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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Smile of Fauzia Wahab still haunts her admirers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/463931/smile-of-fauzia-wahab-still-haunts-her-admirers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/463931/smile-of-fauzia-wahab-still-haunts-her-admirers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Nov 12 21:00:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=463931</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Politicians pay rich tributes at the launch of book on the late PPP MPA.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Late Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Fauzia Wahab’s journey from a student leader at Karachi University to an outspoken female politician has been immortalised in ‘Muskrahat Zinda Rehti Hai’, a book by senior journalist and analyst Mujahid Barelvi.


The book’s launch, organised on Saturday at the Karachi Press Club, was attended by several journalists, writers and politicians from different political parties, including Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

There were many who lined up to speak at the event, but found it difficult to capture the essence of Fauzia’s bold personality in a mere few minutes that they were allotted. All of them did, however, agree that Fauzia was a political worker genuinely interested in seeing Pakistan prosper. Senate Chairperson Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, said, “She was a true follower of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto’s philosophy. She believed in the continuity of the political process and remained committed to PPP till her last breathe.” He said that he had been Fauzia’s close friend and all politicians must carry on the struggle that she began. “We all have to play our role in the continuity of the political process. No power can stop [us] so long as workers like Fauzia Wahab are present.”

Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, who got to know Fauzia in 2002 when became an MNA for the first time, said that she always seemed keen to make change. “She was fair to her party, workers and friends,” said Kaira. “Her face used to portray what was in her mind and heart.”  Syed Naveed Qamar, the federal defense minister said, “Fauzia Wahab is one of great examples for political workers. She truly represented party at every platform. She always supported truth.” He added that she was steadfast in her beliefs and was never willing to compromise on matters that would affect the well-being of the citizens.

Sindh Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said, “The huge gathering clearly indicates there was something in [Fauzia Wahab]. Workers and leaders of all parties still miss you.” He said that Benazir Bhutto handpicked Fauzia, who delivered.

Fauzia’s eldest son, Ali Wahab, also spoke about how his mother juggled her career and her personal life successfully. “My father passed away 20 years ago and my mother played a dual role. I saw her difficulties and success.”

PPP’s Chaudhry Manzoor and MNA Nafeesa Shah shared their experiences with Fauzia, saying her commitment to the party was matchless. “She did a lot for progressive politics in Pakistan,” said Shah. “Fauzia was not a smile but a laugh and left all of us untimely."

MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi and Babar Ghauri highlighted how PPP’s late leader kept her relations with other political parties alive. “Her role as true political worker will always be remembered with respect,” said Rizvi.

Barelvi and Muhammad Hussain Mehnati also paid Fauzia rich tributes.

Correction: An earlier version of the story incorrectly stated that Fauzia Wahab was an "MPA" instead of "MNA". The error has been rectified. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Fauzia Wahab</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413383/fauzia-wahab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413383/fauzia-wahab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 12 17:43:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Dr Pervez Tahir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=413383</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[She was never the unrelenting defender of the faith that she became known for in various talk shows.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In some sense, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue and Planning and Development is the most important committee of parliament. This is where the money is counted — or should be counted and accounted for. When Fauzia Wahab was elected its chair, many were surprised. I was not and here is why. When parliament was restored in General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s time, an impressive number of young and educated women made it to the National Assembly. For one, the quota of seats for women had been increased to 18 per cent. For another, the graduation condition forced many heavyweight men to send wives or daughters to parliament.

One fine morning in my P Block office, fine, because there were no scheduled meetings, I heard a knock at the door and then, with a gentle opening of the door, saw a smart women smiling. Before I could invite her in, she said, standing in the half-opened door: “Aap sirf sarkari logon ke chief economist ho ya oppsition se milne ki bhi himmat hai?” Only the day before, the young Hina Rabbani Khar, an MNA at the time, had been sent to me by the finance minister for a discussion on the state of the economy. And, Dr Doniya Aziz, another ruling party MNA, would also visit with questions on budgetary and social sector issues. Interestingly, no gentlemen from parliament ever came to me for briefings on economic matters.

I could guess that here was an opposition MNA at my door, who had got wind of my meetings with ruling party MNAs. I asked her in. She announced herself as Fauzia Wahab, an MNA from the PPP. Without further ado, she started shooting questions, which I found very interesting. It was a long meeting. She said she wanted to specialise in economic and financial affairs. In the coming days, she would barge in whenever parliament had an economic issue on its agenda. Meetings before and after the budgets on questions about the annoyingly large number of budget documents were especially taxing.

This question and answer relationship continued after she was elected to the present National Assembly. I had now retired from the government and was, therefore, more free. There was a team under Naveed Qamar tasked by the PPP to chart its economic course and she was a member. After the election, this team invited a group of people to advise on the economic measures that could possibly be taken in the first 100 days. The team members were hoping to occupy key economic positions. This, sadly, never happens in this land of the pure. An economic team is invariably flown in from you know where. She was an MNA, like any other, for a long time. I once joked about her becoming a minister. She burst into her typical loud laughter and said: “Hamari aisi kismet kahan”. The disappointment was obvious. But an element of desperation was also visible. Again, jokingly, I told her that she couldn’t just expect it to come to her and that she had to do what those in positions were doing — which was shouting in support of the leadership from the housetop. Which is what, I am afraid, she did. She was never the unrelenting defender of the faith that she became known for in various talk shows. There were rewards and regrets. Perhaps, this Hamlet-like confusion was her undoing. Or, was it that she took my joke too seriously? One will never know.

May her soul rest in peace!

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>In memory: Remembering Fauzia Wahab</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/408805/in-memory-remembering-fauzia-wahab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/408805/in-memory-remembering-fauzia-wahab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jul 12 21:33:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=408805</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Experiences shared by friends, peers and family members at condolence reference.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Friends, colleagues and peers paid tribute to the former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member, Fauzia Wahab, who recently passed away. Described as an example of bravery, commitment and loyalty, Wahab will always be remembered for addressing matters which often went unheard such as human, women and minorities’ rights across the country.

The condolence reference was held by The Unirakarians at the Defence Central Library on Saturday where several of Wahab’s ex-class mates, friends, teachers and family members were in attendance, paying their tributes and respects.

“She was not afraid of anything and openly said whatever she thought right,” said the Sindh acting governor, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro while talking about his experiences with Wahab.  Khuhro said that she remained very near to the top leadership. “She worked hard for the people and remained sincere to the party,” he said.

Khuhro also announced that scholarships would be named after Fauzia Wahab at the University of Karachi.

Wahab’s son, Murtaza, speaking at the occasion said, “I still feel my mother will phone me in the evening.” “She always said that I shouldn’t be afraid of anything. She was not only my mother but a father figure as well,” said Murtaza.

The PPP parliamentarian, Nafeesa Shah, appreciated what Wahab had done as a central party leader. “Her loyalty to the party was unquestioned. She was the party’s front line leader and we’ll always miss her,” she said.

Wahab’s friends also said that she had a successful career and served as a role model for people who belonged to the middle class. “Friends and foes cried on her death alike,” said Nighat, a friend of Wahab’s.

The famous economist, Dr Kaiser Bengali, a university friend of Wahab’s, praised her moral courage and loyalty.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Team probing Wahab's death questions her physicians</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406302/team-probing-wahabs-death-questions-her-physicians</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406302/team-probing-wahabs-death-questions-her-physicians#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 12 16:45:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[samia.malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=406302</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Nine member team arrives in Karachi.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A nine-member team of doctors, charged with investigating the reasons behind Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Fauzia Wahab’s death, reached Karachi on Tuesday.

The team consists of Director General Health Islamabad Dr Qazi Abdus Saboor, Director of the Federal Investigations Agency (FIA), Joint Executive Director of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Dr Seemin Jamali, and Orhopedician Dr Mahboob including others. They will question the physicians who were tasked with Wahab’s care at the Orthopaedic and Medical Institute (OMI).

The team spoke to Dr Badar Siddiqui, Prof. Shakeelur Rehman, Prof. Tipu Sultan and five other physicians who tended to Wahab. According to some sources, their report is almost complete.

The politician had been admitted at the private hospice for a gall bladder surgery but subsequently stayed admitted at the hospitals for 23 days owing to complications that developed after her primary surgery. She had three operations in total until she finally died of multiple organ failure on June 17 at the hospital.

Immediately after her death, the FIA had seized all records of treatment at the hospital and started investigations on the directives of senior PPP leaders. Former Interior Minister Rehman Malik had even suggested that doctors over the age of 60 should not be allowed to perform surgeries.

The doctor’s community, however, strongly opposed moves by the government to pin the blame for Wahab’s death on her physicians.]]>
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			<title>Remembering Ammi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399010/remembering-ammi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399010/remembering-ammi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 12 15:59:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ali.wahab]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=399010</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[As a single mother and political activist, I am proud of what Ammi achieved.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[“Ali bhai, Ammi’s surgery should have finished by now, but there are some complications, I will let you know in an hours’ time what happened”. This phone call from my sister on May 25 was the beginning of the end of my mother, Fauzia Wahab, who passed away on June 17. She was 55. We all thought that Ammi would walk out of the hospital with her trademark smiling demeanour. Even so, she fought valiantly in the face of multiple complications for 24 days.

Coming from a modest and conservative background, Ammi questioned the routes often decided by families for their daughters — a basic education immediately followed by marriage. Despite being a descendent of a leading religious scholar, Imdadullah Muhaajir Makki, she rebelled by choosing student politics and that, too, from the leftist platform of the Progressive Students Front at Karachi University. Having married my late father, Wahab Siddiqui, who was a leading journalist and one of the earliest political anchors on PTV, Ammi had 14 years of  ‘inactivity’, during which she bore four children and became involved with social projects like improving cleanliness in our area and creating a public park. She also arranged corner meetings for PPP candidates in the 1988 and 1990 general elections, which became her introduction to the party. Her life changed after February 1993, when our father died of cardiac arrest. In October 1994, while working for a leasing company, she received a phone call from her political mentor: “Fauzia, congratulations, you have been notified as a councillor in the KMC (Karachi Municipal Corporation), please go and take oath.”

The PPP in Karachi did not have many women who were active as well as educated in its cadre. Ammi was chosen as the information secretary of PPP Sindh’s women’s wing by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto but she faced many barriers to entry. She was harassed, lost her job and efforts were made to oust her from politics. But she kept absorbing the pressure to achieve her political goals. The 1997 elections were a disaster for the PPP. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto saw potential in Ammi’s communication skills and appointed her central coordinator of the party’s Human Rights Cell, which worked actively in highlighting cases of victimisation. The Mukhtaran Mai case was raised on all forums on behalf of the PPP and Ammi played an important role in establishing a relationship with the likes of the Aurat Foundation. Her dream of reaching the parliament was achieved in 2002, when she was nominated for a reserved seat for women from Sindh.

Ammi openly expressed her feelings at meetings and frequently quoted that a “House divided against itself cannot stand on its own”. Her frank opinions got her into trouble as well. While quoting the relevant Vienna Convention clauses relating to the immunity of Raymond Davis, who held a diplomatic passport, she drew the ire of the ghairat brigade. She resigned as information secretary not because she said something wrong but because it was something of an exclusive domain of the forces that matter in Pakistan.

As a single mother and political activist, I am proud of what Ammi achieved. When she passed away on the night of Shab-e-Miraj and a light shower followed her soyem, we could not have been happier for her, as she had left us for a better place.

On behalf of the family, I would like to thank all those who contacted us. The prayers and love made us strong and the turnout of people from all walks of life at her funeral and soyem is something we shall always remember.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Medical association decries Rehman Malik's surgeon statements</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396011/medical-association-decries-rehman-malik</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396011/medical-association-decries-rehman-malik#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 12 15:26:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=396011</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PMA members say government should constitute a panel of experts to investigate reasons for Fauzia Wahab's death.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Sindh and Sindh Doctors Welfare Association (SDWA) in a joint meeting held on Tuesday condemned the statement of Advisor Rehman Malik wherein he suggested that "doctors should not operate above the age of 60 years".

Malik had issued the statement while ordering an inquiry into the reasons behind the death of senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Fauzia Wahab due to complications following a gall bladder surgery. FIA officials late on Monday raided the Orthopedic Medical Institute (OMI) in Karachi, seizing records and questioned the doctors who had performed surgery on Wahab.

Pakistan Medical Association Sindh leader Dr Samrina Hashmi and President, Sindh Doctors Welfare Association (SDWA), Karachi Dr Mujtaba Memon advised Rehman Malik to take care of the matters of his own department first. They said there is anarchy in the country. "Balochistan and Karachi are witnessing 10 to 15 dead bodies every day. There are kidnapping of poor citizens on daily basis. Why can he not do something about the interior ministry."

They said the age factor is the least important factor. "If the Chief Ministers of 85 years and 75 years can rule Sindh and Balochistan, a 60 years old doctor can operate as well."

"PMA Sindh has given a "draft" for a Health Commission 20 months ago to the Health Department and Government of Sindh. This draft was made an act in November 2010 in Punjab. The Bill comprises all the Rule and Regulation to regularise hospitals and clinics. Why does not the Government present this Bill in the Assembly?" they asked.

They said it is easy to criticise doctors in every matter. The Health Commission Bill formulates a Commission of Highly trained people of 15 year experience who can investigate any mishap. "You cannot malign a doctor’s reputation before investigations."

Instead of letting security officials investigate the matter, they suggested a panel of expert doctors to be formed to look into the matter. "There should be an experts panel investigating the incidence and to restrict the age of the surgeon as well. There should be a Committee who should remove these aged people who are running the affairs of government as well. If any action is taken against the senior doctors without investigations, we reserve our right to react."]]>
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			<title>Laid to rest: Government to set age limit for surgeons, says Rehman Malik</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395652/laid-to-rest-government-to-set-age-limit-for-surgeons-says-rehman-malik</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395652/laid-to-rest-government-to-set-age-limit-for-surgeons-says-rehman-malik#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 12 21:23:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=395652</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Doctors above 60 years will not be allowed to operate on patients: Rehman Malik]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While talking to journalists at the funeral of Pakistan Peoples Party leader Fauzia Wahab, Rehman Malik said that the government will formulate a law to set an age limit for surgeons.

He said that at present there was no law with regards to the age limit of a surgeon but the government will soon formulate one. “Doctors above 60 years will not be allowed to operate on patients.” He also said that the government has taken notice of negligence by the hospital administration and has given orders to seal the records.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Fauzia Wahab was laid to rest in the Gizri graveyard on Monday.

Her funeral prayers were held at Sultan Masjid, attended by a large number of political leaders, civil society members and family friends.

Among those who were present were, the chief minister, Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh’s acting governor, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, prime minister’s adviser, Rehman Malik, Gilgit Baltistan’s chief minister, Mehdi Shah, PPP’s general secretary, Jahangir Badar, federal minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s Sindh president Saleem Zia, Dr Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Sindh Assembly MPAs.

Many PPP leaders were besides themselves with grief as Senator Saeed Ghani, Rashid Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi tried to comfort them.

Malik also said that an investigation team will also be set up to probe the cause of death. He said that senior doctors will be included in the committee. “Strict action will be taken if anyone is found guilty,” said Malik.

“It had been a minor surgery but due to the negligence of doctors her condition kept deteriorating and she passed away.” Fauzia Wahab was not only an asset for the party but for the whole country and worked for democracy and rule of law in the country, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2012.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>RIP Fauzia Wahab</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395454/rip-fauzia-wahab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395454/rip-fauzia-wahab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 12 16:39:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=395454</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Here was a middle class woman, defiantly and proudly taking centre stage in an arena that was dominated by rich men.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Fauzia Wahab’s untimely death at 55 years is a loss not just for her family and the PPP but for everyone who wanted to see a different kind of politics being practised in Pakistan. Here was a middle class woman, defiantly and proudly taking centre stage in an arena that was dominated by rich men. Ms Wahab had none of the privileges of wealth and gender but she compensated for that with a tenacity and loyalty that was unmatched in the PPP. Unlike so many politicians who are gifted their careers in the form of a dynasty or legacy, Ms Wahab was not born into politics. Rather she discovered an aptitude for it as a student leader at the Karachi University. After a period where she worked in television and other ventures, Ms Wahab was brought into the PPP by Benazir Bhutto in the 1990s and ever since then had become a permanent fixture in the party, usually as its public defender.

Ms Wahab’s greatest asset may have been her fearlessness. She was particularly outspoken in her calls for the Hudood Ordinances and blasphemy laws to be repealed. When Salmaan Taseer was murdered, Ms Wahab was one of the very few brave souls to publicly condemn his assassination. After replacing Sherry Rehman as the PPP’s information secretary, Ms Wahab was a constant presence on talk shows, cowering political opponents and getting her party’s point across in a forceful and combative manner.

Occasionally, Ms Wahab could go too far. She jeopardised her job during the Raymond Davis saga when she confidently said that the CIA contractor was protected by diplomatic immunity. This was not something the rest of the country was ready to hear and Ms Wahab at least had the courage to call a spade a spade. But this episode, too, served to show her loyalty to the party. Keeping relations with the US on an even keel by releasing Davis from jail was a priority for the PPP and Ms Wahab was the one willing to stick her neck on the line by publicly speaking out in favour of it. Through it all, Ms Wahab never lost her smile or her cool. She might have been outspoken but Fauzia Wahab was never bitter. For that she deserves the gratitude of the entire nation and not just that of the PPP supporters.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>As committee is charged to probe Wahab's death, FIA raids OMI</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395450/as-committee-is-charged-to-probe-wahabs-death-fia-raids-omi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395450/as-committee-is-charged-to-probe-wahabs-death-fia-raids-omi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 12 14:56:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=395450</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[FIA raids hospital Wahab was admitted in. Seizes records, questions her doctors.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The government has constituted a committee to ascertain the reasons behind the demise of former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Fouzia Wahab. 

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik on Monday announced the constitution of an inquiry committee which will probe the alleged negligence of doctors at the Orthopedic Medical Institute (OMI) in Karachi, where Wahab passed away on Sunday (June 17) following complications after a surgery.

The committee will investigate whether there was any negligence on the part of concerned doctors during Wahab’s treatment, said an official statement. The committee will be headed by Director General Health, Islamabad with other senior doctors, added the statement.

The joint investigation team will suggest and recommend the age of retirement of surgeons when they should be stopped from operating patients in a professional way. The inquiry committee will submit its report within two weeks of this notification.

Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raided OMI and seized records of the hospital, reported Express News. The team also questioned three doctors who performed Wahab’s surgery and took them to the FIA headquarters for further investigation.

The hospital authorities claimed that they did everything they could to save Wahab's life and there was no negligence on the part of the doctors. Wahab's son also supported this statement and said that the hospital authorities provided every facility to his mother.]]>
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			<title>PPP leader Fauzia Wahab laid to rest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395405/ppp-leader-fauzia-wahab-laid-to-rest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395405/ppp-leader-fauzia-wahab-laid-to-rest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 12 10:48:04 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wahab's funeral prayers were offered at Sultan Masjid after Zuhr prayers.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Fauzia Wahab was laid to rest in the Gizri graveyard in Karachi on Monday, reported Express News.

Wahab passed away at a private hospital on Sunday as she went into a coma after remaining in critical condition at an intensive care unit. Her funeral prayers were offered at Sultan Masjid after Zuhr prayers.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah, Federal Minister Rehman Malik and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Raza Haroon attended the funeral among other party leaders.

Wahab's soyem will be held tomorrow at her residence in Karachi.

A student of International Relations from the University of Karachi, Wahab made her way into politics as a student leader and by campaigning for human rights.

She held many key positions in the PPP and was a close aide of the slain leader of the party, Benazir Bhutto.]]>
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			<title>Rest in peace: ‘Fauzia Wahab stood up for the marginalised’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395188/rest-in-peace-%e2%80%98fauzia-wahab-stood-up-for-the-marginalised%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395188/rest-in-peace-%e2%80%98fauzia-wahab-stood-up-for-the-marginalised%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jun 12 21:40:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=395188</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Babar Ghauri alleges that her death is a consequence of doctors’ negligence.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Representatives of the civil society and leaders of political parties expressed their grief over the death of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Fauzia Wahab. All of them were unanimous in saying that not only has the country lost a vocal political leader, but an activist who also championed the cause of human rights, minorities and marginalised society.

Many leaders from PPP and also Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were present at the hospital when PPP Sindh’s information secretary, Waqar Mehdi, who, with Rashid Rabbani, announced the demise of Fauzia Wahab on Sunday.
She had been admitted to Orthopaedic and Medical Institute for the last three weeks. She had gone into a coma after a basic gall bladder surgery on Saturday.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Sindh Information Technology Raza Haroon and Federal Minister Babar Ghauri were among the leaders who visited her at the hospital.

Babar Ghauri alleged that Wahab’s death was a consequence of doctors’ negligence. Memon said that it was at the discretion of the family members if they want take up the case or not. Remembering Wahab, PPP’s Saleem Khursheed Khokar said that her contribution for minority rights cannot be forgotten.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Sindh President Nadir Akmal Leghari said that Fauzia Wahab was a fierce political opponent. “She did not restrain herself from saying what she wanted to and was very logical,” he said.

Karamat Ali, of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, called Wahab an ‘enlightened lady’ who had worked for human rights since her student life and mobilised the people socially and politically.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Saleem Zia, Sindh’s secretary-general, recalled that he had met Wahab at a wedding a few months ago. “I had a friendly chitchat with her with the usual political arguments,” said Zia. However, Zia said that they had worked together in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, and found her to be a hardworking and dedicated leader. The general secretary of Awami National Party, Bashir Jan, also expressed grief on Wahab’s demise and called it a big loss for the party.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Karachi chief and former MNA, Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, remembered Wahab as a very able woman who had a lot of political acumen besides excellent skills in writing and speech.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Transition: PPP MNA Fauzia Wahab passes away</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395044/fauzia-wahab-slips-into-coma</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395044/fauzia-wahab-slips-into-coma#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jun 12 11:47:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=395044</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wahab held many key positions in the PPP and was a close aide of Benazir Bhutto.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Fauzia Wahab passed away at a private hospital in Karachi on Sunday.  

She went into a coma after remaining in critical condition at an intensive care unit.

Her condition deteriorated on Saturday night owing to the complications after her primary gall bladder surgery.

Two more surgeries were performed in order to control her internal bleeding and other complications. She has been admitted to the Orthopedic Medical Institute (OMI) for the past 23 days, said Wahab's son, Murtaza.

She underwent a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) last night.

According to the physician, she was gaining and losing consciousness and was having serious breathing problems.

Her internal bleeding had worsened the situation. She has even had a tracheostomy, an operation in which the neck is incised, making an opening in the windpipe in order to allow direct access to the breathing tube.

However, it was difficult to maintain her respiration as oxygen was not reaching her brain.

Wahab's funeral prayers will be offered on Monday in Sultan Masjid, Defence Housing Authority (DHA), said Information Secretary PPP Sindh, Waqar Mehdi.

She is survived by four children.

A student of International Relations from the University of Karachi, Wahab made her way into politics as a student leader and by campaigning for human rights.

She held many key positions in the PPP and was a close aide of the slain leader of the party, Benazir Bhutto.

Condolences

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and sorrow over Wahab’s demise.

In his condolence message, the president paid tributes to her services for the party, saying that she was a steadfast loyalist who braved difficult situations. Her services would be long remembered.

“She died while fighting to strengthen the democracy and democratic institutions,” the message said.

Zardari also lauded her services as party’s Information Secretary and for human rights in the country.

The president prayed for her soul to rest in eternal peace.

Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain also appreciated her contributions to democracy and said the political void created after her death can never be filled.

National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi condoled the sad demise of Wahab.

In separate condolence messages to the members of the bereaved family, Speaker and Deputy Speaker expressed their heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise.

They paid rich tribute to her for her services in promotion and restoration of democracy in the country. They said that Wahab was a seasoned politician and legislator of high repute, adding that she rendered valuable contributions during her tenure as member of the National Assembly and that the vacuum created by her death was difficult to fill.

Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar expressed grief and sorrow over Wahab’s demise.

The minister said that she had played a significant role in legislation and debate sessions of the Parliament, paying tribute to her services for the party and in strengthening democracy in the country, adding that that they would be long remembered.

Talking to Express News, Sindh’s information minister Sharjeel Memon condoled Wahab's death, calling her death a huge loss for PPP. He blamed the doctors for alleged negligence, adding that it was the family's decision whether to take legal action against the hospital or not.

MQM senior leader Babar Ghauri, speaking to the media, condoled Wahab's death, also blaming the hospital for alleged negligence.

Sharmila Farooqui, adviser to the Sindh chief minister, said Wahab was a fighter, both in her personal and political life.

&nbsp;

Read the articles written by Wahab for The Express Tribune here. 

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly mentioned that Fauzia Wahab was survived by three children. The error has been rectified.]]>
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			<title>‘Critical condition’: PPP’s Fauzia Wahab undergoes two surgeries</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/385153/%e2%80%98critical-condition%e2%80%99-ppp%e2%80%99s-fauzia-wahab-undergoes-two-surgeries</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/385153/%e2%80%98critical-condition%e2%80%99-ppp%e2%80%99s-fauzia-wahab-undergoes-two-surgeries#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 May 12 04:43:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[aijaz.shaikh]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=385153</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wahab had earlier undergone a gall bladder surgery on Friday but her condition became serious on late Saturday night.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Fauzia Wahab is in “critical condition” and was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital, Orthopaedic and Medical Institute (OMI), in Karachi on Sunday.


Wahab had earlier undergone a gall bladder surgery on Friday but her condition became serious on late Saturday night. PPP leader Latif Mughal and Senator Saeed Ghani told media that the PPP lawmaker suffered internal bleeding after her initial surgery, after which she underwent a second surgery.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza telephoned Wahab’s son, Ali Wahab, and asked about her health.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and MQM leader and Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri visited the hospital and inquired about her health.

According to a PPP media cell press release, party leaders have appealed to the nation to pray for her good health. A three-member team of doctors has been constituted by the health department on the directives of President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani. The team will coordinate with the hospital’s doctors.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Fauzia Wahab admitted to ICU in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384896/fauzia-wahab-admitted-to-icu-post-minor-surgery</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384896/fauzia-wahab-admitted-to-icu-post-minor-surgery#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 May 12 10:47:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=384896</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Doctors have put Wahab on a ventilator, she had earlier undergone a gall bladder surgery.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Fauzia Wahab has fallen “seriously ill” and is currently undergoing treatment in an intensive care unit of a private hospital in Karachi, Express News reported Sunday.

Wahab, who had earlier undergone a gall bladder surgery, was admitted to Orthopaedic and Medical Institute (OMI) on Saturday night.

According to the PPP’s media cell the doctors have put her on a ventilator.

The PPP leadership has appealed to everyone to pray for her health.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s leader Babar Ghori and PPP’s Saeed Ghani, who were present at the hospital, told the media that her condition was serious.

Ghani said that Wahab is an important asset for the PPP.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan survives global financial crisis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/24177/pakistan-survives-global-financial-crisis</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/24177/pakistan-survives-global-financial-crisis#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jun 10 19:51:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sobia.shahnaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=24177</guid>
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				<![CDATA[The global financial crisis and the accompanying global credit crunch had a minor but direct impact on Pakistan. The country’s economy remains out of the woods but the government still needs to find donors to bridge the whopping gaps created even after an $11.3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The performance of Pakistan’s economy in the fiscal year 2008-09 had been greatly influenced by macroeconomic imbalances created in 2007-08. Persistent inflationary pressures and the weak performance of key sectors made it a demanding year. Add high global commodity prices to the mix and the dual impact shocked the economy with a gaping trade deficit, high inflation and crash in the value of the rupee.

For the first time in years, the economy will have to seek external funding to support balance of payments. The cost of protection against a default in Pakistan’s sovereign debt trades at 1,800 basis points. With the step up in operation against militants, an acute energy shortage and resource constraints, the domestic environment remained detrimental, threatening macroeconomic fundamentals. As a result of these pressures, the economy has not only been impacted with regard to overall performance but has also undergone a medium-term shift in policy orientation. Policy intervention has been geared towards stabilising the economy, with a targeted recovery phase which began in fiscal year 2009-10.

Inflation remains the biggest threat to the economy, jumping to more than nine per cent in 2005 before easing to 7.9 per cent in 2006. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) estimates that inflation should drop back to single digits this year and that growth should rise to over five per cent annually by 2011. While this is less than the seven per cent average over the past five years, it would represent a step towards overcoming the present crisis where growth is a mere four per cent.

The effects of the global slowdown have been transmitted through the trade balance with a slowdown in global demand and a fall in commodity prices with varying effects on capital account and a significant reduction in private inflows to Pakistan.

The global crisis has impacted Pakistan’s external debt through the depreciation of the US dollar against major international currencies leading to significant worldwide losses. A receptive debt policy is currently being formulated in order to monitor, assess and take steps to mitigate the currency risks.

On the other hand, the low interest rate environment amid the ongoing crisis has provided Pakistan with an opportunity to capitalise on lower servicing costs of its existing stock of floating rate external debt.

After recognising the economic challenges, the government and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) initiated an aggressive macroeconomic stabilisation programme with the help of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to put the economy back on track.

The crisis has also allowed the government and SBP to undertake some key reforms in the domestic public debt market. The government has started announcing quarterly targets for treasury bill auctions. The decisions on cut-off rates for auctions are now based on target and more importantly this cut-off is now decided by the Ministry of Finance instead of the central bank. The SBP is now aiming to adopt a transparent liquidity management framework including the announcement of an explicit corridor for money market interest rates which will be made public.

As part of monetary policy management, the SBP has also introduced a number of reforms in the foreign exchange market. Importantly, the SBP decided to gradually phase out the provision of foreign exchange for importing oil. Now the inter-bank market is meeting the foreign exchange demand for the import of furnace oil.

The impact of the global crisis has so far been very limited but a few credible threats still remain. The external sector still faces multiple threats in the form of a further reduction in international demand and secondly, a recent rally in international commodity prices as investors seek refuge could potentially reverse the gains registered in the current account balance. With regard to external financing if current conditions in international markets continue, the government will have to increase reliance on funding from multilateral and bilateral agencies.

Dealing with the crisis is difficult for Pakistan due to fiscal constraints. Balance of payments weaknesses forced the country to resort to an IMF standby arrangement that imposed further conditions on the budget. Subsidies on wheat, electricity, fertiliser and oil had to be phased out which in turn increased the inflationary burden on consumers. While there are some social safety nets at the federal and provincial levels, access to these has generally become more difficult.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2010.]]>
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