diversity reporter

www.diversityreporter.com

Provincial NomineeProgram Working Well,New Evaluation Shows

Story on Page-4

AdviceWednesday February 8, 2012


02

Anti-bullying charitynow accepting applications for national scholarship

Kitchener, Ont - BullyingCanada, Canada's Na-tional anti-Bullying Charity is now acceptingapplications for the organizations ScholarshipProgram.

The scholarship is open to students in theirfinal year of high school who have worked toend bullying in their schools and communitiesto aid them with their post secondary educa-tion. The first round has 3 $100.00 scholar-ships, with more to follow in the months tocome.

The deadline for applications is March 1st.For more information, please speak to yourschool, or contact BullyingCanada. applica-tions can be downloaded online at: www.bully-ingcanada.ca or can be requested by telephoneat: 1-877-352-4497

BY PHILIP BISSET-COVANEIRO

Have you ever wondered whetherit makes more sense to pay offyour mortgage or to invest in aRegistered Retirement SavingsPlan? Perhaps you’re expecting

to receive some extra money from an inheri-tance or an employment bonus, and you’re notsure which route to take.

The truth is, there is no easy answer. Thereare many variables that must be taken into ac-count. Concentrating on paying down a mort-gage may be the best route for one person,while focusing on an RRSP may benefit an-other.

Here are some factors to consider: g Your age. When you’re young, it is wise to

make your RRSP a priority. The sooner youget money into a sheltered retirement plan,the longer it will grow on a tax deferredbasis. But don’t overlook the need to buildhome equity. It can give you a head start onthe expenses of moving to a larger home asyour family grows.

g Your income. The more you earn, thehigher the rate of tax you’ll pay. That meansyou must earn more in before-tax dollars tomake mortgage payments. If you’re a highincomeearner you may want to quickly re-duce this expensive debt.

g Investment returns. Pay attention to thegeneral rate of investment returnsyou couldreasonably expectto earn when you makeyour decision.astute investors could be fur-therahead by investing theirmoney thanpaying down the mortgage.The benefits ofinvesting aremagnified by an RRSP, withtax-deferredgrowth within the plan andthetax deductions on contributions.

g Your mortgage rate. If your currentmortgagerate is low, it may makemore sense to invest inan RRSP.In times of good returns for finan-

cialmarkets, low borrowing costsmake a com-pelling case for contributing to your RRSP So-lutionsComprehensive

g are you behind on your RRSP? If youhavemade le ss than your maximumannualRRSP contribution inthe past, a lump sumcould allowyou to catch up. You are allowedtomake up for unused contributionroomthat you’ve accumulated frompast years—which can also generatea healthy tax bene-fit.

g Your pension plan. Those with generous-workplace pension plans thatprovide for asecure retirement maybe able to concen-trate on a mortgagewithout giving up finan-cial securityin retirement.

g Of course, you can focus on both yourRRSPand mortgage. For example,you could con-tribute to your RRSPand then apply the taxrefund it generatestowards a prepaymenton yourmortgage.Before you make a deci-sion, you maywant to ask for an assessmentof yourpersonal situation. a Certified Fi-nancial Planner can give you an overviewand some options that you may want toconsider.

Crossroads: Pay down

your mortgage or

invest in your RRSP?How to decide which course of actionis your best long-term alternative

03 ediTORiAL Wednesday February 8, 2012


More temporary workers– a modest proposalAs a response to an ever increasing number of temporary foreign workers in Canada, one

BC group is proposing to let them in as permanent residents straightaway when they land.

VOLU

NTEE

R WAN

TED Become an ICa Income Tax volunteer and help

low-income immigrant newcomers fill out

Canadian income tax forms. accounting or

financial background preferred. a language in

addition to english an asset. Contact Liz at

[email protected] or 250-388-4728 x114.

The Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives(CCPA) highlights the following statistics: In1986 120,074 temporary foreign workerswere in the country, by the year 2000 thisincreased to 177,781 and by 2010 the num-ber increased to 432,682. That is a 140 per-cent increase during the 2000s alone.

The proposal, in reaction to statistics likethis, and the practical implications of havingso many temporary foreign workers herethat are not given the rights and responsibil-ities of permanent residents, is being madeby the Fort St. John’s chamber of commercein British Columbia. As the CCPA indicates,temporary foreign workers are filling a widespectrum of positions in Canada, rangingfrom university professors and similarly spe-cialized professionals, to athletes and per-forming artists, to low-wage service workers.

According to ABN-CBCNews.com, a Fil-

ipino online news source, Mable Elmore, amember of the group making the proposal,said: “Allowing temporary workers to comein and be granted landed status, that’s goingto bring benefit to British Columbia, andalso deal with the huge social cost that Fil-ipino families suffer – long separation, dif-ficulty to be brought back together.”

Elmore said the chamber of commercehopes to propose legislation along the lines ofaccepting more people into Canada as perma-nent residents, not as temporary foreignworkers, although there has been no indica-tion that any such legislation is being officiallyconsidered currently. Temporary workers areadmitted on the condition that their employ-ment does not impede that of Canadian citi-zens and permanent residents, or provides asignificant benefit to Canada's economic orcultural wellbeing.

immigRATiOnWednesday February 8, 2012


04

CALGARY

DIVERSITY REPORTER STAFF

THe majority ofimmi-grants selected byprovinces and territo-ries under the Provin-cial Nominee

Program (PNP) are succeedingin Canada, according to a newlyreleased study by Citizenshipand Immigration Canada (CIC).

The PNP is the secondlargest economic immigrationprogram after the FederalSkilled Worker Program(FSWP). The program allowsparticipating provinces and ter-ritories to nominate potentialimmigrants who they believewill meet their particular eco-nomic and labour market needs.The PNP has grown almost six-fold since 2004 and currentlyaccounts for over 36,000 newpermanent residents per year.

CIC's evaluation of the PNPfocused on the economic out-comes and mobility of provin-cial nominees (PNs) admittedbetween 2005 and 2009.

Overall, the report has foundthat the program is workingwell, although there are differ-ences in economic outcomes byprovince or territory and byPNP stream. The scope of thestudy was limited to assessingthe PNP from a national per-spective. Provinces and territo-ries are expected to conductregular evaluations of their ownPNPs.

"Clearly, provincial nomi-nees have strong economic out-comes and are making a positivecontribution to Canada," said

Citizenship, Immigration andMulticulturalism Minister JasonKenney. according to the re-port, more than 90 percent ofPNs declared employment earn-ings after one year in Canada.after three years, their averageincome ranged between $35,200and $45,100. although resultsvaried by stream and location,about 70 percent of the PNssurveyed held a job in line withtheir skills. CIC's study con-firmed that the PNP is effectivein helping to spread the benefitsof immigration across the coun-try. Today, 26 percent of alleconomic immigrants are des-tined for provinces other thanOntario, British Columbia andQuebec, compared to 11 percentin 1997. However, retentionrates of PNs in their province orterritory of nomination varywidely, from 23 percent to 95percent.

The evaluation also pointedto certain areas of the PNP inneed of improvement, such assome aspects of program de-sign, delivery and accountabil-ity. Currently, each provinceand territory with a PNP is re-sponsible for the design andprogram requirements for theirnominee categories, which mustalways respect federal immigra-tion regulations. To ensure bet-ter economic outcomes, thereport recommends that therebe minimum language standardsfor all PNs and stronger linksbetween PN occupations andspecific local labour marketneeds. It also calls for greaterclarity in the roles and respon-sibilities of the provinces and

territories and CIC visa officesabroad in areas such as frauddetection.

In addition, the report rec-ommends that CIC work withthe provinces and territories tostrengthen the focus on the PNPobjective of encouraging the de-velopment of official languageminority communities. Finally,the evaluation proposes that acommon PNP monitoring andreporting framework be estab-lished to strengthen overall ac-countability.

"as I've said in the past, weare excited about this programbut realize that it needs im-provement in key areas," saidMinister Kenney.

In 2012, CIC plans to admitbetween 42,000 and 45,000 im-migrants under the PNP cate-gory, including spouses anddependants. This year, theprovinces and territories willretain the same overall and in-dividual PNP nomination allot-ments as in 2011.

CIC completed a similarevaluation of the FSWP in2010, which found the pro-gram to be highly effective.after three years in Canada,the average income of FSWswas slightly below that of theirPN counterparts, whereasFSWs with arranged employ-ment offers earned signifi-cantly more. as a result ofconsultations held in thespring of 2011, CIC is makingfurther adjustments to im-prove the FSWP. For more in-formation on the PNPevaluation, please see the CICwebsite.

ProvincialNominee Program WorkingWell, NewEvaluationShows

05 news Wednesday February 8, 2012


DiveRsitY RepoRteR WiRe seRviCes

aN infant injured in a fatal Winnipegfire died on Friday afternoon, threedays after four other family mem-bers perished. HooryaSadiq, whowas four months old, was taken off

life support by medical staff at Winnipeg's Chil-dren's Hospital, according to ShahinaSiddiquifrom the Islamic Social Services association.

The father of the household, Hamid Farooq,had to make the difficult decision. The family hadcome to Canada from Pakistan in 2007, and thegrandmother was visiting from her native coun-try.

earlier Friday, fire investigators said thatsmoke inhalation had caused the deaths of amother, grandmother and two children.

The have been identified as ZebunesaSadiq,33, grandmother Shemeenakhtar, 60, Fayza-Peyawary, nine, and alizaSadiq, four.

Farooq was at work at the time of the fire. Theinvestigation in to the blaze, which was reportedaround 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, is still ongoing.

"There (are) smoke detectors within the resi-dence. Right now, we are still underway to deter-mine whether those were operating andfunctioning smoke detectors," said Const. Natalieaiken from Winnipeg police.

Meanwhile, friends, extended family and theMuslim community have been doing their best tocomfort Farooq as he copes with his loss, saidSiddiqui. "He slept a bit last night. They wereable to get him to shave and all that so he's feel-ing a little better and the friends are coaxing himto eat," she said.

Neighbours reported seeing smoke from theWinnipeg home and fire investigators respondedquickly. Later, as emergency crews emerged fromthe home, neighbours could only watch and hope.

"It was just such a devastating sight to seethat. We were all kind of standing there thinking,‘What just happened here?'" said Gabriella War-bansky, who called 911.

There is no indication that the fire is suspi-cious.

another neighbour, ShallaDorey, also wit-nessed the aftermath as emergency crews workedat the scene.

"There was two adults in the snow in thefront, and then I spotted (the girl) who was nineand played with my daughter off-and-onthrough the several years they'd lived here," shesaid this week.

"I saw her in the back of the emergency re-sponse truck, and they were working on her."

Winnipeg house fire kills 2 adults, 3 children

The family had come to Canada from Pakistan in 2007.

shOwbizWednesday February 8, 2012


06

spORTsWednesday January 25, 2012


02

eN G L a N D slumped to a 71-run de-feat in the third Test in Dubai to suf-fer a series whitewash by Pakistanfor the first time. Set 324 to win, theengland top order was undone by

spin before Umar Gul (4-61) ripped through themiddle order. alastair Cook (49) offered some re-sistance, only to succumb to off-spinner Saeeda-jmal (4-67).

Matt Prior showed late aggression and wasunbeaten on 49 as england were bowled out for252.

The wicketkeeper's efforts at least took eng-land past 200 for only the second time in the se-ries, but another poor performance was typicalof the way their batsmen have failed throughoutthe tour.

They managed only five half-centuries inthree Tests, while Kevin Pietersen, eoin Morganand Ian Bell mustered fewer than 200 runs be-tween them.

Indeed, on the entire tour, those three playersfailed to pass 40 in 29 innings, and Morgan'splace especially looks under threat for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka in March and april.

By that time, england could be on the verge ofbeing usurped as the world's number one Testside, as South africa will move to the top of therankings if they whitewash New Zealand 3-0.

For Pakistan, victory after being bowled outfor 99 on the first day ensured they became thefirst side since 1907 to win a Test after makingfewer than 100 in the first innings.

It completed a remarkable turnaround sincethe sides last met in england in 2010, a seriesovershadowed by the spot-fixing scandal.

Since then, Pakistan are unbeaten in seven se-ries under captain Misbah-ul-Haq, but this resultis by far their most impressive.

Their success came mainly thanks to theartistry of ajmal and slow left-armerabdur-Rehman, who combined to take 43 wickets in

three matches.With england, who resumed on 36-0, needing

to achieve their second-highest Test run chase forvictory, the duo made short work of the top orderbefore Gul's burst.

Pakistan were again aided by some dismalengland batting, but when Strauss and Cook gotaway with offering simple chances to wicket-keeper adnan akmal and Gul respectively, itseemed luck was with the tourists.

However, england managed to play a part intheir own downfall, Jonathan Trott and Bellfalling to inexplicable strokes and Strauss trappedlbw by Rehman as he again refused to play off thefront foot.

after Trott uncharacteristically top-edged asweep to become ajmal's first victim, englandlooked to be recovering through Cook andPietersen, who signalled his intent to attack bylaunching Rehman for a straight six.

Both both were undone by ajmal, Pietersen by

an off-break from around the wicket that went be-tween bat and pad, before Cook was caught at slipvia a leading edge.

Bell and Morgan managed to stifle the threatof the spinners and forced Misbah into a bowlingchange after Rehman and ajmal had bowled intandem for much of the afternoon session.

It was to prove decisive as Bell slapped a Gullong hop to point on the paceman's return, thenMorgan, advancing down the wicket, edged be-hind.

Stuart Broad joined Prior in attempting to at-tack after tea, only to hole out to long-off, beforeGraeme Swann drove Gul to point.

James anderson shared a ninth-wicket standof 34 with Prior that was broken when the formeredged ajmal to point, and Monty Panesar waslbw sweepingRehman.

It completed england's seventh losing white-wash in Test cricket and theirfirst series defeatsince 2009.

NeW DeLHi

INdIA'S World Cup-winning

cricket star Yuvraj Singh

should be able to resume

training in May after under-

going chemotherapy for a

cancerous tumour in the United

States, his doctor said on Monday.

NiteshRohatgi, a senior delhi-

based oncologist who has been treat-

ing the 30-year-old all-rounder, said

he was confident he would recover

from the malignant tumour located

between his lungs.

"It is curable with the help of ther-

apy and will not hinder Yuvraj's ca-

reer in the long-term," Rohatgi, a

consultant of medical oncology at a

New delhi hospital, told reporters.

"I must stress it is not lung cancer.

It is located between the two lungs,

rather than in the lungs. It's a rare

disease, but something which can be

cured." Rohatgi said the cricketer

would recover from the rare condi-

tion which is called mediastinalsemi-

noma.

"I am confident he will be cured

and return to cricket like before,"

said Rohatgi, adding that Yuvraj will

be able to start active training by May.

Yuvraj on Wednesday starts the

third week of a nine-week chemother-

apy treatment in the United States

and will be able to do light training as

he improves, the doctor said.

Left-handed Yuvraj played a key

role in India's World Cup triumph

last April, scoring 362 runs and tak-

ing 15 wickets with his spin bowling to

win with the player-of-the-tourna-

ment award.

But his family said in November

that the all-rounder had been battling

a golf ball-sized non-malignant lung

tumour which first affected him dur-

ing the tournament.

Yuvraj, who has not played com-

petitive cricket since taking part in

two of three home Tests against the

West Indies in November, has so far

scored 8,051 runs in 274 one-dayers

and 1,775 runs in 37 Tests.

Yuvraj Singh's cancer fully curable, shouldresume training in 10 weeks: Doctors

Pakistan vs England: Gul & Ajmalcomplete series whitewash

03 ediTORiAL Wednesday January 25, 2012


toRoNto

DIVERSITY REPORTER WIRE SERVICES

THe recent achievement of two Canadianteenagers Mathew Ho and asadMuhammad has not just captivated theminds of the Canadians but the entire

world. They designed a unit in a shoe-stringbudget of four hundred dollars with an in-builtcamera and a GPS sensor kit, gave it a passenger,a Lego man, a launch vessel in form of a hot airballoon, a safe return vessel in form of a home-stitched parachute and after calculating its exactlocation of return, to ensure that the same is in theboundaries which the powers to be allow them totread, launched it on its journey to meet theirspirit which was soaring beyond the skies.

and Lo! That rendezvous did happen 80,000feet above, at the brink of outer space betweenthe Lego man and the high rising spirits of theseseventeen-year-old teenagers who came from di-verse background -- one born and brought up asa naturalised citizen of Canada and the other ar-rived here from Pakistan a few years back andadapted the country, its language in which hewas not fluent at all when he arrived here, itspeople and its ethos as his own. Mathew in mid-dle school, reached out to asad who had joinedhis school and was fighting the ghosts of the newenvironment and became his first friend. at thestart, one accepted and over the years the otheradapted.

Many thoughts come out of this heart warm-ing story of these kids who did not do this as apart of any school project or career aspiration butjust for "fun".

That this is what true learning is about whenknowledge is gained 'by' experience and 'for' ex-periencing new things and ideas and not for ac-quiring degrees and certificates.

That there are no limitations of age, resourcesor any other perceivable obstacles which cannotbe conquered when a human mind sets out toachieve its goals.

That our future generations understand theimportance of technologies far more than us andhave the capabilities of mastering it to propel

their dreams which should reassure us, if any re-assurance was needed at all, that mankind is mov-ing in the right direction.

That the friendship of teenagers had crossedthe distance which existed due to their names,cultures, languages and mindsets and gave themthe biggest support system when they set out ontheir dreams of achieving something beyond theirhigh school persona.

That in the world of today when I, me andmine is the biggest religion of individuals and cor-porations especially in the capitalistic domain inwhich we live, these children came from a greaterlevel and did not have their photographs or namesfluttering along with the Lego man but the symbolof what gave them their combined identity andpride, the Canadian flag.

That perhaps stories like this may make soci-eties accept 'different', read 'crazy' ideas and alsolook up upon 'crazies' of the world and let themdo their things and not ridicule them or throwthem in some walls of confinement because oftheir thought process. It is time we accept that itis the 'crazies' and their different thinking whichhas led us away from the stone age existence inwhich we lived, who have made us see this worldas round and who, one day, would make us seethis earth, nay this universe, as just one of theplaces where we lived.

and while the air traffic controllers and otherpowers to be will start creating their own obsta-cles to control such freaks incidences, no one canstop the human mind from coming out with some-thing new and breaking all boundaries again.

Maybe one day, in our lifetime, we would seeeach other as one of the travellers who can reachbeyond the skies in just about an hour and live totell the story.

and if any Mohammad or Mathew out there,needs 200 pound of living flesh as a passenger forany such journey wearing some crazy space suitor even in the birth suit and not the Lego man whoI envy so much today, then please let me knowand I am ready to take that stairway to heaven orhell or beyond, today. Let's raise this one for thefellow crazies!

Lego man: Flight of fantasyThe two met in middle school. Muhammad’s family

had just immigrated emigrated from Pakistan, and

he spoke no English. When other students were

ignoring him, Ho walked up and made friends.

ReLigiOnWednesday January 25, 2012


04

THe Islamic Circle of North america(ICNa) Kansas City chapter an-nounced the launch of its billboardcampaign as part of ICNa’s national“Defending Religious Freedom and

Understanding Shariah” campaign.“In the past couple of years, a group of con-

servative pundits, analysts and bloggers haveidentified Shariah, or Islamic religious law, as agrowing threat to the United States. These punditsand analysts argue that the steady adoption ofShariah’s tenets is a strategy extremists are usingto transform the United States into an Islamicstate.

The main purpose behind their agenda is togenerate Islamophobia and the perception thatIslam and Muslims should not be part of ameri-can Society. What is quite amazing, however, isthat the vast majority of those who argue againstShariah know very little to nothing about its defi-nition, its scope or even the processes of its im-plementation.

In Islam, Shariah is the religious teaching thatthe Creator (allah) has prescribed for His cre-ation, which includes the deeds, sayings and de-cisions of Prophet Muhammad, peace andblessings of allah be upon him.

Shariah governs the different spheres of thelife of a Muslim such as worship (prayer, charity,fasting, and pilgrimage) and dealing with others(being honest, fulfilling oaths, being loyal & trust-worthy, and having good ties with one’s kindred).Shariah also includes the forbidding of murder,fornication or adultery, and all harmful actsagainst people or animals. Shariah also teachespeople to stay away from all low and immoral actsand from all that could demean their honor ashuman beings.

To help our fellow american brothers and sis-ters understand Shariah, and to remove miscon-ception and fear of Shariah, Islamic Circle ofNorth america, Kansas City Chapter (ICNa-KC),has launched an educational campaign in KansasCity. During this campaign, which will run from

Jan 23rd until Feb 19th 2012, ICNa-KC will airmessages on Shariah through KMBZ 980 aMradio and post a billboard on Shariah at I-70 and38th street.

The campaign messages are expected to reachover 200,000 people per week. The messages willinvite the public to call the 1-855-SHaRIaH hot-line or visit our website to learn and ask questionsabout Shariah and Islam. visitors to the website

and callers to the hotline can request a free copyof the english translation of the Quran and otherfree literature on Islam and Shariah.

We ask God to bless anyone and everyone in-volved in spreading the word, and we hope thatthrough these efforts we can become united as onenation to fight against injustice and strive forpeace.”

The Islamic Circle of North america

(ICNa) is one of the largest, non-profit, inde-pendent, and grassroots organization of amer-ican Muslims with several chapters andaffiliates across the nation. ICNa is dedicatedto the betterment of society through the pro-motion of Islamic values, and, since 1968, hasworked to build relations between communi-ties by devoting itself to education, outreach,social services and relief efforts.

American Muslims Defend Religious Freedom

05 ecOnOmy Wednesday January 25, 2012



astudy from l'Université deMontréal's business schoolHeC Montréal has concludedthat the income gap is widen-

ing betweenQuebec and wealthier partsof Canada – and that Quebec could be thepoorest province in the country within adecade. The research conducted byHeC's Centre for Productivity and Pros-perity found that between 1978 and 2009net average household income gains inall other provinces outstripped Quebec'sgains.

In 2009, the last year the studylooked at, the average resident of New-foundland and Labrador – traditionallyCanada's poorest province – earned just$3,127 less than the average Quebecer,while an albertan averaged $17,947 morethan someone living in Quebec.

"I'm not really surprised...albertansare earning more than Quebecers. This issomething we expected," said the study'sauthor, HeC professor Martin Coiteux."What is more worrisome is the trend."

If that trend continues, Coiteux said,"within ten years, Quebec would be thepoorest province in Canada."

Quebecers already pay the highestprovincial taxes in the country, but theyhave generally consoled themselves withthe belief the cost-of-living is lower in theprovince.

Coiteux said that is still true, but

costs for necessities such as food andhousing are increasing faster in Quebecthan elsewhere.

"This advantage is about to disap-pear," Coiteux said.

even with the lower cost of living inQuebec, Quebecers had, on average,$2,891 less to spend than albertans in2005. By 2009, Coiteux found that gaphad ballooned to $13,352.

Coiteux said fiscal arrangements toredistribute wealth cushion the impactof Quebecers' lower earnings. BecauseQuebecers take home less money, theypay less in federal taxes and receivemore by way of transfer payments fromOttawa.

Quebec's relative poverty can beblamed fundamentally on its lagginglabour productivity, Coiteux said.

Quebecers' rate of participation inthe workforce is lower than in otherprovinces, and people in the provincework fewer hours per week, earn less perhour worked – and retire earlier, too.

"It's not that people are not workinghard," Coiteux noted. "We are occupyingpositions that are not paying a lot ofmoney – on average – compared to therichest provinces. and that shows a prob-lem with the qualifications of the labourforce."

The challenge, Coiteux added, is"adapting our young people, especially,in terms of their skills, to the kinds ofjobs that are paying a high income."

Quebec could soon be poorest provinceThe income gap is widening between Quebec and wealthier parts of Canada – a trend that bodes ill for Quebec

AdsWednesday January 25, 2012


06

07 Ad Wednesday January 25, 2012


pAkisTAnWednesday January 25, 2012


08


PaKISTaN can't co-operate with theTaliban if the country's governmentexpects Canada and other allies tocontinue working in the region, De-fence Minister Peter MacKay said

Wednesday. addressing a leaked NaTO reportthat says the alliance believes Pakistan is still sup-porting the Taliban, MacKay dismissed the part ofthe report that said the insurgents' morale is high.

He said it's not a new concern for Canada thatPakistan's intelligence service, the ISI, is workingwith the Taliban.

"We’ve always been very clear in our messag-ing and in our insistence that Pakistan not co-op-erate at any level with the Taliban. and that hasbeen a frustrated effort," MacKay said. "If they area reliable ally, and if they are a country that wantsto see the United States, Canada, Great Britainand other NaTO allies continue to work in the re-gion and to bring about peace and securitythroughout the region, then their co-operation isrequired and in fact is demanded."

MacKay is spending Thursday and Friday inBrussels at a meeting of NaTO defence ministers.

The report was released the same day U.S. De-

fence Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly saidamerican troops would make the transition froma combat role into training by the end of 2013. Hespoke to reporters on the way to Brussels.

On Thursday, NaTO Secretary General an-ders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance shouldstand by its previously agreed plan to wind downoperations in afghanistan by the end of 2014, withany changes to the schedule co-ordinated with al-lies, Reuters reported. But he said the timelineagreed to by NaTO allies in 2010 foresaw handingover the last area of afghanistan to afghan forcesby the middle of 2013.

PAkISTAN dISMISSES CLAIMS: Pak-istani Foreign Minister HinaRabbaniKhar told re-porters in Kabul, where she was on a one-dayvisit, that the claims of Pakistan support for theTaliban were not new and could be disregarded.

"This is old wine in an even older bottle. Idon't think these claims are new. These claimshave been made for many, many years," she said.

Just-retired Joint Chiefs of Staff chairmanadmiral Mike Mullen last year called the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani insurgent network, based insafe havens across the border in Pakistan, a "ver-itable arm" of the Pakistani intelligence agency.Mullen also alleged that Pakistani intelligence

supported militants who last September mounteda 20-hour rocket attack on the U.S. embassy andNaTO headquarters in Kabul.

In Brussels, a NaTO official cautioned thatthe document was not based on any intelligenceanalysis of the situation on the ground, but is asummary of thousands of interrogation reports.

The classified report has not been made pub-lic, but its contents were summarized to The as-sociated Press.

earlier this week, the man who commands theCanadian army said he wasn't sure the interna-tional community would pay what afghanistan'sdefence minister estimates it will cost to equip theafghan National Security Forces.

Current estimates from the country's defenceminister, abdul Rahim Wardak, has the afghansspending more than $6.2 billion a year to pay andequip their forces. That's in a country where thebudget of the entire federal treasury is $4 billion,much of that foreign aid.

Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin, who commandedNaTO's multinational brigade in Kabul in 2003-04, told The Canadian Press it will be hard to ex-plain the threat of an unstable afghanistan topeople in the western countries who have beenpaying for the military.

Pakistan must co-operate withNATO, Peter MacKay saysLeaked NATO report says Pakistan supporting Taliban

THe Government and the People of Pakistan observe the Kashmir Solidarity Dayby renewing their unswerving support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri peoplefor the realization of their fundamental and inalienable rights. For over sixdecades, the Kashmiri people have rendered countless sacrifices for upholdingtheir dignity and freedom, pleading for equity and justice and the fulfillment of

the promise for the effective exercise of their right to self-determination, as envisaged in therelevant UN resolutions. It is indeed imperative that the noble principles and values, that un-derpin the just Kashmiri cause, are upheld and supported by all justice and freedom-lovingpeoples across the world. It is also important that the fundamental human rights of the peopleof Jammu and Kashmir are respected and promoted. In recent years, the peaceful struggle ofthe people of Jammu and Kashmir has gained in strength and intensity. a new generation ofthe Kashmiris, including men, women and children, continue to wage a heroic struggle for therealization of their fundamental rights. While seeking a peaceful settlement of Jammu andKashmir dispute, Pakistan will continue to express its complete solidarity with the Kashmirisand extend its fullest political, moral and diplomatic support to their just cause.

Message from Mr Asif Ali Zardarig President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

g On Kashmir Solidarity Day 5th February, 2012

THe Government and the people of Pakistan join their Kashmiri brothers and sisters insolemnly observing the Kashmir Solidarity Day. On this occasion, we reaffirm our com-plete support to the just Kashmiri cause and renew our pledge of steadfast support forthe heroic struggle of the Kashmiri people for the effective realization of their funda-mental and inalienable rights. Generations after generations of the proud and patriotic

people of Jammu and Kashmir have rendered innumerable sacrifices, braved adversity and carriedforward the torch of liberty, freedom and justice. They have proven to the world that they will nevercompromise their dignity and honour nor forfeit their fundamental rights. The peaceful struggle ofthe Kashmiri men, women and children in upholding basic human values and universally-recognizedprinciples deserves respect, admiration and support of the international community. Pakistan believesthat the United Nations’ promise to the Kashmiris as contained in relevant resolutions must be ful-filled. a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, that accords fully with the aspirationsof the Kashmiri people, is a sine-qua-non for peace and prosperity in this region. The Governmentand the people of Pakistan will continue to extend their full moral, political and diplomatic supportto the Kashmiri people for the realization of their fundamental rights and legitimate aspirations.

Message from PMYusuf RazaGilanig On Kashmir Solidarity Day 5th February, 2012

09 suRRey-TyneheAd Wednesday January 25, 2012


SURREY: On January 20thRaj Hundal,NDP Candidate for Surrey-Tynehead joinedwith Surrey Green Timbers MLa Sue Ham-mell, Surrey-North MP JasbirSandhu, New-ton-North Delta MP Jinny Sims, donors, andother dignitaries at the official opening ofHarmony House.

Harmony House is a supportive coopera-tive house where abused and abandoned im-migrant women and their children who havebeen impacted by abuse in intimate relation-ships, and have passed through the initialcrisis stage, may stay between 6 - 18 months.The home includes two suites. One self-con-tained two-bedroom suite will be used to ac-commodate women with children. The othersuite includes six bedrooms and will be usedto house single women. The society will useexisting internal and community resources toprovide supports for the women.

Raj Hundal said, “PICS must be ap-plauded for establishing Harmony Housewhere immigrant women and their childrencan flee abuse and rebuild their lives.”

“It is with great pleasure that I extend mypersonal congratulations to PICS and theirstaff for having the vision to fill this need inthe community,” said Raj “this kind of initia-tive will have a tremendous impact on thecommunity.”

NDP Candidate Raj Hundal congratulatesPICS on New Harmony House

SURReY: On January 29th Raj Hundal, NDP candidate for Surrey-Tyne-head joined with Newton-North DeltaMP Jinny Sims and Surrey-Panorama NDP candidate amrikMahil at the 63rd Republic Day of Indiacelebrations at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the Constitutionof India came into force on 26 January 1950. The celebrations involvedthe singing of the national anthems of India and Canada and patriotic per-formances. Raj Hundal said “Lakshmi Narayan Mandir executive must be applaudedfor organizing the celebration, their efforts will ensure that people do notforget that many Indians from all regions and religions sacrificed every-thing including their lives to ensure the defence of sovereignty of theircountry.” “We are blessed in this multicultural nation, especially in Surrey withsuch strong links to India. South asian’s of all ages continue to make atremendous and positive impact in the community, whether they be elderssharing their experience and wisdom or the volunteer spirit provided byyouth, said Raj Hundal.“It is with great pleasure that I extend my personal congratulations to theentire community on this special day,” said Raj “this kind of initiative willgo a long way in preserving a significant and vitally important culturallink to the past, for both present and future generations.”

Raj Hundal attends RepublicDay of India celebrations at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

Surrey-Tynehead MLA

dave S. Hayer kicks off

construction of the new

Evergreen Line with Min-

ister of Transportation

Blair Lekstrom, MLA

Richard T. Lee and em-

ployees of Hans demoli-

tion & Excavating Ltd, the

company was awarded

one of the project first

contracts. The Evergreen

Line will link the commu-

nities of Port Moody, Co-

quitlam and Burnaby with

the existing Millennium

Line SkyTrain.

Hayer kicks off evergreenline construction

MLa Dave S. Hayer attends

the vietnamese New Year

Fair, HiChTt,organized by

the vietnamese Friendship

Society. The society enhances

awareness through promo-

tion of the vietnamese cul-

ture, and use of the

vietnamese language

amongst vietnamese-Canadi-

ans in a fun, competitive at-

mosphere. Dave also

discussed with society mem-

bers the importance of trade

between British Columbia

and asia, and the efforts our

government is making to pro-

mote trade and social inter-

action between our countries.

Hayer supports vietnamese Culture

LOLLywOOdWednesday January 25, 2012


10

Recent movies from Pakistan with edgy char-acters and relevant stories, hold the promise of anew wave of cinema.

a group of privileged and fashionable 20-somethings drive around in swanky cars througha city. Drifting between hukka joints and eateries,they spend their days smoking, drinking and par-tying. This familiar world, however, finds an un-usual backdrop in filmmaker Hammad Khan’sSlackistan, shot in Islamabad.

The 2010 indie film by Khan, a British film-maker of Pakistani origin, steps away fromclichés to bring out unknown facets of the Pak-istani capital without denying the country’s tur-moil and terror. Mostly in english, Slackistandidn’t release in its home country — the censorboard had suggested cuts that the director re-fused to comply with — but found patronage onthe internet and social media. To Khan, the mes-sage was clear: “Pakistan’s audience eagerlyawaits a new wave of cinema”.

This fact was established more recently whenthe promo of Bilal Lashari’sWaar was releasedonline this year. In contrast to Slackistan, Waaris a slick action thriller with a multi-million dol-lar budget and mainstream actors. Counter-ter-rorism is the central plot but Lashari says that itexplores this without being preachy or takingsides. “It is essentially a revenge saga that willoffer people a good cinema experience,” explainsthe 30-year-old.

While Lashari is overwhelmed by the re-sponse to the trailer, he does not believe this filmwill turn around Lollywood’s fortunes. CitingShoaibMansoor’sKhuda Kay Liye (2006) and Bol(2010), he adds, “Quality films that succeed at thebox office are too few and it is unlikely to help anindustry that has come too far from its magnifi-cent past.”

The 1960s and ’70s are considered the mostglorious years in Pakistani cinema. after Parti-tion, Pakistan received its fair share of talent butlacked funds and equipment. Singer-actress NoorJehan’s directorial debut Chan wey in 1951 wasthe first big commercial success, which then ush-ered in the colour film era with ZahirRaihan’s-Sangam (1964), the first full-length feature film.

Pakistan’s intellectuals often blame Zia-ul-Haq for single-handedly causing a huge setbackto the performing arts in the late ’70s and ’80s.“With his overzealous religious ideas, themaulavis gained power and began to exercisemoral censorship and the government withdrewall support,” says UsmaanPeerzada, founder ofthe 38-year-old Peer Group, a non-governmentalcultural outfit in Pakistan.

as a result, the common man started to shyaway from cinema halls, films became an im-moral career option, filmmaking became an un-viable business opportunity and filmmakersstopped taking any risks. “The few movies madewere mostly formulaic with a Robin Hood-likehero and a parallel love story. Basically, masalaentertainers for the masses,” says ShaanShahid,a prominent Pakistani actor who made his debuttwo decades ago. Born to the illustrious Pakistanifilmmaker RiazShahid and actress mother Neelo,Shahid had access to world cinema and under-stood the drawbacks of his local industry. “But Ialso knew that the industry or the audience wasnot looking to change yet,” says the actor whomade his directorial debut with Guns n RosesaikJunoon in 1999, which made an attempt tofuel the change he craved. However, Shahid ad-mits that he too became a victim of the systemand resorted to formula filmmaking.

after the 70s, entertainment had, however,only lost social and public acceptability, the au-dience still welcomed it into their drawing rooms.The television industry flourished. Socially rele-vant subjects, tight scripts and strong acting tal-ent gave the medium respectability.

In this scenario of suppression, PresidentPervez Musharraf is looked upon as a hero. In

2002, Musharraf welcomed private channels intothe market and in 2008, lifted the ban on Indianfilms. He also revived cinema as a subject inmainstream education by financially aiding thecourses and purchasing equipment at Lahore’sNational College of arts. He also helped developshooting floors at Lahore University. Today, sev-eral colleges offer degree courses and parentswillingly send their children to international filmschools.

But according to Peerzada, Musharraf’sbiggest contribution was that the requirement fora No Objection Certificate from local authoritiesfor every cultural and entertainment event wasnearly nullified. This gave back the artistes theirfreedom of expression.

Mainstream cinema, however, continues tobe plagued by several issues. To begin with, fin-anciers and distributers are still unwilling to takerisks. “Formula films in Punjabi and Pashto con-tinue to do well and are considered safer betsthan mainstream films with contemporary sub-jects,” says ZuraizLashari, the president of the allPakistan Cinema association.

While Bollywood films have helped fuel themultiplex culture by bringing the audience backto theatres, they have also irked Pakistani film-makers because a local release is often sidelined

as the Indian release is allotted more screens.The censor board also has double standards

as the rules for clearing a Bollywood film and alocal production are not the same. “Slackistanwas banned for the use of the word ‘lesbian’ andshowing youngsters smoking and drinking. Butthe same rules do not apply to Bollywood filmsshowing here,” says Shahid.

Despite these issues, a wind of change isblowing. The emerging talent from the cinemaschools is currently being absorbed by Tv andmusic industries after which it spills over intodocumentary filmmaking and then cinema. Thesuccess of Mansoor’s films has also encouragedthe youth tremendously.

Technology to shoot in high definition withinexpensive equipment is further fuelling theindie film scene. The last two years have seen therelease of Omar ali Khan’s Zibahkhana, whichwon international awards, ShahbazShigri’s shortSole Search and afia Nathanial’s Neither The veilNor The Four Walls have been well received inurban centres. This year, SharmeenObaidChinoybecame the first Pakistani filmmaker to bag anOscar nomination for her documentary SavingFace.

“You can credit the internet and social mediafor this change. The country is realising thepower of films as a medium and the new, edu-cated generation refuses to be left behind as theworld, especially the subcontinent, progresses. Sothese contemporary films find a platform throughFacebook, Twitter and YouTube when they do notfind mainstream support,” says Peerzada, whofeels Pakistani films will carve out an independ-ent identity by addressing social issues.

Shahid, however, says the indie filmmakersneed to unite with mainstream players if Pak-istani cinema is to be revived. “We are a smallcommunity of forward-thinking people. If westand with divided views and approaches, thenwe can never bring about a change,” explains theactor who plays the protagonist in Lashari’sWaar.With an active career spanning over two decades,he considers himself privileged to partake of thisnew wave.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is looking at Bolly-wood with hope. “If Indian distributors bringdown the rates from Rs 2 lakh per print thennew theatres can come up in the smaller townsof Pakistan,” says Zuhair. Both Shahid andPeerzada are hoping that India will screen Pak-istani films and then possibly even co-producea few. “The two countries share the culture andlanguage and may find a discerning audience ineach other,” says Shahid.

New Pakistani flicks promise to attract viewersNew Pakistani flicks promise to attract viewers

11 Ad Wednesday January 25, 2012


VOL 04 IssUE 133 JanUary 25, 2012

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uRduWednesday February 8, 2012


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11 Ads Wednesday February 8, 2012


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