Future planning: K-P conceives first population policy draft

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P has a population of 24 million according to the K-P Population Policy 2013. PHOTO: INFOGR.AM

PESHAWAR: 

A rigorous plan to reduce Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) annual population growth rate from 2.05% to 1.8% by 2020 is one of the major aims highlighted in the first draft of the K-P Population Policy 2013.

The 20-page document available with The Express Tribune states the government plans to do this by focusing on a major sensitisation drive, particularly among the youth and women, by proposing the inclusion of family planning in the curriculum for higher secondary education and academic levels above it.

“In terms of population, K-P is the third largest province of the country with a population of 24 million,” states the draft. Furthermore, it directly relates an increase in population to poverty.

While the report makes little mention of internal migration – both forced and voluntary – of people from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to settled areas, particularly the provincial capital, it does stress on the need for an innovative population redistribution policy. The policy aims to do this by establishing new towns and industrialised zones keeping in view massive internal migration expected in the next two decades.

A sizeable section of the draft shows a lot of effort will be put into directly making people aware of population control, or by introducing mechanisms which help reduce impediments to the understanding of the matter.

DESIGN: KIRAN SHAHID

Various strategies proposed in the document include involvement of religious leaders to tackle the issue of growing population, and the local manufacture of contraceptives for the lower strata of society.

While the defined strategies remain descriptive and goal-oriented, what is lacking is information on who and how the strategies would be implemented.

The policy also demands sustained political commitment, the government taking full ownership of the family planning programme, availability of resources through the National Finance Award, and mandatory provision of family planning services from the health department.

The policy’s short-term goals till 2020 include the increasing contraceptive prevalence rate from 28.1% to 37%, and decreasing fertility rate per woman from 3.9 to 3.3 births. Meanwhile, its long-term goals include an objective to increase the use of contraceptives from 28.1% to 50% by 2030, along with reducing fertility rate to 2.1 births per woman by 2035 and reducing population growth to 1.3% from the present 2.05%.

According to an official associated with the process of formulating the draft, an overall assessment of the document shows the policy needs to be revised. “It needs to be rationalised in the context of K-P as the goals and strategies are still very broad,” he opined.

The official further said the necessary changes will be made soon and at least two more drafts will made before a final policy draft is sent to the provincial cabinet for approval.

Population Welfare Department Director General (DG) Fazal Nabi told The Express Tribunethe major issue at hand was the fact that population control is not taken seriously. The DG insisted the policy draft has a vision “but population and its dynamics is a multi-stakeholder process.”

Planning and policy for the population welfare programme has become a provincial subject after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2014.

Tourist attraction: Fort Road food street gets a new look

Food festivals, qawali nights and street theatre planned. PHOTOS. ABID NAWAZ AND IJAZ MAHMOOD/EXPRESS

LAHORE: 

The Fort Road food street is being renovated and new features and activities are planned to attract tourists, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Restaurants on the street will be repainted. The Walled City of Lahore Authority will also place new shop signs and lights along the street. New fascias have been designed for the restaurants. The entrances will be replaced with new ones designed in line with Mughal architecture. The shop signs have been designed to match the gates. The additions have been designed keeping in view the neighbourhood’s heritage significance.

Paints for the buildings have been sponsored by Brighto Paints. The company will also look after the buildings’ facades. Several senior architects and designers have been taken on board for the renovation.

Direction signs will be placed on the Ring Road, The Mall and Circular Road by the end of this month.

Director General Kamran Lashari told The Express Tribune that the Fort Road food street was a priority for the authority. “This place is one of a kind…where people can relax and have food with a view of the Lahore Fort. We aim to make it the biggest cultural and food hot spot in Pakistan.”

Marketing and Tourism Director Asif Zaheer said, “We are trying to attract as many visitors as we can to this food street. A Master Chef Australia contestant who earlier visited this street enjoyed the food and loved the view as well. We want to turn it into a tourist spot which is why we are focusing on the ambience.”

Media and Marketing Deputy Director Tania Qureshi said, “We are taking several steps to improve the Fort Road food street. We have introduced several cultural activities and we are planning to hold several events, including food festivals, qawali nights and street theatre.”

Iqbal Hussain, owner of the Cuckoo’s Den, told The Express Tribune that the restaurants happy to see interest in the Fort Road food street revive. All stakeholders were taken on board with regards to the renovation.”

Habib Khan, owner of the Haveli restaurant, said, “We have witnessed a marked difference in the number of visitors since the WCLA has taken control of this street.”

Zamirul Hassan, a visitor to the food street, said, “I am here from Karachi. I had heard about the food street and wanted to experience the mood of this place. One of its most interesting features is the street performances, especially by Sayeen Muhammad Ali who plays the toomba and sings kafis. I have seen many photographers taking pictures of him in his colourful attire.

Chaudhry Aslam: A legend in his lifetime

Late SP-CID, Chaudhry Aslam. PHOTO: PPI

KARACHI: 

What can you say about a man who became a legend in his own lifetime? A man who became a symbol of resistance and a beacon of light against the forces of darkness? The only thing that I can say is that Aslam was my friend.

I got to know Aslam before I joined the service. The first time I met him, he came to my house with a handlebar moustache and a ferocious look in his eyes, and plonked a pistol on the table. He had arrested Saulat Mirza, my father’s killer. I wanted to confirm whether he had arrested the right man or not, and he offered to allow me to interrogate him myself. In fact, he became the reason I joined the force, because he represented the ability of the police to do good, to help the helpless.

When I got my first posting as ASP Garden, Aslam was in one of his cyclical periods of being out of favour with the government of the day. He would come over and sit in my office in the evening, having no other office to go to, and would regale me with tales of how things actually worked in the department. For a wet behind the ears ASP, this was manna from heaven. I often made him repeat the story of how he first made his name in Gulbahar, which was at the time the worst thana in the city because of the ethnic violence in the area.

Around this time, Aslam took a liking to two young officers, who were the sons of slain fathers, myself and Irfan Bahadur, and decided to mentor us. We both were perhaps at the time more emotional and acted with our hearts. Aslam taught us how to act with our heads.

We started working together when Aslam was brought back to capture Shoaib Khan. He said he was only willing to work with me because at the time he said he didn’t trust anyone else. And so, for a month and a half, Aslam, Irfan and I spent many a chilly winter night conducting desperate raids on the houses of Memon gamblers in Kharadar, chasing down every single lead on Shoaib.

Aslam, as usual, always got his man and, within a couple of months, arrested Shoaib Khan. On the back of that success, we went to Lyari toget her in 2005. Aslam was already a legend in Lyari, having served as SHO Kalakot in 1996.

Our first day in Lyari, I called the shots and said I wanted to go to Afshani Gali, the home of Rehman Dacait. One of the SHOs suggested that we should call for 15 APCs before going as the area was so dangerous. Aslam took my hand and said “Sahib, let’s go while this guy looks for 15 APCs”. We ended up patrolling Afshani Gali on foot, without a shot being fired. Dacait had evacuated from the area the minute he heard that “Chaudhry” had returned to Lyari.

A few years later, Aslam and I were working together again, this time in CID. At one point, we had the option of choosing to stay either in our CID Civil Lines building, or moving to the anti-extremism cell office in Garden. I was in favour of the Garden office, as it had a great lawn. But Aslam, being a superstitious man, said “but sahib, Civil Lines is a lucky office. I’ve caught many good cases in this building”. I told him, “All offices are lucky for you”, and lured him to the Garden office with the promise that the lawn was an excellent walking track, to indulge his habit of constantly pacing up and down the office driveway while chain smoking. Two months after we shifted office, our old offices were targeted in a massive bombing, in November 2010. Aslam and I told our DSPs, who had all opposed the move, to sacrifice a Kaala bakra.

So many stories to tell. And I cannot believe that we won’t be walking up and down his driveway, swapping tall tales. I also don’t know what to tell his four children, Manahil, Ikrash , Azan,and Jazil.

The only thing that I can say is that Aslam was my friend, and that he changed my life and did me the greatest service by catching my father’s killer. And the only thing I can promise is that I will try my best to do for them what their father did for me.

Shehzad Rafique to make a film on the journey of a martyr

Rafique says his target is to make an issue-based film, one that revolves around a serious subject matter. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

In the light of countless lives that were lost in the war against terror, it seems like an obvious choice for Shehzad Rafique to make a film that pays tribute to the young ones relentlessly fighting on the frontline.

“I had been searching for a script to follow-up Ishq Khuda. I was divided over the idea of making a comedy or an action film, but a politician’s statement made the choice very easy for me,” explained Rafique.

“I just couldn’t understand how he [Munawar Hassan] could make such a careless statement about the armed forces fighting on the frontline,” he added.

The film Salute will not be an ISPR-funded project. In fact, it will be Rafique’s attempt to explore the questions of morality surrounding extremism, and will give thorough insight into the journey of an individual from a man to a martyr. Film is an important medium that can be used to challenge extremist ideologies surrounding war on terror, and, more importantly, religious intolerance.

“This film will not be made on an agenda in terms of funding. It’s sort of a tribute to the journey of a young man and the challenges he faces on his way to becoming an army officer,” said Rafique.

“Till now, every film I have made always tries to address a broader question. I am over 40, I don’t feel the need to make a fun film. My target is to make an issue-based film that is serious.”

Even in an earlier movie, Rafique touched upon a sensitive topic. His previous film Ishq Khuda aimed to challenge the notion of extremist ideologies by addressing the idea of true love and spirituality. It also openly challenged rigidity and the fundamentalism that has flourished on a societal level.

Salute is currently being scripted by writer Tariq Ismail. He is hoping to cast Ahsan Khan in the lead role, with Nadeem Baig and Atiqa Odho as part of the cast, depending on availability. He will shoot major portions of the film at military academies as he feels that it is time to move beyond the methods of formula filmmaking. “The things that have to stand out in every film are emotions and sentiments. This is the only formula that matters. The rest is your story, your characters, and your topics,” said Rafique.

It is worth mentioning that Rafique is planning on giving young directors a platform under his production banner. He said that he plans on grooming his assistant directors for feature films and would be launching them in the near future.

When Assistant Director Hasnat Afridi was asked to give some insight on this upcoming movie Salute, he said, “This is not your typical story on the armed forces. Whatever I have seen of the script is very original, because it gets into the details of how one man becomes an army officer and the hurdles he comes across.”

He said that the film is not necessarily about the armed forces, but focuses primarily on patriotism and an officer’s life. Afridi disclosed that the film would be shot in Swat and Karachi and have some scenes shot in America, as well, since there is a parallel storyline set there.

“We are planning a lot of interesting things for the film. The main point is that the story will focus on the officer himself and there will be an element of patriotism. We are also planning on including a large production team, so that we can introduce more young people to the film industry,” said Afridi.

English Premier League: Hazard, Torres help Chelsea move to top spot

Hazard feinted to shoot, jinked to the right, and drilled a low shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box for his goal. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: 

Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored two excellent goals as Chelsea won 2-0 at Hull City on Saturday to climb atop the Premier League table.

Hazard broke the deadlock early in the second period before Torres marked his 200th Premier League appearance with a late goal.

Victory moved Jose Mourinho’s side into first place above former leaders Arsenal, who visit Aston Villa on Monday, and set them up nicely for next weekend’s home game with Manchester United.

Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor McGregor had to repel a few chances early in the second period before Hazard made the breakthrough in the 56th minute with a characteristic individual goal.

The Belgian forward collected a flick from Ashley Cole just outside the Hull area and shifted the ball away from a couple of defenders before drilling a low shot into the bottom-right corner.

Torres applied the finishing touch in the 87th minute, gathering a pass just inside the Hull half and wriggling past Alex Bruce before slamming a low shot inside the left-hand post.

Pellegrini wants more from Manchester City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his side must improve if they are to reclaim the league title this season.

City travel to Newcastle on Sunday looking to move back to the top of the Premier League, with current leaders Arsenal not playing until Monday.

Pellegrini called on his side to raise their game still further as the title race heats up.

“We are in a very good moment, but we are just in the middle of the season,” he said.

“I hope we can do better. It is very important to win titles, not to make mistakes in important games. That is why every game is a test for all of us; it doesn’t matter against who we play.”

Rodgers aims for Liverpool double over Stoke

Brendan Rodgers hopes the memory of Liverpool’s opening day win over Stoke can help inspire his league title-chasers to a rare away victory over the Potters.

Liverpool manager Rodgers saw signs his side could be on the verge of a really significant campaign when new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved a penalty late on from Stoke’s Jonathan Walters to secure a 1-0 win at Anfield in August.

“You saw the reaction from the penalty save from Simon – I think it was probably the start of the identity of the team,” said Rodgers.

“That was something that stayed with us and that is growing all the time. I sense that as each day goes by, we’re becoming more of a team.”

Liverpool have never won at the Britannia Stadium and their last away league win at Stoke came back in 1984.

It was a pretty complete performance: McCullum

Black Caps wicket keeper Luke Ronchi (2nd L) and bowler Jimmy Neesham celebrate a wicket with the team as West Indies batsman Johnson Charles (L). PHOTO: AFP

AUCKLAND: 

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was satisfied by the team’s overall performance as an unbeaten 85-run stand between him and Luke Ronchi laid the foundation for New Zealand’s 81-run win over the West Indies in their opening Twenty20 international on Saturday.

The New Zealand batting was backed up by tight bowling, led by Nathan McCullum who celebrated his 50th T20 with figures of four for 24.

“I’m happy with the performance,” said the captain in the post-match conference. “It was a pretty complete performance right from the get-go.”

New Zealand, who elected to bat first, appeared in trouble at 105 for three after 13 overs before Brendon and Ronchi lifted them to 189 for five, which proved too big a target for the West Indies.

The tourists were five for 64 after 11 overs in their reply before staggering through to be eight for 108 at the finish.

Stuard leads Sony Open by one-stroke

Brian Stuard plays a shot on the 15th hole during the second round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 10, 2014 in Honolulu, Hawaii. PHOTO: AFP

HONOLULU: 

Brian Stuard grabbed a one shot after firing his second consecutive five-under 65 in the second round of the PGA Tour’s Sony Open on Friday.

Stuard, who leads a Tour event for the first time in his career, finished 36 holes at 10-under-par 130.

“I played pretty well,” said Stuard. “Didn’t start off well, but I played pretty good on my last nine.”

“I think it’s something to do with the greens. I feel like I read them pretty well and I’m able to make some putts.”

Stuard headed to the ninth hole, his last, at eight under. His second shot to the par-five stopped within three feet of the hole and he drained his short eagle putt to seize the second-round lead.

Marc Leishman of Australia fired a six-under 64 and moved into a share of second place at nine-under. He was joined there by Japan’s Hideto Tanihara, who posted a 65 in round two.

Harris English, a two-time winner last year, carded his second 66 for the second straight day and is in sole possession of fourth at eight-under-par 132.