Pushing deeper into Pakistan, Taliban militants have established effective control of a strategically important district just 70 miles from the capital, Islamabad, officials and residents said Wednesday.
The fall of the district, Buner, did not mean that the Taliban could imminently threaten Islamabad. But it was another indication of the gathering strength of the insurgency and it raised new alarm about the ability of the government to fend off an unrelenting Taliban advance toward the heart of Pakistan.
Buner, home to about one million people, is a gateway to a major Pakistani city, Mardan, the second largest in North-West Frontier Province, after Peshawar.
“They take over Buner, then they roll into Mardan and that`s the end of the game,” a senior law enforcement official in North-West Frontier Province said. He asked that his name be withheld because was not authorized to speak to the news media.
The Taliban had pushed into the district from the neighboring Swat Valley, where the Pakistani Army agreed to a truce in mid-February and remains in its barracks.
On Wednesday heavily armed Taliban militants were patrolling villages, and the local police had retreated to their station houses in much of Buner, officials and residents said.
The staff members of local nongovernmental organizations have been ordered to leave, and their offices have been looted, they said. Pakistani television news channels showed Taliban fighters triumphantly carrying office equipment out of the offices of the organizations.
“They are everywhere,” one resident of Daggar, Buner`s main city, said by telephone. “There is no resistance.”
The Taliban advance has been building for weeks, with the assistance of sympathizers and even a local government official who was appointed on the recommendation of the Taliban, the senior official said.
It also comes 10 days after the government of President Asif Ali Zardari agreed to the imposition of Islamic law, or Shariah, in Swat, as part of the deal with the Taliban.
A local politician, Jamsher Khan, said that people were initially determined to resist the Taliban in Buner, but that they were discouraged by the deal the government struck with the Taliban in Swat.
“We felt stronger as long we thought the government was with us,” he said by telephone, “but when the government showed weakness, we too stopped offering resistance to the Taliban.”
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she was concerned that Pakistan`s government was making too many concessions to the Taliban, emboldening the militants and allowing them to spread by giving in to their demands.
“I think that the Pakistani government is basically abdicating to the Taliban and to the extremists,” Mrs. Clinton told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill.
She added that the deterioration of security in nuclear-armed Pakistan “poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world.”
A senior American official said Mrs. Clinton`s remarks were prompted in part by news of the Taliban takeover in Buner. The officials said that the further erosion of government authority in an area so close to the capital ought to stir concern not only in Pakistan but also among influential Pakistanis abroad.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for the second time in two weeks, reflecting the sense of alarm in the Obama administration. He was scheduled to meet with Pakistan`s top military and intelligence commanders.
The takeover of Buner (pronounced boo-NAIR) is particularly significant because the people there have tried in the past year to stand up to the Taliban by establishing small private armies to fight the militants. Last year when the militants encroached into Buner, killing policemen, the local people fought back and forced the militants out.
But with a beachhead in neighboring Swat, and a number of training camps for fresh recruits, the Taliban were able to carry out what amounted to an invasion of Buner.
“The training camps will provide waves of men coming into Buner,” the senior law enforcement official said.
The Taliban expansion into Buner has begun to raise alarm among the senior ranks of the Pakistani Army, said a Western official who was familiar with the Pakistani military.
On Wednesday, one of the highest-ranking army officers traveled from Islamabad to Peshawar and met with the officers of the 11th Corps, the army division based in Peshawar, to discuss the “overall situation in Buner,” the official said.
One of the major concerns is that from the hills of Buner the Taliban have access to the flatlands of the district of Swabi, which lead directly to the four-lane motorway that runs from Islamabad to Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier Province.
The Pakistani military does not have a presence in Buner, Pakistani and Western officials said. The main government authority in Buner is the police, who have become demoralized by their low pay and lack of equipment in the face of the Taliban, Pakistani police officials say.
The Taliban have set up checkpoints in a number of villages in Buner, intimidating policemen and forcing them into their police stations, residents in Daggar said by telephone.
The militants were patrolling the bazaar in Daggar, residents said. Women, who used to move freely around the bazaars, were scarcely to be seen, they said. Those who did venture out were totally covered.
One of the big attractions of Buner for people from all over Pakistan, the shrine of the Sufi saint Pir Baba, was now in the control of the militants, the senior law enforcement official said.
Last year, the villagers around the shrine kept the Taliban at bay when the militants threatened to take it over.
But in the last 10 days, the Taliban closed the shrine and said it was strictly off limits to women, the senior official said. The militants are now patrolling it.
The Taliban control in Buner came swiftly in the last few days, officials said.
The militants were helped by the actions of the commissioner of Malakand, Javed Mohammad, who is also the senior official in Swat and who was appointed on the recommendation of the Taliban, the senior law enforcement official said.
The Taliban began their assault on Buner in early April, when a battalion of the Taliban militia with heavy weaponry crossed over the hills from Swat to Buner, according to an account in the newspaper Dawn that appeared on Saturday.
The Taliban then captured three policemen and two civilians, and killed them, the newspaper said.
Infuriated by the killings, people in lower Buner and Sultanwas assembled a volunteer force and killed 17 Taliban fighters, the account said.
But soon after that, Mr. Mohammad tried to persuade the local elders to allow the Taliban to enter Buner, the newspaper said.
Soon afterward, Mr. Mohammad ordered the local armies to dissolve, the senior law enforcement official said. The order led many of those who had been willing to stand up to the Taliban to either flee or give up, the official said. Among those who are reported to have fled is Fateh Khan, a wealthy Buner businessman. Mr. Khan had been one of the main organizers and financiers of the private armies in Buner.
In a show of strength, the militants held a feast in the home of a local Taliban sympathizer two weeks ago, and since then the Taliban have fanned out into the district, the senior official said.(San Francisco sentinel)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
India`s Great Election Circus
The world`s biggest and most unruly democracy observes election .
In what is being touted as the world`s largest democratic voting exercise, India is in the throes of general elections to choose 543 members to its 15th Lok Sabha, or parliamentary lower house. More than 714 million voters – twice the population of the US and 10 times that of France – are exercising exercise their franchise between April 16 and May 13.
The scale of the exercise is mind-boggling. For logistical and security reasons, the voting will be staggered over five stages involving 6.5 million staff where 4,617 candidates, representing 300-odd parties, will seek office. Across 828,804 polling stations, 1.3 million electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be deployed, watched over by 2 million security personnel. The results will be announced on May 16.
However, while the elections will provide considerable political theatre, analysts warn of a fractured mandate from voters disenchanted about a campaign devoid of strong national issues and concerned with a flagging economy. Polls indicate that neither the ruling Congress party, which leads the governing United Progressive Alliance coalition, nor the main opposition party – the right-wing, Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- will win enough seats in the Parliament to form a majority. What looks more feasible is an unwieldy coalition of multifarious regional parties that will be swept into power at the center.
Not that this was entirely unexpected. Both the Congress and the BJP have lost political ground in many states, powerful regional parties have gained prominence and find themselves moving towards the national center stage.
With the demise of single-party governments in India (the last such government at the center was formed by the Congress Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi`s assassinated husband, in 1989), local parties are drawing sustenance from caste and regional issues and will play a vital role in shaping the contours of national coalition governments. According to poll predictions, this time round, regional parties will likely take as many as half of the Lok Sabha`s 543 seats.
Given this political scenario, it is tough to predict who India`s next prime minister will be. The ruling Congress` candidate, Manmohan Singh, 76, has been attacked by the BJP for being a weak leader who takes his orders from Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the UPA coalition. But the economist, the antithesis of a Machiavellian Indian politician, has a few things going for him. He can take credit for holding together a clumsy coalition formed in 2004 when the previous coalition headed by the BJP, the National Democratic Alliance, came undone.
Singh, the architect of India`s economic reforms in the 1990s, has also presided over unprecedented double-digit economic growth. He has also helped to raise India`s international profile by pushing through a controversial civil nuclear treaty with the US. In fact because there`s really no strong anti-incumbency factor at play against Singh, analysts say, and because the BJP is largely issueless, he may well retain power.
At the last election, in 2004, for instance, the Congress took 145 of India`s 543 parliamentary seats, only slightly up from the anemic 114 in 1999.
Under Sonia Gandhi`s 38-year-old son, Rahul Gandhi, who fortuitously lacks his mother`s disadvantage of foreign birth, a serious opposition issue, and shares her powerful dynastic name, the Congress hopes to cash in on India`s young demographic. Two-thirds of India`s 1.2 billion people are below 35 years. If the Congress does retain power in the election, most expect Rahul to take over the prime ministerial reins from Singh within a year or so. The economist is getting on in years and has just recuperated from bypass surgery that incapacitated him for weeks.
Not that age is a deterrent for prime ministerial hopefuls in India. The BJP`s candidate, L.K. Advani, is 82 and despite his age – or perhaps because of it – has been assiduously wooing India`s young by projecting himself as a `young-at-heart` leader. In fact his global online campaign to woo voters is being touted as one of the most ambitious in modern political history.
Uttar Pradesh, India`s largest state and its most politically sensitive, sends 80 members to Parliament. Although once a Congress stronghold, the state is now dominated by two caste-based parties, Bahujan Samaj Party led by another PM-hopeful, Mayawati, and Samajwadi Party, with Mulayam Singh Yadav as its leader.
Mayawati bases her support on Dalits, known in past decades as untouchables, and could become premier if she manages to pull off an alliance with left parties in the amorphous `Third Front`. The Third Front, the only viable alternative to a Congress- or BJP-led coalition, is an alliance of left-leaning and regional parties.
In recent weeks, a Fourth Front has also come into being, comprised of disparate regional parties such as the Samajwadi Party, another caste-based party from Uttar Pradesh, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal from Bihar. While this faction is unlikely to form a government by itself, it has benefited politically with support from Chiranjeevi, a popular Telugu-language movie star, who last year formed his own party Praja Rajam in India`s southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
But regardless of who comes to power at the center, the going will be far from easy. The current election comes in the midst of one of the global economic slump, which has hit India, cutting forecast 2009 gross domestic product growth to 5.1 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. India also faces grave terror threats from across all its borders, especially from Pakistan as demonstrated by the 26/11 Mumbai massacre, a brutal attack on the country`s financial capital that killed 164 people and destroyed property worth millions.
Domestic violence is a nuisance too. The first phase of the current elections was marred by Naxalite violence in four states that killed 18 people, including five polling officials and 10 security personnel. Polling booths were set afire and a gun battle between Naxals and security forces in Chattisgarh left two jawans, or private security guards, dead.
Be that as it may, what augurs well for India is the fact its democracy is still robust, the country enjoys enduring civilian rule and has a free press, a signal that whoever wins it will be a largely free and fair election.
In what is being touted as the world`s largest democratic voting exercise, India is in the throes of general elections to choose 543 members to its 15th Lok Sabha, or parliamentary lower house. More than 714 million voters – twice the population of the US and 10 times that of France – are exercising exercise their franchise between April 16 and May 13.
The scale of the exercise is mind-boggling. For logistical and security reasons, the voting will be staggered over five stages involving 6.5 million staff where 4,617 candidates, representing 300-odd parties, will seek office. Across 828,804 polling stations, 1.3 million electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be deployed, watched over by 2 million security personnel. The results will be announced on May 16.
However, while the elections will provide considerable political theatre, analysts warn of a fractured mandate from voters disenchanted about a campaign devoid of strong national issues and concerned with a flagging economy. Polls indicate that neither the ruling Congress party, which leads the governing United Progressive Alliance coalition, nor the main opposition party – the right-wing, Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- will win enough seats in the Parliament to form a majority. What looks more feasible is an unwieldy coalition of multifarious regional parties that will be swept into power at the center.
Not that this was entirely unexpected. Both the Congress and the BJP have lost political ground in many states, powerful regional parties have gained prominence and find themselves moving towards the national center stage.
With the demise of single-party governments in India (the last such government at the center was formed by the Congress Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi`s assassinated husband, in 1989), local parties are drawing sustenance from caste and regional issues and will play a vital role in shaping the contours of national coalition governments. According to poll predictions, this time round, regional parties will likely take as many as half of the Lok Sabha`s 543 seats.
Given this political scenario, it is tough to predict who India`s next prime minister will be. The ruling Congress` candidate, Manmohan Singh, 76, has been attacked by the BJP for being a weak leader who takes his orders from Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the UPA coalition. But the economist, the antithesis of a Machiavellian Indian politician, has a few things going for him. He can take credit for holding together a clumsy coalition formed in 2004 when the previous coalition headed by the BJP, the National Democratic Alliance, came undone.
Singh, the architect of India`s economic reforms in the 1990s, has also presided over unprecedented double-digit economic growth. He has also helped to raise India`s international profile by pushing through a controversial civil nuclear treaty with the US. In fact because there`s really no strong anti-incumbency factor at play against Singh, analysts say, and because the BJP is largely issueless, he may well retain power.
At the last election, in 2004, for instance, the Congress took 145 of India`s 543 parliamentary seats, only slightly up from the anemic 114 in 1999.
Under Sonia Gandhi`s 38-year-old son, Rahul Gandhi, who fortuitously lacks his mother`s disadvantage of foreign birth, a serious opposition issue, and shares her powerful dynastic name, the Congress hopes to cash in on India`s young demographic. Two-thirds of India`s 1.2 billion people are below 35 years. If the Congress does retain power in the election, most expect Rahul to take over the prime ministerial reins from Singh within a year or so. The economist is getting on in years and has just recuperated from bypass surgery that incapacitated him for weeks.
Not that age is a deterrent for prime ministerial hopefuls in India. The BJP`s candidate, L.K. Advani, is 82 and despite his age – or perhaps because of it – has been assiduously wooing India`s young by projecting himself as a `young-at-heart` leader. In fact his global online campaign to woo voters is being touted as one of the most ambitious in modern political history.
Uttar Pradesh, India`s largest state and its most politically sensitive, sends 80 members to Parliament. Although once a Congress stronghold, the state is now dominated by two caste-based parties, Bahujan Samaj Party led by another PM-hopeful, Mayawati, and Samajwadi Party, with Mulayam Singh Yadav as its leader.
Mayawati bases her support on Dalits, known in past decades as untouchables, and could become premier if she manages to pull off an alliance with left parties in the amorphous `Third Front`. The Third Front, the only viable alternative to a Congress- or BJP-led coalition, is an alliance of left-leaning and regional parties.
In recent weeks, a Fourth Front has also come into being, comprised of disparate regional parties such as the Samajwadi Party, another caste-based party from Uttar Pradesh, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal from Bihar. While this faction is unlikely to form a government by itself, it has benefited politically with support from Chiranjeevi, a popular Telugu-language movie star, who last year formed his own party Praja Rajam in India`s southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
But regardless of who comes to power at the center, the going will be far from easy. The current election comes in the midst of one of the global economic slump, which has hit India, cutting forecast 2009 gross domestic product growth to 5.1 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. India also faces grave terror threats from across all its borders, especially from Pakistan as demonstrated by the 26/11 Mumbai massacre, a brutal attack on the country`s financial capital that killed 164 people and destroyed property worth millions.
Domestic violence is a nuisance too. The first phase of the current elections was marred by Naxalite violence in four states that killed 18 people, including five polling officials and 10 security personnel. Polling booths were set afire and a gun battle between Naxals and security forces in Chattisgarh left two jawans, or private security guards, dead.
Be that as it may, what augurs well for India is the fact its democracy is still robust, the country enjoys enduring civilian rule and has a free press, a signal that whoever wins it will be a largely free and fair election.
Over 60,000 Kashmiris are victims of torture: Navlakha
Track News Service: In administered Kashmir , a noted Indian human rights activist, Gautam Navlakha has said that every Kashmiri is a victim of one or the other form of torture and more than 60,000 Kashmiris have experienced third degree torture at the hands of Indian armed forces in the past 20 years.
Gautam Navlakha while speaking at a seminar “Campaign against Torture”, organized by Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Rights` Movement in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) in Baramulla, said that phenomenon of torture, which had been used from time to time as weapon by Indian troops in the Valley, would stop only when draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act was revoked.
Navlakha said that torture was considered a potent weapon in the sub-conventional warfare and India had been using it in Kashmir to curb the movement of right to self-determination. He said that it is very difficult to get justice for torture in India because there is no law in Indian constitution, which can deliver justice to the victims of torture. “Due to this reason in most circumstances it is futile to approach law,” he added.
The rights activist said that in the light of United Nations` definition of torture, every single person of Kashmir had been a victim of torture “as they had been living in the presence of 7,00,000 hostile Indian troops.” “Physical torture has evidence like injury marks etc but a victim of mental torture, which every Kashmiri certainly is, has no evidence to plead his case,” he added. Navlakha maintained that unless Kashmiris were freed from the clutches of Indian forces and given a chance to decide their future these things would continue to happen.
Another human rights activist, Parvez Imroz said that India had been using torture as a weapon of war to terrorize people and to curb the political movement of right to self-determination. “There are about four lakh people who have been tortured from a moderate to severe degree. 99 percent of all those who are arrested are subjected to torture,” he said.
Other speakers on the occasion emphasized the need to encourage the survivors of torture so that they would not feel isolated in the society. They also expressed their concern over the silence of the international organizations working on the issue of torture in different countries.
Gautam Navlakha while speaking at a seminar “Campaign against Torture”, organized by Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Rights` Movement in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) in Baramulla, said that phenomenon of torture, which had been used from time to time as weapon by Indian troops in the Valley, would stop only when draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act was revoked.
Navlakha said that torture was considered a potent weapon in the sub-conventional warfare and India had been using it in Kashmir to curb the movement of right to self-determination. He said that it is very difficult to get justice for torture in India because there is no law in Indian constitution, which can deliver justice to the victims of torture. “Due to this reason in most circumstances it is futile to approach law,” he added.
The rights activist said that in the light of United Nations` definition of torture, every single person of Kashmir had been a victim of torture “as they had been living in the presence of 7,00,000 hostile Indian troops.” “Physical torture has evidence like injury marks etc but a victim of mental torture, which every Kashmiri certainly is, has no evidence to plead his case,” he added. Navlakha maintained that unless Kashmiris were freed from the clutches of Indian forces and given a chance to decide their future these things would continue to happen.
Another human rights activist, Parvez Imroz said that India had been using torture as a weapon of war to terrorize people and to curb the political movement of right to self-determination. “There are about four lakh people who have been tortured from a moderate to severe degree. 99 percent of all those who are arrested are subjected to torture,” he said.
Other speakers on the occasion emphasized the need to encourage the survivors of torture so that they would not feel isolated in the society. They also expressed their concern over the silence of the international organizations working on the issue of torture in different countries.
Fate of Rahul, Pawar, Fernandes to be decided today
Track News Service: Over 19 crore people, more than the population of neighbouring Pakistan, are eligible to vote on Thursday to elect 140 MPs to the Lok Sabha from among big contenders including Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and George Fernandes.The second phase of the 5-round elections covers 13 States and Union Territories, but polling was already completed on Wednesday in one seat in Manipur. Also, the elections to the Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa will be completed on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi is seeking re-election from the Gandhi family pocket-borough of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Pawar from the newly created seat of Madha in Maharashtra and Mr. Fernandes from Muzaffarpur.Other prominent candidates include the BJP’s Sushma Swaraj from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and Ramvilas Paswan from Hajipur in Bihar. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath is contesting from the Chhindwara constituency in Madhya Pradesh, while other noteworthy names include Akhilesh Prasad Singh (Purvi Champaran, Bihar), Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (Vaishali, Bihar) and Raghunath Jha (Valmikinagar, Bihar).Like in the first phase, campaigning was peaceful but was aimed at verbally bruising the opponent and sometimes one’s own allies. RJD president and UPA ally Lalu Prasad accused the Congress of also being responsible for the 1992 demolition of the 16th century Babri Masjid in Uttar Pradesh, an incident that had triggered a series of clashes between Hindus and Muslims.The demolition of the mosque by Hindu fanatics occurred in the then BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, but the Congress was in power at the Centre. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hit back, saying the only mistake of Congress was that it had taken the BJP government’s assurance of protecting the Mughal-era monument on face value.Continuing to target BJP’s Prime Minister-hopeful L.K. Advani, the Congress, in the midst of campaigning ahead of the round-two polling, called him a “dishonest-PM-in-waiting” saying he was “deliberately taking liberties with the truth” (with respect to the Kandahar hijack episode).A total of 2,041 candidates, including 121 women, are in the fray in this round. The States to be covered are Andhra Pradesh (20 Lok Sabha seats), Assam (11), Bihar (13), Goa (2), Jammu and Kashmir (1), Karnataka (17), Madhya Pradesh (13), Maharashtra (25), Orissa (11), Tripura (2), Uttar Pradesh (17) and Jharkhand (8).
Clinton concern for Pakistan fate
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has accused Pakistan of abdicating to the Taleban by allowing them to control parts of the country.
Mrs Clinton said the situation in Pakistan posed a "mortal threat" to the security of the US and the world.
She said extremists were being allowed to control territory such as the Swat Valley, in north-western Pakistan.
She also called Pakistan's judicial system corrupt, adding that it has only limited power in the countryside.
Earlier this month, Pakistani President Ali Zardari signed a law implementing Islamic law - or Sharia - in the Swat Valley region as part of a deal to end a two-year Taleban insurgency there.
Once one of Pakistan's most popular holiday destinations, the Swat Valley is now mostly under Taleban control.
Thousands of people have fled and hundreds of schools have been destroyed as a result of a Taleban-led insurgency.
The Swat Valley is only about 100km (62 miles) from Islamabad, and reports suggest the Taleban are trying to expand the area under their control.
'Existential threat'
Giving evidence in Washington to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mrs Clinton said the situation in Pakistan "poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world".
"I think the Pakistani government is basically abdicating to the Taleban and the extremists," she said.
She called on the Pakistani people to speak out "forcefully" against their government's policy, in what the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington called an unusual move.
The government's policy was conceding "more and more territory to the insurgents , to the Taleban, to al-Qaeda, to the allies that are in this terrorist syndicate", Mrs Clinton said.
US President Barack Obama has put new emphasis on trying to resolve the security problems in Pakistan, our correspondent says, offering billions of dollars in aid but demanding greater co-operation from the government.
Using stark language, Mrs Clinton said the situation in Pakistan needed urgent attention.
"I think that we can not underscore the seriousness of the existential threat posed to the state of Pakistan," she said, describing the rebels as a "loosely-confederated group of terrorists and others seeking to overthrow the Pakistani state".
The presidents of both Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan - where international forces are battling the Taleban - are due to come to Washington for talks next month.
During her hearing Mrs Clinton also answered questions on Cuba and Iran, warning that Tehran faces "very tough sanctions" if it rejects offers of engagement over its nuclear programme.
The US was "laying the groundwork" for such measures if Iran refused dialogue or the process failed, said Mrs Clinton. (BBC)
Mrs Clinton said the situation in Pakistan posed a "mortal threat" to the security of the US and the world.
She said extremists were being allowed to control territory such as the Swat Valley, in north-western Pakistan.
She also called Pakistan's judicial system corrupt, adding that it has only limited power in the countryside.
Earlier this month, Pakistani President Ali Zardari signed a law implementing Islamic law - or Sharia - in the Swat Valley region as part of a deal to end a two-year Taleban insurgency there.
Once one of Pakistan's most popular holiday destinations, the Swat Valley is now mostly under Taleban control.
Thousands of people have fled and hundreds of schools have been destroyed as a result of a Taleban-led insurgency.
The Swat Valley is only about 100km (62 miles) from Islamabad, and reports suggest the Taleban are trying to expand the area under their control.
'Existential threat'
Giving evidence in Washington to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mrs Clinton said the situation in Pakistan "poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world".
"I think the Pakistani government is basically abdicating to the Taleban and the extremists," she said.
She called on the Pakistani people to speak out "forcefully" against their government's policy, in what the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington called an unusual move.
The government's policy was conceding "more and more territory to the insurgents , to the Taleban, to al-Qaeda, to the allies that are in this terrorist syndicate", Mrs Clinton said.
US President Barack Obama has put new emphasis on trying to resolve the security problems in Pakistan, our correspondent says, offering billions of dollars in aid but demanding greater co-operation from the government.
Using stark language, Mrs Clinton said the situation in Pakistan needed urgent attention.
"I think that we can not underscore the seriousness of the existential threat posed to the state of Pakistan," she said, describing the rebels as a "loosely-confederated group of terrorists and others seeking to overthrow the Pakistani state".
The presidents of both Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan - where international forces are battling the Taleban - are due to come to Washington for talks next month.
During her hearing Mrs Clinton also answered questions on Cuba and Iran, warning that Tehran faces "very tough sanctions" if it rejects offers of engagement over its nuclear programme.
The US was "laying the groundwork" for such measures if Iran refused dialogue or the process failed, said Mrs Clinton. (BBC)
Obama to see Afghan, Pakistan leaders in May-official
President Barack Obama will hold White House talks early next month with the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan, a U.S. official said on Wednesday amid escalating violence in the region.Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will meet separately with Obama and all three leaders will then sit down together in Washington on May 6 and 7, the official said.Obama last month unveiled a new war strategy for Afghanistan with the aim of crushing al Qaeda and Taliban militants there and also operating from across the border in Pakistan.(Reuters)
US not favor Kashmir solution: Turabi
Amir Jamaat-e-Islami AJK Abdul Rashid Turabi said here on Wednesday that the US, India and Israel wanted a permanent push-back from Kashmir issue.
Addressing a gathering, he said that no solution except the right of self-determination would be acceptable to Kashmiris.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) should respect the pronouncement of its Quaid Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to fight war for Kashmir and its policy for hundred years, he said.
He regretted that People elected through fake voting could not be the real representatives of the Kashmiris so they could not perform their due role for the resolution of Kashmir issue and the whole political system took hostage due to fake polling held in Pakistan
He said that the AJK was the base camp of Kashmiris and our educated young generation was wasting their talent and doing odd jobs in Pakistan due to the inability of the rulers.
He urged UNO and the other international institutions to perform their due role for the resolution of Kashmir issue for permanent peace in the region.
Peace is impossible in the region without the permanent resolution of Kashmir issue, he added.
(SANA)
Addressing a gathering, he said that no solution except the right of self-determination would be acceptable to Kashmiris.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) should respect the pronouncement of its Quaid Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to fight war for Kashmir and its policy for hundred years, he said.
He regretted that People elected through fake voting could not be the real representatives of the Kashmiris so they could not perform their due role for the resolution of Kashmir issue and the whole political system took hostage due to fake polling held in Pakistan
He said that the AJK was the base camp of Kashmiris and our educated young generation was wasting their talent and doing odd jobs in Pakistan due to the inability of the rulers.
He urged UNO and the other international institutions to perform their due role for the resolution of Kashmir issue for permanent peace in the region.
Peace is impossible in the region without the permanent resolution of Kashmir issue, he added.
(SANA)
IMF: global economic turnaround will be gradual
The world economy is projected to decline by 1.3 percent this year and will recover only gradually in 2010, according to a new report Wednesday from the International Monetary Fund.
"Achieving this turnaround will depend on stepping up efforts to heal the financial sector, while continuing to support demand with monetary and fiscal easing," the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook report.
The IMF said what it calls the deepest global downturn since the Great Depression was caused "by a massive financial crisis and acute loss of confidence."
"All corners of the globe are being affected," the IMF said.
According to the report, the world economy was expected to improve only gradually in 2010, growing by 1.9 percent.
The world's developed economies experienced an unprecedented 7.5-percent decline in real GDP during the fourth quarter of 2008,and output was estimated to have continued to fall almost as fast during the first quarter of 2009, the IMF report said.
The U.S. economy may have suffered most from intensified financial strains and a continued fall in the housing sector. But western Europe and Asia have been hit hard by a collapse in global trade. Countries in those regions also have rising financial problems of their own and housing corrections in some national markets.
Emerging economies, meanwhile, are suffering badly and contracted 4 percent in the fourth quarter.
The United States economy was expected to contract 2.8 percent this year, the IMF said.
Meanwhile, the euro zone economy was expected to shrink 4.2 percent this year and fall an additional 0.4 percent in 2010, the IMF said.
In Japan, the IMF expects 2009 output to fall 6.2 percent, far worse than its January forecast for a 2.6-percent decline.
China was expected to slow to about 6.5 percent growth this year, half the 13 percent growth rate recorded pre-crisis in 2007 but still a strong performance given the global context, the IMF said.
The IMF warned the financial crisis remains acute. "The financial market stabilization will take longer than previously envisaged, even with strong efforts by policymakers," it said.
Meanwhile, emerging and developing economies are expected to face greatly curtailed access to external financing in both years.
In a semi-annual report Global Financial Stability Report, which was released Monday, the IMF said write-downs on U.S.-originated assets to be suffered by all holders will be 2.7 trillion dollars, "largely as a result of the worsening base-case scenario for economic growth."
Total expected write-downs on global exposures are estimated at about 4 trillion dollars, of which two-thirds will fall on banks and the remainder on insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, and other intermediaries.
The crisis has hurt international trade, with volume expected to plunge 11 percent this year before eking out 0.6 percent growth in 2010.
Consumer prices in developed countries were under pressure and were expected to fall 0.2 percent in 2009.
The IMF also called for its members to take new bold policy stimulus to jump-start their economies.
"This difficult and uncertain outlook argues for forceful action on both the financial and macroeconomic policy fronts," said the IMF.
The 185-member organization also warned against rising protectionism.(XINHUA)
"Achieving this turnaround will depend on stepping up efforts to heal the financial sector, while continuing to support demand with monetary and fiscal easing," the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook report.
The IMF said what it calls the deepest global downturn since the Great Depression was caused "by a massive financial crisis and acute loss of confidence."
"All corners of the globe are being affected," the IMF said.
According to the report, the world economy was expected to improve only gradually in 2010, growing by 1.9 percent.
The world's developed economies experienced an unprecedented 7.5-percent decline in real GDP during the fourth quarter of 2008,and output was estimated to have continued to fall almost as fast during the first quarter of 2009, the IMF report said.
The U.S. economy may have suffered most from intensified financial strains and a continued fall in the housing sector. But western Europe and Asia have been hit hard by a collapse in global trade. Countries in those regions also have rising financial problems of their own and housing corrections in some national markets.
Emerging economies, meanwhile, are suffering badly and contracted 4 percent in the fourth quarter.
The United States economy was expected to contract 2.8 percent this year, the IMF said.
Meanwhile, the euro zone economy was expected to shrink 4.2 percent this year and fall an additional 0.4 percent in 2010, the IMF said.
In Japan, the IMF expects 2009 output to fall 6.2 percent, far worse than its January forecast for a 2.6-percent decline.
China was expected to slow to about 6.5 percent growth this year, half the 13 percent growth rate recorded pre-crisis in 2007 but still a strong performance given the global context, the IMF said.
The IMF warned the financial crisis remains acute. "The financial market stabilization will take longer than previously envisaged, even with strong efforts by policymakers," it said.
Meanwhile, emerging and developing economies are expected to face greatly curtailed access to external financing in both years.
In a semi-annual report Global Financial Stability Report, which was released Monday, the IMF said write-downs on U.S.-originated assets to be suffered by all holders will be 2.7 trillion dollars, "largely as a result of the worsening base-case scenario for economic growth."
Total expected write-downs on global exposures are estimated at about 4 trillion dollars, of which two-thirds will fall on banks and the remainder on insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, and other intermediaries.
The crisis has hurt international trade, with volume expected to plunge 11 percent this year before eking out 0.6 percent growth in 2010.
Consumer prices in developed countries were under pressure and were expected to fall 0.2 percent in 2009.
The IMF also called for its members to take new bold policy stimulus to jump-start their economies.
"This difficult and uncertain outlook argues for forceful action on both the financial and macroeconomic policy fronts," said the IMF.
The 185-member organization also warned against rising protectionism.(XINHUA)
U.S. mortgage giant company's senior official found dead: police
A senior official of the U.S. mortgage giant company was found dead as a result of an apparent suicide incident, said police on Wednesday. According to police, David Kellermann, the Freddie Mac's acting chief financial officer and senior vice president, was found hanging himself at the basement of his house in Vienna, Virginia, early in the morning.
Police said that they arrived at the scene after receiving an alert from Kellermann's wife, Donna, but did not provide more details.
The incident was considered as another blow to the company that owns or guarantees about 13 million mortgages but lost more than 50 billion U.S. dollars last year.
The 41-year-old man was appointed to the post in September last year after the Treasury Department took over the company and its sibling Frannie Mae, both of which were criticized for financing risky loans that led to lots of foreclosure.
Quoted by U.S. local media, neighbors said that Kellermann, who worked for Freddie Mac for the past 16 years, lost an amount of weight after he took the new job.
Despite persuasion by neighbors that he should quit his job to release the pressure, Kellermann insisted that he would stay and help the company through its problems.
After Kellermann's death, John Koskinen, the company's interim chief executive, said in a statement that Kellermann is "a man of great talents," and "his extraordinary work ethic and integrity inspired all who worked with him."
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a statement "our deepest sympathies are with his family and his colleagues at Freddie Mac during this difficult time."
According to a report from the New York Times, Kellermann had received a bonus of about 800,000 dollars since the government take-over, which, as a part of totaled 210 million dollars for executives at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, has prompted scrutiny from lawmakers who have questioned bonuses for executives of firms receiving government bailouts.
Police said that they arrived at the scene after receiving an alert from Kellermann's wife, Donna, but did not provide more details.
The incident was considered as another blow to the company that owns or guarantees about 13 million mortgages but lost more than 50 billion U.S. dollars last year.
The 41-year-old man was appointed to the post in September last year after the Treasury Department took over the company and its sibling Frannie Mae, both of which were criticized for financing risky loans that led to lots of foreclosure.
Quoted by U.S. local media, neighbors said that Kellermann, who worked for Freddie Mac for the past 16 years, lost an amount of weight after he took the new job.
Despite persuasion by neighbors that he should quit his job to release the pressure, Kellermann insisted that he would stay and help the company through its problems.
After Kellermann's death, John Koskinen, the company's interim chief executive, said in a statement that Kellermann is "a man of great talents," and "his extraordinary work ethic and integrity inspired all who worked with him."
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a statement "our deepest sympathies are with his family and his colleagues at Freddie Mac during this difficult time."
According to a report from the New York Times, Kellermann had received a bonus of about 800,000 dollars since the government take-over, which, as a part of totaled 210 million dollars for executives at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, has prompted scrutiny from lawmakers who have questioned bonuses for executives of firms receiving government bailouts.
U.S. rates on 30-year mortgages drop to new record low
Average rates on 30-year mortgages across the United States dropped this week to the lowest level on record for the second straight week, Freddie Mac reported on Thursday in its nationwide weekly survey.
In the week ending April 2, rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.78 percent, down from 4.85 percent last week, according to the mortgage giant. The 4.85-percent rate had been the lowest in the history of Freddie Mac's survey, which dates back to 1971. The rates now are down by more than a full percentage point from a year ago.
Mortgage rates in the country fell dramatically over the winter and have fallen further after the Federal Reserve launched a new effort to assist the staggering housing market.
The Federal Reserve announced last month that it would buy 1.2 trillion dollars in mortgage-backed securities and 300 billion dollars in long-term government debt, which traditionally influences rates on 30-year home loans.
Other types of mortgage rates also declined this week.
The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, a popular choice for refinancing, dropped to 4.52 percent this week from 4.58 percent last week.
Rates on five-year adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) fell to 4.92 percent from 4.96 percent. One-year ARMs, meanwhile, were down from 4.85 percent to 4.75 percent.
Low mortgage rates have sparked a surge in refinancing activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association on Wednesday. (Xinhua)
In the week ending April 2, rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.78 percent, down from 4.85 percent last week, according to the mortgage giant. The 4.85-percent rate had been the lowest in the history of Freddie Mac's survey, which dates back to 1971. The rates now are down by more than a full percentage point from a year ago.
Mortgage rates in the country fell dramatically over the winter and have fallen further after the Federal Reserve launched a new effort to assist the staggering housing market.
The Federal Reserve announced last month that it would buy 1.2 trillion dollars in mortgage-backed securities and 300 billion dollars in long-term government debt, which traditionally influences rates on 30-year home loans.
Other types of mortgage rates also declined this week.
The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, a popular choice for refinancing, dropped to 4.52 percent this week from 4.58 percent last week.
Rates on five-year adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) fell to 4.92 percent from 4.96 percent. One-year ARMs, meanwhile, were down from 4.85 percent to 4.75 percent.
Low mortgage rates have sparked a surge in refinancing activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association on Wednesday. (Xinhua)
Survey Places Bhim Singh on Top in Kashmir Lok Sabha Election
Professor Bhim Singh, Chairman of JKNPP accompanied by Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA and State President and several other leaders today visited the Udhampur bazaar, talking to voters.
A survey conducted by prominent journalist, Mr. P.K. Ganjoo revealed that Professor Bhim Singh, the Panthers Party candidate, maintains a lead over his nearest rival, BJP, in all six Districts of Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency namely, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua.
The study team of journalists said Congress candidate, Mr. Lal Singh, a sitting M.P. was in third place.
There appears to be a universal feeling among the voters to send Professor Bhim Singh to the Parliament, in light of his 50 year struggle, jail and suffering at the hands of successive governments.
Prof. Bhim Singh is a highly qualified and experienced Parliamentarian who received his Masters Degree in Law from London University. He is also a human rights advocate, a journalist and profile author of several books on Jammu and Kashmir, Iraq, Palestine, Yugoslavia.
Professor Bhim Singh is a product of various student movements, which earned him stays in jail 54 times, adding up to a total of more than eight years.
document.write('Comment on this story, by email comment@newsblaze.comClick here to get NewsBlaze News in your email');
A survey conducted by prominent journalist, Mr. P.K. Ganjoo revealed that Professor Bhim Singh, the Panthers Party candidate, maintains a lead over his nearest rival, BJP, in all six Districts of Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency namely, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua.
The study team of journalists said Congress candidate, Mr. Lal Singh, a sitting M.P. was in third place.
There appears to be a universal feeling among the voters to send Professor Bhim Singh to the Parliament, in light of his 50 year struggle, jail and suffering at the hands of successive governments.
Prof. Bhim Singh is a highly qualified and experienced Parliamentarian who received his Masters Degree in Law from London University. He is also a human rights advocate, a journalist and profile author of several books on Jammu and Kashmir, Iraq, Palestine, Yugoslavia.
Professor Bhim Singh is a product of various student movements, which earned him stays in jail 54 times, adding up to a total of more than eight years.
document.write('Comment on this story, by email comment@newsblaze.comClick here to get NewsBlaze News in your email');
Survey Places Bhim Singh on Top in Kashmir Lok Sabha Election
Professor Bhim Singh, Chairman of JKNPP accompanied by Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA and State President and several other leaders today visited the Udhampur bazaar, talking to voters.
A survey conducted by prominent journalist, Mr. P.K. Ganjoo revealed that Professor Bhim Singh, the Panthers Party candidate, maintains a lead over his nearest rival, BJP, in all six Districts of Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency namely, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua.
The study team of journalists said Congress candidate, Mr. Lal Singh, a sitting M.P. was in third place.
There appears to be a universal feeling among the voters to send Professor Bhim Singh to the Parliament, in light of his 50 year struggle, jail and suffering at the hands of successive governments.
Prof. Bhim Singh is a highly qualified and experienced Parliamentarian who received his Masters Degree in Law from London University. He is also a human rights advocate, a journalist and profile author of several books on Jammu and Kashmir, Iraq, Palestine, Yugoslavia.
Professor Bhim Singh is a product of various student movements, which earned him stays in jail 54 times, adding up to a total of more than eight years.
document.write('Comment on this story, by email comment@newsblaze.comClick here to get NewsBlaze News in your email');
A survey conducted by prominent journalist, Mr. P.K. Ganjoo revealed that Professor Bhim Singh, the Panthers Party candidate, maintains a lead over his nearest rival, BJP, in all six Districts of Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency namely, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua.
The study team of journalists said Congress candidate, Mr. Lal Singh, a sitting M.P. was in third place.
There appears to be a universal feeling among the voters to send Professor Bhim Singh to the Parliament, in light of his 50 year struggle, jail and suffering at the hands of successive governments.
Prof. Bhim Singh is a highly qualified and experienced Parliamentarian who received his Masters Degree in Law from London University. He is also a human rights advocate, a journalist and profile author of several books on Jammu and Kashmir, Iraq, Palestine, Yugoslavia.
Professor Bhim Singh is a product of various student movements, which earned him stays in jail 54 times, adding up to a total of more than eight years.
document.write('Comment on this story, by email comment@newsblaze.comClick here to get NewsBlaze News in your email');
Modi asks Sonia Gandhi to reply to his questions
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendera Modi on Wednesday asked Congress president Sonia Gandhi to come prepared with the questions raised by him when she visits the state on April 24. Addressing an election rally here Modi posed questions for Gandhi and said people of Gujarat want an answer. "Why have 1.5 crore youths lost their job under UPA rule? Who is involved in Satyam fraud case? And where has the amount of Rs 50,000 crore disappeared from government treasury which has been reported by the CAG (Cromptroller Auditor General) of India," Modi asked. He said that the money belongs to people of India and Sonia must reply to the people of the country. Modi said that India needs a strong government in the Centre because of the problems created by neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bnagladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. "The Maoists in Nepal with the help of Naxaltes want to divide country, while Al-qaeda, Huji and ISI from Bangladesh have been creating trouble for India," he said. "The situation in Sri Lanka is very serious, it is also posing problem for India. Pakistan is also surrounded by Taliban which has posed security problems for India," he said. Modi criticised Union Government for sending a dossier in reply to 30 questions raised by Pakistan in regard to 26/11 attack in Mumbai. He said government should reply in the same language that Pakistan understands. Modi demanded removal of Ram Vilas Paswan from the cabinet, saying Paswan wanted Bangladeshis to be citizens of the country, who infiltrate. "He (Paswan) also wants that the Bangladeshis be allowed to contest elections in the country. This is where the weakness of the PM Manmonhan Singh lies who is not in a position to remove Paswan from the cabinet," Modi said. "Singh is weak also because he has not been able to take a decision on GUJCOC (Gujarat Control of Organised Crime) bill pending for approval with him since last four years," he said. Modi said that if PM did not want to approve the bill he should have said it to the face. "UPA government has been doing injustice to Gujarat and that is why the formation of L K Advani-led NDA government is required in Delhi after the polls. This is necessary for the betterment of Gujarat," Modi told the gathering. Meanwhile, Samarjeet Gaekwad, son of former Maharja of Baroda Ranjitsingh Gaekwad, who was present in the function announced support of entire royal family to BJP candidate Balkrishna Shukla.
Modi asks Sonia Gandhi to reply to his questions
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendera Modi on Wednesday asked Congress president Sonia Gandhi to come prepared with the questions raised by him when she visits the state on April 24. Addressing an election rally here Modi posed questions for Gandhi and said people of Gujarat want an answer. "Why have 1.5 crore youths lost their job under UPA rule? Who is involved in Satyam fraud case? And where has the amount of Rs 50,000 crore disappeared from government treasury which has been reported by the CAG (Cromptroller Auditor General) of India," Modi asked. He said that the money belongs to people of India and Sonia must reply to the people of the country. Modi said that India needs a strong government in the Centre because of the problems created by neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bnagladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. "The Maoists in Nepal with the help of Naxaltes want to divide country, while Al-qaeda, Huji and ISI from Bangladesh have been creating trouble for India," he said. "The situation in Sri Lanka is very serious, it is also posing problem for India. Pakistan is also surrounded by Taliban which has posed security problems for India," he said. Modi criticised Union Government for sending a dossier in reply to 30 questions raised by Pakistan in regard to 26/11 attack in Mumbai. He said government should reply in the same language that Pakistan understands. Modi demanded removal of Ram Vilas Paswan from the cabinet, saying Paswan wanted Bangladeshis to be citizens of the country, who infiltrate. "He (Paswan) also wants that the Bangladeshis be allowed to contest elections in the country. This is where the weakness of the PM Manmonhan Singh lies who is not in a position to remove Paswan from the cabinet," Modi said. "Singh is weak also because he has not been able to take a decision on GUJCOC (Gujarat Control of Organised Crime) bill pending for approval with him since last four years," he said. Modi said that if PM did not want to approve the bill he should have said it to the face. "UPA government has been doing injustice to Gujarat and that is why the formation of L K Advani-led NDA government is required in Delhi after the polls. This is necessary for the betterment of Gujarat," Modi told the gathering. Meanwhile, Samarjeet Gaekwad, son of former Maharja of Baroda Ranjitsingh Gaekwad, who was present in the function announced support of entire royal family to BJP candidate Balkrishna Shukla.
Kashmir Governor Constitutes Hindu Shrine Board
The pro-Indian Governor of Kashmir, N N Vohra on Wednesday constituted the 13-member advisory committee of the controversial Hindu shrine board.
The controversial Hindu shrine board, Amarnath Shrine Board led to land row in Kashmir last year during which more than 50 people were killed in police firing.
The Governor in his capacity as chairman of the controversial constituted the advisory committee.
S L Bhat will be the Chairman of the Committee, while B B Vyas shall be its Member-Secretary.
The Committee will advise the Hindu shrine Board on logistical and other arrangements required for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage 2009.
The Committee will also assist the Environmental Sub-Committee of the Board, chaired by Dr. Sunita Narain, in the formulation and implementation of the "Environment Protection Plan" for the Yatra 2009.
The Committee will meet at least twice during the year, before the commencement and after the completion of the pilgrimage.
The controversial Hindu shrine board, Amarnath Shrine Board led to land row in Kashmir last year during which more than 50 people were killed in police firing.
The Governor in his capacity as chairman of the controversial constituted the advisory committee.
S L Bhat will be the Chairman of the Committee, while B B Vyas shall be its Member-Secretary.
The Committee will advise the Hindu shrine Board on logistical and other arrangements required for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage 2009.
The Committee will also assist the Environmental Sub-Committee of the Board, chaired by Dr. Sunita Narain, in the formulation and implementation of the "Environment Protection Plan" for the Yatra 2009.
The Committee will meet at least twice during the year, before the commencement and after the completion of the pilgrimage.
SAARC monetary policy workshop held in Nepal
A three-day workshop on the management of current capital to formulate the monetary policy of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region kicked off in Nepali capital Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Around 30 high level officials of central banks and financial sector of the SAARC nations participated in the workshop.
Inaugurating the workshop, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB),the central bank, Deependra Bahadur Chhetri stressed the need of enforcing timely monetary policy and building cooperation and collaboration at national and regional level in a bid to keep SAARC region away from the effects of global economic meltdown, according to Nepali national news agency RSS.
Numerous challenges and opportunities have surfaced before the SAARC region to move ahead by keeping up the overall economic growth rate in the region amidst the changed global scenario, Governor Chhetri said, pointing out the urgency of cooperation to address the problems at state and regional level.
Deputy Governor of NRB, Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar expressed confidence that the workshop would help activate the fiscal structure of this region in an effective way through the sharing of knowledge and experience gained in the area of monetary policy.
Around 30 high level officials of central banks and financial sector of the SAARC nations participated in the workshop.
Inaugurating the workshop, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB),the central bank, Deependra Bahadur Chhetri stressed the need of enforcing timely monetary policy and building cooperation and collaboration at national and regional level in a bid to keep SAARC region away from the effects of global economic meltdown, according to Nepali national news agency RSS.
Numerous challenges and opportunities have surfaced before the SAARC region to move ahead by keeping up the overall economic growth rate in the region amidst the changed global scenario, Governor Chhetri said, pointing out the urgency of cooperation to address the problems at state and regional level.
Deputy Governor of NRB, Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar expressed confidence that the workshop would help activate the fiscal structure of this region in an effective way through the sharing of knowledge and experience gained in the area of monetary policy.
Pak cannot win direct conflict against India: Advani
Throwing the gauntlet at Pakistan, the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial nominee Lal Krishna Advani today said the neighbouring country knew that it could not emerge victorious against India in a direct conflict and that is why it was attempting to spread terrorism.''During the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance's tenure, the Kargil conflict was won for the country's unity, integrity and defending its honour,'' the former deputy premier said in sabre-rattling mode while addressing a poll meeting in this district headquarters.The Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Lok Sabha pointed out that an initiative was also made in the form of talks with Pakistan's then President Pervez Musharraf by inviting him to Agra for discussion on stoppage of terrorist activities in Kashmir.
UJC asks Mirwaiz to introspect stand on election boycott
Track News Service: United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of various militant outfits including Kashmirs indigenous Hizbul Mujahideen, Wednesday urged Mirwaiz led Hurriyat Conference to introspect its decision with regard to the ground situation.
We urge Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led group of Hurriyat Conference to introspect its decision vis-a-vis the prevailing ground situation for election drama is tantamount to treachery with Kashmir cause and precious lives laid during the last 62 years, UJC spokesman quoting its chairman Syed Salahudin Ahmad as saying told Press Bureau of India in a statement.
He said that a meeting of UJC was held with Salahudin in chair and discussed the prevailing situation the state.
The spokesman said that elections in the state were a farce and said that it was being held to justify the occupation.
By virtue of holding elections in the state, India wants to hoodwink the international community that people by casting vote endorse the occupation of India, he said.
He also called upon people to stage protest during the so-called elections to impress upon the world that people of Kashmir does not support any election process under the Indian constitution, the statement added.(PBI)
We urge Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led group of Hurriyat Conference to introspect its decision vis-a-vis the prevailing ground situation for election drama is tantamount to treachery with Kashmir cause and precious lives laid during the last 62 years, UJC spokesman quoting its chairman Syed Salahudin Ahmad as saying told Press Bureau of India in a statement.
He said that a meeting of UJC was held with Salahudin in chair and discussed the prevailing situation the state.
The spokesman said that elections in the state were a farce and said that it was being held to justify the occupation.
By virtue of holding elections in the state, India wants to hoodwink the international community that people by casting vote endorse the occupation of India, he said.
He also called upon people to stage protest during the so-called elections to impress upon the world that people of Kashmir does not support any election process under the Indian constitution, the statement added.(PBI)
Lok Sabha Elections-2009
In connection with celebration of World Earth Day, the Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) organized 2 mega events in Srinagar today.
To mark the day, a green march was organized by the school children drawn from a large number of Eco-Clubs and members of J&K Scouts and Guides from Nishat to Habbak. The march was flagged off by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu in presence of Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and senior officers of various departments.
More than 2500 students, Scouts and Guides participated in the Green March, displaying play cards and banners with catchy slogans for protection of natural resources of the Valley, particularly lakes, rivers, water bodies, mountains, meadows and forests.
The Commissioner SMC urged the youth in particular and public in general to work for the protection and conservation of environment by making active contribution in this noble cause through their sincere and dedicated efforts.
A large number of people all along 6 km stretch witnessed the Green March.
Later, a seminar was held at Kashmir University on the theme, “Don’t over burden the Mother Earth with Polythene”.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Aziz-ul-Azeem was the chief guest while Commissioner SMC, Kh. Farooq Ahmad Renzu, Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and Prof. Mufeed Ahmad were also present.
In his address, the chief guest dwelt upon the hazards of polythene saying that it was the responsibility of the entire society to avoid using polythene in their day-to-day life. He said the Dal Lake is getting polluted day by day mostly due to polythene.
On this occasion, an Eco-Friendly Website was also launched. A publication of renowned Environmentalist Mr. M.S. Wadoo titled ‘Meri Khahanee’ was also released by the chief guest. The environmentalist has also the credit of having discovered the oldest chinar in the valley.
A Joint Control Room has been set up in the office of District Election Officer, Kupwara for the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections 2009.
Any person interested in seeking the information regarding the election related matters can contact the control room during office hours on Phone No. 01955-213514.
Work on implementation of the Rs. 132 crore Sewerage Project Zone-III for Srinagar district under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM) was reviewed at a high level meeting with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Masuad Samoon in chair here today.
The project which includes Rs. 119.62 crore as Central share and Rs. 13.29 crore State share envisages construction of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs), laying of trunk lines, sewerage networks etc.
The meeting while deliberating upon the status works under the project was informed that work on construction of STP at Noor Bagh, Srinagar, estimated to cost Rs. 28 crore, is in full swing, So far, Rs. one crore stands utilized on this plant. Similarly, work on laying of trunk lines and sewerage networks in the city from Ahmad Nagar to Nowhatta on right side of the river Jehlum is going on in a satisfactory way.
The meeting also took stock of the progress in establishment of housing colony under Rehabilitation of Dal dwellers at Rakhi Arth and Chandapora Harwan and construction of water supply scheme Tangnar, Pantha Chowk.
The Divisional Commissioner wrapping up the deliberations called for greater synergy among the executing agencies to ensure completion of the project within the scheduled period. He directed for removing all bottlenecks, if any to ensure hassle free execution of the works undertaken under the project. He asked the officers to have on-the-spot inspection of the sites identified for construction of various utilities so that the works are completed on time.
The meeting, among others, was attended by Vice-Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, Chief Engineer R&B and senior officers of several executing agencies.
For transparent conduct of Parliamentary elections in Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency, second randomization of polling staff was done by Returning Officer Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad in presence of contesting candidates/Chief agents of candidates. Election Observer Mr. Rajandar Parashad Mandal and other designated officers. During the randomization of polling staff, to be deployed in 6-Assembly segments of Anantnag, Shangus, Dooru, Kokernag, Pahalgam and Bijbehara, the Assistant Returning Officers for these 6 Assembly segments were also present.
Meanwhile, the DEO took stock of the expenditure by various political parties during their election campaign in a meeting today. Election Observers Mr. Rajander Prasad Mandal, Mr. Rakesh Sarwal and Mr. Prabhat Kumar Mishra were present in the meeting. The expenditure recorded by the 12 contesting candidates during their campaign was reviewed in the meeting.
About 1700 Government employees to be posted for election duty at 368 polling centres in Kulgam district were given training on the Ist day of the third and final phase of EVM trainings at four centres in the district.
The training was imparted at Tehsil Office Damhal Hanjipora. Tehsil Office Devsar, Town Hall Kulgam and Higher Secondary School, Yaripora.
The District Election Officer, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad Lone visited the four training centres and stressed upon the trainees to perform their election duties as per the established rules and regulations of the Election Commission of India.
In connection with Parliamentary Elections, about 2985 officials appointed as Presiding and Polling Officers for seven assembly constituencies in Baramulla district were imparted the necessary EVM training today. Thirty master trainers imparting the training.
Shut down of 132/33 KV grid station Rawalpora and 33 KV Wanganpora-S.H. Pora Shreen Bagh shall take on April 25, 2009 from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. As such, power supply to the areas fed from these lines shall remain affected on the said date.
According to SSP Traffic Kashmir, in view of the annual Darbar Move, there will be one way traffic on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. As per the decision no Jammu bound traffic would be allowed on April 25 and 26, May 02 and 03, 2009.
District Election Officer, Kargil, Mr. Satish Nehru convened a meeting of officers of review preparedness for conduct of free, fair and transparent Parliamentary election here today.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Tsering Murup, Assistant Returning Officers of Kargil and Zanskar were present in the meeting. It was disclosed in the meeting that verification of all 237 polling station has already been conducted. For smooth conduct of polling, 17 Zonal, 40 Sectoral Magistrates with equal number of Zonal and Sectoral Officers have been appointed in the district.
Measures like transport plan, constituency plan and air lifting of men and materials to the snow bound polling station were also discussed in the meeting. It was further stated in the meeting that more than 5000 Government employees of the district were trained in handling of EVM. For which three days training programmes were conducted at all block headquarters of the district.
Later, DEO also visited Conference Hall Kargil where randomization of EVM are being conducted and reviewed the progress there.
With the date of withdrawal of nomination papers ending today, 15 candidates are now left in fray for the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency. These include Iftikhar Hussain Ansari of PDP, Avtar Krishen Pandita of BJP, Farooq Abdullah of NC, Mohammad Ashraf Khan of BSP, Bilal Ahmad Bhat of Samata Party, Khalida Begum of ANC, Zahir Abbas Bhatti of All India Forward Block, Abdul Rashid Lone of Republican Party of India (A), Mushtaq Ahmad of Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party, Nisar Ahmad Ahangar of Bhartiya Sampuran Krantikari Party and Syed Mujteba Hussain, Ashiq Hussain Bhat, Mehbooba Shahdab, Mohammad Asan Mir and Mohammad Alyas Kumar, all Independents.
Similarly, for the Sonwar assembly constituency, three candidates, Mr. Muhammad Ashraf Mir of PDP, Muhammad Yaseen Shah of National Conference and Mr. Muzaffar Shah of ANC are left in fray.
For the Hazratbal assembly constituency, Ms. Asiya Naqash of PDP, Dr. Mustafa Kamal of NC and Mufti Nazim ud Din, an independent, are left in the contest.
District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal, Mr. Abdul Majid Khanday distributed the appointment orders under SRO-43 among four militancy victims of Ganderbal district here today. With this, 39 militancy victims have been provided compassionate appointment orders so far in the district. Besides, 27 such persons who could not be provided Government job under the said SRO were provided Rs. 4 lakh each as ex-gratia relief.
–A one day seminar organized by Tourism department Kashmir was held at TRC Ground here today.
The seminar was attended by various associations connected with tourism industry. They include Tour and Travel agencies Kashmir, Hotel and Restaurant Associations of Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Srinagar etc.
The Director Tourism Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah was the chief guest on the occasion. The Association representatives discussed in the Valley. They appealed the tourists to come to Kashmir to enjoy the beauty of Valley.
They also announced affordable prices for staying in hotels, houseboats, guest houses and all possible better services and hospitality will be provided as usual.
The Director Tourism gave resume of the measures initiated by the Government for attracting more and more tourists to the State. He said the infrastructure at all the health resorts across the Valley has been developed and work on more works are underway for providing better accommodation and services to the tourists. He said tourists are already visiting these famous health resorts like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Mughal Garden, Sonamarg etc.
In connection with celebration of World Earth Day, the Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) organized 2 mega events in Srinagar today.
To mark the day, a green march was organized by the school children drawn from a large number of Eco-Clubs and members of J&K Scouts and Guides from Nishat to Habbak. The march was flagged off by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu in presence of Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and senior officers of various departments.
More than 2500 students, Scouts and Guides participated in the Green March, displaying play cards and banners with catchy slogans for protection of natural resources of the Valley, particularly lakes, rivers, water bodies, mountains, meadows and forests.
The Commissioner SMC urged the youth in particular and public in general to work for the protection and conservation of environment by making active contribution in this noble cause through their sincere and dedicated efforts.
A large number of people all along 6 km stretch witnessed the Green March.
Later, a seminar was held at Kashmir University on the theme, “Don’t over burden the Mother Earth with Polythene”.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Aziz-ul-Azeem was the chief guest while Commissioner SMC, Kh. Farooq Ahmad Renzu, Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and Prof. Mufeed Ahmad were also present.
In his address, the chief guest dwelt upon the hazards of polythene saying that it was the responsibility of the entire society to avoid using polythene in their day-to-day life. He said the Dal Lake is getting polluted day by day mostly due to polythene.
On this occasion, an Eco-Friendly Website was also launched. A publication of renowned Environmentalist Mr. M.S. Wadoo titled ‘Meri Khahanee’ was also released by the chief guest. The environmentalist has also the credit of having discovered the oldest chinar in the valley.
The process of filing of nomination papers for the Baramulla-Kupwara Parliamentary Constituency is on. Today one Independent candidate filed his nomination papers. With this the number of nomination papers filed has gone to four.
In the meantime, three nomination papers were issued today totaling the number of papers issued to 30.
It may be recalled here that the last date of filing of nomination papers is April 24 while scrutiny of these papers will take place on April 25. The date of withdrawal of nomination papers is April 27, 2009.
–As per notification of Assistant Returning Officer, Khansahib, Budgam, the EVM training to the concerned officials will be imparted at SDM Office Khansahib on April 24, 2009, Nayabat Office Waterhail on April 25, Nayabat Office Arizal on April 27 and Nayabat Office Parnewa on April 28, 2009.
The training will start at 11 a.m(Source:INFO Kashmir)
To mark the day, a green march was organized by the school children drawn from a large number of Eco-Clubs and members of J&K Scouts and Guides from Nishat to Habbak. The march was flagged off by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu in presence of Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and senior officers of various departments.
More than 2500 students, Scouts and Guides participated in the Green March, displaying play cards and banners with catchy slogans for protection of natural resources of the Valley, particularly lakes, rivers, water bodies, mountains, meadows and forests.
The Commissioner SMC urged the youth in particular and public in general to work for the protection and conservation of environment by making active contribution in this noble cause through their sincere and dedicated efforts.
A large number of people all along 6 km stretch witnessed the Green March.
Later, a seminar was held at Kashmir University on the theme, “Don’t over burden the Mother Earth with Polythene”.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Aziz-ul-Azeem was the chief guest while Commissioner SMC, Kh. Farooq Ahmad Renzu, Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and Prof. Mufeed Ahmad were also present.
In his address, the chief guest dwelt upon the hazards of polythene saying that it was the responsibility of the entire society to avoid using polythene in their day-to-day life. He said the Dal Lake is getting polluted day by day mostly due to polythene.
On this occasion, an Eco-Friendly Website was also launched. A publication of renowned Environmentalist Mr. M.S. Wadoo titled ‘Meri Khahanee’ was also released by the chief guest. The environmentalist has also the credit of having discovered the oldest chinar in the valley.
A Joint Control Room has been set up in the office of District Election Officer, Kupwara for the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections 2009.
Any person interested in seeking the information regarding the election related matters can contact the control room during office hours on Phone No. 01955-213514.
Work on implementation of the Rs. 132 crore Sewerage Project Zone-III for Srinagar district under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM) was reviewed at a high level meeting with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Masuad Samoon in chair here today.
The project which includes Rs. 119.62 crore as Central share and Rs. 13.29 crore State share envisages construction of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs), laying of trunk lines, sewerage networks etc.
The meeting while deliberating upon the status works under the project was informed that work on construction of STP at Noor Bagh, Srinagar, estimated to cost Rs. 28 crore, is in full swing, So far, Rs. one crore stands utilized on this plant. Similarly, work on laying of trunk lines and sewerage networks in the city from Ahmad Nagar to Nowhatta on right side of the river Jehlum is going on in a satisfactory way.
The meeting also took stock of the progress in establishment of housing colony under Rehabilitation of Dal dwellers at Rakhi Arth and Chandapora Harwan and construction of water supply scheme Tangnar, Pantha Chowk.
The Divisional Commissioner wrapping up the deliberations called for greater synergy among the executing agencies to ensure completion of the project within the scheduled period. He directed for removing all bottlenecks, if any to ensure hassle free execution of the works undertaken under the project. He asked the officers to have on-the-spot inspection of the sites identified for construction of various utilities so that the works are completed on time.
The meeting, among others, was attended by Vice-Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, Chief Engineer R&B and senior officers of several executing agencies.
For transparent conduct of Parliamentary elections in Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency, second randomization of polling staff was done by Returning Officer Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad in presence of contesting candidates/Chief agents of candidates. Election Observer Mr. Rajandar Parashad Mandal and other designated officers. During the randomization of polling staff, to be deployed in 6-Assembly segments of Anantnag, Shangus, Dooru, Kokernag, Pahalgam and Bijbehara, the Assistant Returning Officers for these 6 Assembly segments were also present.
Meanwhile, the DEO took stock of the expenditure by various political parties during their election campaign in a meeting today. Election Observers Mr. Rajander Prasad Mandal, Mr. Rakesh Sarwal and Mr. Prabhat Kumar Mishra were present in the meeting. The expenditure recorded by the 12 contesting candidates during their campaign was reviewed in the meeting.
About 1700 Government employees to be posted for election duty at 368 polling centres in Kulgam district were given training on the Ist day of the third and final phase of EVM trainings at four centres in the district.
The training was imparted at Tehsil Office Damhal Hanjipora. Tehsil Office Devsar, Town Hall Kulgam and Higher Secondary School, Yaripora.
The District Election Officer, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad Lone visited the four training centres and stressed upon the trainees to perform their election duties as per the established rules and regulations of the Election Commission of India.
In connection with Parliamentary Elections, about 2985 officials appointed as Presiding and Polling Officers for seven assembly constituencies in Baramulla district were imparted the necessary EVM training today. Thirty master trainers imparting the training.
Shut down of 132/33 KV grid station Rawalpora and 33 KV Wanganpora-S.H. Pora Shreen Bagh shall take on April 25, 2009 from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. As such, power supply to the areas fed from these lines shall remain affected on the said date.
According to SSP Traffic Kashmir, in view of the annual Darbar Move, there will be one way traffic on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. As per the decision no Jammu bound traffic would be allowed on April 25 and 26, May 02 and 03, 2009.
District Election Officer, Kargil, Mr. Satish Nehru convened a meeting of officers of review preparedness for conduct of free, fair and transparent Parliamentary election here today.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Tsering Murup, Assistant Returning Officers of Kargil and Zanskar were present in the meeting. It was disclosed in the meeting that verification of all 237 polling station has already been conducted. For smooth conduct of polling, 17 Zonal, 40 Sectoral Magistrates with equal number of Zonal and Sectoral Officers have been appointed in the district.
Measures like transport plan, constituency plan and air lifting of men and materials to the snow bound polling station were also discussed in the meeting. It was further stated in the meeting that more than 5000 Government employees of the district were trained in handling of EVM. For which three days training programmes were conducted at all block headquarters of the district.
Later, DEO also visited Conference Hall Kargil where randomization of EVM are being conducted and reviewed the progress there.
With the date of withdrawal of nomination papers ending today, 15 candidates are now left in fray for the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency. These include Iftikhar Hussain Ansari of PDP, Avtar Krishen Pandita of BJP, Farooq Abdullah of NC, Mohammad Ashraf Khan of BSP, Bilal Ahmad Bhat of Samata Party, Khalida Begum of ANC, Zahir Abbas Bhatti of All India Forward Block, Abdul Rashid Lone of Republican Party of India (A), Mushtaq Ahmad of Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party, Nisar Ahmad Ahangar of Bhartiya Sampuran Krantikari Party and Syed Mujteba Hussain, Ashiq Hussain Bhat, Mehbooba Shahdab, Mohammad Asan Mir and Mohammad Alyas Kumar, all Independents.
Similarly, for the Sonwar assembly constituency, three candidates, Mr. Muhammad Ashraf Mir of PDP, Muhammad Yaseen Shah of National Conference and Mr. Muzaffar Shah of ANC are left in fray.
For the Hazratbal assembly constituency, Ms. Asiya Naqash of PDP, Dr. Mustafa Kamal of NC and Mufti Nazim ud Din, an independent, are left in the contest.
District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal, Mr. Abdul Majid Khanday distributed the appointment orders under SRO-43 among four militancy victims of Ganderbal district here today. With this, 39 militancy victims have been provided compassionate appointment orders so far in the district. Besides, 27 such persons who could not be provided Government job under the said SRO were provided Rs. 4 lakh each as ex-gratia relief.
–A one day seminar organized by Tourism department Kashmir was held at TRC Ground here today.
The seminar was attended by various associations connected with tourism industry. They include Tour and Travel agencies Kashmir, Hotel and Restaurant Associations of Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Srinagar etc.
The Director Tourism Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah was the chief guest on the occasion. The Association representatives discussed in the Valley. They appealed the tourists to come to Kashmir to enjoy the beauty of Valley.
They also announced affordable prices for staying in hotels, houseboats, guest houses and all possible better services and hospitality will be provided as usual.
The Director Tourism gave resume of the measures initiated by the Government for attracting more and more tourists to the State. He said the infrastructure at all the health resorts across the Valley has been developed and work on more works are underway for providing better accommodation and services to the tourists. He said tourists are already visiting these famous health resorts like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Mughal Garden, Sonamarg etc.
In connection with celebration of World Earth Day, the Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) organized 2 mega events in Srinagar today.
To mark the day, a green march was organized by the school children drawn from a large number of Eco-Clubs and members of J&K Scouts and Guides from Nishat to Habbak. The march was flagged off by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu in presence of Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and senior officers of various departments.
More than 2500 students, Scouts and Guides participated in the Green March, displaying play cards and banners with catchy slogans for protection of natural resources of the Valley, particularly lakes, rivers, water bodies, mountains, meadows and forests.
The Commissioner SMC urged the youth in particular and public in general to work for the protection and conservation of environment by making active contribution in this noble cause through their sincere and dedicated efforts.
A large number of people all along 6 km stretch witnessed the Green March.
Later, a seminar was held at Kashmir University on the theme, “Don’t over burden the Mother Earth with Polythene”.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Aziz-ul-Azeem was the chief guest while Commissioner SMC, Kh. Farooq Ahmad Renzu, Regional Director SPCB, Mian Javeed Hussain and Prof. Mufeed Ahmad were also present.
In his address, the chief guest dwelt upon the hazards of polythene saying that it was the responsibility of the entire society to avoid using polythene in their day-to-day life. He said the Dal Lake is getting polluted day by day mostly due to polythene.
On this occasion, an Eco-Friendly Website was also launched. A publication of renowned Environmentalist Mr. M.S. Wadoo titled ‘Meri Khahanee’ was also released by the chief guest. The environmentalist has also the credit of having discovered the oldest chinar in the valley.
The process of filing of nomination papers for the Baramulla-Kupwara Parliamentary Constituency is on. Today one Independent candidate filed his nomination papers. With this the number of nomination papers filed has gone to four.
In the meantime, three nomination papers were issued today totaling the number of papers issued to 30.
It may be recalled here that the last date of filing of nomination papers is April 24 while scrutiny of these papers will take place on April 25. The date of withdrawal of nomination papers is April 27, 2009.
–As per notification of Assistant Returning Officer, Khansahib, Budgam, the EVM training to the concerned officials will be imparted at SDM Office Khansahib on April 24, 2009, Nayabat Office Waterhail on April 25, Nayabat Office Arizal on April 27 and Nayabat Office Parnewa on April 28, 2009.
The training will start at 11 a.m(Source:INFO Kashmir)
Illegal immigrant jailed for fake passport
43-year-old man living illegally in Watford for more than a decade has been jailed for using a false Pakistan passport in an attempt to get a national insurance number.
Sabteen Bukhari claims to have arrived in England in the 90s on a six-month work permit and has remained illegally doing low paid jobs ever since.
However, the UK Border Agency and the Home Office have no record of his entry into the country or of issuing a visa.
Bukhari, of Middle Way, Watford, admitted buying a fake Pakistan passport for £300 after losing his in 1992. It was after he produced the false documentation at a job centre in Slough, while trying to get a national insurance number, that he was arrested in December.
St Albans Crown Court heard in mitigation on Monday that Bukhari, who is from a small village in rural Kashmir, had the support of a councillor in the public gallery and numerous other friends and family.
He had never been in trouble and spent his time in Watford working in menial jobs for between £3 and £3.50 an hour.
He tried to get a national insurance number so that he could pay taxes and work legally.
He pleaded guilty to possessing false identification with intent at a previous hearing and had spent 96 days remanded in custody.
Jailing Bukhari for the recommended six months, Judge Martin Griffith said: "The courts take a dim view of people in possession of a false passport. You must have known it was a false passport because of the circumstances in which it was purchased.
"In the past this offence has attracted a sentence as high as 18 months."
He added: "Recently a distinction has arisen that those that seek to obtain or use false documents to obtain employment should be dealt with by a lesser sentence than those attempting to enter or leave the country."
Because time on remand was ordered to count towards the sentence Bukhari may be released immediately said Judge Griffith.
Sabteen Bukhari claims to have arrived in England in the 90s on a six-month work permit and has remained illegally doing low paid jobs ever since.
However, the UK Border Agency and the Home Office have no record of his entry into the country or of issuing a visa.
Bukhari, of Middle Way, Watford, admitted buying a fake Pakistan passport for £300 after losing his in 1992. It was after he produced the false documentation at a job centre in Slough, while trying to get a national insurance number, that he was arrested in December.
St Albans Crown Court heard in mitigation on Monday that Bukhari, who is from a small village in rural Kashmir, had the support of a councillor in the public gallery and numerous other friends and family.
He had never been in trouble and spent his time in Watford working in menial jobs for between £3 and £3.50 an hour.
He tried to get a national insurance number so that he could pay taxes and work legally.
He pleaded guilty to possessing false identification with intent at a previous hearing and had spent 96 days remanded in custody.
Jailing Bukhari for the recommended six months, Judge Martin Griffith said: "The courts take a dim view of people in possession of a false passport. You must have known it was a false passport because of the circumstances in which it was purchased.
"In the past this offence has attracted a sentence as high as 18 months."
He added: "Recently a distinction has arisen that those that seek to obtain or use false documents to obtain employment should be dealt with by a lesser sentence than those attempting to enter or leave the country."
Because time on remand was ordered to count towards the sentence Bukhari may be released immediately said Judge Griffith.
Security apparatus put on alert to ensure peaceful Lok Sabha elections: New Delhi
The Centre today admitted that around 50 mililtants had infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir through the Gurez sector and said the entire security apparatus was alert to ensure peaceful Lok Sabha elections in the border state.
The extent of the infiltration was given by the Home Ministry while dismissing as "grossly exaggerated" reports that 158 mililtants had sneaked into the state through the Gurez sector in North Kashmir.
A Home Ministry spokesperson said "inputs about infiltration were received from different sources and periodically, various security agencies sit together to make a realistic assessment of the extent of infiltration.
"According to the current assessment, the level of infiltration is a third of the figures that have been mentioned in the reports," the spokesperson said in a release.
"The entire security apparatus is fully alert and geared up to foil any designs of the militants, and ensure peaceful polls in the state," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said it was a fact there were attempts to infiltrate militants into the state though the number has steadily declined.
Recently, there were reports suggesting that efforts are being made by the agencies and organisations across the border to step up infiltration. PTI
The extent of the infiltration was given by the Home Ministry while dismissing as "grossly exaggerated" reports that 158 mililtants had sneaked into the state through the Gurez sector in North Kashmir.
A Home Ministry spokesperson said "inputs about infiltration were received from different sources and periodically, various security agencies sit together to make a realistic assessment of the extent of infiltration.
"According to the current assessment, the level of infiltration is a third of the figures that have been mentioned in the reports," the spokesperson said in a release.
"The entire security apparatus is fully alert and geared up to foil any designs of the militants, and ensure peaceful polls in the state," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said it was a fact there were attempts to infiltrate militants into the state though the number has steadily declined.
Recently, there were reports suggesting that efforts are being made by the agencies and organisations across the border to step up infiltration. PTI
Nobody will be allowed to challenge writ of govt. in Swat: Minister
The Federal Minister for Communications Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil on Thursday said that reigns of the government are in strong hands. Nobody will be allowed to challenge the writ of the government in Swat. Pakistan was founded on the basis of Kalima‑e‑Tayyeba and this country will be there till the end of the world. The Federal Minister expressed these views while talking to different delegations and PPP workers.
“No person can dare to harm it and we have the power to face every challenge.” He urged the people to strengthen hands of the present democratic government.
Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil said that the democratic government of PPP is committed to serve the masses because it came into power with the support of the masses.
The Federal Minister said that people should wait patiently so that fruits of the hard work done by the government could be realized.
He said that it is the need of the hour that people should forge unity in their ranks and keep an eye on the enemies of the country who are bent to destroy the national fabric by their nefarious designs.
Dr. Arbab Alamgir said that the government has taken revolutionary steps in every sector, jobs are being provided to the unemployed youth and the people will soon feel the difference and improvement in their life standard.
He urged the delegations from the NWFP to support the government to restore peace in the region. He said that the President and the Prime Minister will soon announce a development package for Peshawar.
“No person can dare to harm it and we have the power to face every challenge.” He urged the people to strengthen hands of the present democratic government.
Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil said that the democratic government of PPP is committed to serve the masses because it came into power with the support of the masses.
The Federal Minister said that people should wait patiently so that fruits of the hard work done by the government could be realized.
He said that it is the need of the hour that people should forge unity in their ranks and keep an eye on the enemies of the country who are bent to destroy the national fabric by their nefarious designs.
Dr. Arbab Alamgir said that the government has taken revolutionary steps in every sector, jobs are being provided to the unemployed youth and the people will soon feel the difference and improvement in their life standard.
He urged the delegations from the NWFP to support the government to restore peace in the region. He said that the President and the Prime Minister will soon announce a development package for Peshawar.
Drive to preserve Mughal gardens in Kashmir
The State Government of Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the India National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritages (INTACH) initiated drive to preserve state's heritage sites including famous Mughal gardens. Kashmir has the largest number of Mughal gardens in the subcontinent. These gardens still retain their original layout and setting, though human intervention and variations occurring in a course of time have resulted in distortions of their historic character.
The foreign tourists who visit this place love to see the old culture and heritage monuments, be it hill stations, forts or the old building. They love the old heritage of India. If these things would be revived, it would naturally boost the tourism, said Meraj-U- Din Ahmad, a resident.
The Department of Floriculture with the help of INTACH has started the restoration work in the three prominent Mughal Gardens of Kashmir, Shalimar garden, Nishat garden and Acchabal garden.
The Department of Floriculture has already requested the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to include these heritage gardens of Kashmir valley in the temporary list of world heritages sites so that the inflow of foreign tourist in the valley increases. We have requested ASI to put our heritage gardens in the temporary list. The name of the gardens was not listed in the world heritage sites.We are hoping that in the next two to three months, if it happens, then our gardens will also hold a place in the website of world heritage sites, said Ghulam Sarwar Naquash, Director, Floriculture Department of Kashmir.
The purpose of restoring the gardens is to enhance the tourism potential of the Kashmir valley.
Built in the Mughal era, these gardens are a good specimen of the formal Mughal style.
Mughal Gardens is the combination of three famous gardens, the Chashmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar gardens. With terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flowerbeds, the gardens are a haven for tourists. (ANI)
The foreign tourists who visit this place love to see the old culture and heritage monuments, be it hill stations, forts or the old building. They love the old heritage of India. If these things would be revived, it would naturally boost the tourism, said Meraj-U- Din Ahmad, a resident.
The Department of Floriculture with the help of INTACH has started the restoration work in the three prominent Mughal Gardens of Kashmir, Shalimar garden, Nishat garden and Acchabal garden.
The Department of Floriculture has already requested the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to include these heritage gardens of Kashmir valley in the temporary list of world heritages sites so that the inflow of foreign tourist in the valley increases. We have requested ASI to put our heritage gardens in the temporary list. The name of the gardens was not listed in the world heritage sites.We are hoping that in the next two to three months, if it happens, then our gardens will also hold a place in the website of world heritage sites, said Ghulam Sarwar Naquash, Director, Floriculture Department of Kashmir.
The purpose of restoring the gardens is to enhance the tourism potential of the Kashmir valley.
Built in the Mughal era, these gardens are a good specimen of the formal Mughal style.
Mughal Gardens is the combination of three famous gardens, the Chashmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar gardens. With terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flowerbeds, the gardens are a haven for tourists. (ANI)
No peace is possible in South Asia till to the resolve of core issue :Mahaz
Jammu Kashmir Mahaz-e-Azadi(MeA) convened a weekly meeting at its party headquarters Rajbagh Srinagar chaired by President (MeA) Mir Mohammad Iqbal . While expressing serious concern over the aggravating Human rights situation in Kashmir - violated by those who claim to be guards of Law, so MeA urged upon Int`l HR organizations like Asia Watch, Amnesty international, ICRC and others to take cognizance for the prevailing circumstances of Kashmir in the background of Human Rights violations , and deputize their fact finding mission.
In the meeting it was felt necessary to insist for the removal of notorious CRPF camp tenting at Khaigam Pulwama who recently martyred one Carpenter for which local coordination committee is inculcating to the immediate removal.
was ultion teth Human Rights violations glio uring countirexs to go for weaponization and in the name of security billions
In the meeting a resolution was unanimously passed to abreast Tim Roemer about the ground situation of Kashmir deputed by Obama administration as a new envoy for India. No peace is possible in South Asia till the resolve of core issue ( Kashmir)because both nuclear powers of sub-continent are at cross roads, if America voluntarily offers help or sympathy in times of trouble like a Samaritan in Asia then Obama administration must urge both the countries for negotiable settlement over Kashmir imbroglio and to seek the will of common stock of people of Jammu Kashmir, Iqbal Said. Meanwhile
Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Forum Javaid Ahmad Mir in a statement has welcomed Pakistani Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Geelani`s remarks over Kashmir, in which he expressed that solution of all issues between Indian and Pakistan is futile, if Kashmir tangle is not dealt by the application of proper brains and keeping all nerves cool . Meanwhile Javaid Ahmad Mir has urged Obama administration especially newly deputed ambassador for India Tim Roemer to use the influence for making India and Pakistan to start result oriented dialogue process over Kashmir. It is unresolved Kashmir tangle which has compelled both the neighbouring countries to go for weaponization and in the name of security billions of dollars gets drained to equilibrium the lean in the race for balance of power, Mir Said.
In the meeting it was felt necessary to insist for the removal of notorious CRPF camp tenting at Khaigam Pulwama who recently martyred one Carpenter for which local coordination committee is inculcating to the immediate removal.
was ultion teth Human Rights violations glio uring countirexs to go for weaponization and in the name of security billions
In the meeting a resolution was unanimously passed to abreast Tim Roemer about the ground situation of Kashmir deputed by Obama administration as a new envoy for India. No peace is possible in South Asia till the resolve of core issue ( Kashmir)because both nuclear powers of sub-continent are at cross roads, if America voluntarily offers help or sympathy in times of trouble like a Samaritan in Asia then Obama administration must urge both the countries for negotiable settlement over Kashmir imbroglio and to seek the will of common stock of people of Jammu Kashmir, Iqbal Said. Meanwhile
Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Forum Javaid Ahmad Mir in a statement has welcomed Pakistani Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Geelani`s remarks over Kashmir, in which he expressed that solution of all issues between Indian and Pakistan is futile, if Kashmir tangle is not dealt by the application of proper brains and keeping all nerves cool . Meanwhile Javaid Ahmad Mir has urged Obama administration especially newly deputed ambassador for India Tim Roemer to use the influence for making India and Pakistan to start result oriented dialogue process over Kashmir. It is unresolved Kashmir tangle which has compelled both the neighbouring countries to go for weaponization and in the name of security billions of dollars gets drained to equilibrium the lean in the race for balance of power, Mir Said.
KU, NASSCOM launch Talent Assessment Initiative
2000 students to be assessed; Varsity reviews overall process/
Kashmir University and the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) on Wednesday launched the Talent Assessment Initiative for the varsity students to enable them to built successful careers in various areas.
The Initiative called ‘Global Talent Track’ shall assess students on various skills, identify their strength areas. The students shall have to undergo the Talent Assessment Test in categories like Engineering, Computer, Information Technology, Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Commerce and Business Administration.
The assessment process shall start this week for about 2000 students, who shall be assessed with the help of assessment tools. Based on assessments, students will be provided with developmental feedback in terms of career options and possible developmental tools to sharpen their skills and boost up confidence.
Based on the Talent Assessment Report, the GTT will recommend suitable courses for students of the University. Once recommendations are accepted, GTT counselors would provide feedback on the outcome of talent assessment and the courses for which they would enroll.
The registration process can be done on the website, www.gtterp.com .
To review the whole process, the Kashmir University authorities and academics on Wednesday held an extensive meeting, which was chaired by the dean, Academic Affairs, Prof Aziz-ul-Azeem. The discussion for the meeting was opened by Director EMMRC Dr Shahid Rasool and after wards the members had a threadbare discussion . It was decided that the varsity shall be identifying students and providing computer labs for conducting the tests besides other necessary infrastructure and manpower.
The KU’s controller of examinations, Prof A M Shah, also represented the varsity as Registrar during the meeting. Among others present in the meeting included Prof M A Qureshi, director IQAC; Prof M A Sahaf director Business School; Dr Meraj ud Din, director IT, KU ; Prof A. M Mir, principal S P College; Zeenat Ara, Principal women’s college, M A Road; Prof Aijaz Hussain, Principal Boys Colelge Baramullah; Prof Z A Chatt, principal degree college Anantnag: and Dr G M Tibet Baqal, Tral degree college; Sheique Mee’raj, principal IMFA Srinagar; Er G N Lone, administrator IICM; Dr S M Qadri, director, Computer Centre; Dr SM Shafi, HoD Library and Information Science; Dr Bashir Ahmad, Director Foreign Languages; and Dr Shahid Rasool director EMMRC.
Kashmir University and the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) on Wednesday launched the Talent Assessment Initiative for the varsity students to enable them to built successful careers in various areas.
The Initiative called ‘Global Talent Track’ shall assess students on various skills, identify their strength areas. The students shall have to undergo the Talent Assessment Test in categories like Engineering, Computer, Information Technology, Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Commerce and Business Administration.
The assessment process shall start this week for about 2000 students, who shall be assessed with the help of assessment tools. Based on assessments, students will be provided with developmental feedback in terms of career options and possible developmental tools to sharpen their skills and boost up confidence.
Based on the Talent Assessment Report, the GTT will recommend suitable courses for students of the University. Once recommendations are accepted, GTT counselors would provide feedback on the outcome of talent assessment and the courses for which they would enroll.
The registration process can be done on the website, www.gtterp.com .
To review the whole process, the Kashmir University authorities and academics on Wednesday held an extensive meeting, which was chaired by the dean, Academic Affairs, Prof Aziz-ul-Azeem. The discussion for the meeting was opened by Director EMMRC Dr Shahid Rasool and after wards the members had a threadbare discussion . It was decided that the varsity shall be identifying students and providing computer labs for conducting the tests besides other necessary infrastructure and manpower.
The KU’s controller of examinations, Prof A M Shah, also represented the varsity as Registrar during the meeting. Among others present in the meeting included Prof M A Qureshi, director IQAC; Prof M A Sahaf director Business School; Dr Meraj ud Din, director IT, KU ; Prof A. M Mir, principal S P College; Zeenat Ara, Principal women’s college, M A Road; Prof Aijaz Hussain, Principal Boys Colelge Baramullah; Prof Z A Chatt, principal degree college Anantnag: and Dr G M Tibet Baqal, Tral degree college; Sheique Mee’raj, principal IMFA Srinagar; Er G N Lone, administrator IICM; Dr S M Qadri, director, Computer Centre; Dr SM Shafi, HoD Library and Information Science; Dr Bashir Ahmad, Director Foreign Languages; and Dr Shahid Rasool director EMMRC.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Next US envoy to India may talk about Kashmir
US President Barack Obama`s ambassadorial pick for New Delhi, Tim Roemer, is likely to bring “the Kashmir baggage” with him, a Times of India report said on Tuesday. Roemer, a think-tank security analyst, appears to have a great deal of familiarity with Pakistan. The danger of this, the report says, is that he may be encouraged to “view India through the Islamabad lens”. He could also have an uphill task trying to engage with an India that believes it has shrugged off the old “hyphenation” with Pakistan. Given Roemer`s knowledge of the terrorism problem, Indian diplomats said off the record they were not worried that the new ambassador would blame New Delhi for the break in talks with Pakistan. Result-oriented: In 2008 Roemer wrote in The Huffington Post, “In regards to Pakistan, the US must embark on an invigorated three-part strategy. First, we must encourage and support the building of sustainable institutions and enhancing the power of Pakistani civil society. Next, we must engage in tougher and smarter diplomacy to enhance our power in the region, especially when it comes to stemming the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related technology and weapons proliferation. Lastly, we must impose a more results-oriented system of military aid to ensure that in providing funding, we are not degrading our own efforts in the region.”According to the report, Roemer is known for his views supporting an “international diplomatic effort to resolve the Kashmir dispute and resolve regional tensions”, but he remains equally concerned about the safety of Islamabad`s nuclear weapons.(Daily Times)
Next US envoy to India may talk about Kashmir
US President Barack Obama`s ambassadorial pick for New Delhi, Tim Roemer, is likely to bring “the Kashmir baggage” with him, a Times of India report said on Tuesday. Roemer, a think-tank security analyst, appears to have a great deal of familiarity with Pakistan. The danger of this, the report says, is that he may be encouraged to “view India through the Islamabad lens”. He could also have an uphill task trying to engage with an India that believes it has shrugged off the old “hyphenation” with Pakistan. Given Roemer`s knowledge of the terrorism problem, Indian diplomats said off the record they were not worried that the new ambassador would blame New Delhi for the break in talks with Pakistan. Result-oriented: In 2008 Roemer wrote in The Huffington Post, “In regards to Pakistan, the US must embark on an invigorated three-part strategy. First, we must encourage and support the building of sustainable institutions and enhancing the power of Pakistani civil society. Next, we must engage in tougher and smarter diplomacy to enhance our power in the region, especially when it comes to stemming the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related technology and weapons proliferation. Lastly, we must impose a more results-oriented system of military aid to ensure that in providing funding, we are not degrading our own efforts in the region.”According to the report, Roemer is known for his views supporting an “international diplomatic effort to resolve the Kashmir dispute and resolve regional tensions”, but he remains equally concerned about the safety of Islamabad`s nuclear weapons.
Come together to defeat Taliban in AfPak: US to intl community
The United States has asked the international community to come together to defeat the dangerously increasing influnce of Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan but at the same time acknowledged that this is not going to be easy."The international community needs to come together, and we are trying as are others to bring diplomatic, military, and other types of pressures on the Taliban to defeat them," the State Department Acting Spokesman, Robert Wood, told reporters at his daily press briefing."It is (defeating the Taliban) not going to be easy," Wood said, adding "it has been very difficult the last seven years." He said the Obama Administration was very clear in terms of how they were going to prioritize their efforts to defeat the Taliban and to strengthen both Afghanistan and Pakistan.Observing the Taliban as a very serious threat, he said the US is working with the governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan to do what it can to counter these violent extremists."But they have carried out horrific acts. They continue to do so," he said.
Depositors to get better rates on savings accounts
Depositors are tipped to earn better returns on bank savings accounts in the future with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) having altered the
calculation of interest earned on such deposits.
In its annual policy statement for FY10, RBI has instructed banks to calculate the interest on savings bank accounts on a daily basis. Currently, banks calculate the interest based on the minimum balance held in savings accounts from the tenth to the last day of each calendar month.
Since interest is paid only on the minimum balance, the effective return to the depositor works out to around 2.9%, way below RBI’s mandated 3.5% rate. Once banks start offering interest on the balance maintained on a daily basis, the effective return will increase to between 3.25% and 3.5%, a banker said.
Calculation on a daily basis would be effective from April 2010 and the modalities would be worked out in consultation with banks. Addressing the media, RBI governor D Subbarao described the move as a depositor-friendly measure.
For bankers though, the new calculation will imply a higher cost of funds. “The cost will go up by 25-50 basis points. However, it will vary from one bank to another,” said A C Mahajan, CMD, Canara Bank.
Senior bankers say that the salaried class and pensioners would benefit the most by RBI’s move. Bank officials say that private lenders, which have a large number of salaried accounts in their portfolios, could witness a partial rise in their cost of funds.
RBI, in its credit policy document said, “several banks have suggested that interest on savings bank accounts may be calculated either on the minimum balances in the deposit accounts during the period from the first to the last day of each calendar month or on a daily product basis.
The matter was referred to the IBA, which was of the view that payment of interest on a daily product basis would be feasible only when computerisation in banks is completed.”
Some bankers have raised issues related to structural rigidity on interest rates in the system. “Returns on reverse repo — surplus funds parked by banks with RBI — will be 3.25%, while the interest rate that banks are required to pay depositors on savings account is 3.5%. There is an anomaly in this which needs to be corrected ,” pointed KC Chakrabarty, CMD, Punjab National Bank.
The share of savings deposits in total deposits was 24%, or around Rs 35.48 lakh crore, as of end-December 2008, according to RBI data.
calculation of interest earned on such deposits.
In its annual policy statement for FY10, RBI has instructed banks to calculate the interest on savings bank accounts on a daily basis. Currently, banks calculate the interest based on the minimum balance held in savings accounts from the tenth to the last day of each calendar month.
Since interest is paid only on the minimum balance, the effective return to the depositor works out to around 2.9%, way below RBI’s mandated 3.5% rate. Once banks start offering interest on the balance maintained on a daily basis, the effective return will increase to between 3.25% and 3.5%, a banker said.
Calculation on a daily basis would be effective from April 2010 and the modalities would be worked out in consultation with banks. Addressing the media, RBI governor D Subbarao described the move as a depositor-friendly measure.
For bankers though, the new calculation will imply a higher cost of funds. “The cost will go up by 25-50 basis points. However, it will vary from one bank to another,” said A C Mahajan, CMD, Canara Bank.
Senior bankers say that the salaried class and pensioners would benefit the most by RBI’s move. Bank officials say that private lenders, which have a large number of salaried accounts in their portfolios, could witness a partial rise in their cost of funds.
RBI, in its credit policy document said, “several banks have suggested that interest on savings bank accounts may be calculated either on the minimum balances in the deposit accounts during the period from the first to the last day of each calendar month or on a daily product basis.
The matter was referred to the IBA, which was of the view that payment of interest on a daily product basis would be feasible only when computerisation in banks is completed.”
Some bankers have raised issues related to structural rigidity on interest rates in the system. “Returns on reverse repo — surplus funds parked by banks with RBI — will be 3.25%, while the interest rate that banks are required to pay depositors on savings account is 3.5%. There is an anomaly in this which needs to be corrected ,” pointed KC Chakrabarty, CMD, Punjab National Bank.
The share of savings deposits in total deposits was 24%, or around Rs 35.48 lakh crore, as of end-December 2008, according to RBI data.
India can’t pardon Prabakaran but I have no hatred, says Priyanka
Congress star campaigner Priyanka Vadra on Tuesday said India as a nation could not forgive LTTE chief V. Prabakaran for the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, though personally she and her family harboured no “hatred or anger” against the killers.
Ms. Vadra downplayed the comments of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi that Prabakaran was not a terrorist, saying she would have no “personal grief” even if anybody “praises” the LTTE chief. — PTI
Ms. Vadra downplayed the comments of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi that Prabakaran was not a terrorist, saying she would have no “personal grief” even if anybody “praises” the LTTE chief. — PTI
Pakistan Calls on Pro-Taliban Cleric to Honor Swat Peace Accord
Pakistan called on a pro-Taliban cleric to honor a peace accord in the Swat Valley where Islamic law has been introduced, as militants entered a neighboring district and challenged local authorities.
Sufi Muhammad must guarantee peace and avoid making fresh demands of the government, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told reporters yesterday, the state-controlled Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Muhammad helped negotiate the peace agreement that saw Islamic law introduced in seven districts of North West Frontier Province, after almost two years of fighting in the Swat Valley, a former tourist resort northwest of Islamabad.
Instead of laying down their arms, some Taliban militants have captured houses in Buner district, where they are patrolling the streets and preventing the government from functioning, Sardar Hussain Babak, a provincial minister, said by telephone from Peshawar yesterday.
The drive into Buner brings the Taliban to within about 110 kilometers (70 miles) of Islamabad, their closest approach to the capital with organized ground forces in the five years since they began fighting the government.
“We will not allow the militants to challenge the writ of the government,” Babak said.
Justice System
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the so-called Nizam-i- Adal, or Justice System, last week to introduce Islamic law in the so-called Provincially Administered Tribal Areas, which includes the districts of Swat, Buner, Chitral, Shangla, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Malakand. Together they make up 40 percent of the land area of North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan.
Under the regulation, conventional courts were to be replaced by a Shariah system of justice from April 14, the day the law was approved.
Muhammad is threatening fresh protests unless the government appoints Islamic judges by tomorrow. The government has said assigning judges takes time.
Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, has said he is troubled by the peace accord in the area, where militants have burned schools, banned education for girls and beheaded government officials.
Militant leader Maulana Fazlullah, who is Muhammad`s son- in-law and is based in Swat, has refused to surrender weapons under the accord.
President Barack Obama is pressing Zardari`s government to crack down on extremists and last month said a $7.5 billion aid package over five years proposed by Congress should be conditional on cooperation in fighting extremism.
Pakistan says it is trying to counter militants through the selective use of military force and political and economic programs in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
Terrorism has cost Pakistan $35 billion in economic losses and damage to infrastructure, the government said in a statement last week. More than 3,500 terrorist incidents have taken place in Pakistan since 2007 and attacks have killed an average of 84 people a month this year.
Sufi Muhammad must guarantee peace and avoid making fresh demands of the government, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told reporters yesterday, the state-controlled Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Muhammad helped negotiate the peace agreement that saw Islamic law introduced in seven districts of North West Frontier Province, after almost two years of fighting in the Swat Valley, a former tourist resort northwest of Islamabad.
Instead of laying down their arms, some Taliban militants have captured houses in Buner district, where they are patrolling the streets and preventing the government from functioning, Sardar Hussain Babak, a provincial minister, said by telephone from Peshawar yesterday.
The drive into Buner brings the Taliban to within about 110 kilometers (70 miles) of Islamabad, their closest approach to the capital with organized ground forces in the five years since they began fighting the government.
“We will not allow the militants to challenge the writ of the government,” Babak said.
Justice System
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the so-called Nizam-i- Adal, or Justice System, last week to introduce Islamic law in the so-called Provincially Administered Tribal Areas, which includes the districts of Swat, Buner, Chitral, Shangla, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Malakand. Together they make up 40 percent of the land area of North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan.
Under the regulation, conventional courts were to be replaced by a Shariah system of justice from April 14, the day the law was approved.
Muhammad is threatening fresh protests unless the government appoints Islamic judges by tomorrow. The government has said assigning judges takes time.
Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, has said he is troubled by the peace accord in the area, where militants have burned schools, banned education for girls and beheaded government officials.
Militant leader Maulana Fazlullah, who is Muhammad`s son- in-law and is based in Swat, has refused to surrender weapons under the accord.
President Barack Obama is pressing Zardari`s government to crack down on extremists and last month said a $7.5 billion aid package over five years proposed by Congress should be conditional on cooperation in fighting extremism.
Pakistan says it is trying to counter militants through the selective use of military force and political and economic programs in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
Terrorism has cost Pakistan $35 billion in economic losses and damage to infrastructure, the government said in a statement last week. More than 3,500 terrorist incidents have taken place in Pakistan since 2007 and attacks have killed an average of 84 people a month this year.
President, PM discuss political situation
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan‑e‑Sadr on Tuesday night and discussed with him the current political situation in the country. In a statement spokesperson of the party former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President who is also the Co‑Chairman of the party said that a meeting of the PPP MNAs and MPAs from Punjab will be called this week to take a final decision on the modalities of quitting the Punjab government in the wake of the decision by the PML‑N not to rejoin the federal government.
It may be recalled that the Pakistan Peoples Party had decided to quit the provincial government in Punjab and sit in the opposition in case the PML‑N refused to join the federal government, the spokesperson said.
The President also apprised the Prime Minister of his visit to Japan and China and the Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo that pledged over five billion dollars of aid to Pakistan by a number of countries and international financial institutions.
The Prime Minister felicitated the President on the outcome of the Friends meeting in Tokyo.
The two also discussed the recent Presidential letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to urgently take appropriate legislative steps for implementing the Charter of Democracy signed between the PPP and the PML‑N in May 2006.
The Prime Minister apprised the President of the steps that are being taken in this regard, the spokesperson said. (APP)
It may be recalled that the Pakistan Peoples Party had decided to quit the provincial government in Punjab and sit in the opposition in case the PML‑N refused to join the federal government, the spokesperson said.
The President also apprised the Prime Minister of his visit to Japan and China and the Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo that pledged over five billion dollars of aid to Pakistan by a number of countries and international financial institutions.
The Prime Minister felicitated the President on the outcome of the Friends meeting in Tokyo.
The two also discussed the recent Presidential letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to urgently take appropriate legislative steps for implementing the Charter of Democracy signed between the PPP and the PML‑N in May 2006.
The Prime Minister apprised the President of the steps that are being taken in this regard, the spokesperson said. (APP)
Naxals hijack train, 200 passengers ahead of LS polls
Hundreds of Maoist rebels captured a passenger train with about 200 people on board in Jharkhand on Wednesday, police said. According to the sources, a rebel on the train pulled the emergency cord, forcing it to stop in a remote area in Ehegara district. The passenger train was heading towards Mugalsarai from Barcakaana. No casuality has been reported so far.Officials said police had rushed to the area. Maoist rebels are targeting the government machinery ahead in an attempt to disrupt second phase of LS polls. Maoist rebels, who claim to fight for peasants and landless labourers, have stepped up attacks in recent days opposing general elections in the area. They launched several attacks in different areas on April 16 disrupting first phase of LS polls.The rebels, with strong links to Maoist guerrillas just to the north in Nepal, are becoming increasingly active and some analysts say they pose a bigger problem for the central government in Delhi than the separatist rebellion in Kashmir. The government estimates there are about 9,300 Maoist rebels operating in the country in what is known as the `Red Corridor`, stretching from the Nepal border in the north through several states to south India.
Pakistan Faces Threat From Terrorism, Not India, Petraeus Says
The greatest threat facing Pakistan comes from terrorism, not India, U.S. Army General David Petraeus said, as he called on the government in Islamabad to change its mindset toward its neighbor.
The shift in thinking that should take place in Pakistan is similar to what happened in the U.S. after the Cold War, Petraeus said in a speech at Harvard University yesterday, adding America had grown “comfortable” facing off against the Soviet Union.
“The existential threat” facing Pakistan “is internal extremists and not India,” Petraeus, who commands American Forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, said in the speech at the Kennedy School of Government.
The Obama administration is pressing Pakistan`s President Asif Ali Zardari to do more to tackle al-Qaeda and Taliban militants sheltering in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month that tensions with India over the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir were diverting Pakistan from the fight against extremism.
India realizes the “desirability of reducing tensions” so Pakistan can focus its efforts on combating terrorists, Petraeus told reporters later.
The five-year peace process between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors has been stalled since gunmen killed 166 people in India`s financial hub, Mumbai, in November. India blamed the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the assault.
`9/11 Moment`
The Mumbai attack “was a true 9/11 moment” for India, Petraeus said, adding the government in New Delhi “displayed considerable restraint.”
Kashmir, claimed by India and Pakistan, triggered two of the three wars the nations fought since independence in 1947.
The flashpoint has forced Pakistan to maintain a two-front military strategy that is diverting troops from fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda, Mullen told Pentagon reporters March 27.
Many members of Pakistan`s government recognize that extremist elements pose a threat to its authority and must be brought under control, Petraeus said.
Terrorism has cost Pakistan $35 billion in economic losses and damage to infrastructure, according to the government in Islamabad. More than 3,500 terrorist incidents have occurred since 2007, killing an average of 84 people per month this year.
The shift in thinking that should take place in Pakistan is similar to what happened in the U.S. after the Cold War, Petraeus said in a speech at Harvard University yesterday, adding America had grown “comfortable” facing off against the Soviet Union.
“The existential threat” facing Pakistan “is internal extremists and not India,” Petraeus, who commands American Forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, said in the speech at the Kennedy School of Government.
The Obama administration is pressing Pakistan`s President Asif Ali Zardari to do more to tackle al-Qaeda and Taliban militants sheltering in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month that tensions with India over the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir were diverting Pakistan from the fight against extremism.
India realizes the “desirability of reducing tensions” so Pakistan can focus its efforts on combating terrorists, Petraeus told reporters later.
The five-year peace process between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors has been stalled since gunmen killed 166 people in India`s financial hub, Mumbai, in November. India blamed the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the assault.
`9/11 Moment`
The Mumbai attack “was a true 9/11 moment” for India, Petraeus said, adding the government in New Delhi “displayed considerable restraint.”
Kashmir, claimed by India and Pakistan, triggered two of the three wars the nations fought since independence in 1947.
The flashpoint has forced Pakistan to maintain a two-front military strategy that is diverting troops from fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda, Mullen told Pentagon reporters March 27.
Many members of Pakistan`s government recognize that extremist elements pose a threat to its authority and must be brought under control, Petraeus said.
Terrorism has cost Pakistan $35 billion in economic losses and damage to infrastructure, according to the government in Islamabad. More than 3,500 terrorist incidents have occurred since 2007, killing an average of 84 people per month this year.
Lok Sabha Elections 2009 - from Karnataka
Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad (former CM of Jammu and Kashmir) today asserted that India was economically strong under UPA. Even while the entire world reeled under a bout of severe economic slow down and cash crunch, India’s economy had not budged and people had lived a normal life.
This achievement was not an ordinary one, all major economies of the world had shook under the economic slowdown and severe financial depression, but due to adroit financial management and extra steps taken by the Prime Minister and the finance minister the country could steer clear of the disaster he added. He was speaking at a public function at Ullal in the Mangalore Lok Sabha Constituency on Tuesday night.
Showering praises on the Congress candidate B. Janardhana Poojary Mr. Azad said he was a workhorse, and one of the few clean politicians this country every produced. He always had the welfare of the people on top of his services are needed for the country at the highest law making body. He said through loan melas in the 1970s Mr. Poojary had started a revolution in financing the poor people which even today is an outstanding example of pro poor programme.
He said Karnataka was one of the most progressive states and it had become the world capital of software and IT industries under Mr. S.M. Krishna’s government but under Mr. Yeddyurappa the state has hit a retro track and has become notorious for anti people activities including attacks on minorities and churches. Mr. Azad said the home minister of Karnataka Dr. V.S. Acharya had made a mischievous statement calling the Congress leaders communal. But the people of the country knows who is communal by the actions of the BJP and its fringe groups. Others who were present on the occasion included Congress leaders Ivan D’Souza, U.T. Khader, Suresh Ballal and Kallige Tharanath Shetty.
This achievement was not an ordinary one, all major economies of the world had shook under the economic slowdown and severe financial depression, but due to adroit financial management and extra steps taken by the Prime Minister and the finance minister the country could steer clear of the disaster he added. He was speaking at a public function at Ullal in the Mangalore Lok Sabha Constituency on Tuesday night.
Showering praises on the Congress candidate B. Janardhana Poojary Mr. Azad said he was a workhorse, and one of the few clean politicians this country every produced. He always had the welfare of the people on top of his services are needed for the country at the highest law making body. He said through loan melas in the 1970s Mr. Poojary had started a revolution in financing the poor people which even today is an outstanding example of pro poor programme.
He said Karnataka was one of the most progressive states and it had become the world capital of software and IT industries under Mr. S.M. Krishna’s government but under Mr. Yeddyurappa the state has hit a retro track and has become notorious for anti people activities including attacks on minorities and churches. Mr. Azad said the home minister of Karnataka Dr. V.S. Acharya had made a mischievous statement calling the Congress leaders communal. But the people of the country knows who is communal by the actions of the BJP and its fringe groups. Others who were present on the occasion included Congress leaders Ivan D’Souza, U.T. Khader, Suresh Ballal and Kallige Tharanath Shetty.
NC spreading fallacies to encourage poll boycott :Mehbooba
Exhorting the people to teach a lesson to the ruling coalition for its failure to fulfill promises made with the common masses during the assembly elections, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti today said that four month period of the this new dispensation is a clear indication that Congress-National Conference has failed on all fronts.
Addressing series of public meetings at Bela and Bhadewah areas to winding up her tour in this mountainous belt in support of party candidates Sheikh Mujib Ali for Bhaderwah assembly seat and Balbir Singh for Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, Ms Mufti said for the last four months functioning of this dispensation is appearing only on papers and at grassroots level not even a single promise has been so far implemented. She reminded the gatherings that during campaign of the assembly elections, National Conference had made a number of promises with the people but these promises are yet not translated into reality.
What to say to fulfilling the promises, Congress-National Conference regime has further compounded woes of the masses due to its casual approach, she said and lambasted the ruling party for playing with the emotions of the people to garner political support.
We will not remain a mute spectator to the misdeeds of the government, she asserted and reiterated her resolve to make PDP a voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We have enough strengthen in the assembly to keep a check on the anti-people steps of the government, she said, adding, just to grab the power, National Conference and Congress has entered into an alliance without forming Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and without evolving consensus on vital issues.
We have given enough time to this regime to perform, she said and reminded the NC leaders about their promises of giving stipend to educated unemployed youth, subsidized ration, curtailing of education for recruitment in police etc. All these promises remained only on papers, she said and called the people to compare performance of his three year tenure with the decades long mis-governance of successive National Conference led regimes.
Highlighted achievements of PDP coalition in the State, she said that it was only during three year regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that equal treatment was given to all regions and sub-regions of the State. Before formation of PDP led regime in 2002, there were complaints of discrimination and step motherly treatments, she recalled and hastened to add, our regime not only removed these discrimination but also empowered Jammu region. She said that that in its three years regime the PDP has carved out a new path of peace and progress in this region and added that in short span of time his party has laid a strong foundation of mutual trust and confidence among all regions of the State.
PDP chief further stated that ruling National Conference has been spreading rumours about presence of female militants to create terror among the people. As boycott suits NC so this party has been spreading rumours. Earlier they were spreading rumours about infiltration of Taliban and now they have been stating that female militants have been active in the State, she said.
PDP chief expressed her anguish over character assassination of those females who were killed in encounter with security forces. On humanitarian ground authorities should not indulged in such inhuman acts, she said.
In the presence of Mehbooba Mufti, district president of the Youth National Conference Abdil Iqbal joined PDP along with hundreds of his supporters. Prominent among those who joined PDP included Ghulam Hyder Khan, Mohammad Yasin, Ghulam Nabi, Mohammad Rafiq, Mohammad Hanif, Ghulam Mohammad, Shakil Ahmed, Abdul Gani, Jamal Din, Abdul Rashid, Mohammad Irhad, Asadullah, Ghulam Qadir, Mohammad Iqbal, Ayub Khan, Mohammad Yasin and others.
Addressing series of public meetings at Bela and Bhadewah areas to winding up her tour in this mountainous belt in support of party candidates Sheikh Mujib Ali for Bhaderwah assembly seat and Balbir Singh for Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, Ms Mufti said for the last four months functioning of this dispensation is appearing only on papers and at grassroots level not even a single promise has been so far implemented. She reminded the gatherings that during campaign of the assembly elections, National Conference had made a number of promises with the people but these promises are yet not translated into reality.
What to say to fulfilling the promises, Congress-National Conference regime has further compounded woes of the masses due to its casual approach, she said and lambasted the ruling party for playing with the emotions of the people to garner political support.
We will not remain a mute spectator to the misdeeds of the government, she asserted and reiterated her resolve to make PDP a voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We have enough strengthen in the assembly to keep a check on the anti-people steps of the government, she said, adding, just to grab the power, National Conference and Congress has entered into an alliance without forming Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and without evolving consensus on vital issues.
We have given enough time to this regime to perform, she said and reminded the NC leaders about their promises of giving stipend to educated unemployed youth, subsidized ration, curtailing of education for recruitment in police etc. All these promises remained only on papers, she said and called the people to compare performance of his three year tenure with the decades long mis-governance of successive National Conference led regimes.
Highlighted achievements of PDP coalition in the State, she said that it was only during three year regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that equal treatment was given to all regions and sub-regions of the State. Before formation of PDP led regime in 2002, there were complaints of discrimination and step motherly treatments, she recalled and hastened to add, our regime not only removed these discrimination but also empowered Jammu region. She said that that in its three years regime the PDP has carved out a new path of peace and progress in this region and added that in short span of time his party has laid a strong foundation of mutual trust and confidence among all regions of the State.
PDP chief further stated that ruling National Conference has been spreading rumours about presence of female militants to create terror among the people. As boycott suits NC so this party has been spreading rumours. Earlier they were spreading rumours about infiltration of Taliban and now they have been stating that female militants have been active in the State, she said.
PDP chief expressed her anguish over character assassination of those females who were killed in encounter with security forces. On humanitarian ground authorities should not indulged in such inhuman acts, she said.
In the presence of Mehbooba Mufti, district president of the Youth National Conference Abdil Iqbal joined PDP along with hundreds of his supporters. Prominent among those who joined PDP included Ghulam Hyder Khan, Mohammad Yasin, Ghulam Nabi, Mohammad Rafiq, Mohammad Hanif, Ghulam Mohammad, Shakil Ahmed, Abdul Gani, Jamal Din, Abdul Rashid, Mohammad Irhad, Asadullah, Ghulam Qadir, Mohammad Iqbal, Ayub Khan, Mohammad Yasin and others.
Sagar castigates PDP
Senior National Conference leader and Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that it has been the stand of National Conference that issue of Jammu and Kashmir can be resolved only through talks adding that the party never on its autonomy plank.
Addressing election rallies in Pulwama today, Mr. Sagar said that present coalition government led by a dynamic and young leader Mr. Omar Abdullah had a comprehensive plan for socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed to vote for NC candidate for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency Dr. Mehboob Beig.
Mr. Sagar said that PDP had always worked against the interests of the people of the state to misled people by hollow slogans. He added that the people have rejected PDP and voted NC to power adding that PDP can no longer exploit the sentiments of people. He alleged that PDP was hand in glove with BJP. He said PDP was the brain child of BJP and was created to work against a strong organization like NC.
Addressing election rallies in Pulwama today, Mr. Sagar said that present coalition government led by a dynamic and young leader Mr. Omar Abdullah had a comprehensive plan for socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed to vote for NC candidate for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency Dr. Mehboob Beig.
Mr. Sagar said that PDP had always worked against the interests of the people of the state to misled people by hollow slogans. He added that the people have rejected PDP and voted NC to power adding that PDP can no longer exploit the sentiments of people. He alleged that PDP was hand in glove with BJP. He said PDP was the brain child of BJP and was created to work against a strong organization like NC.
Review Indus Water Treaty (IWT):Tarigami
Track News Service: CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami has
said that Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan should
be reviewed as the State has been unable to harness the full Hydel
potential.
In a statement issued here, today, Tarigami has observed that it is an
apt time to review the treaty as it has affected the State badly
making it unable to harness the immense Hydel power potential. In
2002, he had initiated a short duration discussion in Legislative
Assembly, urging Central government to safeguard the economic
interests of the state as it was bearing a recurring loss of Rs 65
billion annually due to IWT.
Tarigami added that the State can not harness its 15000 MW power
generation potential due to the treaty and concerted efforts made to
persuade the Centre to compensate these losses have been futile. He
urged that Jammu and Kashmir be accorded a participatory status so
that it could get additional power generated from the Ravi, Beas and
Sutlej rivers for its own requirements.
“We can`t make an optimum use of waters of the Indus, Chenab and
Jehlum rivers for power generation and irrigation. We cannot raise
dams and reservoirs for storing water which could be utilised during
the lean period. This goes against the interests of our State,” he
added.
On outsourcing of operation and maintenance of Bhagliar power project
to NHPC, though for a limited period of time, Tarigami said that
besides being a costlier affair, it generates apprehensions among
masses.
“We should raise requisite level of expertise within our State by
training our own engineers and technicians to run such sophisticated
hydroelectric plants. Till we achieve this goal, we should call
engineers and other allied staff on deputation basis,” Tarigami
stressed.
said that Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan should
be reviewed as the State has been unable to harness the full Hydel
potential.
In a statement issued here, today, Tarigami has observed that it is an
apt time to review the treaty as it has affected the State badly
making it unable to harness the immense Hydel power potential. In
2002, he had initiated a short duration discussion in Legislative
Assembly, urging Central government to safeguard the economic
interests of the state as it was bearing a recurring loss of Rs 65
billion annually due to IWT.
Tarigami added that the State can not harness its 15000 MW power
generation potential due to the treaty and concerted efforts made to
persuade the Centre to compensate these losses have been futile. He
urged that Jammu and Kashmir be accorded a participatory status so
that it could get additional power generated from the Ravi, Beas and
Sutlej rivers for its own requirements.
“We can`t make an optimum use of waters of the Indus, Chenab and
Jehlum rivers for power generation and irrigation. We cannot raise
dams and reservoirs for storing water which could be utilised during
the lean period. This goes against the interests of our State,” he
added.
On outsourcing of operation and maintenance of Bhagliar power project
to NHPC, though for a limited period of time, Tarigami said that
besides being a costlier affair, it generates apprehensions among
masses.
“We should raise requisite level of expertise within our State by
training our own engineers and technicians to run such sophisticated
hydroelectric plants. Till we achieve this goal, we should call
engineers and other allied staff on deputation basis,” Tarigami
stressed.
Appeal to revive Kashmiris` Right of self-determination:All Parties committee for Kashmir
All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination has asked the people of Pakistan not to let a solution not based on the freely expressed will of the people of entire Jammu Kashmir State be imposed on the Kashmiris
THE ALL Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination, comprising heads/senior office bearers of 16 political parties of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, has called upon the people of Pakistan specially the leaders of ruling coalition, and other main political parties, the media and human rights activists, not to let a solution not based on the freely expressed will of the people of entire Jammu Kashmir State be imposed on Kashmiris. It has also demanded of the people, political parties and the media of all parts of Jammu Kashmir State to join and extend full support to All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination in its struggle for reviving Kashmiris` Right of Self-determination that was now being denied to them as was evident from the recent agreements between India and Pakistan which did include their resolve to solve Kashmir Issue but not on the basis of Kashmiri peoples right of self-determination. It may be recalled that the said right was not only inherent with Kashmiris but had also been pledged to them earlier by both the countries publicly and through a number of UN resolutions agreed to by both but not implemented. These appeals and demands were made through two separate letters sent to peoples of Pakistan and Kashmir by Amanullah Khan Convener of All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination.
Explaining the reasons behind formation of the Committee, the letters said that first the people of Pakistan as also the majority of Kashmiris thought and rightly so, that ideological disunity among Kashmiri leaders was irreparably damaging Pakistan`s as also Kashmiris` cause and secondly, and more importantly, the recent India-Pak agreement, while expressing the resolve of both to solve Kashmir Issue, made no mention whatsoever, of Kashmiris` inherent, internationally recognized and pledged right of self-determination nor were Kashmiri people, the real and worst effected party, accepted as even an ordinary party and allow their representatives to participate in the meetings aimed at trying to find a solution of Kashmir issue. This state of affairs was tantamount to treating over 17 million Kashmiris as dumb-driven cattle that no self respectful and politically conscious nation could tolerate. As such as a result of hectic and continuous efforts of some Kashmiri leaders, 16 Kashmiri parties agreed to unite on one point agenda of struggling, collectively to get Kashmiris right of self-determination revived and implemented.
The letters also explained brief activities of the Committee so far which included observing October 14, 2008 as Kashmiris` Right of Self-determination Day on national and international level. Rallies, seminars and demonstrations were held in New York, London and Brussels as also in main cities and towns of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. Literature on Kashmir Issue produced by the Committee was also distributed in large quantity on the occasion.The All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination comprises the leaders/senior office bearers of All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference (both factions), Pakistan Peoples Party AK, Peoples Muslim League (PML), Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party (JKPP), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jammu Kashmir Liberation League (JKLL), Jamat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan National Alliance (GBNA), Jamieat-Ulmai Islam AK, Jamieat Ulmai Jammu Kashmir, Islamic Democratic Party, PPP (Shaheed Bhutto), AK, Peoples National Party (PNP), United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP) and Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM). Amanullah Khan Supreme Head of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is the Convener of the Committee in his personal capacity.
THE ALL Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination, comprising heads/senior office bearers of 16 political parties of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, has called upon the people of Pakistan specially the leaders of ruling coalition, and other main political parties, the media and human rights activists, not to let a solution not based on the freely expressed will of the people of entire Jammu Kashmir State be imposed on Kashmiris. It has also demanded of the people, political parties and the media of all parts of Jammu Kashmir State to join and extend full support to All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination in its struggle for reviving Kashmiris` Right of Self-determination that was now being denied to them as was evident from the recent agreements between India and Pakistan which did include their resolve to solve Kashmir Issue but not on the basis of Kashmiri peoples right of self-determination. It may be recalled that the said right was not only inherent with Kashmiris but had also been pledged to them earlier by both the countries publicly and through a number of UN resolutions agreed to by both but not implemented. These appeals and demands were made through two separate letters sent to peoples of Pakistan and Kashmir by Amanullah Khan Convener of All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination.
Explaining the reasons behind formation of the Committee, the letters said that first the people of Pakistan as also the majority of Kashmiris thought and rightly so, that ideological disunity among Kashmiri leaders was irreparably damaging Pakistan`s as also Kashmiris` cause and secondly, and more importantly, the recent India-Pak agreement, while expressing the resolve of both to solve Kashmir Issue, made no mention whatsoever, of Kashmiris` inherent, internationally recognized and pledged right of self-determination nor were Kashmiri people, the real and worst effected party, accepted as even an ordinary party and allow their representatives to participate in the meetings aimed at trying to find a solution of Kashmir issue. This state of affairs was tantamount to treating over 17 million Kashmiris as dumb-driven cattle that no self respectful and politically conscious nation could tolerate. As such as a result of hectic and continuous efforts of some Kashmiri leaders, 16 Kashmiri parties agreed to unite on one point agenda of struggling, collectively to get Kashmiris right of self-determination revived and implemented.
The letters also explained brief activities of the Committee so far which included observing October 14, 2008 as Kashmiris` Right of Self-determination Day on national and international level. Rallies, seminars and demonstrations were held in New York, London and Brussels as also in main cities and towns of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. Literature on Kashmir Issue produced by the Committee was also distributed in large quantity on the occasion.The All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination comprises the leaders/senior office bearers of All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference (both factions), Pakistan Peoples Party AK, Peoples Muslim League (PML), Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party (JKPP), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jammu Kashmir Liberation League (JKLL), Jamat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan National Alliance (GBNA), Jamieat-Ulmai Islam AK, Jamieat Ulmai Jammu Kashmir, Islamic Democratic Party, PPP (Shaheed Bhutto), AK, Peoples National Party (PNP), United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP) and Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM). Amanullah Khan Supreme Head of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is the Convener of the Committee in his personal capacity.
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