So much at risk as young Pakistanis seek a new life abroad

KARACHI, Nov 5: Young Imran Asif was among the 250 Pakistani men whose hopes of making a half-way decent living abroad were dashed sooner than they were ready to believe.

Little did he realise that his exodus from the grinding poverty of Gujarat city would come to an end before even leaving the sub-continent. His fellow travellers suffered the same fate.

All were arrested and convicted for trying to use Sri Lankan soil for an illegal journey to Europe.

Asif left Gujarat, in the central Pakistani province of Punjab, for Colombo in June 2003 with valid legal documents and visa.

He and his colleagues reached Sri Lanka using the services of a recruiting agent, who had promised to take them to Europe aboard a ship waiting in the Sri Lankan waters.

"I landed in Colombo and entered the island safely, where a Sri Lankan man contacted me and others and after a few days took us on boats to be boarded on the ship waiting in the open sea," Asif said.

"We were caught in the open sea on our way to the ship by the Sri Lankan authorities," he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) in a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cell in the port city of Karachi.

Asif was, in fact, among the lucky few who returned safely. Others were not so fortunate - and stories of arrests and deaths of illegal immigrants have abounded in the Pakistani media of late.

On October 30, a small boat loaded with 723 illegal Pakistani immigrants berthed at Karachi. All had been deported from Muscat.

Some were arrested for overstaying, but most were detained for crossing into Muscat illegally. Authorities in Muscat took them in custody after a series of raids.

They languished in jail for months awaiting deportation, then were crammed into a small boat and sent back to their home country. Conditions in the boat were "sub-human", witnesses said.

Recently, Iran expelled over 150 Pakistanis who entered illegally, attempting to use Iranian soil to enter some west Asian state or Turkey with the ultimate aim of reaching Europe.

In early October, Turkish authorities arrested some 200 foreign nationals - most of them Pakistanis - for illegal entry.

Earlier still, Italy arrested 12 Pakistanis and charged them with having links with the international terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda, only to drop the charge after an investigation found they, too, had gone to Europe for a better future.

Illegal immigrants from south Asia are not just Pakistanis. They come from Bangladesh and India as well - but Pakistanis predominate.

Many die in the desert. Some die through suffocation in cargo containers on ships. Some perish as their boats capsize while attempting to reach the shore. Many are shot dead by border and coastal guards of the various countries they try to enter.

A few succeed in reaching their destination, encouraging others to follow their paths. All too often, those who manage simply to get back home safely without losing life or limb are the lucky ones.

The international security clampdowns following the September 11 attacks in the United States mean those trying to enter any European country or United States are first suspected of terrorism.

Tougher laws introduced by the United States and other western countries have exposed these illegal immigrants to great danger.

Hundreds face deportation for illegal entry. Many face charges of helping illegal immigrants, of overstaying or of minor immigration law violations.

They are victims of circumstance, who pay hundreds of thousands of rupees to reach a country where they can get jobs and support their families back in Pakistan.

"Some sell their family land, property and even gold jewellery of mothers and wives to pay to the agents," says Deputy Director of Immigration in Karachi, Mohammad Malik.

"Agents cheat them, and only a few succeed in their mission of reaching Europe or the west Asia. Most illegal immigrants from Pakistan come from the most populous central Punjab province.

"Seventy per cent of illegal immigration is from Punjab, followed by southern Sindh province, northwest frontier province and south-western Balochistan."

The powerful people behind this inhuman business are hardly ever caught. Mostly, it is the middlemen who work for these influential persons who are caught and punished. But the punishment prescribed under Pakistani law is not harsh enough to deter the agents.

"While they are in jail, their families are looked after by their masters," says a senior police official. "those doing this business are so powerful that the law fails to check illegal human trade or turns a blind eye to the menace."

There is no sustained media campaign against those responsible for the deaths of so many. Neither do victims’ families complain, out of fear, he says. (DPA)

Sikh American gets written apology from US airline

WASHINGTON, Nov 5: After two years of litigation, a Sikh American has succeeded in getting a written apology from America’s national airlines for having barred him from boarding a flight because of his appearance shortly after 9/11.

Entertainment producer Satnam Dhillon received a letter of apology from national airlines last week that said the incident of October 16, 2001, is sincerely regretted.

"National airlines sincerely regrets the incident of October 16, 2001, when you were denied boarding on one of our flights to Las Vegas, Nevada, as the result of an apparent misunderstanding," the letter said.

Producer for Rangeela TV, an Indian channel, Dhillon, who wears a long beard and Turban, reacted to the letter, saying, "that’s all I wanted from day one."

He has now dropped the case against the airline.

Dhillon was on his way to Las Vegas and had undergone all security checks but was asked to step aside by the boarding agent, with the reason supplied being that the pilot had seen him making an "obscene gesture", said the Daily `Alameda Times-Star’.

He was taken to the airline’s ticket counter where he was questioned and searched for more than two hours before the authorities agreed to put him on another flight to Las Vegas.

Dhillon, an American citizen since 1980, filed a lawsuit with the San Francisco Federal Court in March last year.

"In the aftermath of the extraordinary events of September 11, 2001, national airlines’ only interest at that time was the safety and security of the flying public, including you," wrote Raymond T Nakano, Senior Vice President of National Airlines.

The ‘Alameda Times-Star’ report quoted civil rights groups as saying Dhillon’s victory — Albeit a moral one —may be a first.

"We’ve heard of a lot of cases like this," said Kavneet Singh, spokesperson for the Sikh media watch and resource task force, an activist group that received many calls about airline discrimination after the September 11 attacks.

"This is the first suit I’ve heard (that has been settled)." (PTI)

Satish Nambiar appointed to UN panel to study world body

UNITED NATION, Nov 5: Lt Gen (retd) Satish Nambiar, who was the first Force Commander of the UN protection force for former Yugoslavia, is among 16 members of a high-level panel appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to identify new global security threats to world peace and security.

Former Prime Minister of Thailand Anand Panyarachun will head the panel which has been asked by Annan to identify "the major threats and challenges the world faces in the broad field of peace and security, including economic and social issues insofar they relate to peace and security" and make recommendations for the "elements of a collective response."

Announcing the composition in a letter to the United Nations General Assembly, Annan noted that the past year has "shaken the foundations of collective security and undermined confidence" in the possibility of collective responses to our common problems and challenges.

It has also brought to the fore deep divergences of opinion on the range and nature of the challenges the world faces and is likely to face in the future.

"The aim of the high-level panel is to recommend clear and practical measures for ensuring effective collective action, based upon a rigorous analysis of future threats to peace and security, an appraisal of the contribution collection action can make, and a thorough assessment of existing approaches, instruments and mechanisms, including the principal organs of the UN," Annan said.

The Secretary-General stressed that the panel is not being asked to formulate policies on specific issues, nor on the UN’s role in specific places.

"Rather, it is being asked to provide a new assessment of the challenges ahead, and to recommend the changes which will be required if these challenges are to be met effectively through collective action."

"Whilst there may continue to exist a diversity of perception on the relative importance of the various threats facing particular member states on an individual basis, it is important to find an appropriate balance at a global level. It is also important to understand the connections between different threats," Annan said. (PTI)

India attaches high priority to its ties with Myanmar

MANDALAY, Nov 5: Observing that India attaches high priority to its relations with Myanmar, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today said with a number of cross-border projects taking off, it would help enhance trade and increase economic opportunities for people in the border areas.

Addressing the Indian community here, Shekhawat, who is on a five-day visit, said India and Myanmar shared deep-rooted spiritual and cultural affinities which provided a firm anchor to their bilateral relationship.

"India attaches high priority to relations with Myanmar and its people. We wish to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Myanmar and a vibrant relationship between our two countries," he said.

Noting that mandalay occupies a place of its own-not just in the history of Myanmar, but also in the history of India’s struggle for Independence, he recalled that Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and several other freedom fighters were incarcerated in this city.

He remembered the remarks of Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to this city in 1929 that Mandalay was a place of pilgrimage for Indians.

Indeed, it was a common saying in those days that the path to Swaraj, that is freedom of India, passed through Mandalay, he said.

Shekhawat said India has fascinated the rest of the world since time immemorial. The cultural ethos of India has the capacity to stay deep-rooted in the minds of the people, no matter where they live, he said.

"It is the Indian way of life—all-embracing, tolerant, multi-cultural, spiritual—which is our heritage and strength," he said.

Observing that cooperation between India and Myanmar has acquired a truly multi-dimensional character, he said the two sides were today cooperating in diverse fields, ranging from culture to science and technology.

He said the reopening of the consulate general of India in Mandalay last year was in itself an "important milestone" and a manifestation of the relationship between the two countries.

It was a concrete expression of a mutually shared political commitment to increase bilateral exchanges to mutual benefit, he said.

The Vice President said Mandalay and sagaing divisions and the Chin state, all of which are situated on India’s borders, were of special importance.

He said the Tamu-Kalay-Kalewa road, built and maintained by India, symbolised the close friendship between the peoples of the two countries, facilitating increased cross-border interaction to mutual benefit.

Stressing that India was committed to cross-border projects, Shekhawat said one of these was the proposed highway connecting India and Thailand through Myanmar.

A second was the upgradation of roads in the Rhi-Tidim and Rhi-Falam areas. Detailed investigations have also been carried out on developing the Kaladan multimodal transport project, he said adding this would undoubtedly provide more economic opportunities for people living in the border areas and also help in enhancing trade.

Both countries have agreed to open a second border trade point.

Stressing that Indian economy was resilient and on fast track, he said it was among the top ten economies in the world and sixth largest reservoir of technical and professional manpower.

He urged the Indian diaspora in Myanmar to help promote bilateral relations. "We look upon you to promote relations between India and Myanmar at the people-to-people level and to contribute in your own way towards reinforcing the bilateral relationship," he said. (PTI)

Malaysia PM says not changing cabinet for now

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5: Malaysia’s new Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, today said he would stick for now with the cabinet members he inherited from his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad. "I told the cabinet I‘m not making any cabinet appointment yet," Abdullah told reporters after chairing his first weekly meeting of ministers in his new role.

Abdullah also took over the job of Finance Minister from Mahathir last Friday after the latter retired from 22 years in power. (AGENCIES)

Syria calls on US to leave Iraq to end violence

DUBAI, Nov 5: A Syrian official called in remarks published today for the United States to withdraw from Iraq, saying the problem of terror attacks had arisen only since US-led forces occupied the country.

Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Bushra Kanfani told the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Damascus was not optimistic about US-Syrian ties in the short term and urged Washington to engage in dialogue instead of making demands.

Last week, Washington demanded after a string of deadly suicide attacks that Syria — which it calls a sponsor of "terrorism" —should stop foreign militants from entering Iraq.

"The problem is America, not Syria. America must be more objective, because when it entered Iraq there was no terrorism and now there is the problem of terrorism and of Al-Qaeda and the matter has changed from one of Weapons of Mass Destruction and toppling a regime to a new one of terrorism," Kanfani said.

"America must accept the reality that it is no longer in its interest to continue this way in Iraq. They must hand over power to other parties whose behaviour is more acceptable to Iraqis and bring Iraq closer to regaining its sovereignty and holding free elections and then the problems will end," she said.

"We are doing what we can (to stop militants crossing the border) and I think there are many claims which are incorrect and which serve as a political cover for the instability inside Iraq and lack of control. The occupation power has electronic devices and satellites which offer more than we have, so why don’t they guard their borders?"

Syrian-US ties are already strained over Syrian backing for Lebanese Hizbollah guerillas and Palestinian groups opposed to Israel. Last month, Isarel bombed what it called a Palestinian "terrorist camp" in its first strike deep into Syria for nearly 30 years.

Kanfani said the short-term outlook for US-Syrian ties was not one for optimism, "especially during a (US) election year".

"The problem is there is no objective and fruitful dialogue... The issue is not for America to come with a list of demands, but for us to sit and talk objectively far away from dictates to reach common grounds. This is what we ask for."

Kanfani said Syria would defend itself if Israel launched a repeat attack, but did not elaborate.

"If the attack is repeated we have the right to legitimate self-defence by every means," she said. (AGENCIES)

S Korea braces for Thursday strike at 100 worksites

SEOUL, Nov 5: About 90,000 union workers at South Korea’s largest automaker and other worksites will stage a warning strike tomorrow over lawsuits related to labour disputes and working conditions, a union group said today.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the country’s most militant umbrella labour group, said workers at about 100 companies, including Hyundai Motor Co, Kumho Industrial and Kolon Industries, would join the protest.

Labour dissatisfaction was rekindled recently by a series of suicides by union leaders who demanded authorities end the practice of seizing wages or legal action for lost production or damaged property after labour disputes ended.

Last month, the union leader of Hanjin Heavy Industries, Kim Joo-Ik, killed himself inside a Mammoth crane, calling for an improvement in labour benefits and the settlement of disputes between employers and labour.

Lee Yong-Nam, a member of KCTU’s provincial office, and another union official at Sewon Tech also burned themselves to death late last month.

The KCTU, which says it has 650,000 members, said it planned a four-hour strike on November 6 and an eight-hour strike on November 12.

"This is a warning and we’ll strengthen strike actions further if our demands are not accepted," a KCTU official.

The Government has yet to say how it will deal with the strike plans. President Roh Moo-Hyun criticised unions this week for resorting too hastily to violence or strikes, even as his Government prepares a package of measures to reform relations between labour and management.

The KCTU said Labour Union leaders had received Court orders for the seizure of wages or faced lawsuits seeking compensation for damage amounting to about 140 billion won (118.1 million dollars), over labour disputes. (AGENCIES)

Durian thief sentenced to death for murder in Vietnam

VIETNAM Nov 5: A Vietnamese Court sentenced a man to death for murdering a neighbour while he was trying to steal durians, a Court official said today.

Pham Tan Luong, 20, was discovered stealing two durians - a popular tropical fruit - from his neighbour’s garden in July, a Court official who declined to be named said.

The owner of the house, Pham Thi Xoa, chased Luong but he strangled her when she caught him, said the Court official in Gia Lai, 700 Km north of Ho Chi Minh city.

"His greed made him immoral and cruel, therefore he needs a serious punishment," the Court official said.

Luong was sentenced last Friday and will face a firing squad unless his sentence is reduced on appeal, or he is given a Presidential pardon.

Amnesty international reported in August that 62 death sentences had been handed down and 19 people had been executed in the first eight months of 2003 in Vietnam.

The human rights organisation expressed alarm at the figures, saying they were double the same period last year.

Under Vietnamese law, 27 offences can be punished by the death sentence. (DPA)

Saudi Govt to lower foreign workers by 30 pc

DUBAI, Nov 5: In a decision that would have an adverse effect on the 1.8 million Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom has decided to lower by 30 per cent the number of foreign workers over the next three years.

The Government plans to accomplish this by making it compulsory for 25 retailer business activities, mainly dominated by Indians, to exclusively employ Saudi nationals.

These sectors, such as shops for clothes, toys, auto spare parts, paints, building and plumbing materials and canteens in schools and Government offices, have been identified for employing Saudi nationals, as these jobs do not require any special skills.

Labour and Social Affairs Minister Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Namla has approved the move that will start next year, the Arabic daily ‘Al-Watan’ said today.

The process was started in earnest after the Shoura council, the legislative body in Saudi Arabia, approved a bill in April limiting jobs in the wholesale and retail trade to Saudi citizens.

According to council’s Secretary-General Hamoud Al-Badr violators of the rule could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million Saudi Riyal (270,000 us dollars).

In February the Saudi manpower council had stated that within ten years the number of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia must not exceed 20 per cent of the total population. (UNI)

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