Govt sitting on ticking bomb: A.A. Saeed

The unprecedented judicial restraint adopted by the Supreme Court by just suspending the 28 Parliamentarians and not de-seating them on one hand has provided the much needed breathing space to the ruling alliance to get the matter resolved through the adoption of the 20th Constitutional Amendment from the Parliament while on the other hand added to the problems of the government, already struggling to attain the two-third majority in the National Assembly by placing the bar on another six solid votes of the PPP who were among the suspended MPs.Political and legal experts said that by not disqualifying the 28 MPs the apex court had given a great favour to the incumbent political dispensation and just suspended these MPs whose fate was linked with the passage of 20th Amendment.These analysts said that in case the 28 Parliamentarians which included three Senators, two of them sitting Federal Ministers, nine MNAs and rest of MPAs, if disqualified by the apex court, which it could rightly do under the law, could have pushed the crises-marred incumbent government into another turmoil. But once again by adopting judicial restraint, the apex court has given a breathing space to the government, so that it could settle the matter in the Parliament by passing the 20th amendment for which the government was holding negotiations with the main opposition party – PML-N.But at the same time the suspension of the 28 MPs, which included nine MNAs, the government’s dependence on PML-N has also increased as out of these nine MNAs four belonged to PPP while one each from PML-F and PML-Q, both allies of ruling alliance and an independent, who would also have leaning toward the ruling coalition. So in all seven out of the total nine members would be casting vote in favour of the 20th amendment. Hence the already short of strength ruling coalition would further be pushed down and now just the support of JUI-F would not be enough for the ruling alliance to get the 20th amendment through as they remain short of three to four votes to attain the golden figure of 228 required for the passage of the 20th amendment.So the reliance of the ruling PPP on PML-N has increased and that was the reason PPP was compelled to accept the demands of the PML-N, which they wanted to be annexed with the 20th amendment draft. The PML-N demands list included fixation of the term of eight members of the Election Commission of Pakistan at five years instead of two years, appointment of independent Chief Election Commissioner strictly in the line of the 18th Amendment, and appointment of the independent interim government, not by just consultation with the opposition but by evolving consensus with the opposition.Sources in the ruling PPP informed that now the government has comfortable time to woo the PML-N support as the court had adjourned the hearing in the case till February 21 and by that date both the ruling PPP and PML-N would definitely strike some common ground to have a way forward, as surely neither the ruling PPP nor the PML-N would avoid deadlock as the deadlock and clash-like situation between the treasury and opposition benches would provide an opportunity to forces of status quo to take advantage to the disadvantage of the ongoing political process. The political observers and analysts were optimistic that the politicians both sitting in government and those on opposition benches would let the ball of democracy rolling and would not take any step, which would derail the system.

England batsmen must learn from Younis by Marcus Trescothick

England’s batsmen would do well to carefully study film of Younis Khan’s 127 in the final Test againstPakistanas part of their preparations for the next series inSri Lanka.

We need to be more positive against the spinners as part of our game plan if we are to quickly put the 3-0 whitewash in the UAE behind us and justify our position of the top Test side in the world.

That doesn’t mean simply trying to hit more boundaries. A method has to be found to work ones and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking and stop the bowlers settling into their preferred line and length.

Younis Khan is brilliant at doing exactly that. He never seems content to merely block a delivery, but is constantly using his hands to get the ball into the off-side and his feet to get across his stumps and work it into the on-side.

He makes liberal use of the sweep – a shot I feelEngland’s batsmen could use more often – and is not afraid to leave his crease and advance down the wicket. In fact, he is on the move most of the time.

I was really impressed with how he swept inDubai. He keeps really low with his bat virtually horizontal when he gets to the pitch of a delivery and he has great wrists, which flick through the ball and keep on top of it.

When someone like him is constantly rotating the strike it makes batting look so easy. It is a mind-set more than anything to get into a rhythm of knocking the ball around, rather than concentrating solely on defence.

Englandnegotiated six successive overs of dot balls in their second innings inDubaibefore Jonathan Trott got out attempting a big shot. If you get that defensive in your mind as a batsman it is very difficult to suddenly dispatch even a bad ball.

We need to treat the three Tests just played as an education. That’s why, for me, Younis provided a template from which our batsmen can definitely learn.

I wouldn’t change much in terms of personnel for theSri Lankaseries. I would take the same squad and have a shoot-out between Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara for one place by playing both in the warm-up games and see who grasps the opportunity.

Ian Bell is not vulnerable in my view, even though he has had a really tough time in the UAE, because his past record speaks for itself. The problem he and Andrew Strauss have now is another period without cricket while the one-day series againstPakistanis fought out.

Englandhave had an eye-opener. They now know that becoming the top team in the world is tough and staying there even tougher. But I believe the batsmen picked againstPakistanwere the best we have and we must back them to emerge stronger and wiser.

I can’t end this column without a word about mySomersetteam-mate Jos Buttler, who has rightly been chosen inEngland’s one-day international and T20 squads for the games againstPakistanafter a fantastic Lions tour toSri Lanka.

I’m thrilled by Jos’s selection because I can’t wait for a wider audience to see what a special talent he is. I have stood in awe watching some of his performances for our county.

When Craig Kieswetter, Peter Trego or myself get going we remain fairly orthodox in how we play. But when Jos starts hitting out he is so dynamic that his shots cover all 360 degrees of the playing area.

If I can help it, I don’t miss a ball when Jos is batting. I can think of no higher recommendation than to say that.

thecricketer

Labs to kill the poor: Syed Talat Hussain

Away from the hype of high-flying contempt case against the prime minister of Pakistan, tucked away in the dark and dingy streets of inner cities and forgotten villages, are stories of the lives of real people. They only make headlines when they die—in larger numbers as otherwise they are just a statistic in the brief-news corner. Property number 2, New Town, Multan Road, is one such area where lives have been lost in considerable number to draw our attention. This is where the Orient Laboratory was located that collapsed four days ago burying dozens in its five-story large debris. During my ongoing Lahore visit, I have seen findings of some of the inquiry reports on the incident. The facts of this tragedy are revealing. They show utter, and consistent contempt of the rights of the people by a system that treats ordinary lives like trash. The building’s original office record is unavailable. It was in April 2006 that public complaint against the illegal nature of this construction was brought to the notice of LDA, which planned demolition of the structure, but the owner first agreed to stop his activities then moved the court and got a stay order. Then the High Rise Commission found the owner to be in violation of construction rules and the laboratory was sealed. The owner, by now a very rich man thanks to the booming business of fake live saving (life taking in reality) drugs, pulled his weight and de-sealed the premises initiating a contempt of court proceedings against officials. This matter continued till the whole structure came down last week throwing up all of the accumulated crimes against humanity. The owners, who have several houses all across the country, employed very women from the shanty town who toiled for long hours for a pittance. They manufactured spurious drugs in millions that were then supplied through hundreds of drugs stores across Pakistan affecting millions of unsuspecting (and again poor) patients, possibly killing any number of them. However, they have been swift on their feet and have disappeared—as they always do—in thing air along with all of their near and distant relatives. Incredible! Such factories are in their hundreds and can be found everywhere. These work day and night to kill the poor the Pakistan. I hope someday this contempt is also taken notice of, not by the judges, but by those who get votes from the wretched of Pakistan and then abandon them to work in places like the Orient Laboratory.

Courtesy: Saach Media

Stylish Cricketer Yuvraj Singh Diagnosed With Cancer

India’s World Cup hero and man of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh, has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoingchemotherapy in the United States, his physiotherapist revealed on Sunday.
This was corroborated by sources in the family and in the Indian cricket board.
Yuvraj had earlier been detected with a tumour between his left lung and heart, which has since been termed malignant.
“He is suffering from cancer and this is the first stage. It’s curable and he will be fit to play in May. He will be back on the field very soon,” his physiotherapist .
BCCI officials, however, said the lay-off could be longer and that chemotherapy was scheduled to continue for nine weeks.
Family sources said Yuvi, who has made many comebacks into the Indian team, is determined to overcome the disease. They said the chemo sessions had begun and he had lost weight.
“He is showing common after-effects of the treatment – loss of appetite and nausea. He is anxious but also keen to fight the ailment,” a family source said.
Yuvraj has been in the US since January 26 for chemotherapy at Cancer Research Institute, Boston Tumour in lung detected earlier, now diagnosed as malignant.
Doctor says parts of tumour are just above artery of heart, 100% curable Physio Jatin Chaudhary says diagnosis delayed till Oct 2011 as first biopsy report was stolen, then an Indian hospital (unnamed) got diagnosis wrong. Finally, a Russian doc detected cancer.
Chaudhary said the cancer treatment was delayed by wrong diagnosis by an Indian hospital. Agencies quoted Chaudhary as saying: “His first biopsy report was stolen from his car. In the second biopsy, the hospital-I don’t want to name it -did not give the correct diagnosis. It was a Russian doctor who detected the cancer and after consultations with doctors in the US, it was decided that Yuvi would undergo chemotherapy.”
Yuvraj Singh has been undergoing treatment for cancer in the US. Going by the line of treatment he is receiving, doctors here said Yuvraj was likely suffering from a rare condition called lung seminoma, in which chances of recovery are more than 95%. This condition has no relation to excessive smoking or alcoholism.
“He appears to have lung seminoma, a condition in which there is cancerous growth of the size of a golf ball in the organs. It occurs due to genetic predisposition developed during the fetal development phase and is relatively rare,” said Dr Anshuman Kumar, surgical oncologist at Dharmshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
“The germ cells that cause lung seminoma are responsive to chemotherapy. Normally, we give three-four cycles of chemo to the patient over a period of about three months. In case there is any residual cancerous cell in the body, surgery is opted for,” Dr Kumar said.
He added that unlike lung cancer, which occurs in elderly people, lung seminoma affects people in the age group of 15 to 35 years and is usually detected early. The symptoms include breathing difficulty especially on exertion, persistent cough and blood with sputum. Jatin Chaudhary said the cancer was curable.
“Doctors had to decide whether to continue medication or go for chemotherapy. But since parts of the tumour are just above the artery of his heart, there was a danger that while running it could burst,” he said.
“The doctors decided that he would have to undergo chemotherapy and he travelled to the US on January 26. By the end of March, he would undergo a CT scan and should recover by then. After that he would need some rehabilitation in April,” Chaudhary was quoted as saying in the media.

BCCI sources said, if all goes well, Yuvraj would take around six months to make a comeback. This is what the board had told the IPL franchisee during Saturday’s auction in Bangalore, after his team, Pune Warriors, walked out of the event.
Sources said BCCI would bear the expenses for Yuvraj’s treatment in the US and his IPL franchisee, Sahara India, would release $1.8 million that the player would have received had played in the IPL this year.
For the family , however, these are secondary issues at the moment . Before leaving for the US, Yuvraj’s mother Shabnam Singh had told TOI, “For me, the health of my son is more important than cricket at this stage.”
TOI had first reported about Yuvraj’s illness on November 27, 2011. On January 15, TOI said Yuvraj could miss this year’s IPL.

LB rift threatens Sindh coalition: A.A. Saeed

Even President Asif Ali Zardari has failed to narrow down differences between his party’s Sindh chapter and MQM on local bodies’ setup in the province and widening cracks could ultimately lead to the break-up of coalition once more.

Sources aware of the background negotiations taking place between the two sides over the past several months and for which a committee, comprising the provincial leadership of both the coalition partners, failed to resolve the differences between the two sides and finally President Asif Ali Zardari had to rush to Karachi, but despite all his efforts the matter could not be resolved. A source in the ruling PPP told TheNation the only positive thing was that the two sides were still engaged in dialogue and searching for some mutually acceptable solution to the problem.

Sources in PPP said that they were caught in a very difficult situation as apart from MQM they have to take care of the concerns of other coalition partners in the province  ANP and PML-F. Both these parties are against the complete reversion to the district government system while most of PPP Sindh leaders also want a return to the old municipality system.

It was in this backdrop that MQM was dithering on extending support to the government on 20th constitutional amendment and they could ditch the ruling PPP any time. The MQM also expressed its resentment on fresh increase in petroleum products prices by walking out of both the houses of parliament the other day.

Sources in the PPP said it was due to this flip-flop on MQM’s part that the PPP was looking for support from opposition parties, including PML-N, to have smooth passage of 20th amendment from the parliament and keep check on its junior coalition partners at the same time.

Sources said that the differences between the MQM and PPP took new turn when the PPP leadership took up the matter of holding pre-schedule general elections with its junior coalition partners. MQM sharply reacted to the move and asked the PPP leadership to settle the matter of local bodies in Sindh before taking any decision on holding of pre-time elections after the presentation of annual budget.

Political observers say if the general elections in Sindh would be held with the commissionerate system in place and old five districts of Karachi restored, MQM would surely be at a disadvantage and that was the reason they were struggling hard to get the things reversed ahead of the general elections.

Sources said that there is a strong possibility that MQM would once again part ways with the ruling PPP if their demands regarding the local bodies system were not met.

Tragedy or crime? Syed Talat Hussain

What a way to start your week! The horrific news of a building collapse in Lahore and the misery and pain of those who have suffered on account of the incident has taken away much of the positivity that you need to get through Monday blues. The thought that so many precious lives are lost yet again adds to the agony of the heart. Sincere prayers for the departed souls. There are questions that hang over the rubble of the collapsed building. One is a long-standing one, and for which no one here has ever bothered to give an answer. This pertains to building codes. The 2005 earthquake brought to the fore the faulty nature of building construction, particularly in the government sector where schools just melted away killing thousands of innocent children. We discovered that all the buildings codes were neglected and no one bothered about quality of construction. Since then and till now the same seems to be the case. Allegedly a cylinder blast has caused the collapse of this building in Lahore. If true, this only tells you how weak the structure must have been. Who do you hold responsible for such flimsy structures? Obviously those whose job it is to ensure that nothing is built that cannot stand the test of extra pressure. But the second question is even more important. Is it a mere coincidence that the collapsed building is actually a pharmaceutical factory? Does not seem so. Considering what a disaster some of these companies have caused to public health in the recent past there is every possibility that someone in panic decided to demolish the evidence of spurious drugs manufacturing and brought the whole building down. At this moment this is pure conjecture but we should be aware of the fact that human beings can be cruel beyond description when it comes to protecting their own skin. There is every possibility that the factor collapse is deliberately caused to destroy records. The investigators must keep this possibility in mind and do not let this matter rest. Careful collection of material from the sight can confirm the nature of the blast and material that caused it. That should lead us to find out whether poor structures or man’s inhumanity to man led to this awful tragedy.

Courtesy: Saach Media

FIA to investigate cricketer Aamir

Decision has been taken to make investigation from convicted cricketer Muhammad Aamir on his return to Pakistan.FIA will take him into its custody on his arrival and seek details from Pakistan Cricket Board and advertisement agencies with regard to assets of Muhammad Aamir. Assets held by him with reference to PCB and advertisement agencies will be compared with his income. He will also be investigated in terms of  Crown Prosecution Report.

A dangerous game of bluff: Syed Talat Hussain

The contempt of court proceedings have come to a natural point of conclusion. The government’s slow, incremental but deliberate and persistent defiance of court orders, couched in the argument of ‘executive prerogative’ was bound to rebound on prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani. Moreover, there has been neither consistency nor merit in the line of reasoning that the government’s various representatives, including Barrister Aitezaz Ahsan, adopted to deal with the one, simple Court demand that the order on the NRO be implemented in letter and spirit. They have used all sorts of tactics: for instance on writing the letter to the Swiss authorities their stance has been “We don’t want to write it because it is useless’, “Cant write it because it involves the president who has immunity”, “Did not write it because we thought the president had immunity”, “Did not write it because the prime minister was wrongly advised by the law secretary and the former law minister”, “Will not write it come what may because this is the decision of the whole party”, “The prime minister did not write it but by not writing it did not commit contempt of court”, “The prime minister has the highest regard for the Court but will not write the letter for reasons we don’t want to explain.” These are all mutually contradictory positions and not sustainable in a simple table talk much less before a determined and learned bench that has been hearing weired and untenable postulations. What will the government do now? They will first go for an intra court appeal to gain (waste) more time. In the interim they will build pressure and create scare that somehow the clash of institutions is going to bring down the whole system. In the end they may sacrifice the prime minister to get high moral ground. The prime minister might resign a day before his conviction and thus save himself from disqualification. This is how would live to fight another election; while writing to the Swiss authorities would be lost in the ensuing political chaos or musical chairs over the next premier. The ultimate beneficiary, President Asif Ali Zardari, continues in office and may be in a position to handpick the next interim government for supervising the upcoming elections. The government also thinks that with half the media on their back and fourth year of their term closing, they are still quite strong in the game of public perceptions. The Court proceedings are a deep cut yes, but not a fatal wound. However, the government is playing a dangerous game and that too on the edge. One miscalculation can cause them to fall badly. The prime minister’s political career can finish for ever if he does not take this case seriously. And president Asif Ali Zardari’s immunity would be put to the shredder if the Court orders a special bench to write to the Swiss authorities by-passing completely the government and its machinery.

Courtesy: Saach Media

PPP, N strike deal on 20th amendment: Abrar Ali Saeed

ISLAMABAD – Breaking the impasse with the main opposition party, government has conceded to the demands of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to incorporate issues relating to the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan in the draft bill of the constitutional amendment before it would be tabled before the House for passage.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, while talking to the leaders of the coalition parties at a dinner he hosted in their honour at Prime Minister House, has expressed his optimism that 20th Constitutional Amendment will be passed by the Parliament with consensus vote.The coalition partners were taken on board by the prime minister on the strategy adopted in this connection. The prime minister said that he had personally talked to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and sought his cooperation for the purpose while the negotiations with other parties in the opposition including main opposition party Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) were in progress for the purpose.Sources aware of the back channel contacts between the ruling PPP and PML-N, said talks were in progress for quite sometime but the breakthrough was made on Wednesday when Syed Naveed Qamar and Senator Mian Raza Rabbani held detailed negotiations with PML-N leader Ishaq Dar and Zahid Hamid who brokered the deal on behalf of their party.It was agreed between the two sides that the resolvable issues relating to the eight members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, two from each province, would be made part of the 20th Amendment Bill and then the PML-N would extend support to the 20th Constitutional Amendment.Similarly, the PPP leaders had also given assurance to the PML-N counterparts that they would not give extension to the incumbent chief election commissioner who would be retiring in the coming March and would appoint the next Chief Election Commissioner strictly in accordance with the procedure laid down for it in the 18th Constitutional Amendment.The ruling PPP had also assured the opposition that they would also incorporate the amendments proposed by PML-N in the National Accountability Commission Bill languishing with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice for past over three years.Sources in the government informed that the government rushed into meaningful negotiations with the main opposition party PML-N when they saw some of their own coalition partners pushing them to a tight corner and the chances of 20th Amendment passage without the support of PML-N seemed bleak.Sources further informed that the signatures of all the three coalition partners on the joint resolution prepared by the opposition against the recent hike in the petroleum prices had panicked the ruling PPP and they were left with little choice to accept the demand of PML-N to bring amendment in the draft Bill of 20th Constitutional Amendment to accommodate its demands regarding the Election Commission of Pakistan.According to the press release issued by the Prime Minister’s House, besides the MNAs, the dinner was attended by various leaders of the coalition parties including Ch Shujaat Hussain, Haji Munir Khan Orakzai, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Babar Ghauri, Ghulam Muhammad Bilour, Haji Khuda Bakhsh Rajar and Saima Akhtar Bharwana.The coalition partners assured the prime minister of their full support for the adoption of the 20th Constitutional Amendment. They said the amendment would benefit all the parties by giving legal cover to the bye-elections.The prime minister thanked the coalition partners for strengthening democracy and political system in the country.

Solid India cruise to first win of tour against Australia

Melbourne: Fine batting by Gautam Gambhir (56*) and Virat Kohli (31) guided India to a comfortable 8-wicket victory over Australia in the second T20 international at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

India, who levelled the two-match series 1-1, attained the target in 19.4 overs
Gambhir slammed a quickfire 54-ball fifty that included 3 boundaries. Gambhir and Kohli, who added 54 runs for the second wicket, steadied Indian run chase after losing Virender Sehwag.
Mitchell Marsh dismissed Virat Kohli to give Australia second breakthrough against India
Chasing 132, India lost their second wicket at the score of 97. India, who reached the score of 100 runs in 85 balls, were 71 after the end of 10 overs.
Left-arm spinner Brad Hogg gave Australia first breakthrough as he got rid of dangerous Virender Sehwag in the second T20 international. Sehwag gave an easy catch to Shaun Marsh straight at extra cover that too on a full toss.
Sehwag and Gambhir, who gave India steady start against Australia, added 43 runs for the first wicket in the second Twenty20 international.
Earlier, an agile India gave a good account of themselves in the field as they effected four run-outs to dismiss Australia for a modest 131 in the second Twenty20 international.
Aaron Finch was the top scorer for Australia with 36 while Matthew Wade made 32. Pacer Praveen Kumar and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma picked up two wickets each.
Australia, who kept losing their wickets at regular intervals, lost half of their side inside 95 runs in the second T20I.
All five frontline bowlers, Praveen Kumar (2 for 21), Vinay Kumar (2 for 25), Ravinder Jadeja (1 for 16), Rahul Sharma (2 for 29) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1 for 23) bowled well.
Matthew Wade, hero of the first Twenty20 game, came to bat at number six, made 32 before being the third batsman to be run out for 32.
Aaron Finch (36 off 23 balls), opening in place of Wade this time, made a strokeful knock before being run out at a critical time.
India bowled and fielded with enthusiasm and it all started after Praveen picked up two wickets in his second over.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni also rose to the occasion as he was quite electrifying behind the stumps and instrumental in few stumpings and catches behind the wickets.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who exhibited his fine fielding skills, struck with the ball as he caught and bowled Australia’s David Hussey to give India crucial breakthrough in the second T20 international.
Rahul Sharma got rid of Mitchell Marsh with the help of brilliant work done behind the stumps by Indian skipper MS Dhoni.
Ravindra Jadeja’s brilliant work on the field sent Australia’s Aaron Finch and George Bailey back to the pavillion in the second Twenty20 international at the MCG.
Australia got off to a poor start as they lost David Warner and Shaun Marsh cheaply after skipper George Bailey won the toss and showed no hesitation in deciding to bat first against the beleaguered visitors.
Paceman Praveen Kumar dismissed David Warner and Shaun Marsh in the span of four deliveries to give Aussies early blows.
Australia made three changes in their playing eleven as Travis Birt, Dan Christian and James Faulkner made the way for Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Clint McKay.
India, on the other hand, retained the same team that lost the first Twenty20 match in Sydney on Wednesday.