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| July 25, 2008 | Friday | Rajab 21, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Suicide attacks gone to zero level in Punjab, Sindh: Rehman Malik ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP):- Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said Friday that suicide attacks have gone to zero level in Punjab and Sindh while in NWFP, a decrease of 80 percent has been recorded. Briefing the attendants of the 25th meeting of the National Public Safety Commission, he said terrorist networks have been unearthed by arresting top militants. Members of the Commission including Lt. General (R) Moinuddin Haider, Mohammad Abbas Khan, Dr. Sabiha Hassan Syed, Sarkar Abbas and Director General National Police Bureau Tariq Khosa attended the meeting. The Advisor briefed the Commission on law and order situation particularly in NWFP and Balochistan and said the government has successfully contained the activities of terrorists by launching the policy of 3 Ds (Dialogue, Development and Deterrence) and 3 Ps (Prevent, Protect and Pursuit). He informed the Commission that the operation in FATA has been carried out successfully and desired objectives have been achieved with the use of minimal force. “There has been no collateral damage,” he added. He said the government is working rapidly to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies. The Commission reviewed the draft National Policing Strategy and made a set of recommendations. (Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Abortive bid to blow Commandant FC's vehicle KHUZDAR, Pakistan, July 25 (PPI): An abortive attempt was made to blow the vehicle of Commandant of Frontier Corps onn Friday. However he escaped unhurt. According to reports, Commandant FC Col Khalil Ahmad was on way to his camp. When his vehicle was passing through Kathan area of Khuzdar district in Balochistan province, a bomb placed in the bushes went off but he escaped unhurt. After the explosion FC troops and police cordoned off the area and started the search. Twenty five suspects were taken into custody. A helicopter and snuffing dogs also joined the search. (Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Rs 5 billion subsidy on import of CNG buses Islamabad, July 25 (PPI)- Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has issued orders to launch the CNG buses in various cities under the public private partnership modality to provide relief to the general masses in terms of travel facilities,” head of Infrastructure Development Project Facility (IDPF), Ghulam Murtaza Satti, said in a statement on Friday. He said transporters can import a CNG bus that would cost from Rs. 2.5 million to Rs. 3 million. For this purpose, banks would provide loan facility with a reasonable markup. The IPDF head disclosed that the government has allocated Rs. 5 billion as subsidy, including Rs. 500 million for the current financial year, that would be used to pay the markup ranging about Rs. 6.75 lakh on the bank loan and the transporter would have to pay the actual amount of loan. CNG buses would be introduced in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Gujranwala and Sukkur. (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
Ahsan Iqbal calls for unity among coalition partners Islamabad, July 25 (PPI)- PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal has called for unity among the coalition partners to steer the country out of crisis. Talking to newsmen Friday, he said resolution of basic issues including restoration of deposed judges would end lawlessness and bring economic and political stability in the country. He said PML-N is committed to its stance to the restoration of independence of judiciary and 1973 constitution by implementing Murree Accord and Charter of Democracy. He said PML-N wants coalition with PPP to be successful, but the key lies in the reinstatement of deposed judges. The country will plunge into crisis if we fail. To a question, he said Nawaz Sharif will soon meet with PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and discuss all issues including restoration of judges. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
Nation united on security issue: PM Gilani ISLAMABAD, July 25 (PPI):- Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said the whole nation is united on the issue of the security of the country and no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the government. Talking to senior journalists, he referred to the situation in the tribal areas and the NWFP and said it was for this very reason that he convened a meeting of the heads of coalition parties and evolved a consensus strategy to tackle the situation. He said his government believed in dialogue and added that overwhelming majority of tribal elders had assured government of their full support in efforts in war against terrorism. The Prime Minister said his government has two priorities - strengthening of economy and law and order situation. He said the government was aware of the sufferings of common man, but was compelled to take harsh decisions on increase in POL prices and food commodities for the country's overall economic stability. He said the government had decided to give relief to the poorest of the poor and in this connection mentioned Benazir Income Support Program which would initially benefit 3.8 million people. Gilani said he had already named the 10 parliamentary secretaries while the list proposed by Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam would be announced shortly. (Posted @ 20:06 PST)
Govt mulls hundred per cent increase in agri-support price ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Nazar Mohammad Gondal said Friday that due to rising cost of agri-inputs the government was considering a 100 per cent increase in the support price of agricultural products. On the occasion of launching of a project of National Agriculture Research Center he said the government is focusing to bring more area under crop cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency in food commodities. He said a ship carrying about 32,000 tons of wheat had already arrived, while more were expected soon. He also said that sufficient wheat was available and millers were purchasing wheat from open market as the government had not yet started supply from its godowns. (Posted @ 19:52 PST)
Cricket: India 159-6 v Sri Lanka 600-6 dec in 1st test Colombo, July 25 (Reuters) - India were 159 for six when bad light ended play early on the third day of the first test at Colombo on Friday. Scores: Sri Lanka 600 for six declared ( Warnapura 115, Jayawardene 136, Samaraweera 127, Dilshan 125 not out); India 159 for six ( Muralitharan 4-38). (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Afghanistan: Airstrikes kill 40 Taliban; British, Danish soldiers also killed Kabul, July 25 (Reuters):- A Danish soldier was killed and three more were wounded when their tank hit a mine or a roadside bomb on Friday, Danish Army Central Command said. Separately, one British soldier was killed and six more were wounded on Thursday in Helmand province when their patrol came under enemy fire, the British Defence Ministry said in a statement on Friday. Meanwhile, airstrikes killed about 40 Taliban and wounded many more in the third day of an operation by Afghan and foreign forces in the Ajristan district of Ghazni province south of Kabul, the provincial governor's spokesman said on Friday. In another incident Afghan police killed three insurgents after they attacked a police checkpoint in Gereshik district in Helmand, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
47 dead, 100 missing in boat sinking in DRCongo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 25 (AP): Officials say a motorized boat has sunk in the town of Mobayi Bongo in DR Congo, killing at least 47 people. Twenty-seven survivors were helped to the shore but a further 100 passengers remained missing, they added. (First Posted @ 16.32 PST Updated @ 18:32 PST)
Afghanistan: airstrikes kill 40 Taliban Kabul, July 25 (Reuters) - One British soldier was killed and six more were wounded on Thursday in the southern province of Helmand when their patrol came under enemy fire, the British Defence Ministry said in a statement on Friday. Meanwhile, airstrikes killed about 40 Taliban and wounded many more in the third day of an operation by Afghan and foreign forces in the Ajristan district of Ghazni province, the provincial governor's spokesman said on Friday. Separately, Afghan police killed three insurgents after they attacked a police checkpoint in Gereshk district in Helmand province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday. (Posted @ 18:16 PST)
Seven small blasts hit Bangalore; 1 killed, 15 injured BANGALORE, India, July 25 (Reuters) - Seven small bombs exploded in quick succession across the south Indian IT city of Bangalore on Friday, killing a woman and wounding at least 15 people, police said. “In all these cases they have created the blast using timer devices,” Bangalore Commissioner of Police Shankar Bidari told reporters at the site of one of the blasts. “Explosives have also been used, in quantity equal to one or two grenades.” Some IT firms, as well as schools, colleges and cinemas, closed after news of the blasts broke. Phone lines were jammed. M.R. Pujar, additional police commissioner for Bangalore said “crude explosives” had been used. “There were seven low-intensity explosions,” he told Reuters. “Some of them were in crowded areas. At least one person was killed and 15 to 20 were injured.” One of the blasts occurred behind a bus stand, killing a woman, police said. (First Posted @ 15:18 PST Updated @ 18:06 PST)
Olympics: India announce squad for Beijing Games NEW DELHI, July 25 (AFP) - A 57-member squad will represent India at next month's Beijing Olympics, Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association, said at a press conference. (Posted @ 18:00 PST)
Four killed in Punjab cave collapse JAND, July 25 (APP): Four labourers died when a mud cave in which they were working collapsed on them in the town of Jand in Punjab province Thursday afternoon. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
10 insurgents, 2 soldiers killed in rebel attack on military in Cameroon YAOUNDE, Cameroon July 25 (AP): Cameroon's defense minister says 10 insurgents and two Cameroonian soldiers have been killed in a rebel attack in the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula on Thursday. Defense Minister Remy Meka said a military battalion was attacked by an armed group on three power boats and eight assailants were captured in the attack. (Posted @ 17:10 PST)
British soldier killed in Afghanistan LONDON, July 25, Reuters) - A British soldier was killed and six were wounded in a firefight with Taliban militants on Thursday while on patrol in Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
At least three killed and 17 injured in north Lebanon clash TRIPOLI, Lebanon, July 25 (Reuters): Gunmen from rival sectarian factions exchanged machinegun and grenade fire on Friday in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli, killing at least three people and wounding 17, medical sources said. Residents fled from the fighting between the Sunni Muslim Bab Tibbaneh and the Alawite Jabal Mohsen districts of Tripoli, where sectarian violence linked to Lebanon's political troubles has killed at least 16 people in the past two months. (First Posted @ 12:00 PST Updated @ 16:38 PST)
42 dead, many missing after boat sinks in DRCongo KINSHASA, July 25 (AFP) -At least 42 passengers drowned and more than 100 are missing after their boat sank on the river Oubangui in the Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials and a radio report said Friday. Rescue workers had saved 22 passengers, but recovered 42 bodies from the river, which runs along Democratic Republic of Congo's northern border with the Central African Republic, a local official said. “The barge hit a rock before sinking.” (Posted @ 16:32 PST)
Serial bombings in Bangalore, at least one dead: police BANGALORE, July 25 (AFP): India's high-technology capital Bangalore was hit by a string of five suspected bomb blasts Friday with at least one person killed and several injured, police said. “Five blasts took place between 2:00 and 2:45 pm across the city,”assistant police commissioner A. Raghuveer told reporters. “Initial reports say that some of the blasts are low intensity using gelatin (gelignite explosive) sticks,” Raghuveer said. Police said at least one person was killed and several more injured. Indian media reports said up to three people were killed. (First Posted @, Updated @ 16:05 PST)
Three killed in Malakand road accident ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): Three people were killed and nine other injured when a bus carrying a marriage party plunged into a ravine in Bunir area of Malakand district. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Militants blow up girls school, 10 shops in Swat Valley PESHAWAR, July 25 (AP): Police say militants have blown up a girls school and 10 shops in Swat. Police official Farman Khan says the attacks happened before dawn Friday in two separate areas of the valley. There were no casualties. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Death toll from shipyard explosion near Athens increases to 8 ATHENS, July 25 (AP): The death toll from an explosion and ensuing fire at a ship undergoing repairs at a dockyard west of Athens increased to eight Friday when rescue crews found three more bodies, authorities said. Four people were injured. Hundreds of dockworkers marched to the Merchant Marine Ministry in Piraeus, 20 kilometers west of Athens, Friday to protest the deaths and safety conditions in the Perama dockyards. Riot police fired tear gas to disperse groups of workers throwing rocks and ripping down a metal fence outside the ministry. The dockworkers called a three-day strike to protest one of the worst accidents to have hit their industry in Greece in recent years. The explosion Thursday was during repair work on the Panamanian-flagged Friendship Gas tanker, the ministry said. (First Posted @ 09:15 PST, Updated @ 15:30 PST)
Five blasts hit Indian IT city of Bangalore NEW DELHI, July 25 (Reuters): Five blasts hit the Indian IT city of Bangalore on Friday and there was no immediate word of casualties, police said. Local television said one person had been killed. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Eight dead in collapse at China mosque site BEIJING, July 25 (AFP): At least eight people were killed and three seriously injured after a mosque being built in northwest China collapsed, state media reported on Friday. The mosque collapsed in Taer, a town of 38,000 people mainly from China's ethnic Hui minority in Qinghai province, on Thursday afternoon, Xinhua said. (Posted @ 15:00 PST)
Air strike kills 40 Taliban: Afghan officials GHAZNI, Afghanistan, July 25 (AFP): International forces killed 40 Taliban militants in an air strike during an operation to retake a district captured by the rebels, local Afghan officials said Friday. Afghan and NATO-led ground forces supported by international military air support launched an offensive on Wednesday to retake Ajristan, 200 kilometres southwest of Kabul, after rebels stormed in Monday. “Over 40 Taliban fighters were killed and 30 were wounded in an overnight coalition air strike in Ajristan district,” Ghazni province spokesman Ismail Jahangir told AFP as the operation continued Friday for a third day. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
One dead in Gaza bomb blast GAZA CITY, July 25 (AFP) One person was killed and four others were wounded early on Friday when a bomb exploded outside a Gaza City cafe, emergency services and police said. The blast, shortly after midnight, caused extensive damage to the cafe. Separately, Shahwan said a bomb had exploded near the home of Marwan Abu Ras, the Hamas official responsible for publishing fatwas, or religious edicts, in Gaza. No one was hurt. Shahwan said two Fatah members had been arrested, and that one of them had placed the bomb. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
German foreign minister in surprise visit to Afghanistan BERLIN, July 25 (AFP) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in the western Afghan city of Herat on Friday for a surprise visit of four days, a foreign ministry statement announced. He is due to hand over responsibility for a project providing drinking water for half a million people in the city, a project started with German help, to the Afghan authorities, said the statement. Steinmeier is also due to hold talks with officials from the local authority and other senior figures in the city, and to meet students at Herat university. Germany has promised 1.1 billion euros in aid from now to 2010 for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. (Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Fighting in northern Sri Lanka kills 35 rebels, three soldiers COLOMBO, July 25 (AP) Sri Lankan troops fought off an attack early Friday from ethnic Tamil rebels trying to recapture lost territory, as violence in the northern battle zone killed 35 rebels and three soldiers, the military said. “They came to attack, and we surrounded them and attacked (back),” military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said in describing the second battle over the territory. Troops killed 22 rebels in the fighting…and were searching the area for more rebel fighters, he said. Meanwhile, battles in other parts of the war zone Thursday killed 13 rebels and three soldiers, he said. Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan was not immediately available for comment. (Posted @ 13:20 PST)
Suicide bomber kills policeman in Yemen SANAA, July 25 (AFP) One policeman was killed and up to 20 other people were wounded when a suicide bomber in a car exploded his device outside police headquarters in the east Yemen town of Sayun Friday, witnesses and medics said. The driver of the booby-trapped vehicle was also killed in the blast, one witness told AFP, while another said the explosion sparked fires at the entrance to the police HQ and neighbouring buildings. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Militants free eight captives in Pakistan KOHAT, Pakistan, July 25 (Reuters) Pro-Taliban militants freed eight of the dozens of paramilitary troops and government officials they have been holding hostage for nearly two weeks in northwestern Pakistan, officials and a negotiator said on Friday. The release of the prisoners came two days after the military ended an operation in and around the town of Hangu in the region. The crackdown was launched after militants killed at least 15 paramilitary troops in an ambush and kidnapped nearly 50 soldiers and government officials to press for the release of their comrades. One government official was freed on Wednesday. The release of hostages came after a group of tribal elders held talks with the militants. Mufti Janan, a tribal negotiator, said efforts were underway to secure release of the other hostages. “The militants are demanding release of at least three of their men including, Rafiuddin,” he said. Rafiuddin is a deputy of Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud. (Posted @ 12:20 PST)
US, Australia press Pakistan on Afghan border security PERTH, Australia, July 25 (AFP) The United States and Australia on Friday urged Pakistan to do more to control militant activity in its border areas to stem the growing insurgency in Afghanistan. “There's an uptick in the terrorism, not just against forces but against the Afghan people,” said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “And in that regard, everybody needs to do more. But Pakistan does need to do more,” said Rice, responding to a question at a joint news conference with Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith during a brief visit to Perth. “We understand that it's difficult, we understand the North West Frontier area is difficult. But militants cannot be allowed to organize there and to plan there and to engage across the borders,” she said. Smith described the area as “a hotbed of terrorism,” saying that what happened there had regional and international consequences. “We are very concerned about the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area and we don't believe that can be regarded as a bilateral matter between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said. “This is an area where both the regional community and the international community needs to do more. We do need to engage Pakistan more in a dialogue,” he said, adding that he had raised the issue with Islamabad. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
One injured in renewed fighting in Tripoli BEIRUT, July 25 (AFP) One person was injured in sectarian violence in the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli overnight Thursday, a security official told AFP. A passerby from the neighbourhood of Bab al-Tebbaneh was injured in the crossfire between fighters from his district and the neighbouring area of Jabal Mohsen, the official said. Three grenades exploded overnight on Thursday in those neighbourhoods. After the exchange of fire, gunmen from both sides maintained a presence in their neighbourhoods for the first time since the army deployed in full-force in mid-July. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Gunmen kill prison director, four others, in Mexican border city CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 25 (AP) Gunmen killed a state prison director in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican police official said. City police spokesman Jaime Torres said prison chief Salvador Barreno was shot dead Thursday. His bodyguard was also killed. Torres said three other men died in a separate shooting minutes later. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Gunmen kill prison director, four others, in Mexican border city CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 25 (AP) Gunmen killed a state prison director in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican police official said. City police spokesman Jaime Torres said prison chief Salvador Barreno was shot dead Thursday. His bodyguard was also killed. Torres said three other men died in a separate shooting minutes later. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Eight killed, 23 injured in mosque collapse in northwest China BEIJING, July 25 (AP) Eight people died and 23 were injured after a mosque under construction collapsed in northwest China’s Qinghai province’s Xiajiuzhuang village Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency said Friday. (First Posted @ 08:50 PST, Updated @ 11:30 PST)
Five killed, three missing in Greek tanker fire ATHENS, July 25 (AFP) At least five people were killed and another three were reported missing in a fire on a tanker moored near Athens, the merchant marine ministry said on Friday. The tanker was undergoing repairs at Perama docks near the capital and the fire that broke out Thursday is believed to have started from a welding accident, the ministry said. “There was an explosion during maintenance work using open flames,” a press officer said. “The bodies of five men were retrieved from one of the tanks and other areas,” she told AFP. Another three people are feared to be missing based on statements from the local metalworks union, families and colleagues, the ministry said. Four members of the maintenance crew were hospitalized earlier in the evening with burns and fractures. (First Posted @ 09:15 PST, Updated @ 11:30 PST)
FARC rebels release eight hostages to Red Cross BOGOTA, July 25 (AFP) Colombia's Marxist FARC rebel group released eight hostages who were kidnapped last week and handed them over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC said Thursday. “The civilians were released following a request made by the FARC to the ICRC,” the aid agency said in a statement, adding that the handover took place Wednesday in the northwest area of Vigia del Fuerte. “The operation was the outcome of a strictly confidential dialogue between the parties concerned and the ICRC's neutral and independent humanitarian action.” The eight handed over to the Red Cross were part of a group of 17 people kidnapped by FARC. On the day after the kidnapping, the army said eight other hostages among the 17 were found at the mouth of the Atrato river and taken by military helicopter to Quibdo. FARC continues to hold an estimated 700 hostages. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Severe storm hits New Hampshire, damages homes BOSTON, July 25 (Reuters) Severe thunderstorms and a possible tornado tore into New Hampshire on Thursday, killing at least one person, leaving an unidentified number trapped in homes and bringing down trees, residents and local media said. New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch declared a state of emergency in five counties, and at least one person was killed in Epsom, New Hampshire's Union Leader newspaper reported. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Female bomber kills seven in northeast Iraq BAGHDAD, July 25 (Reuters) Six members of a U.S.-backed neighbourhood patrol and a civilian were killed in an attack by a female suicide bomber in northeastern Iraq Thursday, police said. The bombing in Baquba, 65 km northeast of Baghdad, wounded 24 other people. It was not immediately known who was behind the action. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Three wounded in U.S. college shooting WASHINGTON, July 25 (AFP) Three people were shot and wounded on Thursday when a gunman opened fire in a community college in Phoenix, Arizona, the school reported on its website. “According to the Phoenix Police Department, three people were injured in a shooting incident in one of the college's buildings,” South Mountain Community College said. A 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were in critical condition, while a 17-year-old boy was declared in stable condition, local television said. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Two killed, six missing, in Greek tanker fire ATHENS, July 25 (AFP) At least two people were killed and another six were reported missing on Thursday in a fire on a tanker moored near Athens, the merchant marine ministry said. The tanker was undergoing repairs at Perama docks near the capital and the fire is believed to have started from a welding accident, a ministry press officer said. “There was an explosion during maintenance work using open flames,” the officer said. “Two men were retrieved from one of the tanks,” she said. Another six people were believed missing based on statements from the local metalworks union, families and colleagues, the ministry said. Four members of the maintenance crew were hospitalized earlier in the evening with burns and fractures. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Four killed in Thai south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, July 25 (AFP) Four people, including two militants and a teacher, were shot dead in separate attacks in southern Thailand, police said Friday. The 30-year-old teacher was killed in a drive-by shooting in the Yarang district of Pattani province on Thursday afternoon, police said. A 63-year-old villager was also shot dead in the Khok Pho district of Pattani in another drive-by shooting late Thursday evening. In nearby Narathiwat, two militants wanted by police, were shot and killed after clashing with security forces in Rangae district on Thursday afternoon. Seven suspects were also arrested after 1,000 security officials, backed by a military helicopter, fought with militants for over five hours, police said. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Britain's ruling party loses key Scottish by-election LONDON, July 25 (AFP) British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's ruling Labour Party lost a key by-election in the Scottish constituency of Glasgow East, according to results announced Friday. John Mason of the Scottish National Party defeated Labour's Margaret Curran by a margin of 11,277 votes to 10,912 votes, reversing a Labour majority of more than 13,000 votes. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
South Korea fire kills six SEOUL, July 25 (AFP) Six people were killed and four seriously injured when fire broke out in a 10-storey building in South Korea early Friday, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing police. Firefighters were called to the blaze, which broke out on the ninth floor of a building in Yongin city, south of the capital Seoul, but were unable to rescue the victims on time, the report said. The blaze only affected a small part of the building and most of the victims suffered smoke inhalation. (Posted @ 08:55 PST)
Seven dead in China after mosque site collapses BEIJING, July 25 (AFP) At least seven people were killed and four others seriously injured after a mosque that was being built in northwest China’s Qinghai province collapsed, the Xinhua news agency reported Friday. The number of casualties from the collapse on Thursday may increase as there could be more people buried in the rubble, Xinhua said. (Posted @ 08:50 PST)
The elephant in the room By Shehryar Khakwani
THE rich represent the rich, the poor represent the poor and labour represents labour. This is true the world over. In our neck of the woods, you must have money in order to be a representative. Even the clergy is represented by well-to-do men of God.
The repeated suspension of democracy in our nation’s relatively short history seems to have made us determined to stay the course this time. We must elect our leaders and never be dictated to. Though this sentiment is inarguably valid, the ballots in every poll feature only candidates with familiar last names. Why? The answer is simple: money.
Democracy may be one of the best things in life but it certainly is not free. Even thriving democracies admit the unmerited role money plays in politics. Successful political campaigns need money, and money in turn buys access to the corridors of power. Our country desperately needs good governance as we wait impatiently for a democratic system to take root. I cannot think of a better time to reform and implement campaign funding laws.
Like an outdated, ignored book our campaign funding laws are covered with a thick layer of dust. The latest on spending caps can be found in the draft of the Election Commission’s 2008 elections rulebook which refers to Section 49 of the Representation of the People Act 1976. The act states: “No contesting candidate or a political party shall cross the limit of election expenses — one and a half million rupees for the National Assembly seat and rupees one million for the provincial assembly seat.”
The language of the rules shows their age: “Provided that where any person incurs any election expenses on behalf of such candidate, whether for stationery, postage, telegrams, advertisement, transport or for any other item whatsoever, such expenses shall be deemed to be the election expenses incurred by the candidate himself.”
I cannot imagine a candidate filing expenses for telegrams and postage in today’s world of instant messaging and emails. The laws are cumbersome for the candidates as well: “A candidate shall, through bills, receipts and other documents, vouch for every payment made in respect of election expenses, except where the amount is less than five hundred rupees.” I wonder what Rs500 bought when the rules were enacted but today it will barely cover the cost of a watermelon.
We need a serious debate about campaign funding laws which should focus on spending limits, allocation of public funds for political campaigns, public disclosure of contributions and placing limits on the contributions a candidate can receive. It is an opportune moment in history for lawmakers to overhaul rules keeping in mind the best interests of the nation. A balanced debate must acknowledge the undeniable truth that our politicians are facing rising costs of electioneering and the laws must result in a transparent system.
Our system needs reform. In order to contest the wealthy spend money, in effect taking ownership of a party. They provide for the political apparatus and thus possess it. Campaign expenditure leads to corruption, as some who seek public office treat it like a return on investment instead of service to the people. Our system leads to general elections filled with rumours and speculation about mysterious sources and foreign hands propping up candidates.
Ultimately, the Election Commission plays the vital role of enforcement of election rules; laws that are not enforced are not worth the paper they are written on. Ensuring that spending is contained within the limits specified will result in levelling the playing field. The discussion will be about ideas and those with talent will move forward. Only then will the forum of politics be open to those who are not wealthy.
In the run-up to the February elections, much was made in the media about the incumbents using government resources for their campaigns. This became a moot point when the incumbents were ousted. But the problem still remains.
Elections are not merely a matter of updating election rolls, examining nomination papers and monitoring polling stations. The most important factor has been largely ignored. The failure to introduce and implement changes in campaign funding laws is the elephant in the room. With each election cycle, the elephant grows bigger. We will not be able to ignore him for long.
khakwani@ymail.com
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Abbas Nasir
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