PESHAWAR: Three policemen, including an officer, were killed when some miscreants fired rockets and mortar shells at the Arbab Tapu check-post in the jurisdiction of Matani Police Station in the wee hours of Wednesday.The platoon commander, Sub-Inspector Nooran Shah, along with Constables Faqir Muhammad and Zardad Khan, was on duty at the Arbab Tapu check-post between Peshawar and Darra Adamkhel when five mortar shells and rockets hit the picket around 3:00 am.The rockets killed all the three policemen and destroyed the small building located on the main Indus Highway, around 25 kilometres from the provincial capital. The policemen retaliated but the attackers managed to flee. The mutilated bodies of the cops were later taken to the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines where their collective funeral prayers were offered.Sub-Inspector Nooran belonged to the Ghazi area of Haripur district and was recruited in the force in 1990. He was an expert in firing heavy weapons and had volunteered to be posted in the most troubled area of the provincial capital. He was transferred to the C Division Urban police station a week back, but he wished to continue working in the volatile area to better utilise his skills of firing heavy weapons.Faqir belonged to Jamal Garhi area in Mardan while Zardad was a resident of the nearby Matani village. There are reports that 24 policemen from the Matani police station had been absent from duty since they were posted to the volatile area. The total strength of the police station is 86, out of which several others have been transferred and a few have been left to maintain law and order. A large number of police officials have been killed and several others paralysed while serving in Matani, where posting is considered a punishment.The militants are continuing their attacks on the police although heavy contingents of the Frontier Corps and the Frontier Constabulary have also been deployed in Matani and the surrounding villages. The area has almost become a war zone where the villagers have to take arms and patrol their streets to counter the terrorists’ attacks in the absence of security personnel.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk
Three cops die in Peshawar check-post attack
SC upholds death penalty for Sarabjit
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday dismissed Indian national Sarabjit Singh’s review petitions for non-prosecution and upheld the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) verdict of awarding death sentence to the Indian spy.The three-member bench, comprising Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Mohammad Qaim Jan Khan and Justice Zawar Hussain Jaffery, decided this while hearing three criminal review petitions of Manjeet Singh alias Sarabjit Singh.Earlier, the court had directed its office to inform the counsel for Sarabjit Singh to appear before the court. However, the counsel, Rana Abdul Hameed, failed to appear in the case due to which the court dismissed the review petitions for non-prosecution.The court, however, observed that it had found no grounds for hearing the review petitions. Sarabjit Singh filed the petitions against the death sentence awarded to him for his involvement in three bomb blasts in Pakistan.Singh, a resident of Bhikiwand, Amritsar, was arrested on August 30, 1990, from the Kasur border area. According to the prosecution, Singh had confessed that he was trained by the Indian Military Intelligence (IMI) and RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), to conduct multiple bomb blasts in Lahore, Kasur and Faisalabad in which 14 persons were killed and 89 others wounded.A Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced him to death on October 3, 1991. Singh challenged his conviction in the Supreme Court which, on September 27, 2005, dismissed the petitions as appeal was time barred for 620 days. Another bench had earlier upheld his death sentence.His firsts review petition had already been dismissed whereas his other three identical review petitions were dismissed on Wednesday. In the Yakki Gate case, the spy was accused of planting an explosive device near a fruit shop belonging to Mohammad Hanif that resulted in the death of three persons.In its detailed judgment upholding the death sentence, the apex court had held that the conviction awarded to the Indian spy was well deserved and did not warrant any leniency. Later, on March 6, 2008, the then president Pervez Musharraf had rejected Singh’s mercy petition and signed his death warrant, but his hanging was put off after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had intervened in the case.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk
Shah Dauran probably killed: Iftikhar
PESHAWAR: Stopping short of an outright confirmation, the NWFP government says it has received reports about the killing of a senior Taliban leader and serious injuries to two others in Swat.Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Wednesday said Fazlullah’s deputy Shah Dauran was reportedly killed and two top commanders of the Taliban sustained injuries in recent military strikes in Swat. He said that a search for the body of Shah Dauran continued after reports that he had been buried by his companions. The minister did not provide the details, saying the government would feel no hesitation in sharing the facts about the death or arrest of the top command of the militants with the general public through the media.During his routine briefing on the Malakand situation and the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Swat, Buner and Dir, the minister said except for some union councils, the whole Buner had been cleared of the militants, where the government would make formal announcement for the return of the IDPs to their hometowns. “Security forces have been facing some resistance from the militants in Chagharzai, Gagra and some parts of Daggar, where the local people might be asked to vacate their houses ahead of the final round of the current operation,” he added. The minister said some 420 registered IDP families had gone back to Buner, where they would be provided ration and other essential items. Mian Iftikhar said an important meeting was chaired by NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti on Wednesday to review the problems being faced in the restoration of basic facilities like electricity, gas and telephone in the operation-hit areas of Malakand. “After complete revival of these basic facilities, the IDPs would be formally advised to go back to their respective home towns in Swat and Dir,” he added. To a question, he said the provincial government was quite satisfied with security forces’ operation against the militants in the Malakand Division, adding the government had honoured the peace deal and implemented the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009 in good faith, but the militants rather expanded their presence to adjacent Buner and Dir districts.Responding to another question, Mian Iftikhar said former commissioner Malakand Syed Mohammad Javed was being interrogated on certain charges. “I have to say nothing except that the former commissioner is being interrogated on certain charges,” he added.About the displaced persons from South Waziristan, the minister said some 43,000 displaced people had settled in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu districts, but no proper camps had been established for these IDPs so far. He said verification of the data of in-camp and off-camp IDPs from the Malakand Division was going on and the Nadra had received some 615,423 registration forms till now. “Some 236,411 IDP families have been verified so far, including 25,338 registered in camps,” he added. The minister said cash cards had been provided to the IDPs in Nowshera and Swabi districts. He said to-date cash cards worth Rs 646.20 million had been released.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk
Sindh to get 32,000 cusecs extra water daily
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Zardari has barred the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) from storing more water in existing reservoirs to provide additional water to Sindh till the prevailing dip period is over, sources told The News.“Sindh will get extra 32,000 cusecs daily owing to stoppage of Tarbela storage besides enhanced discharges from Punjnad, Chenab and Mangla dam waters,” sources privy to a high level two-day meeting exclusively on water issue disclosed here Wednesday.The president “convinced” the Indus River System Authority (Irsa), Punjab and Wapda on increasing discharges to Sindh from the present 116,000 to 148,000 cusecs daily with Punjab getting to 101,000 cusecs a day water release against its 150,000 cusecs demand, the sources maintain.The decisions were finalised without direct participation of the representatives from Punjab, NWFP or Balochistan as the authorities claim to have taken Punjab into “confidence” through telephonic conversation.An official spokesman has confirmed the immediate increase of water releases to Sindh province by 32,000 cusecs per day and non-participation of irrigation representatives from any other province except Sindh. President Zardari had called the meeting in Karachi following the whole irrigation system from Tarbela upstream to Kotri barrage collapsed and the provinces’ demand were cut down by 40 per cent with immediate effect. All five Irsa members, the governor and chief minister Sindh, the Wapda chairman, the information minister Sindh, the relevant irrigation authorities from Sindh and others but none from rest of the three federating units were invited to the two-day session.Moreover, Sindh will get a relief of 32,000 cusecs bringing its water share to 148,000 cusecs against its indent of 170,000 cusecs daily, a nominal shortage of about 12 per cent against Punjab’s 32 per cent till the dip period prevails.Sowing of cotton and rice crops in both Punjab and Sindh is under way and in these circumstances southern Punjab would be the hardest hit area. The Water Apportionment Accord (WAA) 1991, the only consensus water agreement among provinces, provides that both major federating units, Punjab and Sindh, would share equal shortage with rest of two, Balochistan and NWFP, exempted from such condition.“Wadpa has been asked to maintain the water storage at Tarbela only up to 1,376 feet against its dead level of 1,369 although eight of its 16 power units tripped due to mud influx just a few days back.”The dip period started ten days back with Irsa deciding to provide water to the provinces in accordance with their indents thus causing a collapse of the system from top to low riparian. According to earlier projected figures, there should have been at least 350,000 cusecs per day water availability nowadays whereas in reality it is less than 159,000 cusecs.“The meeting has decided unanimously that a relief of 32,000 cusecs should be given to Sindh province owing to the fall of system due to cloud cover at Glacier and there was no disagreement,” said Irsa official spokesman Khalid Idrees.The spokesman said Guddu barrage upstream would have at least 95-100 thousand cusecs per day thus minimising the chances of losses to the crops in the province. When asked about absence of the three provinces, the official said Punjab, which is a major stakeholder in irrigation, was consulted on telephone before taking the decisions.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk
Sindh water shortage to be overcome: Zardari
KARACHI: President Asif Zardari has said water shortage in Sindh would be overcome by reducing, and if necessary stopping, flows in Taunsa-Punjnad.He said this in a meeting here on Wednesday. Sources said it was decided in the meeting that water would not be stored in Tarbela dam both due to problems in the dam’s turbines and water shortage in Sindh. The decision was taken to meet the requirements of the people downstream, officials said and added the meeting was informed that due to fall in the flow of the river Indus, the province was expected to face severe water shortage.Sindh Irrigation and Power Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said the issue of water shortage in Sindh was raised with the president in a meeting on June 20 on which the president called another meeting on Wednesday to solve the issue. The meeting was attended by officials of the Ministry of Water and Power, Irsa and Wapda.On the occasion, Zardari reiterated the commitment to serve the people as per the vision of Benazir Bhutto and ordered the authorities to ensure that the ‘land grant policy’ should benefit women in particular as the basic concept behind it was women’s empowerment through sustainable development.He also directed initiation of a study on Manchar lake to find ways to clean the polluted water. “We must not pollute the sea with acid water,” he said. The high-level meeting also discussed construction of highways and it was decided to start work immediately on Karachi-Hyderabad motorway (M9) at a cost of Rs8 billion. Work would start in October and is expected to be completed by the end of 2011 while a comprehensive package for Larkana was also approved by the president amounting to over Rs24 billion which would include Larkana city roads.A special meeting on fisheries was also held on Wednesday as a follow-up to the president’s visit to the European Union (EU). It was decided that the Karachi Fish Harbour will be upgraded in accordance with EU requirements.The president directed the Sindh government to accelerate the production of fish in rural Sindh. It was also decided that a welfare plan will be designed for the fishermen of the province to ensure better income opportunities for the fishermen community. It was decided that the fishermen who were facing great loss because of closure of fishing will be compensated through the Benazir Income Support Programme.President Zardari was briefed on various ongoing projects related to the fisheries sector in Sindh with an estimated cost of Rs4 billion. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Provincial Ministers Dr Zulfikar Mirza, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, and Zahid Bhurguri. Also present were Sardar Asseff Ali Deputy Chairman for Planning Commission, Federal Minister for Fisheries, Secretary General Salman Farooqui, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Water Resources and Agriculture, Adviser to the CM Sindh Jameel Soomro, the chief secretary Sindh, federal and provincial secretaries.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk
Disarm or be crushed, Malik tells terrorists
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday said terrorists still had time to lay down their arms, or else they would be crushed with force.“I am asking the terrorists to lay down their arms, as they don’t deserve amnesty because they have broken the hearts of several mothers. But they still have a chance,” the minister said while talking to reporters outside the Parliament House.He said the Punjab government had been informed about the possible terrorist activities in the southern part of the province.The government, he said, was striving hard to improve the law and order situation and the writ of the government would be established at all costs.Replying to a question, he said Pakistan needed funds for capacity building of the law enforcers. The law-enforcement agencies would get scanners to detect explosive material and manual checking would soon come to an end, he added.“We have achieved enormous success in Swat and other war zones due to the intelligence agencies. We must be proud of our intelligence agencies and the Pakistan Army,” he said, adding: “We have arrested two suicide bombers during the last three days one of whom wanted to blow up the Parliament House and the other to hit the headquarters of an intelligence agency.”He said Pakistan was committed to bring the Mumbai attacks culprits to justice but India should provide more information in this regard. “We have requested India to provide more information so that we could complete our investigation.” He said, “Defeat is not an option for us and not for the world in the war against terrorism. The investigation into the murder of Qari Zainuddin is under way. The IDPs would also get every facility upon their return to their respective areas. Some of the families have returned to Swat and Buner,” he said. Our correspondent adds: Meanwhile, addressing the National Assembly Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that 1,592 terrorists had been killed so far in the military operation. He said 138 law enforcers had been martyred so far and 414 injured. Thanking the opposition members for reposing confidence in the security agencies by withdrawing their cut motions against the Interior Ministry, he said that it had established a good precedence.Referring to the operation in Malakand and Swat, the minister said the areas had been secured and after reviving the infrastructure, the return of IDPs would start very soon. He said that both the president and the prime minister had made the world realise that the nation was united in the war against terror. “Due to the efforts of the president and the prime minister, the Chinese government has provided $290 million for capacity building of our security forces.”Referring to the Dera Ismail Khan incidents, the interior minister said most of these incidents were sectarian in nature. He, however, said that the entire administration of D I Khan would be changed and that he would personally visit the area next week. Earlier, in a rare gesture of unity on security issues, the opposition in the National Assembly withdrew 96 cut motions on the demands for grants for the Interior Ministry.Chief whip of the PML-N Sheikh Aftab told the Lower House that the opposition had decided to withdraw the cut motions in view of the government’s assurance that it was according top priority to law and order in the country.Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani acknowledged the gesture and expressed his gratitude to the opposition. On Wednesday, the House also completed the second phase of the passage of the budget by giving approval to the demands for grants for the next fiscal and now the Finance Bill would be taken up for final approval today (Thursday).After the passage of the Finance Bill on Thursday, the House would take up the supplementary budget of the current fiscal on Friday and with its approval the budget session would come to an end.In two days, the National Assembly approved demands for grants of the federal ministries amounting to Rs 1.556 trillion. On Wednesday, it approved grants worth Rs 102.21 billion for the ministries of foreign affairs, industries and production, petroleum and natural resources, ports and shipping, interior, and water and power.The House also offered Fateha for those who lost their lives in the military operation. Earlier, during the debate, the opposition members criticised the performance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and said that the Foreign Office had failed to give a clear roadmap for improving Pakistan’s relations with the neighbouring countries. They said India was a threat to Pakistan and was involved in promoting insurgency in Balochistan and the tribal areas. They alleged the proposed Pak-Afghan transit trade agreement was against the national interests.Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad Khan said the Foreign Office had been successful in promoting a soft image of Pakistan as a modern, democratic Islamic state. He said that new Afghan transit trade agreement had not yet been finalised and the government would take input from the political leadership before signing it by the end of this year. Earlier in the day, the minority members staged a token walkout in protest against the fact that they were not provided representation in the constitutional committee.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk
Forex News
Forex NewsIn the following article, I would like to tell you about forex news. As you know there are many ways that you can go online and learn about forex so that you are able to be a successful trader in the forex market. However, there is another way that you can take a more in depth look into forex trading by viewing forex news. Forex news is a way that you can learn what is going on in the forex market, it doesn’t necessarily pertain to the forex market in general as far as tips and techniques, but it does give you an outlook on what events are taking place in the market as well as the information that may pertain to a certain stock in the market. You never really know what the forex news is going to be so it is important that you take the time to give it a look each and everyday so that you are not left out in the dark on something that could pertain to the stocks that you are trading or the forex broker that you are working with.Locating Forex NewsYou will notice that when you look on these forex news sites that you can find the forex news in articles as well as in blogs and other forms of communication. There are also some forex news sites that have forex news flashes were the forex news that has just came in will come across the screen so that you know right away that it is there and so that you can read the information to see what is going on in the market. Also on the forex news sites, you will be able to actually enhance your capabilities of trading by actually following online courses and you will be also be able to maximize your chances of making profits by taking a shot at the different markets and especially in the forex market in general. These forex news sites also allow you an insight on the fundamental analysis of the forex market and provide you with the latest information that you need in order to know all about the analysis’s that are taking place in the forex market. If you know that a technical analysis is indeed your favorite tool, then you will find the information that you need on these sites to make trading a little bite easier. If you find that you are interested in foreign exchange market and you want to learn more about the trading tips of the forex market is general then you should make sure that you follow up on the forex news on a daily basis, you can also subscribe to a RSS feed so that you are able to learn all about the forex news.Forex News and YouWhen it comes to choosing a news site, it is important that you find a site that is update with the latest news. You don’t want to take information from a site that is not updated because you will be taking the risk of getting false information or forex news that is outdated and no longer relevant to the forex market. You are also going to want to find a forex news site that is going to tell you about the news that is relating to the field of trading that you are trading in. You may be trading futures or options, so you are going to want to read about information about that type of trading. If you are really into getting the forex news you should subscribe to getting the news directly sent to you by your email address so that you don’t have to worry about logging into the site every time that you want to read the news. Other than the news, you are going to want to make sure that you always are thinking about ways that you can become better at trading and you can do that by reading up on information that is pertaining to the forex market such a tips and guidelines and maybe even technique. No matter how intelligent you are when it comes to the forex market, it is important that you still take the time to brush up on your skills so that you are not prone to getting rusty over the period of time that you are trading. Even the most professional traders are known to take the time to go back over things that are important to know when it comes to the forex market.
source: http://www.forexcult.com
US Dollar Gains
The US dollar was in general strong on Wednesday, although the currency dropped in opposition to the Australian dollar and British pound, as Treasury prices pushed, sending yields up. Indeed, the yield on ten-year notes reached an intraday high of 3.99 %. This was the highest so far since October 2008 following the Bank of Russia first delegate chairman Alexei Ulyukayev stated that they would change some of their reserves from Treasuries to International Monetary Fund bonds. The statements reflect those of China, which has stated that it is enthusiastically considering purchasing as much as $50 billion of the IMF bonds, whilst Brazil’s Finance Minister Guido Mantega stated that they are going to buy $10 billion worth of IMF bonds.
source: http://www.forexcult.com
Can The USD Bullish behavior continue with Fed Hike Forecasts Fading?
Credit Market - What's going on basically?After a boost of top economic event risk, the USD has come through this past week with a more promising outlook for growth as well as diminished potential for a Fed rate hike this year. After the policy board announced its intentions to hold the benchmark lending rate at 2.00 percent and offered rhetoric that was more or less in line with the group’s middle-of-the-road commentary from previous months’ statements, the probability that the central bank would raise rates by the end of the year dropped from 71.6 percent to 59.9 percent. However, with evidence that the financial and credit markets are stabilizing, economic activity is turning up from the worst and upstream inflation is cooling, the Fed may be emboldened to tighten well before the consensus and continue to raise rates to a level well beyond the 75bp over the next 12 months overnight interest rate swaps are currently pricing in.Dollar will probably be on another rally soon.
source: http://www.forexcult.com
Professional Tutor by Forex Worldwide Training and Support
There are plenty of self-selected experts online promoting their secret method to succeeding in the world of investing. A careful look at this market, however, reveals a tragic truth: These are the same old stories retold by hucksters looking to earn a buck. They jump on a particular stock that did well, they “reverse engineer” the trend line, they have their system ghostwritten, and then they promote “a forex training system like you’ve never seen before”.The problem is we’ve seen it before. Again and again. It’s not a training system; it’s a focus on one part of technical analysis or another (often by people who don’t know the definition of technical analysis). They throw around words like “Fibonacci” or “Bollinger Bands” as if they themselves invented the term.The tragedy is that “newbie” investors can get sucked in to the promises of huge earnings. They shell out for the ebook. And they’re left confused or overly-confident. Either way, they lose.How does one succeed in the market? The truth of the matter is, one can succeed with solid, foundational forex training, and then back up that training with support and advice from real trading professionals, and then back up that training and that support with experience.That’s where VIRT® Professional Tutor by Forex Worldwide Training and Support comes in. In a world of “me-too” content, VIRT® Professional Tutor is real forex training. This organization ignores the hype and instead focuses on doing one thing really, really well. They offer comprehensive, competent training delivered in a compelling way.Their forex training is comprehensive and competent because it gives every level of investor a place to start. Are you brand new to forex investments? There’s a novice section. Are you experience in forex investments? There’s an advance section. Each section covers a wealth of material that truly takes the learner on a journey from basic introductions, step-by-step through the concepts.Forex training for novices at VIRT® Professional Tutor is made up of 6 modules covering such diverse but fundamental topics as Market Terminology, Business Environment, Predictability, Capital Management, Probability Study, and Application of Entry Point System. Each module contains 5 to 9 lessons that look at that topic in-depth. Each lesson ends in a quiz to help the student uncover the effectiveness of their learning.Forex training for advanced investors at VIRT® Professional Tutor is made up of 4 modules covering expert topics like Advanced Fibonacci, the Rule of 8, Fundamentals, and System Development. Again, each module contains several lessons and finishes with a quiz.This material is compelling in its delivery. There’s text, of course, and interspersed throughout the text are videos and interactive content – including graphics and graphical stories – to explain the concepts and illustrate with real world examples. The text talks about a concept and then a graph is shown to demonstrate an example in real life and to drive home the point.This level of training enables investors of all backgrounds and investing experiences to enter markets confidently and to exit investments profitably. But to back up their training, a support forum is also available where investors can interact and where expert traders can offer advice, guidance, and mentorship to participants.
source: http://www.forexcult.com
Britain's not got talent
Elena Baltacha's late first-round victory yesterday evening ruined everything. It was set to be the worst British showing at Wimbledon in the Open era but Bally's win ensured it was no worse than 2007 when only two Brits (Tim Henman and Kate O'Brien) were left standing on the first Wednesday of the Championships. So that was all right then. No need to worry at all. Not quite progress, but the Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body, abandoned the sackcloth and ashes and were able to smile thinly through gritted teeth.
But the blame game was in full swing and the LTA, the easiest target in British sport, swayed and ducked as the missiles homed in, and obfuscation was rife. Paul Annacone, the head coach of men's tennis, and former coach of both Pete Sampras and Tim Henman, spoke of "process orientation" which stopped everybody in their tracks as they mulled over its deeper significance. His analysis of the British male defeats was so littered with the words "good job" that for an instant it seemed the American might have been at a different slam altogether.
He once famously remarked, on being asked what it was like to coach Sampras, that there was no need to tinker under the bonnet of a Ferrari. Faced with a fleet of old bangers the only alternative seems to be to polish up the paint work and hope nobody notices the knocking sounds of the big ends about to fail. Then along comes Wimbledon, and horrible truth becomes immediately transparent.
There has been progress on the women's side, though the men obdurately continue to misfire. The Roger Draper regime at the LTA began in 2006 with much brave talk for a bright new future, and there is no doubt that the internal structure of the LTA has been much pruned and modified. Draper emphasised the need to nurture the elite, his main problem being, Andy Murray apart, that it was pretty much non-existent and still is.
So what happens now? The cry will go up for the LTA to be disbanded, a near impossibility, or for a new hierarchy. Clearly nothing can be changed in three years. Whatever the Draper regime's strength and weaknesses, and commercially it has been highly successful with the pre-credit crunch deal with Aegon, he is still picking up the pieces of the last crew who remain on the periphery, sniping from the bushes. The give-us-the-money-and-we'll-do-the-job merchants have been given the money and done nothing. Draper must have more time, as must Belgium's Steve Martens, the player director, Annacone, and Nigel Sears, the head of women's tennis.
It is not a comfortable position given the current weaknesses and if, in three years time (the absolute minimum it will take for the new ideas and procedures to percolate through) there has been no obvious progress, then the knives can be drawn. Draper, Martens et al believe they have the right system in place. The public perception is that nothing much has changed and may be getting worse – not that the British sporting public much care or understand because tennis only impinges on their radar for these two weeks, and little more.
The bottom line is that Britain has never produced a phalanx of world-class players and in all probability will never do. But from time to time a player of sufficient internal drive and motivation emerges to beat the system as Murray has. This is not to say the system should be abandoned, and it is to be hoped matters do get better and more players of international class emerge. Of the 11 singles players who began in the main draw, nine were wild cards. In other words, they were not good enough to be in the draw on their own merits. All of them lost. It was hardly a surprise, let alone a disaster.
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk
Formula One breakaway averted as teams agree deal with Max Mosley
world governing body the FIA and the F1 teams association Fota have agreed today there will be no parallel championship next season following talks in Paris to avert a threatened breakaway.
The cost-cutting deal followed a meeting of 120 members of the FIA and came in the wake of weeks of bitter argument between the two bodies that centred on proposed tough spending limits from next season. "There will be no split. We have agreed to a reduction of costs," said the FIA president Max Mosley. "There will be one F1 championship, but the objective is to get back to the spending levels of the early 90s within two years."
As a result of the deal Mosley said he would not seek to extend his time in office: "I will not be up for re-election now we have peace," he said. The 69-year-old has been under pressure amid the disagreements emanating from the proposed budget cuts but had announced over the weekend that he was seriously considering running for a fifth term as head of F1's governing body. Bernie Ecclestone commented that he was "very happy common sense has prevailed".
Eight teams – Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP – had said they were pulling out of F1 last Friday after talks broke down over the introduction of a voluntary £40m budget cap from next season. The Paris meeting offered an opportunity for member clubs to hear from teams about their plan to break away from the FIA and set up a rival series, a proposal that had led the FIA to prepare a legal claim against Fota.
It is apparent a trade-off has unfolded - with the current teams now due to be on the grid for 2010, and without Mosley as ruler. It has to be remembered though that five years ago, in June 2004, Mosley announced he would stand down from his position in October of that year - only to rescind his decision a month later.
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk
Hydroelectricity compromise possible in Central Asia
TAJIKISTAN – A round-table discussion entitled “Hydroelectric Issues in Central Asia: Compromise Possible?” was held in Dushanbe on June 12. The independent experts, politicians and government officials from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan who attended the meeting discussed issues related to the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power plant in Tajikistan and the Kambaratinsk hydroelectric plant in Kyrgyzstan. The round table was organised by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). The Uzbek government declined to send representatives to the meeting in Dushanbe.
According to the director of the Tajik Centre for Strategic Research, Suhrob Sharipov, a solution must be found to the issue of the use of hydroelectric resources. No other government, he said, should interfere with the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power plant since the hydroelectric complex is being built on the River Vakhsh, which is not a trans-border river. The Vakhsh passes 100 kilometres from the border with Uzbekistan and merges with the River Pyandzh. “What is very important is that the nations in the region live in peace and harmony, but they must also have heating and lighting. The Uzbek authorities and experts are being very critical with regard to the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric plant, but are not themselves offering anything. The process of building Rogun has begun and cannot be stopped”, Sharipov emphasised.
Bulat Auyelbayev, a representative of the Kazakh Centre for Strategic Research, believes it is a government’s right to use its country’s natural resources, including water. On the other hand, he said, Uzbekistan’s position is understandable since the Uzbek government is being forced to reduce the amount of irrigated land used for cotton-growing and this could lead to discontent among the country’s rural population. “Just as the Tajik government fears public anger over the lack of lighting and heating, the Uzbek authorities fear discontent because of water shortages and a reduction in the amount of irrigated land”, the expert commented.
Rashid Gani Abdullo, a Tajik political analyst, asserts that a compromise is possible if political and economic conditions are equal in all countries in the region. In his view, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will stand on an equal political footing on the issue of the use of hydroelectric resources only after the Rogun and Kambaratinsk hydroelectric plants have been built.
According to the director of the Tajik Centre for Strategic Research, Suhrob Sharipov, a solution must be found to the issue of the use of hydroelectric resources. No other government, he said, should interfere with the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power plant since the hydroelectric complex is being built on the River Vakhsh, which is not a trans-border river. The Vakhsh passes 100 kilometres from the border with Uzbekistan and merges with the River Pyandzh. “What is very important is that the nations in the region live in peace and harmony, but they must also have heating and lighting. The Uzbek authorities and experts are being very critical with regard to the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric plant, but are not themselves offering anything. The process of building Rogun has begun and cannot be stopped”, Sharipov emphasised.
Bulat Auyelbayev, a representative of the Kazakh Centre for Strategic Research, believes it is a government’s right to use its country’s natural resources, including water. On the other hand, he said, Uzbekistan’s position is understandable since the Uzbek government is being forced to reduce the amount of irrigated land used for cotton-growing and this could lead to discontent among the country’s rural population. “Just as the Tajik government fears public anger over the lack of lighting and heating, the Uzbek authorities fear discontent because of water shortages and a reduction in the amount of irrigated land”, the expert commented.
Rashid Gani Abdullo, a Tajik political analyst, asserts that a compromise is possible if political and economic conditions are equal in all countries in the region. In his view, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will stand on an equal political footing on the issue of the use of hydroelectric resources only after the Rogun and Kambaratinsk hydroelectric plants have been built.
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
Earthquake in Kazakhstan causes significant property damage
A strong earthquake hit south-east Kazakhstan late in the evening of June 13. Its epicentre was near Tekeli in the Almaty region 230 kilometres north-east of Almaty. At the epicentre the shocks measured 5.5 points on the Richter scale.
According to preliminary assessments, hundreds of residents were left without shelter. Underground shocks were felt in Taldykorgan and in Almaty. Lesser shocks were also recorded in Kyrgyzstan.
The most seriously damaged buildings in Tekeli were three two-story eight-flat residential buildings built in 1949, a home for the elderly, a private hotel, a sports facility and High School No. 1. The school was set to undergo major renovations including seismic retro-fitting. Almost 300 residential one-story privately owned homes also suffered varying degress of damage. Over the past few days, almost 250 statements from victims asking authorities for assistance have been received by the city administration.
During his visit to the city after the earthquake, Almaty region Governor Serik Umbetov promised to provide aid and asked that there be no turmoil or panic. He assured residents that as soon as the state commission issues its conclusions, authorities would immediately begin repairs and also assured that no one would be left without a roof over his head. The region's governor ordered that 18 families from three residential buildings be placed in a recently completely renovated 37-flat residential building in Tekeli.
A republic commission, which includes experts from the National Institute of Seismology and other republic and regional agencies, will assess the damage.
The last time there was an earthquake measuring six points in Tekeli was 1993, but it did not cause this level of destruction. Kazakhstan's Almaty region is located in a seismically active zone. In 1911, an extremely strong earthquake measuring ten points practically destroyed the city of Almaty, called Verny at the time.
According to preliminary assessments, hundreds of residents were left without shelter. Underground shocks were felt in Taldykorgan and in Almaty. Lesser shocks were also recorded in Kyrgyzstan.
The most seriously damaged buildings in Tekeli were three two-story eight-flat residential buildings built in 1949, a home for the elderly, a private hotel, a sports facility and High School No. 1. The school was set to undergo major renovations including seismic retro-fitting. Almost 300 residential one-story privately owned homes also suffered varying degress of damage. Over the past few days, almost 250 statements from victims asking authorities for assistance have been received by the city administration.
During his visit to the city after the earthquake, Almaty region Governor Serik Umbetov promised to provide aid and asked that there be no turmoil or panic. He assured residents that as soon as the state commission issues its conclusions, authorities would immediately begin repairs and also assured that no one would be left without a roof over his head. The region's governor ordered that 18 families from three residential buildings be placed in a recently completely renovated 37-flat residential building in Tekeli.
A republic commission, which includes experts from the National Institute of Seismology and other republic and regional agencies, will assess the damage.
The last time there was an earthquake measuring six points in Tekeli was 1993, but it did not cause this level of destruction. Kazakhstan's Almaty region is located in a seismically active zone. In 1911, an extremely strong earthquake measuring ten points practically destroyed the city of Almaty, called Verny at the time.
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
Afghans uncover ancient history
Local residents in the Zard Sang village in Baghlan province have discovered monuments believed to be thousands of years old. The Ministry of Information and Culture was quickly notified of the 25 monuments, many of which are inscribed with drawings of animals and symbols.
Nezamuddin Tokhi, a government official for the Ministry in Baghlan, said, “So far, we are unable to determine how old these pre-Islamic monuments are, but we believe they go back at least 1,000 years.”
He said it is likely the monuments were from the Buddhist era in Afghanistan when it was common to make stone monuments and cave inscriptions on cliffs and in places of worship.
Archaeologists will examine the monuments to determine their exact time period of origin and the meaning behind the inscriptions. The Ministry is securing the area where the monuments were found to prevent looting. They hope that the area will eventually become a tourist attraction and generate income for the local community.
Col. Ghulam Dastgir of the Baghlan Police Department said, “The monuments are part of our national heritage and belong to the people of Afghanistan. We will ensure they are protected from potential looters.”
According to the Ministry of Information and Culture, there are 19 archaeological sites in Baghlan province. Afghan artefacts continue to be found all across the country. Last year, a Bhuddist-era site was found by local labourers in Balkh just east of the provincial capital Mazar-e Sharif.
Archaeologists began exploring pre-Islamic artefacts in Afghanistan in the 1950’s and continued until the Soviet invasion in 1979. Famous historians such as Louis Dupree say that humans have been living in Afghanistan for the past 50,000 years and formed some of the world’s earliest farming communities. Traders travelling between China and Rome have passed through Afghanistan for centuries leaving items such as plates, cups and jewellery behind. Afghan artisans became influenced by the various designs and began incorporating them into their work.
After the Russian invasion, Afghan historians were determined to protect the country’s artefacts, many of which date back 4,000 years. They successfully removed boxes of artefacts out of the National Museum and stored them in a bank vault in the presidential palace just outside of Kabul where they remained for over two decades.
Not only did they protect the artefacts from being looted, they also prevented them from being destroyed. In addition to blowing up Bamiyan’s historic Buddha statues in March of 2001, the Taliban destroyed 2,500 other cultural artefacts from Kabul’s National Museum that they deemed to be against Islam.
Nezamuddin Tokhi, a government official for the Ministry in Baghlan, said, “So far, we are unable to determine how old these pre-Islamic monuments are, but we believe they go back at least 1,000 years.”
He said it is likely the monuments were from the Buddhist era in Afghanistan when it was common to make stone monuments and cave inscriptions on cliffs and in places of worship.
Archaeologists will examine the monuments to determine their exact time period of origin and the meaning behind the inscriptions. The Ministry is securing the area where the monuments were found to prevent looting. They hope that the area will eventually become a tourist attraction and generate income for the local community.
Col. Ghulam Dastgir of the Baghlan Police Department said, “The monuments are part of our national heritage and belong to the people of Afghanistan. We will ensure they are protected from potential looters.”
According to the Ministry of Information and Culture, there are 19 archaeological sites in Baghlan province. Afghan artefacts continue to be found all across the country. Last year, a Bhuddist-era site was found by local labourers in Balkh just east of the provincial capital Mazar-e Sharif.
Archaeologists began exploring pre-Islamic artefacts in Afghanistan in the 1950’s and continued until the Soviet invasion in 1979. Famous historians such as Louis Dupree say that humans have been living in Afghanistan for the past 50,000 years and formed some of the world’s earliest farming communities. Traders travelling between China and Rome have passed through Afghanistan for centuries leaving items such as plates, cups and jewellery behind. Afghan artisans became influenced by the various designs and began incorporating them into their work.
After the Russian invasion, Afghan historians were determined to protect the country’s artefacts, many of which date back 4,000 years. They successfully removed boxes of artefacts out of the National Museum and stored them in a bank vault in the presidential palace just outside of Kabul where they remained for over two decades.
Not only did they protect the artefacts from being looted, they also prevented them from being destroyed. In addition to blowing up Bamiyan’s historic Buddha statues in March of 2001, the Taliban destroyed 2,500 other cultural artefacts from Kabul’s National Museum that they deemed to be against Islam.
source: http://centralasiaonline.com
Vitamin campaign launched in Tajikistan
TAJIKISTAN – A 10-day campaign to provide vitamins to children began in Tajikistan on June 10. Deputy Healthcare Minister Azam Mirzoyev said the campaign is designed to prevent vitamin deficiency in children and mothers after birth. Local doctors and UNICEF employees will provide Vitamin A to women and children under the age of six. Head of the UNICEF office in Tajikistan Khongwei Gao said 52 percent of Tajik children suffer from vitamin deficiency and 27 percent suffer from malnutrition. About seven percent of the children have a severe form of hypotrophy, which weakens their immune systems.
According to the head of the department for aid to mothers, children, and family planning at the Healthcare Ministry Sherali Rakhmatulloyev, a lack of vitamin A can make some childhood illnesses fatal. He said if vitamin A is used to boost immunity, infant and child mortality can be prevented in half of the cases.
About 1 million vitamin A pills have been provided free of charge to health clinics and kindergartens throughout the country.
The World Health Organisation has sponsored a campaign to fight helminthism in children age two to six. Efforts have been conducted in 37 regions affecting children in grades one through four so far this year. Another campaign will be conducted for children up to 14 years of age.
Under the UN Millennium Development Goals programme, reducing infant and child mortality and improving healthcare for mothers was discussed in Dushanbe in early June. Rights to healthcare and reproductive health were also discussed.
First Deputy Healthcare Minister Said Dzhobirov said infant and mother mortality in Tajikistan is very high. Official figures show the fatality rate for mothers was 40.9 per 100 newborns in 2008, compared with 33.2 per 100 in 2005. Dzhobirov said the official figures are not a true representation. She said improving the economy by reducing poverty and restructuring and modernising social programmes set the conditions for improving healthcare services and consequently the health of the population.
According to the head of the department for aid to mothers, children, and family planning at the Healthcare Ministry Sherali Rakhmatulloyev, a lack of vitamin A can make some childhood illnesses fatal. He said if vitamin A is used to boost immunity, infant and child mortality can be prevented in half of the cases.
About 1 million vitamin A pills have been provided free of charge to health clinics and kindergartens throughout the country.
The World Health Organisation has sponsored a campaign to fight helminthism in children age two to six. Efforts have been conducted in 37 regions affecting children in grades one through four so far this year. Another campaign will be conducted for children up to 14 years of age.
Under the UN Millennium Development Goals programme, reducing infant and child mortality and improving healthcare for mothers was discussed in Dushanbe in early June. Rights to healthcare and reproductive health were also discussed.
First Deputy Healthcare Minister Said Dzhobirov said infant and mother mortality in Tajikistan is very high. Official figures show the fatality rate for mothers was 40.9 per 100 newborns in 2008, compared with 33.2 per 100 in 2005. Dzhobirov said the official figures are not a true representation. She said improving the economy by reducing poverty and restructuring and modernising social programmes set the conditions for improving healthcare services and consequently the health of the population.
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
Initiatives to build a healthy Pakistan
SRINAGAR – Pakistan’s Health Ministry, with the financial assistance and technical support of international donors, is strengthening the country’s health sector to fight the prevalence of various diseases and bring down mortality rates.
During his visit to Geneva for the 62nd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), Pakistani Health Minister Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani committed to implementing these health initiatives by providing better health care and equipping hospitals across Pakistan with better facilities. “International donors have pledged to provide their support in strengthening the health sector of Pakistan”, said Jakhrani.
The minister held meetings with several donor agencies and secured assistances toward building a “healthy Pakistan”. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) agreed to provide grants of US$27 million and $120 million, respectively, to support Pakistan’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) and to intensify immunization activities in Pakistan.
Close to 44 percent of the tuberculosis cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Pakistan) are in Pakistan, which ranks eighth in the world among countries with a high prevalence of TB, according to the latest study by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
To improve child care development and bring down infant and maternal mortality rates in country, Jakhrani succeeded in obtaining a grant of $85 million from the UK.
The infant mortality rate in Pakistan is 77 per 1,000 live births and the maternal mortality rate ranges from 350 to 400 per 100,000 live births, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society reports.
The major reasons for the high maternal mortality rate include poor access to pre-natal care in remote areas and a shortage of trained oncology and obstetric attendants to cope with the 80 percent of births in Pakistan that take place at home. The WHO, which is already running various programmes in Pakistan, has also assured the Health Ministry it will provide assistance with additional medical resources and training to help reduce infant and maternal death rates.
During his visit to Geneva for the 62nd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), Pakistani Health Minister Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani committed to implementing these health initiatives by providing better health care and equipping hospitals across Pakistan with better facilities. “International donors have pledged to provide their support in strengthening the health sector of Pakistan”, said Jakhrani.
The minister held meetings with several donor agencies and secured assistances toward building a “healthy Pakistan”. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) agreed to provide grants of US$27 million and $120 million, respectively, to support Pakistan’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) and to intensify immunization activities in Pakistan.
Close to 44 percent of the tuberculosis cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Pakistan) are in Pakistan, which ranks eighth in the world among countries with a high prevalence of TB, according to the latest study by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
To improve child care development and bring down infant and maternal mortality rates in country, Jakhrani succeeded in obtaining a grant of $85 million from the UK.
The infant mortality rate in Pakistan is 77 per 1,000 live births and the maternal mortality rate ranges from 350 to 400 per 100,000 live births, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society reports.
The major reasons for the high maternal mortality rate include poor access to pre-natal care in remote areas and a shortage of trained oncology and obstetric attendants to cope with the 80 percent of births in Pakistan that take place at home. The WHO, which is already running various programmes in Pakistan, has also assured the Health Ministry it will provide assistance with additional medical resources and training to help reduce infant and maternal death rates.
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
Obama calls for new beginning between U.S. and Muslims
CAIRO – Quoting from the Quran for emphasis, U.S. President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" and said that together they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the search for peace in the Middle East.Watch President Obama deliver the speech
"This cycle of suspicion and discord must end", Obama said June 4 during a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's largest Muslim countries, intended to reframe relations after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 against the U.S., and the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
The White House said Obama's speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East. The president said U.S. ties with Israel are unbreakable, yet issued a firm, evenhanded call to the Jewish state and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.
In a gesture to the Islamic world, Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension "has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.
"This cycle of suspicion and discord must end", Obama said June 4 during a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's largest Muslim countries, intended to reframe relations after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 against the U.S., and the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
The White House said Obama's speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East. The president said U.S. ties with Israel are unbreakable, yet issued a firm, evenhanded call to the Jewish state and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.
In a gesture to the Islamic world, Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension "has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.
Obama continued, "And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear"; he recalled hearing prayer calls of "Azaan" at dawn and dusk while living in Indonesia as a boy.
He said the same principle must apply in reverse. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."
Obama's remarks drew a positive response from corners of the world not given to complimenting the U.S.
In Iran, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a cleric who was vice president under reformist President Mohammad Khatami, said, "This can be an initial step for removing misconceptions between [the] world of Islam and the West."
Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe.
The president said the actions of violent extremist Muslims are "irreconcilable with the rights of human beings", and quoted the Quran to make his point saying, “Be conscious of God and always speak the truth”.
"Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism”, he concluded. “It is an important part of promoting peace."
He said the same principle must apply in reverse. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."
Obama's remarks drew a positive response from corners of the world not given to complimenting the U.S.
In Iran, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a cleric who was vice president under reformist President Mohammad Khatami, said, "This can be an initial step for removing misconceptions between [the] world of Islam and the West."
Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe.
The president said the actions of violent extremist Muslims are "irreconcilable with the rights of human beings", and quoted the Quran to make his point saying, “Be conscious of God and always speak the truth”.
"Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism”, he concluded. “It is an important part of promoting peace."
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
Blind dolphins of the River Indus threatened
KARACHI—The River Indus dolphin is an endangered species, found only in its namesake waterway, with an estimated population of only 1,300. According to Sindh province wildlife experts, a decrease in the river’s water level is perhaps the most critical of all the threats facing this species.
"Construction of dams and barrages, intensive agricultural practices, poor water management, municipal sewage, unsustainable fishing practices and mortalities in the fishing gear have all had adverse affects on the habitat of the River Indus dolphin", said wildlife agency coordinator Hussein Bux on June 10.
The River Indus is the only place that harbours this rare species of nearly blind dolphin, which lacks eye lenses and has pupils no bigger than a pinhole. They rely almost entirely on echo-location to forage for food and navigate in the murky river waters, said Hussein. The Indus has a long beak, a small low hump, wide flippers and an adult can weigh 70- 90 kg. They are slow swimmers, but can move in rapid spurts.
"Construction of dams and barrages, intensive agricultural practices, poor water management, municipal sewage, unsustainable fishing practices and mortalities in the fishing gear have all had adverse affects on the habitat of the River Indus dolphin", said wildlife agency coordinator Hussein Bux on June 10.
The River Indus is the only place that harbours this rare species of nearly blind dolphin, which lacks eye lenses and has pupils no bigger than a pinhole. They rely almost entirely on echo-location to forage for food and navigate in the murky river waters, said Hussein. The Indus has a long beak, a small low hump, wide flippers and an adult can weigh 70- 90 kg. They are slow swimmers, but can move in rapid spurts.
The dolphins are found in a localised 100 mile (161 km) stretch between the Sukkur and Guddu Barrages in the River Indus and are known as “Indus Susu”.
The Pakistan Adventure Foundation (PAF) also launched a project funded in part by the U.N. Development Programme to create awareness about the endangered species through rafting expeditions and visiting programmes.
According to Hussein Bux, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Pakistan has developed a project to conserve the viable population by protecting the innate biodiversity of the lower river Indus basin eco-system and reducing beaching losses through rescue operations. He said the WWF also introduced other major project activities that involve improving agricultural and management practices, and increasing awareness through a conservation centre and eco-tourism.
The Indus dolphin has been a victim of both deliberate and accidental exploitation and is one of the five species of cetaceans threatened with extinction. Pakistan wildlife officials and concerned citizens are calling attention to the need for an immediate, large-scale rescue programme.
The Pakistan Adventure Foundation (PAF) also launched a project funded in part by the U.N. Development Programme to create awareness about the endangered species through rafting expeditions and visiting programmes.
According to Hussein Bux, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Pakistan has developed a project to conserve the viable population by protecting the innate biodiversity of the lower river Indus basin eco-system and reducing beaching losses through rescue operations. He said the WWF also introduced other major project activities that involve improving agricultural and management practices, and increasing awareness through a conservation centre and eco-tourism.
The Indus dolphin has been a victim of both deliberate and accidental exploitation and is one of the five species of cetaceans threatened with extinction. Pakistan wildlife officials and concerned citizens are calling attention to the need for an immediate, large-scale rescue programme.
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
Rights groups seek end to child labour in Pakistan
SRINAGAR – A series of seminars to educate citizens on the menace of child labour were conducted across Pakistan June 7-12 by the Society for the Protection of Rights of the Child (SPARC) to mark World Day against Child Labour.
Posters, banners and other publicity materials were displayed and readily distributed informing people on the reality of the problem and the need to formulate a solid policy to put an end to it.
Thousands of children across Pakistan work in hard, sometimes dangerous, conditions to earn money for their families. They labour in factories, brick kilns, car shops, hotels, roadside restaurants and as domestic help.
“It is imperative for the government to implement laws that ban children from working under [dangerous] conditions and [below] a certain age”, said SPARC Executive Director Qindeel Shujaat. “Society also needs to be made aware that child labour is not an answer to the problem of poverty”, he added. Other rights groups advocate making primary education compulsory in the country.
“Punjab announced a major project for eradicating bonded labour in brick-kilns across Punjab at a cost of US$1.5 million", said Punjab government Labour Secretary Abdul Rauf Khan. "Around 11,000 children of brick-kiln families will be provided education through this project and the kilns will be provided interest free small loans to eliminate their debts." Additionally, the Pakistan government has initiated other protection programmes and has, with the help of international agencies, succeeded in removing nearly 93 percent of the child labour from the football manufacturing industry of Sialkot. Their support was instrumental in having more than 70,000 children removed from illegal work environments.
While that is a substantial number, according to UNICEF statistics an estimated 218 million children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour around the world.
In addition, a SPARC report titled “The State of Pakistan’s Children 2008” released on June 12 states that 6,780 cases of violence involving sexual abuse, targeted murders, abductions, forced labour, suicides and child trafficking were reported during 2008.
Posters, banners and other publicity materials were displayed and readily distributed informing people on the reality of the problem and the need to formulate a solid policy to put an end to it.
Thousands of children across Pakistan work in hard, sometimes dangerous, conditions to earn money for their families. They labour in factories, brick kilns, car shops, hotels, roadside restaurants and as domestic help.
“It is imperative for the government to implement laws that ban children from working under [dangerous] conditions and [below] a certain age”, said SPARC Executive Director Qindeel Shujaat. “Society also needs to be made aware that child labour is not an answer to the problem of poverty”, he added. Other rights groups advocate making primary education compulsory in the country.
“Punjab announced a major project for eradicating bonded labour in brick-kilns across Punjab at a cost of US$1.5 million", said Punjab government Labour Secretary Abdul Rauf Khan. "Around 11,000 children of brick-kiln families will be provided education through this project and the kilns will be provided interest free small loans to eliminate their debts." Additionally, the Pakistan government has initiated other protection programmes and has, with the help of international agencies, succeeded in removing nearly 93 percent of the child labour from the football manufacturing industry of Sialkot. Their support was instrumental in having more than 70,000 children removed from illegal work environments.
While that is a substantial number, according to UNICEF statistics an estimated 218 million children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour around the world.
In addition, a SPARC report titled “The State of Pakistan’s Children 2008” released on June 12 states that 6,780 cases of violence involving sexual abuse, targeted murders, abductions, forced labour, suicides and child trafficking were reported during 2008.
source: http://www.centralasiaonline.com
