Candyland win in bridge tournament

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Candyland interrupted Solox’s winning streak by annexing the latest edition of the weekly team championship organised by the Karachi Bridge Association (KBA) here at the Aslam Bridge Hall, housed in the National Stadium, the other day.

Candyland won the Swiss team contest among 11 participants by securing 72 Victory Points (VPs) while Free Bidders and Solax finished second and third position respectively although both of them aggregated 71 points each from four matches.

Candyland won all their four matches. After overpowering Essa (16-14), Aces (17-13) and Sakaria (19-11) they toppled Solax (20-10) to win the day.

There was a fierce contest in the weekly pairs event as well in which as at least three pairs fought the battle tooth and†nail until the end. It had gone so close that it became very unpredictable till the last card dropped.

The pair of Gulzar Bilal and Khalid Mohiuddin left other challengers behind in the North-South direction, winning the title with 64 percent score while Mohammd Nasim-Lutfuullajh ended runners-up with 62.99 percent score.

Dr Sarfraz Ahmed-Khalid Zaki won the contest while playing from the East-West direction by having scored 60.23 percent followed by Maqbool Ahmed-Ahmed Hasan and Masood Mazhar-Rais Ahmed both of whom aggregated 57.72 percent. (The News)

Hillary praises Pakistan’s ‘valuable’ fight against terror

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday praised “valuable” US-Pakistan cooperation in fighting extremism, saying the Pakistani leadership “recognises that standing firm against the threat is important to the country’s future”.

In an interview with BBC on Tuesday, the top American diplomat offered no specific comments on the arrest of Taliban leader Mullah Baradar in Pakistan.

“We don’t comment on operations like that. We think less is better, in terms of what anyone knows, or what anyone might speculate on. But the general point is one that I would underscore, that the cooperation is increasing, and it is very valuable,” she told the British broadcaster in Jeddah, according to a State Department transcript released on Wednesday.

“I can express our appreciation for the increasing cooperation between the United States and Pakistan. It is something that I personally believe is in the best interest of both of our countries. And the efforts to combat our common enemy is one that requires this level of partnership,” she remarked. Hillary said the Pakistanis understood that extremists posed a direct threat to their state.

PRESIDENT ZARDARI AGREED FOR UTILIZING LEFTOVER RELIEF FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KARACHI

President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, lauded Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, specially, Chairman, Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli for their relief and rehabilitation efforts to affectees of Ashura incident. President of Pakistan said that the two political parties of Sindh, made joint efforts and proved the fact that democracy is better than dictatorship. He was addressing at the pay-orders distribution ceremony to affectees of Bolton Markets and other markets, held on Chief Minister House, yesterday. President said that his government believes on accommodating democracy and taking forward the policy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. President, in response to the demand of Chairman, Businessmen Group and former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli, announced his consent to spend the leftover amount of the Federal Government’s announced and provided relief fund of Rs.3 billion for the development of Karachi and gave instruction to concerned authorities to plan for spending the leftover fund for making green, to purchase modern technology and machinery for police and fire brigade department and for Karachi’s Disaster Management Cell, and he has no objection for utilizing the leftover fund by the present committee or by making another committee of Sindh Government with representation of Siraj Teli.

Earlier, Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, commended Karachi Affected Markets Relief Committee and Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry for supporting and helping out the affectees, and said that the Government of Sindh, with a passion of service, helped the affectees for their relief and rehabilitation. Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ibad Khan said that on the instruction of Quaid-e-Tehrik, Altaf Hussain, he helped the affectees in a best way possible. Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that some people were intolerant about peace in the Sindh province, and the Ashura Incident is an act to sabotage peace, however, Government will punish such elements accordingly.
Previously, Siraj Kassam Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, for the relief and rehabilitation of victims of affected markets expressed cordial gratitude and compliments, especially to President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Finance Minister, Shaukat Tarin, Federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, Federal Minister Dr. Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister Babar Ghouri, Provincial Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Provincial I.T. Minister, Raza Haroon and City Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal who remain engaged from the first day of the incident, in the relief activities. Siraj Teli informed that Karachi Chamber also remain steadfast in the relief and rehabilitation activities from 28th December, 2009. After the constitution of Karachi Affected Relief Committee, Chairman, Zubair Motiwala, President-KCCI, Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad with KCCI’s Office Bearers and Managing Committee Members remain determined to help out and engaged in the relief and rehabilitation process till date and maintaining effective liaison with affectees and subsequently contacted the Government.

Siraj Teli appealed the President of Pakistan for directing Federal Board of Revenue for declaring immunity to the affected people with regards all kinds of taxes for at least one year, KESC & PTCL for not charging for 6 months, school and educational institution’s fee waiver for 4 months to children of affectees. Siraj Teli also appealed President of Pakistan to immediately establish a Disaster Management Cell with Sindh Government having representation of KCCI, while utilizing the leftover amount of relief fund. He said that since the total amount of claims would be approximately 1.6 billion and the Federal and Sindh Government has already set aside Rs.3.5 billion for the purpose, and he suggests and requests that the remaining amount should be kept aside for this Disaster Management Cell and be spent on improvement of fire and police departments and for the purpose of unforeseen. He also reminded all the concerned for their commitment of exposing the culprits whosoever they may be and that is the only way to stop the recurrence of such incidences.

Siraj Teli, presented a report on Bolton Market Incident to the President of Pakistan and Sindh Government whereby informing about the completion of relief work while utilizing all the available means and resources of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, its members and secretariat staff. Siraj Teli said that seven loss assessment committees comprising of the Businessmen Group’s members and KCCI’s Managing Committee members, with due diligence visited the affected markets, meticulously interviewed each and every affectee and comprehensively compiled the record while ensuring maximum transparency, performing 12 hours work daily. Siraj Teli said that over 2800 claims were filed, after examination of double and incorrect filed claimed, the scrutiny of 1600 claims completed. Initial amount of claims was Rs.3 billion, affectees after taking oath corrected their claims and the claim amount including the claim of goods, cash, and materials is around Rs.1.2 billion. For reconstruction of destroyed and dangerous declared buildings, Siraj Teli said that tenders have been invited and the approximate estimate of reconstruction is over Rs.0.5 billion. Scrutiny of claims over 1.5 million will be completed in 10 days followed by payments of claims, he added. Siraj Teli informed that the number of scrutinized claims is 1451 and the approximate claim amount is Rs.0.73 billion which is the 90 percent share of filed claims, remaining 10 percent claims number is 150 which amounts to 0.45 billion approximately. Siraj Teli highlighted that in all the relief work, efforts were made to ensure check and balance and transparency. President of Pakistan on the said occasion distributed the pay-orders amounting to Rs.12,635,000/-.

General Mubarak Salem Al Rada Al Mazrouei meets General Kayani

Major General Mubarak Salem Al Rada Al Mazrouei, UAE Land Forces Commander called on General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff at General Headquarters on tuesday.
The visiting dignitary remained with the Chief of Army Staff for some time and discussed matters of professional interest.

HCJP CONSTITUTES LARGER BENCH

A seventeen member Larger Bench has been constituted to hear the NRO cases on 07-12-2009. The Larger Bench will be headed by The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprise on Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Honourable Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Honourable Mr. Justice Khalil-ur- Rehman Ramday, Honourable Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Honourable Mr. Justice Tassadduq Hussain Jillani, Honourable Mr. Justice Nasir-ul- Mulk, Honourable Mr. Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Honourable Mr. Justice Ch. Ijaz Ahmed, Honourable Mr. Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Honourable Mr. Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Honourable Mr. Justice S. Khawaja, Honourable Mr. Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Honourable Mr. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Honourable Mr. Justice Rahmat Husain Jafferi, Honourable Mr. Justice Tariq Parvez, Honourable Mr. Justice Ghulam Rabbani.

Brigadier Anwar ul Haq Ramday and Lt. Colonel Wasim laid to rest

Brigadier Anwar-ul-Haq Ramday and Lt. Colonel Wasim who embraced martyrdom in the GHQ operation against terrorists have been laid to rest with full military honor in Rawalpindi and Swabi respectively, reported Dunya News. The funeral prayer of Brigadier Ramday was attended by top military and civilian leadership including Punjab IG, MI DG and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday.

The martyr was laid to rest in Military Graveyard with full military honor. The army had surrounded the graveyard on this occasion. In Swabi, a floral wreath was laid on the grave of Lt. Colonel Wasim from President Asif Ali Zardari, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani and Punjab Regimental Center.

Military Commanders show great concerns on Kerry-Lugar Bill

122 Corps Commanders Conference was held at General Headquarters today. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani chaired the day long meeting. The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on the current security situation in the country and the region.

COAS in his opening remarks dilated upon various issues related to national security and impending challenges faced by the country. COAS reiterated that Pakistan is a sovereign state and has all the rights to analyse and respond to the threat in accordance with her own national interests.

Kerry Lugar bill also came under discussion during the conference. The forum expressed serious concern regarding clauses impacting on National Security. A formal input is being provided to the Government. However, in the considered view of the forum, it is the Parliament, that represents the will of the people of Pakistan, which would deliberate on the issue, enabling the Government to develop a National response.

COAS in his concluding remarks reiterated that Pakistan stands committed to global and regional peace, and wishes to live in harmony with her neighbours.