cenote

El Zacatón Cenote is world’s deepest water-filled sinkhole,it is 318 metres deep,it was discovered by the help of robotic vehicle designed for underwater exploration by the National Aeronautic Space Agency

The Great Blue Hole

The great blue hole is a circular shaped hole located 100 kilometers (62 mi) from the Belize City and is 300 metres across and 125 metres deep;it was formed due to rising of oceans ,when limestone caves flooded and caves collapsed.

The Door to hell

This hole named Derweze is located in Turkmenistan, it was discovered in 1971 when drilling was going on by geologists,suddenly ground under the rig collapsed leaving a hole of about 50-100 metres,scientists decided to burn the discharging gas which is still burning since that day.

Sinkhole

In February 2007 a large sinkhole opened in northeast Guatemala city, killing three people. The sinkhole was 100.5 m (330 ft) deep, and apparently was created by fluid from a sewer dissolving the rock underneath. As a result, one thousand people have been evacuated from the area

Top 5 Weird Human Diseases

2010-04-07T04:29:00.000-07:00

Lymphatic filariasis

Elephantiasis also known as lymphatic filariasis is a disease which is characterized by thickening of skin and underlying tissues; it is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori and they are transmitted by mosquitoes.

Hyperchitrosis

Werewolf syndrome or Hyperchitrosis is a disease in which there is an abnormal growth of hair on patient’s body and especially on parts of the body where hair normally does not grow; it is commonly caused by AIDS, tuberculosis etc.

Blue Skin Disorder

Blue skin disorder is a disease in which skin of the patient turns blue, this disease is caused by inadequate amount of oxygen in the blood, these type of people are actually suffering from a condition called cyanosis.

Microspia

Microspia is a disease in which patient’s visual perception is changed, patient’s sees the objects such as animals, humans much smaller size than the actual size, main cause of this disease is traumatic brain injury.

Walking Corpse Syndrome

There are many weird mental disorders in the world. Cotard’s Syndrome or Walking Corpse syndrome is one of them. Cotord’s Syndrome is when a person thinks that he has died, lost his soul, or lost a vital organ. He may even think that he does not has blood. This disorder has been linked to many other disorders including Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Some people with this disorder may feel immortal.

Threats of Social Networking on Internet BY: SHAIKH KAMRAN SALIM

2010-03-30T01:39:00.000-07:00

“I’ll catch you on face book tonight,” a student outside the class was talking to his friend on mobile phone. I was taken a back. For the first time I realized that face book has really become a household social forum.

The world of Internet has opened new avenues for the mankind. Web surfing is no longer left for just information gathering rather it has become more of socializing medium. Face book, Twitter and other social networks have quickly become an integral part of the online culture. These networks comes with some set of serious threat to one’s privacy.

Online information sharing through these networks makes you vulnerable to hackers busy in phising attacks. It is necessary that the users should think before they share informations. In an open communities like face book, you should eschew from posting things online that you may later regret. Such informations may go against you, so do not leave too many skeletons in your cupboard.

You should refrain from sharing your thoughts about your boss, teacher or any elder person. You never know one of them may be member of the same network. If they are not a part of your network and can’t see your posts directly but they may very well be connected to someone else in your network. Therefore, be careful and do not post anything that may embarrass you later.

Face book does provide privacy control that allows you to customize your information available to other viewers, so use it. I how social and open you are, is for you to decide. However, face book being a networking site designed for sharing information, many settings open by default. You may have notice advertisements that use your friend’s names or photos associated with them. Face book in particular has drawn some unwanted attention in connection with various privacy concerns.

A huge selection of Games and quizzes offered by face book are one of the most sought after commodities. You may have noticed that a notice pops up when you initiate a game or quiz that says interacting with the application require opening access to information, never allows the access to Continue. The access will let the application retrieve your profile information, photos, your friend’s info and other content. Be careful, the time that you think you are having fun may actually be an invitation to hackers.

Internet surfing for socializing may seen too attractive to the users but they don’t realize that they may sitting ducks to the attackers. For some users the internet may be a medium to broaden their social circle for professional gains or to locate old friends, whatever it may be, you can become a prey to the professional hackers. They can break into your private information like credit card details, money transfer, travelling details e.t.c. They can gain access to your face book account and hijack it. Face book does offer privacy controls. This can help you restricting the information sharing. Therefore use your right to “Privacy Setting” and enjoy surfing.

TWO YEARS OF PRESENT GOVERNMENT. By: Aqeel Ahmed Rajpar

2010-03-30T01:38:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately present government fails to provide “Roti”, “Kapra”, and “Makaan” to at least those who vote them.

People of Pakistan have lots of hope with this government after the nine years of dictatorship. But present government instead of making any valuable policy to eliminate the poverty, continues the policies of Musharraf regime.

During the Musharraf period, country’s foreign exchange reserves were at $13.3 billion, dollar exchange rate at Rs. 62.76, the KSE index at 15,125 and inflation at 20.6 per cent.

These figures shows that present government inherited a sound economy, then why the economy comes down during last two years and force the government to move towards International Monitoring Fund (IMF).

The basic necessities of life, such as electricity, gas, oil, and food items are now controlled by IMF. After every six months, government increased the power tariff as per the orders of IMF.

The biggest breakthroughs of present government are issuance of National Finance Commission (NFC) award and amendments in the constitution. But these achievements are not enough to provide education and health facilities to common people.

Common man only wants two times food, a roof on their heads and cloths, which are the slogans of present government.

Recently, ministry of information organized a exhibition titled “Rebuilding Democratic Pakistan”. It provides glimpse of the government’s two years achievements for the masses. But the question arise here is that, are these exhibitions or events like that, can build the confidence of people over government? The development in the country speaks louder than the pictures.

Overall crime rate in the country is today higher than what it was two years ago. Official figures prove that the crime rate has increased despite tall claims made by Federal and Provincial rulers.

If we analyze the figures of crime in Islamabad, which comes under the direct command of the President, Prime Minister, and interior ministry, we find that 25 per cent increase in crimes since two years.

Still there are three more years remaining of this government. People only ask for “Roti”, “Kapra”, and “Makaan”. Government should work hard and utilize the country’s resources instead of borrowing from others.

Mass Communication wins Pegham-e-Aman Cricket Cup 2010 BY: AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2010-02-26T01:50:00.000-08:00

Karachi, (aqeel) Feb 25: Mass Communication department has won the 8th Pegham-e-Aman Cricket Cup 2010 against Department of Public Administration (DPA) by 10 wickets here at Walica ground university of Karachi.

All Pakistan Muthida Students Organisation (APMSO) organised the tournament, more than 250 teams participated, out of which DPA and Mass Comm able to reach in the final.

Former City Nazim Mustafa Kamal distributed the medals, runners up trophy and winner trophy. Miss Rafia Taj Chairperson, Department of Mass Communication, awarded Rs. 5000 to wining team.

DPA won the toss and offered Mass Comm to bat first. Both openers of Mass Comm Nabeel and Haris played beautiful and scored 117 for their team in six overs. Haris scored 85 and received the man of the match award from Mustafa Kamal.

DPA unable to reach the total and lost the game by 57 runs. DPA scored 60-7 runs in their six overs.

After wining the trophy Mass Communication team went to their department in a shape of rally, where cheering Prof. Shams uddin receive them and then the celebrations started in the department.

VALUE ADDED TAX ACT, 2010 BY: AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2010-02-24T01:22:00.000-08:00

Islamabad, Feb 24 (Aqeel A. Rajpar): The Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, 2010 will replace the current GST system after been approved from Parliament and will enforce in the country on July 1 this year, FBR Chairman said.

The Federal Board of Revenue has published the draft of the VAT to apply a tax on sales and purchases and terminal taxes on goods, carried through railways, sea or air.

According to the draft, provincial VAT law and the federal VAT operate together as an integrated tax regime.

According to the draft, a person is necessary to be registered from a particular day in any month if the person exceeds the registration threshold in the period of 12 months, the total value of supplies made, or to be made, by the person in the course of an economic activity during that period is equal to or greater than Rs75, 000.

A person will apply for registration as per the mode, defined by the FBR no later than 15 days before the day on which the person becomes eligible for registration.

A serial number will be issue to the registered people for true and correct tax invoice for the supply. If a registered person, who makes a taxable supply of an amount not more than Rs25, 000 to a non register person may issue a sales receipt for the price of the supply.

The Inland Revenue officer will have the same powers of civil judge or magistrate for the purpose of recovery of unpaid amounts of tax recoverable under the act or the rules made there under.

The Revenue officer may conduct audit, of any registered person by giving advance notice provided that such notice may be give out with by the commissioner where tax fraud is suspected.

VAT will not enforce on these imports and supplies: unprocessed peas, wheat and wheat flour; ice and waters excluding those for sale under brand names or trademarks; table salt including iodized salt excluding salt sold in retail packing bearing brand names and trademarks; books (including brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, children’s picture, drawing or colouring books, music printed or in manuscript form, maps and hydrographic or similar charts), newspapers and periodicals, other than material wholly or predominantly devoted to advertising; the Holy Quran in whatever form or on whatever media; diapers for adults (patients); ambulances and fire-fighting trucks; dextrose and saline infusion giving sets along with empty non-toxic bags for infusion solution, and dextrose and saline infusion giving sets; and artificial body parts. ###

Summary of handout: “Ethical Consideration for Communicators” By: Aqeel Ahmed Rajpar

2010-02-22T01:07:00.000-08:00

The article “Ethical consideration for Communicators” gives the reader good understanding of ethics and principles of the media, which should be practice by a communicator.

The handout focuses on the code of ethics, which are based on the principles of truthfulness, freedom, equality and fairness. Writers quoted International Declaration for Communicators, which says “respect for truth for the right of public to know truth”.

The writers give reference of National Union of Journalist’s code of professional conduct for communicators to illustrate their article that how the media man avoid the biasness and encourage the fairness in his/her reporting.

A communicator should respect his profession and perform his/her duties within the ethics of profession. Media man is representative of public and he/she doesn’t allow violating the trust of public on them.

Media man act as channel of communication between the source and its readers or viewers.

The writers stated that freedom of media is linked with the people’s right to know and is the heart of liberty. Media is one of the pillars of society in which media man should act as responsible person.

According to Mac bride Commission report 1980, media man is responsible towards society, international community and his internal organization.

The writers after discussing the duties and responsibilities of a media man put light on the role of media. And focuses on the professional ethics in journalism.

In 1983 through UNESCO declaration principles of professional ethics in journalism, which are freedom of opinion, expression and information, these principles are vital factors to strengthening peace and international understanding.

Media can play an important role in maintaining peace in the society; the instrument which journalists have is “words”. This instrument can be used only in condition of peace. So promotion of peace in society is the only way to defending freedom of speech.

The writers also give the reference of “The Courier” and “The Los Angels” six points’ guidelines to avoiding conflict of interest, for the betterment of the journalists.

In the last couple of paragraphs writers focuses on the ethics for communicator in Pakistan in the light of Islam. In 1963 Ayub’s regime promulgated the Press and Publication Ordinance and later in 1988 it become Registration of Press and Publication Ordinance.

The 1973 constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees to citizens freedom of expression and freedom of communication. However some restrictions are imposed by laws in the interest of Islam.

In the end writers give the declaration of Pakistan Newspaper Editors Council that what should be avoided in any form of publication, such as news, editorials, photographs and advertisement.

After reading the article on can easily understand the code of ethics of this noble profession. ###

FILM REVIEW OF "3 IDIOTS' WRITTEN BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2010-02-13T00:57:00.000-08:00

Film: 3 Idiots

Indian Movie

Staring: Amir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Booman Irani.

The plot of the movie is about those parents who forced their children to become doctor or Engineer.

It was the of late 80’s and early 90’s, when doctors and engineers were suppose to be respected professions, other than this, is worthless people.

The director of the movie focused that era and gave some example of parents who believed that, without studied MBBS or Engineering, the child may not be fruitful for the society.

In late 80’s Information Technology (I.T) was not much advanced and there were no big multi-national corporations, Non-governmental organizations and specially media (electronic media). That is why the scope of other studies except MBBS and Engineering were not having any charm.

In the movie Amir Khan played a role of son of a poor man. Amir Khan got admission in the Engineering College where Booman Irani is the Dean, and students call him “VIRUS”.

Amir Khan joined the college for a degree not for himself but for the son of his father’s boss, Ramchand.

Ramchand make a deal with the father of Amir Khan, because Ramchand’s son has no interest with study but Amir Khan is very intelligent. That is why Ramchand invest his money on the study of Amir Khan just for the degree of Engineering for his son.

After completing the engineering degree Amir will go a place where nobody knows him, and Javed Jaffari (son of the Ramchand) will utilize his degree, these are the terms of the deal.

During the four years of Engineering Amir performed good and got gold medal. And then as per the deal he left the town and started a charitable Engineering school in a small village.

After few years some of the friends of Amir during his college time started to search him and finally they got him but they were shocked to see a different person having the degree and gold medal of Amir. In the end Amir’s friends find him in small village.

And then Amir told them the complete story which he never told them during his college life. Amir showed them in college era that he is very rich man and he is studying just for knowledge not for degree.

The message in the movie is that do not study for marks and degree, but to gain knowledge and utilize that knowledge for the betterment of the society.

PAKISTANI TEAM WAITS FOR A MIRACLE TO HAPPEN BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2010-02-13T00:52:00.000-08:00

The problem with us is that we always wait for a miracle to happen. But every day it doesn’t happen. Therefore hoping for results much as the historic win in Sharjah where a last ball sixer by Javed Miandad earned us the match or the West Indies defeat by Australia in 1992 world cup that paved our paved way to the finals is like waiting for providence to come to our rescue.

Waiting for miracles to happen has now become our national character. We do not believe in hard work and passion, our first priority is to find a shortcut, or wait for the miracle.

The thing that we were lacking in recent tour of Australia is hard work and self-belief. Captain Muhammad Yousuf instead of motivating the players, expressed his meek temperament by saying Australia is number one team of the world and it is difficult to defeat them in their home grounds.

It is true that Australia is the world champion and still number one team in Test and One day International (ODI) ranking of International Cricket council (ICC). But when you play against the number one team you should believe in yourself. We have the example of Bangladesh, who played with self-belief and passion and won against Australia in champion’s Trophy of 2008.

The same Pakistani squad, without Muhammad Yousuf, given a superb performance in T-20 World Cup had defeated all teams. The passion and self-motivation which was seen in T-20 world cup was missing in all games we played afterward.

Pakistani team had played a Test series against Srilanka and New Zealand, and lost by 2-0 and 2-1 respectively. We also played a ODI series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, lost by 3-2.

In Australia, the team had to suffer a clean sweep by losing both the Test series and ODIs 3-0 and 5-0, respectively.

According to news reports, former players have suggested to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to appoint Shahid Afridi as the new captain.

But it is debatable whether the all rounder can deliver and can help the team turn into a truly disciplined, motivated and efficient outfit.

No doubt Shahid Afridi is great all rounder and he has given us some great victories, but if his batting as a captain does not click then what.

I think PCB should avoid changing captain every now and then. PCB should give at least two years to a captain and review his future in the light of his performance.

This character of PCB officials to changing captain after a series shows that PCB officials also believe in miracles to happen.

DROP CATCHES AVERAGE INCREASES IN AUS TOUR BY AQEEL AHEMD RAJPAR

2010-01-25T01:51:00.000-08:00

Karachi, Jan 23: Pakistan has dropped 23 catches in Australia. In New Zealand before this affair they dropped, conservatively, 10 catches, in three matches which mean that average of four drop catches in a match increased dramatically.

The 23 drop catches in Australia have cost them over 550 runs; what cost there has been in morale, mood and momentum nobody can put a number on. All catches are crucial but some more than others.

Pakistan were fully on top when Ponting pulled again, this time straight to Mohammad Aamer, only for him to drop one of the simplest offerings likely to come his way. It changed the game.

Intikhab Alam, Pakistan's coach was left to repeat the excuse that Pakistan's camp has been using every day here. "Yes that was a bad drop by Aamer, and things would have been different," Intikhab said.

"It was an easy catch but again that was a very vital catch for us. Especially on a wicket like this we can't give chances,”

"When we arrived here I said we had a problem. It's a grassroots problem back home, people don't take fielding seriously when they play for associations and departments and regions. This is where we have to work really hard. It is a serious problem, we practice every day, we practice all kinds of different drills but at the end of the day they have to do it themselves." Intikhab added.

“Specialist fielding coaches have been talked about and their usefulness with the Pakistan side could be argued either way. Jonty Rhodes couldn't do much in 2006, but he was only with them for two weeks”.

“Mohtashim Rasheed has been with the side on and off over the last couple of years and when he has been around the catching hasn't been as poor as it has over these last few months”.

“The current coaching team is adamant that as much as can be done is being done. Clearly it is not enough, but they feel no need for a specialist fielding coach. "Myself, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed, the three of us, work very hard and do different drills,"

Intikhab said. "A specialist fielder can come and coach and won't make much difference. At the end of the day these are the players and they have to have confidence in their ability. It is serious and we have to address it. It is a debatable point actually. I don't think he will come with new ideas. We have done everything and we do it every day.

Pakistan's other major obstacle on this tour has been their own lack of intent, which has been startling at times. It became apparent again here, immediately after lunch in 2nd Test. Pakistan were fully on top then, the pace bowlers had a wicket each and Ponting was still struggling.

Mohammad Yousuf chose to open the afternoon session with Danish Kaneria, disregarding both Ponting and Michael Clarke's general command over spin. Aamer didn't bowl through the entire session, by which time captain and vice-captain were firmly entrenched.

No clarity emerged as to why they did it, only further evidence - and it isn't needed - that Pakistan still don't think they can take Australia. "I don't think it was a mistake to not bowl him Aamer," Intikhab said. "It was very important to keep every bowler fresh. After lunch Kaneria bowled downwind and the idea was to give him a few overs and see and seamers can bowl at the other end. But it didn't work out that way. ###

SHAHEED BENAZIR BHUTTO INTERNATIONAL BOXING TOURNAMENT BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2010-01-18T00:21:00.000-08:00

KARACHI, Jan 18: Pakistan with two teams claimed one gold medal in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament which ended at the KPT Sports Complex here on January 08.

China clinched four gold medals to win the top honours in the tournament. Chinese showed their class with brilliant display of punching and superb technique to earn handsome cheers and appreciation from a jam-packed arena.

All the seven Chinese pugilists ended the championship in style by winning four gold, one silver and two bronze medals to claim the top spot in the 20-nation contest

Syrian boxers got two gold and two silver medals while Thailand took two gold medals.

Pakistan started the final day in great fashion in the light-flyweight bout when Mohib Bacha of Pakistan Whites crushed compatriot Nadir Baloch of Pakistan Greens 4-0 to grab the gold.

However, in the fly-weight bout Anan Pongkhet of Thailand defeated Pakistan Whites’ Abdul Waheed Baloch 2-1.

Adnan Hussain of Pakistan Greens went down to Ibrahim Sanda of Syria in the light-weight category 6-2.

Six boxers of Central Africa have decided to embrace Islam after they were greatly struck by the behaviour of the Muslims during their stay here.

Mulema Joseph of Cameroon, who embraced Islam named Mohammad Umar, hammered Iraq’s Ahmed Jassem 15-0 in the welterweight final.

Olympic bronze medallist Syed Hussain Shah has advised the Pakistani boxers to keep themselves away of drugs and other frivolous activities and only focus on their game as discipline is the only thing which could give them the power to excel in boxing.

“I would like to advise my youngsters to keep themselves away of drugs and other useless activities and only concentrate on their boxing,” the 1988 Seoul bronze medallist boxer told reporters here.

It is pertinent to mention here that two Pakistani boxers Mehrullah Lassi and Faisal Karim were tested positive for using cannabis during the 2006 Colombo South Asian Games which later forced the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) to impose life bans on them. However, their bans were reduced to two-year suspensions.

Shah, who is imparting training to the professionals in Japan, pointed out that maximum exposure would only bring maturity in the national boxers and it is the only way to raise the image of the game in the country.

However, he warned that the boxers should be sent only to those countries where they could prevent themselves from frivolous activities and could only concentrate on their training.

To a query he said that it is a great effort from the authorities to conduct such a big event in an unfavourable environment.

“It is great to hold such a big event in such a risky condition,” the former Pakistan boxer said.

Federal Sports Minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, world boxing champion Amir Khan, Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Pir Syed Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, Sindh Sports Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, Seoul Olympics bronze medallist Hussain Shah, President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt Gen (r) Syed Arif Hasan, President PBF Doda Khan Bhutto were present at the presentation ceremony.

Australia dominates first day's play as Ricky and Clarke hit centuries BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2010-01-17T23:49:00.000-08:00

HOBART, Jan 14: Australian batsmen dominated the first day's play after losing three wickets on the score of 80 in the third and final Test here on Thursday.

unbeaten centuries of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke steered Australia to 302-3 on day one stumps. Pakistan started well pegging Australia back to 80-3 at lunch.

Ponting dropped by Amir on nought, ended the day on 137 to hit only his second Test century on his home ground at Bellerive Oval.

Australia have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, but things looked promising for the tourists in the opening session when, having lost the toss, they claimed the wickets of Simon Katich, Shane Watson and Mike Hussey.

Katich was the first to go, departing in the seventh over for 11 after being adjudged lbw on referral off Mohammad Asif.

Ponting should have followed without scoring when he was also tempted into a hook shot by Asif and skied the ball straight to young paceman Mohammad Aamer at fine leg.

Aamer did not have to move, but elected to take the ball at waist level rather than at head height.

Ponting punished the tourists heavily thereafter by producing his 39th Test century. Clarke was the quiet achiever with his chanceless century; he brought up his 13th Test century from 188 balls to end the day unbeaten on 111. Clarke also passed the 4,000 Test run milestone in his 58th Test.

The unbroken partnership of 231 between Ponting and Clarke broke Australia's fourth-wicket record against Pakistan, set by Greg Chappell and Graham Yallop at Faisalabad in 1980.

The series leading run-scorer Watson again looked a million dollars before he cut Umar Gull to gully just after the drinks break as Imran Farhat hung onto a sharp catch.

Hussey's defensive edge providing Sarfraz his first catch in Test cricket in the 21st over.

Later when asked for his thoughts when his hook sailed towards Aamer, Ponting said: “I was thinking about having a long day in the change rooms with not much to do and what paper I was going to read.

"Aamer didn't have to take a step but thankfully he put it down and it gave me another chance and 70 or 80 overs later I am still out there."

RTL SMS CLUB MESG 01 REPLY BY HAFIZ FAIZAN

2010-01-10T23:27:00.000-08:00

ISLAMI JAMHORIA PAKISTAN NAAM RAKHTEY WAQAT,

MAULANA SHABIR AHMED USMANIU JESEY JAYYED,

ULAMA MOJOD THEY KIA UNHONEY IS NAAM PER ETRAZ KIA?,

AGER NAHI TO HAMEY BHI IS MUSHKIL WAQAT ME IS ISSUE,

KO UTHANEY KE BAJAYE IS KA NAZERYA (IDEOLOGY) KI,

HIFAZAT KERNI CHAYEY.

BY: HAFIZ FAIZAN UDDIN NIZAMI

RTL SMS CLUB MESG 01

2010-01-10T23:17:00.000-08:00

Humre mulk ka naam "Islami Jamuria Pakistan" hai.

Islam aur Jamuriat do alag tarzay hukumat hain,

Jamuriat ka matlab supreme authority is People,

Par deen-e-Islam me to supreme authority sirf,

Allah (swt) jo hasil hai( ref: Surah Al-Imran),

Islye meri tajveez haike is mulk ka naam,

Islami riyasat-e-Pakistan rakh diya jaye,

Shair: ISLAMIYET EK TARZAY HUKUMAT HAI K JIS ME,

MEEZAN KARTAY HAIN GINTE NAHI KARTAY.

AUR

JAMURIAT EK TARZAY HUKUMAT HAI K JIS ME,

BANDO KO GINA KARTAY HAIN TULA NAHI KARTAY.

(ALLAMA IQBAL)

Life of Asif Ali Zardari

2010-01-10T05:18:00.000-08:00

Asif Ali Zardari, the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Zardari is the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who twice served as Prime Minister of Pakistan. When his wife was assassinated in December 2007, he became the leader of the PPP. It has been claimed that Zardari is among the five richest men in Pakistan with an estimated net worth of US$1.8 billion (2005).

Life and Education

Asif Ali Zardari belongs to a Shia Muslim, Sindhi Baloch family from Sindh.He was born in Karachi and is the son of Hakim Ali Zardari, head of one of the Sindhi tribes, who chose urban life over rustic surroundings. His mother is from the family of Khan Bahadur Hassan Ali, who was among the founders of the first educational institution in Sindh, "Sindh Madarsa-tul-Islam Karachi".

Zardari received his primary education from Karachi Grammar School and his secondary education from Cadet College, Petaro. Zardari also attended St Patrick's High School, Karachi. While a candidate for parliament, a position for which a 2002 rule requires a college degree, Zardari claimed to have graduated from a college in London called the London School of Economics and Business (LSEB). The 2002 rule was overturned by Pakistan's Supreme Court in April 2008.

Political career and corruption charges

Zardari married Benazir Bhutto on 18 December 1987. In 1988 his wife won the seat of Prime Minister, and Zardari became a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan. He served as investment and environment minister in Bhutto's governments. It was during this time that Zardari's opponents began using the nickname, "Mr 10%", in reference to the charges of corruption against him.

Bhutto's government lost in the 1990 elections. Zardari soon came under investigation in Switzerland over alleged receipts of kickbacks from two Swiss-based companies. Zardari claimed the charges were political in nature, and in 2008 Switzerland closed the case and released Zardari's frozen assets. The chief prosecutor said he had no evidence to bring Zardari to trial.

When Bhutto returned to office in 1993, Zardari was released from jail and became a government minister. In 1996, after a change of government, Zardari was again arrested. From 1997 to 2004, Zardari was kept in jail on various corruption charges and accusations of murder. Pakistani investigators accused Zardari and his wife Benazir for embezzling as much as US$1.5 billion from government accounts.

He was also accused of allegedly plotting the murder of Murtaza Bhutto, the brother of his wife Benazir Bhutto. He was later cleared.Another allegation involved an estate in Surrey which Pakistani press speculated was purchased by Zardari. Zardari's financial history was one case study in a 1999 US Senate report on various vulnerabilities in banking procedures.

A New York psychiatrist found in March 2007 that Zardari's time in jail left him with memory impairments. Zardari claims to have been tortured. When Zardari stood for the Pakistani presidency in 2008, the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, said that Zardari had no current mental condition requiring psychiatric help or medication. In October 2007, the president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, issued the National Reconciliation Ordinance which granted amnesty to politicians in office from 1986 to 1999.

Co-chairman of the PPP

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on 27 December 2007, shortly after returning to Pakistan from exile. On 30 December 2007, Asif Ali Zardari became the co-chairman of the PPP, along with his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is currently studying at Oxford. Bilawal is intended to fully assume the post when he completes his education.

After the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Zardari reaffirmed his lack of interest in the prime ministership.Chairman Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif, leader of the PML-N, along with some smaller political parties, joined forces in an electoral coalition that won a heavy majority in the elections and unseated Musharraf's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q). After the election, he called for a government of national unity, and divided cabinet portfolios among coalition partners on proportionate basis. Asif Ali Zardari and former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on 21 February 2008 that their parties would work together in the national parliament after scoring big wins in the election.

On 5 March 2008, Zardari was cleared of five corruption charges as part of a court ruling which "abolished the cases against all public office holders" under the National Reconciliation Ordinance. He had another trial on the remaining charges on 14 April 2008, when he was cleared under the same NRO.

On 19 April 2008, Zardari announced in a press conference in London that he and his sister, Faryal Talpur, would participate in the by-elections taking place on 3 June and that, if necessary, he would contest to become the country's next Prime Minister, even though his party voted by a 2/3 majority to announce that Yousaf Raza Gillani would be the PM for a five year term.

Presidential candidacy

Zardari, in alliance with Nawaz Sharif, was preparing to impeach president Pervez Musharraf, and a charge-sheet and draft of impeachment had already been prepared, when Musharraf, in accordance with his advisors, resigned from the presidency on 18 August 2008. Chairman Zardari was confirmed by the Central Executive Committee of the PPP as well as endorsed by the rival ethnic party MQM as candidate for the post of President of Pakistan.

There was nevertheless strong disagreement among the current coalition partners, and Nawaz Sharif's PML-N party was threatening to leave the coalition as a result.According to the Constitution, elections must be held within 30 days of the previous president stepping down. The electoral college is composed of the Senate, the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies.

Pakistan's Election Commission on 22 August announced that a presidential election would be held on 6 September, and the nomination papers could be filed from 26 August.

The New York Times reported that Zalmay Khalilzad, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, had been unofficially advising Asif Ali Zardari. Khalilzad, an Afghan native, had been rumored to be flirting with the possibility of returning home to challenge President Hamid Karzai when his first term expired in 2009.

President of Pakistan

Zardari was elected president of Pakistan, as Chief election commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq announced that "Asif Ali Zardari secured 281 votes out of the 426 valid votes polled in the parliament," In Sindh, Zardari had 62 of the 65 electoral votes while his two main opponents got zero votes; in North West Frontier Province Zardari got 56 votes against 5 by Siddiqui and one by Hussain; in Balochistan, 59 votes while Siddiqui and Hussain got 2 each. However, Zardari did not win the majority in the nation's biggest province, Punjab, where the PML-N's Siddiqui got a clear majority.BBC reported that Zardari "won 481 votes, far more than the 352 votes that would have guaranteed him victory." New York Times said that Zardari would be sworn in "as soon as Saturday night or as late as Monday or Tuesday, diplomats and officials said."

Zardari was challenged by Justice (Retired) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, a former judge nominated by Nawaz Sharif's PML-N, and Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who was nominated by the PML-Q, which backed Musharraf. According to the Constitution of 1973 presently in vogue (but declared for major amendments by Zardari) the President of Pakistan, who must be a Muslim, is elected by an electoral college composed of members of the two houses of parliament - the 342 seat lower house National Assembly and the 100 member upper house Senate, as well as members of the four provincial assemblies - Sindh, Punjab, North West Frontier and Balochistan.

The assemblies have total of 1170 seats, but the number of electoral college votes is 702 since provincial assembly votes are counted on a proportional basis. The new president, who obtains the largest number of votes, will serve for five years as Pakistan's 11th president since 1956, when the country became an Islamic Republic, excluding acting presidents and CMLAs during times of military rule. Voting was in progress at the Parliament House, while the Senate members finished casting their votes.

Zardari was sworn in by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar in a ceremony at the presidential palace on September 9, 2008. He addressed the parliament for the first time on September 20, 2008, but the event was overshadowed by the suicide bomb blast which destroyed the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. Although Asif Ali Zardari was elected constitutionally, he was administered the oath of office by Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar who took oath as Chief Justice of Pakistan under the Provisional Constitutional Order.

Earlier, a supreme court ruling by a 7-member bench of the SC had overturned the PCO. The ruling by the 7-member bench stated: "Appointment of the chief justice or judges of the Supreme Court or chief justices of the high courts under the new PCO would be unlawful and without jurisdiction."

Shafqat Mahmood, a former associate of Ms Bhutto, has said: "Mr Zardari has an image problem, because of a lingering reputation of corruption, despite not having been convicted of any wrongdoing. He will need to change this image.”

Relationships with world leaders

Zardari picked China for first state visit after being elected in September 2008. He went to the United States to attend the U.N. General Assembly on 25 September 2008 and 25 September 2009 respectively, and gave his trademark speech with a framed picture of his assassinated wife, the late Benazir Bhutto nearby to remind the world that he's her husband.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has pledged to work with Zardari to build a stronger political and economic partnership between the two countries.

On September 24, 2008 while in the United States, Zardari met the U.S Republican Party's Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. His tongue-in-cheek comments to Palin, while shaking hands, that "I might hug you", created controversy and was the cause for a (non-violent) 'fatwa' against him because his "praise of a non-Muslim lady wearing a short skirt" was un-Islamic.

Zardari met with U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai at the White House in May 2009 to discuss security issues in the region.

Upon the re-election of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Asif Ali Zardari phoned Dr. Singh and offered his congratulations and an offer to work with the Indian government to address challenges in the region.

In October 2009, he met with Pope Benedict XVI in order to discuss the situation of Pakistani Christians in context of blasphemy law

DRUG REHAB

2010-01-10T05:14:00.000-08:00

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Not only does our world-famous beach location offer the kind of drug rehab that will help you regain your life, but your stay with us will be the best experience of your life, and start your road to recovery.

Drug rehab is, for many addicts, an unknown entity: a mysterious and mystifying process, a journey with no discernible beginning or end. At the same time, drug rehab is in a very significant sense a drug addict’s last best hope for sobriety, and so it is that self-education is vital to the drug recovery process. If drug recovery is going to help you get better, you’ve got to understand it as it actually is: how it works, and why it’s successful. Drug treatment, in the end, is and can only be a patient-driven undertaking. Please, for your own sake, resolve to learn enough to make the thing go.

Think of it like this: You can’t fight what you can’t see. For drug rehab programs to be effective, drug rehab patients have got to face the recovery process with open eyes, and open minds; drug rehab is only effective when it’s grounded in a firm comprehension of the truth as it actually is. Drug rehab, importantly, is the sort of undertaking that never succeeds through illusion. If you’re going to get better, you’ve got to face the music.

And the facing, importantly, is something that every drug rehab patient has ultimately got to do for himself. The success or failure of your drug rehab program is in the most fundamental sense up to you; you’re the one who’s got to get healthy in drug rehab, and you’re the one who’s got to make the healing happen. To put it bluntly: No drug rehab center can take you where you aren’t willing to go. Drug rehab that works, in the end, is drug rehab that’s made to work by the patients it serves.

And so, again, there’s no excuse for ignorance in the drug rehab process. As a drug rehab patient, it’s incumbent upon you to learn everything you need to know: about how drug rehab works, and what makes drug rehab go; about what drug rehab demands of drug rehab patients, and how you can make healing a reality. In the world of drug addiction and drug recovery, what you don’t know very certainly can hurt you. Make today the day you finally resolve to get your head around drug rehab.

Drug Dependency and Substance Abuse

However you parse the details, drug dependency and substance abuse both pose serious threats to modern American society: Drug addicts constitute an increasingly troubling percentage of the country’s overall population, and drug addiction itself has become an increasingly onerous burden on individuals and communities. Successful drug rehab, in turn, has got to start with a thorough understanding of the scope of the problem.

The most reliable studies suggest that as many as fifteen million Americans suffer from some form of drug dependency, a figure that is remarkable both for what it says and what it doesn’t. First, and obviously, fifteen million is a big number; those fifteen million drug addicts constitute almost five percent of the United State population, and speak to the centrality of drug rehab programs in shaping the country’s future. At the same time, though, statistics alone could never tell the whole truth about drug addiction and drug rehab.

No one is safe. That’s the bottom line here, the only that could ever really matter: No one is safe, not from drug abuse or drug dependency or any of the other unfortunate fates that land millions of Americans in drug rehab programs every year. A big bank account won’t keep you out of a drug rehab center; a fancy car won’t make the drug rehab process any easier. Drug addiction is an equal-opportunity disease, and anyone who makes the mistake of believing that drug rehab is for “someone else” is treading a dangerous and illusive line.

That said, the news isn’t all bad, because here’s another truth about drug rehab programs, and drug rehab centers: They can work for everyone. No matter who you are, no matter how hopeless you feel, drug rehab can help you get better. All you’ve got to do is commit yourself to the drug rehab process.

Addicts and Addiction

Drug addiction, like drug rehab, is ultimately a uniquely intimate phenomenon: Addicts experience addiction on an individual level, in a way that is never quite the same from one iteration to the next. Understanding the profoundly personal nature of drug dependency is essential to the drug rehab process, especially insofar as only those addicts who can see what they’re up against can ever hope to overcome it.

Drug rehab is essential to drug recovery because drug addiction is a disease, a clinical disorder with clinical roots that demands, in the end, clinical treatment solutions administered in a professional treatment environment. Think of it like this: A cancer patient would never fight cancer without enlisting the help of expert oncologists. By the same token, no drug addict can ever expect to get sober without seeking expert drug rehab from qualified drug rehab professionals.

It’ also bears noting that drug dependency is a two-headed disease: It exists in a physical dimension on the one hand and a psychological dimension on the other. Drug rehab, in turn, is effective only when it confronts addiction in its entirety, and a drug rehab program that leaves part of the disease untreated can’t ever hope to be successful. Think of it like this: If you’re going to beat drug addiction in drug rehab, you’ve got to get down to the guts of the problem.

And those guts, importantly, have ultimately got to be addressed by addicts themselves. For all of the importance of drug rehab and drug rehab centers, the nature of addiction is such that the success or failure of a drug rehab program can only be in the hands of its patients. Yes, drug rehab can work for anyone…but the essential qualifier is that drug rehab can only work for those individuals who resolve to make it work. Drug rehab, in the end, is no more or no less than what you put into it.

Drug Rehab Programs

As addiction is both a physical and psychological disorder, so must drug rehab mount a physical and psychological offensive against it. Successful drug rehab programs are those which account for the comprehensive health of the patients under their charge, with an eye towards helping recovering addicts develop the physiological and emotional tools necessary for long-term sobriety. Drug treatment that works, simply put, is drug treatment that meets need wherever it finds it.

From a physical perspective, drug rehab is concerned first and foremost with breaking the physiological dependencies associated with addiction. Most drug rehab centers incorporate special drug detox facilities, in which doctors and caregivers help patients manage the physical side symptoms of drug withdrawal with a range of advanced medical therapies. The goal, of course, is to allow patients to weather the first stage of sobriety as smoothly as possible, and to prepare them to embark on the rest of their drug rehab journeys with sound minds and stable spirits.

But such physical recovery is only the beginning of the drug rehab process, not the end. To be effective, a drug rehab program must incorporate intensive addiction counseling services, with an eye towards effecting the sort of personal growth and individual development upon which all lasting sobriety must be ultimately be predicated. That drug rehab plan which fails to promote emotional healing, you might say, isn’t much of a drug rehab plan at all; if you’re going to get better, you can’t do it halfheartedly.

And, again: The success or failure of your drug rehab program is and can only be up to you. Personal growth, after all, has to come from within, and no drug rehab center in the world can make you better against your will. You’ve to be an active agent for recovery, is the point; when you enter a drug rehab center, the future is quite literally in your hands.

The Right Drug Rehab Center

It’s an obvious but often unrecognized fact: No two drug rehab centers are alike. Finding a drug rehab program that’s right for you means, in large part, finding a drug rehab facility that recognizes you as you are, and as you need to be recognized: as a unique individual with unique individual needs, for whom drug treatment can only work it’s specially-tailored and expertly-administered. The drug rehab center that’s right for you, in other words, is the one that gives you exactly what you need. Sunset Malibu offers individual treatment programs for each individual, we are here for you.

If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know: Some drug rehab programs claim to offer a universal cure for drug addiction and drug abuse, a single solution that can and does and will work for every drug rehab patient. Such assertions, of course, are grounded in the notion that every prospective drug rehab patient is essentially the same, and that what works for one should work them all.

Unfortunately, such thinking is grossly antithetical to successful drug rehab. The truth is that no two drug rehab patients are ever alike, and any drug rehab program which treats them as such is doomed to fail. Again, the drug rehab center that’s right for you is the one that doesn’t make grand claims about catchall treatments; the drug rehab center that’s right for you is the one that concerns itself with you, and your needs, and recognizes that you are unlike anyone else on the planet.

Remember, finding a drug rehab center that treats you as an individual can make a world of difference. Yes, the success or failure of your drug rehab experience is ultimately up to you…but the care and support offered by a drug rehab program is very often instrumental in a patient’s struggle to beat drug addiction once and for all. Put simply, drug rehab works when a drug rehab program empowers it patients, and helps them make the most of their own individual agency. In choosing a drug rehab center that’s right for you, you can’t afford to settle for anything less.

Making Drug Recovery Real

There is, of course, but one acceptable end of the drug rehab process, one target for which all rehabilitation programs do and must ultimately aim: drug recovery. Drug treatment that fails to effect meaningful and substantive sobriety doesn’t deserve to be called drug treatment at all; addiction counseling which leaves addiction still standing is, to say the least, a gross contradiction in terms. To get better, you’ve got to get all the way better. In the fight against drug addiction, partial victory just isn’t good enough.

What that means, in a practical sense, is that successful drug rehab programs do and must account for the long-term health of their patients. Concretely, aftercare and sober living services can be vital in promoting lasting sobriety, especially insofar as they provide a bridge between the cloistered security of primary drug rehab and the rugged independence of the real world. The drug rehab center that’s right for you, then, is and must be the one that leaves you on stable footing the day you say goodbye to it. Sunset Malibu is here to walk you to the road of recovery.

But that day, obviously, is still a long way down the road. What’s important now is that you know the truth: You know that drug rehab is the most important thing you’ll ever do, and you know that finding the right drug rehab center is vital to the ultimate success of your drug recovery process. If anything’s been made clear here, let it be that you can’t afford to wait: You need drug rehab today, and not acting, quite frankly, is not an option. Please, for your own sake, make this moment the one you start making drug rehab work for you.

Dedicated Hosting Service

2010-01-10T05:10:00.000-08:00

A dedicated hosting service, dedicated server, or managed hosting service is a type of Internet hosting in which the client leases an entire server not shared with anyone. This is more flexible than shared hosting, as organizations have full control over the server(s), including choice of operating system, hardware, etc. Server administration can usually be provided by the hosting company as an add-on service. In some cases a dedicated server can offer less overhead and a larger return on investment. Dedicated servers are most often housed in data centers, similar to colocation facilities, providing redundant power sources and HVAC systems. In contrast to colocation, the server hardware is owned by the provider and in some cases they will provide support for your operating system or applications.

Operating system support

Availability, price and employee familiarity often determines which operating systems are offered on dedicated servers. Variations of Linux (open source operating systems) are often included at no charge to the customer. Commercial operating systems include Microsoft Windows Server, provided through a special program called Microsoft SPLA. Red Hat Enterprise is a commercial version of Linux offered to hosting providers on a monthly fee basis. The monthly fee provides OS updates through the Red Hat Network using an application called yum. Other operating systems are available from the open source community at no charge. These include CentOS, Fedora Core, Debian, and many other Linux distributions or BSD systems FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD.

Support for any of these operating systems typically depends on the level of management offered with a particular dedicated server plan. Operating system support may include updates to the core system in order to acquire the latest security fixes, patches, and system-wide vulnerability resolutions. Updates to core operating systems include kernel upgrades, service packs, application updates, and security patches that keep server secure and safe. Operating system updates and support relieves the burden of server management from the dedicated server owner.

Bandwidth and connectivity

Bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate or the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second) and is often represented in bits (of data) per second (bit/s). For example, visitors to your server, web site, or applications utilize bandwidth as the traffic moves from your server to the Internet and vice versa. Connectivity refers to the “access providers” that supply bandwidth, or data transfer rate, through various connection points across a network or footprint to one or multiple data centers where dedicated servers are housed.

Bandwidth measurements are defined (per telecom standards) as the following:

First – 95th (measured using average bits and speed of transfer)

Second – Unmetered (measured in speed or bits)

Third – Total Transfer (measured in bytes transferred)

95th Method: line speed, billed on the 95th percentile, average or peak usage, refers to the speed in which data flows from the server or device. Line speed is measured in bits per second (or kilobits per second, megabits per second or gigabits per second).

Unmetered Method: The second bandwidth measurement is unmetered service where providers cap or control the “top line” speed for a server. Top line speed in unmetered bandwidth is the total Mbit/s allocated to the server and configured on the switch level. For example, if you purchase 10 Mbit/s unmetered bandwidth, the top line speed would be 10 Mbit/s. 10 Mbit/s would result in the provider controlling the speed transfers take place while providing the ability for the dedicated server owner to not be charged with bandwidth overages. Unmetered bandwidth services usually incur an additional charge.

Total Transfer Method: Some providers will calculate the Total Transfer, the measurement of actual data leaving and arriving, measured in bytes. Measurement between providers varies, though it is either the total traffic in, the total traffic out, whichever is the greater or the sum of the two.

One of the reasons for choosing to outsource dedicated servers is the availability of high powered networks from multiple providers. As dedicated server providers utilize massive amounts of bandwidth, they are able to secure lower volume based pricing to include a multi-provider blend of bandwidth. To achieve the same type of network without a multi-provider blend of bandwidth, a large investment in core routers, long term contracts, and expensive monthly bills would need to be in place. The expenses needed to develop a network without a multi-provider blend of bandwidth does not make sense economically for hosting providers.

Many dedicated server providers include a service level agreement based on network uptime. Some dedicated server hosting providers offer a 100% uptime guarantee on their network. By securing multiple vendors for connectivity and using redundant hardware, providers are able to guarantee higher uptimes; usually between 99-100% uptime if they are a higher quality provider. One aspect of higher quality providers is they are most likely to be multi-homed across multiple quality uplink providers, which in turn, provides significant redundancy in the event one goes down in addition to potentially improved routes to destinations.

Bandwidth consumption over the last several years has shifted from a per megabit usage model to a per gigabyte usage model. Bandwidth was traditionally measured in line speed access that included the ability to purchase needed megabits at a given monthly cost. As the shared hosting model developed, the trend towards gigabyte or total bytes transferred, replaced the megabit line speed model so dedicated server providers started offering per gigabyte.

Prominent players in the dedicated server market offer large amounts of bandwidth ranging from 500 gigabytes to 3000 gigabytes using the “overselling” model. It is not uncommon for major players to provide dedicated servers with 1Terabyte (TB) of bandwidth or higher. Usage models based on the byte level measurement usually include a given amount of bandwidth with each server and a price per gigabyte after a certain threshold has been reached. Expect to pay additional fees for bandwidth overage usage. For example, if a dedicated server has been given 3000 gigabytes of bandwidth per month and the customer uses 5000 gigabytes of bandwidth within the billing period, the additional 2000 gigabytes of bandwidth will be invoiced as bandwidth overage. Each provider has a different model for billing. As of yet, no industry standards have been set.

Management

Main article: Managed dedicated server

To date, no industry standards have been set to clearly define the management role of dedicated server providers. What this means is that each provider will use industry standard terms, but each provider will define them differently. For some dedicated server providers, fully managed is defined as having a web based control panel while other providers define it as having dedicated system engineers readily available to handle all server and network related functions of the dedicated server provider.

Server management can include some or all of the following:

Operating system updates

Application updates

Server monitoring

SNMP hardware monitoring

Application monitoring

Application management

Technical support

Firewall services

Antivirus updates

Security audits

DDoS protection and mitigation

Intrusion detection

Backups and restoration

Disaster recovery

DNS hosting service

Load balancing

Database administration

Performance tuning

Software installation and configuration

User management

Programming consultation

Dedicated hosting server providers define their level of management based on the services they provide. In comparison, fully managed could equal self managed from provider to provider.

Administrative maintenance of the operating system, often including upgrades, security patches, and sometimes even daemon updates are included. Differing levels of management may include adding users, domains, daemon configuration, or even custom programming.

Dedicated server hosting providers may provide the following types of server managed support:

Fully Managed - Includes monitoring, software updates, reboots, security patches and operating system upgrades. Customers are completely hands-off.

Managed - Includes medium level of management, monitoring, updates, and a limited amount of support. Customers may perform specific tasks.

Self Managed - Includes regular monitoring and some maintenance. Customers provide most operations and tasks on dedicated server.

Unmanaged - Little to no involvement from service provider. Customers provide all maintenance, upgrades, patches, and security.

Note: The provider will continue to maintain security on the network regardless of support level.

Security

Dedicated hosting server providers utilize extreme security measures to ensure the safety of data stored on their network of servers. Providers will often deploy various software programs for scanning systems and networks for obtrusive invaders, spammers, hackers, and other harmful problems such as Trojans, worms, eggdrops and crashers (Sending multiple connections). Linux and Windows use different software for security protection.

Software

Providers often bill for dedicated servers on a fixed monthly price to include specific software packages. Over the years, software vendors realized the significant market opportunity to bundle their software with dedicated servers. They have since started introducing pricing models that allow dedicated hosting providers the ability to purchase and resell software based on reduced monthly fees.

Microsoft offers software licenses through a program called the Service Provider License Agreement. The SPLA model provides use of Microsoft products through a monthly user or processor based fee. SPLA software includes the Windows Operating System, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SharePoint and shoutcast hosting, and many other server based products.

Dedicated Server Providers usually offer the ability to select the software you want installed on a dedicated server. Depending on the overall usage of the server, this will include your choice of operating system, database, and specific applications. Servers can be customized and tailored specific to the customer’s needs and requirements.

Other software applications available are specialized web hosting specific programs called control panels. Control panel software is an all inclusive set of software applications, server applications, and automation tools that can be installed on a dedicated server. Control panels include integration into web servers, database applications, programming languages, application deployment, server administration tasks, and include the ability to automate tasks via a web based front end.

Most dedicated servers are packaged with a control panel. Control panels are often confused with management tools, but these control panels are actually web based automation tools created to help automate the process of web site creation and server management. Control panels should not be confused with a full server management solution by a dedicated hosting provider.

Limitations

Many providers do not allow IRC (bots, clients or daemons). This is due to rogue IRC users triggering DDoS attacks against the provider, which may overwhelm their networks, lowering service quality for all customers.

Adult content is disallowed by many providers as it may either be of questionable legality or consume large amounts of bandwidth.

Copyright violation Hosting copyrighted material of which you do not own the copyright to is almost always against the terms of service of all hosting companies.

Auto Insurance

2010-01-09T05:22:00.000-08:00

Online Automobile Insurance Quotes: Keeping It Simple

To Have the Best Quote rate on your automobile insurance means looking to many companies to give you automobile insurance quotes. The web can provide you with an amazing opportunity to get online vehicle insurance quotes from several different car insurance companies at the same time. And with technological advances, getting online insurance quotes has never been safer or easier. Why get online insurance quotes? Well, first of all, getting online vehicle insurance quotes means that you can leave the sales pitch behind. By sitting in front of your computer, you can get several online auto insurance quotes that do not have an agent or broker breathing down your neck to sign on the bottom line.

The whole procedure of getting online automobile insurance quotes can make it possible for you to take some time to review both your needs and your budget. Another reason to get online auto insurance quotes is that many auto insurance companies offer lower prices to clients that get their online insurance quotes and then sign up for auto insurance on the internet. Companies know that providing online automobile insurance quotes saves them money in manpower, and they can then pass those savings onto you, the consumer.

If you are someone who is always on the go, getting car insurance quotes can save you time. Getting numerous online car insurance quotes is fast and simple, and it prevents you from having to call around to dozens of companies to get auto insurance quotes to compare. Often, just by entering your information once, you get vehicle insurance quotes from different companies in minutes. You can even compare your vehicle insurance quotes and then purchase auto insurance immediately, printing out your paperwork on the spot. The whole procedure of getting online automobile insurance quotes through being insured can be accomplished even in your busy schedule.

A lot of people are concerned with the safety of getting auto insurance quotes, but many car insurance companies now employ technology that keeps your information safe. They use the most recent encryption technology, security measures, and they do not even sell your information when you are looking to get your online automobile insurance quotes.

Using the web does not end when you get your online vehicle insurance quotes. It is just as important to make sure the companies that are giving you online car insurance quotes are capable of being relied on and can back your claim up financially. Take your online vehicle insurance quotes and go to Standard and Poor's website (www.standardandpoors.com) or A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) to see how the companies providing you with online vehicle insurance quote rates. Try to stay with the online auto insurance quotes that come from a company with an AA rating or higher.

Also, when you are looking at your insurance quotes, make sure to get the right choice. That is the great part about websites like this one that allow you to get more than one online car insurance quote quickly. They allow you to compare ensure you get exactly what you need. That means, spend some time to search into your auto insurance needs before you get your online car insurance quotes. Utilize the other articles and resources on this website to understand your online auto insurance quotes better.

The key to getting a better rate on your vehicle insurance is to shop around, and what better way to shop quickly than by getting car insurance quotes. The web has streamlined our process of getting auto insurance quotes without having to feel any sales pressure. Take your online auto insurance quotes and make sure you understand it before you purchase your policy, but then be grateful for the free time your online insurance quotes easy and simple process has given you.

Free Vehicle insurance Quotes

Now that vehicle insurance is mandatory in most states, it has become necessary for all of us to purchase a policy that will fit for you, compare car insurance to find the right one for you. Insurance Savings offers free online vehicle insurance quotes to consumers of all credit levels and in all 50 states.

No Credit Check necessary

You can rest assured that our automobile insurance procedure of online quoting does not require a credit check and a social security number is not needed. We make use of a simple quote process that gives you the 5 best rates in your area and takes only minutes allowing you to compare automobile insurance.

Keeping your privacy

With the intention to offer you online vehicle insurance quotes we have partnered with Insureme, the nations first and most trusted quoting network. Insureme is part of the Better Business Bureau and guarantees the safety of your information. All car insurance online forms are done on a secure server guarded by the Thawte? SSL System.

Finding the Best Automobile Insurance Quotes Is Fast and Easy

Let us find you cheap vehicle insurance by getting you free car insurance quotes from the most important insurers in your area. With up to 5 free vehicle insurance online quotes, car insurance comparison is simple allowing you to select the best car insurance policy for you. Use the "free quote" box above to start getting your instant quotes!

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Abdominal Mesothelioma Health Information

2010-01-09T05:12:00.000-08:00

Abdominal mesothelioma, also known as peritoneal mesothelioma, is one form of a rare asbestos-linked cancer, mesothelioma. The abdominal mesothelioma, as the name suggests, is a cancer of the tissues in the abdominal cavity. Abdominal mesothelioma generally affects men ages 50-70, although women make up about one-fifth of all abdominal mesothelioma cases.

Abdominal pains, abdominal weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling are all abdominal mesothelioma symptoms. Patients exhibiting these symptoms are usually scheduled for further examinations to search for other abdominal mesothelioma signs. If an X-ray or CT scan indicates signs that the patient indeed may have abdominal mesothelioma, a biopsy is conducted, allowing the physician to determine the malignancy level. Any abdominal mesothelioma treatment will be determined by the physician and patient, taking into account the stage of the abdominal mesothelioma, the location and sizes of any tumors, and the age and health of the patient. Abdominal mesothelioma has a very high mortality rate, and in many cases, diagnosis occurs when the abdominal mesothelioma has already progressed too far. In such cases, all actions focus on making the abdominal mesothelioma as comfortable as possible, often removing portions of the tumor to relieve pressure.

Abdominal mesothelioma patients may be able to recover part or all of the costs of treating abdominal mesothelioma, due to its strong links to asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

LUNGS

The lungs are wrapped in a thin membrane called the visceral pleura. The chest wall is similarly lined (parietal pleura). These two membranes touch and slide across each other while we breathe, lubricated by a slick of fluid.

Mesothelioma usually develops in only one lung. The tumour tends to grow across the lung until the entire organ is encased. Sometimes cancer cells migrate to lymph nodes and other areas of the body (such as the unaffected lung) via the lymphatic system. Mesothelioma causes the pleura to make more fluid than necessary, which presses on the lung (pleural effusion). Symptoms includes

Breathlessness

Dry cough

Pain.

Peritoneum

About 10 per cent of mesothelioma cases involve the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal and the pelvic cavities. Swallowed asbestos fibres can move through the stomach wall and cause mesothelioma to develop in the peritoneum. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

Painful abdomen

Swollen abdomen

High temperature

Nausea and vomiting

Bowel problems

Urinary problems.

Symptoms in the later stages

Sudden and unexplained weight loss

Spitting up sputum

Spitting up blood

Swallowing problems

Hoarseness.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

How Do Doctor's Diagnose Mesothelioma?

The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a complete evaluation of a patient's medical history to determine symptoms and any past asbestos exposure, as well as a complete physical. In addition, physicians may request an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or an X-ray of the abdomen or chest region to help determine the location and size of the tumor.

In cases of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, fluid (effusion) may collect in the chest or abdominal region. Physicians may use a procedure known as fine needle aspiration to obtain a sample of this fluid for further testing. In addition, this procedure can be used to drain the effusion to temporarily relieve chest pain or other symptoms.

Usually, a biopsy of the tumor is required to make a diagnosis, however, sometimes only a fluid sample is needed. Below are a number of procedures commonly used.

Peritoneoscopy

In a case of peritoneal mesothelioma a tool called a peritoneoscope is used, which will be placed inside an opening made in the patient's abdomen. If fluid is found in the abdomen it will be drained through a process called paracentesis, which requires a needle to be placed inside the abdomen in order to extract the fluid.

Thoracoscopy

In diagnosing pleural mesothelioma a special instrument called a thoracoscope is used to examine the patient's chest cavity. This requires an incision to be made in the chest wall, which will be used to place the thoracoscope between the patient's ribs. If fluid are collected in a patient's chest, it will be drained out of the chest cavity through a needle. This test commonly requires anesthetic or another form of pain suppression.

Biopsy

If cancerous tissue is found in the patient's lungs or abdomen it will be extracted and examined. This process helps determine potential ways of treatment and is usually done during the above two processes or may require additional surgery.

After Diagnosis - - Your Feelings

Shock

"I can't believe it. It can't be true."

Feeling shocked is often the first reaction when mesothelioma is diagnosed. You may

Feel numb and not believe what is happening

Be unable to express any emotion

Find you can only take in small amounts of information

Ask the same questions or need to be told the same thing over and over again

Needing to have information repeated is a common reaction to shock

Fear

"Am I going to die?" "Will I be in pain?"

The first thing people ask about having mesothelioma cancer is: "Am I going to die?"

Remember - Mesothelioma patients can live for many years.

Mesothelioma clinical trials provides new hope. Today, many things can be done to help with any pain or discomfort or to slow the cancer down.

Many people are worried about their treatment and whether it will be very unpleasant. Remember that research into making treatments easier to cope with, and reducing and controlling side effects has been going on for years and will continue. Stories you hear about people being treated years ago will be out of date. It is best to talk to your doctor about your treatment before relying on rumor or other incorrect information.

Denial

There's nothing really wrong with me. I don't have mesothelioma."

Some people choose to cope with their situation by

Not wanting to know anything about their mesothelioma cancer

Talking about it as little as possible

If that's how you feel, tell the people around you quite firmly that, for the time being, you don't want to talk about your illness.

But sometimes you may find it is the other way around. Your family and friends may

Deny your illness

Appear to ignore the fact that you have mesothelioma

Play down your anxieties and symptoms

Deliberately change the subject

These sorts of reactions may arise because people are frightened or embarrassed to talk about cancer, or because mesothelioma is such a rare form of cancer, they do not understand what it entails. Others may feel that if they don't talk about it, they can try to pretend it isn't happening. You may, however, want them to support you by sharing how you feel. If the reactions of others upset or hurt you,

Try telling them how you feel

Reassure them that you know what is happening

Explain that talking to them about your illness will help

Anger

Anger about your illness may be directed at

Those who are closest to you

The doctors and nurses who are caring for you

The companies that made the asbestos products and knew they were dangerous

God, if you are religious

You don't have to feel guilty about your angry thoughts or moods. But relatives and friends don't always realize that you are not angry with them but are angry with your illness. It may help to

Tell them this at a time when you are not feeling quite so angry

Ask them to read these pages, if talking is difficult

If you are finding it difficult to talk to your family, you may want to discuss this with a counselor.

Blame and Guilt

Sometimes in trying to find reasons why cancer has happened you may blame yourself or other people for your illness.

While asbestos exposure is the trigger, many factors must coincide to cause mesothelioma cancer. Chance plays a big part. Some people are more prone to developing a mesothelioma cancer because of their genes. Also, workers and other exposed to asbestos were never informed about the dangers; so there is no way that the average person could have avoided these dangers.

In addition, many experts believe a single tiny strand of asbestos is sufficient to trigger mesothelioma, which with the widespread use of asbestos, is impossible to avoid. Finally, you had to work to earn a living and provide for your family - that was not a choice. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to avoid blaming yourself, but talking about these feelings helps.

Why Me?

Having mesothelioma cancer can make you feel cross with people who are well. Why should this have happened to you and not to someone else? You may feel

Angry

Sad

Bad tempered

These feelings may crop up from time to time throughout your illness and treatment. Relatives may also be angry that your illness interferes with their lives.

It helps to express your feelings openly. Bottling it up may upset everyone.

Leave Me Alone

There may be times during your illness when you want to be left alone to sort out your own feelings. This can be hard for family and friends who may not understand how you feel, and want to share this difficult time with you. You can make it easier for them by telling them that

You don't feel like talking about your illness now, but you will talk to them when you do

You still care about them even if you do not want to talk about your illness

Depression

Depression is often triggered by a diagnosis of mesothelioma. You might not be able to think clearly or do things, or you might not want to get up in the morning. You may want to talk to your doctor or nurse who can

Explain to you that these feelings are common with mesothelioma patients

Prescribe a course of drugs that may help you

Refer you to a doctor or counselor who specializes in the problems of cancer patients

It is quite common for people with cancer to feel depressed, so don't feel you are different if you need to ask for help.

Positive Thinking

One of the things that people with mesothelioma are often encouraged to do is to "be positive". But that is not that easy. Living with mesothelioma and its treatment can be frightening. There will be times when you may feel low and fear for you future.

Most people with mesothelioma cancer are frightened about how they might die and what will happen to their families if they do die. There are obviously very trying emotions, and it is very difficult to "just take it your stride". Friends and family, however, may advise you to think positively. It may help to remember that being positive

Doesn't mean being cheerful and optimistic

Means recognizing some of the fearful possibilities that arise from having mesothelioma cancer

Nobody should expect you to feel good when confronting fear.

Being positive and thinking positively can even include

Feeling upset

Feeling frightened

Such feelings can be a sign of strength - and may reflect your courage in facing up to an uncertain future.

Being positive may include expressing your full range of emotions. It is, perhaps, more about being able to balance the bad with the good, and not allowing negative emotions overwhelm you.

DEPRESSION CAUSES AND TREATMENT

2010-01-09T05:06:00.000-08:00

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity. While often described as a dysfunction, there are also strong arguments for seeing depression as an adaptive defense mechanism.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a depressed person as experiencing feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. In traditional colloquy, feeling "depressed" is often synonymous with feeling "sad", but both clinical depression and non-clinical depression can also refer to a conglomeration of more than one feeling.

Causes of Depression

It is estimated that about 1 out of 6 adults suffer from depression sometime during their life.Although depression does not have a single cause, many things contribute to the feeling of depression, such as family history, pessimistic personality, trauma and stress, physical conditions, and other psychological disorders. Gender may additionally be a contributing factor. Women and men may experience depression in different ways. The imbalance of key brain chemicals may also be a contributing factor. These brain chemicals are called neurotransmitters which include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Treatments

There a number of different treatments for depression: Antidepressants include clinical drugs like Prozac and herbal remedies like St John's Wort. Physical activity has been linked to the reduction in blood serotonin after exercise, similar to the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Research published by the American Medical Association concludes: Findings are consistent with a beneficial effect of physical activity on feelings of sadness and suicidal behaviors in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white boys and girls. Various initiatives promote dialogue and non-drug therapy, arguing that drugs should be only used as last resort in cases of depression. R U OK Day, an Australian initiative promoting depression awareness and dialogue, received nationwide media coverage at its inauguration on 29th November 2009.

Medications

Finding a treatment plan for depression that's right for you can take time, so don't feel discouraged. It is not unusual for some people to change their treatment plans several times before finding the one that seems to work best for them.

Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. In 6-week clinical studies, ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) was added after an inadequate response to these commonly prescribed antidepressants, or their generic equivalents where available:

Lexapro®

Zoloft®

Prozac®

Effexor XR®

Paxil CR®

If you're taking an antidepressant and feel like you might need more help with your depression symptoms, as your doctor about the option of adding ABILIFY to your current medication.

Counseling and therapy

Counseling, or psychotherapy, is often called "talk" therapy, and comes in many forms. You may participate in individual, group, or family therapy sessions. You also have options in regard to the type of professional you may like to talk to. Some common ones include:

Psychiatrist: A doctor with an MD, who is certified in treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, and can prescribe medicine.

Psychologist: This person has either a PhD or PsyD and is often called a therapist. Unless trained as a clinical psychologist, these professionals cannot prescribe medicine.

Clinical Social Worker: A mental health professional who must be licensed to practice psychotherapy and cannot prescribe medicine.

DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine): A doctor with the basic science and clinical training of an MD, who takes a holistic approach to medicine and applies different techniques to the muscoskeletal system – including the nerves, muscles and bones that comprise it.

READ THINK AND LEAD SMS CLUB

2010-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

MEMBERS

1. MUHAMMAD HUSSAIN

2. MUBASHIR SHAIKH

3. HAFIZ FAIZAN

4. ALTAF UMRANI

5. ANAS-UL-ABIDEEN

6. DILAWAR KHAN

7. ZAMEER RAJPAR

8. ZULFIQAR RAJPAR

9. SHAIKH KAMRAN SALIM

10. ASIF RAJPAR

11. NAJAM-US-SAQIB

12. SYED WAJEEH-UL-HASSAN

13. HASSAN ASGHAR RIZVI

14. MOOMAL

15. SHOAIB BURNEY

16. MOHSIN NAEEM

2010-01-09T04:59:00.000-08:00

How to write the Press Release.

2010-01-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

Step 1 - Choose the Topic of the Press Release

The entire press release writing process starts with "something that happened" that you wish to announce to the media and the public. This is your news and the subject of your press release. News that you can announce includes: a new website, new feature, new product or service, new office location, new employee, new award received, new sales record, new partnership.

Step 2 - Write the Headline

The headline is a single sentence statement that announces what the news is. Readers should be able to know exactly what you are announcing by reading the headline. The headline should be 100 characters or less including spaces.

Step 3- Write the Body of the Press Release

The body of the press release expands on the "Who, What, When, Where, How and Why" of the announcement or news. The details in a press release should be limited to the "facts" about the announcement or news. Opinion, fluff or hype is not appropriate. Statements about how the product or service is the most amazing innovation ever invented should not be included. It is important that readers form this opinion by themselves by reading the details (facts) in the press release.

Step 4 - Verify that the Basic Press Release Rules were Followed

• Was your press releases written in third person?

• Does your press release focus on your announcement or news rather than selling something? Your press release should never resemble an advertisement or sales letter!

• Did you include a media contact name, email address and phone at the bottom of the press release?

• Did you include at least three links to your web site?

• Is there any way that you can make your press release more interesting, timely or unique?

• Is your press release more than 200 words and less than 500?

• Did you add ### to the bottom of the press release to signify the end?

• Is your headline clear and to the point? Can it be shortened without losing anything?

• Are all details of the "Who, What, When, Where, How and Why" covered in the body of the press release?

• Have you looked at other press releases to make sure yours looks correct and does not leave out any information? See a sample of press release here:

New book guides parents struggling to regain balance in life

First-time author Erin Kurt introduces the ‘Life Circle' technique to reduce parent stress, strengthen family bonds and help find time for self in Juggling Family Life

WINDSOR, England (MMD Newswire) January 5, 2010 -- In today's fast-paced world, it is harder than ever to juggle the responsibilities of parenting, career and marriage. In Juggling Family Life: A Step-By-Step Guide to Stress-Free Parenting, first-time author Erin A. Kurt, B.Ed. presents ‘Life Circle,' a technique she says is a tried and true strategy to reduce stress, increase personal time, strengthen bonds with your children and put the spark back in your marriage.

Juggling Family Life seeks to provide straightforward advice to help parents regain control of their lives. Kurt, who has been working with children and parents for years to teach them how to manage life's responsibilities without stress, says there are three main areas that make or break a family: getting discipline right, family time and ‘you' time (for parents). Simple ideas such as keeping a family calendar, scheduling regular ‘alone-time' periods as well as one-on-one time periods for everyone in the family, and writing tasks down lend themselves to reducing stress and creating a happier, enjoyable family life.

"As the economic crisis continues, more and more parents are realigning their priorities," Kurt said. "Many parents are now looking for jobs with more flexibility so they can spend more time with their families. The focus has shifted to ‘How can I improve my family life?' rather than ‘How can I rise to the top of the corporate ladder?' There are so many techniques and methods of child rearing that it is difficult to make sense of them all. Parents need answers and they need simplicity. My methods provide the straightforward advice parents need."

Juggling Family Life: A Step-By-Step guide to Stress-Free Parenting is available for sale online at Amazon.com and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.

About the Author
Erin A. Kurt, B.Ed. has worked as a teacher, nanny and family counselor. She has worked with children and families around the world and runs a website dedicated to helping mothers take the stress out of parenting. Kurt holds live workshops, online seminars and writes a weekly e-zine and blog dedicated to her lifelong passion for helping others get the most out of family life. Kurt earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Alberta. She lives with her family in England.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin A. Kurt
Email: erin@erinparenting.com
Phone: +44 7515 472 448
Web site: www.erinparenting.com

REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

###

Hidden Truth about Ashura Blast

2010-01-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Friday that the initial evidence of the bomb blast at the Ashura procession in Karachi suggests that it was not a suicide attack.

“The blast does not seem like a suicide attack according to the available indicators, however investigations are still underway into the deadly incident,” Malik said while speaking to the media after attending a briefing at the headquarters of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh.

MQM leader and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar accompanied him on the occasion.

Malik said the inquiry into the Ashura blast would be completed by today (Saturday). He said the riots and arson by unknown miscreants following the blast was a planned endeavour.

The interior minister said the markets were set ablaze in an organised manner and investigation is underway to find out why the fire could not be extinguished in time.

He said equal distribution of compensation among the affected shopkeepers would be ensured.

Malik also said the government would not allow anybody to destroy peace in Karachi.

“People involved in breaking law and order will be brought to justice no matter what their political affiliations are.”

Target killings: Referring to target killings in the city, the interior minister said the government would apprehend those involved in such brutal acts.

Malik said not only were MQM workers being targeted, but PPP workers were also becoming victims of target killings, and those responsible would certainly be brought to justice. Speaking on the occasion, Sattar said the terrible incidents on the Ashura day are conspiracies to destabilise the country.

He claimed that land and drug mafias were involved in deteriorating the law and order situation.

Impartial inquiry: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has said the government would ensure an impartial inquiry into the deadly Ashura blast. He stated this while responding to some questions about the investigations after presiding over a meeting of the Sindh cabinet. Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik also attended the meeting. He said a joint investigation team comprising federal and provincial government agencies was probing the incident, and would submit a report within three days. razzak abro

What Is Cancer?

2010-01-03T03:31:00.001-08:00

Cancer is actually a group of many related diseases that all have to do with cells. Cells are the very small units that make up all living things, including the human body. There are billions of cells in each person's body.
Cancer happens when cells that are not normal grow and spread very fast. Normal body cells grow and divide and know to stop growing. Over time, they also die. Unlike these normal cells, cancer cells just continue to grow and divide out of control and don't die when they're supposed to.
Cancer cells usually group or clump together to form tumors (say:too-mers). A growing tumor becomes a lump of cancer cells that can destroy the normal cells around the tumor and damage the body's healthy tissues. This can make someone very sick.
Sometimes cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other areas of the body, where they keep growing and can go on to form new tumors. This is how cancer spreads. The spread of a tumor to a new place in the body is called metastasis (say: meh-tas-tuh-sis).
Causes of Cancer
You probably know a kid who had chickenpox — maybe even you. But you probably don't know any kids who've had cancer. If you packed a large football stadium with kids, probably only one child in that stadium would have cancer.
Doctors aren't sure why some people get cancer and others don't. They do know that cancer is not contagious. You can't catch it from someone else who has it — cancer isn't caused by germs, like colds or the flu are. So don't be afraid of other kids — or anyone else — with cancer. You can talk to, play with, and hug someone with cancer.
Kids can't get cancer from anything they do either. Some kids think that a bump on the head causes brain cancer or that bad people get cancer. This isn't true! Kids don't do anything wrong to get cancer. But some unhealthy habits, especially cigarette smoking or drinking too much alcohol every day, can make you a lot more likely to get cancer when you become an adult.
Finding Out About Cancer
It can take a while for a doctor to figure out a kid has cancer. That's because the symptoms cancer can cause — weight loss, fevers, swollen glands, or feeling overly tired or sick for a while — usually are not caused by cancer. When a kid has these problems, it's often caused by something less serious, like an infection. With medical testing, the doctor can figure out what's causing the trouble.
If the doctor suspects cancer, he or she can do tests to figure out if that's the problem. A doctor might order X-rays and blood tests and recommend the person go to see an oncologist (say: on-kah-luh-jist). An oncologist is a doctor who takes care of and treats cancer patients. The oncologist will likely run other tests to find out if someone really has cancer. If so, tests can determine what kind of cancer it is and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Based on the results, the doctor will decide the best way to treat it.
One test that an oncologist (or a surgeon) may perform is a biopsy (say: by-op-see). During a biopsy, a piece of tissue is removed from a tumor or a place in the body where cancer is suspected, like the bone marrow. Don't worry — someone getting this test will get special medicine to keep him or her comfortable during the biopsy. The sample that's collected will be examined under a microscope for cancer cells.
The sooner cancer is found and treatment begins, the better someone's chances are for a full recovery and cure.
Treating Cancer Carefully
Cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation — or sometimes a combination of these treatments. The choice of treatment depends on:
• the type of cancer someone has (the kind of abnormal cells causing the cancer)
• the stage of the tumor (meaning how much the cancer has spread within the body, if at all)
Surgery is the oldest form of treatment for cancer — 3 out of every 5 people with cancer will have an operation to remove it. During surgery, the doctor tries to take out as many cancer cells as possible. Some healthy cells or tissue may also be removed to make sure that all the cancer is gone.
Chemotherapy (say: kee-mo-ther-uh-pee) is the use of anti-cancer medicines (drugs) to treat cancer. These medicines are sometimes taken as a pill, but usually are given through a special intravenous (say: in-truh-vee-nus) line, also called an IV. An IV is a tiny plastic catheter (straw-like tube) that is put into a vein through someone's skin, usually on the arm. The catheter is attached to a bag that holds the medicine. The medicine flows from the bag into a vein, which puts the medicine into the blood, where it can travel throughout the body and attack cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is usually given over a number of weeks to months. Often, a permanent catheter is placed under the skin into a larger blood vessel of the upper chest. This way, a person can easily get several courses of chemotherapy and other medicines through this catheter without having a new IV needle put in. The catheter remains under the skin until all the cancer treatment is completed.
Radiation (say: ray-dee-ay-shun) therapy uses high-energy waves, such as X-rays (invisible waves that can pass through most parts of the body), to damage and destroy cancer cells. It can cause tumors to shrink and even go away completely. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. Many people with cancer find it goes away after receiving radiation treatments.
With both chemotherapy and radiation, kids may experience side effects. A side effect is an extra problem that's caused by the treatment. Radiation and anti-cancer drugs are very good at destroying cancer cells but, unfortunately, they also destroy healthy cells. This can cause problems such as loss of appetite, tiredness, vomiting, or hair loss. With radiation, a person might have red or irritated skin in the area that's being treated. But all these problems go away and hair grows back after the treatment is over. During the treatment, certain medicines can help a kid feel better.
While treatment is still going on, a kid might not be able to attend school or be around crowds of people — the kid needs to rest and avoid getting infections, such as the flu, when he or she already isn't feeling well. The body may have more trouble fighting off infections because of the cancer or side effects of the treatment.
Getting Better
Remission (say: ree-mih-shun) is a great word for anyone who has cancer. It means all signs of cancer are gone from the body. After surgery or treatment with radiation or chemotherapy, a doctor will then do tests to see if the cancer is still there. If there are no signs of cancer, then the kid is in remission.
Remission is the goal when any kid with cancer goes to the hospital for treatment. Sometimes, this means additional chemotherapy might be needed for a while to keep cancer cells from coming back. And luckily, for many kids, continued remission is the very happy end of their cancer experience.

Dengue Fever is still alive in Pakistan BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2009-11-06T22:40:00.000-08:00

Karachi, Nov 08: Comprehensive public awareness campaign made by Health Department, but dozens of new cases of dengue fever have been reported in the country as seven persons have died and 29 suffering in this year whereas the number of dengue patients in 2008 was 1332.

Chairman Task Force on drugs, Dr. Saeed Elahi said that we achieve the desired results of awareness campaign and people adopted precautionary measures besides spray of their houses.

Over 500 suspected patients of dengue virus have reported in various hospitals of Karachi while the Health Department has made the dengue fully functional as yet.

The health experts have said that cases of dengue affected patients have started appearing again, majority of these patients are being treated in private clinics and hospitals and a very small number is coming to government hospitals.

Sources said that exact number of dengue cases cannot be determined, as the dengue cell is still non-functional.

According to reports during last week seven patients of dengue fever have been died in different parts of Punjab, while several new patients have been admitted in hospitals.

The health experts have advised the people not to let water stand anywhere in their houses and streets.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), a potentially lethal complication, was first recognized in the 1950s during dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand.

Today DHF affects most Asian countries and has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in the region.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and sometimes a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever, experts said.

World Health Organisation (WHO) currently estimates there may be 50 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

Global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades about 2.5 billion people-two fifths of the world's populations are now at risk.

Experts said that dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children.

There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever.

The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease carrying mosquitoes.

According to Chinese medical encyclopedia the first record case of probable dengue fever from the Jin Dynasty (265–420 AD) which referred to a “water poison” associated with flying insects.

The first confirmed case report dates from 1789 and is by Benjamin Rush, who coined the term "break bone fever" because of the symptoms of myalgia and arthralgia.

Population movements during World War II spread the disease globally. A pandemic of dengue began in Southeast Asia after World War II and has spread around the globe since then.

The disease is now common in more than 100 countries. South-east Asia and the Western Pacific are the most seriously affected. Before 1970 only nine countries had experienced DHF epidemics, a number that had increased more than four-fold by 1995.

During epidemics of dengue, infection rates among those who have not been previously exposed to the virus are often 40% to 50%, but can reach 80% to 90%.

An estimated 500 000 people with DHF require hospitalization each year, a very large proportion of whom are children. About 2.5% of those affected die.

Without proper treatment, DHF fatality rates can exceed 20%. Wider access to medical care with knowledge of DHF and proper treatment can reduce death rates to less than 1% health experts quoted.

Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. Mosquitoes generally acquire the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person.

Infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the virus for uninfected mosquitoes.

The virus circulates in the blood of infected humans for two to seven days, at approximately the same time that they have a fever; Aedes mosquitoes may acquire the virus when they feed on an individual during this period.

There is no vaccine to protect against dengue. Although progress is underway, developing a vaccine against the disease.

There is a lack of laboratory animal models available to test resistant responses to potential vaccines.

WHO provides technical advice and guidance to countries and private partners to support vaccine research and evaluation.

At present, the only method of controlling or preventing dengue virus transmission is to combat the vector mosquitoes.

In Asia Aedes breeds primarily in man-made containers like earthenware jars, metal drums and concrete cisterns used for domestic water storage, as well as discarded plastic food containers, used automobile tyres and other items that collect rainwater.

The rapid geographic spread of this species is largely attributed to the international trade in used tyres, a breeding habitat.

Regular monitoring is necessary to ensure the appropriate choice of chemicals. Active monitoring and surveillance of the natural mosquito population should accompany control efforts to determine dengue programme effectiveness.

Hillary’s double standard statements in her visit of Pakistan BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2009-11-04T21:22:00.000-08:00

Karachi, Nov 02: US secretary of State Hillary Clinton has gone back after completing her visit to Pakistan with the mission to win the hearts of Pakistanis but pressurised the Government to take on Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups beyond South Waziristan for eliminating terrorism.

“With initial campaign in Swat and now in South Waziristan finished, I think the Pakistani military would have to go on to root out other terrorist groups or else they could come back to threaten Pakistan,” Ms Clinton said.

We are going to do everything we can speak directly to the people of Pakistan. I am specifically visited to Pakistan to reverse some of those misperceptions said Ms Clinton.

On her last day of the visit Clinton said that the US and Pakistan had mistrust about the location of Al-Qaeda’s presence. She also said that US cannot see innocent people being murdered at the hands of terrorist.

FATA parliamentarian showed reservations on drone attacks in their meeting with the US Secretary of State.

Ms Clinton expressed her resolve to stand by Pakistan in rooting out the menace of terrorism and secure future of the country. She said this during her visit to Police Line Headquarters to pay tributes to the martyred personnel of Islamabad police who sacrificed their lives

Ms Clinton had stirred controversy when she said at a meeting with journalists on Thursday that Pakistan lacked seriousness in pursuing Al Qaeda. “I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and could not get them if they really wanted to.”

However, Ms Clinton, on her trip consciously stayed away from saying anything that could undermine the purpose of the trip, did not relent after the statement and in numerous media interviews tried to impress on the Pakistani leadership that Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups were as big a threat to Pakistan as were the local Taliban.

“Our best information is that Al Qaeda leadership is somewhere in Pakistan. It is in the interest of Pakistan and US that we capture or kill Al Qaeda leadership because that will give a very serious blow to terrorists everywhere. Let us work in that direction said Ms Clinton.

“I understand priority for Pakistan will be focussing on those that are attacking you. That has to be your priority. But Al Qaeda is in league with those attacking Pakistan.”

Highlighting the link between Al Qaeda, Pakistani Taliban and other terror groups, she said: “The extremist and terrorist groups are part of syndicate of terror and Al Qaeda is head of that syndicate.”

Ms Clinton placed a lot of emphasis on this issue during her three-hour meeting with Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI Director General Lt-Gen Shuja Pasha on Thursday night.

There are apprehensions in Washington that the Pakistan military is going after only those who threaten its own security while ignoring those who launch attacks in Afghanistan.

As a means for resolving such contentious issues, towards the end of her trip on Friday, Ms Clinton proposed creation of “more open relationship between governments and people of America and Pakistan” and underlined the need for “honesty in relationship” between Washington and Islamabad.

Ms Clinton compounded the confusion over the presence of the US private security firm Blackwater Services in Pakistan by saying that some of their personnel might be having diplomatic immunity, but most of them didn’t.

“I understand the sensitivity of the issue, but I want to be clear why we have any contractors, well because we get dozens and dozens of threats every month directed towards our diplomats and public officials who are here for diplomatic activity”.

“Our diplomats don’t carry arms, but on the other hand if they have to get out they need security.”

She said the US was working with Pakistan to chalk out a mechanism for providing security to diplomats and officials assigned to Pakistan.

The issue of private security contractors echoed at her meeting with lawmakers in parliament, where former information minister Sherry Rehman warned her that if the issue was not resolved, it could compromise the very democracy the US was seeking to support.

Ms Clinton clarified that the security company was not above the law of land and asked Ambassador Patterson to look into the issue and address concerns.

During her meeting with leaders from the NWFP and Fata, the secretary of state underscored American support for humanitarian and livelihood assistance, education, media and communications for people living in areas of conflict.

“And we want to encourage everyone, not just the Pakistan government or the military but Pakistani citizens to realise the connection between Al Qaeda and these Taliban extremists who are threatening Pakistan. They are part of a syndicate of terror.”

She had underestimated the level of anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, Ms Clinton said: “No, because I’ve been following the research and the polling that’s gone on for a couple of years.

I knew that we were inheriting a pretty negative situation that we were going to have to address.”

Trust “is a two-way street,” she added. “I just want to keep putting on the table that we have some concerns as well. And I think that’s the kind of relationship I’m looking to build here.”

“We certainly have a common enemy in extremism and terrorism, and so part of what I have been doing is answering every single charge, every question.”

That’s why I wanted three days in the country, “a long trip for a secretary of state,” she said.

“I wanted to demonstrate that, look; we are not coming here claiming that everything we’ve done is perfect.

“I’ve admitted to mistakes by our country going back in time, but I’ve also reminded people that we’ve been partners and allies from the beginning of Pakistan’s inception as a country.

“Pakistan has helped us on several important occasions, and we are very grateful for that. So let’s begin to clear the air here.”

CRACKDOWN ON MADRESSAHS IN ISLAMABAD BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2009-11-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

Islamabad, Oct, 19: Crackdown on Madressahs by government, to looking into their activities and to ensure that militants are not hiding there in the guise of students, 28 suspects was arrested, here on Monday.

The suspects staying in seminaries at Sector F-6/4 and Bhara Kahu were believed to be affiliated with the proscribed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Weapons were also seized from the suspects.

Initially six suspects arrested and taken to the local police stations from where they were shifted to undisclosed locations for further interrogation.

Sources told that, a teacher of a religious seminary was arrested near the Federal Government Services Hospital a few days ago, who told police that several militants groups affiliated with different organisation, including the TTP, had succeeded in entering Islamabad.

The sources said over a dozen militants were identified, adding that law enforcement agencies were making efforts to trace and arrest them.

The teams checked 10 madressahs, including Jamia Mohammadia, Jamia Qurtuba, Jamia Abbasia and Jamia Kazmia in Sihala area.

It was found that many students under the age of 16 and hailing from Batal, Batgram, Balakot, Bajour and Swat were studying there. Some of the teachers also hailed from these areas.

Four seminaries, located in Barakhu area were also searched. Included among them were Jamia Farooqia and Jamia Omar of the Deobandi sect and one of the Shia sect. Darul Huda in Golra was also searched.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that action would also be taken against foreign nationals working as prayer leaders.

“We will not allow any foreigner to become Imam-i-Masjid,” the minister said in a statement shortly after the crackdown was launched on the basis of intelligence reports that some of the suspects from the war zone of South Waziristan had taken refuge in madressahs and they could carry out terrorist attacks in Islamabad and other parts of the country.
Earlier, Wafaqul Madressahs, an association of seminaries, criticised the action and announced that such steps could undermine the agreement it had recently signed with the government.

Office-bearers of the Wafaqul Madressahs Maulana Saleemullah Khan and Mualana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhry claimed in a joint statement that police did not find anything objectionable in those seminaries.

Meanwhile, a joint team of city police and an intelligence agency raided an area adjacent to Sabzi Mandi and arrested 22 suspects, two of them women hailing from Fata and Afghanistan.

The arrests were made after intelligence agencies reported that pro-Taliban suspects were hiding in the area and they were involved in procuring weapons for militants for use in acts of terror in different parts of the country.

Later, a delegation comprising scholars of Wafaqul Madaris met Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Binyamin here on Monday.

In the meeting, they agreed that no foreigner would be given admission to any seminary or appointed as a prayer leader.

It was also decided that no one, student or teacher, would be allowed to keep weapons in seminaries.

Similarly, guests would not be allowed to visit or stay in seminaries, however, blood relatives of the students could meet their kin by following a proper procedure.

They also agreed that administrations of seminaries would keep sharing information with the police and district administration in future.

Separately, high-ups of the police department decided to make a comprehensive strategy to get information about terrorist elements and also to maintain high vigilance to thwart their nefarious designs.

It was decided in a meeting that E-7, F-7 and G-7 sectors are now in the high-security zone by stretching the police cordon from Seventh Avenue to Faisal Avenue.

In this regard over a dozen checkpoints would be set up in and around the Faisal Avenue to keep an eye on suspects and check their entry into the high-security zone.

The meeting said every possible effort should be made to root out the menace of terrorism and police wings like Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, Islamabad Traffic Police, operational police and Police Line Headquarters would evolve a strategy to get information about the anti-social elements.

FREIGHT FORWARDERS CALL FOR ONE WINDOW OPERATION BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2009-11-04T21:18:00.000-08:00

KARACHI, OCT, 10: Cargo handlers and freight forwarders facing problems while moving cargo, for import and export; they have to deal with seven ministries in sea, air, road and rail, they want one window operation.

Shipping services and all activities related to ports and terminals fall under the ministry of ports and shipping.

Ministry of commerce looked after the international, regional, multilateral and bilateral agreements and conventions regarding freight forwarding and logistics management.

Trucking, roads and highways comes under the business of the ministry of communication.

Trucking sector development plan is the responsibility of the ministry of industries. For all railway freight services, there is the involvement of ministry of railways.

Airports and air services fall under the ministry of defence. And, finally, customs, duties and levies are looked after by the ministry of finance.

For large-scale market players in the logistics sector, dealing with such a wide and diverse management profile is a huge issue and their plea for some sort of streamlining does not sound illogical.

Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), and Pakistan Ships Agents Association (PSAA), representing over 500 member companies, has been calling for putting in place one-window operation for at least inland transportation.

General Secretary of PIFFA while talking to reporters has put suggestions that all freight transportation and logistics matters should come under the single ministry, calling it the ‘ministry of freight transport, logistics and ports’.

Senior PIFFA member, Izharul Haq Qamar, regretted the government’s silence on an issue that was affecting the overall national trade. The standing committee set up by the commerce ministry, the National Trade and Transport Facilitation Committee (NTTFC), had been of little help despite having set targets that sound good on paper, he said.

Running his own cargo management business, Mr. Qamar said it was always tricky to quote a price to importers who want their goods moved beyond Karachi because of

fluctuating charges of inland transportation. “The fact is that the prices don’t actually fluctuate; they just keep going higher and higher,” he added.

Mr. Qamar giving details said that “A 20-foot container carrying about as many tons of cargo from Karachi to Lahore costs Rs60,000 today, but when it was quoted to the client four to five weeks earlier, it was much less. The same applies to the 40-foot container that today costs around Rs80, 000.”

PSAA members in their proposal that was sent to the ministry of commerce, the PSAA had even demanded privatisation of the National Logistics Cell (NLC) on the plea that the transport giant with little public accountability was actually a cause of distortion in the transport market.

The proposal accused the NLC of preventing the development of a healthy, organised private sector in the business, and suggested an end to all special treatment to NLC in terms of subsidies and in the award of business that was adding to its monopolistic hold on the market.

A document titled the National Trucking Policy was issued by the Engineering Development Board of the ministry of industries and production during the caretaker government of Mohammadmian Soomro in January 2008.

The document talked of the dire need to improve the sector “as our dependence on road freight is almost 96 per cent of the total ton/km and is growing fast”.

Quoting World Bank figures, it also estimated the losses “on account of inefficiencies in this sector” to be as high as Rs150 billion per year to the national economy.

Both PIFFA and PSAA have heard of that ‘trucking policy’, but have no idea what happened to the document beyond the 2008 elections. All they know is that nothing has changed on the ground.

Tahir Hussain, the PSAA Deputy Secretary, however, has hopes that the proposals under discussion with the NTTFC will bear fruit in the days ahead. One of the proposals relate to the expansion of warehousing facilities because limited and ineffective storage was increasing the cost of logistics.

The demand is in line with one of the project components of the NTTFC which talks of not just warehousing capacity, but also of creating “a well-functioning refrigerated produce cold chain for the storage and transport of temperature-controlled cargos”.

Ateequr Rahman, who runs a warehouse, said about two to three million square feet capacity had been erected in Karachi alone. “All this space relates to modern infrastructure and temperature-controlled.

Warehouses which are a far cry from converters and godowns of the past,” he adding that in the last year or so, there had been almost zero growth in this area because the “investors are probably shying away in spite of a quick three- to-four-year reimbursement time”.

The shortage of purpose built warehousing is so acute, he said, that the space that was earlier available for Rs12 per square foot per month has gone up to Rs20.

This, naturally, is adding to the cost of doing business for commercial enterprises which, in turn, have no other way to deal with it except to pass it on to the consumers.

Official documents available on websites of various ministries enhancing regional connectivity for improving links to Central Asian States, Iran, Afghanistan and India, and of focusing on the challenges arising out of the expanding trade regime across the National Trade Corridor.

Local stakeholders are waiting for things to happen on inter city routes that run across the country.

They are also awaiting progress on the ministry of commerce’s project related to the creation of a competent cross sectoral secretariat where trade and transport related problems that may affect more then two parties could be analysed.

Practical solutions developed and presented to the NTTFC for implementation and follow-up. This, they believe, would be the first step towards having a one-window facility sometime in the future.

Modern transportation and efficient logistics management reduce the cost of doing business and boost foreign trade. In their absence, goods produced for exports tend to become less competitive in the international market

SC to frame strategy for CCP to fix sugar price By Aqeel Ahmed Rajpar

2009-10-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) frame guideline for Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on a sticky issue of sugar price on Thursday to fix the price of sugar instead of leaving it to market forces.

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and the Punjab Sugar Association file an appeal against the verdict of Lahore High Court requiring Punjab Government to ensure the sale of sugar at Rs. 40 per Kg in the Province.

A three-judge bench of SC comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Ghulam Rabbani hearing identical appeals.

According to The Lahore High Court verdict that they supervise the CCP and safeguard interests of all sections, especially consumers, instead of leaving them at the mercy of the commission.

The SC ordered that during the period the commission would be listening to the stakeholders, including sugarcane growers, to determine the price, the government would make arrangements to sell sugar at Rs40 as fixed by the high court.

It also directed Attorney General (AG) Sardar Latif Khosa to submit Rules of the Business of the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chief Justice Iftikhar M. Chaudhary adding that we have to strike equilibrium as the entire nation is standing at one side while the government is on the other, instead of strictly implementing orders of the high court the government had filed the appeal.

The three Judge bench made it clear that it was not its job to fix prices but its job was to ensure that the executive machinery started functioning.

After lengthy proceedings that continued till late evening, the court dismissed the appeal of the Punjab Sugar Dealers for lacking jurisdiction to file the petition after Advocate Farooq Amjad Mir expressed willingness to withdraw it.

The bench also criticised PSMA chairman Iskander Khan for submitting a fake document showing how a meeting of the association that took place in Lahore empowered its secretary general Ali Qazalbash to institute the appeal before the apex court.

The Bench ordered Mr Khan to produce Vice Chairman Javed Kiani on Friday for questioning who, with his signature, had authorised the secretary general to move the court.

The Advocate for PSMA Mr. Shahid Kareem, informed the court that the central executive committee of the association had passed a resolution, the copy of which was available in Lahore though the registered office was in Islamabad.

When asked to produce the same, which later turned out to be fake inviting ire of the court, Iskander Khan conceded that no minutes had been recorded and the document was produced in emergency.

The court expressed its dismay that the appeal was filed without proper authorisation and the PSMA dared to submit the document which prima facie is forged.

An attempt has been made to misguide the court by producing a fake document and thus guilty of criminal offence to undermine the authority of the court only to get relief on a petition which is not maintainable.

The court adding that no concession could be extended to the litigants because of their attitude.

The AG told the court that it was not possible to sell sugar at Rs40 as it would have ‘catastrophic’ affect on the agriculture system that would eventually ‘collapse.’
Meanwhile, the CCP in a preliminary report said that prima facie the PSMA and its members were in a serious and continuous violation of Section four of its ordinance which encouraged competition.

‘It appears, prima facie, that the sugar mills under the flag of PSMA are engaged in setting sugarcane price, territorial division for sugarcane procurement, bid, rigging in the TCP (Trading Corporation of Pakistan) tenders, establishing entry barriers by advocating and resisting the opening of new mills and setting sugar prices by making estimates and indulging in collective price negotiation,’ the report said.

The PSMA can no longer be called just a representative of the sugar mills but an organisation which functions as a business decision-making body.

The association by the approval of its members has prima facie exceeded its mandate, the report alleged.

There is plenty of documentation that showed the existence of a buyers’ cartel in the industry, the report said, adding that instead of competing in the open market the sugar mills preferred a closed and protected market which was easily manageable.

DRONE ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN BY AQEEL AHMED RAJPAR

2009-10-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

KARACHI, OCT 06: The United States government has made a series of attacks on targets in Pakistan since 2004 using drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). Most of these attacks are on targets in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Northwest Pakistan.

Under the George W. Bush administration, these controversial attacks were called a part of the US' "War on Terrorism" and sought to defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants who were thought to have found a safe haven in Pakistan.

These strikes are thought to be carried out by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operated remotely by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and have continued under the Presidency of Barack Obama.

Generally the UAVs used are MQ-1 Predator and more recently MQ-9 Reaper firing AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The drones have become a weapon of choice for the United States in the fight against al-Qaeda. Some media refer to the series of attacks as a "drone war"

The first drone attack was tracing on 18 June 2004, in which Nek Muhammad Wazir, charismatic Pashtun military leader killed and 5 others near Wana, South Waziristan.

After then not a single month is vacant from these drone attacks, so many people whose never involve in any criminal activity or they has no link with any Taliban and Al-Qaeda were killed in these drone attacks.

As per a study collating all strike data since 2004, the casualties up to September 2009 are 665, in which only 35 important militants’ killed rest killed without any reason.

According to Pakistani authorities, from January 14, 2006 to April 8, 2009, 60 U.S. strikes against Pakistan killed 701 people, of which 14 were Al-Qaeda militants and 687 innocent civilians.

President Barack Obama authorized the continuation of these strikes after he became US president. Top US officials consider these strikes very successful and believe that the senior al-Qaeda leadership has been decimated by these strikes.

US officials stated in March 2009 that the Predator strikes had killed nine of al-Qaeda's 20 top commanders. The officials added that many top Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders, as a result of the strikes, had fled to Quetta or even further to Karachi.

Some US politicians have condemned the drone strikes. US Congressman Dennis Kucinich asserted that the United States was violating international law by carrying out strikes against a country that never attacked the United States.

US military reports asserted that al-Qaeda is being slowly but systematically routed because of these attacks, and that they have served to sow the seeds of uncertainty and discord among their ranks. They also claimed that the drone attacks have addled and confused the Taliban, and have led them to turn against each other.

In May 2009 it was reported that the USA was sharing drone intelligence with Pakistan. Leon Panetta reiterated on May 19, 2009 that the US intended to continue the Drone attacks.

Pakistan has repeatedly protested these attacks as they are an infringement of its sovereignty and because civilian deaths have also resulted, including women and children, which has further angered the Pakistani government and people.

In September 2009, a spokesman for the Pakistani army condemned Washington's killing of Pakistani civilians and warned of retaliatory action: "Border violations by US-led forces in Afghanistan, which have killed scores of Pakistani civilians, would no longer be tolerated.

The drone attacks continue, despite repeated requests made by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari through different channels. Baitullah Mehsud while claiming responsibility for the 2009 Lahore police academy attacks stated that it was in retaliation for the drone attacks.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Pakistani intelligence has agreed to secretly provide information to the United States on Mehsud's and his militants' whereabouts while publicly the Pakistani government will continue to condemn the attacks.

On April 28, 2009 Pakistan's consul general to the US, Aqil Nadeem, asked the US to hand over control of its drones in Pakistan to his government.

Nadeem said, "Do we want to lose the war on terror or do we want to keep those weapons classified? If the American government insists on our true cooperation, then they should also be helping us in fighting those terrorists.

President Zardari has also requested that Pakistan be given control over the drones but this has been rejected by the US who is worried that Pakistanis will leak information about targets to militants.

On August 20, 2009 the Pakistan Air Force announced that it would begin development on its own version, called Falco, of unmanned aerial vehicles in collaboration with Italian company Selex Galileo. Production was to begin at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra.

On June 3, 2009, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) delivered a report sharply critical of US tactics.

The report asserted that the US government has failed to keep track of civilian casualties of its military operations, including the drone attacks, and to provide means for citizens of affected nations to obtain information about the casualties and any legal inquests regarding them.

Any such information held by the U.S. military is allegedly inaccessible to public due to the high level of secrecy surrounding the drone attacks program.

The US representative at UNHRC has argued that the UN investigator for extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions does not have jurisdiction over US military actions; while another US diplomat claimed that the US military is investigating any wrongdoing and doing all it can to furnish information about the deaths.

The Kerry-Lugar Bill: details and conditions

2009-10-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON: The following is the text of the Kerry-Lugar Bill passed by the Senate on Thursday, Sept 24, 2009. It will now go to the House of Representatives and if passed without amendments, will be sent to President Barack Obama for signing into law:

S.1707

Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by Senate)

SEC. 203. LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.

(a) Limitation on Security-related Assistance: For fiscal years 2011 through 2014, no security-related assistance may be provided to Pakistan in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, makes the certification required under subsection (c) for such fiscal year.

(b) Limitation on Arms Transfers: For fiscal years 2012 through 2014, no letter of offer to sell major defence equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC 2751 et seq.) and no license to export major defence equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to such Act in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, makes the certification required under subsection (c) for such fiscal year.

(c) Certification: The certification required by this subsection is a certification by the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the Government of Pakistan is continuing to cooperate with the United States in efforts to dismantle supplier networks relating to the acquisition of nuclear weapons-related materials, such as providing relevant information from or direct access to Pakistani nationals associated with such networks;

(2) the Government of Pakistan during the preceding fiscal year has demonstrated a sustained commitment to and is making significant efforts towards combating terrorist groups, consistent with the purposes of assistance described in section 201, including taking into account the extent to which the Government of Pakistan has made progress on matters such as (A) ceasing support, including by any elements within the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency, to extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against the United States or coalition forces in Afghanistan, or against the territory or people of neighbouring countries; (B) preventing al-Qaeda, the Taliban and associated terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from operating in the territory of Pakistan, including carrying out cross-border attacks into neighbouring countries, closing terrorist camps in the Fata, dismantling terrorist bases of operations in other parts of the country, including Quetta and Muridke, and taking action when provided with intelligence about high-level terrorist targets; and (C) strengthening counterterrorism and anti-money laundering laws; and (3) the security forces of Pakistan are not materially and substantially subverting the political or judicial processes of Pakistan.

(d) Certain Payments: (1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), none of the funds appropriated for security-related assistance for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, or any amounts appropriated to the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32), may be obligated or expended to make payments relating to (A) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK-D-YAD signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006; (B) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK-D-NAP signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006; and C) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK-D-SAF signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006.

(2) EXCEPTION: Funds appropriated for security-related assistance for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 may be used for construction and related activities carried out pursuant to the Letters of Offer and Acceptance described in paragraph (1).

(e) Waiver: (1) IN GENERAL - The Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, may waive the limitations contained in subsections (a), (b), and (d) for a fiscal year if the Secretary of State determines that is important to the national security interests of the United States to do so.

(2) PRIOR NOTICE OF WAIVER: The Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, may not exercise the authority of paragraph (1) until seven days after the Secretary of State provides to the appropriate congressional committees a written notice of the intent to issue to waiver and the reasons therefore. The notice may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.

(f) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined: In this section, the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

SEC. 204. PAKISTAN COUNTERINSURGENCY CAPABILITY FUND.

(a) For Fiscal Year 2010: (1) IN GENERAL - For fiscal year 2010, the Department of State’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32), hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Fund’, shall consist of the following: (A) Amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection (which may not include any amounts appropriated to carry out title I of this Act).

(B) Amounts otherwise available to the Secretary of State to carry out this subsection.

(2) PURPOSES OF FUND: Amounts in the Fund made available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year are authorised to be used by the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defence, to build and maintain the counterinsurgency capability of Pakistan under the same terms and conditions (except as otherwise provided in this subsection) that are applicable to amounts made available under the Fund for fiscal year 2009.

(3) TRANSFER AUTHORITY: (A) IN GENERAL - The Secretary of State is authorised to transfer amounts in the fund made available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year to the Department of Defence’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32) and such amounts may be transferred back to the Fund if the Secretary of Defence, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determines that such amounts are not needed for the purposes for which initially transferred.

(B) TREATMENT OF TRANSFERRED FUNDS: Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of section 203, transfers from the Fund under the authority of subparagraph (A) shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes and for the same time period as amounts in the Department of Defence’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund.

(C) RELATION TO OTHER AUTHORITIES: The authority to provide assistance under this subsection is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance to foreign countries.

(D) NOTIFICATION: The Secretary of State shall, not less than 15 days prior to making transfers from the Fund under subparagraph (A), notify the appropriate congressional committees in writing of the details of any such transfer.

(b) Submission of Notifications: Any notification required by this section may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.

(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined: In this section, the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

SEC. 205. REQUIREMENTS FOR CIVILIAN CONTROL OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE

(a) Requirements: (1) IN GENERAL - For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, any direct cash security-related assistance or non-assistance payments by the United States to the Government of Pakistan may only be provided or made to civilian authorities of a civilian government of Pakistan.

(2) DOCUMENTATION: For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defence, shall ensure that civilian authorities of a civilian government of Pakistan have received a copy of final documentation provided to the United States related to non-assistance payments provided or made to the Government of Pakistan.

(b) Waiver: 1) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE: The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defence, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to security-related assistance described in subsection (a) funded from accounts within budget function 150 (International Affairs) if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the waiver is important to the national security interest of the United States.

(2) NON-ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS: The Secretary of Defence, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to non-assistance payments described in subsection (a) funded from accounts within budget function 050 (National Defence) if the Secretary of Defense certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the waiver is important to the national security interest of the United States.

(c) Application to Certain Activities- Nothing in this section shall apply with respect to (1) any activities subject to reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.); (2) any assistance to promote democratic elections or public participation in democratic processes; (3) any assistance or payments if the Secretary of State determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that subsequent to the termination of assistance or payments a democratically elected government has taken office; (4) any assistance or payments made pursuant to section 1208 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375; 118 Stat. 2086), as amended; (5) any payments made pursuant to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and (6) any assistance or payments made pursuant to section 943 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4578).

(d) Definitions- In this section (1) the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (2) the term ‘civilian government of Pakistan’ does not include any government of Pakistan whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree.

TITLE III—STRATEGY, ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING, AND OTHER PROVISIONS SEC. 301. STRATEGY REPORTS.

(a) Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report- Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing United States policy and strategy with respect to assistance to Pakistan under this Act. The report shall include the following: (1) A description of the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan to be provided under title I of this Act.

(2) A general description of the specific programs, projects, and activities designed to achieve the purposes of section 101 and the respective funding levels for such programs, projects, and activities for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

(3) A plan for program monitoring, operations research, and impact evaluation research for assistance authorized under title I of this Act.

(4) A description of the role to be played by Pakistani national, regional, and local officials and members of Pakistani civil society and local private sector, civic, religious, and tribal leaders in helping to identify and implement programs and projects for which assistance is to be provided under this Act, and of consultations with such representatives in developing the strategy.

(5) A description of the steps taken, or to be taken, to ensure assistance provided under this Act is not awarded to individuals or entities affiliated with terrorist organizations.

(6) A projection of the levels of assistance to be provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the following categories as described in the annual `Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance’: (A) Civil liberties. (B) Political rights. (C) Voice and accountability. (D) Government effectiveness. (E) Rule of law. (F) Control of corruption. (G) Immunization rates. (H) Public expenditure on health. (I) Girls’ primary education completion rate. (J) Public expenditure on primary education. (K) Natural resource management. (L) Business start-up. (M) Land rights and access. (N) Trade policy. (O) Regulatory quality. (P) Inflation control. (Q) Fiscal policy.

(7) An analysis for the suitable replacement for existing Pakistani helicopters, including recommendations for sustainment and training.

(b) Comprehensive Regional Strategy Report: (1) SENSE OF CONGRESS: It is the sense of Congress that the achievement of United States national security goals to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan requires the development of a comprehensive plan that utilizes all elements of national power, including in coordination and cooperation with other concerned governments, and that it is critical to Pakistan’s long-term prosperity and security to strengthen regional relationships among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

(2) COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: The President shall develop a comprehensive interagency regional security strategy to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan, including by working with the Government of Pakistan and other relevant governments and organizations in the region and elsewhere, as appropriate, to best implement effective counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts in and near the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the FATA, the NWFP, parts of Balochistan, and parts of Punjab.

(3) REPORT: (A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the comprehensive regional security strategy required under paragraph (2).

(B) CONTENTS- The report shall include a copy of the comprehensive regional security strategy, including specifications of goals, and proposed timelines and budgets for implementation of the strategy.

(C) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED: In this paragraph, the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means (i) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (ii) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

(c) Security-related Assistance Plan- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for the proposed use of amounts authorized for security-related assistance for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. Such plan shall include an assessment of how the use of such amounts complements or otherwise is related to amounts described in section 204.

SEC. 302. MONITORING REPORTS.

(a) Semi-Annual Monitoring Report- Not later than 180 days after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to section 301(a), and every 180 days thereafter through September 30, 2014, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes the assistance provided under this Act during the preceding 180-day period. The report shall include—

(1) a description of all assistance by program, project, and activity, as well as by geographic area, provided pursuant to title I of this Act during the period covered by the report, including the amount of assistance provided for each program or project, and with respect to the first report a description of all amounts made available for assistance to Pakistan during fiscal year 2009, including a description of each program, project, and activity for which funds were made available; (2) a list of persons or entities from the United States or other countries that have received funds in excess of $100,000 to conduct projects under title I of this Act during the period covered by the report, which may be included in a classified annex, if necessary to avoid a security risk, and a justification for the classification; (3) with respect to the plan described in section 301(a)(3), updates to such plan and a description of best practices to improve the impact of the assistance authorized under title I of this Act; (4) an assessment of the effectiveness of assistance provided under title I of this Act during the period covered by the report in achieving desired objectives and outcomes as guided by the plan described in section 301(a)(3), and as updated pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection, including a systematic, qualitative, and where possible, quantitative basis for assessing whether desired outcomes are achieved and a timeline for completion of each project and program; (5) a description of any shortfall in United States financial, physical, technical, or human resources that hinder the effective use and monitoring of such funds; (6) a description of any negative impact, including the absorptive capacity of the region for which the resources are intended, of United States bilateral or multilateral assistance and recommendations for modification of funding, if any; (7) any incidents or reports of waste, fraud, and abuse of expenditures under title I of this Act; (8) the amount of funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 102 that were used during the reporting period for administrative expenses or for audits and program reviews pursuant to the authority under sections 101(c)(2) and 103; (9) a description of the expenditures made from any Chief of Mission Fund established pursuant to section 101(c)(5) during the period covered by the report, the purposes for which such expenditures were made, and a list of the recipients of any expenditures from the Chief of Mission Fund in excess of $100,000; (10) an accounting of assistance provided to Pakistan under title I of this Act, broken down into the categories set forth in section 301(a)(6); (11) an evaluation of efforts undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to (A) disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other extremist and terrorist groups in the FATA and settled areas; (B) eliminate the safe havens of such forces in Pakistan; (C) close terrorist camps, including those of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed; (D) cease all support for extremist and terrorist groups; (E) prevent attacks into neighbouring countries; (F) increase oversight over curriculum in Madrassas, including closing Madrassas with direct links to the Taliban or other extremist and terrorist groups; and (G) improve counterterrorism financing and anti-money laundering laws, apply for observer status for the Financial Action Task Force, and take steps to adhere to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism; (12) a detailed description of Pakistan’s efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear-related material and expertise; (13) an assessment of whether assistance provided to Pakistan has directly or indirectly aided the expansion of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program, whether by the diversion of United States assistance or the reallocation of Pakistan’s financial resources that would otherwise be spent for programs and activities unrelated to its nuclear weapons program; (14) a detailed description of the extent to which funds obligated and expended pursuant to section 202(b) meet the requirements of such section; and (15) an assessment of the extent to which the Government of Pakistan exercises effective civilian control of the military, including a description of the extent to which civilian executive leaders and parliament exercise oversight and approval of military budgets, the chain of command, the process of promotion for senior military leaders, civilian involvement in strategic guidance and planning, and military involvement in civil administration.

(b) Government Accountability Office Reports:

(1) PAKISTAN ASSISTANCE STRATEGY REPORT: Not later than one year after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to section 301(a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains (A) a review of, and comments addressing, the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report; (B) recommendations relating to any additional actions the Comptroller General believes could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of United States efforts to meet the objectives of this Act; (C) a detailed description of the expenditures made by Pakistan pursuant to grant assistance under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC.

.

2009-08-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

Remix of "JUB SE TUNE MUJHAY DEWANA BANA RAKHA HAI"

2009-08-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

JUB SE TUNE MUJHAY JOURNALIST BANA RAKHA HAI,
BOMB HAR SHAKS NE HATHUN ME UTHA RAKHA HAI,

MISSILION AAJ MERI SIR PE BARSTE KION HO,
MISSILION AAJ MERI SIR PE BARSTE KION HO,

MAINE TUM KO BHI KABHI,
MAINE TUM KO BHI KABHI,
APNI ITRO ME RAKHA HAI,

JUB SE TUNE MUJHAY JOURNALIST BANA RAKHA HAI,
BOMB HAR SHAKS NE,
BOMB HAR SHAKS NE,
HATHUN ME UTHA RAKHA HAI,

PE JA DRONE KE TALKHI KO BHI HAS KE AQIL
PEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEE
PE JA DRONE KE TALKHI KO BHI HAS KE AQIL,

DRONE KHANE ME BHI,
DRONE KHANE ME BHI,

QUDRAT NE MAZA RAKHA HAI,

JUB SE TUNE MUJHAY JOURNALIST BANA RAKHA HAI,
JUB SE TUNE MUJHAY JOURNALIST BANA RAKHA HAI.

REMIX OF RHUTA HE HUJAN

2009-08-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

HE TRUCK AEN TRAWLER JE LOADINGGGGGGG
SAHIB
KAHDEN TUN THO KAREN KAHDEN MAN THO KARYAN
HE MULTAN LAHORE PESHAWAR JA PANDHA
SAHIB
KAHDEN TUN THO KAREN KAHDEN MAN THO KARYAN

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

LOAD HI RAHAN TRAWLA SHAL KIRAN NA KITHE
KIRAN NA KITHE SAIN KIRAN NA KITHE

OOOOOOOO

BHALE PIYA WAJAN SAIN BHALE PIYA WAJAN
SHAL KIRAN NA KITHE PAR
KIRAN NA KITHE SAIN KIRAN NA KITHE

Iraq regains control of cities as U.S. pulls back

2009-06-30T05:06:00.001-07:00

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq regained full control if its towns and cities on Tuesday as U.S. troops pulled back, six years after the invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.

Though some Iraqis fear the first step in a full U.S. withdrawal may leave them open to attack, the government declared "National Sovereignty Day" a holiday and held a military parade to flex its muscles at a still stubborn insurgency.

"This day, which we consider a national celebration, is an achievement made by all Iraqis," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in a televised address, as citizens drove around the streets with flags and plastic flowers draped over their cars.

"Our incomplete sovereignty and the presence of foreign troops is the most serious legacy we have inherited (from Saddam). Those who think that Iraqis are unable to defend their country are committing a fatal mistake."

By midnight on Tuesday, all U.S. combat units must have withdrawn from Iraq's urban centres and redeployed to rural bases, according to a bilateral security pact that requires all U.S. troops except for trainers and advisers to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.

In a bloody reminder of the war unleashed by the 2003 U.S. invasion, the U.S. military said four U.S. soldiers based in Baghdad had died of combat-related injuries on Monday. It gave no further details.

150 BASES

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the United States had closed or returned to local control 120 bases and facilities, and would turn over or close another 30 by the end of Tuesday.

The day's festivities included a parade in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone government and diplomatic district, viewed by Iraqis as the ultimate symbol of the foreign military presence until local forces took control of it in January.

Thousands of Iraqi soldiers and police paraded on foot or in U.S.-donated Humvees, armored cars and tanks -- in the same compound beside a monument to the Unknown Soldier where Saddam's forces used to stage elaborate displays of power.

The state television channel, Iraqiya, has been running a countdown clock in a corner of its screen.

And across Baghdad, signs were draped on the ubiquitous concrete blast walls reading "Iraq: my nation, my glory, my honor."

"We still have important steps to take and we know our way forward is not easy," Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani told Reuters at the parade.

"We need to develop our intelligence gathering and technical abilities, because the next war is an intelligence war."

Maliki has compared the U.S. pullback to rebellions by Iraqi tribes against the former British empire in 1920. Many Iraqis see it as restoring their national pride, six years after the U.S. invasion to oust Saddam turned into a foreign occupation.

Yemeni plane crash: child survivor found in Indian Ocean

2009-06-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

A young child has been plucked alive from the waters of the Indian Ocean by rescue boats searching for survivors of a Yemenia Air flight from Paris that crashed off the Comoros Islands, killing up to 152 people.

The boy, said to be a toddler, is the only known survivor so far of the passengers and crew on board the Airbus 310 aircraft that ditched in the sea after an aborted landing attempt at Moroni Airport on Grand Comore.

France's transport ministry said 66 of those on board were French citizens, inflicting a second major air disaster on the country in a little over four weeks.

Exactly a month ago an Air France Airbus 330 carrying 228 passengers and crew disappeared over the Atlantic after taking off for Paris from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

In the latest disaster, the flight had departed from Charles De Gaulle Airport for Sana'a in Yemen via Marseille. There, passengers had changed plane from an Airbus 330 to an Airbus 310 and been joined by others for the rest of the flight to the Comoros via Djibouti.

Initial blame is being put on bad weather, with air officials in the Comoros Islands reporting strong winds of 38mph, gusting to 70mph.

But Dominique Bussereau, the French transport minister, also said that the plane had been kept out of his country's airspace because "numerous faults had been noted".

Yemenia Air itself was being "very closely monitored", she said.

The Comoros Islands are an archipelago off the coast of East Africa between Madagascar and Mozambique. They were previously a French colony, and another member of the group, Mayotte, remains a French territory.

The French nationals are believed to be mainly residents originally from the islands now living in France and returning home for the summer holidays at the end of the school year.

The largest Comorran community in France is in Marseille, where the flight picked up the majority of its passengers.

Witnesses at the airport in Moroni, Grand Comore's capital, said people waiting to meet relatives saw the plane coming into land but it veered away and turned as if to make a second approach.

It then disappeared from radar screens.

Yemenia Air's website carried a brief statement saying it regretted the loss of flight IY 626 and giving families an emergency number to ring.

Passenger lists showed that numerous families, including three babies, were on board.

The Comoros government said speed boats were sent to look for signs of wreckage immediately, helped by two French fighter jets based in Mayotte and another of the country's Indian Ocean territories, Reunion.

They spotted an oil slick around 16 miles offshore.

When the boats arrived they found a number of bodies floating in the water, and had taken three from the water when they found a toddler still alive, according to a Yemenia and local officials, quoting rescue workers.

"A child was found alive. He is now on a rescuers' boat," said Ben Imani, a doctor at Moroni's main hospital.

Sana'a airport said there were 142 passengers on board the plane, with the remainder being crew.

Christophe Prazuck, a French military spokesman, said a frigate, Nivose, and patrol boat, Rieuse, were on their way to the scene. A military transport aircraft was in addition taking a team of divers and doctors.

A crisis unit has been set up at Charles de Gaulle airport, and another in Marseilles. The Comorros consul for the south of France, Stephane Salord, said: "There is considerable dismay. These are families that, each year on the eve of summer, leave Marseille and the region to rejoin their families in the Comoros and spend their holidays."

The Air France aircraft that crashed while flying from Brazil to Paris a month ago was also an Airbus, but attention is more likely to focus on the record of Yemenia Air.

A group of Comorans in France had formed a protest group to complain about conditions on board the Air Yemenia flight on which they depended to return home.

The group, "SOS voyage aux Comores" (SOS Comoros Travel), alleged that passengers were herded on to the plane "like cattle".

The airline has yet to comment.

Airbus said the plane had gone into service in 1990 and been operated by Yemenia, Yemen's national airline, since 1999. It had accumulated 51,900 flight hours.

Grand Comore is the largest of the islands, the others being Mohéli and Anjouan. Its 800,000 population makes it one of Africa's smallest countries, but also one of its most densely populated.

Yemen, which occupies the southernmost part of the Arabian peninsula, is troubled by Islamist, sectarian and tribal violence, and the authorities are still looking for a Briton and and a German family of five kidnapped there earlier this month.

Militant Group Scraps Peace Deal in Pakistan

2009-06-30T05:03:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A powerful Taliban faction in a northwestern tribal region has said it is withdrawing from a peace deal with the government to protest continuing strikes by American drones, confronting the Pakistan military with a possible two-front campaign against militants, according to Pakistani news reports on Tuesday.

The Taliban faction, led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, operates in the mountainous North Waziristan area along the border with Afghanistan.

It struck a peace deal with the authorities in February 2008, but Mr. Gul Bahadur said the truce was no longer operative. The development Monday came as American forces reinforce the international coalition in Afghanistan where Taliban fighters have traditionally relied on refuges in Pakistan’s lawless tribal regions.

Separately, The Associated Press reported that four people were killed in southwestern Pakistan when a car bomber struck trucks taking supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Soon after the Pakistani Taliban’s announcement that it was abandoning the truce, as many as 150 militants attacked a Pakistani military convoy about 22 miles west of Miramshah, the capital of North Waziristan. At least 30 soldiers —the Taliban claimed 60 — were believed to have been killed in the ambush, which highlighted the army’s vulnerability in the area.

The end of the peace deal came as the Pakistan military prepares for an offensive against another Taliban group, led by Baitullah Mehsud, in neighboring South Waziristan.

Mr. Mehsud is widely depicted as the main leader of the Taliban in Pakistan and has taken responsibility for a string of deadly bombings. The Pakistani authorities had been hoping to deny Mr. Mehsud support from North Waziristan, but Mr. Gul Bahadur’s decision has significantly expanded the theater of conflict.

Ahmadullah Ahmadi, a spokesperson of Mr. Gul Bahadur, was quoted by Pakistani news organizations as saying that guerrilla attacks would be launched against the Pakistani military unless drone attacks are stopped and government troops are pulled out of North Waziristan.

“We will attack forces everywhere in Waziristan unless the government fulfils these two demands,” Mr. Ahmadi was quoted as saying by Dawn, Pakistan’s most prestigious daily. Mr. Ahmadi accused the government of allowing the United States to carry out drone attacks in the region.

Mr. Gul Bahadur says that more than 50 drone strikes since the peace deal have killed hundreds of people, including, women and children.

After the attack on the military convoy Sunday, military vehicles lay wrecked and destroyed around the bodies of soldiers in the mangled wreckage. Under the 2008 peace agreement, militants agreed not to attack security forces or establish a parallel administration. But the peace was tenuous and strained by mutual distrust.

The truce came after the government offered major concessions, such as dismantling military checkpoints, releasing detained militants and compensating them and other tribesmen for their losses suffered during the military operation, Pakistani news organizations reported.

In return, elders of Utman Zai tribe, which inhabits the area, had assured the government that there would be no cross-border movement and foreigners would not be allowed to take refuge.

Michael Jackson dies at 50

2009-06-26T02:06:00.000-07:00

Heard about the shocking news about an hour back and it's official. Michael Jackson has passed away at the age of 50.

Although I was never a real fan, I remember being asked to write a letter in school to my favorite musician. Only one name came to mind: Michael Jackson. I also remember John, Manish and Anil, some of my friends at the time, doing the same.

Then I remember the King of Pop coming to Singapore on his Dangerous tour and taking the whole island by storm. For months later, we were drinking from cups bearing the Dangerous insignia and being awed by his Black or White video.

Though he gained notoriety for some of his more recent antics, such as dangling his baby son off a balcony, he has definitely left his mark on more than one generation and was one of the world's most recognizable names. Sad to see him go like this. R.I.P.

Death spurs Michael Jackson album sales

2009-06-26T01:17:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In death, Michael Jackson is enjoying a commercial renaissance that had eluded him for years.

The self-proclaimed "king of pop" who died suddenly on Thursday occupied the top 15 slots on online retailer Amazon.com Inc's best-selling albums within hours.

The No. 1 disc, not surprisingly, was the 25th anniversary reissue of his 1982 blockbuster "Thriller," the biggest selling album in history with estimated worldwide sales of almost 50 million copies. Three different configurations of "Thriller" came in at number 12, 13, and 14.

Second place went to 1979's "Off the Wall," which was followed by 1987's "Bad." Both were also massive sellers upon their initial release. His last studio album, 2001's "Invincible," came in at a more modest No. 10.

The other albums on the list were mostly compilations either of his solo work or his hits with the Jackson 5.

Jackson's Sony Music label, a unit of Sony Corp, said he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, and released 13 No. 1 singles.

"His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever," Sony Corp Chairman, CEO and President Sir Howard Stringer said in a statement. "We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work."

Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50

2009-06-26T01:15:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson had been planning to start a series of comeback concerts in London and had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. Promoters of the shows said in March that he had passed a lengthy physical examination.

THIS IS NOT DAJJAL BUT CHILD BORN WITH CYLOPIAN DISORDER

2009-06-19T00:11:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers of My blog, I request u that dont beleive this stupidity. read the article below in the light of Hadiths. Thanks and Regards. . Yours Aqeel A. Rajpar
Dear brothers and sisters, I draw your attention to something very Important. We are living at the end of times of this Fani World. we are already experiencing the so many signs of Qayamat that preceed the appearance of the Major signs. Once these signs finish--know that 95% of these signs have already come to pass-- we will be encountering the Major signs immediately. One of these first signs amongst the Major ones is appearance of the Jewish Anti Christ or the Masih ad-Dajjal. The affliction of this Jewish Messiah is so great that none from the times of Prophet Adam till the day of resurrection have or will create and spread that much affliction. His affliction will be so dangerous and so harmful that there is no Prophet of God who did not warn his ummah about the coming of this person. the Dajjal will be able to deceive the very elect, the very pious, the one who thinks he has faith in his/her heart. this generation is very very close to meet the Dajjal. Why? Because there are two specific signs that will appear in Madina as reported by our Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam), which will mark that the time for the appearance of Dajjal, he will appear or be born in the midnight . And these two Signs have already appeared!!!! !! Here we provide to you the two specific traditions: Narrated Abdullah ibn Shafeeq who reported from Muhjin ibn Adraa who reported that the Prophet(saw) said, "The End/finish/khalaas day, and What do you know what the khalaas days is--the prophet repeats the same statement 3 times..Some one asked him, "what is the day of Khalaas?". The Prophet then answered, "The Dajjal will come and will climb and will see Madina and then he will say to his companions, "Do you see that White Palace?That is the Mosque of Ahmad--another name of Prophet Muhammad--", Afterwards the Dajjal will come to Madina but will find that by its each entrance there is an armed angel ( who would not allow him entry)...... afterwards Madina will shake 3 times and there will not remain a hypocrite male or female nor will there remain a fasiq male or female who would not go out to the Dajjal (to join him), and that is the day of khalaas. (An authentic tradition reported with a sahih isnad reported by Sheikh Mustafa Adwi in his work Al-Fitan wal Malaahim wa Asraatus S'aa) source: http://www.raddadi. com/madinah/ madinah.htm During the time of the prophet the Masjidun Nabawi or the Mosque of Ahmad was very simple as it was built of mud bricks and had date leaves as its covering for the roof. It was just recently in our era that the Mosque of Prophet was expanded and was given a very grand and beautiful structure. Anyone who has travelled to Madina in recent times will confirm that upon reaching the vacinities of this holy city, the Mosque of the Prophet appears as a pearl or as a palace amongst other building from a far. Muslims take this as an awakening token, Wake and think seriously, the other sign the prophet fortold regarding the closeness of Dajjal's appearance is that Madina at that time--at the time of Dajjal's appearance --will have 7 main entrances: The Prophet said, "The terror caused by Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal will not enter Medina and at that time Medina will have seven gates and there will be two angels at each gate (guarding them). (Sahih Bukhari: Book of afflictions, Volume 9, Book 88, Number 240) Just look at the recent Map of Madinah city, if you find one, and you will see that there are 7 main entrances today leading to the city. One road coming from Jeddah, the other coming from Makkah, another coming from Rabigh, one from the airport, another from Tabouk,and two from surrounding areas.Muslims get up, Know the Jews better, Avoid them, Be prepared to face them intellectually, politically and economically wise. Please memorize the 10 first verse of surah kahf as well as the last 10 verse .Doing such protects you from the affliction of Dajjal as the Prophet said. Always recite this Du'a or supplication in prayer when your are finishing after saying tashahud: Allahuma inni Aoudu Bikka Min Adabil Qabr, Wa Min Azabi Jahanum, Wa Min Fitnatil Mahyaie wal Mamat wa mein fitnatil Masih adDajjal According to the saying of the Prophet reciting this in prayer will protect one from the affliction of Dajjal. Such were our Salaaf-Such were their reliance on God: Qays ibn Abî Hâzim says: I saw poison being brought to Khâlid ibn alWaleed, and it was asked, "What is this?" The answer was given, "It is poison." He said, "Bismillâh" and drank it. I said, "By Allâh, this is a miracle, this is true courage." Abu's-Safar says: Khâlid ibn al waleed stayed in al-Hîrah at the house of the mother of the Banû Marâzibah. They said, "Be on your guard against the Persians, lest they poison you." He said, "Bring it to me." He took it and said, "Bismillâh", and did him no harm.(Siyar Alaam an Nabula by ad-Dhahabi) When Saad ibn Abi Waqas reached the banks of the flooded deep adDijla river he commanded his army to march. So his army began crossing on the surface the river as if it was crossing on land. The Persians did not believe their eyes and cried out"Diwan!!!, Diwan!!!By God we are not fighting humans but Jinns"They abandoned their capital Madaain to the victorious Islamic army. Oh My Ummah rejoice and be patient for we are to be superpowers again! Imam Ahmad narrated that Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-Aas said, "While we were around the Messenger of Allah) writing (the Hadith) the Messenger of Allah,(sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was asked/ 'Which of these two cities will be conquered first, Constantinople or Romiyah ( Rome )?' He said, 'The city of Heraclius will first be conquered.' He meant Constantinople .'' [Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak, vol. 4, p. 508. Also, see As-Silsilah as-Sahihah, vol. 1] History is a witness that Constantinople or Istanbul was conquered by Sultan Mehmet al Fatih al Uthmani. However Rome was never captured. This will happen in the near future when once again Muslims will have prestige and glory. Allah's Apostle said,"The Earth was shown to me until i saw the east of the east and the west of the west[cant recall the order], and the authority of my ummah dominated all what I saw."{Muslim-Ahmad] During the time of the prophet the east of the east was china and the west of the west was France . history is a witness that the Islamic conquest did not reach that far. However this will happen in the near future inshallah when once again God honors Muslims.Taken From Sahih MuslimBook 041, Number 7028:

Has the Dajjal been born?

2009-06-19T00:03:00.000-07:00

Dajjal has Born in Israel ????

Its a big Joke to Muslims. . .

I came to a shock upon receiving an email with the following contents …… astaghfirullahilazim …… a one-eyed child born in Israel recently…… na’uzubillahi minzaliq ….
Alert Ummah, there is a 90% chance that we will see the Jewish Dajjal in our lifetime !!

One of the prominent events preceding the Day of Judgement is the appearance of Dajjal. We have been apprised of many aspects of Dajjal both in the Qur’an and the Ahadis. In fact, the Muslims have been more informed about the Dajjal by the Holy Prophet than previous nations by their respective prophets. Dajjal will appear somewhere between Iraq and Syria, after the Battle of Istanbul takes place. The name in the Ahadis is Constantinople, which is the former name of Istanbul. Dajjal will be a Jew. His distinguishing feature is that he will be one-eyed and the word “Kafir” or “unbeliever” will be written on his forehead. That he is a Jew is confirmed from another hadis, which says that his followers will be mainly of Jewish religion.
Dajjal will be a powerful personality in this world. He will attract loads of people; his voice will be heard in the East and the West. The latter, given the present day communication technology in the form of satellite television and Internet, doesn’t seem surprising.
The main aim of Dajjal will be to try and convince people that he is God Almighty. He will try and deviate people from the Right Path and join his ranks. To achieve that end and to convince people with true faith, he will kill and then re-create the same person. This will prove to be sufficient to gain him more followers, especially the ones who have weak faith. But we must remember at all times, that he will definitely not be anywhere near God.
Dajjal will travel the whole world. The only place where he will not be able to enter is Makkah and Madinah. “It will at this very time that Allah will send Christ, son of Mary. He will descend at the white minaret on the eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed with saffron and placing his hands on the wings of two Angels. When he lowers his head, there will fall beads of perspiration from his head, and when he raises it up, beads like pearls will scatter from it. Every non-believer who smells the odour of his body will die and his breath will reach as far as he is able to see. He will then search for him (Dajjal) until he catches hold of him at the gate of Ludd and kills him.”

Over Rs300bn deficit budget to be unveiled today

2009-06-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

KARACHI: The Sindh budget for 2009-10 with an expected outlay of over Rs300 billion is being presented in the Sindh Assembly on Monday (today).

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of finance, will present the second deficit budget. It would be the second budget to be presented by the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government since the Feb 18, 2008, general elections.

The size of the budget 2009-10 is expected to be over Rs300 billion with a deficit of Rs15 billion. The total outlay of the current fiscal budget 2008-09 was Rs267.7 billion with a deficit of Rs14 billion.

The Sindh cabinet would approve the budget proposals prior to its presentation in the assembly, which is scheduled to meet at 5pm on Monday at its historical building.

Speaker Nisar Ahmad Khuhro would preside the budget session and, as was the case last year, should face little ire from the floor, as the opposition in Sindh is virtually non-existent. Almost all political parties in the assembly had become a part of the coalition government.

Informed sources said that Rs90 billion is likely to be earmarked for the provincial annual development programme, which is Rs23 billion more than last year’s budgetary allocations in this head.

Of the total ADP allocation, an amount of Rs15 billion is expected to be allocated for 23 district governments, which is Rs3 billion more compared to the last year’s allocation.

As far as the ADP is concerned, the government would focus on reducing poverty and generating employment through economic growth by involving civil society and other stakeholders in improving the quality of public service delivery, particularly in health, education, water and sanitation, livestock, farm to market roads and industrialisation sectors.

A union council-based poverty alleviation programme is another ‘pro-poor’ initiative which would improve the quality of life for the poor in the rural areas; an amount of Rs2.5 billion has been earmarked under this head.

The thrust of the ADP will be on completion of the ongoing development schemes, as 60 per cent of the total ADP amount is being allocated for ongoing schemes.

The sources said that a special package for laying improved infrastructure in big cities such as Karachi, Hyderabad and Larkana has also been included in the budgetary allocations.

Besides ongoing schemes, emphasis in the new schemes would be on the education sector, for which Rs6.02 billion, which is 27 per cent higher than the last year’s allocation, has been allocated. Besides this, Rs2.7 billion would be provided for improvement, rehabilitation and upgrading schools under the Sindh Education Reform Programme.

For the health sector, an amount of Rs5.23 billion has been allocated, which is 48 per cent higher than the last year, to provide better health facilities to the general public, particularly to the poor segment of society, who otherwise could not afford even basic health facilities.

An amount of Rs100 million has been allocated for the information and archive department; Rs155.5 million for Social welfare; Rs886.7 million for Science, Technology and IT; Rs302.9 million for women welfare; Rs200 million for environment; Rs80 million for rural development; Rs7.250 billion for poverty alleviation and Rs3 billion for school children nutrition programme.

Pakistan burst into semis

2009-06-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

From a team written off for an early exit, to one of the semi-finalists, Pakistan has succeeded in exceeding expectations.

The openers began circumspectly; the ball seamed around in the first few overs, but the batters kept their heads

Indian role in Afghanistan in coming future BY DILAWAR KHAN

2009-05-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Signing a Memorandum of Understanding, a brainchild of President Obama’s administration commits Pakistan and Afghanistan to reach a Transit Trade Agreement by the end of this year. Although, a lot of opposition is expected against this MoU in Pakistan, yet it has been taken enthusiastically not only by the signatories i.e. Pakistan and Afghanistan but also by the other stakeholders, the top of which are US and India. Rather, the so -called other stakeholders or the working hands behind this curtain seem to be much more happy than the original signatories on account of the benefits they foresee; although, no name of such a beneficiary has been mentioned in this MoU. It is worth-mentioning here that Pakistan is already a transit route for Afghanistan’s imports and exports through the Karachi Port and this transit has never been interrupted on the basis of tension which arose many a time between Islamabad and Kabul in the recent past. Almost all the previous governments in Pakistan have been asked to allow New Delhi the transit facility to Kabul, but such a demand has always met a refusal by the Pakistani governments in order to contain India from becoming a dominant economic power in the region. Even, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had denied such a transit route for India. And this MoU has to go through the National Assembly in order to be transformed into a treaty, until then it has no binding value for any of the signatories. President Karzai, knowing well about his potency, which could never tress pass the borders of Kabul, the Green Area, sees it as an opportunity to serve US while availing trade benefits with India as a big bonus. On the other hand, New Delhi is happy to find out a route which will enable India nourish its new markets i.e. Afghanistan and beyond that the Central Asia, directing towards the dream of a dominant economic power in the region. There is a chance that New Delhi, having approach to Afghanistan will be able to play an important role in supporting US logistics to Afghanistan. In fact, New Delhi was in need of such a route since long, especially after the establishment of Central Asian Republics, which may now be fulfilled; thanks to the weak leadership in Pakistan. In addition, such a route will also facilitate India in nurturing its culture beyond borders; be noted that a dozen Indian consulates are already functional in Afghanistan. Position of Pakistan in this agreement was not more than its status, which it has been granted while tried to argue with the USA on the matter of Drone attacks. It would be relevant to mention here that country like Bangladesh has refused to give India the transit route for Assam, from its territory, considering it a threat to its sovereignty but Pakistan, having proofs of Indian involvement in Balochistan (and many other), could not do so. On Wednesday, when parties were to sign the MoU, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton kept on showing her zeal without divulging that the USA would get some benefit out of it and highlighting the so-called economic benefits the signatories are going to avail after signing this agreement. She said ‘This is an historic event. This agreement has been under discussion for 43 years without resolution.’ She further added, “Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached an important milestone in their efforts to generate foreign investment and stronger economic growth and trade opportunities.” Thanks to Secretary Clinton for elaborating one facet of the matter and for holding the other under the cover; after all this is what we call Diplomacy. Another important thing which requires due consideration was her statement in which she said, “Nothing opens up an area to economic development better than a good road with good transit rules and an ability to transport goods and people effectively”. Here, one has to agree with her statement. But the point to be noticed is as to what should be the criteria of “Good Transit Rules”. Of course, for India, a loose structured transit set up will be beneficial in order to maintain its trade unchecked. But for Pakistan’s benefit, strict transit rules should be agreed upon by the parties, not to create hurdles for India’s trade with Afghanistan, but for security reasons as well. Apparently, there is nothing wrong in signing such an MoU, but we are very much familiar with the fact that India is the major trade partner of Afghanistan; and having ideological conflicts with India, especially on Kashmir issue, Pakistan cannot be willing to open such a trade route to facilitate Indian trade with Afghanistan. We have, many a time, rejected the Indian offer of mutual trade by linking it with the resolution of Kashmir dispute, which if accepted, would have benefited Pakistan as well. So, how can we afford to open such a corridor to facilitate India, especially when we have very little benefit to get out of it? Another important facet is that of Foreign Direct Investment, which Afghanistan is expected to be a beneficiary of, if such an agreement is reached upon by the parties. Using a corridor, going through Pakistan will give these investors a chance to look around and invest in the surroundings of this corridor as well; but the fact cannot be overlooked that the investment area for the investors will become too vast and very few steps of the Afghan Government to facilitate foreign investors will shift many investors from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The recent swing of President Obama’s Administration from the Middle East to South Asia unleashes the major shift of policies in his administration. And the proceeding towards this Transit Trade Agreement can be considered as a milestone in this regard. At the same time, it shows the US long-term plan to stay in Afghanistan and it is crystal clear that the well facilitated foreign soldiers will certainly agree to stay for a longer period than they want to, in the present situation. In this regard, devoting $700 million by the US in order to train and equip Pakistan’s counterinsurgency capability cannot be ignored at all because this is an indirect investment in Afghan war and for the first time after 2003 that the funding for Afghan War has surpassed funding for the Iraq War. For Pakistan, this is the time to reconsider its role. Using good offices in order to convince US should be made more effective because Indians are already deeply embedded in Obama’s Administration. Denial of providing transit facility would create further complications in our relations with the neighbours as well as the US. But insisting on such Transit Rules which are in extreme favour of Pakistan can subside the euphoria propagated by the other stakeholders. Strict Transit Rules can be insisted on the grounds that India has been found involved in such activities in Pakistan, which might pose a threat to our sovereignty. Providing such a transit facility can be linked with the control of fighters’ influx in Pakistan through Afghan borders as well. At the same time, our army and intelligence agencies should be ready to face the new Indian role in Afghanistan. In short, it is of no use to cry over spilt milk; it’s time to pursue our national interest after reconsidering our policies with open eyes and be prepared to foresee and then face the challenges ahead.

DILAWAR KHAN
DEPT OF MASS COMMUNICATION
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI

Karachi a ticking time bomb (By Shoaib Burney)

2009-05-13T01:16:00.000-07:00

Karachi is one of the most important and the largest city with over crowded population of nearly 13 million of multi-ethnic origins and different sectarian groups. However, in search of jobs, more lucrative and profitable opportunities of business annually 250,000 people migrate to Karachi from Punjab and Frontier. Since independence in August 1947 to 1951 borders were kept open in which 8 million Hindus and Sikhs moved out from Pakistan and settled in India and similarly 6 million Muslims migrated to Pakistan from East Punjab, northern India and Bombay and settled in West Punjab and urban areas of Sindh particularly Karachi. Eighty per cent settled in Punjab and 20 per cent in Karachi. According to 1951 Census in Karachi Muhajirs constituted 55 per cent of population and were dominant in politics and in bureaucratic arena of the state. In holding key political offices from 1947 to 1958 by these migrants were 18 out of 27 offices of Governor general, president, prime minister, governors and chief ministers. Now these Muhajirs are over represented in key sectors of Pakistani society, the bureaucracy, management positions in private and public sector, print and electronic media, medical and legal professions and educational institutions. In December 1979 after USSR invasion of Afghanistan the exodus of refugees further complicated the situation and badly affected socio-economic and political fabric of our polity. So our polity had been inundated by illegal and lethal weapons. It has led to mushrooming growth of “drugs and armed mafia” which flourished over night in connivance of bureaucracy. There was no proper and workable plan to accommodate refugees in camps and funds provided by international community and donor agencies were misappropriated and embezzled. All of the ethnic communities possess weapons and clashes had taken place between Sindhis and Muhajirs, Punjabis and Muhajirs and Pathans and Muhajirs in the last three decades. The MQM which concentrated in Sindh’s urban areas especially Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur and has proven itself a formidable rival to all the ethnic communities and political forces, came into being in the mid 1980s. Hence, MQM emerged in the midst of ethnic disturbances, feeling of deprivation and oppression and got the shape of an organized party. As a community Muhajirs remained engaged actively in anti-Bhutto agitations on PNA platform. It needs extreme attention of students and analysts to study development of cultural pluralism and ethnic mobilization in Pakistan’s largest city. This entity came into existence as a consequence of tragic incident of 1985 in which a college student, who belonged to Muhajirs community, was hit by a mini bus owned by Pathans. In Karachi 95 per cent transporters are from Pashtun community. So in a short span of two days widespread clashes broke out between Pathans and Muhajirs. This conflict further intensified and took an ugly turn over the next two years and Karachi witnessed a severe bloodshed and gruesome tragedies in 1985 to 87. Hence, the recent ethnic carnage and that of 12th May 2007 is the reminder of bloodstained of mid 1980s. But it is fact that an impressive performance has been shown by MQM in municipal and national elections since 1988 because of its increased sphere of influence and deeply entrenched politically. It is one of the most closely knit community, well organized and well disciplined party which represents middle and lower middle class of urban Sindhi society. It is transparent, accountable and sincere in serving its workers with due respect. But opponents blame it of internal dictatorship and organized bands of hooligans and consider it a militant party. Thus the clashes between the ethnic communities and political parties, strikes or shutter down cause immense economic losses. To avoid loss of innocent lives and financial degradation to economy and national exchequer a concrete plan of deweaponization, reconciliation and cooperation must be adopted by all the political parties. Ethnic tension and hue and cry of Talibanization is on the rise elsewhere in the country and Karachi in which native and foreign miscreants are involved. Whereas, impact of mass violence on economy is immense. The recent violence spoiled pubic and private property, retail outlets, business centres forced to shut own, industrial production decreased due to absence of employees, vehicles were set ablaze, educational institutions were closed, exporters failed to meet shipping schedule, transport disappeared from the roads and millions dependent on daily wages suffered the most and so to say briefly life was paralyzed completely. One day closure of Karachi, as a hub of industrial, trade and commercial activities, causes one to 14 billion rupees losses to national exchequer. One billion revenue is solely generated from taxes and duties. Abnormal situation, chaos and violence sends wrong message to both local and foreign investors and tourists. Some miscreants in the garb of Talibanization are hell bent to sabotaging peaceful atmosphere in trying to further deepen the cleavages in the divided and hatred filled society which lacks inter provincial, ethnic and sectarian harmony at the behest of enemies sitting on the fence. To make away with miscreants, native and foreign, irrespective of their ethnic, sectarian, linguistic and political affiliation a decisive step must be taken in the national interest for their elimination. However, the displaced of PATA and FATA taking refuge in towns and cities and majority of them has shifted to Karachi need wholehearted and generous support of federal and provincial governments and international community for accommodation and provision of basic necessities of life and not to let down the affectees. For political leadership, it is time to show great determination and resolve to amicably settle disputes and forsake involving in petty personal matters and political mileage keeping in view regional situation and conspiracies of foes. The leadership must show moral courage and magnanimity and rise above party politics, not to be emotional but pragmatic, whose actions must reflect patience, tolerance, reconciliation and cooperation. They must avoid using derogatory language and show decency because confrontation would cause bloodshed. Without blame game an independent and impartial judicial inquiry with due cooperation, of 12th May and post 12th May tragic incidents, from all stake holders be allowed to punish the real culprits, whoever they may be, to establish rule of law. In recent violence criminal gangs and land mafia were involved and our police and law enforcement agencies badly politicized and indulged in unlawful and partisan activities. Hence, indigent performance of police, inefficiency, corruption, favouritism and nepotism is the main cause of slackening grip on the situation. To cope with and end this uncertain situation efficient, honest and competent officers be recruited and deployed to the sensitive and largest industrial city. Further CCTV, helplines, increase number of well trained police force, check posts, raising their salary and incentives to bring about peace in Karachi is a must, otherwise, it will be a ticking time bomb.

Syed Muhammad Shoaib Burney
Dept of Mass Communication
University of Karachi

CONDITION OF SPORTS

2009-05-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

An attack on Srilankan team was a very bad thing. Due to that we get bad remarks from all over the world. But.As every thing two face (positive and negative )so as it is,this accident has lots of negative and one positive thought. Now any team will not come and none will call them and our players will take a long rest. No one can figure out their style of play.As the Bangladesh's team didn't ask to come to pakistani team due to security reson.
Some years ago the Pakistani team has a golden name in every field of sports( but it is a dream now) like wise hockey.cricket as well as squash and every game which play on national stage.We have professionalism and sports man sprite. Although we didn't have that much luxuries. but, lots of famous institute take as a employee that persons because of that they don't feel worry for their financial problem. And put their all concentration towards sports and home of pakistan.But as well as world being commercialize (this is started from Cary peker).It runs like a low poison in the vains of cricket players.Sells name of their committe and their faitness just for some money.
We have lotes of name of players ( Majid khan, Asif Iqbal, Imran Khan etc) who kept their patriotism towards name of Pakistan.And they win because of their sincerity.
As Squash(Roshan Khan,Jhangir Khan) put their all right on squash in all world. When they enter in court the opposite person lose their confidence.When we talk about the hockey so Hanif Muhammad, Sami Ullah, Shahbaz Rasool and other players were very famous. But now we are on that stage where we haven't show any extra ordinary work in sports. Reason isn't that we do't have talent.We have alot of talent but problem is that they aren't getting opportunity.
Minister of sports should promote that kind of programe from that student of university and colleges get opportunity. In these days we can not do any thing for cricket on national bases. Field of jim and sports of university have locked.Game of politics at top line of sports .Youth are getting bullet,bomb, rocket launcher in their hands but, field of sports had no green light.
Importance is that university and colleges should do competition of different games.And figure out cream of sports students and give them remand. do competition among universities and colleges. Should work on jimnasium of university. Should improve grant of colleges. And those student who have sports man spirit should engage to at national team.Don't take black sheeps in team just take on merit
In this way we can get talent and increase in quantity of good players who can show their talent at nationality, and also make famous name Pakistani at international level and come back confidence of pakistani.

QAMAR FATIMA
STUDENT OF M.A
DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI

Sharab cheez hii Aise hai

2009-05-07T01:03:00.000-07:00

Jab se tu ne mujhe deewana ~ Abida Parveen

2009-05-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

DON 3

2009-05-07T00:55:00.001-07:00