29 NOV, 2011, 01.56PM IST, AFP
A consortium of Indian companies has won the rights to develop Afghanistan's largest iron ore deposits, a mining ministry official said on Tuesday, underscoring growing ties between the two countries.
Seven Indian companies, led by the state-owned Steel Authority of India ( SAIL), won a $10.3 billion deal to exploit three of four blocks at the Hajigak mine in Bamiyan, central Afghanistan, said ministry official Abdul Jalil Jumrani.
A fourth block was awarded to Canada's Kilo Goldmines, he said, with contracts due to be signed in February or March and exploitation of the mine's estimated two billion tonnes of iron ore deposits expected to begin by 2015.
Last month, Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership deal with India aiming to boost trade, security and cultural links, triggering consternation in neighbouring Pakistan, India's arch-rival for influence in the region.
Afghanistan is believed to have mineral reserves worth as much as $3 trillion which could theoretically generate billions of dollars in tax revenue for the troubled country.
But exploitation of these resources faces massive hurdles due to ongoing instability after 30 years of war in the country, woeful infrastructure, and endemic corruption.
As part of the Hajigak deal India has pledged to invest in surrounding infrastructure projects, including $1 billion to build a railway and monies for a 800-megawatt power plant and 200-kilometre (140-mile) road, Jumrani said. Kilo Goldmines will invest $3.2 billion, he added.
The Economic Times
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Karate team received by huge crowd on return
By Shahzada Usman
Published: November 26, 2011
The Pakistani mens and womens karate teams are garlanded at the Wagah border, after returning triumphant from the South Asian Karate championship in India. Pakistan defeated the Indian team to claim gold. PHOTO: NNI
LAHORE: The triumphant Pakistan contingent arrived at the Wagah Border yesterday after clinching the inaugural South Asian Karate Championship held in New Delhi.
Pakistan bagged 14 medals, including seven gold, four silver and three bronze, to stand on top of the podium, ahead of India and Sri Lanka.
The team received a vociferous reception at the border with a huge crowd praising its effort in the eight-nation tournament. The female players clinched eight of the 14 medals, with Kulsum winning two gold, a silver and bronze medal and Beenish Akbar claiming two gold and a bronze medal. Beenish Khan won one gold, while in the men’s events, Saadi Abbas, Imtiaz and Baz Mohammad clinched gold medals for Pakistan.
Abbas termed the triumph as a huge achievement for the country and praised the performance of the 23-member squad.
“I’m very happy about my team’s performance,” Abbas said after his arrival. “We worked hard for the tournament and this is a very special moment for all of us. Beating India wasn’t easy since they’re a tough side. We were received with a warm reception in India and it felt really good. Tours like this one will improve relations between the two countries.”
The female members were ecstatic as well and appreciated the work put in by the coaching staff that yielded the positive result.
“We had a good time in the championship and were welcomed by the hosts,” said Akbar. “The coaching staff worked really hard with us for this championship and this is a result of our hard work and concentration.”
While the Pakistan contingent arrived via the border, the Indian wrestlers, who took part in the Indo-Pak dangal, left for their country via the same route as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2011.
Published: November 26, 2011
LAHORE: The triumphant Pakistan contingent arrived at the Wagah Border yesterday after clinching the inaugural South Asian Karate Championship held in New Delhi.
Pakistan bagged 14 medals, including seven gold, four silver and three bronze, to stand on top of the podium, ahead of India and Sri Lanka.
The team received a vociferous reception at the border with a huge crowd praising its effort in the eight-nation tournament. The female players clinched eight of the 14 medals, with Kulsum winning two gold, a silver and bronze medal and Beenish Akbar claiming two gold and a bronze medal. Beenish Khan won one gold, while in the men’s events, Saadi Abbas, Imtiaz and Baz Mohammad clinched gold medals for Pakistan.
Abbas termed the triumph as a huge achievement for the country and praised the performance of the 23-member squad.
“I’m very happy about my team’s performance,” Abbas said after his arrival. “We worked hard for the tournament and this is a very special moment for all of us. Beating India wasn’t easy since they’re a tough side. We were received with a warm reception in India and it felt really good. Tours like this one will improve relations between the two countries.”
The female members were ecstatic as well and appreciated the work put in by the coaching staff that yielded the positive result.
“We had a good time in the championship and were welcomed by the hosts,” said Akbar. “The coaching staff worked really hard with us for this championship and this is a result of our hard work and concentration.”
While the Pakistan contingent arrived via the border, the Indian wrestlers, who took part in the Indo-Pak dangal, left for their country via the same route as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2011.
Monday, November 28, 2011
EDITORIAL: Murder in Muharram
Whenever an occasion even remotely religious in nature comes round in Pakistan, everyone braces themselves for the potential dangers ahead. That the occasion — Muharram — is one that is specially revered by Shias is all the more cause for worry and security concerns. These concerns were quickly realised in the very beginning of the holy month of Muharram this year when Karachi was targeted by an apparent sectarian crime. A protest rally taken out by members of the Sipah-e-Sahaba near Numaish Chowrangi turned violent when its members started firing indiscriminately into a Shia camp that had been set up in that area as part of a Muharram procession. Two people were killed and some 11 people were injured in the incident. It is fortunate that the police arrived on time at the scene as the assailants were apprehended. However, a mob gathered and demanded that the gunmen be handed over so that they be delivered some ‘mob justice’. As we all know, after the Sialkot lynching case, such action has seriously negative repercussions. The crowd grew quite rowdy and had to be diffused after a round of baton charging. The enraged crowd torched vehicles and created a riot. Muharram has only just begun.
In light of how Muharram has come and gone in past years with violence and bombings taking place at venues and processions where Shias have gathered to commemorate the occasion, it is a wonder that our security and law enforcement agencies still leave so much to be desired. There is always potential for trouble in Muharram with so many hate groups against the Shia community thriving in Pakistan, Sipah-e-Sahaba being one of them. Why was there no security in place at a very likely target such as this Shia camp? Why were law enforcement bodies so obviously missing in action that members of a hate group were able to fire into the crowd and kill and maim so many people? Authorities are well aware of the risks that many religious communities face in this country yet they still have not done enough to prevent sectarian strife. Agreed, the security forces in our country have been stretched very thin due to the war that is raging in the tribal areas and the urban centres but that does not mean that the many crimes against different sects in this country go ignored. One need not remind our law enforcement agencies of the kind of hate Shias face in Pakistan — the brutal murder of Shia Hazaras in Balochistan is a case in point. When they can be gunned down on just about any day of the year, what makes our security agencies feel that they can relax on an occasion of specific importance to the Shia community?
The malaise of sectarian killings is not confined to the boundaries of any specific area or metropolis. It is a whirlpool of brutality that knows no limits. The rampant running amok of groups such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba, which are allowed to hold rallies in the cities of this country, is an example of how we are leaving behind any last remnants of civility and gradually falling into the abyss of barbarity. Such fanatical Sunni groups are waging their own war against the state and the law enforcement agencies seem unconcerned. Instances such as this one in Karachi, right at the beginning of Muharram, ought to serve as a warning to our security agencies that more such attacks could be right round the corner.
Daily Times
In light of how Muharram has come and gone in past years with violence and bombings taking place at venues and processions where Shias have gathered to commemorate the occasion, it is a wonder that our security and law enforcement agencies still leave so much to be desired. There is always potential for trouble in Muharram with so many hate groups against the Shia community thriving in Pakistan, Sipah-e-Sahaba being one of them. Why was there no security in place at a very likely target such as this Shia camp? Why were law enforcement bodies so obviously missing in action that members of a hate group were able to fire into the crowd and kill and maim so many people? Authorities are well aware of the risks that many religious communities face in this country yet they still have not done enough to prevent sectarian strife. Agreed, the security forces in our country have been stretched very thin due to the war that is raging in the tribal areas and the urban centres but that does not mean that the many crimes against different sects in this country go ignored. One need not remind our law enforcement agencies of the kind of hate Shias face in Pakistan — the brutal murder of Shia Hazaras in Balochistan is a case in point. When they can be gunned down on just about any day of the year, what makes our security agencies feel that they can relax on an occasion of specific importance to the Shia community?
The malaise of sectarian killings is not confined to the boundaries of any specific area or metropolis. It is a whirlpool of brutality that knows no limits. The rampant running amok of groups such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba, which are allowed to hold rallies in the cities of this country, is an example of how we are leaving behind any last remnants of civility and gradually falling into the abyss of barbarity. Such fanatical Sunni groups are waging their own war against the state and the law enforcement agencies seem unconcerned. Instances such as this one in Karachi, right at the beginning of Muharram, ought to serve as a warning to our security agencies that more such attacks could be right round the corner.
Daily Times
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