Pakistan cricket captains carry Islamic Relief forward

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

As many as four Pakistan cricket captains are proactively involved in supporting the cause of humanity by helping the Islamic Relief (IR) raise substantial funds for the under-privileged and displaced persons in the country.

The quartet of Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi has been instrumental in generating funds for the IR to let them carry out their mission with renewed enthusiasm.

Three of them were in attendance in the IR’s launch of Malakand Rehabilitation Programme held at the Karachi Gymkhana on October 26. Moin Khan was unable to make it because he had to air-dash to Lahore to attend the funeral of Wasim Akram’s wife, Huma, who passed away on October 25.

Fateha was offered for the departed soul before the start of the proceedings and every speaker expressed condolences to Wasim Akram on the untimely death of his wife.

Haris Ahmed Khan, the former Pakistan Customs off-spinner turned qualified coach, has played the pivotal role in roping in the celebrated cricketers to join hands with the IR and take their noble mission forward.

Haris, in his brief speech, recalled that it didn’t take long for him to convince Rashid Latif and Moin Khan who readily agreed to be a part of the fund-raiser in the United Sates (US).

“Then we took Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi to the northern areas of the country devastated by the earthquake in October 2005. They realized the gravity of the situation after reaching there and immediately volunteered their services for the IR,” Haris stated.

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain, shared his experiences at the IR, saying he’s touched after watching the destruction of the various towns by the earthquake.

“It was really very painful to walk on those rocky surfaces where hundreds of people had been buried alive just a few days ago. We took the responsibility of playing our part in helping the people in need,” Rashid remarked.

Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain, Shahid Afridi, announced that he believed in looking at life beyond cricket and it was the reason of him coming on board at the IR.

“When I visited the floods-affected areas of Balochistan I was dismayed at the sufferings of the people who were struggling for basic amenities. Even more depressing was the inaction of the government. Thankfully the IR was there and I made up my mind to contribute my bit in letting them accomplish their cherished goals,” the flamboyant all-rounder asserted.

Pakistan’s captain for Tests and One-day Internationals, Younis Khan, believed that they had to undertake the responsibility of serving the humanity, particularly those who are less fortunate, having been hit by disasters.

“As a human being it’s our duty to care for others. The IR has been doing a great job and I consider a privilege to be a part of their team. It has been hectic at times but we take pride in playing our part by participating in the fund-raisers,” Younis added.

Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler, has also been a motivating force in facilitating the Islamic Relief who had commenced operations in Pakistan in 1992 after having secured registration with the Security & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as a company limited by guarantee (Local NGO). It is also registered with the Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan.

Karachi: Many police stations lack phone facility

By S J A Jafri

Out of given and available landline phone numbers at 98 police stations in city, phones of 56 police stations are one-way, that is one can receive incoming calls but cannot make outgoing calls from the police stations, whereas 42 police stations of the city do not have even the facility of having landline telephone, and the existing working telephone numbers were also found to be fraught with disorders, it was learnt.
A survey conducted recently revealed that the police stations which did not have telephone lines or connected phone numbers were closed since a long time. Some police officers also complained that they must be given the phone and other conveyance facilities without which they cannot attend to their duties properly. On the other hand, people complain of delays in timely response by Madadgar 15 when helpless people in emergency situations find no alternative but to call 15 in the face of potential or real crimes threatening their lives.
Those people who still have faith in the law and abide by it face problems in making immediate contacts with police in case of crimes, emergency and threats against their lives or property. Media persons also encounter many problems in developing stories when they do not find easier access to police stations and law enforcers in meeting their professional obligations to report to the people on significant news and daily events.
Media persons have said the Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza was also being given wrong information as he had believed in and talked about a false report that most of the police stations, except a few, enjoyed phone facilities.
Many people including some media persons have appealed to the minister to launch an inquiry into these public complaints, ascertain the facts independent of vested interests, and facilitate the public and the media alike with timely legal help in daily emergency situations to avoid helplessness in the wake of crimes and casualties without facility of convenient communications by telephones. (NC Report)

Alleged TTP Karachi chief, aides remanded to CID custody

Justice Maqbool Baqar of the Sindh High Court, who is also the Administrative Judge (AJ) of Anti Terrorism Courts for Karachi division, on Tuesday remanded two alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Karachi chief Akhtar Zaman and his accomplice Samiullah alias Chasam to the custody of the CID police till October 27.

Earlier, the accused were produced before the AJ by Investigating Officer (IO), Inspector Shahnawaz along with police papers including FIRs, initial charge sheet in five cases including one registered under the Anti Terrorism Act, three under section 13-D of Arms Ordinance and one under section 4/5 Explosives Act.

According to the first FIR 636/2009 registered under section 302, 324, 34 PPC read with section 7 of ATA, the accused attacked the Keamari oil terminal area for causing massive destruction on September 14, 2009. According to the FIR, the arrested men were accompanied by absconding accused Nasabullah Khan Shah. The act of terrorism was conducted on the orders of their chief Hakeemullah Mehsud and Waliur Rahman. Two other accused, Munawwar Khan and Afzal Khan, who were also arrested with Akhtar Zaman and Samiullah, were produced before a judicial magistrate of the Malir district for a remand. The magistrate remanded these two accused to the custody of the CID police till October 27 as well. (DT Report)

NETWORK OF ROADS AND FLYOVERS HELPED NATIONAL ECONOMY. Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad

Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has said that the newly laid network of roads and flyovers by city government Karachi has besides reducing travel duration and making it convenient for citizens also proved helpful to national economy regaining its strength. Plot owners of Landhi Cottage Industrial Zone will now get alternate plots in Orangi Town Cottage Industrial Zone.

He expressed these views while talking to media representatives at Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone on Tuesday. Earlier Governor of Sindh along with City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated and laid foundation stone for three roads which have a collective cost of Rs.720million. City Government has constructed the road after cutting the hill to provide a new direct route between Orangi and North Nazimabad Town. Governor of Sindh also laid the foundation stone for two roads on which construction work has already been started. He also inspected the development works of Shahra-e-Qaddafi, Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone and Banaras Chowk Flyover during this visit.

Talking to media representatives, Governor Sindh further said that a total 4 thousand persons were allotted with plots in Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone through balloting in 1994 but they were not given possession of their plots due to unavailability of basic infrastructure including water and sewerage facility. City Government has besides carrying out other mega development works in the city also paid full attention on this cottage industrial zone and already 55 percent of infrastructure work has been completed while 3500 plot owners have also started building their factories in this zone.

Governor of Sindh said that cottage industry contributes 35 percent in the growth of any economy, however it was unfortunate that we did not encourage this industry and now I am sure that this industrial zone would begin production within a year.

He said that the owners of plots in this industrial zone are mostly belongs to lower and middle class who can’t afford to invest in big industries but can play vital role in the improvisation of national economy with their talent and products.

Replying a question Governor of Sindh said that with the rapid development process that happened in Karachi during last four years, everyone in Pakistan has this feelings that this process should continue and speed up further.

He said that considering this fact, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has given clear instructions that better strategy should be employed to carry on this development so that it could fulfill the basic aim of this process.

He said that the country was at large facing the menace of terrorism but the law and order situation in Sindh has been much better and the credit for this should go to Chief Minister Sindh and low enforcement agencies.

Replying another query Governor of Sindh said that the poor financial condition of country has also affected the city government in Karachi but City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal deserves all the praise for he did not let the development process to halt due to financial constraints.

He said that the federal and provincial governments have also supported the development process in Karachi.

Governor of Sindh said that it is the quality of a good manger to manage everything in all circumstances and Mustafa Kamal has this ability.

Earlier Governor of Sindh inaugurated the road which has been constructed by city government with an estimated cost of Rs280million. This one and half kilometer long road provides convenience to residents of Orangi and Baldia Town which has been constructed after cutting the hill. Governor Sind and City Nazim also laid the foundation stone of the road from Qalandria Chowk to Sakhi Hasan in North Nazimabad Town and from Qalandria Chowk kto Abdullah College with an estimated cost of Rs130million and Rs310million respectively.

Intelligence agencies moved over GHQ onslaught

Following the deadly attack on the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, the intelligence agencies across Sindh province including provincial capital Karachi have become active meanwhile, the suspected activists of banned religious outfits have been enlisted with a view to carry out crack down on them, local news channel reported.

According to police sources, the decision came following the militants’ onslaught on GHQ in Rawalpindi on Saturday while the security in Karachi including across Sindh province has been put on high alert.

Intelligence and security agencies have been dictated to carry out search operations in parts of Karachi including Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Model Colloney, Shah Faisal Conloney, Sherpao Coloney, Future Coloney, Millat Coloney, Manghopir and Orangi Town areas, sources added.

PEOPLE WILL HEAR GOOD NEWS ABOUT LG SYSTEM. DR ISHRAT UL EBAD KHAN

Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has said that citizens of Karachi will soon hear good news about the local government system. Any Decision in this regard will be taken according to people’s aspirations. Citizens want continuation of development process in Karachi. President and Prime Minister of Pakistan and leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party taking interest in the ongoing development process in Karachi and I hope that whatever decision would be taken, it would be in accordance with the aspirations and expectations of public.

He expressed these views while talking to media representatives after lying foundation stone of the 4 flyovers of signal free corridor-IV at Sharae Faisal on the night intervening Saturday and Sunday.

DCO Karachi Javed Hanif Khan, EDO Municipal Services Masood Alam, EDO Works and Services Rasheed Mughal and other officers of city government were also present on this occasion.
City District Government Karachi has started development works of four flyovers at Sharae Faisal with a total cost of Rs. One billion. Completion of all these projects will make Sharae Faisal signal free. The flyovers will be built near Hotel Mehran, Hotel Regeant Plaza, at Chinesar Halt and a 4 lane flyover at Shaheed-e-Millat Road near Baloch Colony.

Governor of Sindh on this occasion called all the development works exemplary which have been completed in Karachi during last four years and said that the people want to see these works going on. Therefore the government would take any decision with full coordination.
He said that the signal free corridor IV will be another gift to people of Pakistan because the corridor is used by all Pakistanis. Four flyovers at this corridor will be completed within four months.
He also thanked Chief Minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah for sanctioning projects like Circular Railway, Mass Transit and S-III for Karachi despite of immense financial constraints.

Governor of Sindh said that all these projects are figured in our preferences and we will complete them in whatever circumstances we would have.

He said that the construction of flyover near Hotel Regeant Plaza would provide convenience to people and ambulance services carrying patients to Jinnah Hospital and KICVD in critical conditions.

He expressed hope that the Shahrae Faisal would become signal free in next four months.
He said that the government has also addressed the problems due to illegal encroachments in the city and police has been directed to provide full cooperation to city government in dealing with this problem.
Governor said that the traffic police will now monitor the city from command and control center of city government so that smooth flow of traffic could be ensured on all important roads and corridors of the city.

KBCA razes illegal constructions

On directives of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) Chief Controller Manzoor Qadir, demolition squads razed illegally constructed buildings located in Shah Faisal and Liaqatabad towns.
According to details, a demolition squad razed a building in Shah Faisal Town Plot no ST-9, F-18 in Block-4, which was declared perilous due to a fire incident and it was declared not fit for living purpose by KBCA. Another demolition team razed various illegally constructed walls, roofs and extended boundaries at various plots in Nazimabad area.
An illegally erected roof was razed atf plot 3/9, 1-D, illegal constructions at 2/13, 4-B, while, third floors added at plot 11/12 3-F and 5/25, 5-C were demolished by the team. The operations were carried out under the supervision of deputy controllers, assistant controllers and demolition officers of concerned areas.

Saudi released families arrive in city

The family released from Saudi Arabia has arrived here Karachi on a special plane late last night. They landed here at Faisal Airbase through a special plane where they were acclaimed by Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr. Farooq Sattar. The relatives of the families were also present on the occasion. Moving scenes witnessed at the time of their arrival at the air port. The relatives were happy and thanked Almighty Allah for their safe return.
The area residents welcomed both the families when they reached their homes in Korangi and Azizabad areas. They were welcomed with shower of flower and were garlanded.

KARACHI NAZIM INSPECTS WATER BOARD INSTALLATIONS

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed Karachi Water & Sewerage Board Officials to submit the detailed feasibility report on bringing remaining 100mgd water of the approved quota from Indus River to city within a week so that work on this project could begin immediately.

Nazim Karachi on Saturday inspected various installations of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board during a long visit to Chilya Bund, Kenjhar Lake, Gharo and Dhabeji. Additional Vice Chairman of KWSB Muhammad Moin Khan, Imamuddin Shahzad, M.D KWSB Qutub-uddin Shaikh and other officers also accompanied him on this visit.

City Nazim on this occasion said that Karachi Water and Sewerage Board is the only organization in Karachi that fulfills water requirements of more than 18 million people. Therefore, it should make planning for future besides the recovery of dues from consumers so that the citizens should not have to suffer due to water or sewerage related problems.

He also directed to plan for the provision of water to various schemes of Malir and Lyari Development Authority through pipe lines.

Nazim Karachi said that Water Board should ensure supply of water to each and every area of the city.

He expressed hope that the additional 100mgd water would provide great help in the supply of water to those areas of the city which are currently facing shortage of water.

Nazim Karachi also instructed water board officials to arrange for the repair and maintenance of machinery at pumping stations which would increase the supply of water besides saving fuel.

Istanbul Local Government assures all possible help in Karachi Projects

Governor of Istanbul Muammar Gualer has appreciated the excellent leadership abilities of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal. During a meeting at Governor House in Istanbul he said that he felt much pleasure on meeting with Nazim Karachi. He said that Syed Mustafa Kamal is doing such a wonderful work in Karachi and how he has transformed the city and made it an international phenomenon in a very short time. He said that Nazim Karachi is a young dynamic muslim leader.

Meanwhile the local government of Istanbul has assured all possible help and cooperation in the early completion of Karachi mega projects including Mass Transit System, Solid Waste Management and Sewerage Treatment Plant. Istanbul Local Government Administration has also approved the partnership with City District Government Karachi in these projects.

A representative delegation comprising municipal experts from Istanbul Local Government and City District Government Karachi will soon visit both cities to finalize the working relationship in various projects of Karachi.

The decision in this regard was made during two day visit of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on the invitation of Mayor of Istanbul Mr. Kadir Topbas.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal during this visit also attended an international mayor’s conference “Union of Turkish World Municipalities” in Istanbul where representatives from 18 countries of the world participated. Nazim Karachi was given a very high protocol on this occasion and was very well received everywhere he went.
Speaking at the conference, the Mayor of Istanbul told the audience about the great relationship between Turkey and Pakistan. He also said that Turkey was the first country to be present on ground after the earthquake in Pakistan.

Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal during this visit besides calling on Governor and Mayor of Istanbul also met with the mayors of seven other cities of Turkey and discussed with them various mega projects of Karachi such as Mass Transit System, BRT, Solid Waste Management System and Sewerage Treatment Plant. Governor and Mayor of Istanbul assured all possible help and cooperation in the early completion of mega projects in Karachi under partnership with CDGK.

Ansar Burney Trust in search of the families of 3 Pakistanis having completed their Prison terms in Indian Jails.

The Human Rights Organization Ansar Burney Trust International is in search of the relatives of 3 Pakistani Nationals lodged in Indian Jails even after completing their Jail terms long ago, in one case more than a decade.

According to the Ansar Burney Trust, one Abdul Sharif Sakhi son of Ghulam Ahmed Agha, who had completed his 3 months sentence some 13 years ago, Haroon Rasheed completed his sentence Eight years ago and Abi Saloom @ Abu Salim son of Mukhtiar completed his sentence 2 years ago but still waiting to be released and now the Ansar Burney Trust is in search of their families in Pakistan to get them released and bring them back to Pakistan.

The Chairman of Ansar Burney Trust and former Federal Minister for Human Rights, Ansar Burney, Advocate in the greater interest of human dignity and human rights has appealed to the Media and news papers to help Ansar Burney Trust in locating the relatives of these 3 Pakistani Nationals so that their release and rehabilitation in Pakistan could be metarialised.

Mr.Ansar Burney has requested to the relatives of these unfortunate prisoners of circumstances to immediately contact Ansar Burney Trust at Wassiamal Building, Arambagh Road, Karachi or by phone on: (021) 32623382 - 32623383 or by mobile 0300-8243460.

Meanwhile Mr. Ansar Burney, Advocate has also filed a writ petition in the Indian Punjab High Court challenging the illegal detention of a Pakistani National confined in Indian Jail since last 13 long years on a sentence of three months only that he had already completed almost 13 years before.

On behalf of the Ansar Burney Trust the Indian senior lawyer Ranjan Lakhanpal, filed this writ petition in the Indian High Court seeking release of a Pakistani National Abdul Rauf, detained illegally in an Indian Prison since last 13 years, even after completing his three months sentence 13 years before.

The Ansar Burney Trust in it's writ petition informed the Court that one Pakistani National, Abdul Sharif @ Sakhi son of Gulam Ahmed @ Gulam Aga was arrested on 12.4.1996 and was sentenced three months of rigorous imprisonment but still illegally confined in an Indian prison on a crime that he never committed.

Mr.Ansar Burney said that the three months sentence has now become an illegal sentence of almost 13 years and since then he is in illegal custody, where due to long detention he has lost his mental balance to some extent .

The High Court after hearing Ansar Burney Trust's lawyer expressed its shock that an innocent man is being kept behind bars illegally for thirteen years and Court ordered that the Secretary, External Affairs and Secretary Home Affairs, Govt. of India should file their personal affidavits as to why the man has not been sent back to Pakistan till date.

Mr. Ansar Burney, Advocate in Pakistan requested to the relatives of Abdul Sharif @ Sakhi to immediately contact Ansar Burney Trust at Wasiamal Building, Arambagh Road, Karachi or by phone: (021) 32623382 to establish his Pakistani Nationality.

In an another case the hectic efforts of Ansar Burney Trust has become fruitful when the Indian High Court ordered for the release of another Pakistani National Haroon Rasheed illegally detained in Indian jail for last 8 years.

Mr. Ansar Burney, Advocate after having come to know about the illegal detention of a Pakistani National Haroon Rasheed in an Indian prison for last 8 years, had filed a writ petition through an Indian lawyer Ranjan Lakhanpal.

On the instructions of Mr. Ansar Burney his representative Mr. Ranjan Lakhanpal, Advocate appeared in the Indian Punjab High Court and after argument got orders from the Court that Haroon Rashid who is illegally detained in an Indian prison for last 8 years be released and handed over to Pakistan.

In an another writ petition the Ansar Burney Trust has filed for another Pakistani National Abi Saloom @ Abu Salim son of Mukhtiar who has completed his sentence on 8.9.2007. He is in the prison for last 15 years.

The Ansar Burney Trust filed his case in the High Court of Indian Punjab. He is a resident of some where in the province of Punjab.

The Ansar Burney Trust is now in search of the family members of all the 3 Pakistani Nationals to get them release and to rehabilitate them with their families in Pakistan.

It may be recalled here that only because of the efforts of Ansar Burney, Advocate and Ansar Burney Trust, hundreds of Pakistanis have already been released from Indian Prisons and arrived back home in the last two years time only. Hundreds and Thousands were also released from Middle East and other prisons who arrived back to home and are thankful to Ansar Burney Trust.

Now to establish the Nationality of all the three prisoners in Pakistan, Mr. Ansar Burney Advocate, has requested to the relatives to contact immediately Ansar Burney Trust at Wasiamal Building, Arambagh Road, Karachi or by phone: (021) 32623382-83 or by mobile: 0300 8243460.