Obama commutes 8 crack cocaine sentences

United States President Obama. PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama commuted the prison sentences of eight people convicted of crack cocaine offenses Thursday, saying they were punished under an unfair legal disparity that overwhelmingly hurt impoverished black communities.

All of the inmates had been imprisoned for at least 15 years, including six who were sentenced to life behind bars. Most will be released by April 17.

The prisoners likely would have received lighter jail terms if they had been sentenced under a law Obama signed three years ago that reduced sentencing disparities that once treated crack cocaine offenses more harshly than powder cocaine ones.

Obama said the six men and two women were jailed under an “unfair system” in which someone arrested with one gram of crack cocaine received the same sentencing as someone arrested with 100 grams of powdered cocaine, a ratio that was mitigated by the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act.

“If they had been sentenced under the current law, many of them would have already served their time and paid their debt to society,” Obama said in a statement.

“Instead, because of a disparity in the law that is now recognized as unjust, they remain in prison, separated from their families and their communities, at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars each year.”

The powerful American Civil Liberties Union rights group hailed Obama’s decision but stressed that he has one of the smallest pardon and commutation records of any US president in recent history.

In five years in office, Obama had previously granted 39 pardons and commuted one sentence.

“This is one important step toward undoing the damage that extreme sentencing has done to so many in our criminal justice system,” said ACLU deputy legal director Vanita Gupta.

“We hope the president will continue to exercise his clemency powers and lend his support to systemic reform that will make our criminal justice system smarter, fairer and more humane.”

The 2010 fair sentencing measure reduced penalties such that someone arrested with one gram of crack now receives the same sentence as as someone arrested with 18 grams of powdered cocaine, and eliminated the five-year mandatory minimum sentence for simple crack cocaine possession.

Just a quarter of crack cocaine users are black, but 81 percent of people condemned for crack possession or dealing were African Americans in 2007, according to the US Sentencing Commission.

US proposed law threatens to squeeze aid if NATO blockade continues

The key supply line at Torkham border was blocked by PTI since Nov 24 in protest against CIA-led drone campaign in tribal areas. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

WASHINGTON: A proposed new US law threatens to squeeze aid to Pakistan if Nato supply routes are blocked or interrupted, Dawn News reported on Friday.

US National Defence Authorisation Bill of 2014 also requires a certification from US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel saying that Pakistan is taking appropriate actions against terrorists along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The development came after Hagel visited Pakistan on December 9. It was reported that he had warned Pakistani leaders that if they did not resolve protests stalling some military shipments across the border into Afghanistan, it could be difficult to maintain political support in Washington for an aid programme that has sent billions of dollars to Islamabad.

The key supply line at Torkham border was blocked by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the ruling party in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, since November 24 in protest against the CIA-led drone campaign in the tribal areas.

The new US bill is already approved by the House of Representatives and it includes extending funding to Pakistan for supporting the war against terrorism but with certain changes.

The funding has been reduced from $1.65 billion in 2013 to $1.5bn in 2014 as stated in a section of the bill titled “Limitation on amounts available”.

The White House had stated in a statement that “the bill will … support (US) capacity building efforts with foreign military forces, and support contingency or stability operations.”

“It also says that no amounts authorised to be appropriated by this bill, and no amounts authorised to be appropriated for fiscal years before 2014 that remain available for obligation, may be used for reimbursing Pakistan, until the US secretary of defence certifies to the congressional defence committees,” Dawn News further reported.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson, however, stated on Friday that Pakistan ”is in contact with the US and as of now there has been no decision regarding stopping aid to Pakistan,” Express News reported.http://tribune.com.pk/

Pakistan requests Bangladesh to increase embassy security after receiving threats

Protesters demanded that all diplomatic relations with Pakistan should end in the span of 20 hours. PHOTO: REUTERS

DHAKA: With protesters growing agitated around the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, Pakistan has officially requested Bangladesh to increase security, reportsExpress News.

According to Express News correspondent, protesters gathered for the third consecutive time outside the building of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka on Friday.

Protesters were furious following the Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina statement about Pakistan, stating that the government would resist any attempt by the opposition to create chaos. They demanded that all diplomatic relations with Pakistan should be cut in the next 20 hours.

Unless the Bangladesh government conceded their demands, they would damage the edifice of Pakistan High Commission.

In view of the fast deteriorating condition, the High Commission requested Bangladeshi authorities to boost security for Pakistani diplomats. The Foreign Office in Islamabad on Friday stated that diplomats in Dhaka have been instructed to restrict “unnecessary trips” out of High Commission premises.

Since the execution of Molla on December 12, Pakistan drew immense criticism from Bangladesh for its reaction over hanging of the JI leader. Earlier this week, the National Assembly adopted a resolution expressing concern over the execution of Molla.

The resolution was moved by Sher Akbar Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami. The resolution also expresses condolences with Bangladesh and the family of Molla.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Pakistan poised to become member of SCO energy club

The energy club will be a platform where every member country would have information of projects being implemented in member countries including Pakistan for providing financing for the ventures. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

As energy politics is gaining momentum across the world, Pakistan is going to become a member of the energy club of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an initiative taken by Russia for providing support to energy projects in different countries including Pakistan.

Sources told The Express Tribune that a Pakistani delegation recently attended a meeting of the SCO in Moscow that formed the energy club. Under this forum, Pakistan is expected to get financing for gas import projects like the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and LNG supplies to overcome the energy crisis.

According to sources, all member countries of the energy club would give their inputs, which would be picked by donor nations for financial support.

SCO is an inter-governmental organisation founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001 by six countries – China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have been accorded observer status.

India, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey are aspiring for full membership of the SCO. Both China and Russia have endorsed this status for India and Pakistan.

At present, gas politics is gaining pace across the world with Russia and United States being major competitors. After discovery of shale gas, the US is expected to start exporting LNG, so many countries are in the race to capture the Pakistan market, which is facing acute energy shortages.

“The establishment of the energy club is being actively backed by Russia and China, which could deal a blow to the US,” a source commented and said foreign policies were being used to enter the markets of different countries.

Sources said the US was influencing Pakistan by forcing it to shelve the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and rather go for expensive LNG imports from Qatar.

The US is also pushing Pakistan to pursue the TAPI gas pipeline project, which will pass through war-torn Afghanistan.

“The energy club will also be a platform where every member country would have information of projects being implemented in member countries including Pakistan for providing financing for the ventures,” said the source familiar with the developments.

Russia had taken the initiative to set up the energy club, which would also help it win energy projects in Pakistan.

Russia and China have been favouring the IP pipeline despite possible US sanctions and now they are backing the energy club.

Russia had also offered $500 million in funds for the CASA 1,000 power import project but it fell through as other participating countries did not welcome the Russian offer.

Sources said Russia was keen to support Pakistan in implementing energy projects, but due to influence of the US lobby after the war in Afghanistan, Moscow was finding it difficult to get a warm response from Pakistan.

“Now, the energy club may help Pakistan to generate funds for energy projects,” the source added.

Next generation services: PTA selects consultant for spectrum auction

With high speed data, consumers would enjoy video calls, internet browsing and downloading at relatively higher speeds than currently available. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Value Partners Management Consulting Limited (VPMCL) signed a formal contract at the PTA headquarters on Thursday for the provision of consultancy services for the auction of next generation services spectrum.

After the completion of evaluation process for the selection of a consultant of international repute, under the directive of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, VPMCL was declared successful. VPMCL is a consortium of consultants from the US, UK, Singapore and Spain.

The consultants would provide professional analysis, inputs and recommendations for the entire process of spectrum auction according to the PTA’s Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Terms of References (ToRs). They would also ensure competition and complete transparency in the auction.

Most of the telecom operators around the world have embraced next generation mobile services, enabling them to provide their customers with diversified voice and data services, thus sparking social and economic growth and increasing their revenues.

“The auction of next generation mobile services is a necessary step towards modernisation of mobile telephone system in Pakistan. With the auction, mobile phone users in the country would be able to transmit and receive high speed data through their handsets,” the PTA said in a statement.

Likewise, with high speed data, consumers would enjoy video calls, internet browsing and downloading at relatively higher speeds than the currently available GPRS/Edge networks.

Foreign currency: Reserves rise to $3.4 billion on inflows from institutions

Total liquid foreign reserves, including those held by banks other than the SBP, were $8.5 billion on December 13. CREATIVE COMMONS

KARACHI: After dropping to a 12-year low of $2.9 billion on December 6, foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $505 million to $3.4 billion a week later, according to the latest data released by the SBP on Thursday.

The 17% hike in the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves is mainly on the back of inflows amounting to $430 million from multilateral and bilateral sources. Pakistan received $144 million from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, $137 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $149 million from other multilateral institutions, according to an SBP spokesman.

Total liquid foreign reserves, including those held by banks other than the SBP, were $8.5 billion on December 13.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Standard Capital Securities Head of Research Syed Faisal Shaji said lasting stability in the SBP-held foreign exchange reserves position can only be achieved through an improvement in the real economy.

“We believe industrial growth is the key to sustainable (foreign exchange) inflows. The government should encourage foreign direct investment (FDI), which is extremely low in Pakistan compared to regional countries,” Shaji said.

Pakistan received FDI worth $330.7 million in the July-November period, which is 4.7% higher than $315.8 million it received in the corresponding period of previous fiscal year.

Foreign exchange reserves will remain under pressure because the country is going to continue repaying IMF instalments out of its reserves which, Shaji says, is not a sound approach.

The SBP has made payments of $100 million from its foreign exchange reserves during the week ended December 13 on account of external debt servicing and other official payments, according to the SBP spokesman.

“Immediate privatisation of government holdings in banks could settle revenue streams for the time being. I fail to understand why the government is delaying privatisation,” Shaji noted.

The current level of foreign exchange reserves only covers less than one month of imports, although reserves should ideally be able to cover up to five months of imports.

Expecting a further drop in the value of the rupee against the dollar, many exporters are reluctant to repatriate their export proceeds within the stipulated period of 180 days.

Shaji says the finance minister should bring necessary changes in the foreign exchange manual to prevent such practices, which have brought the rupee under avoidable pressure.

According to Global Securities research analyst Umair Naseer, the SBP-held reserves and the rupee are likely to stabilise in the short term. Disbursement of the second tranche of the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility amounting to $550 million is expected in coming days, which is likely to support the reserves in the near term at least.

However, the absence of major inflows will keep the rupee-dollar parity under pressure in the second half of fiscal year 2013-14, he says.

“We estimate that the rupee and reserves will stabilise in the fourth quarter of 2013-14. Our June 2014 estimate of the rupee-dollar parity is Rs109,” Naseer added.

Mobile franchises close after raids by security agencies

The franchise owners also closed their business as a mark of protest against the raids by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs). PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: 

Franchises of some cellular mobile companies (CMOs) have closed their businesses across Karachi amid fears of raids from security agencies, sources in the telecommunication industry and their franchises say.

The security services, earlier this week, started conducting raids on particular franchises of two telecom operators and detained a few franchise owners. The news spread panic and fear among franchises of other companies, which decided to close their business on Monday as they could be the next target.

The franchise owners also closed their business as a mark of protest against the raids by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

On Thursday, however, franchises of some CMOs started reopening their business, but franchises of other operators kept the shutters closed.

As CMOs did not give an official statement, the reasons for the raids could not be confirmed. However, at least two telecom sources confirmed the development.

The franchise owners, according to sources, are facing threats and pressure from LEAs. Those who have been released are not willing to speak on record and some have even gone into hiding.

Some franchise owners were taken to police detention centres and allegedly forced to pay money, sources said. The security services denied the raids and arrests.

The closure of franchises – the most important sales channel for CMOs – is causing a lot of inconvenience to the general public that depend on the franchises to buy new cellular connections, top-up their mobile credit and buy prepaid cards.

If any franchise is involved in any illegal activity, police can take action against it according to the law, commented a PTA official. “If the franchise has any complaint, it can send it to the mobile operator, which can forward the matter to the PTA,” he said.

None of the CMOs contacted gave any official statement, but a couple of officials said the franchises had started opening gradually. Later, the CMOs took notice of the matter and decided to hold a meeting with the PTA and security agencies on Friday to resolve the matter.

All new connections are being sold through biometric system in Karachi, therefore, the sale of unauthorised SIM cards shouldn’t be the reason, a telecom official said while commenting on the possible reasons behind the raids.

PTA had directed all CMOs to complete the deployment of biometric devices at their customer care centres and franchises in Karachi by November 30 and all over the country by December 20.

Another telecom source, however, said the raids could be a reaction of the introduction of biometric system. The franchises might have tried to sell the previous stock to meet sales targets, bypassing the SOP, he said.

Security agencies refute allegations

Special units of the police including Crime Investigation Department, Special Investigation Unit, Counter Terrorism and Financial Crime Unit as well as the Federal Investigation Agency denied their involvement in the raids and accused officials of the Crime Branch of detaining and blackmailing the franchise owners.

“SIU has not taken into custody a single person from the franchises,” said SIU chief SP Farooq Awan while talking to The Express Tribune. “Ask the Crime Branch officials. They are doing this.”

“We had arrested employees of a telecom company (about two weeks ago in response to the Supreme Court’s notice) and registered a case before handing them over to the FIA,” said in charge of CID’s Counter Terrorism and Financial Crime Unit Raja Omer Khattab.

“Some officials of the Crime Branch are harassing the franchise employees and blackmailing them,” he said.

“We do not exactly know which police unit is doing this, but it is happening,” FIA official Habibur Rehman said. “This has become a good business.”

The CID also denied the allegations. “We do not conduct any raid,” said CID chief Additional IG Iqbal Mehmood.

Crime Branch officials including DIG Kamran Fazal refused to comment.