Major postings and transfers in Army

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Ashfaq Kayani has promoted 8 Major Generals to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Few days ago, Khalid Shamim Wyne was appointed Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee. Lieutenant General Waheed Arshad has been appointed as the Chief of General Staff while Lt. Gen Hammed Haider was appointed as Commander Army Strategic Force Command.

Lt Gen Nadeem Taj has been appointed Commander 30 Corps Gujranwala, Lt Gen Tahir Mehmood as Commander 10 Corps Rawalpindi and Lt Gen Shahid Iqbal has been appointed as Commander 5 Corps Karachi.Lt Gen Yousuf has been appointed as Commander 31 Corps, Lt Gen Mohsin Kamal as military secretary GHQ, Lt Gen Javed Zia as quarter master-general, Lt Gen Zaki as IG Arms and Lt Gen Ayaz Saleem Rana as chairman Industrial Complex Taxila.

Lt Gen Raza Khan has been appointed as director-general Joint Staff Headquarter and Lt Gen Tanveer Tahir as IG Communication and Information Technology.

Commonwealth Games: Queen’s Baton reaches Delhi

The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) of the XIXth Commonwealth Games reached host city New Delhi on Thursday after completing a 20,000 kilometer long journey, passing through all 28 Indian states and seven Union Territories.
The Baton reached the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee headquarters situated opposite Jantar Mantar on Jai Singh Road, where it was received by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi.
A slew of events have been planned during the display of the baton at the OC headquarters.On Friday, the baton will pass through Vijay Chowk, India Gate, Teen Murti Bhawan, Qutub Minar and Lotus Temple.
On Saturday, it will visit Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, St Columba’s School and the athletes’ Games Village.
The 1.9 lakh-km-long QBR’s journey across 71 countries will culminate on October 3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a torch race symbolising the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of nations. It carries a message from the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, currently Queen Elizabeth II of the UK.
The baton has the ability to capture images and sound as it travels throughout the nations of the Commonwealth. With Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, it can be tracked through exact location.

Gold price increases by Rs 200 per tola

Gold price continued to rise in local and international markets as gold hit all time high on Thursday and reached Rs 42,400 per tola with an increase of Rs 200.
According to Sindh Sarafa Association, price of 10 grams increased to Rs 36,342. Gold price has been increased by Rs 3000 per tola during the month of September.
Silver price also increased by Rs 500 per tola.

Pakistan religious minister unhappy with Babri mosque verdict

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, said on Thursday that the Indian court’s verdict on Babri Mosque will spread more violence.

While talking to SAMAA, he said that Muslim right on the mosque has not been recognized.

Other religious leaders also termed the court verdict unjustified. SAMAA

OGRA announces token reduction in petrol price

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced a token reduction of few paisas in petroleum products while increasing price of kerosene.

This reduction was announced in a press conference by OGRA’s Executive Director, Jawad Naseem, in Islamabad.

The reduction of 27 paisas for petrol and 78 paisas for diesel per liter was announced. The new price of petrol is Rs. 66.99 per liter, and diesel Rs. 73.82 per liter.

OGRA has increased the price of kerosene oil by 23 paisas per liter. Kerosene is now at Rs. 65.80 per liter. SAMAA

Asian stocks witness mixed trend

Asian stock markets turned in a mixed performance Thursday.
China and Korean markets remained up while bears ruled Hong Kong and Japan. Morgan Stanley Asia Pacific Index shed 0.9 percent; Nikkei Index lost 1.75 points. Topix Index shed 2.5 percent. On the contrary, Shanghai Composite Index added 1.42 percent.

Asian stocks witness mixed trend

Asian stock markets turned in a mixed performance Thursday.
China and Korean markets remained up while bears ruled Hong Kong and Japan. Morgan Stanley Asia Pacific Index shed 0.9 percent; Nikkei Index lost 1.75 points. Topix Index shed 2.5 percent. On the contrary, Shanghai Composite Index added 1.42 percent.

Half of CWG volunteers disappear with kit

The spirit of the Games doesn’t seem to be prevailing. Seen to be an essential ingredient of the Games, volunteers have gone missing. An estimated 10,000 volunteers have dropped out after enrolling for the mega sports show. The volunteers have displayed less than expected zest for the Games due to what is seen as a combination of reasons ranging from random allocation of responsibilities, relatively unglamorous assignments and poor training and motivation. A part of the problem also seems to have been the terms offered to volunteers. Instead of payments, the experience of participating in the Games with a certificate at the end of the event are the main rewards. However, there is also a smart set of clothes – the kit costs Rs 12,000 – besides meals while at work. While these terms are the norm at most such events, the thrill and experience of the job and an opportunity to watch top athletes being the big hook, the attrition rate of volunteers has been rather high. Beset with controversies, the Games have perhaps not proved too attractive for many who signed up. Sources said the missing volunteers have gone away with their uniforms that might have been what they found to be of interest. Perhaps, they should have been paid a daily allowance at least. Some of the work is quite tough and requires good communication skills, said an official who confirmed mass desertions. The situation has led to private parties having to step up their participation. We are doing all that has been asked of us, said Abhijit Sarkar, spokesperson of Sahara group. Many of the volunteers at the airport and Village are from the group. It is being hoped that the volunteers will return as those who did turn up at the Village have made a good impression on athletes who have moved in. It is also possible that the volunteers could not be immune from the overall ineptness that has marked the functioning of the OC. There is concern over how the logistics of the events will be affected by the lack of volunteers though some feel there is enough human resource. The volunteers were part of the effort to make the Games a participatory event and with nearly half of the total 22,000 going AWOL, it is quite a hole to fill. Complaints of missing volunteers have been pouring in at the airport and important centres, even though an official associated with the volunteer programme claimed that all of them turned up at the Village. Volunteers have been given two pairs of vibrant uniforms, free Metro passes from home to venues and packaged food. These volunteers have been trained by Amity University. It is also being wondered how the catering contracts will be honoured as the caterers would be making a certain number of food packets every day.

Half of CWG volunteers disappear with kit

The spirit of the Games doesn’t seem to be prevailing. Seen to be an essential ingredient of the Games, volunteers have gone missing. An estimated 10,000 volunteers have dropped out after enrolling for the mega sports show. The volunteers have displayed less than expected zest for the Games due to what is seen as a combination of reasons ranging from random allocation of responsibilities, relatively unglamorous assignments and poor training and motivation. A part of the problem also seems to have been the terms offered to volunteers. Instead of payments, the experience of participating in the Games with a certificate at the end of the event are the main rewards. However, there is also a smart set of clothes – the kit costs Rs 12,000 – besides meals while at work. While these terms are the norm at most such events, the thrill and experience of the job and an opportunity to watch top athletes being the big hook, the attrition rate of volunteers has been rather high. Beset with controversies, the Games have perhaps not proved too attractive for many who signed up. Sources said the missing volunteers have gone away with their uniforms that might have been what they found to be of interest. Perhaps, they should have been paid a daily allowance at least. Some of the work is quite tough and requires good communication skills, said an official who confirmed mass desertions. The situation has led to private parties having to step up their participation. We are doing all that has been asked of us, said Abhijit Sarkar, spokesperson of Sahara group. Many of the volunteers at the airport and Village are from the group. It is being hoped that the volunteers will return as those who did turn up at the Village have made a good impression on athletes who have moved in. It is also possible that the volunteers could not be immune from the overall ineptness that has marked the functioning of the OC. There is concern over how the logistics of the events will be affected by the lack of volunteers though some feel there is enough human resource. The volunteers were part of the effort to make the Games a participatory event and with nearly half of the total 22,000 going AWOL, it is quite a hole to fill. Complaints of missing volunteers have been pouring in at the airport and important centres, even though an official associated with the volunteer programme claimed that all of them turned up at the Village. Volunteers have been given two pairs of vibrant uniforms, free Metro passes from home to venues and packaged food. These volunteers have been trained by Amity University. It is also being wondered how the catering contracts will be honoured as the caterers would be making a certain number of food packets every day.

Babri Mosque case: Disputed land to be divided

Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court announced its judgment on the Ayodhya Babri Mosque case, apparently ruling in favour of the Hindus. According to the verdict, the disputed site would be divided into three parts; two parts of which would be used for the temple while a mosque can be built on the third part.
Ramlala idol will not be removed from disputed site in Ayodhya. The court also called upon both the rival parties to decide the matter through negotiation. Earlier, more than 200,000 police officials were deployed across India and temporary jails were set up as the government prepared for possible Hindu-Muslim riots. The government had also appealed for calm once the court gave its verdict. From the capital New Delhi to the financial hub Mumbai, many Indians stayed home ahead of the decision and stocked up on food in apprehension of the verdict. However, commentators said the verdict is unlikely to spark widespread riots that hit Mumbai and other cities in 1992.Political parties had also called for calm and there is little electoral headway to be made in egging on religious riots in post-economic reform India. Armed police set up checkpoints across Ayodhya, which had a deserted feel, guarded Muslim homes, a roughly 3,000 people minority in the town of 70,000 inhabitants.Wary of these two sides being provoked into fighting, the government had banned bulk mobile text messaging nationally to prevent the spread of rumours and religious extremism.
The detailed verdict on this case can be viewed at www.allahabadhighcourt.in.
Timeline of Ayudhya crisis
Since the 16th century when the mosque was built, this site has been the focal point for religious riots. Here’s a timeline of the disputed holy site
1528: A mosque is built on the site which some Hindus say marks the spot where one of the most revered deities in Hinduism, Lord Rama, was born.
1853: First recorded incidents of religious violence at the site.
1859: British colonial administration erects a fence to separate the places of worship, allowing the inner court to be used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus.
1949: Idols of Lord Rama appear inside mosque allegedly placed there by Hindus. Muslims protest, and both parties file civil suits. The government proclaims the premises a disputed area and locks the gates.
1984: Hindus form a committee to liberate the birth-place of Lord Rama and build a temple in his honour, spearheaded by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad party (VHP).
Then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani, now home minister, takes over leadership of campaign.
1986: District judge orders the gates of the disputed mosque opened to allow Hindus to worship there. Muslims set up Babri Mosque Action Committee in protest.
1989: VHP steps up campaign, laying the foundations of a Rama temple on land adjacent to the disputed mosque.
1990: VHP volunteers partially damage the mosque. Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar tries to resolve the dispute through negotiations, which fail the next year.
1991: BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh state, where Ayodhya is located.
1992: The mosque is torn down by supporters of the VHP, the Shiv Sena party and the BJP, prompting nationwide rioting between Hindus and Muslims in which more than 2,000 people die.
1998: The BJP forms coalition government under Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
2001: Tensions rise on the anniversary of the demolition of the mosque. VHP pledges again to build Hindu temple at the site.
Jan 2002: Mr Vajpayee sets up an Ayodhya cell in his office and appoints a senior official, Shatrughna Singh, to hold talks with Hindu and Muslim leaders.
Feb 2002: BJP rules out committing itself to the construction of a temple in its election manifesto for Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. VHP confirms deadline of 15 March to begin construction. Hundreds of volunteers converge on site. At least 58 people are killed in an attack on a train in Godhra which is carrying Hindu activists returning from Ayodhya.
Mar 2002: Between 1,000 and 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, die in riots in Gujarat following the train attack.
Apr 2002: Three High Court judges begin hearings on determining who owns the religious site.
Jan 2003: Archaeologists begin a court-ordered survey to find out whether a temple to Lord Rama existed on the site.
Aug 2003: The survey says there is evidence of a temple beneath the mosque, but Muslims dispute the findings. Mr Vajpayee says at the funeral of Hindu activist Ramchandra Das Paramhans that he will fulfil the dying man’s wishes and build a temple at Ayodhya. However, he hopes the courts and negotiations will solve the issue.
Sept 2003: A court rules that seven Hindu leaders should stand trial for inciting the destruction of the Babri Mosque, but no charges are brought against Mr Advani, now deputy prime minister, who was also at the site in 1992.
Oct 2004: Mr Advani says his party still has unwavering commitment to building a temple at Ayodhya, which he said was inevitable.
Nov 2004: A court in Uttar Pradesh rules that an earlier order which exonerated Mr Advani for his role in the destruction of the mosque should be reviewed.
July 2005: Suspected Islamic militants attack the disputed site, using a jeep laden with explosives to blow a hole in the wall of the complex. Security forces kill five people they say are militants, and a sixth who was not immediately identified.
June 2009: The Liberhan commission investigating events leading up to the mosque’s demolition submits its report – 17 years after it began its inquiry.
Nov 2009: There is uproar in parliament as the Liberhan commission’s report is published and it blames leading politicians from the Hindu nationalist BJP for a role in the mosque’s razing.
Sept 2010: Supreme Court clears way for Allahabad High Court to issue final ruling on whether the land should go to Hindus or Muslims. Government appeals for calm.

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