FATA province the only way

The lawyers from tribal areas have demanded amendment in the Frontier Crimes Regulation (The law in itself is a crime against humanity) be amended. These lawyers have also demanded the extension of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to FATA.
However, the requirements to bring the people of tribal areas at par with the rest of the nation are much greater; Nothing less than FATA becoming a province with its own elected assembly, political administration and other trappings will bring peace and prosperity to the area and enforce a will among the tribes to fight terrorism.
The absence of a province of their own, and the presence of the cruel FCR law has held in abeyance the progress of the tribes. The shameful law contains sections which allow the political administration to demolish the house of a tribesman in his absence without informing him of his crime or giving him a chance to defend himself, legally. To give another example: A political agent (PA), who also has the powers of a session judge and deputy commissioner, can send a tribesman to the gallows on the basis of a report prepared by his staff and signed by the tribal elders whose positions and means of living depend on the goodwill of that very PA. Again, the condemned individual has no right to defend himself as he would in any court anywhere in the civilized world: The accused tribesman does not have the right to appeal; to be represented by a lawyer, or to submit evidence in the PA's court. As such, for all practical purposes, the PA is the chief executive, the head investigator, leading prosecutor and the top judge in the political agency of his posting: there is no escape for a tribesman from PA's clutches.
As to the demand for extending the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to FATA; without the structure of lower judiciary, the arrangement will not be effective.
Right now the people of FATA, who are as much citizens of Pakistan as anybody else and as much loyal to the country if not more, are being treated as pariah. For the corrupt bureaucracy in Islamabad, the secretariat for the tribal areas in Peshawar and the as much corrupt local politicians, FATA is the most milk-yielding cow: they would not want to change the arrangement. If only the funds embezzled during the last fifteen years are recovered from the corrupt officials and politicians, these would be enough to bring a major improvement in the infrastructure of the area. The tribal area with a population of 12 million, as it stands today, has no major modern institutions. There is not even one university in FATA. However, the woes of tribes are not just because of the barbaric legal system or the lack of infrastructure, it is also the absence of a modern and democratic political system impeding their freedom from the yoke of backwardness.
The tribes need not just modern courts, police, hospitals and schools; they also require full fledged political institutions: they need a local government system topped by a representative provincial government.
It is not understandable that such an area as Gilgit-Baltistan, which is not recognised either nationally or internationally as part of Pakistan, can be allowed to have an elected assembly, a chief minister and all the administrative paraphernalia of a province, but the same cannot be given to FATA which is a recognised part of the country.
The tribal areas have great potential to develop quickly educationally, culturally, economically and politically if made a province. It has seven agencies as natural geographical units and each agency if declared a district with further subdivisions, which already exists but are held together by a draconian instead of democratic system, can be joined into a province. Just establishing the necessary offices in the headquarters of these districts for the new democratic setup will generate enough development, jobs and hopes to put the tribal people in a positive frame of mind.
The excitement of having a province of their own with a representative provincial assembly which can pass laws for the area and having their own civil administration will invigorate the tribal people to make big strides towards progress on all fronts.
Right now, whatever resistance there is in Fata against the introduction of modern laws and institutions is because of the sense that these are imposed from the outside. With their elected representative making the very laws, promoting similar uplift projects and setting new institutions, such biases will vanish. There will be a healthy competition for projects among the elected representatives from different districts which will further help the tribes snap out of desperation.
Nawaz Sharif had raised voice for making Fata province before elections; now he is in power and is in a position to fulfil his vows. The question is will he?

(Courtesy Frontier post )

Pakistan Won T20 series against Zimbabwe

The Pakistani Cricket Team beat Zimbabwe by 19 runs in the second and last T20 match. Batting first Pakistan scored 179 for 1. The opener Ahmad Shehzad (98 not out) help Pakistan to make a big total. The other best scorer of Pakistani team was the Captain Muhammad Hafeez who scored 54 (not out) and also took 3 crucial wickets.

In reply to the big total Zimbabwe started with determination and they reached to 160 for 8. Hamilton Maskadaz (45), Sean William (25) and Elton Chegumbora (35) helped Zimbabwe for big chase but at last they invian to reach the target.

Ahmad Shahzad stood Man of the match for his brilliant knock (98).

Last Test of Ashes Ends as a draw

The 5th and last test of Ashes ends as a draw. England clinch up the series with 3-0. Batting first Australia scored 492 with the help of 9 wickets. In reply England were all out 377. By this way Australia got lead by 115 and then they started their second innings by scoring quickly. but they scored 111 for six and they declared the innings by giving England the target of 227 runs. With the start of second innings England position was weak but batted extremely good by young Joe Root, Peterson, Trott and they reach the winning point, meanwhile the bad weather stopd' the play and latter on it was announced as draw.

Man of the Match stood Shane Watson for brelient 178 and Man of the series Ion Bell and Paul Harris

Obama to hold talks with Indian PM at White House on September 27

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (APP): President Barack Obama will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at White House on September 27, with their meeting expected to “highlight India’s role in regional security and stability,” according to an official announcement. A White House statement issued after a meeting between U.S. National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and her Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon on Tuesday, said the two officials “also discussed India’s continued support for a stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan.”
The Indian leader’s visit next month will take place at a crucial time for U.S. engagement in the region, as Washington prepares to draw down its combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014. Washington has expressed appreciation for Indian economic aid for Afghanistan but in recent weeks has pressed New Delhi to hold “further dialogue” with Pakistan on simmering down tensions in the disputed Kashmir region.
A statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden afterTuesday’s meeting between the two advisors, said Ambassador Rice and NSA Menon “exchanged ideas on enhancing our security cooperation, reviewed progress on our civil nuclear and clean energy cooperation, and explored greater collaboration on climate change.”

UN calls for probe of Syria gas attack; Pakistan stresses cessation of hostilities

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 22 (APP): The U.N. Security Council, which met in an emergency session on Wednesday, called for “a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation” of the latest allegation of chemical weapons use in Syria.“There is a strong concern among council members about the allegations and a general sense that there must be clarity on what happened and the situation must be followed closely,” Argentina’s U.N. ambassador, Maria Cristina Perceval, the current Security Council president, told reporters after a closed-door meeting of the 15-nation body.The United States, Britain and France are among around 35 countries that called for chief U.N. investigator Ake Sellstrom, whose team is currently in Syria, to investigate the incident as soon as possible.

Syrian anti-government activists accused President Bashar Assad’s government of carrying out a toxic gas attack that killed at least 100 people, including many children as they slept. The government denied using chemicalweapons.
Western news agencies reports said there were scores of bodies - some of them small children - laid on the floor of a clinic with no visible signs of injury following the alleged attack on the eastern suburbs of Damascus.
PAKISTAN:
“We are deeply troubled by the media reports of the alleged use of chemical weapons - Sarin gas - around Damascus,” Pakistan’s U.N. Ambassador Masood Khan told the meeting, while calling for an impartial investigation, according to diplomatic sources.  “If proved, this would be a disastrous escalation and a noxious precedent,” he said, adding that the use of poisonous gas was “condemnable”.
At the same time, he  questioned the claims about the Syrian government’s involvement in the gas attack, the sources said.
“It seems totally counter-intuitive that the Syrian Government would use chemical weapons, especially after  allowing the UN team, led by Ake Sellstrom, into the country to investigate the use of such weapons,” Ambassador Masood Khan told the Security Council. “It would be a most brazen and defiant move on part of the Syrian Government to implicate itself under the glare of international spotlight.”
Noting Syrian Government’s denial of the use of gas and the opposition activists’ insistance that it has, the Pakistani envoy said it was extremely important to determine facts through an impartial investigation.
“We have heard claims and counter-claims in the past too from Government and opposition,” Masood Khan said, adding: “The veracity of these claims has to be ascertained beyond a shadow of doubt.”
RUSSIA/CHINA:
During the private Council meeting, Russia and China, which support the Syrian government, blocked a stronger press statement supported by Britain, France, the United States and others, according to western diplomats who declinedto be named. But Russia and China agreed that the council president could sum up the session with “press elements” close to the weakest response from the U.N.’s most powerful body, the diplomats said,  PROBE:
Ambassador Perceval, the Council’s president,  said Council members “welcomed the determination of the secretary-general (Ban Ki-moon) to ensure a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation.”
“All council members agreed that any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances is a violation of international law,” she said.
“There was also an agreement for a strong call for a cessation of hostilities and a cease-fire. (and) the need for immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims.”
The attack coincided with the visit to Syria by a 20-member U.N. chemical weapons team which only has a mandate to investigate three previous allegations of chemical weapons use.
U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who briefed the Council, expressed hope that the Syrian government will give the team access to the site as soon as possible, though he cautioned that “the security situation right nowdoes not allow such access.”
This represents, no matter what conclusions are, a serious escalation with grave humanitarian consequences and human consequences,” Eliasson stressed.
He called for a cessation of hostilities not only in the area of the alleged attack but throughout Syria, where the U.N. says more than 100,000 people have been killed in the 2 ½ year conflict.
“What this incident has shown is, of course, that we must contain this conflict,” Eliasson said.
“We have already seen effects on the regional implications, and now, the possibility of the use of chemical weapons which is to be investigated.”
A U.N. spokesman, Eduardo del Buey, said the head of the U.N. team, Swedish professor Ake Sellstrom, is in discussions with the Syrian government on all issues pertaining to the alleged use of chemical weapons, including this most recent reported incident.
He said the secretary-general was aware that a number of member states, the Arab League and the European Union have expressed ‘grave concern’ about the latest alleged attack.
“The secretary-general reaffirms his determination to ensure a thorough investigation of the reported alleged incidents that are brought to his attention by member states,” del Buey said.
At the Council meeting, some diplomats cautioned that the mandate for the current investigation is limited.
“The current UN investigations team is not mandated to to  affix responsibility but to establish whether or not chemical weapons have indeed been used,” Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khan told the meeting, according  todiplomatic sources.
CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES:
“Once the use of chemical weapons  is confirmed, a new mechanism could be created by the United Nations with the mandate to assign responsibility and recommend further measures,” he said.
“A credible, professional and objective evaluation of the alleged claims of the past is of utmost importance.” He urged  the Syrian Government to cooperate fully with the UN team.
“The right course of action is that the UN team on the ground be authorized to visit the site to establish the release of Sarin gas as a weapon.”
Masood Khan also called for cessation of hostilities, saying, “The death toll is very high. The scale of hostilities is alarming. Killings have to stop.
Immediate humanitarian  assistance should be given to the victims.”
He said ceasefire was needed not only for investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons but to stop massive killings. “We do agree that the Government and opposition should be persuaded to move swiftly to Geneva, to thenegotiating table.”

UN rights chief questions US and Israel on drones

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 20 (APP): Asserting that armed drone strikes violate human rights, a top U.N. official has urged the United States and its ally, Israel, to clarify the legal basis for the use of unmanned aircraft in Pakistan, Yemen and Gaza. “I urge relevant States to clarify the legal basis for such strikes, as well as the safeguards in place to ensure compliance with applicable international law”, Navi Pillay, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the Security Council on Monday without actually naming the two allied states.

The current lack of transparency surrounding their use, she said, created an “accountability vacuum” and affected the ability of victims to seek redress.
Pillay, who was participating in a debate about the protection of civilians in armed conflict, said she is “seriously concerned about human rights implications for the protection of civilians of armed drone strikes carried out in the context of counter-terrorism and military operations, including in Pakistan, Yemen and Gaza.

Pakistan urges India to adopt dialogue process to resolve issues

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Expressing its grave concern on the recent incidents of violation of cease-fire across Line of Control in Kashmir, Pakistan Thursday urged India to adopt the process of dialogue to resolve issues and buildtrust between the two countries. Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry in his weekly briefing here at Foreign Office today asked the Indian leadership to adopt patience like Pakistan has been showing to reduce tension across LoC. Referring to the statements of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the spokesman said Pakistan has once again called upon India to reciprocate its policy of restraint, responsibility and dialogue for the larger interest of peace in the region. He said India should stop cease-fire violations and other provocations.

Expressing concerns over yesterday’s violation at Line of Control,in the Shaqma Sector, in Kargil, which resulted in the martyrdom of a Pakistan Army captain and injury to another solider, the spokesman said Pakistan has conveyed its distress to the Indian government and the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was summoned to the Foreign Office to convey Pakistan’s protest, concern and sentiments.

He said a strong protest was lodged over the unprovoked firing by Indian army soldiers in the Shaqma sector, Kargil, which resulted in the martyrdom of a Pakistan Army captain and injury to another soldier.
The spokesman said Pakistan conveyed its serious concern on the continued violations of the cease-fire across the LoC by the Indian Army over the past few weeks and the escalation of tensions and told India that it is counterproductive and detrimental for stability and peace in the region.
He said as Pakistan is committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement it called upon India to take serious and credible measures to prevent further cease-fire violations and reduce tensions.
The spokesman said Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be construed as its weakness and made it clear that the country’s people and institutions are capable to defend its territory and interests at all cost.
“Our peace overtures are essentially in the interest of the region and the two countries.”
When asked about the doubts about the meeting betweenthe prime ministers of two countries in New York in September,Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the leadership of Pakistan is prepared to use thatoccasion to build confidence and remove the trust deficit.
He said all channels of communications should remain open as suspension of dialogue process will serve the objectives of those who do not want peace in the region.
He said offer of dialogue to India by Pakistan did not mean that Pakistan has given up its stance on Kashmir and referred the recent address of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in which he categorically stated that Jammu Kashmir issue is still unresolved issues between Pakistan and India and it has to be resolved.
He said Kashmir issue always remained on the agenda in the dialogue process between Pakistan and India.
The spokesman said there are many methods to check and stop the violation of cease-fire across LoC and one of them is United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) which is responsible for monitoring any violation across LoC.
Replying to a question, the spokesman said the Afghan President Hamid Karzai will visit Pakistan in the last week of this month to discuss bilateral issues, trade and economic ties and the regional situation especially in the context of post-2014 scenario.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan had very close ties and leaders of both the countries are talking each other to further improve bilateral relations.
Replying to a spokesman about the release of Mullah Baradar. The spokesman said he could not say anything on such issues but assured that Pakistan will take all possible measures to facilitate Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Expressing concern on the latest development in Syria, the spokesman said Pakistan has still diplomatic relations with Syria and its mission is working there. He said foreign office is in close contact with its ambassador in Syria.

South Africa Shocked by India-A

Rustenburg: The South Africa Cricket Team is on the tour of India Now a days. But they have lost the worm-up math against India-A. It is really a shock for African Team. The Indian bowlers continued dominating African batsman and they force out all the African batsman before reaching the desire target.

The India-A won the first unofficial math with 13 runs and an innings. Congratulation for India-A

Last Battle of Ashes will start today

The fifth and last Test of the current Ashes series is going to start today. The England Captain Alastair Cook has assumed that England will dominate Australia in the Final and fifth test to clinch up the series by 4-0. England is already leading the series by 3-0.

But the Australian Captain Micheal Clark said that his team will forget the defeat of previous tests and will perform well in the final test to make the series 3-1.

Both the teams are going to make debut to some new players. England will give debut to off spinner Simon Kerrigan and All-rounder Chris Woakes. The Australia will give Test cap to James Fulkner to play for the first time for Australia.

Bad Luck for Pakistan Cricket Team Umar Akmal will not be able to Come back in Cricket

Peshawar/- The shift-make wicket-keep and middle order batsman was ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour as he is suffering from Epileptic Seizure disease. Sarfaraz Ahmad has received a sudden call to join the team in Zimbabwe as the PCB decided to send him to Zimbabwe. If The Wicket Keeper batsman did not succeeded to reach Harare up to 23rd, the test Wicket Keeper Adman Akmal may tack the clubs in the 1st T20 in Harare. Adnan Akmal had not yet played any T20 for Pakistan, and he is the part of Test Squad in this Tour.

According to other source Umar Akmal (23-years Old) claimed the i am not involved in any fatal disease and Inshallah i will be back soon when proved my fitness to Chairman PCB. He also added that in this connect today (i.e 21.08.2013) i am going to meet the PCB Chairman to inform him from my fitness.

The exclusion of Umar Akmal is a great blow for PCB, because he is very talent batsman in the middle and his replacement for Pakistan will tack time. According to views of public the PCB should treat Umar Akmal wisely and they should make sure the come back of the talented batsman.

Pakistan Cricket Team visit of Zimbabwe

The Pakistan cricket team is on Zimbabwe Tour now a days. All the players are there except Muhammad Hafiz, Sohail Tanvir and Misbahul Haq. Misbah and Hafiz will fly to Zimbabwe from West Indies after take part in the Carebion League. And Sohail Tanvir will join the team from England.

The Pakistan Cricket Team is without wicket keeper because the selected wicket keeper and middle order batsman Umar Akmal got serious illness, thats why the PCB has decided to send Sarfaraz Ahmad as wicket keeper in the Zimbabwe Tour. But Sarfaraz Ahmad has also not been cleared by the immigration Department, and he will join the team after 1st T20 on 23rd of this month.

Pakistan has to play two T20, three one day and two test matches in this current tour of Zimbabwe. The Pakistani Players has assumed that they will perform will in the series and will dominate Zimbabwe Cricket Team in all aspects.

Egypt military threatens "forceful" response to violence

Jim Ensom

18.08.2013, 11:39

Egypt's hardline military leader pledged a "forceful" response to violence rocking the country, as top EU officials prepared to hold emergency talks on Monday on the crisis that has claimed nearly 800 lives in five days. In his first comments since authorities launched a bloody crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned security forces would confront any further violence from protesters."We will never be silent in the face of the destruction of the country," said Sisi, who overthrew Morsi on July 3 after protests against the Islamist president's rule. Читать далее Source: Voice of Russia.

Debate: Growing tensions between the US and Russia

Peter Lavelle	14.08.2013, 21:14
	After a week in which US President Obama cancelled his one-toone meeting with President Putin over growing tensions over anti-missile defence and whistleblower Edward Snowden, Peter Lavelle hosts a discussion on the new Cold War. With Peter Lavelle in London:Alexander Nekrassov, former Kremlin advisor Читать далее Source: Voice of Russia.

Lethal bird flu transmitted from human to human

Tim Ecott	7.08.2013, 18:48
	The British Medical Journal has confirmed human-to-human transmission of the lethal H7N9 'bird flu'. VoR's Tim Ecott discussed the significance of this with Professor Peter Openshaw, professor of respiratory medicine at Imperial College. Читать далее Source: Voice of Russia.

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