About 60,000 CNG rickshaws have so far been registered with the Excise and Taxation Department and they are plying on the roads.

According to sources in the Excise Department, 48,000 CNG rickshaws had been registered till the end of December last year, and 5,700 more rickshaws were issued registration till mid April this year. These figures do not include 2,500 CNG rickshaws that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) distributed among its workers. There are 116 large and small showrooms of CNG rickshaws operating across the city.

However, the traffic police officials were reluctant to give any data about the licences issued under the “auto rickshaw” category despite the department’s claim of having a computerised licence-issuing system.

When contacted, DIG Traffic Licensing and Training Muhammad Malik asked this scribe to contact him the next day so that he could share the data. However, he remained inaccessible on the day due to the reasons best known to him.

Inspector Shahid Hussain, who is deputed at the Clifton Branch of Driving Licence (DL), told this scribe that the data in this context was highly “secret”, as it would require a lot of paperwork in addition to obtaining permission from the higher authorities.

However, one can easily find a bunch of agents and traffic officials at each and every driving licence branch, who are willing to arrange any kind of driving licences on the same day against a sum of Rs3,000 in addition to the official fee.

The traffic police have four driving licence branches in Karachi — in Clifton, Korangi, Baldia and Nazimabad — with the Clifton branch acting as the head office. Sources alleged that those who were reluctant to pay this bribe were penalised with red-tape and they were made to run from pillar to post for months to obtain this “sacred” document.

According to DSP Clifton Branch Mazhar Ali Shaikh, they did not have any proper data about the issuance of licences to CNG rickshaw drivers since there was no provision in the rules and regulations for such vehicles.

Meanwhile, two-stroke rickshaws, which are categorized as auto-rickshaws in driving licences, are plying on the roads on an extension period.An official of the traffic police told this scribe that a learner driving licence for auto-rickshaw could be obtained by paying Rs200 fee. After 42 days, the candidate can apply for a permanent driving licence for which an amount of Rs1,185 is charged for three years period, while Rs 1,485 fee is charged for five years.

However, the ground realities seem to be completely different, as the sources said that some rickshaw drivers have to pay at least Rs2,000 for learner driving licence and Rs4,000 or above for obtaining a permanent commercial licence for three years. Similarly, more money would be required to obtain such licence for five years.

The News conducted a survey in this regard, which revealed that roughly 20 per cent drivers of CNG rickshaws possess valid driving licences while others used to manage their affairs without having such a document. Most of them said that if they were stopped by traffic personnel they had to give at least Rs50 anyway, whether they had the documents or not.

Jamil Khan (not his real name) has been driving a CNG rickshaw for the last two years and he has bitter experiences with the traffic police. He says his past experiences had convinced him that having a driving licence or fitness certificate did not matter.

“In the beginning I used to show my driving licence to the traffic personnel but they let me go without a challan only when I pay them Rs50 or Rs100, so having a licence or not does not simply matter,” he says.

Sources in traffic police informed this scribe that officially each constable was issued white uniform only twice a year and in the prevailing polluted atmosphere of the city one needs dozens of uniforms and their laundry cost, “and this requires money which is usually minted through such practice”.

The sources revealed that picket incharges get themselves deputed at “rich-potential” areas like SITE, Keamari, Shershah, Gulbai, Mauripur and Steel Town only after making highest bid that always runs in millions for the period of one year.

They said that the traffic police take at least Rs 500 to clear each trawler moving for upcountry destinations, while the personnel who are not deputed in “rich areas” fulfill their demands by collecting Rs50 or Rs100 from the rickshaw drivers. However, the traffic personnel also have to meet daily quota of issuing Challans for which they penalize the drivers who did not carry all the required documents.

ISLAMABAD: As the pilots of Bhoja Air Flight B4-213 attempted to land amidst rain and strong winds, the unlucky aircraft might have flown into an unexpected wind shear that possibly smashed it on the ground below.

Soon after the accident, the government ordered an inquiry. It will be conducted by aviation regulator – CAA’s Safety Investigation Board. It would be months before the CAA team comes up with an explanation for the accident.

The probe will look into various aspects — weather, pilots’ role, the condition of equipment, and handling by air traffic controllers and sabotage. Safety record of the airline, whose operations remained suspended for not fulfilling the required criteria, would certainly come under question.

However, pilots and air accident experts, who helped Dawn analyse the tragedy by putting together the chronology of events, say the crash was fairly consistent with what could have been caused by a wind shear. Unfortunately neither the ageing aircraft nor the ill-equipped airport had wind shear detection systems that could have forewarned the pilots and ground controllers. The result was a catastrophe. Wind shear is a meteorological phenomenon involving fast changing wind patterns, mostly downdrafts, that could cause a landing aircraft to lose speed and altitude. If proven this could be possibly the first case of air crash in Pakistan caused by wind shear.

An official of the Met Department confirmed wind shear in the area surrounding the airport at the time of the crash. The pilots were landing under a strong headwind of 30 knots (about 35 mph) picking up to a maximum of 40 knots (some 46 mph) after getting clearance from air traffic control at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. Airport Manager Ashfaq Hussain confirmed that the aircraft had been cleared to land and there wasno signal of distress from the pilots till they were last in contact with the traffic controllers.

The plane at the time of the accident was flying at about 1500 to 1800 feet. Witnesses say that then it suddenly started to drop and within seconds plummeted to the ground. As the aircraft was making an approach for landing, it is evident that pilots had reduced engine power by then and once caught in the wind shear they had very little time to increase the speed to come out of it.

The aircraft apparently then stalled and fell to the ground. Air planes while landing particularly become vulnerable to wind shear because the wheels and flaps are down, inducing a drag, and engines are not operating at full throttle, making it difficult to remain airborne. On the ground the Bhoja Air jet broke into four pieces with no major signs of burning.

Waleed Hassan, an aviation enthusiast, talking to this correspondent from the site of the accident, said he hadn’t seen any fire tenders putting out fire or smelt burnt substance.

Yes, some of the recovered engine pieces were blackened. This was consistent with the claims by some witnesses, who said they saw one of the engines on fire before the jet came down. Experts say the pilots after getting caught in wind shear may have tried to get out of it by applying power, but one of the engines in the process may have flamed out, in causing the plane to go into ‘unusual attitude’. A lesser likelihood, the experts said, could be fuel depletion.

Courtesy: Dawn

Moin Akhtar was a man of many voices and talents. In the annals of Pakistani comedy, there was no one like him and it’s unlikely that there will be again.

Whether it was his stand-up act, hosting a show or the litany of impersonations he did, Moin carved himself a place in the hearts of Pakistanis for generations to come.

Moin started his career from TV a show in 1966 and it wasn’t long before he became the dynamic and versatile performer that millions know and miss today.

Starring in roles including Rozy, Dollar Man, 47, Half Plate, Family-93, Eid Train, Bandar Road Se Kemari, and Fifty/Fifty, Moin single handedly brought a brand of comedy to Pakistani audiences that had not been seen before.

Later with Anwar Maqsood as his scribe, the writer-comedian duo developed a professional chemistry along the same lines as John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

It was a true marriage of two geniuses and with Bushra Ansari joining ranks, their decades long friendship gave rise to a golden age of Pakistani comedy.

Moin performed on various TV shows with Anwar Maqsood, including Loose Talk, Studio Dhai and others.

Fluent in several of the regions languages, Moin’s versatility had no bounds. His performance in the drama “Rozy,” an Urdu adaptation of the Dustin Hoffman classic, “Tootsie”, is one of the seminal characters in Pakistani television history.

In a talk-show namely Loose Talk, which began in 2005 he appeared as a different character in each and every of more than 400 episodes.

But there was more to Moin than his ability to lampoon politicians or his uncanny impersonations of public figures. Above all, those who knew him always spoke of his incredible generosity and grace as a human being.

Despite his fame, Moin never lost the sense of where he came from and where he belonged. He appreciated the small things in life and never missed an opportunity to help those he could.

His loss a year ago left a void in the heart of the country that is unlikely to be filled. But he’s left behind a body of work that is as timeless as the spirit which he embodied.

A true national treasure, Moin left us far too soon, but he left us with a gift that keeps on giving — Laughter.

Courtesy awn

“We would definitely like to open up stores here. Our fabric is already being exported to stores in India. However, textile duties are still quite high and we would want them to come down soon,” says Mian Mansha, Pakistan’s first billionaire and head of the diversified Nishat Group, as he oversees his 10×10 feet stall in Pragati Maidan.

While a few retailers from Pakistan have been exporting their products to India via Dubai and Singapore , brand owners say they are hoping that the trade curbs are removed so that they can directly meet the demand for muslin, lawn, and bret dresses in India. “We need to study the law as there is need for some clarity still. India is an exciting market for us. Discussions between the two countries are at a crucial stage and we will move as soon as there is some decision on their part,” says Bashir Ali Mohammad , chairman of Gul Ahmed, one of the largest textiles group in Pakistan.

Courtesy: Times Of India

To be honest, apart from its legendary origin from the British Raj, I really didn’t know much about Empress Market. My association to this grand bazaar was solely for its culinary value. But last Sunday had been my real supermarket experience in Karachi, after a very long time.

That morning, we all met at the TSW office. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a group of good 12 to 15 talented adults. Before we set out we were explained the purpose of the workshop – to be able to isolate our senses and extract beyond the obvious.

But once in the market place, all our senses were assaulted all at once and to be able to concentrate on each sense individually was quite a challenge.

Once we overcame dodging herds of shoppers, the overpowering smell of garbage and the pervasive sound of traffic, we slowly began to follow the exercise. What lay beyond these rusted Victorian walls, was a true adventure to disrobe.

As we gathered around the main entrance, a gentleman sitting right under the tower wasn’t too pleased with us blocking the entrance and was in fact quite aggressive when he repeatedly told us to hurry up and clear the way. It was quite evident that most of the shopkeepers who had spent most of their lives cloistered within the walls of this old structure, had self-appointed themselves to be responsible for the caretaking of the market. They had spent most of their lives there, taking care of their family owned businesses and had now come to the point of becoming leaders of the pack.

As we moved along inside the market, the conversation I overheard was more amusing than the intricate lanes along the aging concrete. A man selling rat poison chanted “Yeh choohay maarnay ki dawaii le lo, yeh choohoon ko tarpa tarpa ke maray ga.” (Buy this rat poison; it will slowly torture the rats to death). One of our facilitators called out to the man “Why do you want them to be in agony?” He instantly replied, “Why, if you had rats in your house, wouldn’t you want them to die in agony?”

The glorious heaps of dried spices. -Photo by author.

The conversation faded as I entered the spices section and was taken over by the overwhelming aroma of turmeric. The vibrant radiance brimming through the orange awnings, gave the entire spice market a welcoming glow; complimenting the colors of the glorious heaps of spices.

A complete reversal of senses occurred as I entered the meat area. And as if the stench was not enough, I was petrified when a butcher flipped open a goat brain, fishing out the cerebellum he graciously offered it to me to photograph, as if serving a tray full of bakery items.

And what market is complete without its group of cheeky boys? While making our way back to our bus, we passed a small store selling a variety of masks. Two young boys, of about eight to 10 years old, stood behind the counter and greeted us as we moved along. One of them held out his hand to shake with one of our group members. As soon as their hands touched, our group member jumped back, pulling his hand away, startled. Apparently he’d fallen for the old trick these boys play. They wear a ring, which when touched, transmits electric current!

A lonely Mr. Claus hangs from a string, outside the market. -Photo by author.

At the end of our hour-long tour in the midday heat, we were tired and very tempted by the tea and flaky parathas from one of the stalls outside. But since the school didn’t want to take the responsibility of anyone falling sick with the food from these unsanitary eateries, we were told to eat at our own risk. Hence, everyone was cautious and gladly decided instead to have lunch later provided at the school.

Frere Hall was a complete transformation in terms of the ambiance. Unlike Empress Market, Frere Hall is well preserved and has a serene atmosphere. It was quite something to walk down its lush green gardens breathing in the compelling smell of old books.

Sadequain’s last masterpiece on the Frere Hall art gallery ceiling. -Photo by author.

Of course, Sadequain’s last masterpiece is without doubt a breathtaking mural and the most fascinating piece of art in the gallery. But while most people would choose to visit the gallery for a view of this ceiling, I was drawn by the calming view from the balcony instead. There is this sudden change in the air as you step out on it, almost instantly soothing, and perfect to relax in one of those old chairs outside, probably even with a good book from the book bazaar downstairs.

The wooden door of the balcony, just outside the gallery. -Photo by author.

It is surprising that in both these places we were overwhelmed with so much, yet we focused on something so small.

For an amateur photographer like myself, isolating the senses wasn’t a new exercise, but combining that sensation as a group of people was equally good and in some ways even better, the journey became therapeutic somehow. It was also fascinating to see how each of us noticed something different, which makes us realise how different we are as individuals.

Sunday Book Bazaar at the Frere Hall in full swing. -Photo by author.

For anyone who not only needs company while out photographing, but is also keen on learning and exploring the real flavor of Karachi, outside of the headlines, this is definitely the best way to spend your Sunday.

Courtesy: Dawn

A statement issued by the home department on Thursday stated that Home Minster Manzoor Wassan had ordered the ban to be lifted by midnight on Thursday. The statement said that Wassan had lifted the ban to prevent further inconvenience to the citizens. On April 8, the home department imposed a month-long ban on pillion riding after a wave of targeted attacks on political workers.

The statement also denied that the home minister had issued orders for closure of teashops by 11pm, and said that Wassan had directed police to ensure special security arrangements at public places through enhanced patrols, snap-checking and deployment of plainclothes policemen.

Reports that the government had ordered the closure of tea stalls had attracted much criticism by the media and concerned citizens, who believed that it would create an inconvenience for the people and would do little to help the law and order situation.

A number of important institutions, such as the Sindh High Court and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, have observed that law and order would only improve if the government demonstrated political will.

A former senior official of the Home Department, on condition of anonymity, told The News that bans on pillion riding and the imposition of section 144, both of which have been resorted to frequently, have had negligible effect on law and order.

The official believes that the imposition of these laws are just a way for “rogue elements” in the administration and police to “mint money” off the public. “For instance when section 144 — ban on display of weapons — is imposed, the citizens have to pay Rs500-1,000 for permission to possess a licensed weapon. This permission is then cancelled when the ban is lifted, and then imposed again after a gap of one month.”

Rainfall is likely to hit coastal areas of Sindh including Karachi, parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the next 24 hours.

According to the Director General Metorological Department Arif Mehmood, a westerly wave is influencing Balochistan with its extension towards north.

He said that rainfall is expected to hit coastal areas of Sindh in the next 24 hours while Hub and Zhob areas have already received heavy shower during the past 24 hours.

He said moderate to heavy rains with gusty winds are likely to hit most parts of Balochistan including the Makran Coast during the next forty-eight hours.

These rains may cause flash flooding in the local rivers and streams, he said.

DG met said that the sea conditions along Makran Coast would remain rough till Friday.

The fishermen were advised to not to venture in the open sea during this period, he said.

Meanwhile, scattered rainfall of moderate intensity is also likely over most parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab during the 38 to 48 hours, he said.

courtesy: The News

Pakistan and the United States have begun exploring various options for joint ownership of drone attacks against militant targets in the tribal belt after the US flatly refused to stop the predator strikes.

“We are striving to have genuine co-ownership of the drone operations,” a senior Pakistani diplomat, who has been regularly briefed on the ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations between Islamabad and Washington, told Dawn on Thursday.

The various proposals being discussed include a real-time intelligence sharing and advance notification of drone strikes.

A number of sources in Islamabad and Washington confirmed that the US had refused to end drone strikes. This has been conveyed to Pakistani authorities on more than one occasion over the past few weeks, they said.

A Pakistani proposal for using F-16s against militant targets has been rejected as an unsuitable alternative.

“The Americans insist that drones are integral part of their counter-terrorism operations being best suited for this purpose,” the diplomat said.

This development has been accompanied by a softening of the position taken by the government and parliament on the issue of drone attacks.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, while outlining the negotiation agenda at the DCC meeting over the weekend, omitted drone attacks.

“Negotiation on new terms and conditions for resumption of the Ground Lines of Communication (more commonly referred to as Nato supply routes), joint counter-terrorism cooperation, greater inter-agency coordination, transparency in US diplomatic and intelligence footprint in Pakistan, strengthening of border security and non-use of Pakistan’s territory for attacks on other countries and expulsion of all foreign fighters from Pakistan’s territory, are our fundamental policy parameters,” Mr Gilani said while listing ‘policy parameters’ for re-engagement with the US.

The revised draft of new guidelines for relations with the US adopted by parliament also took a softer approach to the issue by just reiterating demand for cessation of the drone attacks – the long-held principled position, but avoided its linkage with resumption and continuity of Nato ground supply routes.

Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan tacitly accepted the shift.

“Pakistan’s relations with the United States are very important. We want to address all issues on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest… at the end of the day, the two countries will have to find some mutually acceptable grounds as to how we want to move forward,” Mr Khan said.

US Embassy spokesman Mark Stroh, when contacted, said: “We are ready to fully engage on full breadth and scope of the recommendations. We are finding areas of mutual interest for moving forward.”Formal negotiations on new terms of engagement are expected to begin later this month with the visit of US Special Envoy Marc Grossman. But, an accord would be finalised during Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit to Washington expected in the first week of May.

Another Pakistani official denied that there had been a sudden change in the position on drone attacks. He recalled that the envoys conference, convened for providing input to the parliamentary review process in December, also did not ask for stopping drone attacks.

He, however, said that despite the apparent settlement to discuss co-ownership of drone, apprehensions persisted in Islamabad and strategists thought that drone did not chime with overall reconciliation strategy.

Courtesy: Dawn

DHAKA: The Bangladesh high court on Thursday ordered the national team’s upcoming tour of Pakistan to be postponed for at least four weeks due to security fears.

Bangladesh were set to play a 50-over game and a Twenty20 international on April 29 and 30 in Lahore, the first international cricket matches in the troubled country for three years.

But Additional Attorney General M.K. Rahman told AFP that the high court in Dhaka had ordered Bangladesh’s cricket authorities to explain why the tour was scheduled to go ahead despite concerns over the team’s safety.

“It asked the cricket board to explain in the next four weeks. During the four weeks, the court imposed an injunction on the cricket team’s tour to Pakistan,” he said.

Bangladesh would be the first team to visit Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus during the Lahore Test in 2009, when eight people died and seven visiting players and an assistant coach were injured.

The high court gave the order following a petition by a lawyer and a university teacher.

Pakistani political leaders, players and fans had welcomed the planned tour, but in Bangladesh concern over the visit has grown since it was announced on Sunday.

“We told the court that the Pakistan tour would risk the lives of our cricketers,” Hassan Azim, lawyer for the two petitioners, told AFP.

“Pakistan is not a safe place for an international sports event. No other international teams are travelling to Pakistan. Why should Bangladesh go? The decision was imposed on the cricketers.”

The petitioner also said that Pakistan’s own media did not think it was safe for international tours.

Bangladesh’s coach Stuart Law, from Australia, this week expressed fears about the team’s schedule.

“It’s got to be made sure by the two associating boards that everyone is 100 percent safe to go,” he said.

“I have spent time with the players and everyone is a bit concerned.”

Law declined to confirm if he would go on the tour, while Bangladesh’s cricket authorities said they were seeking clearance from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Foreign teams shunned Pakistan after the 2009 attacks, forcing them to play their home series on neutral venues, mostly in the United Arab Emirates.

PCB released a strongly-worded statement voicing their fury at the postponement of the Bangladesh tour.

“It is astonishing to note that a matter lacking any legal issue has been dragged in the court by petitioners who appear to have vested interest and want to jeopardise Pakistan-Bangladesh cricketing relations,” the statement said.

“It is extremely disturbing to note for the PCB and Pakistan cricket fans and world cricketing nations that such an adverse order has been passed to block a bilateral cricket series.”

Pakistan had hoped the tour would encourage other foreign teams to visit and ultimately pave the way to a full resumption of home international series.

Former Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan said he thought the postponement was strange.

“During this whole period I thought there was uncertainty but this postponement will definitely hurt Pakistan’s sincere efforts to revive cricket in Pakistan,” Khan told AFP.

PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed agreed the postponement would damage Pakistan’s attempts to revive home internationals and leave a gap in the team’s calendar.

“We do not have any alternate plans because teams are busy in international cricket and we cannot arrange any team in such a short trip,” said Ahmed, still hoping Bangladesh can tour after the court case.

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) called for an independent report on the security situation in Pakistan.

“What’s required is not a stumbling, non-transparent and conflicted approach to this issue, but a proper, fully transparent, independent report on the safety of playing in the country,” Tim May, chief executive of the body which represents international cricketers, said in a statement.

“Only then will players feel comfortable contemplating whether it is time to play international cricket again in Pakistan.”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said Thursday it was finalising details for the next round of talks with India over the disputed Siachen Glacier, a day after the army chief called for the area to be demilitarised.

There have been several rounds of negotiations between Delhi and Islamabad on Siachen in recent years and Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan said Thursday that the plans for the next talks were in hand.

“It is being discussed at defence secretary level. The next meeting will be held in Pakistan and they are finalising the dates,” he told reporters.

“We have made several proposals under the Siachen dialogue process, including the redeployment of forces.”

However, the Foreign Office spokesman stressed that Pakistan had not changed it’s position on Siachen, and that there was no policy change on the issue.

“It is in our mutual interest that we address all the issues in a meaningful and result-oriented manner,” he said.

The two countries would have to find some way to move forward, he added.

On Wednesday, General Ashfaq Kayani had called for a negotiated end to the confrontation and said the glacier should be demilitarised.

The move was reciprocated from the other side of the border when Indian Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju on Thursday welcomed Kayani’s call for Siachen’s demilitarisation, according to Indianmedia reports.

Kayani, speaking after visiting the Gayari camp where the army says 129 soldiers and 11 civilians were buried by the avalanche, stressed the importance of “peaceful coexistence” between India and Pakistan.

“This conflict should be resolved, but how it is resolved, the two countries have to talk about it,” he said.

Courtesy: Dawn