Author: The Frontier Post

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Pakistan can still win Asia Cup: Mickey Arthur

DUBAI (Monitoring Desk): Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur said on Tuesday, Pakistan still has a chance to win Asia Cup.

Speaking to media, Arthur said, “Pakistan will win their last Super Four game against Bangladesh on Wednesday.”

“They will win and compensate for their two losses against India by beating them in the final,” he added.

Arthur who took charge of the Pakistan cricket team in 2016, took them to victory in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy last year in England.

The South African however, refuses to accept the fact that the team’s “switch was off’ during the Super Four game against India.

“Switch off is a harsh term,” Arthur said, adding, “We could not bring the Indian bowling under pressure with our batting.”

“We needed to take early wickets against India, however we lost the chance due to our fielding,” he added regretfully.

Further, he said, “If we had taken early wickets, the situation would have been different.”

“India outclassed us completely,” he added.

Speaking about the Pakistan team, Arthur said, the Pakistan team is young with the most experienced player being Shoaib Malik who has played 270 one-day internationals (ODI), while captain Sarfraz Ahmed has played 94 ODI’s and Mohammad Amir having played 46.

The South African further said, ‘The team is going through a formation stage and a huge loss such as the one against India has certainly shaken their confidence.”

“The loss of confidence is the reason behind our batting failure,” Arthur said.

Giving an example of Fakhar Zaman Arthur said, “When the Indian bowling starting increasing the pressure on him, he could not start aggressively which led to him only scoring 12 off 31 at the end of the power play.”

On the subject of bowling, Arthur said, it was concerning that the bowlers did not bowl according to plan.

“Our bowling was disappointing and did not have any patience,” he added.

Pakistan next faces Bangladesh in an all-important game on Wednesday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

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Malik promises Pakistan comeback against Bangladesh

DUBAI (Monitoring Desk): Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has asked former cricketers and nation to back the team ahead of all-important Super-Four match against Bangladesh in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The Men in Green have faced severe criticism following their poor performance in the tournament so far, where they only managed to win two out of four matches.

The Green Caps have suffered two humiliating defeats against arch-rivals India by eight and nine wickets respectively, whereas one of those wins came against Afghanistan in a nail-biter, courtesy Malik’s brilliance.

The last defeat leaves the Green Caps with one more chance to cement their place in the all-important final when they will face Mashrafe Mortaza-led unit on Wednesday. But the 36-year-old, who is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the tournament so far with 181 runs at an average of 90.50, while talking to the media on Tuesday, said the team is inexperienced and needs backing at this stage.

“Yes we are going through a tough time,” said Malik. “We’ve lost two matches against India, but that is not the end of the world. It is the time to give these players confidence. We should not forget that majority of these players are still very young. We are still evolving as a unit and I can assure you that you will see some major changes in our plans and execution in the next match.”

Talking about team’s dismal performance against India, Malik said: “Obviously lack of experience is the difference between both teams. We have to look up to the Indian team and learn from it. The way they polish their players is exemplary for all of us.”

Being the senior in this young team, Malik has more responsibility than just keeping his good form going and the 36-year-old revealed that he did share his views with the other batsmen.

“These boys are extremely talented but the much-needed experience is missing,” he said. “The just have to learn to play according to the situation and I am sure they will make a comeback in the next match.”

Discussing about the playing conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Malik believes the pitches are not suited for runs in excess of 300. “These are not the pitches where team can target 300 or 350,” he said. “These are slow tracks and if you want to score big, you have to spend time in the middle.”

Talking about his own performances, Malik said that his focus is on playing according to the situation. “I don’t make things difficult for me and I don’t like putting extra pressure on myself,” he said. “I just try to play according to the demand of the situation.”

Pakistan and Bangladesh will play in the virtual semi-final in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, where the winner will face India in the final on Friday.

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Modric ends Ronaldo-Messi era to be crowned world’s best

LONDON (Agencies): Luka Modric ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s decade-long domination of football’s individual awards by being crowned FIFA’s best player of the year on Monday.

The Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder starred for both club and country as Madrid won a third straight Champions League, and he inspired Croatia to reach the World Cup final for the first time.

“The emotion is huge because it is thanks to the work of everyone. So many people have come together and so many have supported me,” said Modric.

Modric beat out Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Ronaldo, who along with Messi did not attend the glitzy awards ceremony in London.

Both are in action for Juventus and Barcelona on

Wednesday, but their no-show attracted criticism after so many years on top.

“Everyone has their own reasons,” said Modric. “Obviously I would have liked them to be here but they aren’t.”

Modric’s success means Ronaldo remains tied with Messi having won FIFA’s award in different guises five times each.

At 33, Croatia’s run to the final was the culmination of a brilliant career for Modric that had often been overshadowed by Ronaldo’s goalscoring in their time together in the Spanish capital, before the Portuguese left for Juventus in July.

Modric scored twice and also netted in penalty shootout wins over Denmark and Russia, but it was his playmaking ability that caught the eye in winning the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup.

“It was an unbelievable season, the best season in my life,” said Modric. “I’m still not realising how good a year I had collectively, individually, and I’m very proud for everything I achieved this year and it will be remembered forever.”

For a sixth straight season, Ronaldo was the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals and also scored four times at the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw to open Portugal’s campaign.

However, Portugal’s last 16 exit to Uruguay in Russia and Ronaldo’s failure to score in the semi-finals or final of the Champions League opened the door for Modric.

– Salah scoops best goal –

For the first time in 12 years, Messi was not among the finalists with Salah earning a place on the podium for his incredible 44-goal debut season with Liverpool that carried the Reds to the Champions League final.

Salah did not go away empty-handed, however, as he picked up the Puskas award for best goal for his strike against Everton in the Merseyside derby last December.

Modric was joined by Real team-mates Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo in the FIFPro team of the year, also featuring David De Gea, Dani Alves, N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Messi and Ronaldo. “I am as happy as if I had won it,” said Ramos of Modric’s success. “He deserves it, he is an excellent player and has marked an important era in the history of Real Madrid.”

France’s World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps won the best coach of the year prize in recognition for his work in leading Les Bleus to success in Russia.

Deschamps, who became just the third man to win the World Cup as a player and coach, beat off competition from Dalic and his former France team-mate Zinedine Zidane, who won a third consecutive Champions League title with Real Madrid before resigning in June.

Thibaut Courtois won the best goalkeeper award for helping Belgium reach the World Cup semi-finals as well as the FA Cup with Chelsea before a summer move to Madrid. Brazil’s Marta was crowned best women’s player for a record sixth time for her role in winning the Copa America to beat out Lyon duo Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Marozsan.

Lyon boss Reynald Pedros did win the award for best women’s coach, though, after winning the Champions League with the French giants.

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Shahzad 124, Nabi 64 lift Afghanistan to 252

DUBAI (Monitoring Desk): A dead-rubber ODI in Dubai suddenly drew interest when MS Dhoni, having given up India’s limited-overs captaincy in January 2017, was given the leadership once again because India rested Rohit Sharma among several other senior players. It then burst into life when Mohammad Shahzad – whose hero is Dhoni – smoked a record-equalling century to lead Afghanistan to 252 for 8. When Shahzad reached the landmark off his 88th ball with a gentle tickle to the fine-leg boundary – a shot that belied the ferocity of the innings – Afghanistan’s score was 131 for 4. This was the joint lowest when a batsman had reached his hundred in ODIs since 2001.

When Shahid Afridi had shellacked a 45-ball century against India in 2005 in Kanpur, Pakistan’s score was also 131. It was Dhoni’s eighth ODI. Here in Dubai, it was Dhoni’s 326th ODI and 200th as captain. But it was the other MS – Shahzad who stole the show. He repeatedly lost his shape but still repeatedly mowed India’s depleted attack – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal were all rested – into the longer leg-side boundaries.

Deepak Chahar who was making his ODI debut was brutally helicoptered over the midwicket boundary. Ravindra Jadeja was swatted away, against the turn, like a fly. Kedar Jadhav was slog-swept over his head. Khaleel Ahmed was muscled into a stand where Afghanistan fans were waving their flags vigorously. Shahzad, though, was more circumspect against the left-arm wristspin of Kuldeep Yadav, managing only 4 off 13 balls from him.

A nervous Chahar bowled a beamer in his second over and followed it with two slower bouncers – both of which were called wides – and then watched Shahzad clear his front leg and send a full ball over midwicket for six. It was a portent for how things would unfold. With the other seamers also looking powerless against Shahzad, Dhoni turned to Jadeja, who struck in his third over to have Javed Ahmadi stumped. He had contributed 5 off 30 balls in a 65-run opening stand. In his next over, Jadeja burst through Rahmat Shah’s defences with a fizzing arm ball.

Kuldeep then dismissed the in-form Hashmatullah Shahidi and captain Asghar Afghan for ducks to leave Afghanistan at 82 for 4. When they reached 100, Shahzad claimed 86, having raised his fifty off 37 balls, when Kaul dropped a difficult catch at mid-off.

He was made to work harder for his second fifty, which he brought up off 51 balls. He copped a blow on his right shoulder on 93 and reviewed successfully after he had been given out caught behind by umpire Anisur Rahman. Chahar then pinged him on his hip with a sharp short ball. Shahzad moved to 124 off 116 balls before he holed out to long-off.

Chahar had got his maiden ODI wicket when Gulbadin Naib tugged him straight into the lap of deep backward square leg, but Mohammad Nabi and Naijibullah Zadran buoyed Afghanistan with a busy 46-run partnership off 38 balls. Nabi, who was happy to ride in Shahzad’s slipstream, found a higher gear after the opener was dismissed. He hit a security guard in the stands when he launched Kuldeep over midwicket. Najibullah was trapped by Jadeja for a run-a-ball 20, but Nabi continued to pepper the midwicket fence.

Then, in the 48th over, Khaleel tricked Nabi with a slower cutter and had him spooning a catch to Kuldeep, who hung onto the ball, despite colliding with Dinesh Karthik. Kaul then nailed his yorkers at the death to help stifle Aftab Alam and Rashid Khan. Afghanistan will also be anxious about a possible injury to Rashid, who after receiving treatment on his right hamstring clutched it and opted against a single in the last over.

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Mini-budget of PTI govt is mini-drama, says Zardari

F.P. Report

KARACHI: Former President Asif Ali Zardari has termed the mini-budget presented by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) federal government a mini-drama.

Speaking to media after appearing in the court Zardari said,” The budget presented by PTI is mini dram. They have presented mini drama.”

Zardari while indirectly holding PTI responsible for the current rift with India said, “In such circumstances the situation deteriorates.”

Earlier Zardari appeared before the court and left it after recording his attendance. The court said that it will start hearing the case after taking guidelines from the Supreme Court regarding the fake accounts. The court was then adjourned till October 16.

A day before the Presidential polls and just three days after Asif Ali Zardari obtained bail from banking court in Karachi, the former president got another relief as his close aide and main accused in the Rs51billion money laundering case was granted bail.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) accepted plea of Omni Group chairman Anwar Majeed against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Rs41 billion money laundering case. Majeed in his petition alleged that the FIA was harassing him requesting the court to stop the agency from doing so.

He also requested the court to summon complete record of cases registered against him. The SHC has issued notice to the FIA for September 24.

On last Friday a banking court granted an interim bail to former president and Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari, in the same case.

Former president had obtained a protective bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the case on August 18. The high court had directed the former president to appear before the trial court by Sep 3.

Zardari, along with his lawyer Farooq H. Naek, appeared before the court today and obtained an interim bail with a surety of Rs2 million.

When asked by a reporter to comment on the “day by day worsening situation” for him, the PPP co-chairperson laughed off the question.

Anwar Majeed, a close aide of Zardari who arrested from Islamabad, was produced before the court, which granted him to fourteen days remand of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Faryal Talpur, sister of Zardari had obtained bail, so the court issued arrest warrants against Asif Ali Zardari and others absconders in the case.

Warrants were issued for suspects absconding in the case including Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Zardari, Namar Majeed, Aslam Masood, Arif Khan, Naseer Abdullah Hussain, Adnan Javed, Mohammad Umair, Iqbal, Azam Wazir Khan, Zain Malik, and Mustafa Zulqarnain.

Pakistan Peoples Party leader and counsel of Zardari Farooq H. Naik dismissed the “reports” of arrest warrants. “A section of the electronic media is reporting that the Court has issued warrants of arrest of former president Asif Ali Zardari”, Senator Farooq Naik counsel for former President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari said while contradicting the reports. He further said that the Court had not issued any such orders.

Meanwhile, a FIA official on the condition of anonymity told The Frontier Post that he has received non-bailable arrest warrants for the former President. The state-run Radio Pakistan also confirmed the issuance of arrest warrants. “The Banking court in Karachi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants of former President Asif AliZardari in money laundering case” the state-run radio reported.

The court, today while hearing a case, directed to present Asif Ali Zardari and others relating to money laundering case by 4th of the next month, it added.

The Federal Investigation Agency is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested last month in connection with the probe.

A senior official of the Federal Investigation Agency told The Frontier Post that the agency issued summons to Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari and women chapter head of the party, Faryal Talpur, in connection with case of laundering Rs35billion.

The summons were sent to Bilawal House and residence of Faryal Talpur in the adjacent area but no one received after which both summons were pasted at the walls of Bilawal House and Talpur’s residence in Clifton.

“It has come on record that cheque No.5384360, dated 20-05-2014, amounting to Rs15 million of A/c No.1-2-28-20620-714-139111 titled A-One international maintained at summit bank Kh-e-Tanzeem Branch Karachi is credited in account No 1-2-15-20620-714-103078 titled Zardari group (Pvt) Limited maintained at summit bank,” the summon reads, warning that if they failed to appear legal action will be initiated.

“Whereas you being the director of M/S Zardari Group (Pvt) Ltd. are acquainted with the facts of the said case, therefore, you are advised to appear before the undersigned to record your statement on 11-07-2018 at 10:00 hours along with your original CNIC and to justify the above mentioned transaction along with complete details,” reads the summons.

The FIR divulges that a transaction of Rs 15,000,000 to Zardari Group, owned by Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Fayral Taplur.

According to case Number 04/2018 registered under section 419/420/486/471/109 PPC r/w CA1947 r/w 3& 4 AML act 2010, it was established during the course of FIA enquiry started upon receipt of Suspicious Transaction Report regarding 29 accounts, that 01 of the total 29 accounts bearing No. 1-2-28-20620-714-139111 in the title of A-One International sole proprietorship firm purportedly in the name of Tariq was fraudulently opened by using his CNIC.

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CM orders to remove Adiala jail superintendent over Abbasi-Nawaz prison meeting

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has ordered to remove Adiala jail superintendent after pictures of meeting between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and Hanif Abbasi in the prison created controversy.

Nawaz, Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar and Maryam Nawaz, who were released on September 19 from prison after their sentences in Panama Papers case were suspended by a court, were photographed with Abbasi in the office of the jail superintendent. The pictures went viral and stirred controversy as Abbasi is incarcerated in a corruption case.

Buzdar, rejecting an inquiry report on the matter, ordered to suspend superintendent Saeedullah Gondal.

The inquiry, prepared by the committee comprising DIG Prisons Multan and AIG Judicial Malik Safdar, had cleared Gondal of any responsibility and instead held deputy superintendent and other officials responsible, sources said.

The chief minister also ordered inquiry against DIG Prisons Rawalpindi.

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Policy on refugees to be devised after consulting opposition parties: Mazari

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari has said a policy regarding the future status of refugees and immigrants will be devised after consultation with the opposition parties.

Responding to a call attention notice in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said the issue involves a lot of legal, political and humanitarian obligations which will be considered before taking final decision on awarding citizenship.

She said the government has started the process of data collection of refugees and immigrants.The data will be collected with the assistance of UNHCR and local agencies and it will be shared with the National Assembly.

She added the issue of Beharis is different from Afghan refugees. She said the government is ready to move forward with consensus if the opposition wants amendment in Citizenship Act.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced that Afghans and Bengalis living in the country would be issued National Identity Cards and passports making them Pakistani citizens.

However, the announcement has since been criticised by opposition leaders prompting the prime minister to state that the matter is open for parliamentary debate.

PM Imran has maintained that international law doesn’t allows any country to forcibly repatriate refugees, while children born in a particular country are naturally considered citizens of that country worldwide.

He implored the to think of refugees like fellow human beings not aliens, but clarified that no final decision has been taken and the decision is open for debate.

The National Assembly today resumed discussion on the recently passed Finance Bill 2018. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Naveed Qamar said the incumbent government had promised not to overburden the common man but has increased the price of gas which will have inflationary impact.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry responded and said gas price has only been increased by ten percent for the poor segments of the society, while the 143 percent increase is for heavy consumers.

He further said that state-owned Radio Pakistan cannot pay salaries to employees whilst it has to pay Rs200 million to pensioners. He said 700 contractual staff were working in the organisation and advised that they should be fired immediately.

To another calling attention notice, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said a task force headed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor is working to remove bottlenecks and accelerate the process of merger of erstwhile FATA.

He said the tribal agencies have been re-designated as districts and sub divisions of KP, and similarly the posts of political agents and assistant political agents have also been re-designated as deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.

Furthermore, he said aid that all the vehicles in FATA areas and locally produced products had been given tax exemption for five years.. He said federal government will provide resources worth Rs1.63 bn for the development of these tribal districts.

A constitutional amendment bill for the merger FATA with KP was passed in the National Assembly in May this year.

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Raja Jalal appointed as new GB governor

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon as new governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Maqpoon is the president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the region. He was defeated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Akbar Khan Taban in the GB Assembly election from Skardu constituency in 2015.

According to notification issued by Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the president has accepted the resignation of Governor GB Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan.

Maqpoon has been appointed as the new Governor GB under Article 33(1) of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018. He will the sixth governor of GB and will administered oath during the week.

Maqpoon thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for trusting him for this key post. He also thanked party workers and all his well wishers. He vowed to act like a bridge between federation and the province and try his best to bring positive change in the region .

The incumbent governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan resigned from his post on September 15, and tendered his resignation to President Arif Alvi after the new government was established.

The PML-N leader was elected a member of the GB Assembly from Hunza constituency in June 8, 2015 election. He was appointed GB governor in November 2015 by former president Mamnoon Hussain, and had vacated his seat which was later won by his son in a by-election.

Ghazanfar has also served as the GB’s chief executive from 2004 to 2009 during the regime of former president Pervez Musharraf.

He contested elections several times from his hometown of Karimabad in Hunza and was returned five times as a member of the GB Assembly. The current term of the GB Assembly will end in 2020.

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2 CDA officials suspended after German envoy’s tweet on Islamabad trash

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday suspended two officials after the German Ambassador to Pakistan Martin Kobler tweeted a picture of garbage in the capital.

Director Sanitation sprung into action and suspended the supervisor and inspector after the tweet by Kobler, who has grown popular on Pakistani twitter sphere due to his mostly positive tweets about the country’s culture and people.

“Saw beautiful scenery while passing through roads on Islamabad but also saw heaps of garbage at various places, like in F7/4 Street 56,” he tweeted in Urdu.

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Punjab govt mulling to lease out state guest houses

F.P. Report

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to lease out state guest houses to conglomerates and industrialists in a bid to shore up its revenue.

The government has sought details of state guest houses from relevant departments and the final call to lease out the state land will be made after Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s approval.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) governments last week kicked off its austerity drive by auctioning 50 luxury vehicles of the Prime Minister’s House.

According to a government advertisement, the fleet for auction included 27 bullet-proof vehicles, several latest models of non-protected cars as well as vintage models.

Potential buyers had inspected the vehicles on September 13-14 at the Prime Minister’s House during office hours.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said he would only keep with himself two employees out of 524 serving at the PM House. He also stated he would only use two cars whereas rest 31 bulletproof cars will be auctioned.

“We will auction the vehicles. Businessmen will be invited to purchase these expensive vehicles. The money will be deposited in the national exchequer,” he added.