Why a ban on porn sites is futile

There are three big problems with banning and blocking pornographic websites in Pakistan, ranging from the most basic — it does not work — to the more troubling ‘saying yes to banning porn is saying yes to state oppression’, to the most deeply worrying ‘our national identity seems to be one of a imbecile out to harm himself’.

Let’s address the most basic problem first. The reason why a ban on porn can never work is because of a simple economic principle —where there is demand, there will be supply, and the demand is going nowhere. Those who want to see porn online will do so. Their options are unlimited. For every 13,000 porn sites the Pakistan government blocks, there are over 327 million other pages to browse as porn accounts for 12 per cent of all online visits and 35 per cent of all downloads worldwide. If the PTA somehow convinced our local ISPs to block all 327 million pages of porn, the filtering system would strangle all internet in Pakistan, not to mention, by the time such action was taken, there would probably be a million new porn sites out there. Let’s also not forget that proxy servers (sites that change your IP to different locations) make all 13,000 blocked sites available. How easy is it to use a proxy? About a single Google search orbrowser extension away, rendering the whole blocking exercise (not to mention its cost) redundant. It is unfortunate that our esteemed judiciary and government servants are so technologically challenged that they probably cannot understand this basic problem even if it is written for them on paper.

Next is the more troubling ‘saying yes to banning porn is saying yes to state oppression’. Banning porn is a slippery slope to say the least. This government is already known to block websites in the name of such open ended phrases as ‘national interest’ so do we really want to give them allowance to censor us further with the (mis)use of the words ‘obscenity’ and ‘pornography’? Who gets to define what is obscene and what is pornography? Is Titian’s Venus of Urbino pornography? And if so, should we block Wikipedia and ban all import of Encarta Encyclopedia CDs, as that is where I first saw this masterpiece at age 14? What is obscene? Is Sex and the City obscene? It may be to our rabid mullah folk, and since they have the upper hand in this country devastated by politicized religion, can we expect a ban on YouTube in any number of very real dystopian future scenarios? Most certainly, such oppression is just a step away from banning porn.

This brings us to the most worrying and saddening aspect of the decision to block porn — that of the floundering, decaying, most pathetic creature that has become our national identity. What does this attempt to ban and block porn say about us? Does it suggest that we are stupid and ignorant? Does it suggest that we are infantile, delusional and very naïve; given that we do not even see that the issue is not the availability of porn online, but the demand that exists for it? Yes, it does. Does it suggest that we are unabashedly willing to stab ourselves in the foot again and again?

It seems that way, given that we have not learnt anything about how our government and courts may ban anything unannounced, indefinitely, from Baloch news sites to Rolling Stone magazine to SMSs about finger food and athletes foot. This to me is the most tragic aspect of the ongoing ban and blockage of porn: the fact that is speaks of a nation that is moving backwards; immature and proud of it to boot. It is a dangerous state to be in, and one any sane person should fight against.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2012.

Balochistan: foreign intervention

THERE are some elements in the US Congress who support the cause of an independent Balochistan. Islamabad closely monitored the hearing; this issue should not be taken as a trivial one.

We must not allow this to happen again at any cost.The establishment in Pakistan must clearly declare that Balochistan is an exclusively internal matter of Pakistan, and the international community has nothing to do with this issue.

The Supreme Court, too, must get those missing people recovered from the custody of secret agencies.

Our media must be given safe access to sensitive localities of the province to bring the grievances of the Baloch to people’s notice.

Talking Balochistan

Balochistan has come under focus in the last few days with the murder of a member of Balochistan assembly and his wife, a Supreme Court hearing on the missing persons case, unabated violence in the province and a US Congressional hearing on the Balochistan issue.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik recently said that there were reports indicating involvement of foreign hands in the prevailing situation of Balochistan.

“Natural resources are in abundance in Balochistan and it is a conspiracy hatched by the anti-state elements to keep the situation disturbing there,” he said.

The blame game has been going on for decades and while there have been calls for a parliamentary committee’s visit in the province, no clear solution has been presented.

Baloch nationalists lay the blame with the government and armed forces, while the government blames ‘foreign hand.’ Who, really, is to blame?

If a peaceful future of the province is to be envisioned, all major stakeholders must be taken on board. How must the government achieve this?

US Meddling in Balochistan Exposed

On February 8, 2012, The United States (US) Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs while discussing situation of Balochistan opposed its emancipation but shown concern over security problem and killing of the people.

In this meeting, a Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who recently co-authored an article with Congressman Louie Gohmert has expressed concern over Balochistan saying that it is an insurgency hit area. He said that this province has vital strategic importance.

While addressing to media, foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit responded on February 8, 2012 and said Pakistan had conveyed its reservations to the US in Islamabad and Washington regarding the talks on Balochistan by the US Congress.

In a question he also very rightly sent a clear message to Washington that “Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was not abandoned and it would be completed till 2014.” Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington Sherry Rehman raised the issue of an exclusive hearing on Balochistan by a House Foreign Affairs sub-committee in her meetings with the members of the Congress and senior officials of the US administration.

Ms Rehman also stated that Islamabad strongly rejects the purpose and findings of the hearing and considers it an “ill-advised and ill-considered” move that will have serious repercussions for the bilateral relations. She also added that “Pakistan views this hearing with serious concern and considers it unacceptable in no uncertain terms. This kind of an exercise constitutes interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. The hearing will be detrimental to building mutual trust and confidence and will add to suspicions in Pakistan about the US motives in the region and concerning Pakistan.”

The committee made security agencies responsible for abduction and killing, instead of recommending her government (US) to control CIA and its sisters agencies (RAW & Mossad) from interfering in Balochistan. It would not be wrong in saying that CIA has decided to gear up her project of establishing “Greater Balochistan” which was actually designed in “Bush era”. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Saturday said that there is no military operation being carried out in Balochistan and not a single soldier is involved in any operation in the province.

On Feburary 11, 2012 Gen Kayani while talking to the media persons during a reception arranged by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the honour of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa categorically said that the rumours about military operation in Balochistan were mere propaganda while the Frontier Core (FC) was helping out the provincial government under the article 245. The situation that appeared after the murder of a Balochi leader Habib Jalib tells enough who was behind creating law and order situation, but unfortunately the blame has been put on to the army. To a question, he said Balochistan has a great strategic importance, particularly for the Central Asian States and Afghanistan.

In fact US thinks that holding, capturing or creating independent state in Balochistan Region will provide her remunerative strategically advantages like easy excess to Gulf through Gawdar Port, disintegration of lonely nuclear Islamic state, dominance over China, Russia, Persian Gulf and other Islamic countries.

Moreover, Israel would also be facilitated in attacking Iran. In this regard, likely chances are there that India will provide her air bases to Israel on attacking Iran. US desire can also be confirmed from US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta statement, according to that he owes an explanation to the world as his aggressive posture against the Muslim world / Islam is being projected by the defence forces he commands. Another view point of US intrusive could be that US and its unholy alliance has a desire to keep this region instable and establish her bases even after culmination of “Unsuccessful Afghan Mission” which is going to be end by 2013 according to US Defence Sectary (former CIA Chief) Mr. Panetta.

Interference in Pakistani Balochistan is her primary aim because it can give space of exploitation towards Afghanistan and Iran for shaping her revealed project. US and India are deliberating promoting anarchy by helping, sheltering and funding some of anti Pakistan elements. In the first week of August 2011, US Ambassador Cameron Munter while talking to media stated that they have an eye on Pakistan particularly Balochistan since the province is strategically very important to U.S.
After 9/11, America, UK, Israel and India covertly have made an alliance to look after their strategic gains in Asia. In this connection, the intelligence agencies of U.S. alliance have also cultivated their agents under the garb of NGOs in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China. These agents became active in gathering intelligence, creating instability, anarchy and terrorism in Pakistan and China. Similarly, many NGOs and so called human rights organizations is being paid for raising Balochistan Issue according to CIA’s set agenda and time frame.

Unfortunately, some of the local electronic media group has also joined hands of “U.S. unholy alliance” for fueling of already deteriorated security and political situation of the country.

On August 12, 2011 Mr. Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan while talking to the media , confirmed that foreign hands are involved in the unrest of Balochistan.

He also claimed that he has the names and telephone numbers of those locals who get instructions from abroad for causing anarchy in Balochistan. Thus, without any doubt one can say that US is openly carrying out interference in Pakistani internal affairs.

US Congress, Champions of Human rights activists and organizations, of Western media are need to clarify that why they remained silent over US Marines acts of urinating on the dead bodies of killed Taliban soldiers in so called military operations in Afghanistan. Human dead bodies deserve respect and reverence even if they belonged to enemy ranks and had kinship in the opposing camps. It was awful to see when men shown in “You Tube” while urinating over them, “Have a great day, buddy”, while another soldier inquiring if they were being filmed. It is a clear case of war crime against US combat ready soldiers who stand implicated in disgracing the dead bodies with spinelessness.

US Marines Such desecrations of Muslims will not only construe war crimes but would also give a boost to anti US sentiments in the entire Muslim world. Although US Military has announced investigation of You Tube video alleging Marines urinating on Taliban dead bodies, yet the matter appears to be ignored in regional and international media.US and Western media are silent and failed to condemn inhuman acts of her allies (India and Israel) against Christians, Sikhs Maoists, Kashmirries and Palestinian.

As per the report 233 people lost their lives in violent incidents involving Indian security forces in the year 2011. Among those who were killed, 11 were students, 7 minors and 6 women. The troops also subjected three Kashmiris to custodial disappearance and disgraced 34 women during the period. Kashmiri youth is determined in their resolve to get Indian occupation forces withdrawn from Kashmir and are continuing with their efforts to get their rights of self-determination / freedom. The security forces employed to suppress the freedom movement commit atrocities against the innocent civilians. Worst hit are the women folk who are dishonored in the presence of their husbands, brothers and parents.

US supported NATO’s deliberate attack on Salala Check Post and killing 24 soldiers was the worst violation of human rights for which US top brass did not extend apology. In short, US policy makers must extend an apology to the Muslim world on such unbecoming behavior by US troops. Such acts of disgrace have actually endangered American soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan. India and Israel be asked to stop brutality against Sikh, Kashmiries, Christians and Maoists. American and Indian dream of capturing the region will not be fulfilled since Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and Central Asian States are well aware of unholy alliances’ hegemonic design.

However, the government should take all patriotic Baloch lords on board and rush down for the speedy development of the largest province of Pakistan. Moreover, the step taken for the welfare of Baloch nation by Pak army should be communicated through electronic and print media for the consumption of general masses.

- Asian Tribune –

PM Gilani indicted for contempt

8 hours ago

Gilani is Pakistan's first premier ever to be charged in office. - AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was charged with contempt by the Supreme Court on Monday, pleading not guilty to charges that could see him jailed for six months and disqualified from office.
Summoned over the government’s two-year refusal to write to authorities in Switzerland asking them to re-open corruption cases against the president, Gilani is Pakistan’s first premier ever to be charged in office.
Gilani, who swept into court dressed in a dark suit, grey tie, white shirt and cufflinks, was charged within minutes of appearing.
Reading out the charge sheet, Judge Nasir ul-Mulk said the prime minister had “wilfully flouted, disregarded and disobeyed” orders from the Supreme Court over re-opening alleged laundered money cases.
“Do you plead guilty?” asked Mulk.
“No,” Gilani replied, adding that he would respond further in writing.
The court ordered the attorney general to prosecute the case, giving him until Thursday to file documents, which the court will examine on February 22, and the defence until February 27 to file documents and a list of witnesses.
Evidence from Gilani’s lawyer will then be recorded on February 28, three days before March 2 Senate elections, at which the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is expected to win a near-majority of seats.
Gilani was exempted from appearing in court until further notice.
The hearing lasted less than half an hour and Gilani left soon after, waving confidently to crowds of lawyers huddled under gloomy grey skies and a persistent drizzle.

Pakistani Supreme Court indicts prime minister for contempt

February 13, 2012 -- Updated 1409 GMT (2209 HKT)

Pakistan PM indicted for contempt

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- The Pakistani Supreme Court on Monday indicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt after his steadfast refusal to revive old corruption cases against the country's president.

The court's move deepens the political turmoil in Pakistan amid tensions between the civilian and military authorities and fraught relations with the United States. It means Gilani, the first Pakistani prime minister to be charged while in office, will face a trial that could endanger his political future.

Gilani has "willfully flouted, disregarded and disobeyed the direction given by this court," said Justice Nasir ul-Mulk as he read out the charge, to which Gilani pleaded not guilty.

The court has demanded that Gilani ask the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption charges from the 1990s against President Asif Ali Zardari and others.

Gilani, whose government has resisted the request, has been locked in a standoff with the Supreme Court justices for about two years over the issue. He could be jailed for six months if the justices find him in contempt.

Observers say the prospects for Gilani are looking increasingly bleak.

Pakistan give new meaning to the words "Playing for Pride"

England were forced to bow before the might of Pakistan's bowling during play in UAE
Pakistan create history through clean sweep

Pakistan team inscribed a golden chapter in the annals of its cricket history at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Beating England by 71 runs in the third Test they became the first nation to record a clean sweep in a series between the two nations.

Arriving in UAE with their heads held high as the world's No.1 team, England were thus forced to bow before the might of Pakistan's bowling. Chasing a target of 324 to win, they were bowled out for 252 runs.

Not only did England bat poorly against Pakistan spinners they also failed to counter the pace of Umar Gul, who picked four wickets for 61 runs. Spinner Saeed Ajmal once again destroyed England's top order to return with figures of 4 for 67 backed by Abdur Rehman with two wickets for 97. Ajmal picked 24 wickets from this series to emerge as England's biggest tormentor. It was indeed another poor show from England who had not experienced a clean sweep since the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia when they lost 5-0. For Pakistan, it is their fifth clean sweep since recording 3-0 victories over Australia in 1982-83, New Zealand 1990-91, West Indies (1997-98) and Bangladesh 2003. This victory also happened to be their first clean sweep victory outside Pakistan.

What must have made it more depressing for England is the fact that Pakistan won the match despite being bowled out for 99 runs in the first innings. No team since 1907 has won a Test match after being dismissed for less than hundred in the first innings. England was the last team to do it when they were bowled out for 76 in the first innings at Leeds against South Africa.

Despite Pakistan dropping catches, their bowlers remained on top. England skipper Andrew Strauss was the first to be dropped by wicket keeper Adnan Akmal for 26 off Umar Gul. However that drop did not prove costly as Strauss at the same score was trapped leg before by Abdur Rehman.

Alastair Cook, who was dropped for four runs by Taufeeq Umar on third day, was dropped again at his score on 28 when Umar Gul missed an easy catch at deep backward square leg off Rehman.

Though Jonathan Trott played 64 balls, he fell at his score on 18 top edging a doosra from Ajmal to give Rehman at deep backward square leg an easy catch. England's hopes rested on Kevin Pietersen but after adding 31 runs for the third wicket with Cook, he too departed bowled through the gates by Ajmal for 18.

Cook who lived dangerous finally ran out of luck when he was just one short of his half century. Younus Khan at slip pulled off a fine diving catch off an edge from Cook off Ajmal.

Two fresh batsmen Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan took over the battle. They added 37 runs for the fifth wicket before Bell offered an easy catch off Gul to Asad Shafiq at cover point. The delivery was such a lose one that even Gul was shocked by Bell's stroke.

Half the side back in the pavilion with 168 runs still to get, England's hope too began to fade.

Gul also picked the wicket of Morgan forcing him to edge to wicketkeeper in his next over to take the match away from England's reach. Prior scored an unbeaten 49 to delay Pakistan's victory celebrations.

Pakistan not a failed state, says British author

 

Far from what the Western media often tends to imply and the prophets of doom predict, Pakistan certainly is not a failed state and shouldn’t be viewed as one. It is a coherent state, which should be viewed within the limits and the standards of the region it is situated in rather than those of the West.
This encouraging observation was made by Anatol Lieven, professor of International Relations and Terrorism Studies at the King’s College, London, at a talk titled, “Pakistan: a hard country”, an evaluation of his book with the same title, at the Oxford University Press’s head office on Saturday evening. However, he cautioned that it could become a failed state if the outlook in many spheres of activity, among the powers that mattered, were not geared to present-day realities and pragmatism.

Lieven said that the analysis presented in his book was against the backdrop of the Afghan militancy. The spillover of this militancy into the region, he said, had been analysed in the book in the light of the roots of power in Pakistan which had cultural and religious overtones. This he said was to a considerable extent, responsible for the terrorism and militancy in Pakistan.

Religion, he said, had many different faces in Pakistan which was so evident from the visibly diverse collective psyches of Punjab and Karachi. However, he said, what compensated for this diversity was the resilience Pakistan had always displayed in times of crises.

It was this resilience, he said, which had helped Pakistan contain to some extent the insurgency which could have been much worse. Since 2009, he said, insurgency had become really endemic but still Pakistan contained it well.

Lieven acknowledged that the Taliban and, prior to them the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, had a right to defend themselves and fight to throw off foreign military occupation but he said the course adopted by the Taliban had created lots of dilemmas for the region in that it had been turned into a powder keg.

The US’ military intervention had created lots of anger which in turn had facilitated turning of public attention to Taliban propaganda. The Americans, he said, were determined to fight on indefinitely to the last soldier so as not to be seen as a defeated nation, especially after their humiliation in Vietnam but, he said, such egotistic and shortsighted policies could boomerang on the Americans themselves in the social and economic spheres domestically. In the US, he said, the opposition viewed pragmatic compromise as cowardice. He said he had urged US policymakers to review their policies on Afghanistan. He acknowledged that US policies in the region had been “disastrous”. He said that there could be a mass uprising as a result of US policies but fortunately Pakistan had an in-built mechanism for containing such uprisings—the institution of elections.

The professor said the “hard country” part of the title of his book was because of three main reasons: firstly because Pakistan faced some really hard and decisive choices since the sprouting of the Afghan crisis; secondly, because the resilience in the system could snap at some point if the correct course was not pursued; thirdly, he asked an MNA when he was a journalist here in the 1980s as to why he had had five people killed, to which the MNA in his reply gave a whole lot of justifications, which, he said, reeked of a tribal mindset. He said it was these tribal values which seemed to dominate and could be destructive to the social fabric.

As for Balochistan, he blamed the semi-educated, tribalised set-up and said that under-investment in the social spheres, in his opinion, had caused unrest, and he said the talk of independence against the backdrop of the province’s warring and feuding tribes, could turn the province into another Somalia, given the backdrop of the huge natural resource wealth of the region, especially copper. “Independence is always a dangerous idea to toy with.”

Talking about Lieven’s book, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (Pakistan), said that at a time when the world was viewing Pakistan as something close to a rogue state, when few good things seemed to be coming out of Pakistan, the book came as a rational and realistic analysis of Pakistan’s troubles. Lieven, she said, seemed to understand the complexities of Pakistan’s culture and experience.

Nato report rips open Pak ‘double game’ in Afghanistan

Exposing the ISI's "manipulation" of Taliban's senior leadership and its "massive double game", a damning Nato report says that Pakistan government remains "intimately" involved with the Afghan-based terror group.

It leaked out on a day when Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar arrived in Kabul on a one-day visit for talks with the Afghan leadership.

The Nato report contains accusations that Pakistan is playing a massive double game with the West as it publicly claims to seek a political solution to the Afghan conflict , while still supporting fighters who have killed thousands of international troops. Many of the revelations concern the scale of support to the Taliban provided by Pakistan and the influence of ISI agency.

"The government of Pakistan remains intimately involved with the Taliban," the Telegraph quoted the report as saying.

Reacting to the report, Khar was quoted as saying, "We can disregard this as a potentially strategic leak... This is old wine in an even older bottle." The report is based on material from 27,000 interrogations with more than 4,000 captured Taliban , al-Qaida and other foreign fighters and civilians. It notes: "Pakistan's manipulation of Taliban senior leadership continues unabatedly. Pakistan is aware of locations of Taliban leaders."


Pak: Allegations frivolous, we are committed to peace

Pakistan on Wednesday reacted angrily to a leaked Nato report that accused its security services of helping Afghan Taliban just as foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar began a visit to Kabul, saying the allegations were "frivolous" . "This is frivolous, to put it mildly. We are committed to non-interference in Afghanistan and expect all states to strictly adhere to it," foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said. "We are committed to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.. A stable, peaceful Afghanistan is in our own interest and we are very much cognizant of this," Basit said. Pakistan, he said, had "suffered enormously because of the long war in Afghanistan".

Barack Obama confirms US drone strikes in Pakistan

President Barack Obama on Monday confirmed that US drone aircraft have struck Taliban and al-Qaida targets within Pakistan -- operations that until now had not been officially acknowledged.

When asked about the use of drones by his administration in a chat with web users on Google+ and YouTube, Obama said "a lot of these strikes have been in the FATA" -- Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

"For the most part, they've been very precise precision strikes against al-Qaida and their affiliates, and we're very careful in terms of how it's been applied," Obama said.

US officials say Pakistan's tribal belt provides sanctuary to Taliban fighting for 10 years in Afghanistan, al-Qaida groups plotting attacks on the West, Pakistani Taliban who routinely bomb Pakistan and other foreign fighters. According to the New America Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, drone strikes in Pakistan over the past eight years have killed at least 1,715 people, and as many as 2,680 people.

The United States had until now refused to discuss the strikes publicly, but the program has dramatically increased as the Obama administration looks to withdraw all foreign combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. In October, US defence secretary Leon Panetta acknowledged the CIA's drone program, but did not specifically indicate they were used in Pakistan.

When asked by AFP if Obama's remarks signaled a change in US policy about the drone program, a White House spokesman refused to comment.

The Pakistani government is understood to agree to the program despite popular opposition at home. Drones have reportedly killed dozens of al-Qaida and Taliban operatives and hundreds of low-ranking fighters since 2004.But the missile strikes fuel widespread anti-American resentment, which is running especially high in Pakistan since US air strikes inadvertently killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November.

AI joins Pakistan in protesting drones

ONE of the hallmarks of President Barack Obama is that he speaks in a free and frank manner to put across his point of view without caring for the consequences as, it is understood, the arrogant super power of the world can afford to do so. For the first time, he has confirmed that US drones have targeted Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants on Pakistani soil. Reacting to his remarks, Pakistan Foreign Office said the drone attacks were unlawful, counterproductive and hence unacceptable.

Pakistani reaction seems to be just rhetoric as the country has failed to take either tactical or diplomatic measures to get these attacks stopped despite the fact that these have led to the killing of hundreds of innocent souls including women and children. That Pakistan is on the right side is also vindicated by the stance taken by the Amnesty International (AI), which has urged the USA to disclose details of the legal and factual basis for the lethal use of drones in Pakistan. AI has called for monitoring of civilian casualties inflicted by drone attacks and accountability for such deaths. Though the demand of the AI is belated but it is still welcome as the attacks are continuing and there are indications that their frequency and intensity is going to increase in the period leading to withdrawal of foreign occupation forces from Afghanistan. We hope that AI and other torch-bearers of human rights would not leave the matter as such and take up the issue at every forum in a bid to sensitize the conscience of those who harbor these attacks against innocent people. Otherwise too, it has been pointed by all concerned that the attacks are counterproductive in that these inflame anti-Americanism.

 

Taliban deny plan for Saudi talks with Afghan govt

Earlier, Afghan officials revealed about the talks, separate from planned negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the US. – File Photo by AFP

KABUL: The Taliban militia leading a 10-year insurgency in Afghanistan on Wednesday denied that they would soon hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government in Saudi Arabia.
“There is no truth in these published reports saying that the delegation of the Islamic Emirate would meet with representatives of the Karzai government in Saudi Arabia in the near future,” the Taliban said on their website.
Afghan officials, requesting anonymity, had suggested that the two sides would hold talks in Saudi Arabia separate from planned negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States.
But it was never clear whether the Taliban, who have so far resisted talks with the Afghan government, or the Saudis, who have conditioned involvement on the Taliban renouncing al Qaeda, would come on board.
Taliban negotiators have begun preliminary discussions with the United States in Qatar on plans for peace talks aimed at ending the decade-long war.
They have also announced plans to set up an office in Doha.

PIC deaths: London lab declares Isotab as contaminated medicine
Efroze Chemical Industries owner says PIC batch contaminated

Owner of Efroze Chemical Industries confessed on Wednesday that the batch of IsoTab produced for Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) was tainted with Pyrimethamine, an anti-malarial.

Contrary to his confession, the owner, while speaking to Express News, said that his factory should not be closed down only for this reason as the factory had 35 years of experience in the market and that their drugs were exported to over 20 countries worldwide.

Terming it a “conspiracy” to malign the factory’s name, the owner said that last year in September, some material was stolen from their warehouse and said that it might have been used in adulterating the batch of medicines.
He said that only this particular batch was spurious and that the rest of the medicines produced by the factory did not have any issues.
The owner also said that an FIR will be lodged in this regard.
Earlier today, a team of Federal Investigation Agency along with officials of health department reached the factory.

Morning show host Maya Khan fired from Samaa TV

Amid the growing conservatism in Pakistan, that much maligned group called “Pakistani liberals” managed to register one small victory recently when Samaa TV pulled a morning show in which the anchor was jumping unsuspecting couples in parks with offensive questions such as “what is your relationship with this person?” “Are you married?”, “Where is your nikahnama?”, “Shouldn't you be in college at this time?” and so on.
There was a huge backlash; viewers wanted the show taken off and demanded that the “vigil-aunty,” anchor Maya Khan, apologise to viewers. She was unrepentant; but mindful of the television regulator, who

After an intense online campaign, television channel Samaa TV has fired morning show host Maya Khan and her team, and has said that her show will be taken off the air.

The decision comes after a controversial episode of the morning show, where Khan was seen conducting a ‘raid’ on a public park in Karachi and questioning couples about whether their parents were aware of their whereabouts and going as far as asking them about their marital status.

Maya Khan was at first reluctant talking about the decision, but later confirmed that her show had indeed been cancelled.

The morning show host blamed 'a vicious media campaign by rival groups' for the outcome of the fiasco. She said that those campaigning against her had wanted her to be removed and this is exactly what had happened.

Khan stressed on the fact that no one had highlighted the 'good things' she had done on her show.
Independent sources from Samaa have also confirmed that Maya Khan has been fired along with the production team of the show.

The letter, which was reportedly sent out by the management, states that Khan had refused to apologise ‘unconditionally’. It also adds that official termination notices will be sent to her on Monday morning.
[youtube deM3UgLTq9E]The letter which says Maya Khan’s services from Samaa TV will be terminated has been circulating on social media websites and is reportedly signed by CEO Zafar Siddiqui.

Dear All
Your feedback is appreciated. As a responsible corporate citizen, Samaa TV did what was required under the circumstances. We do not and have not in the past or intend to in the future to take our viewership or reporting requirements without the seriousness that they deserve.
You would appreciate that as an organisation with a functioning management team, we had to conduct certain legal requirements over the past week and internal review processes (which are operational in nature) before procedding further.
As a result of which I can inform you:
1. We asked Maya to apologise unconditionally which she did not. 2. The CEO asked her to do that on Friday which she refused.
As a result of which the following will be put in place on Monday, Jan 30th.
1. Maya and her team will receive termination notices. 2. Her show is being stopped from Monday morning.
Our deeds and actions taken since this episode occured are there for the record and hope this will settle issues as far as the station is concerned.
A lot has been written about the race for ratings. Well, we do absolve such behaviour irrespective of ratings that the show was getting.
With best regards and thank you for your understanding.
Zafar Siddiqi
Chairman CNBC Arabiya
Chairman CNBC Africa
President CNBC Pakistan

Comments

Friends
All those in favor or Maya khan I ask one question, If in the park there were your sister or brother or cusion, your opinion would be the same, That is a social issue but it does not mean to go in the parts and do a live show, then also go to the so called hotels, Motels, Coffee shops, show the parties of so called media, Banks, and cooperate world. Growup guys..........

Clarification of Maya is not acceptable
Maya said she did good things too but this does not justify her highly uncivilized act of breaching individual's privacy.  We have so many policemen in our society those need to be reduced and not otherwise.

Good Job Maya
When People like Maya do good job of showing the bad things happening in Pakistan why the administration has to stop her? why not ot stop that kids from dating who are socially unmarried?
This igve birth to illict relationships for god sake we are muslims not a fucking nation haram should be stopped at any level.
I am not muftee or mutawwa but this is unacceptable which the people did and some brothers over here who are saying bad to Maya just imagine if your sister dates with a stanger and you dont know
what are you going to do about it?

Maya is a Slut
Prior to watching that show I made a comment, and language I used was appropriate for civilized people. Now, after I have watched that show, I am convinced that she is a whore. This is a real disgrace to society, to this nation and to all humanity. The way this group of terrorists was infringing upon individual's rights was nothing less than terrorism. How would Maya feel if two Talibans show up in her bedroom and ask for the "Nikah Nama" with the guy she is sleeping with? Now, I also blame senior management of SAMA for not taking the show off air after it ran for a few minutes. Firing her is not enough at all. She and her team have committed terrorism and should be droned or thrown into jail for extended period of time. This is total Talibanization, imposing own views upon others. I hope somebody starts a campaign to collect funds to sue Maya and SAMA T.V for at least one hundred million. I would donate $1,000.00 into that good cause.

Al-Hadith
Whosoever covers (the sins of) a Muslim, Allah covers (his sins) on the Day of Judgment.

(Reported by Bukhari)

SAMAA Channel is responsible same as Maya
I think SAMAA channel is responsible same as the MAYA , both are esponsible for it,
why SAMAA management allowed her to do this, i am 100% sure your this act will reduce your viewership, and i as your regular viewer will not not be any more your viewer after your this bad act
very shamefull act,
kya amaya itni hi paak he , mene khud uski pics dekhi hain jisme wo boys k sath bethi he, boys k  sath enjoy krti he, us wqt es ki gairat kahan thi ???????????

Well done Mr. Zafar,
Media needs to learn some ethics which are very basic. Live and let others live. Anchor persons like Maya Khan & Nadia Khan need to understand that they are not superior and even they have history. They are not authorized to  interfair others lives. Many talk shows and morning shows are not family oriented now.

Look into a mirror
I was shocked to see her show raiding on couples and asking their relationship. She should first try to explain her own party pictures flying all around facebook wearing skirts and hugging guys. What relationship does she have with them?

TO ALL WHO THINK MAYA KHAN IS INNOCENT

Guys grow up. She is not innocent at all rather she is a very cheap person who chose to increase her show rating by very cheap means. If a couple is sitting in the park who is she to ask them? Morning show Police? Her act was not justifiable and what Samaa tv management did was the required in that action. Have you guys seen her naked pics? Dancing with boys? Drinking alcohol and sitting in the boy's arms and giving them lap dance. 

If she is really so innocent and what is this? Did she forget sharing her own pictures with her stupid followers? If she really wanted to highlight the so called critical issues then she should have gone to dance parties being held in defence. Why didn't she highlight this issue? Because she is the one who attends the parties too :)

Come on stupid people open your eyes and don't let these cheap people (like Maya Khan) play with you. Again I would say its time to grow up.

Maya Khan you are a loser admit it and pls dont try coming on some other TV show if you have a little self respect left (which I believe you would not be having).