Ease restrictions on used cars’ import, urges APMDA

All three local car assemblers have always been quick in raising prices on any depreciation of the rupee against the dollar and the yen. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APMDA) Chairman H M Shahzad has urged the government to ease restrictions on the import of used cars in to the country.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he said that local car assemblers are not fully passing on the benefits of rupee appreciation to the customers.

All three local car assemblers have always been quick in raising prices on any depreciation of the rupee against the dollar and the yen. However, it seems that the rupee appreciation against the dollar is of no result when it comes to fixation of car prices.

If the rupee value is the determining factor, car prices should have been reduced by 6%, he claimed. In actual, all the three companies have reduced their prices by just 0.5% to 3%.

Take, for example, the recent price reduction by Pak Suzuki. Suzuki Mehran prices have been reduced by Rs5,000 which actually should have been reduced by Rs36,000.

Furthermore, there is no consistency in the way prices have been reduced. The price of Liana and Swift is almost the same but the former’s has been reduced Rs100,000, while the latter by only Rs20,000. All this shows that they have just carried out an exercise in marketing rationalisation and has no bearing on the rupee value.

Same is the case with Indus Motor – the makers of Toyota Corolla – and Honda Atlas cars who have reduced the prices from Rs15,000 to Rs70,000. Also, the higher reduction is on slow moving products. It may also be that this reduction is inclusive of taxes that would also put a dent in the government’s earnings in the form of taxes.

It may be remembered that these companies have been raising their prices three to five times in a year, mentioning rupee devaluation as a reason. The prices of cars have almost doubled in the last four to five years. If they are at all serious, they should at least have reversed the prices they increased in 2013.

We are of the opinion that no matter what happens, these car companies are not going to give any relief to the consumers as they have a monopoly in the business, the letter said.

The only way to bring some sanity in their dealings is through competition in the form of used cars. Unfortunately, at present they do not pose any threat to them as only three-year-old cars are allowed to be brought in the country — that too with a depreciation allowance of only 24% which has practically rendered this import unfeasible

Way clear: Afghanistan drops objection to Dasu Dam

The Suki Kinari hydropower project will be completed in 2020 and inject 3,081 million clean, reliable and affordable units of electricity each year into the national grid and will be of great help in meeting future electricity needs. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

Afghanistan has withdrawn its objection to 4,300-megawatt Dasu dam and power project as it is going to be set up on the river that is entirely in Pakistan’s territory.

Federal Minister of Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated this here on Friday while speaking at a ceremony marking the signing of an implementation agreement between the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and SK Hydro (Private) Limited.

Under the deal, the two sides will develop the 870-megawatt Suki Kinari hydropower project at a cost of $1.8 billion in Mansehra district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the project will be held on May 15. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will kick off the construction work.

PPIB Managing Director NA Zuberi and SK Hydro CEO Haseeb Khan inked the implementation agreement on behalf of their respective sides. Water and Power Secretary Saifullah Chattha and senior PPIB officials were present.

Talking to the media, Asif said the government was taking all possible steps to generate cheap electricity from domestic resources like coal, wind, solar and hydel.

He said the public sector was setting up the Dasu Dam and had also arranged necessary financing.
The World Bank is likely to approve a loan of $4.5 billion for the
project in a meeting to be held on May 29.

Responding to a question about the setting up of two power projects in the public sector, he said the response of investors to the Gadani Power Park was very encouraging and now the government was considering establishing all 10 projects of 660MW each in the private sector.

Asif pointed out that China was keen to set up power projects of 20,000MW capacity in Pakistan and after completion of all projects, load-shedding would come to an end.

He was of the view that because of the policies of the government and encouraging response of the international community to the Eurobonds floated by Pakistan, the government would not face financing problems while implementing Bhasha, Bunji and Thakot power projects.

The Suki Kinari hydropower project will be completed in 2020 and inject 3,081 million clean, reliable and affordable units of electricity each year into the national grid and will be of great help in meeting future electricity needs.

Furthermore, the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will earn approximately Rs470 million per annum on account of water charges. After 30 years of operation, the project will be transferred to the province without any cost.

Marotta dismisses Pogba-PSG Link: Juventus would reject €70 million

The Bianconeri official has dismissed talk of the 21-year-old leaving Turin, insisting that he is confident of persuading the midfielder to sign a contract extension

Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has rejected rumours of a possible deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Paul Pogba, claiming the club would reject the reported €70 million on the table for the France international.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a fine first half to the season but his poor form since January has sparked speculation that he has had his head turned by PSG's reported interest in signing him this summer.

Marotta, though, insists that there is no truth in stories that Juve have already agreed to sell the midfielder for €70 million.

"The rumours about the transfer of Pogba to PSG have no foundation," he told La Repubblica. "We want to keep Paul and prolong his contract.

"It's true that €70 million would be an attractive figure, but Juventus is a club that always aims to win trophies.

“In the past, these kind of sacrifices have been made - for example, we sold [Zinedine] Zidane to take [Gianluigi] Buffon and [Pavel] Nedved - but this is not the case.

“Anyway, today we do not have a concrete proposal, so there is nothing to talk about.”

With Juve currently eight points clear at the top of Serie A, Marotta admitted that he is hoping that Antonio Conte's men pull off a league and cup double by winning the Europa League at Juventus Stadium on May 14.

He said: “A third consecutive title would go into history and as for the cup, the final in our stadium gives us even more reason to honour this competition.”

Zidane a perfect fit for Monaco, says Platini

The Uefa president has tipped his fellow Frenchman to take the reins at the Ligue 1 club, with the Real Madrid assistant tipped to imminently take his first top job

Michel Platini believes Zinedine Zidane should kick off his career as a head coach at Monaco.

Zidane is currently working as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Real Madrid and has been spoken of as a potential successor to the Italian at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Platini believes that his fellow French legend is now ready for a top job and believes that the Stade Louis II would be an ideal place for the World Cup winner to cut his teeth, given Les Rouges et Blancs are backed by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

"If Zinedine wants to be a coach, it's good to start with Monaco," Platini told L’Equipe. “It is a good club that has means. 

"He has spent a year with Carlo Ancelotti at Real. So, he's ready. If he wants to do the job, he has to take the step. 

"And if he wants to take charge of the French national team one day, it's better that he starts with a club.”

Indeed, Platini claimed that Zidane does not lack ambition and feels the former Madrid attacking midfielder has what it takes to become a top coach.

"I have spoken to Zinedine and I know that he wants to commit himself,” the Uefa president continued.

“He has a name, he's intelligent. He'll be a very good coach."

Debate: Are Bayern right to discard Mandzukic for Lewandowski?

The two strikers clash at the Allianz Arena on Saturday and will be team-mates next year, but is the Pole really that much better than the Croat?

DEBATE
By Enis Koylu & Stefan Doring

Bayern Munich's signing of Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund was always going to be controversial. 

The Bavarians were signing yet another of BVB's stars, after acquiring Mario Gotze at the end of last season for €37 million, to further strengthen their position as the top side in Germany - despite the fact that they already have another top-class striker in the form of Mario Mandzukic anyway.

So, should Pep Guardiola drop the Croatian, who has performed brilliantly in his two years at the Allianz Arena in favour of the more glamorous forward? Goal's experts debate the issue.

"MANDZUKIC HAS DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS"

 
By Enis Koylu

When Bayern Munich lost the Champions League final to Chelsea in 2012, then club president Uli Hoeness was quick to scapegoat Mario Gomez, saying that they would have won if the German was “world class” rather than just “good”. 

Mario Mandzukic was promptly signed to replace the former Stuttgart man and delivered Europe’s biggest title less than 12 months later, scoring the opener in the Wembley win over Dortmund. He may not be spectacular, but the Croat’s work rate, commitment and eye for goal are invaluable. 

But apparently that’s not enough. Despite having an effective No.9 who has delivered time and time again, Bayern have sought to bring Robert Lewandowski to the Allianz Arena on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. 

The move has, quite understandably, left Mandzukic miffed. The former Wolfsburg man has done little wrong in his two seasons in Bavaria, having won his place from Gomez fair and square. 

His contribution to the team is undeniable. With Claudio Pizarro having played a bit-part role this season, he is the only main striker in the first team and has led the line admirably and tirelessly. 

And yet Pep Guardiola seems desperate to replace him, having played Gotze and Thomas Muller as strikers – a role to which they seem ill-suited and even leaving him in exile from the first team at the turn of the year. 

Since then, he has responded in typical fashion, spearheading the European champions’ front line. 

When he is left out, he is missed. When the Bavarians were struggling in the recent Champions League tie at Old Trafford, his introduction heralded a change in fortunes as he immediately set up Bastian Schweinsteiger’s equaliser, before he triggered a comeback in the second leg after they went a goal down. 

Beyond that, Lewandowski and Mandzukic have both scored 17 Bundesliga goals - despite the Croatian starting fewer matches. The Pole is hardly more productive, despite all his talents. 

Whether it is because Bayern want to weaken a direct rival by signing their star player, or because they simply feel the need to upgrade to an allegedly better striker, Mandzukic has done nothing to be dropped in favour of Lewandowski. 

They are both great players, but Mandzukic has proved his worth in Bayern’s XI, not once, but countless times. 

Follow Enis Koylu on 

"LEWANDOWSKI IS THE BEST & BAYERN ARE THE BEST"

By Stefan Doring

Robert Lewandowski played his last Champions League game for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. On Saturday, he'll come up against his future employers for, if everything goes to plan in the DFB-Pokal, the penultimate time in yellow and black.

When he moves to Bayern Munich in the summer everything will come together. The best striker in the Bundesliga - maybe even the world - will be lining up for the finest team Germany - probably the planet - has to offer.

The fact is that Lewandowski is a rare talent. His touch is outstanding, his eye for goal is outstanding, his all-round play is outstanding. He is simply the most complete striker in the league and would be of huge importance to any team. Dortmund have benefited from his brilliance for years, as have Poland.

The way he handles the ball is beyond the wildest dreams of other footballers. He puts his body on the line in every challenge and comes away with the ball cleanly. The way all of the facets of his game combine is special.

It's not without reason that Real Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona have all chased his signature and Dortmund have been vindicated in their decision to hold onto him for another year and lose him for free at the end of the current campaign.

Quite simply, there is no player like Lewandowski in the transfer market.

So, there is no question as to who will line up for Bayern next season. Lewandowski fits better than Mandzukic in Pep Guardiola's system thanks to his brilliant team work and he is certainly not just a penalty-box striker.

He is a better dribbler, which will help the Bavarians with their game of ball retention, and drops further back to get involved in the play. With his back to goal, he is perhaps the best and often brings his team-mates into great positions.

Lewandowsk versus Mandzukic? No contest.

Klopp: Summer signing Ramos will only get better at Dortmund

The Colombia international has hit 16 goals for current club Hertha Berlin this season but he will "develop" with Die Schwarzgelben, according to their 46-year-old trainer

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has expressed his delight at the club's completion of a deal for Adrian Ramos, claiming that the Hertha Berlin striker is only going to get better at Signal Iduna Park.

Die Schwarzgelben was announced during the week that the Colombia international, who has hit 16 Bundesliga goals this season, will join from Hertha Berlin this summer.

Ramos has essentially been signed as a replacement for the Bayern Munich-bound Robert Lewandowski and Klopp is in no doubt that the 28-year-old will fit right in at Dortmund.

"Adrian Ramos is a very good player and he never scored more goals than in this season," the BVB boss told reporters.

"He works very hard, is very calm in front of the goal and good in ball possession.

"We are sure he can develop at Borussia Dortmund. We are very pleased the transfer was successful."

Klopp is currently preparing his side for Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, with Dortmund hoping to upset the newly crowned champions in order to maintain their grip on second place.

Indeed, while BVB face Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals on Tuesday, the 46-year-old intends to field his strongest possible starting line-up in Bavaria.

"I have to see who will be available for Saturday against Bayern Munich and I have not decided yet," Klopp said of his injury-ravaged squad.

"Next Tuesday [against Wolfsburg] is the end of four (tough) weeks, but in Munich it is about three points.

"I don't know what they (Bayern) plan on Wednesday [in their DFB-Pokal semi-final] against Kaiserslautern; probably they won't be challenged that much.

"We will not give something away, however, we also have to see who will be available."

Blame it on the pitch! How Barcelona's eternal excuse always seems to surface

Despite a deserved defeat to Atletico, Dani Alves moaned about the grass at the Calderon on Wednesday - the latest in a long line of Catalan complaints about the playing surface

COMMENT
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer

Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight, don't blame it on the good times. Blame it on the pitch.

Every time Barcelona lose (and sometimes, even when they don't), the Catalans complain about the playing surface and Wednesday's deserved defeat at Atletico Madrid was no exception as Dani Alves moaned about the state of the Vicente Calderon grass in the mixed zone after the game.

"It wasn't a matter of desire; they play with their weapons and leave the field very, very dry," the Brazilian said, even though Atletico scored the only goal of the game, hit the woodwork on three occasions, saw an excellent penalty appeal turned down and were superior in terms of chances if not overall possession.

But Barca's pitch protests are nothing new and here, Goal takes a look at some of the Catalans' more memorable laments in recent seasons.

2014

April 9 Atletico (a) Lost 1-0	Even though Xavi claimed Barcelona deserved "at least a draw", most observers and even fans of the Catalan club admitted Barca were second best on Wednesday. But Alves complained: "It wasn't a matter of desire; Atletico play with their weapons and leave the field very, very dry." Unnecessary.
March 8 Valladolid (a) Lost 1-0	Barcelona were unrecognisable in a dreadful display which at the time looked to have put paid to their hopes of winning La Liga. "The pitch was bumpy and that didn't allow us to play our game," Xavi said afterwards. Nor did their paltry performance.

2013

December 2 Athletic (a) Lost 1-0	Just days after losing at Ajax, the first defeat under Gerardo Martino, Barca went down by a single goal at San Mames. Neymar had problems with the pitch and had to change his boots. "It wasn't just him," said sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. "The pitch affected a lot of our players."
January 19 R. Sociedad (a) Lost 3-2	Barcelona lost just twice in La Liga last season and the first of those defeats came at Real Sociedad, when Tito Vilanova's team went down 3-2. "It's hard to play at Anoeta, Xavi said afterwards. "The pitch is really big and the surface is usually too soft."

2012

August 29 Real Madrid (a) Lost 2-1	Barca beat Real Madrid 3-2 at home in the first leg of the Spanish Supercopa, but lost the return 2-1 and saw the silverware won by their fierce foes. "The pitch was dry," coach Tito Vilanova said later. "The ball didn't move properly and that harmed us."
April 7 Zaragoza (a) Won 4-1	Pep Guardiola's side cruised to victory at La Romareda, but the Catalan coach was still unhappy with the playing surface. "The grass was long, but at every away ground it's like that," he sighed. "The only team that doesn't leave the grass long is [Marcelo] Bielsa's Athletic."
March 28 AC Milan (a) Drew 2-2	AC Milan and Barcelona drew 0-0 in a Champions League quarter-final first-leg match at San Siro, but the Catalans were furious with the state of the pitch and presented an official complaint to Uefa. "We adapt to everything," coach Guardiola said. "But it's clearly a problem for the game as a spectacle."
February 1 Valencia (a) Drew 1-1	Barca failed to overcome Valencia in the first leg of the sides' Copa del Rey tie in February and Guardiola was unhappy at the state of the pitch. "I didn't expect them to leave it that dry," he said. When Carles Puyol equalised, he screamed: "Let them leave the pitch dry!"

2011

April 16 Real Madrid (a) Drew 1-1	Barca were unhappy that Jose Mourinho left the Bernabeu grass long in the sides' 1-1 draw in La Liga. "I believe people like to see attractive football on a good playing surface, not long grass and hard pitches," Xavi said. "It's deplorable that there are no regulations in place for the state of the pitches."
March 2 Valencia (a) Won 1-0	Barca beat Valencia, but the Catalans weren't happy with the Mestalla pitch. "The grass was long and the pitch was dry," David Villa said. But Unai Emery hit back at Barca. "Some of their coaching staff protested," he said. "But in Barcelona they prepare the pitch as they like it. Every team does that.