Sharif, Zardari to meet to cobble coalition
Musharraf suffers crushing defeat

ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: In a huge setback to President Pervez Musharraf, Opposition parties PPP and PML-N today worsted his allies in Pakistan’s Parliamentary elections, raising questions about his political future.

Slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and two-time Premier Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged with 85 and 65 seats respectively in the elections for 269 seats held with about a score of results yet to be declared. Pro-Musharraf PML-Q got a mere 37, a huge decline from the 118 it held in the dissolved House.

The hung Assembly means that PPP and PML-N together have a majority with 150 seats to form the Government and Sharif, a bitter opponent of Musharraf, promptly began consultations with PPP leader and Bhutto’s husband Asif Ali Zardari for coming together.

Should the two parties come together, it will spell trouble for Musharraf who has been in control of Pakistan for the last eight years after toppling Sharif. He may, however, try to keep the two parties apart by wooing PPP and cobble a majority with support from other allies including MQM which had won 19 seats.

Musharraf, whose grip on power may loosen, rejected calls for him to quit after the defeat of his allies. PML-Q supporting Musharraf got 37 seats while other allies like MQM bagged 19.

Indications of post-poll alliance emerged with 58-year-old Sharif, whose party did exceedingly well in the face of an expected sympathy wave for Bhutto’s party, saying he would be meeting Zardari on Thursday. Zardari also reciprocated saying he would hold discussions with Sharif and other parties.

Sharif, who was barred from contesting the elections, said he would discuss issues like formation of Government and reinstatement of the sacked Judges of the Supreme Court.

"I have already discussed this matter with Zardari and I told him that Pakistan’s judiciary’s independence is very strongly linked with its restoration. It is dependent on the restoration of the judiciary. Unless the judges are restored, the judiciary cannot attain any independence," he said.

Sharif also said he would get in touch with Awami National Party (ANP) chief Afsandyar Wali Khan whose party got 10 seats and leaders of other Opposition parties to discuss Government formation.

"I invite everyone to sit together and rid Pakistan of dictatorship for all time," Sharif said.

"We will cooperate with (all democratic forces) and try to seek their cooperation...To accomplish this democratic agenda, all of us must unite on one common platform."

Asked whether Musharraf will be impeached, Sharif said the situation may not arise if the sacked judges are reinstated and they decide on the legality of Musharraf’s re-election as President.

Musharraf, who last year stepped down as army chief, at best, faces the prospect of remaining in power with sharply diminished powers.

With results out for 248 of the 269 National Assembly seats for which the polling took place yesterday, the ruling PML-Q got only 37 seats. So far, MQM had received 19 seats, ANP 10, PPP(S) 1 and others 31.

Polling was not held in three Nation Assembly constituencies while the Election Commission suspended results for two.

Many were surprised by the results because it had widely been expected that the sympathy wave generated by Bhutto’s assassination sweep her party to power.

On the provincial Assemblies’ front, the PML-N swept the polls in Punjab while PPP was leading in Sindh, its traditional stronghold, Geo News reported.

The religious parties that ruled North West Frontier Province’s Assembly were routed by the ANP and the PPP while the PML-Q took an early lead in Balochistan, where many local parties had boycotted the polls.

Elections were originally to be held for 272 seats in the 342-member National Assembly but polls to three seats were countermanded due to the death of as many candidates, including Bhutto.

The remaining 70 seats in the National Assembly - 60 reserved for women and 10 reserved for minorities - will be distributed among the parties on the basis of votes bagged by them.

PML-N workers were also surprised by their party’s strong showing despite the two top leaders - Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz - being barred from contesting the polls.

The PML-Q saw many of its stalwarts - including former premier Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, former Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, a close aide of Musharraf and former Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri - being defeated by their PPP and PML-N opponents.

Ahmed was handed stunning but not unexpected defeats by PML-N leaders Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and Haneef Abbasi in the two Parliamentary constituencies he had contested from in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, considered a bastion of the former minister.

At many places in Punjab, including Rawalpindi, PPP and PML-N leaders held joint celebrations over their successes.

The MQM was in fourth place, mainly on the strength of its performance in the southern Sindh province. It is also expected to play a key role in the formation of a coalition at the centre.

Among other top leaders who were defeated was former National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, who lost to his PPP opponent. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman lost from his traditional constituency of Dera Ismail Khan but won from Bannu.

Former Interior Minister and PPP-Sherpao leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who was initially trailing his opponent, won from Charsadda in North West Frontier Province. Among the winning candidates were a large number of independents.

Sharif also asked the military to "abandon its role in politics". He said, "I expect the army to act according to the law."

The party will work with all democratic forces to restore democracy and rule of law, supremacy of the constitution, sovereignty of the Parliament and Independence of judiciary. "I invite everyone to sit together and rid Pakistan of dictatorship for all time," Sharif said.

"We will cooperate with (all democratic forces) and try to seek their cooperation...To accomplish this democratic agenda, all of us must unite on one common platform."

The PML-N chief said his party overcame various handicaps during the election process. "We were fighting the polls as if we were besieged by enemy forces but we were able to break out. We fought all efforts to rig the polls."

Noting that Musharraf had himself conceded that his actions during emergency were unconstitutional and illegal, Sharif said the President should now accept the people’s verdict.

"The people have given their verdict. Musharraf does not understand their wishes or may be his eyes are closed. He has said that he will leave when the people want him to leave. The people have said today what they want," he said with a smile.(Agencies)

IT payers all set for relief in budget

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: Income Tax payers are likely to get a major relief in the budget 2008-09, as the Government prepares itself to please the middle class in the election year.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram can give a marginal but visible relief to personal Income Tax assesses this year, as tax collections have substantially improved over the past three years, sources said.

With buoyant tax collections in 2007-08, there is significant pressure on Chidambaram to reduce the effective rates. The Minister himself has acknowledged that with better tax compliance, there could be a case for cut in rates.

The minimum income threshold limit for Income Tax payer could be raised from Rs 1,10,000 to Rs 1,25,000 or Rs 1,30,000, sources said.

Similarly, the income threshold for 30 per cent tax rate could be raised from the current Rs 2,50,000 per annum, sources said, adding that this had been kept constant since fiscal year 2005-06.

Tax payers would get a relief of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 even if the Finance Minister decides to raise the minimum income threshold limit of Income Tax by Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 to offset the impact of inflation and submission of sixth Pay Commission report later this year.

An announcement on the new Income Tax code is also expected in the budget.

The Finance Minister had earlier said that the code, aimed at simplifying the tax laws, would be put for public comments shortly.

Apart from pleasing his party colleagues and voters, the tax relief will also help Chidambaram to address the recent slow down in Industrial production.

More Income in the pockets of consumers will boost demand for consumer goods as well as household savings for investment.

Another option before the Finance Minister, the sources said, could be to increase the ceiling limit for savings under section 80C from Rs 1,00,000 to a more reasonable level of Rs 1,25,000.

The increased limit could be specified for investment in infrastructure sector, which requires around 500 billion dollars investment over the next five years.

According to tax consultancy firm KPMG, India needs to realign its Income Tax slabs to attract more investment.

In neighbouring China, although the maximum marginal tax rate is 45 per cent, it is applicable on income over RMB 1,00,000 per month which translates to Rs 5,47,000 approximately. China has also said it would lower Income Tax rates this year to attract more investment.

KPMG also pointed out that the Indian Economy has witnessed a year-on-year inflation rate of more than 4 per cent every year in the last three years, which means that effectively the minimum threshold of real income on which the maximum marginal rate sets in is all the more lower.

Another benefit which could be relooked at is the tax sop on interest payable in case of loans taken for purchase of house property. Presently, interest up to Rs 1,50,000 per annum is allowed as a tax deduction if the property is used for self occupation.(PTI)

First time, 6 Afghanis to go back home
*Being set free from jails for deportation

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 19: In a friendly gesture towards Afghanistan, the Ministry of External Affairs has agreed to release six Afghan militants and border crossers arrested in the State for last three to 14 years and deport them to Afghanistan within the next few days.

Of six Afghan nationals, who will soon be flown to New Delhi from different jails of J&K and outside where they have been lodged, two were top militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit headed by Maulana Masood Azhar.

According to official sources, all formalities for release and deportation of six Afghanis have been completed by the Intelligence, which act as nodal agency between the State and the Centre Governments.

The Ministry of External Affairs, after examining the cases of six Afghanis, has given a nod for their release from the jails and subsequent deportation to Afghanistan.

The Afghan Government has also confirmed identity of their six nationals and expressed desire to take their nationals back, sources said.

This is for the first time during two decades long militancy in the State that Afghan nationals, who are considered to be dreaded militants (more hardcore than Pakistanis), are being released though the Pakistani militants have been released and sent back a number of times after improvement of relations between the two countries.

Sources said a decision to release the Afghanis has been taken keeping in view the friendly relations between India and Afghanistan after the exit of militia Taliban from that country.

An exact date for the release of Afghanis is being finalised but it was expected to take place within the next few days as all travel documents of Afghanis have been approved by the Ministry of External Affairs, they added.

The Afghanis, who are being released, include Nasiullah alias Qasim son of Nazir Ahmed, a resident of Kabul, Shahid Jan son of Bismillah Jan R/o Panjsher Valley, both top militants of JeM outfit, Assadullah son of Sahm-ud-Din and Ghulam Mohd son of Mohd Hashim, both residents of Shinali, Kabul, Mohd Nabi son of Majid Ullah R/o Panjsher Valley and Naik Mohd son of Atta Mohd R/o Kabul.

While Nasiullah had reached Kashmir in July 1995 after travelling to Amritsar in Samjhauta Express and joined militancy, participated in several subversive activities before being arrested in an encounter, Shahid Jan had infiltrated into the Valley from Kupwara sector in May-June 1994.

Assadullah had crossed international border through Shakkargarh (Pakistan) and entered Indian side via Rajbagh in Kathua district in May 2005. Ghulam Mohd had entered into this side from RS Pura in September 2004 while Mohd Nabi had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) through Pir Panjal range in May 2004. Naik Mohd had crossed the border through RS Pura in July 1998.

Sources said three more Afghanis were proposed to be released and deported to Kabul but their acquittal by the courts has been challenged by the investigating agencies.

Their deportation will now depend upon the verdict of the courts. If their acquittal is upheld, they will be released and deported at a later date but if the appeal of investigating agencies against the acquittal is admitted, the deportation proposal of the trio will be shelved for the time being, sources said.

As India has no boundary with Afghanistan, all six Afghanis will be flown to Kabul from New Delhi. They will be taken to New Delhi from different jails of J&K and outside, where they have been lodged, as soon as a date for their deportation is announced, sources said.

It may be mentioned here that India has developed goof friendly relations with US backed Hamid Karzai Government in Afghanistan, which was formed after the exit of Taliban.

Never in the past, the Government had deported Afghanistan nationals as they were considered to be very hardcore militants.

Speaker cautions judiciary
Don't act as super Legislature

NAGPUR, Feb 19: Slamming judicial activism yet again, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee cautioned that any efforts by the judiciary to take on itself the "onerous responsibility" of the governance of the country will have "serious implications."

Chatterjee asked the judiciary not to become a ‘super legislature’ saying it should not overstep into matters of legislature and encroach upon spheres earmarked for other organs of the democracy.

Speaking at a function of the High Court Bar Association here yesterday, Chatterjee said the Indian constitution has clearly demarcated the responsibility for managing public affairs to the legislature for which they are accountable to the people. Justice Swatanter Kumar and a galaxy of other members of bench and Bar were present at the function.

"Any efforts by the judiciary to take on itself the onerous responsibility of the governance of the country will have serious implications," he said.

"Legislature has a pre-eminent position in the democratic set up," he added.

Expressing deep concern over inordinate delay in dispensing justice, Chatterjee said it was disturbing the nation’s ‘conscience’.

Quoting Nehru, Chatterjee said the Supreme Court or the judiciary cannot come in the way of the legislature.

Chatterjee said judiciary has the power to examine the constitutionality of the law but not to tell (legislature) how the law should be implemented.

The Speaker said it is not within the jurisdiction of the judiciary to make laws or lay down general norms of behaviour for the Government or to decide upon public policy.

"Only legislative competence or action of Executive on the touchstone of fundamental rights can be examined while exercising powers of judicial review," he added.

Quoting former apex court Chief Justice S P Bharucha, he also reflected on corruption in the judiciary and said about 20 percent of judicial officers could be corrupt.

"One in every five judicial officers is corrupt, our judicial system calls for a thorough overhauling. Otherwise people will have not faith in the system," he said.

He also advocated best, affordable and speedy justice to the poor. (PTI)

30 injured in Bhaderwah mishap

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADERWAH, Feb 19: Thirty passengers were injured, four of them critically, when a bus they were travelling in rolled down near Boys High School in the town this afternoon.

Police spokesman said that the ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK06-0562 was on its way from Udhampur to Bhaderwah when it turned turtle causing injuries to all the 30 passengers.

On the receipt of information about the accident, a police party from Bhaderwah Police Station rushed to the spot and started rescue operation.

All were immediately rushed to Sub-District Hospital and three of them were later shifted to District Hospital Doda for specialised treatment. The condition of all the injured was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

Threat looms large over 300 families
'Sarbagni' sinking gradually

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Feb 19: A village inhabited by around 300 families in the newly carved Ramban district has been sinking gradually during the past several years and posing grave risk to the lives of the people. However, the Government has not taken the issue seriously and seems to be waiting for a major tragedy to occur.

Sources told EXCELSIOR that Sarbagni village near Ramsoo, five kilometres from the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district falls in the sinking zone and about 60 to 70 kanals of land in the village has already sunk during the past few years.

"Last year, in the months of January-February, major portion of the village sunk by about seven inches thereby affecting about 50 families residing at a short distance from Bhata Railway Station", the sources disclosed and said that this year too several houses suffered minor damages due to sinking of the land.

Although only 50 houses and large chunk of agriculture land so far fall in the sinking zone, however, the possibility of threat extending to other houses cannot be ruled out keeping in view the fact that the entire villages is situated on the loose strata of the soil and tendency of sinking land has been increasing with every passing year.

Sources disclosed that about five years back, a major portion of the village had sunk killing 10 to 12 people but the continuous alarming bells failed to wake the Government from its deep slumber.

"Despite being aware of the situation in Sarbagni village, the Government has not prepared any concrete plan so far to rehabilitate the families residing in the affected areas despite the fact that a survey has already been conducted which revealed intensity of danger looming large over the village", they said.

Whenever the people of this village brought the matter to the notice of the Government they were given the standard reply that a plan is being formulated for their rehabilitation, the sources further said, adding the wide cracks in about 50 houses were the testimony of the vulnerability of the village.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, A D Shanas said although entire stretch from Peerah to Sangaldan and Gool falls under the highly landslide prone areas, however, Sarbagni village was more vulnerable because of being in the sinking zone.

"Even some areas of Gool also fall in the zone and we are formulating projects for both the places separately so that the families of the affected areas could be rehabilitated somewhere else", he said, adding "suitable land is being identified for the same".

He, however, said that the administration don’t have any State land in Ramban for the rehabilitation of such families. "As and when we will trace out the land the process for rehabilitation of these families would begin", he added.

NC wave will end coalition Govt's tenure: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

Lakhanpur, Feb 19: NC president Omar Abdullah today said that much hyped promise of "Khushaal Kashmir" doled out by the coalition Government has remained just a "hollow promise" because of the ruling coalition's failure to deliver. Mr Abdullah, who started his State wide mass contact programme here today, said in 2002 the coalition Government came to power on the basis of tall promises but unfortunately the State Government in the last five and half years has not been able to perform and live upto expectations of the people. The total breakdown of administrative machinery during the coalition rule and rampant corruption has taken the State backwards, he alleged.

Omar said there is an unprecedented rise in corruption and the corruption is in the highest echelon of the administration and political setup. He said it is the State's misfortune that it is being governed by a tainted political setup which is not working for welfare of the people of the State.

He added that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are disheartened and disillusioned because the Government has not been able to provide any employment avenues nor has it been able to come out with an economic policy which could address the problem of unemployment in the State.

Omar Abdullah said the National Conference, if voted to power, will come out with a comprehensive economic policy, which will delineate an economic structure which will provide for adequate employment for the people of the State. He said the National Conference does not believe in "hollow sloganeering" and as such would not make any false promises but the socio-economic political agenda which the party will give in run up to the elections, the party shall ensure that it is backed up by a competent delivery mechanism so that their benefit reaches to the grass root level.

The NC chief said the PDP and the Congress are indulging in petty politicking by dividing the people of the State on the basis of region, religion, caste and ethnicity, but the National Conference will not allow any political party or group to divide the people of the State for its own political ends and shall work as a force to strengthen traditional bonds of brotherhood and goodwill among various groups of people within the State.

Mr Abdullah expressed his concern over increasing prices and lack of availability of essential commodities in far flung areas of the State and said that the Public Distribution System, which was devised to facilitate price control and easy availability of essential commodities, has failed in the State and thereby required urgent attention.

Omar expressed his anguish over the coalition Government's lack of will to address problems of the people of Kandi belt and border areas of Kathua district which lack in basic amenities despite their tall promises about their different plans funded by the Government of India for welfare of the people living in these areas.

He questioned as to how despite liberal funding from the Government of India, the State has not made any significant progress. The roads are in pathetic condition, on-going water supply schemes and irrigation schemes have not progressed beyond where they were during NC regime and all rural development programmes have ended up being programmes to benefit the corrupt thereby depriving the people of the State of their due in the funds received, he said

Referring to the State wide contact programme launched here today, Omar said this programme will create a wave from Lakhanpur to Lolab and Poonch to Ladakh against the ruling coalition and he hoped that this wave will be a wave which will put an end to the tenure of the corrupt and incompetent coalition Government.

The National Conference president was accompanied by Ajay Sadhotra, Talib Hussain, Rattan Lal Gupta, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Devender Singh Rana , Mohd Aslam Goni, Kashmira Singh, Gurdeep Singh Sassan, Bimla Luthra, Ajeet Kumar, K.K. Bakshi, Rajinder Zalam, J.P. Singh, Shakeel Tony, Neelam, and Pardeep Bali.

Petro hike won't affect poor: PM

UDAIPUR, Feb 19: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that the Union Government is working for the backward and poor people, hence the price of kerosene was not hiked this time.

"My Government is fully seized of the task of controlling price rise of essentials and the price of petrol and diesel was hiked. But that of kerosene was not only because of the pro-people attitude of the UPA," he said while addressing an election rally of the Congress for the February 23 Assembly polls.

Even though the Left parties had been continuously demanding roll back of petrol and diesel prices, Dr Singh said his Government was committed to checking the price rise.

"The price of petrol and diesel is resolved internationally and the poor would not be affected directly," he promised.

He made it clear that the Congress-led UPA Government was running in accordance with the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and 80 per cent of the pledges made in the Congress manifesto had been incorporated in the CMP. (UNI)

Five DySPs transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Director General of Police today ordered transfer and postings of five Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs).

Amanat Ali Shah, DySP IRP 13 battalion has been transferred and posted as Staff Officer to DIG Udhampur range. Haq Nawaz, awaiting orders of posting, has been adjusted in place of Mr Shah.

Mohd Taj, DySP, Assistant Commandant, Home Guards, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Staff Officer to DIG Rajouri-Poonch range against a vacancy.

Abdul Hamid Sheikh, DySP, JKAP 6th battalion has been transferred and posted as Staff Officer to DIG Doda/Ramban range against a clear vacancy.

Ghulam Nabi Dar, DySP, Assistant Commandant, Home Guards, Anantnag, has been transferred and posted as Staff Officer to DIG South Kashmir (Anantnag) range, also against a vacancy.

Governor prorogues Legislature

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Feb 19 : In exercise of the powers vested in him under section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S.K. Sinha has prorogued both the Houses of State Legislature, which were adjourned sine die by Speaker Tara Chand on January 30.

Punjab cops get weekly off

CHANDIGARH, Feb 19: The Punjab Government has given its nod to the proposal of compulsory weekly off to all the non-Gazetted officers and Other Ranks (ORs) from Constable to Inspector as announced by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

In an official release here today, it was informed that necessary orders have already been issued and this facility was being extended to all NGOs/ORs by rotation of duty in all units and sub units in such a manner that the work should not suffer.(PTI)

SVO challans former CE R&B

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) today produced challan against former Chief Engineer, R&B Kashmir, Nazir Ahmad Shah in the court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Kashmir.

Shah was arrested red-handed by the SVO sleuths last year when demanding and accept a gratification of Rs 30,000 from Altaf Hussain Teli of Handwara for allotting him a tender for construction of a foot bridge over Puhroo nallah at Kulangam, Handwara.

The bribe money as well as relevant file, which the Chief Engineer was carrying with him in his official car when he took the corruption at Karan Nagar, Srinagar, was recovered from him by a trap team of the Vigilance on spot in the presence of a Magistrate and witnesses. He was arrested.

The Vigilance have closed investigations of the case as proved and sought the Government sanction to prosecute the officer. The sanction was granted by the Government on January 10.

At the time of presentation of challan, the accused didn’t appear before the court following which the court issued an arrest warrant against him. The accused is presently on bail.

Next date of hearing in the case has been fixed on March 27.

IAF to test missile warning system

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: A missile warning system, being jointly developed by the Indian Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and European defence and aerospace consortium EADS for the Indian Air Force, will be tested in the next four months.

"The deliveries are complete, the integration tests in DARE’s multi-sensor self protection suite have already been conducted and will be tested in several platforms. The tests will be terminated in the course of the next four months," EADS’ Head of Communications Theodor Benien said in the ongoing Defence Expo here.

The partners are developing jointly the missile warning system based on EADS’ proven warning sensor MILDS AN/AAR-60 and integrated into the existing multi-sensor warning system of the Indian armed force.

As part of the agreement, EADS in a first step is delivering 36 sensors for further integration and development.

"India is a priority country for EADS offers market potential and solid aerospace and defence competences. This project is a clear signal of commitment to India, not only as a market but also as an industrial partner.

"EADS and Indian Government are poised to strengthen their cooperation in the highly sensitive field of electronic warfare," he said.

The MILDS AN/AAR-60 is an advanced, passive imaging sensor which detects and tracks the UV emissions of approaching missiles, including the most prevalent threat of heat seeking shoulder launched Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS).

The system provides full coverage, a low false alarm and maximum warning time to enable the deployment of counter- measures such as chaff/flares. With a very low false alarm rate and fast detection combined with automatic initiation of counter-measures, MILDS AN/AAR-60 relieves the pilot’s workload in time critical situations and ensures the safe return of both crew and aircraft.

The sensor has been sold in more than 5,600 units across the globe and is in service aboard a huge variety of rotary wing and wide body aircraft, a version of fighter aircraft is under development. (PTI)