Ronaldo receives rowdy welcome

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo received a rapturous welcome from 80,000 Real Madrid fans; an outpouring so exuberant the soccer star had to be hustled away when spectators leaped barriers and took the field.

Ronaldo, who joined the famed club following his record transfer from Manchester United, appeared before the capacity crowd at Santiago Bernabeu stadium wearing the same No. 9 jersey worn by Real Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano.

“I’ve achieved one of my dreams,” a beaming Ronaldo said before leading fans in a cry of “Viva Madrid!” “I want this to begin as quickly as possible so that I can show what I can do.”

Real Madrid had been chasing the world player of the year since 2006. He agreed to a six-year contract in a record $131 million transfer.

Fans had begun lining up outside the stadium since early morning, hoping to glimpse the 24-year-old player. He completed a lap of honor to salute fans after performing a few juggling tricks.

Sri Lanka beat Pak in Galle Test

GALLE: Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 50 runs in first Test match here securing 1-0 lead in three matches Test series.

Fans bid Jackson farewell outside memorial service

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson fans came from near and far Tuesday to say last goodbyes to their pop music hero, some traveling from across the U.S. and Europe for his public memorial in Los Angeles.

Near the service site in downtown’s Staples Center, vendors sold Jackson memorabilia such as T-shirts, collages, buttons and bouquets of snapdragons and dahlias.

“His music will live forever. That’s why I’m here today. It’s like closure. I’m a person who believes in miracles, and I’m witnessing one today,” said Jenee Huitt of Los Angeles, referring to her gold wristband allowing her to be among the lucky fans to attend the memorial service.

Huitt, an etiquette teacher, said she met the Jackson 5 as a girl in the early 1970s.

“Diana Ross brought the Jacksons in to this event, introduced them and said, `They’re going to be stars,’” Huitt said.

Fans inside Staples Center wept during the many emotional highlights during the service, which included spoken tributes and performances of Jackson tunes.

“I cried, and I was like, I’m not going to cry because I did not know him. But it was very moving,” said Morgan Bryant, 15, of Los Angeles. “By them performing his songs, it made it so real, and seeing the casket there, it made it like he’s really not coming back.”

Bridget Thomsen, 26, of Upland, Calif., said seeing all the stars come together and perform in Jackson’s memory brought tears to her eyes.

“The soul and the heart they put into it was something you could never forget,” Thomsen said.

Bianca Reyes, 41, San Diego, said one of the most moving moments was when Jackson’s daughter, Paris, broke down as she told the audience how much she loved her father.

“This was amazing to be part of history,” Reyes said. “They’re just regular family. It was so sad.”

Crowds were tiny compared to those expected by police, who had issued statements leading up to the service asking people without tickets to stay away.

Deputy Police Chief Sergio Diaz, operations chief for the event, said authorities had projected a crowd of 250,000 or more. Besides reporters and those with tickets to the memorial service, the crowd around the Staples Center perimeter numbered only about 1,000, he said.

“We asked people not to come out and just be on the street and spectate from a distance, and it seems to have worked,” Diaz said.

Police had based their projection of 250,000 people on turnouts for the funerals of Princess Diana and Elvis Presley, along with the recent Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship parade, Diaz said.

Fans drove or flew in from northern California, Colorado and as far away as Arkansas, Delaware and England, some just to be outside the event. Some wore trademark Jackson clothing, including sequined white socks and red leather jackets reminiscent of those the singer wore in his music videos.

The scene was reminiscent of one of Hollywood’s many awards shows, which draw vendors and celebrity gawkers. Police helicopters flew overhead, and officers patrolled on foot and bicycle. The crowds were orderly.

Fans carried signs such as “Michael Jackson Lives.” One turned himself into a walking music video, strapping a flat-screen TV to his back that played Jackson numbers.

Claudia Hernandez, 29, said she loved Jackson’s music as a girl growing up in Mexico. Now a day-care teaching assistant in Los Angeles, Hernandez said she has cried watching TV coverage of his death.

“I’m trying to hold in my emotions,” said Hernandez, wearing a wristband to allow her admittance to the service and holding a framed photograph of Jackson. “I know right now he’s teaching the angels to dance.”

Half a dozen protesters stood among fans, condemning Jackson over his child-molestation charges, holding signs that read, “Jacko in Hell,” “You’re Going to Hell” and “Mourn for Your Sins.”

But Jackson’s devotees far outnumbered his critics. Mishelle Van, 37, drove with her cousin from Hesperia, Calif., arriving in Los Angeles at 1 a.m. They spent the early morning hours with other Jackson fans.

“They’re touching us and saying, can you bring the love in for us?” said Van, who was among those with a wristband for the service.

Melvin Price, 43, flew in from England on Saturday, even before he knew he had won a ticket to the Jackson memorial.

“I wanted to pay my last respects to Michael Jackson,” said Price, dressed in a red leather jacket. “I’ve been a fan of his for 35 years.”

Beverly J. Ellis, 46, said she drove from Holly Springs, Ark., just to be there even though she could not get in. She planned to go to Jackson’s Neverland ranch later in the day to take pictures and see if she could get a rock or other souvenir to take home.

“I’m just a groupie. I’m an old groupie now,” said Ellis, who held an American flag and a sign with a photocopied image of Jackson. “I’m a die-hard, true fan.”

“I adore him. He’s a genius,” said Lorena Gonzalez, 24, a college student who came up for the service with her mother from Monterrey, Mexico.

“Michael was a legend. He had to die young because he was an idol,” said her mother, Elsa Lopez de Gonzalez, 50. “He will be missed but he will live forever.”

Vernay Lewis, 32, flew in from Wilmington, Del., spent all Monday night on the streets outside Staples Center, wrapped in a blanket to stay warm overnight.

Lewis said she did not care that she traveled cross-country even though she did not have a wristband to attend the memorial. She just wanted to be near the singer and his fans.

“I think it was his kind heart, his gentleness, his childlike ways,” said Lewis, who signed a wall for fans to offer farewell sentiments to Jackson. “For me, he was the whole package as far as what an entertainer and what a person was supposed to be. I just think he was wonderful.”

Michael Jackson’s Missing Music: More to Come?

Call it irony, call it the silver lining of a tragic death – Michael Jackson’s passing has put the King of Pop back on top of the music charts. His hits have suddenly become the nostalgic sound track of summer 2009.

And Jackson’s reign could continue for years with fresh material that has never been released and artistic reworkings of existing classic tracks, according to Tommy Mottola, former CEO and chairman of Sony, the company that owns the distribution rights to much of Jackson’s music. “The world will be listening to Michael Jackson for decades to come,” Mottola tells TIME. (See the last photos of Michael Jackson.)

As fans rediscover the great albums, their newfound appetite for Jackson’s music could be further satiated by “dozens” of new albums in various forms, says Mottola. The unreleased material, for example, should be extensive due to Jackson’s prolific recording and legendary perfectionism. In the studio, Jackson “absolutely” over-recorded for all of his iconic albums, says the former Sony head. “Let’s say 12 or 13 songs end up on the album; Michael could have possibly recorded 15, 20 or 30 songs,” says Mottola. “This would probably go for every album he recorded and probably pre-dating [Sony] to his Motown days.” (Read “What Happened to Michael Jackson’s Millions?”)

Jackson was also constantly trying to stretch himself as an artist, working with the latest hot producers to stay current. So with each album there would be a “plethora” of these producers brought in to work on tracks – leading to even more material.

Mottola contends that some of these unreleased tracks, even if they did not make the cut for the original album, could potentially represent Jackson’s “best work.” Says Mottola: “There were so many recordings, and so many of them were great. It doesn’t mean these [unreleased] songs were any less great; it just happened to be the other songs that were picked.” (See pictures of Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.)

This unreleased Jackson material would not even take into account the two albums that Jackson was reportedly working on for his tour at the time of his death. One of them was a classical album, in which he was collaborating with composer David Michael Frank. Jackson “had the tunes pretty much worked out,” Frank told CNN, adding that the album would “show the world that Michael was more than just a songwriter.”

There is also the possibility of new live albums and remixing Jackson’s existing catalog. “That’s five years of material right there,” says Mottola of the remixing. “You can just go on and on and on. It’s endless for years to come.”

Billy Bob’s Daughter Indicted in Babysitting Death

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Amanda Brumfield, the estranged daughter of Billy Bob Thornton, was indicted Wednesday in Florida on murder charges for the 2008 death of a 1-year-old girl Brumfield was babysitting.

The 29-year-old daughter of Thornton and ex-wife Melissa Gatlin is facing counts of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter. Per the Orlando Sentinel, a tearful Brumfield appeared in court accompanied by her lawyer. A judge rejected her request for bail and ordered her held in jail.

Brumfield told investigators the infant, Olivia Garcia, died on Oct. 3 after tumbling head-first out of her playpen. But the medical examiner ruled the fall could not have caused the child’s fractured skull and authorities say Brumfield waited more than two hours before calling paramedics.

In the wake of her arrest last month, the 53-year-old Thornton released a statement through his publicist indicating that he had been estranged from Amanda and had “no contact with her for quite some time.” He also offered condolences to the Garcia family.

High-tension wire falls, protest erupts in Korangi

KARACHI: A high-tension line fell on houses in Karachi area of Korangi, causing the grid stations of Korangi South and East to go defunct on Tuesday night.

At the time of collapse, a wedding ceremony was underway, which turned violent and the angry protesters took resort to pelting stones on Kornagi Grid Station.

The protesters lit fire in front of Kornagi Grid Station.

A KESC vehicle turned up there to set right the snapped wire; however, the protesters pelted them with stones and forced them to leave the scene without fixing the problem.

Jackson fans worldwide say farewell to star online

SAN FRANCISCO: Even before Michael Jackson’s shimmering gold casket made it to downtown Los Angeles for his memorial, millions of his fans worldwide were watching and mourning online.

Messages in an array of languages were fired off to Jackson memorial forums at Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and online haunts where video or news of the event were being shared in an unprecedented interactive global farewell.

Mountains of Jackson memories are posted at an official Sony Music website in tribute to the King of Pop.

“Rest in peace now Michael… I’m glad you went out a record breaker, a hero, and a fantastic performer the world will never be the same without,” said a message signed with the name James Cleave.

“As a kid I used to dance to your music from your ‘Bad’ album on my parents’ LP player and everyone knew me to be one of your biggest fans on the island of Cyprus.”

Michael Jackson won’t fade from limelight soon

LOS ANGELES – The public mourning of Michael Jackson may be done, but the saga that was his personal life is far from over.

Nothing made that more clear than the one surprise of Tuesday’s memorial service, watched by millions around the world: the emotional speech by Jackson’s 11-year-old daughter, Paris-Michael.

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine,” she said, dissolving into tears and turning into the arms of her aunt Janet. “I just want to say I love him so much.”

Custody of Jackson’s three children is one of the biggest legal issues still unresolved. In his 2002 will, Jackson made his wishes clear — his three children should remain under the care of his mother, Katherine.

Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Paris and her 12-year-old brother, Prince Michael, has indicated she may seek custody. The surrogate mother of Jackson’s youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, is unknown. A custody hearing was scheduled for Monday.

As the world paused to remember Jackson, authorities released his death certificate, which did not list a cause of death. The official determination will likely wait until toxicology results are completed, which could be weeks away.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Jackson’s brain, or at least part of it, was still being held by investigators and would be returned to the family for interment once neuropathology tests were completed.

Investigators have honed in on drugs that were administered to the insomniac Jackson. The powerful sedative Diprivan, which is usually administered by anesthesiologists in hospitals, was found in his home, according to a law enforcement official.

Jackson’s final resting place was another unknown. Permission is needed to bury him at his former home, Neverland Ranch.

A private memorial was held at a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills that is the resting place of many stars, but it does not appear Jackson will be buried among them.

No plans have been announced for Neverland, but it’s already drawn comparisons as a potential West Coast version of Graceland.

Then there’s Jackson’s money. He died deeply in debt, but left an estate potentially worth $500 million and his enduring star power with its tremendous earning potential.

Former Sony Music chairman and CEO Tommy Mottola has said Jackson left dozens of songs that included newer material and leftover works from some of his biggest albums. Mottola predicted the potential playlist was bigger than the one left behind by Elvis.

The singer also left behind an elaborate production dubbed “The Dome Project,” which could be Jackson’s last complete video piece. Little is publicly known about the production, but its existence has been confirmed by two knowledgeable sources who spoke to The Associated Press on condition they not be identified because they signed confidentiality agreements.

There also is more than 100 hours of footage of preparations for his London concerts, which were canceled because of his death. Randy Phillips, president and CEO of concert promoter AEG Live, said last week that the company also has enough material for two live albums.

On Tuesday, about 20,000 people gathered inside the Staples Center on Tuesday for a somber, spiritual ceremony, watched by millions more around the world.

Crowds gathered outside Harlem’s Apollo Theater in New York to soak it in. In Santiago, Chile, national police band played “We Are the World” during the traditional guard change at the presidential palace. About 50 fans lit candles and laid flowers in the main square in Stockholm, as “Billie Jean” and “Earth Song” poured out of a small stereo.

In London, dozens of fans sheltered under umbrellas against the rain as they watched the event on a big screen outside the 02 Arena, where Jackson was to have performed 50 comeback shows starting next week. Many more stayed dry at home after the BBC announced it would cancel scheduled programming and show the ceremony live.

“His whole life was a global broadcast in a way, so I suppose it’s fitting that his death also is,” said barista Robert Anderson, 26, in London.

Calculating just how many people in total watched the ceremony — around the world and across all platforms — will take several days and even then will likely have to resort to an approximation, given the huge variety of outlets.

At the ceremony, a star-studded lineup of performers closely linked to Jackson’s life and music remembered Jackson as an unparalleled singer, dancer and humanitarian whose music united people of all backgrounds.

“Don’t focus on the scars, focus on the journey,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, whose fiery eulogy was one emotional high point of the service.

“There wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with!” he said to Jackson’s three children in the front row, drawing the longest ovation of the service.

Outside, More than 3,000 police officers massed downtown to keep the ticketless at bay. Helicopters followed the golden casket as it was driven over blocked-off freeways from Forest Lawn cemetery to the Staples Center. A bazaar of T-shirts, buttons, photos and other memorabilia sprouted in the blocks around the memorial. Movie theaters played the service live.

Inside, however, the atmosphere was churchlike, assisted by an enormous video image of a stained-glass window with red-gold clouds blowing past that was projected behind the stage.

The Rev. Lucious W. Smith of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena gave the greeting, standing on the same stage where Jackson had been rehearsing for a comeback concert before his death on June 25 at age 50.

The ceremony ended with Jackson’s family on stage, amid a choir singing “Heal the World.”

“All around us are people of different cultures, different religions, different nationalities,” Rev. Smith said as he closed the service. “And yet the music of Michael Jackson brings us together.”

Deficit-ridden Los Angeles asked Jackson fans to help pay the bill for police and other public servants needed for the entertainer’s memorial service.

A Web site was posted Tuesday seeking donations to cover the costs, estimated at between $1.5 million and $4 million, according to Matt Szabo, a spokesman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

But Jack Kyser, founding economist of the Kyser Center for Economic Research of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, estimates the city could rake in $4 million from the event, thanks to the throng of media and other visitors who stayed at hotels, ate at restaurants and shopped in Los Angeles.

Kyser believes the city also got a major image boost because the memorial service went off without any major problems. “This thing went off very smoothly,” Kyser said. “I think you had some good exposure for downtown and for the entire city.”

Gilani says will put forth govt. stance before SC

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the government will present in front of Supreme Court (SC) its stance over levying carbon tax on the prices of petroleum products.

Addressing the reception hosted in honor of journalists here on Tuesday, the Premier Gilani said the government will put forth its stance in front of Supreme Court (SC) in regard to levying carbon tax on petroleum products and following which, whatever ruling the SC declared, will be accepted by government.

“I believe in judicial activism and will be cooperative in abiding by court’s verdicts”, he remarked adding, “We are not escaping accountability”.

Petrol on old prices being sold in Karachi

KARACHI: The petrol is being sold at old prices in many petrol pumps despite governments’ announcement to cut petroleum product prices, Geo news reported.

The petrol price has been slid up to Rs.11 per liter following the SC verdict, which ordered government to suspend carbon tax surcharge on petroleum products, sources said.

Following the SC directions, the OGRA had issued notification dropping carbon tax surcharges on petroleum products leaving the petrol as much as 11 rupees down per liter.

Ashes series to begin today

CARDIFF: The 2009 Ashes series starts in Cardiff today as the battle between two of cricket’s fiercest rivals gets set to rage once again.

Geo Super will telecast all matches of the series live.

The series started way back in 1877 and, of the many memorable series over that long stretch of time, five really stand out. England’s last Ashes victory and what a dramatic success it was.

England had not won the Ashes since 1987 and were always going to be up against it in this series against the world’s top team.

But the hosts emerged triumphant .Andrew Flintoff playing an integral role with bat and ball, winning 2-1 with the other two Tests drawn.

Petrol being sold on old prices across the country

KARACHI: The petrol is being sold at old prices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and other parts of the country despite governments’ announcement to cut petroleum product prices.

The petrol price has been slid up to Rs.11 per liter following the SC verdict, which ordered government to suspend carbon tax surcharge on petroleum products, sources said.

Following the SC directions, the OGRA had issued notification dropping carbon tax surcharges on petroleum products leaving the petrol as much as 11 rupees down per liter.

The citizens have welcome the cut in petroleum prices but said that petrol pumps still selling petroleum products on old prices.

Chinese president breaks off trip to Italy

BEIJING: China’s President Hu Jintao, on an official visit to Italy for the G8 summit, has decided to return to China due to the situation in Xinjiang where riots have claimed more than 150 lives, local news agency reported early Wednesday.

Hu left for home early Wednesday “due to the situation in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region” the agency reported.

In Rome, the Tang Heng, the first political counsellor at the Chinese embassy in the Italian capital as said Hu decided to curtail his trip “given the worsening of the disorder in Xinjiang.”

The summit opens later Wednesday in the central Italian town of L’Aquila and although China is not a member of the Group of Eight, much of the talks was to include emerging powers including Beijing. State Councillor Dai Bingguo would take part in the summit on Hu’s behalf.

Chinese troops poured into the restive city of Urumqi Wednesday in a massive show of force, but fresh unrest flared as Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs armed themselves with makeshift weapons.

In Urumqi, the capital of the remote northwest Xinjiang region where 156 people died in riots on Sunday, army helicopters circled overhead as thousands of soldiers and riot police filled the city shouting out “protect the people”.

Thousands of riot police wearing helmets and carrying shields lined up on a main road in Urumqi dividing the city centre from a Uighur district, with columns of soldiers behind them.

Bhagwandas report proposes to deregulate HOBC price

ISLAMABAD: The Rana Bhagwandas judicial commissions set up to look into the oil pricing mechanism and soaring trend in the petroleum products issued its report to media.

The commission proposed to design short, middle and long term strategies for oil pricing and deregulation of prices of HOBC, light diesel and JP1 fuel. A committee of oil and energy experts must be formed.

According to commission’s recommendations, PARCO oil refinery should have extended petroleum reservoirs and the prices of HOBC, light diesel and JP1 fuel should be deregulate. The formation of oil and economic experts committee has been proposed to evolve formula for ex-refinery prices.

The reports suggested boost in OGRA and petroleum ministry capacity. The commission report also stated details of gains government and oil companies fetched from petroleum products.

Chaudhry Pervez Elahi elected PML-Q Punjab chief

LAHORE: Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan have been elected as PML-Q Punjab’s president and general secretary respectively for third time in row.

The PML-Q party elections were held in Muslim League House here. His son Monis Elahi submitted the nomination paper of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi whereas Raja Basharat filed Chaudhry Zaheer’s nomination. Both were elected unopposed PML-Q president and general secretary.

Shahid Afridi Wallpapers

US missile attack kills 9 militants in S Waziristan

WANA: Nine militants have been killed and five injured in US drone attack in South Waizirstan on Wednesday.According to reports, US drones fired two missile at suspected hideouts of militants in Karwan Manza area killing eight and injuring five people. The causalities could be mount.

Supreme Court puts carbon tax on hold

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court suspended on Tuesday parliament’s decision to levy carbon surcharge on petroleum products through budgetary action, accepting for hearing a petition by an opposition politician and ordering the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to withdraw the tax by Wednesday, pending the final decision.

The petition was filed by Pakistan Muslim League-N secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra.

The surcharge was levied in the budget to collect an estimated Rs122 billion in the current financial year by replacing the petroleum development levy (PDL). The budget was passed by the National Assembly with no vote against it.

The order was issued by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, despite repeated pleas by Attorney General Sardar Latif Khan Khosa that the levy was part of the finance bill approved by parliament while adopting the budget for 2009-10 and earlier endorsed by the cabinet.

‘Such increases are done to run the affairs of the government since public sector development projects have to be funded and allocations for subsidies on wheat and electricity made although the budget is in deficit,’ the attorney general said.

The chief justice observed that the court was only suspending the June 30 notification by Ogra of imposing the surcharge.

The court summoned the environment secretary on Thursday with a summary indicating what proposals his ministry had sent to the government for initiating measures to provide clean atmosphere free of emissions.

‘Prime facie we are of the opinion that there is no immediate necessity for imposing carbon surcharge, the levy of which is subject to certain benefits like provision of an atmosphere free of lead, sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions,’ the chief justice observed.

The court made it clear that the suspension order was temporary and a final decision would be taken after going through a 100-page report submitted by a judicial commission headed by Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas.

On a court query, Advocate Raja Saeeduzzaman Zafar, representing Ogra, presented the break-up of all components that comprise the price of different petroleum products.

He said the price of petrol on June 30 was Rs56.21 that included an ex-refinery price of Rs31.91, PDL Rs10.54, sales tax Rs7.75, oil marketing companies margin (OMCM) Rs1.39, dealer’s commission Rs1.74 and inland freight charges of Rs2.88.

On July 1, the price was increased to Rs62.13 comprising ex-refinery price of Rs36.59, carbon surcharge of Rs10, freight charges of Rs3.37, sales tax Rs8.57, OMCM Rs1.6 and dealer’s commission of Rs2.

The price of diesel on June 30 was Rs55.71 comprising ex-refinery price of Rs34.78, PDL Rs8.53, sales tax Rs7.68, dealer’s margin Rs1.5, OMCM Rs1.35 and freight Rs2.22.

On July 1, the price was increased to Rs62.65 with ex-refinery price of Rs40.94, OMCM Rs1.35, carbon surcharge Rs8, dealer’s margin Rs1.5, sales tax Rs8.64 and freight Rs2.22.

The court asked senior counsel Akram Sheikh to present a brief synopsis of the judicial commission’s report on oil price mechanism.

Advocate Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry represented Mr Jhagra and PPP’s Rukhsana Zuberi appeared in person.

The interim order sent the government into a tailspin and sources said it might consider approaching the apex court for a review.

It drew instant appreciation from different quarters with many believing that the withdrawal of the surcharge would translate into reduction in the prices of petrol (up to Rs10 per litre), diesel (Rs8) and kerosene (over Rs6).

After withdrawing the surcharge, the sales tax would also have to be reduced from existing Rs8.57, Rs8 and Rs8.19 on the three products.

Meanwhile, former chief justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, when contacted, rejected a perception that the order amounted to interference in the affairs of parliament. He said the Supreme Court was only seeking to probe whether relevant laws had been adhered to.

‘We should not forget that it is just an interim order and if the court concludes that the laws were followed, it will take its hands back.’

Justice (retd) Wajeehuddin Ahmed said it was the duty of the Supreme Court, being the guardian of the Constitution, to maintain equilibrium between the powers of the government and welfare of people.

Ogra notification of new petroleum prices

ISLAMABAD: Complying with the Supreme Court’s instructions, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority on Tuesday issued a revised notification of oil prices after the deduction of carbon tax.

The new rates of one litre petrol applicable from Wednesday are Rs50.53 down from Rs62.13 notified on July 1.

The price of one litre of HOBC will be Rs62.54 after reduction of Rs16.24, kerosene has been reduced by Rs6.96 to Rs52.39 per litre and the new price of light diesel oil (LDO) is Rs51.46.

The Ogra has issued letters to oil marketing companies directing them to notify revised diesel (HSD) prices without incorporating the carbon surcharge.

Since the HSD is a deregulated product, oil companies have determined its price at Rs53.37 per litre. The previous diesel price was Rs62.65 per litre.

British Muslims face deadly terrorist attacks

LONDON: British Muslims face deadly ‘spectacular’ terrorist attacks from the extreme right ‘designed to kill people’, fears Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command.

According to a report in the Guardian on Monday, the counter-terrorism unit has moved officers to beef up its monitoring of the extreme right’s potential to stage attacks.

Commander Shaun Sawyer told a meeting of British Muslims concerned about the danger posed to their communities that police were responding to the growing threat.

Mr Sawyer said of the far right: ‘I fear that they will have a spectacular … They will carry out an attack that will lead to a loss of life or injury to a community somewhere. They’re not choosy about which community.’

He said the aim of any attack would be to cause a ‘breakdown in community cohesion’.

Mr Sawyer told the meeting that more of his officers needed to be deployed to try to thwart neo-Nazi-inspired violence.

He said the terrorist threat posed by Al Qaeda remained the unit’s priority, but said of its far-right section: ‘It is a small desk … we need to grow that unit.’

The Guardian quoted sources as saying that while they believed the neo-Nazi terrorist threat had grown, they had no specific intelligence of an attack.

‘There is an increased possibility of violence from the far right. There is a trend,’ said one senior source, adding that the ideology of the violent right was driven by ‘people who don’t like immigration, people who don’t like Islam. We’re seeing a resurgence of anti-Semitism as well’.

Similar warnings about the terror threat of the far right have been issued in America recently.

In April, an internal report drawn up by the US Department of Homeland Security warned of a possible rise in violent rightwing extremist groups fuelled by the recession and hostility over the election of the first black president.

The report said threats from white supremacist and violent anti-government groups had been largely rhetorical so far, but a prolonged economic downturn could create a fertile recruiting environment for rightwing extremists.

British Muslims have been a particular target of neo-Nazi propaganda, and groups representing them say they have felt increasingly vulnerable after the Al Qaeda attacks on London in July 2005.

Jackson memorial a somber, spiritual celebration

LOS ANGELES: It was not spectacular, extravagant or bizarre. There were songs and tears but little dancing. Instead, Michael Jackson’s memorial was a somber, spiritual ceremony that reached back for the essence of the man.

Singer, dancer, superstar, humanitarian: That was how the some 20,000 people gathered inside the Staples Center arena on Monday, and untold millions watching around the world, remembered Jackson, whose immense talents almost drowned beneath the spectacle of his life and fame.

If there was a shocking moment, it came in the form of Jackson’s daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, who made the first public statement of her 11 years.

‘Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,’ she said, dissolving into tears and turning to lean on her aunt Janet. ‘And I just wanted to say I love him so much.’

Outside the arena, the celebrity-industrial complex that Jackson helped create ground on. More than 3,000 police officers massed downtown to keep the ticketless at bay.

Helicopters followed the golden casket as it was driven over blocked-off freeways from Forest Lawn cemetery to Staples Center.

A bazaar of T-shirts, buttons, photos and other memorabilia sprouted in the blocks around the memorial.

Movie theaters played the service live and people paused around the world to watch.

Inside, however, the atmosphere was churchlike, assisted by the enormous video image of a stained glass window, with red-gold clouds blowing past, that was projected behind the stage.

The ceremony began with Smokey Robinson reading statements from Jackson’s close friend Diana Ross.

‘Michael was part of the fabric of my life’, and then Nelson Mandela ‘Be strong.’

A lengthy silence of several minutes followed, punctuated only by a steady twinkle of camera flashes.

The thousands of mourners spoke softly to those in neighboring seats or contemplated their private thoughts.

Celebrities made their way to their seats in front of the stage: Kobe Bryant, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Lou Ferrigno, Don King, the Kardashian sisters, Magic Johnson, Brooke Shields, Larry King.

While Jackson was among the most famous faces in the world, today’s megastars were largely absent. Those present mostly reflected some connection to Jackson’s life or work.

Among those conspicuously not in attendance were Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross and Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s ex-wife and the mother of Jackson’s two oldest children.

Many vehicles left Staples in a long motorcade that ended up in a Beverly Hills hotel.

Record producer Jimmy Jam told AP Television that he was headed for a gathering for friends and family, but he won’t give details.

The fans, clutching tickets that 1.6 million people had sought, were a visual representation of Jackson’s life: white, black and everything in between; from Mexico, Japan, Italy or America; wearing fedoras, African headdresses, sequins or surgical masks. Actor Corey Feldman showed up fully costumed as Michael Jackson.

The pre-ceremony stillness was broken by the organ strains of an African-American spiritual.

‘Hallelujah, hallelujah, going to see the King,’ a choir sang. The crowd cheered and rose to its feet.

The Rev. Lucious W. Smith of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena gave the greeting, standing on the same stage where Jackson had been rehearsing for a comeback concert before his death on June 25 at age 50.

Then Mariah Carey sang the opening performance with a rendition of the Jackson 5 ballad ‘I’ll Be There,’ a duet with Trey Lorenz.

Queen Latifah read a special poem composed by Maya Angelou. Lionel Richie sang gospel, ‘Jesus Is Love.’

Berry Gordy remembered the prodigy of young Michael, drawing a standing ovation when he said the title King of Pop would no longer suffice: ‘He is simply the greatest entertainer who ever lived.’

Emotions peaked when civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a fiery eulogy highlighting all the barriers Jackson broke and the troubles he faced.

‘Every time he got knocked down, he got back up,’ Sharpton said, and the applauding crowd again jumped to its feet.

Sharpton rode the moment, building to a crescendo. ‘There wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy,’ he said later, addressing Jackson’s three children in the front row. ‘It was strange what your daddy had to deal with!’

Jubilation erupted, with the longest standing ovation of the day. It seemed as if Sharpton broke through some sort of wall, freeing shouts from the crowd of ‘We love you Michael!’ After he left the stage, chants of ‘Mi-chael! Mi-chael!’ filled the arena. -AP

Sufi Mohammad is history: govt

PESHAWAR: NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that Maulana Sufi Mohammad, chief of banned Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi, is history and media should not project him.

‘Let Sufi Mohammad be history. His popularity graph has declined and people of Malakand will not trust him anymore,’ the minister said while speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday.

When asked about the release of Sufi Mohammad, Mian Iftikhar said that government had neither arrested him nor knew about his whereabouts. ‘Media should not disturb Sufi as he has become history,’ he remarked.

He said that militants were on the run in Malakand and they were not in a position to establish even contact with each other.

He said that ‘third and second cadres’ of the militants had been eliminated in the violence-hit region while top leadership had disappeared.

‘The government, security forces and people of Pakistan must win this war. Pakistan will suffer if militants win in Malakand,’ he said, adding that people involved in militancy or supporting militant groups would be brought to justice. He denied Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam allegations that its workers had been arrested.

Mr Hussain expressed satisfaction over the situation in Swat, Lower Dir and Buner districts, saying that things were moving in right direction.

He said that civil administration had been restored in the troubled parts and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti along with his cabinet members had visited affected areas in Malakand region.

Several members of the provincial assembly were still in their constituencies to visit the areas and meet the affected people.

He said that heads of the law enforcement agencies had briefed the chief minister during his visit to the region, adding the provincial government was satisfied with the outcome of the operation.

‘Militancy is now matter of days in Malakand and displaced people will start going back to their homes very soon,’ he said, adding that return of the IDPs was being discussed at a high level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday.

He said in the light of that meeting provincial government would announce schedule for the return of IDPs. The government, he said, would provide transport and other facilities to the displaced families.

He said that electricity had been restored in different parts of Malakand while main hospital in Mingora city had been functioning. He said that lady doctors and nurses were also sent to the hospital on Tuesday.

He, however, criticised performance of Pakistan Telecommunication Company, saying that PTCL had yet to restore telephone lines in the affected areas.

The minister said that over 66,000 cash cards had been issued to internally displaced persons so far and dysfunctional cards were being activated. He said that World Food Programme would start distribution of food items from Wednesday.

He said that government of Oman had announced $10 million donations for IDPs while $2 million had already been provided to the UNHCR.

India pledges to punish Kabul embassy bombers

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday kept its pressure on Pakistan by observing the first anniversary of a devastating terrorist attack on its embassy in Kabul and hoping that the plotters, its officials say were Pakistanis, would face justice.

However, in a sombre statement in parliament, Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna did not specifically name any country or even a group for the act.

‘Today is a year since the terrorist attack on our embassy in Kabul in Afghanistan,’ Mr Krishna said in statements to both houses of parliament.

A number of Indian embassy personnel and a large number of Afghan nationals lost their lives in the attack.

‘We recall their sacrifice with a sense of grief as also to reiterate our commitment against terrorism and all those who sponsor and sustain it. Our thoughts are also with all the families who lost their loved ones. No words of condemnation are too strong for the perpetrators and organisers of this attack. They must and will face a reckoning. Justice must be served.’

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon Menon led a meeting of Indian diplomats to commemorate the dead.

‘We lost several colleagues and an even larger number of Afghan nationals who gave up their precious lives, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Please join me in a moment’s silence to recall their sacrifice, to honour their memory, and to reiterate our commitment to fight terrorism and all those who sponsor and sustain it.’

It was the second day in a row that India appeared to ignore the temptation to name Pakistan or blame it for acts of terrorism.

The unusual demeanour is thought to indicate its interest in creating a conducive atmosphere for the prime ministerial talks with Pakistan in Egypt on July 16.

On Monday, for example, Mr Krishna said that New Delhi was closely monitoring the case of Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the prime accused of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

But, he quickly added: ‘I think that it is the internal matter of Pakistan, especially when courts are involved. We do not comment on those developments. But, we are closely monitoring the events in Pakistan.’

This was a departure from the foreign minister’s complaint only recently that India was not officially briefed by Pakistan about the status of the Hafiz Saeed affair.

Pakistan lodged appeals on Monday against a court decision to release Mr Saeed. On June 2, a full bench of the Lahore High Court had ordered his release from house arrest on the basis of a habeas corpus petition.

Suspected US missile strike hits South Waziristan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A second US missile strike in as many days targeted Taliban hideouts in Pakistan’s tribal South Waziristan district on Wednesday and casualties were expected, security officials said.

‘There was a US missile strike on a Taliban compound in Karwan Manza area of South Waziristan,’ said a security official in Pakistan’s northwest, adding that the strike by an unmanned drone hit in the early hours of Wednesday.

Another security official said local sources were reporting between eight and 10 people killed, but said that the death toll was yet to be verified.

On Tuesday, a US missile strike pulverised a compound in a South Waziristan stronghold of Pakistani Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud, killing 16 foreign and local militants. — AFP

Education: tool for oppression

In its recently released State of Human Rights 2008 report the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has devoted considerable space — the most number of pages — to the education sector in the country.

It is not a coincidence that the most backward, underprivileged and impoverished people who are denied their basic rights also happen to be illiterate and uneducated.

Not that the rights of educated people are not abused in Pakistan given the autocratic dispensation of the state. But the educated have avenues to seek redress. The uneducated don’t and the mere fact that they have been denied education itself proves how vulnerable they are.

The HRCP has been publishing these reports since 1990 without fail and it has drawn public attention to the state of education in Pakistan and its impact on human rights. Although Pakistan’s constitution and all other human rights instruments recognise education as a basic right of every citizen, people are not getting what is their due.

From the information collected mainly from the media and the reports of UN agencies, the HRCP report tells us that Pakistan spends only 2.3 per cent of its GDP on education and 6.5 million children five to nine years of age are out of school with the drop-out rate being a high 50 per cent.

The HRCP’s focus is — and quite rightly so — on the expansion of education and its accessibility to all children in keeping with the education-for-all concept. A state that recognises the right to education of all its citizens also universalises primary education.

The absence of political will is reflected in the limited resources allocated to this sector, the inadequacy of facilities and the failure to formulate an appropriate education policy to provide this basic right to the people of Pakistan. The HRCP has highlighted these deficiencies and its recommendations also attempt to address the issues it has focused on.

There is, however, a vital dimension of education that the HRCP report has failed to note. This is the inequity that characterises education in Pakistan today and that has emerged as a tool of oppression. It promotes the class divide and perpetuates economic disparity in society. The easiest method of subjugating people is to deny them an education.

If that is found to be too brazen, governments adopt the next best method. They deny the people education of good quality and thus marginalise them effectively.

So serious is this problem that Unesco’s Global Monitoring Report for 2009 is titled ‘Overcoming Inequalities’. It observes, ‘The distribution of educational opportunity plays a key role in shaping human development prospects. Unequal opportunities for education are linked to inequalities in income, health and wider life chances.’

Our education system is blatantly a two-tier one. On one side is the state-of-the-art education for children of the privileged elite. On the other is the decaying system that provides no education at all. On which side will one land depends on the accident of birth and inheritance. The fault line lies along the economic divide. Public-sector school education is free but of deplorable quality. Private schools are allowed to charge fees that touch the skies and thus exclude the majority from their fold. And it is the state which connives in perpetuating this barrier.

To further ensure that educational excellence doesn’t touch the poor, our curricula, textbooks, exams and pedagogy are so tailored that a student from a public-sector school can never hope to benefit. Students of the ‘five-star’ educational institutions get the best books and the best teachers while their examinations are conducted from London/Cambridge.

The unkindest cut comes in the form of the language of instruction. After having prevaricated for decades, our educational planners have in their profound wisdom now reached the conclusion that since English is the international language of the day our children must also be taught English. If it was to be taught as a second language one would not have quarrelled with the approach — though inflicting a foreign tongue on the child as the medium of instruction from class one is the worst kind of cruelty he can be subjected to.

How can young children be taught the concepts of mathematics, science or even history and geography in a strange language they cannot even understand? Yet our policymakers insist that English it will be — and right from class one. Obviously the elite’s children benefit for they are familiar with the language which they have heard their parents speak at home.

As a result the poor who cannot understand or speak English — the clever ones memorise it — gain no proficiency in it or in the subject they are being taught. Had their mother tongue been the medium of instruction they would have at least comprehended the subject they were being taught. And had they been taught English as a second language they would have been fluent in it too.

But then they would have been in a position to compete with the children of the rich which is not acceptable to the privileged elite. As Dr Tariq Rahman, the educationist and linguist, says, English is the language of power in Pakistan. And power is not to be shared. It has to be concentrated in the hands of a few. Hence the need to exclude the majority from the system. That is why the language of governance is English. Court documents are in English. Bills and ordinances are in English. Trade and economic activity is documented in English.

Since the poor have not been taught the English language as they should have been, they are denied access to political power. The economic turf, especially the employment market, also has to be kept as the rich man’s preserve. A low standard of education ensures that. By holding on to these two key areas of power, the elite perpetuate the cycle of poverty and disadvantage.

Thus education becomes a tool of oppression for the rich to subjugate the poor. The HRCP should note this as it is the most blatant violation of human rights we are witness to.
zubeidam@gmail.com

Supreme Court puts carbon tax on hold

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court suspended on Tuesday parliament’s decision to levy carbon surcharge on petroleum products through budgetary action, accepting for hearing a petition by an opposition politician and ordering the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to withdraw the tax by Wednesday, pending the final decision.

The petition was filed by Pakistan Muslim League-N secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra.

The surcharge was levied in the budget to collect an estimated Rs122 billion in the current financial year by replacing the petroleum development levy (PDL). The budget was passed by the National Assembly with no vote against it.

The order was issued by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, despite repeated pleas by Attorney General Sardar Latif Khan Khosa that the levy was part of the finance bill approved by parliament while adopting the budget for 2009-10 and earlier endorsed by the cabinet.

‘Such increases are done to run the affairs of the government since public sector development projects have to be funded and allocations for subsidies on wheat and electricity made although the budget is in deficit,’ the attorney general said.

The chief justice observed that the court was only suspending the June 30 notification by Ogra of imposing the surcharge.

The court summoned the environment secretary on Thursday with a summary indicating what proposals his ministry had sent to the government for initiating measures to provide clean atmosphere free of emissions.

‘Prime facie we are of the opinion that there is no immediate necessity for imposing carbon surcharge, the levy of which is subject to certain benefits like provision of an atmosphere free of lead, sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions,’ the chief justice observed.

The court made it clear that the suspension order was temporary and a final decision would be taken after going through a 100-page report submitted by a judicial commission headed by Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas.

On a court query, Advocate Raja Saeeduzzaman Zafar, representing Ogra, presented the break-up of all components that comprise the price of different petroleum products.

He said the price of petrol on June 30 was Rs56.21 that included an ex-refinery price of Rs31.91, PDL Rs10.54, sales tax Rs7.75, oil marketing companies margin (OMCM) Rs1.39, dealer’s commission Rs1.74 and inland freight charges of Rs2.88.

On July 1, the price was increased to Rs62.13 comprising ex-refinery price of Rs36.59, carbon surcharge of Rs10, freight charges of Rs3.37, sales tax Rs8.57, OMCM Rs1.6 and dealer’s commission of Rs2.

The price of diesel on June 30 was Rs55.71 comprising ex-refinery price of Rs34.78, PDL Rs8.53, sales tax Rs7.68, dealer’s margin Rs1.5, OMCM Rs1.35 and freight Rs2.22.

On July 1, the price was increased to Rs62.65 with ex-refinery price of Rs40.94, OMCM Rs1.35, carbon surcharge Rs8, dealer’s margin Rs1.5, sales tax Rs8.64 and freight Rs2.22.

The court asked senior counsel Akram Sheikh to present a brief synopsis of the judicial commission’s report on oil price mechanism.

Advocate Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry represented Mr Jhagra and PPP’s Rukhsana Zuberi appeared in person.

The interim order sent the government into a tailspin and sources said it might consider approaching the apex court for a review.

It drew instant appreciation from different quarters with many believing that the withdrawal of the surcharge would translate into reduction in the prices of petrol (up to Rs10 per litre), diesel (Rs8) and kerosene (over Rs6).

After withdrawing the surcharge, the sales tax would also have to be reduced from existing Rs8.57, Rs8 and Rs8.19 on the three products.

Meanwhile, former chief justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, when contacted, rejected a perception that the order amounted to interference in the affairs of parliament. He said the Supreme Court was only seeking to probe whether relevant laws had been adhered to.

‘We should not forget that it is just an interim order and if the court concludes that the laws were followed, it will take its hands back.’

Justice (retd) Wajeehuddin Ahmed said it was the duty of the Supreme Court, being the guardian of the Constitution, to maintain equilibrium between the powers of the government and welfare of people.

Sons of Taliban drug addict show Pakistan challenges

PESHAWAR: Motherless boys Sultan and Rahim lived in penury with their drug-addicted father before he abandoned them to join the Pakistani Taliban and an orphanage took pity on them.

Joining the Taliban had seemed a good prospect for their vagabond father, shaking him out of his drug-addled torpor and providing him with an occupation.

But when Pakistan launched its latest offensive against the militia led by Mullah Fazlullah, his sons’ lives fell apart.

They say the Pakistani army killed their older brother, another Taliban fighter, and torched the family home.

And when the army ordered the evacuation of the orphanage that had become their home, the boys joined the two million civilians displaced by war this summer.

The death of his brother has fuelled in Sultan sympathy for hardliners, despite efforts by his benefactor at the orphanage, as part of the battle for hearts and minds here in northwest Pakistan, to teach him to hate the Taliban.

Sultan and Rahim — not their real names — sit on a bed in the school where they and their teachers have sought refuge from the searing heat in this city far from the cool mountains of Swat they were forced to flee.

At 15 years old, Sultan is already the size of a man and his 14-year-old brother — who with his angular face and straight brown hair looks just like him — is not far behind. Their eyes are sad and suspicious.

Sultan does the talking, calmly and politely narrating the tale of their miserable childhood.

‘Our father is a drug addict. Our mother died when we were very young, I don’t know how,’ he told AFP.

Teachers at the orphanage said the boys’ father succumbed to heroin peddled on the streets of Mingora, the main town in Swat, and that he begged for money to pay for his addiction.

Their elder brother, four years older than Sultan, looked after the younger boys.

While many children of drug addicts in Pakistan are themselves condemned to a future of poverty and drugs, the boys’ luck turned when rotund and good-humoured Asif Khan entered their lives.

Appointed by a local charity to work with orphans, he convinced local elders to allow the brothers, then aged five and six, to return with him to the orphanage.

There Sultan and Rahim found a degree of stability, he said, adding that they are ‘very clever, very high in the class’.

In 2007, the boys’ destiny collided with history when the Taliban rose up in Swat demanding Pakistan impose sharia law and their father, along with countless other down-and-outs and their older brother, joined the militants.

The Taliban were initially applauded for dispensing swift justice — punishing criminals and solving legal problems left fallow by a corrupt state. But they governed by fear and terrorised the local population with brutal killings as they tried to impose their harsh interpretation of Islam.

At the orphanage, Khan and his staff did their best to protect their charges from ubiquitous Taliban propaganda but soon the children were idolising the Taliban as heroes, turning plastic bottles into toy Kalashnikovs and pretending to be militant commanders.

Khan said he tried to forbid the games, but added: ‘The Taliban came several times and told me to let them play like Taliban heroes.’

And then in April the onslaught came, as the Pakistani government, under mounting US pressure, launched a full-scale assault in Swat and the surrounding areas of Buner and Lower Dir.

‘My older brother was killed by security forces in Peochar (a Taliban stronghold in Swat),’ Sultan said.

‘Then five days later, they burnt our house’ on the outskirts of Mingora, he said, adding in a murmur: ‘We asked for our brother’s body, but they never gave it.’

Commanders say victory is in sight and have promised that people forced out of their homes by the fighting can soon return.

For his part, Khan is waiting impatiently to continue his teaching and says it is his mission to win back hearts and minds from the Taliban.

‘I will prevent Talibanisation. I will destroy the next Taliban generation,’ he said.

But Sultan seems unable to forget the army killings and when asked if he plans to avenge his brother’s death, he hesitated — his teachers are not far away — before he said: ‘I can’t say anything about it.’ But he does want the troops to leave so life can return to ‘normal’ and openly praises some Taliban members ‘who are on the right path’.

‘They order people to pray. They solve people’s property problems. They arrest drug traffickers,’ he said.

The teenager dreams of becoming a civil engineer and developing his village, but is clear in his belief that the actions of the army are only contributing to grassroots support for the Taliban.

‘When security forces kill a man, the rest of his family supports the Taliban,’ he said.

North Korea’s gone ballistic!

States play with nuclear weapons the way boys play with their toys, writes Naveen Naqvi.

It was a joke someone cracked after North Korea test-fired seven ballistic missiles on July 4, Independence Day in the United States. I have to admit that I laughed at the word play, given my susceptibility to corny humour. Within a split second, though, I felt ashamed of myself and looked around guiltily to see if anyone had heard.

This is not a laughing matter, I thought. Well, actually, it kind of is.

When you think about it, a nation decided to test-fire weapons that are capable of killing millions of people – not to mention mutating future generations (and forget about what it’ll do to old Mother Earth) – in an act of defiance. Much like a rebellious teenager or a spoilt brat. South Korea and Japan called it an ‘act of provocation.’ It’s a bit of a prank, isn’t it? Nothing more than an annoyance?

It seems to me that everything about weapons of mass destruction reeks of a boys-with-their-toys nonchalance and a perverse ‘cute-ification’ (yes, I know that’s not a word). It started in 1945 when the United States dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. The code name for the first was ‘Little Boy’ and the second was ‘Fat Man.’ Cute.

I recently read Kamila Shamsie’s latest novel, Broken Verses, and realised how seldom one is reminded of that original and singular display of foot-stomping. Through the book, Shamsie’s protagonist, a Japanese holocaust survivor, keeps asking herself why the Americans would have dropped the second one. Fine, you drop the first and make your point. The second time, it’s just plain stubbornness – ‘You threw sand in my face. I’ll throw not one, but two fistfuls in yours.’

Can we please for a moment remember that we’re not six years old and in the playground?

Let’s bring it closer to home now. On the anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests this year, I talked to Mushahid Hussain Syed, who was the Information Minister in May 1998 while Nawaz Sharif was Prime Minister. Mr Syed arrived on the sets, charged, barely concealing his enthusiasm as he clapped his hands with glee and proclaimed it to be a great day.

He needed little encouragement when I asked for the inside story, and recalled that after the sixth test, he asked Nawaz Sharif, ‘Mian Sahib, but why did you conduct the sixth test?’ He said that Mian Sahib chuckled and said, ‘Well, India tested five so I thought we would test SIX!’ At this retelling, the former minister chuckled to himself while I smiled and said, ‘I have to say that it sounds to me like a game the way you talk about it, Mr Syed.’ ‘No, no. It was a very serious matter,’ he said in response.

India is not that different from Pakistan when it comes to their posturing. The moment there’s any tension, for example, at the slightest sign of conflict that flared in 1999 when Pakistan and India were ‘eyeball to eyeball’, both states can be counted on to live up to the stereotypes and low expectations of us brownies with bombs.

‘The nuclear option cannot be ruled out,’ say heads of state. What that really means is, ‘We can push the button,’ or, ‘No, we can push the button first.’

Recently, I was having a conversation with visiting Indian journalist and anti-nuclear activist, Jatin Desai, when Karamat Ali of PILER said, ‘We’re spending so much money trying to keep these weapons safe when they were meant to make us safe!’ The estimate is up to hundred million dollars from the United States, according to reports that have subsequently been denied. Imagine that same amount of money being spent on development, education and the eradication of poverty, some of the core reasons behind the rise of terrorism in this region.

So, yes, when it comes down to it, the whole nuclear issue is a bit of a joke.

naveen80 Naveen Naqvi is a senior anchor at DawnNews and presents the morning news programme, Breakfast at Dawn. She is currently working on a novel, Guilt, and tweets at twitter.com/naveenaqvi.

Source: Dawn News