Qatari investors to finance Dushanbe shopping mall, housing complex

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — Diyori Dushanbe is scheduled to finish construction in 2011 in the Tajik capital with help from Qatar. The US$180 million complex unveiled August 27 will include housing, retail shops, a luxury hotel, sport centre and gymnasium, medical facilities, an entertainment complex and a pre-school.

The complex will cover 70,000 square metres and is owned by the real estate investment firm Qatari Diar, which also owns other properties around the world valued at approximately US$80 billion.

Qatari investors plan to break ground later this month and complete construction within 18 months. They have contracted Tajik companies to build it, creating 600 jobs in the country. Another 300 jobs will be created when the complex opens. The head of the Qatari company said the core of the complex features five 10 to 16 storey high-rise structures that will house up to 300 families.

Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, who attended the unveiling of Diyori Dushanbe, noted that the complex will also include buildings for the embassy of Qatar and a branch of the Bank of Qatar that “our countries discussed and agreed to at the start of 2009.”

According to Committee on Investment and Management of State Property Chairman Farrukh Khamraliev, while Qatar has invested more than any other Arab country in Tajikistan, in 2008, only two percent of total direct foreign investment in Tajikistan came from Arab countries. "We hope that this figure will grow over time," he said.

Shar-Shar auto tunnel links Tajikistan to China

DUSHANBE — The 2.3km Shar-Shar tunnel linking Tajikistan and China opened to traffic on August 30. The tunnel was financed by both countries and constructed by Tajik and Chinese specialists. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon said at the opening ceremony that the tunnel was extremely important for traffic between the country’s regions and in restoring the Great Silk Road.

The Chinese government provided Tajikistan with a US$40 million grant for the project that began in October 2006. China’s railroad construction corporation CREC was the general contractor for its construction.

The Shar-Shar tunnel runs under the mountain ridge with the same name at the 68km mark on the Dushanbe-Kulma highway, and shortens the distance between the two cities by 40 minutes.

The new tunnel will dramatically improve safety on the highway. The mountain ridge road was dangerous, particularly during the winter, and more than 1,000 people lost their lives along the road in the last 80 years. In addition, annual road maintenance in this area proved to be costly.

President Rakhmon said the country’s economic growth could only be sustained by significantly upgrading Tajikistan’s transportation infrastructure in general and said that such projects already underway will cost $650 million.

Tax reports take toll on Uzbek economy

TASHKENT — A survey by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of no less than 1300 Uzbek companies reveals that the country's private sector spends US$184 million each year on book-keeping, which is an enormous sum for the economy. More is spent on tax reports in one year than the government has spent in the last three years on cotton processing facilities.

The book-keeping required by Uzbekistan's tax authorities consumes 0.7 percent of the country's GDP, notes Vsevolod Payevskiy, director of an IFC project to improve Uzbekistan's business environment. Although keeping track of a company's indicators is essential, the Uzbek process exacts a heavy toll from private enterprises.

Uzbek businessmen are required to submit up to a dozen financial reports to authorities each year, each of which requires an average of ninety-five hours to compile. Another 40 hours or so are spent on statistical accounting. Since the average Uzbek private company has seven employees, these requirements mean that one of these employees works full-time on nothing but tax filings, statistical reports and other tax documents.

IFC analysts note that financial reporting has become extremely time-consuming in Uzbekistan, partly because of shortcomings in the country's tax code. This spring, parliament was forced to adopt a new version of the code because of countless disparities between the Uzbek- and Russian-language versions of the tax laws. According to IFC analysts, however, the revised versions still contain at least 80 discrepancies. These differences allow officials to interpret financial reporting requirements arbitrarily, which is one reason why Uzbekistan’s government ranks186 in the world for transparency.

The IFC has prepared eleven recommendations for improving the Uzbek tax code and has invited more than 500 tax inspectors from seven of the country's regions to attend training sessions on current methods of processing company reports.

Business climate thaws in Central Asia

On September 8, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) presented its annual report Doing Business 2010: Reforming through Difficult Times. Of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, this year’s leader in streamlining business procedures was Kyrgyzstan, ranked 41 out of the 183 countries by the IFC study. Kazakhstan ranked 63, Uzbekistan 150 and Tajikistan, 152nd. The report looked at reforms implemented by each country since June 2008.

One of the report's authors, Svetlana Bagaudinova, stated that "the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia are ahead of other regions in the number of reforms undertaken to facilitate business procedures."

This year, Kyrgyzstan jumped 27 places in the world rankings and was ranked the second most active reformer. According to Neil Gregory, advisor for Financial and Private Sector Development in the World Bank Group, "Kyrgyzstan has shown for the second year running that it can make great strides in a broad range of indicators analysed in the report." He points out that "this year's ratings jump is the result of strong cooperation between the government, representatives of the private sector and donor organisations."

Lagging behind in 63rd place, Kazakhstan only moved up one spot from last year's rank. Bagaudinova noted however, that "one of the country's significant reforms this year has been to improve the business climate by lowering tax burdens on private companies." She also noted new streamlined procedures to obtain building permits, the repeal of installation fees for new connections to the electricity grid and a drop in the price of building site surveys. "It's clear that the government has focused on improving the business climate, and reforms that are in the pipeline for next year will place Kazakhstan in a higher ranking," Bagaudinova said.

In contrast, Uzbekistan has fallen five places this year, while Turkmenistan failed to make the cut and was not included in the rankings.

High-altitude pipeline to supply gas to Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT — The highest-altitude gas pipeline in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has been constructed and tested in Uzbekistan. The 165km pipeline passes through the Kamchik Pass in the Kuraminsky Range within Tian Shan at altitudes as high as 2,268m. It will provide a continuous supply of gas to the most densely-populated region of the country, the Fergana Valley, which is cut off from the rest of Uzbekistan by the Kuraminsky Range.

The project commissioned by the Uzbek Oil and Gas Enterprise is truly international. Its experts developed the design of the pipeline. Engineering plans were drawn up by their colleagues at the Russian firm NIPI Inzhgeo. The gas compressor station’s equipment was manufactured in Ukraine. The Swiss firm Zeromax GmbH was the primary construction contractor, while the pipeline was built by an Uzbek-Swiss joint venture company. Construction began in September last year and was due to be completed next March, but the pipeline was completed six months ahead of schedule. It will supply 24 million cubic metres of gas a day during the winter, and up to 30 million cubic metres during the summer.

“This construction is a significant feat,” says Uzbek economist Viktor Ivonin. “Gas pipelines 1.2 metres in diameter have never before been laid in such adverse mountain conditions.”

The leader of the Christian Party, Marat Zahidov, said the old petroleum pipeline that ran through the valley during the Soviet era passed through Tajikistan. Because the governments of the two neighbouring countries were unable to agree on numerous issues, particularly those relating to energy, Uzbek taxpayers had to pick up the US$493 million bill for the construction of the high-altitude gas pipeline that does not pass through Tajik territory.

Russian employers owe Tajik workers more than US$1 million

DUSHANBE — Months, and in some cases years later, many Tajik migrant workers have still not received back-pay from their Russian employers. Director Abdurakhim Rakhimov of the Tajikistan Ministry of Internal Affairs Office for Migrant Workers in Russia said Tajik migrant workers have flooded his office with more than 400 complaints, a quarter of which concern pay arrears. "Currently, more than US$1 million is owed to Tajik workers in unpaid salaries," he said.

"Thanks to a close relationship with our Russian counterparts, we've been able to help many of our fellow citizens. But there have also been occasions when we've requested Russian prosecutors' assistance in securing payment and were turned down. In these cases, prosecutors have pointed to the absence of an employment contract, meaning that employer and employee have no legal relationship," Rakhimov notes.

Russia's restrictions on migrant labour continue to exact a toll on Tajik workers, and their status and image in Russia. Many of the victims are labourers who turn to the services of dubious placement agencies that charge exorbitant fees in exchange for fake residence and working papers. "We've compiled 20 reports on the extortionist money-making strategies of placement agencies," Rakhimov says.

Data released by Russia's Federal Migration Service indicate there are around 300,000 Tajik migrants working in Russia, almost half of whom are employed in construction. Analysts contend, however, that the true number of Tajik workers in Russia is close to one million.

Electricity supply limits introduced in Tajikistan

Limits on the electricity supply in Tajikistan have been introduced in rural regions alone, where more than 70 percent of the republic's population lives. The electricity shortage in the country is tied to a decrease in the flow of water in the Vakhsh River, where Tajikistan's principle hydroelectric plants are...

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The Tajik national programme of voluntary migration aims to solve unemployment issues and eradicate poverty by equitably distributing human resources

The administration of the Nosir Khusrav District of Tajikistan's Khatlon Province allocated almost 400 hectares for the construction of housing for 1200 internal migrants taking up permanent residence in the district.

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Tashkent Models

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, hosted fashion show Art Week Style.uz 2009, from Oct. 12 to 17. Legendary British musician Sting, world-renowned soprano Montserrat Caballé and models performed at the event. (Yves Forestier/Getty Images for Style.uz)

Security analyst says Pakistan requires internal discourse to develop alternatives to extremism

LAHORE — Pakistan needs an internal discourse, without which it cannot counter extremism or terrorism at the state and societal level, according to leading independent security analyst and strategic affairs expert Dr Ayesha Siddiqa Agha.

The South Asian region currently faces grave security threats due to increasing extremism and terrorist activities within its states. The politics of violence can be linked to the contradictions arising out of flawed national policies, she said.

Religious extremism is a global issue, but in South Asia, Pakistan is the nation worst affected by it. Extremism and terrorism are interlinked and the contributing factors of bad governance and ideology make extremism more threatening in Pakistan.

“A counter-terrorism strategy cannot be developed without considering counter-extremism at the same time,” Agha said.

She called for internal discourse within the Muslim world to provide alternatives to extremism and suggested that one would require an overhaul of government policies to generate political stability.

Agha said the rise of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan can be attributed to a variety of factors such as oppressive cultural norms, social injustice, ideological contradictions, rigid religious beliefs and foreign interference, while poverty, unemployment, hunger and illiteracy only made things worse.

The factors that have generated social, economic and political instability in Pakistan suggest that there are no quick fixes available and that turning things around will only be achieved by measures implemented over the long term, she said.

Turning to education, she said, “There should be more attention paid to madrasas, as their role is very important … Through law it should be made incumbent upon all madrasas to register and revise their curriculum along modern lines, and declare their assets and their source of funding so the system becomes transparent,” she asserted. That would go a long way to reducing their potential for recruiting young people into violent extremist organisations.

She also pointed out a dire need to create an even more specialised anti-terrorism force and suggested that the army's Special Services Group (SSG) be converted into a force solely dedicated to counter-terrorism.

Pakistani soldiers killed in capital ambush

Gunmen attacked an army jeep in Pakistan's capital Oct. 22, killing a brigadier on leave from a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan and his driver in a brazen daylight shooting in a prominent residential neighbourhood of Islamabad.

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Militant attack kills 17 on bus headed to wedding; 15 injured by car bomb at recreational facility in Peshawar

An explosion killed 17 on a bus headed to a wedding in the Mohmand tribal region. Hours later a car bomb exploded in the parking lot of a recreational facility in Peshawar, injuring fifteen.

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Army captures Pakistani Taliban leader's hometown

ISLAMABAD — Soldiers captured the strategically located hometown of Pakistan's Taliban chief Oct. 24 after fierce fighting, officials said, the army's first major prize as it pushes deeper into a militant stronghold along the Afghan border.

Pakistan's eight-day-old offensive in the Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronghold of South Waziristan is considered its most critical test yet in the campaign to stop the spread of violent Islamist extremism in the Western-allied country. The army operation came amidst militant attacks that have killed some 200 people this month.

The battle for Kotkai took several days and involved aerial bombardment as soldiers captured heights around the town. Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said troops were now ridding the town of land mines and roadside bombs planted by the insurgents.

Kotkai is symbolically important because it is the hometown of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and one of his top deputies, Qari Hussain. It also lies on the road to the major militant base of Sararogha, making it a strategically important capture.

"Thank God, this is the army's very big success," Abbas said. "The good news is that [communications] intercepts show that there are differences developing in the Taliban ranks. Their aides are deserting them."

The government has pressed ahead in South Waziristan despite a wave of violence that has put the nation on edge. Bombings on Oct. 23 alone killed 24 people, including 17 headed to a wedding.

The army said that three more soldiers died, putting the army's death toll at 23, and 21 more militants had been killed, putting their overall death toll at 163.

The army has deployed some 30,000 troops to South Waziristan against about 12,000 Taliban militants, including up to 1,500 foreign fighters, among them Uzbeks and Arabs.

Pakistan on high security alert

PAKISTAN — More than 185 people have died in terrorist attacks in Pakistan since the beginning of October. The country is on high security alert after the military launched a major offensive against Pakistan’s Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) in South Waziristan on Oct. 17.

Millions of students stayed home last week, as Pakistan shut down all educational institutions for two days following a suicide attack at Islamabad’s International Islamic University that killed five people on Oct. 20.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court announced on Thursday that its building was off-limits to anyone without "legal business." Holidays for police personnel have been cancelled and police checkpoints have been augmented.

The latest in a chain of attacks in recent weeks happened on Thursday, Oct. 22, when two gunmen riding motorcycles opened fire in broad daylight on an army jeep, killing senior military officer Brigadier Ahmed Moinuddin and his driver. The officer was deputy commander of the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Sudan, and had returned to Pakistan in recent days because of family affairs.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the bloodshed, saying that the string of attacks had made the government “even more resolute in our commitment to eradicate the evil of militancy.”

Two weeks ago, a band of insurgents laid siege to the army’s fortress-like headquarters in Rawalpindi and held dozens of people hostage. In successive assaults, militants have simultaneously attacked three security installations in Lahore, and bombed an army convoy and a police station. The U.N. World Food Programme closed its offices around Pakistan after five workers were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in its office in Islamabad.

Authorities believe that many of the bombings in Pakistan that have taken the lives of many civilians are being planned by Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in the lawless tribal region of South Waziristan, where the Pakistani army started an offensive on Oct. 17. Officials say more than 120,000 civilians have now fled the war zone. Difficult terrain, mines and fierce clashes have slowed Pakistan’s advance, and officials admit the offensive could take longer than expected.

Generations sing everlasting Pakistani patriotic songs

repertoire of patriotic and nationalistic songs, which have been passed on from generation to generation, said music producer Rohail Hyatt on Oct. 20.

“Patriotic Pakistani music has seemingly evolved from its saccharine, nationalistic roots to a more thoughtful look at Pakistan,” he said.

Patriotic songs have been of paramount importance in Pakistan through the decades. In 1965, a number of nationalistic songs were composed, which aimed to be inspirational. The songs reflected a love for Pakistan and were also a rallying cry.

“Shahnaz Begum's soulful and incredibly melodic ‘Sohni Dharti’ is one of the best patriotic songs ever,” Hyatt said.

Recalling 'Dil, Dil, Pakistan' by Vital Signs, he said it was “one of the first patriotic songs of the '80s and '90s pop movement in Pakistan, and has been associated with national elections, a variety of political milestones and, most memorably, cricket match victories.”

Equally unforgettable are Pakistani patriotic songs that over time have found themselves incorporated in different ceremonies at schools across the country because of their chorus segments and sing-along factor.

“What is important, though, is that the music continues to be passed on. Whether it's the happy chorus of 'Jeevay Jeevay' or the optimistic 'Jazba-e-Junoon,' in 20 years or so, I hope that Pakistani children will still be singing the songs that have made us proud of our nation in years gone by,” Hyatt said.

Thousands of Pakistani women trained as textile workers

KARACHI — The Textile Skill Development Board (TSDB) has produced 5,000 skilled female textile workers in last few years in collaboration with the textile industry, according to Textile Commissioner Idrees Ahmed.

During a ceremony at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Karachi on Oct. 20, Ahmed awarded certificates to 70 women who had recently completed training in skilled textile manufacturing.

Federal minister for the industry, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Mohsin Ayub Mirza, and senior representatives of the industry also attended the ceremony.

The textile industry has been facing a skilled labour shortage in recent years. With the support of the industry, the TSDB is making strenuous efforts to train the numbers of women required to meet the growing demand for skilled textile workers, Ahmed said. The need is greatest in the production of garments, a leading export industry.

Shortly after completing training, all the graduates found jobs in textile units registered with the TSDB, he added.

Ahmad said the board was planning to set up more training centres, including some in rural areas, to produce an even larger force of skilled female workers.

Speaking earlier, Saeed said the government had allocated millions of dollars to support research and development in the industry. The government announced its textile policy last July to enhance exports from the current US$10 billion to $25 billion over the next five years, he added.

During the ceremony, Chairman Mirza announced that a two-month specialist training course in the use of various mechanical stitching machines would soon be implemented, to provide skilled employees for the garment industry. He said the units established at the EPZ in Karachi would ensure jobs for all women completing their training in future.a

Iran’s allegations wipe out $2.4 billion from KSE

Iran’s allegation that Pakistan played a role in the suicide attack that took the lives of 15 senior Revolutionary Guard members combined with a fresh wave of terrorist attacks in the country, wiped out US$2.41 billion worth of capital from the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) in just five days, market...

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Peshawar: LPG price goes up by Rs10/kg

PESHAWAR: Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices have been increased by Rs10/kg in Peshawar before the onset of winter. LPG Association President, Bakht Muneer told Geo News prices have been increased due to the difference in supply and demand. “LPG was being sold for Rs70/kg before one month, however its demand has risen as the mercury drops increasing the price upto Rs80/kg.” LPG prices are expected to raise more in next few days, he added. .... Full Story

ISLAMABAD: Security forces after intense fighting Saturday took complete control of important stronghold of TTP – the town of Kotkai, the native place of terrorists leader Hakim Ullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain during the operation Rah-e-Nijat. At a press conference along with Federal Minister for Qamar Zaman Kaira, Director General ISPR Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the terrorist group has started to unravel due to a rift among them.He said 21 terrori .... Full Story

NWFP schools to remain closed for another week PESHAWAR: NWFP Government has decided to keep the schools closed for another week in the backdrop of de

PESHAWAR: NWFP Government has decided to keep the schools closed for another week in the backdrop of deteriorating law and order situation. In a statement issued by NWFP’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it has been notified that the schools will remain closed till November 1. Initially the schools in NWFP including Peshwar were closed down from October 21 to 25. This period has now been extended till November ... Full Story

PCB governing board’s important meeting tomorrow

LAHORE: An important meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s governing board will be held tomorrow in Lahore. This meeting, to be presided over by chairman PCB Ijaz Butt, will be very important in view of the present situation of Pakistan cricket. As per the agenda of the meeting, criticism from some members of the governing body, approval of the PCB’s code of conduct, budget, domestic and international cricket activities, audit report, approval of new auditor’s appointment and new chief election commisioner’s posting will be discussed. Sources said that the meeting agenda does not include captain Younis Khan’s resignation. Chairman Ijaz Butt said that he has discretionary powers of appointing the captain and thus he may consult with the governing board regarding this decision. Besides, a resolution may be moved in the meeting for sacking of Wasim Bari.

Fastest athlete Bolt bowls Gayle out in celebrity cricket match

KINGSTON: Chris Gayle is widely known for smashing sixes off bowlers of any type but this aggressive batsman became victim of a player who has no relation with cricket. However, he is not an ordinary person but the fastest athlete of the world Usain Bolt who knocked off the wicket of Gayle. Both players’ birth place is Jamaica and their common value is their aggression. When Gayle stays at the wicket, bowlers find themselves in great trouble and in presence of Bolt, other athletes are seen far behind him. However, the scene became very interesting when two danger men from the same area faced each other in the field. In an exhibition match, played in Jamaica, Bolt took the bowl and Gayle held the bat. Gayle began in his aggressive style against Bolt but the game reversed soon when Bolt clean bowled Gayle and showed that he is not only a great athlete but knows the art of bowling very well. Bolt said: “I have been watching Gayle batting for many years and got idea where to pitch the ball and where not to pitch against him so this is how I succeeded in achieving my target. After all, I came here with full preparation”.

National level road cycle race kicks off in Lahore

LAHORE: National level road cycle race organized by Pakistan Cycling Federation(PCF) kicked off here. Sixty cyclists are taking part in the event. The teams of Sindh, Punjab, NWFP,Balochistan, FATA,Railway, Army, Wapda and Sui Gas participating in the race that begun from Punjab stadium. The cyclists will cover the distance of 178 kilometer from Lahore to Sahiwal. The race was actually scheduled in Balochistan but transferred to Punjab due to security concerns. While talking to media, PCF secretary general Khawaja Idrees said winner cyclists will be awarded with cash prizes and trophy. He said the race is a part of preparation for South Asian Games which will be held in Dhaka. He demanded to improvement in cycling velodrome.

SBP offers marketing costs on bringing $100m remittances

KARACHI: State has announced that organization or individuals bringing remittances of $100 million and more will get marketing costs. State Bank has introduced this program as a remittance initiative for non-resident Pakistanis to improve remittance flow in the country. Remittance initiatives will be given in accordance with the performance of investors. According to the scheme individual/organization bringing US$400 million in the country will get 0.5 percent out of total remittances. Individual/organization bringing $800 million will get 0.75 percent and individual/ organization bringing $20 billion will get one percent of marketing costs out of total remittances. Only those organizations can benefit from this scheme that offer remittances in Pakistan without any charges. To avail of remittance initiative scheme, the organizations would have to submit their marketing plan to State Bank of Pakistan in advance.

China Mobile profit rises by 1.8 percent

BEIJING: World's largest mobile operator by subscribers said Tuesday its net profit rose by 1.8% year-to-year over the first nine months of 2009. The time may seem ripe for China Mobile to look overseas for expansion, but not every Chinese company is anxious to buy up the world. It isn't surprising some are hoping for more excitement from China Mobile. It's the kind of mundane performance that investors have come to expect from China Mobile lately. An industry reorganization last year means it's facing stiffer competition in China; so its share of new subscribers is subsiding, while the average revenue it generates from each user is stagnating. Such circumstances have moved other telecom operators to look overseas for new opportunities -- Bharti Airtel's bid for MTN being a recent example. Add to that a $37.5 billion war chest, and it's little surprise that the same intentions are assumed of China Mobile. But it's unlikely China Mobile will prove so bold. Past experience is one reason. China Mobile's 2007 acquisition of Pakistan's Paktel hasn't added much to the company's bottom line, and has proved a difficult cultural fit to boot. Regulatory barriers make forays abroad difficult too. China Mobile is actually trying to buy a stake in Taiwan's FarEastTone, but it seems unlikely Taipei will let that pass. Few markets offer both low political barriers to entry and growth significantly faster than China Mobile's home base. The company has enough to do at home anyway -- defending its 73% share of the Chinese mobile market by subscribers, rolling out 3G technology, and battling the coming release of Apple's iPhone -- with its own, unimaginatively titled Ophone. None of that is terribly exciting. But in China, thrill-seeking investors can find plenty of alternatives

Robbery suspect makes another loot on way to police station

LIPPE: A 41-year-old robbery suspect in Germany made efficient use of his time - while on his way to the police station to be questioned over one robbery; he stopped to rob another shop. 'It was a case of "just nipping out to do a bit of thieving before being interrogated for shoplifting",' police in the western region of Lippe said on Tuesday. The man's cunning plan was only uncovered when police investigating that morning's supermarket robbery in the town of Blomberg - for which they had detailed descriptions of two thieves and their getaway car - were surprised to find a man closely matching the description waiting in the reception of their police station. The man was there to be interrogated over a previous shoplifting incident. Outside, police said they found his accomplice sitting with the stolen goods in a car with the matching number plate. The man now faces a second set of charges

Violence against women: petition seeks million signatures

Updated at: 2229 PST, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 SILVER SPRING: In a bold effort to end all forms of violence against women and girls around the world, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is co-sponsoring a petition that seeks 1 million signatures from 200 countries and territories, as part of a global initiative launched recently called enditnow, whose main goal is to stop oppressive practices aimed at the female gender. "This petition is an important first step in this campaign because it shows that people from around the world are taking a stand to say that violence against women is no longer acceptable in any of its forms," said Hearly Mayr, director for Public Awareness at ADRA International, and a petition organizer. The petition has found growing support internationally. Hundreds of people from more than 70 countries have already signed the written and online petition in the initial days of the enditnow campaign. Signatures will be presented to the United Nations to draw attention to the issue, advocate for the creation of new policies to protect women and girls, and publicly declare the efforts of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to end violent practices against women and girls. Enditnow, sponsored by ADRA and the Women's Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was launched October 13. More than 15 million Adventist church members from around the world are encouraged to join this growing movement in order to create change within their own communities and mobilize their peers to raise awareness. Follow ADRA on Twitter and get the latest information on the campaign. ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity

13 confirmed dead in Kenya building collapse.

NAIROBI: Up to 13 people have been confirmed dead in Kenya on Wednesday after a five-storey building under construction collapsed, trapping workers under piles of rubble on Monday in Kiambu town, 20 km northeast of the capital Nairobi. Kenya Red Cross and the National Youth Service personnel have been trying to clear the rubble with limited resources while onlookers crowd around the site. "By 12:30, we had retrieved 13 bodies...that one I'm repeating so that you don't ask me another time, there are some people who have been reported missing; that is 14 people," said Paul Muchai, Assistant Director National Youth Service. The planned five-storey shopping complex caved in when construction workers were still inside. There has been no official confirmation on how many were inside when the building collapsed and the number of people trapped is also not clear. Chances of finding anymore survivors have dwindled since the last time rescuers communicated with the people trapped inside the building. "By morning yesterday, there was some communications, but after about 2 hours there was no more communication, so we suspect maybe the batteries of the phones went down or maybe they were unable to communicate or otherwise," Muchai added. In 2006, a building collapsed in downtown Nairobi killing at least 14 people and injuring up to 100 others. Investigators said the building was coming up too first without proper support. Kenya's government has often promised to crackdown on building code violations, which are widespread in a country where bribery of officials and shoddy construction are rampant.

Queen's Brian May launches 3D book

LONDON: As a founding member of the rock band Queen, Brian May has played guitar on some of the most memorable music tracks of modern times, he's played legendary shows at some of the world's greatest venues. This event, however, is taking place inside a barn in the Oxfordshire village of Hinton Waldrist. Brian May, Co-Author, A Village Lost and Found said, "This isn't one of the biggest gigs I've ever played, but I have to say it's one of the more exciting ones." The reason is that this launch for his new book, 'A Village Lost and Found', marks the realization of a lifelong passion for 3D photography. It began with the discovery of what's called a stereoscopic card inside a box of Weetabix cereal when he was a child. He said, "So you get your little steroscope, you put your card in and suddenly the magic happens. Instead of two flat images you get a single stereoscopic 3D image, which you seem to be able to walk into." May eventually began collecting the cards, which led him to the work of the Victorian 3D pioneer Thomas Richard Williams. The series 'Scenes In Our Village', which May's new book focusses on, was always a particular favourite. "Of course we've advanced technologically so much now. We've learned to cover the planet in concrete. We have communications, et cetera, et cetera, but as a species I think we may have lost some of the values that were current in the 1850s and TR Williams - very ahead of his time - had exactly this in mind. He thought something was being lost in the Industrial Revolution, in mechanisation and the depersonalisation of life. So this series to me has been very relevant to the 21st century." The effect of these double images unfortunately cannot be fully appreciated through a computer or TV screen, but the president of London's Stereoscopic Society Bob Alderidge says Williams' series and May's book provide a unique window on a bypassed era. May said, "Why is it significant today? Because we have a pace of life that is very frantic. If you look at the book you can go back to a calmer way of life and it's therapeutic. But it's also part of a very big 3D wave that's coming - people like James Cameron with his Avatar film, the IMAX 3D movies, the new Fuji camera which has just come out." May insists the Victorian method is still the best way to experience 3D. However, but in order to introduce his favourite images to a new audience, the musician actually turned inventor. "I looked for a stereoscope that could be used in the book, and really there wasn't one and nobody was really willing to play ball with me to make it for me, so I thought we'd make it ourselves," he added. The invention is called The Owl, and he jokingly says he'd like to see one in every home - a play on the Victorian marketing motto: 'A Stereoscope In Every Home'. As Hollywood directors and electronics manufacturers take 3D into new dimensions, this lifelong enthusiast hopes some will be inspired to seek out a more detailed view on the history of the craft.

Security bunkers set up at SHC

KARACHI: The security at Sindh High Court (SHC) has been stepped up in view of security concerns, Geo News reported Wednesday. The personnel of Law enforcement agencies have been deployed with temporary bunkers set up at both the entrances of the court’s premises. This decision has been made in a meeting held here with head of SHC admin affairs committee Justice Maqbool Baqir in chair. The meeting decided to take up every possible step to avert any untoward incident. The individuals and vehicles entering the premises are being searched. Meantime, the guards would soon be deployed at the rooftop of the high court.

Ch Zaheer elected PAC One chairman

LAHORE: Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly (PA) Ch Zaheerud Din has unanimously been elected as Chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) one. It was a long standing demand of opposition to give the charge of PAC to opposition to follow the central government. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan addressing a press conference here at his assembly chamber on Wednesday said that Punjab government has taken decision to give the PAC chairmanship to opposition to follow the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Ch Zaheerud Din said on the occasion that it was honor to him and he thanked government for its democratic spirit. He said that he always gave importance to committee members for their consultation. He said that he would not disappoint the government over his selection.

18 Imams among 600 Afghanis detained in Mardan

MARDAN: Police has apprehended 18 Imams (prayer leaders) among 600 illegal Afghani immigrants residing in Mardan. Deputy inspector police Mardan region, Syed Akhtar Ali Shah told journalists on Wednesday that detained illegal Afghanis have been sent to jail. He also said that a grand operation against criminal elements in Mardan and Swabi will start from October 25. Twenty police teams have been specially formed for this operation. He said that fool-proof security arrangements have been made to prevent terrorism in Mardan.

First Hajj flight leaves for Saudi Arabia

ISLSMABAD: The first Hajj flight of PIA carrying 468 pilgrims left for Madina Munawara from Islamabad Benazir International Airport on Wednesday. The transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will be completed by November 21. The return of Hajj pilgrims will commence from December 2 and will be completed by January 1.

WFP offices closed, bikes banned in Swat

MINGORA: The offices of World Food Program have once again been shut down in view of security apprehensions, Geo News reported Wednesday. The people are facing hardships owing to the closure of WFP offices across the Swat area. Several suspected people have been arrested during the ongoing search operation in Swat. An important militant leader Iqbal alias Islam was killed in clash in Chaarbagh area of Paligram. According to Swat Media Centre, the motorcycling has been banned in the entire district. Also the educational institutions have been closed down in Swat like other cities in the country.

India responsible if Mumbai attacks are repeated: Malik

ISLAMABAD : Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik Wednesday said India would be responsible for any further Mumbai attacks-like incident if they occur in the country. Talking to media here, he said India is involved in worsening the situation in Balochistan, which could be borne out with clear-cut evidences. Jundullah’s Chief Abdul Malik Regi is in Afghanistan and Iran has been apprised of his hideout, he informed.