E-Paper PDF 7 May (KHI)

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Tuesday, 7 May, 2019 I 1 Ramzan-ul-Mubarak, 1440 I Rs 17.00 I Vol IX No 308 I 16 Pages I Karachi Edition

Imran chooses professIonal over bureaucrats to head fbr g

ShAbbAr ZAidi APPoiNTed AS fbr chAirMAN

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PriMe MiNiSTer iMrAN khAN SAyS APPoiNTMeNT of ProMiNeNT chArTered AccouNTANT Will SooN be NoTified

shabbar zaidi

ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

rime minister imran Khan on monday announced that the government has appointed renowned chartered accountant and tax affairs expert Syed Shabbar Zaidi as chairman of the Federal Board of revenue (FBr).

The prime minister made the announcement while talking to a select group of senior journalists at Prime minister’s Office.

Zaidi’s appointment comes days after the unceremonious removal of Jahanzeb Khan as FBr chief.

The appointment has yet to be notified, but the prime minister said it will be soon.

Zaidi is a senior partner in AF Ferguson & Co, a member firm of Pricewaterhouse Coopers and has authored multiple books, including Panama Leaks: A Blessing in Disguise–Offshore Assets of Pakistani Citizens, A Journey for Clarity and Pakistan: Not a Failed State.

He is well versed in Pakistan’s tax laws and the key policy matters governing fiscal strategy, corporate regulations and foreign exchange regimes and has written extensively on the topics. He recently also advised the

Supreme Court in a case concerning offshore assets owned by Pakistanis. “it is said that taxes are the price of civilisation,” he wrote in a newspaper article in 2015. “There can be no state, and no rule of law, without proper revenue mobilisation. And revenues do not come walking through the door of the tax authorities. They have to be assessed and levied at the pain of penalty.” “if we bargain with this power to assess revenues, we are effectively bargaining away the writ of the state. The importance of documentation cannot be emphasised enough, and documentation will not happen by itself. it needs to be pushed, and every push will meet resistance. Overcoming this resistance is central to promoting the revenue interests of the state.”

Zaidi will now have power to implement his vision for reforms in the country’s tax machinery as he takes over the position.

According to reports, former FBr chairman Jahanzeb Khan was viewed by Pm imran as ‘a mediocre person’ lacking dynamism, and was held largely responsible for the lacklustre revenue performance since his appointment.

The FBr is on course to register one of the highest shortfalls of its history by the close of

this fiscal year, anticipated to come in above rs350 billion.

The sources had said the recently appointed finance adviser, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, had agreed with the prime minister’s views on the ousted FBr chairman’s performance.

On Saturday, the government appointed Dr reza Baqir – a Pakistani economist working for the international monetary Fund (imF) – as the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan.

The key appointments to the key positions come as islamabad seeks to finalise a bailout package from the global lender.

Last month, Finance minister Asad Umar was asked to step down amid vital bailout negotiations with the imF, suggesting the government wants to overhaul its financial team amid weakening growth rates and soaring inflation.

Prime minister imran Khan appointed Dr Sheikh as Adviser on Finance following Umar’s resignation, as inflation rose to its highest in six years.

The imF is pushing Pakistan to embrace a more flexible rupee policy to end repeated boom-and-bust cycles, with many analysts arguing that the local currency is overvalued.

The government has also been frustrated by the low tax collection rates during its first year in office, with the disappointing figures threatening the prime minister’s promises to build a welfare state for the poor.

The central bank in march cut its economic growth estimates, forecasting the economy would expand 3.5 to 4 percent in the 12 months to the end of June, well short of a government target of 6.2 percent. The imF paints a gloomier picture, predicting growth of 2.9 percent in 2019 and 2.8 percent next year.

Pakistan’s consumer price inflation in march rose to its highest since November 2013, hitting 9.41 percent year-on-year, before easing to 8.82 percent in April.

fbr officials may challenge Shabbar Zaidi’s appointment STORY ON PAGE 12

US-Taliban talks stumble over troop withdrawal g

fiqah-e-hanfia lahore sehr: 3:42 aM iftar: 6:46 PM

islaMabad sehr: 3:41 aM iftar: 6:55 PM

karachi sehr: 4:30 aM iftar: 7:05 PM

fiqah-e-jafaria lahore sehr: 3:32 aM iftar: 6:56 PM

islaMabad sehr: 3:31 aM iftar: 7:05 PM

karachi sehr: 4:20 aM iftar: 7:15 PM

Will devolve power to grass-roots level in Punjab, says Imran

STORY ON BACK PAGE

MNA Ali Wazir among 12 PTM members booked for sedition STORY ON BACK PAGE

41 killed after Russian passenger plane crash-lands in Moscow STORY ON PAGE 10

Nawaz Sharif to surrender himself at Kot Lakhpat jail after breaking fast

TAlibAN SPokeSMAN SAyS ‘if We Are NoT Able To fiNAliSe iT iN ThiS rouNd, TheN …

PeAce Would be fAr AWAy rATher ThAN beiNg cloSer’

STORY ON BACK PAGE

Will return to Pakistan before budget session, Shehbaz claims STORIES ON PAGE 03

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02 NEWS

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

PPP opposes Dr Reza Baqir’s appointment as SBP governor Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has decided to oppose the appointment of Dr Reza Baqir as governor of the State Bank of Pakistan inside and outside parliament. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the sudden appointments of finance minister, Federal Board of Revenue chairman and SBP governor is a grave issue which reflects that the government lacks leadership skills. Bilawal said that former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf left no reserves for his party’s government but unlike this government, jobs were given and pro-people initiatives were taken by the PPP government. “The incumbent government is agreeing to every IMF demand. We will raise voice against it inside and outside the house,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari in a brief chat with journalists said that with the recent appointments it appears that the IMF will open its headquarters in Pakistan. “We are compromising our financial independence. Now the IMF will decide the appointment of finance minister, FBR chairman and SBP governor,” he said. Zardari said that with IMF representatives in the SBP how will we run the country. NEWS DESK

RuckuS maRS Senate SeSSion oveR oPP’S cRiticiSm oF PoL hike ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

HE Senate session on Monday witnessed a noisy episode when the opposition asked the government to explain why the prices of petroleum prices had increased repeatedly in the last few weeks.

In his speech, Senator Javed Abbasi lashed out at the government for ignoring the woes of the people. He criticised the government for once again dropping the ‘petrol bomb’ on the people and asked the government to explain

PM approves Rs2bn Ramzan relief package

Capacity building of fishermen vital for uplift of sector, Senate body told ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi has said that the capacity building of fishermen was imperative with a special focus on sustainable fishery in the Arabian Sea for uplifting of fisheries sector in the country.

Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Senator Nuzhat Sadiq and attended by Senators’ Muhammd Akram and Shammim Afridi here on Monday, Ali Haider Zaidi said that this initiative would not only raise the living standard of coastal inhabitants but would also contribute a huge amount to the national exchequer.

He said that the fishery which was considered a source of livelihood for people of the coastal areas was suffering due to lack of coordination between provincial and federal authorities. The Minister Maritime Affairs asked the senators to float some recommendations in this regard which would be beneficial for achieving the objectives.

On matter of non-payment to the Dockworker at Port Qasim Authority (PQA) raised by Senator Usman Khan Kakar, the committee was informed that the workers employed by the respective Cargo Handling Companies CHCs have never been registered by PQA. Ali Haider Zaidi said that the

dispute of salary/compensation is purely between the Chinese Company and the employees at the requisite Marginal wharf 3 &4 at Port Qasim Authority. It is to be noted that the matter was also subjudice in the Labor Court Karachi filed by the Labor Union against its employers. The court has granted stay to the Labor Union.

Regarding the steps taken by the Maritime Ministry to improve the performance of Fisheries sector, Fisheries Development Commissioner Asad Rafi Chandna said Deep Sea Fishing Licensing Policy, 2018 was approved by the Cabinet.

Three development projects of Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) had been established in the regional offices at Gwadar and Peshawar.

Chandna said the department was in process of dialogue with Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Bank, Indian Pole and Line Foundation and WWF Pakistan for the development and Uplifting of Fisheries sector in Pakistan.

FAO has agreed to provide financial and technical assistance in the field of capacity building and awareness for conservation of fish stocks, he maintained.

First time Tuna Catch data submitted to Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) as per their standards in 201618 with collaboration of World Wildlife Fund, Pakistan, Chandana informed. Chairman Gwadar Port Au-

Five bills introduced in Senate ISLAMABAD: As many as five different bills introduced in the upper house on Monday including the anti-money laundering bill, Negotiable instrument act 1881, companies act, 2017, the criminal laws bill 2019 and bill to amend the constitution of Pakistan, 1973. The bills were presented by Senator Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh, Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi and Senator Sherry Rehman, respectively in the house.

Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani referred the all bills to the concerned standing committees for further deliberations. Senator Ateeq Shaikh sought an amendment through the bill in the negotiable instruments act, 1881.

Giving the reasons to amend the act, the senator said that toothless prevailing laws encourage the individuals to commit cheque fraud and the criminals do not bother

why this had happened. Instead of responding to Javed’s criticism, the treasury benches started a noisy protest. Leader in the House Senator Shibli Faraz said that Senator Javed Abbasi always disrupts the House’s proceed-

ings with his antics. On this, the opposition members staged a walkout from the house.

Meanwhile, a notice inviting attention was submitted in the National Assembly Secretariat under Rule-88 by the opposition members over the recent hike in prices of petroleum products. Key parliamentarians from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) signed the motion, demanding an urgent debate in the House over the issue. PML-N’s Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal and Marriyum Aurangzeb and PPP’s Shazia Marri signed the notice.

thority (GPA) Naseer Khan Kashani informed the Senate body that a Master Plan for Gwadar City has been got prepared by Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) adding that the issue of extension of Free Zone to entire Gwadar may be taken up with the provincial government of Baluchistan for ascertaining that GDA’s Master Plan extends the Free Zone to entire Gwadar. The issue concerning the underpass of Eastbay Express way after examined had sent for the approval from Ministry of planning Development and Reforms, he added.

Naseer Khan Kashani expressed the hope that the master plan would be unveiled next month if everything moves accordingly.

The Chairman GPA said that Gwadar port, built on world class standard operating procedures, would have to pass through phases and processes which are globally carried out in the development of any port in the world.

Recently, he said, two big events including the ground-breaking for the new International Gwadar Airport and the Gwadar Expo 2019 took place in a peaceful manner.

“GPA is taking all necessary steps to promote tourist activities in the city.

However, everything is demand-driven and tourism has its own special dynamics. Unless every basic requirement is fulfilled, the tourism industry will take time to leap forward,” Naseer Khan added.

about the consequences of the fraud due to the less punishment for the crime. The insertion of new provisions in the act aims at addressing the issues of undue delay in the finality of cheque dishonor cases. Senator Sherry Rehman presenting the bill to amend the article 84 of the constitution of Pakistan 1973, regarding supplementary grants said that the practice of authorizing supplementary budgets or excess budgets without prior assent from the parliament is being used randomly, increasingly and frequently in Pakistan. She said that this practice is against the well established principles of annual budget appropriation and procedure authorized by the parliament, adding uncertainty to economic planning and oversight in the country. She said that this not only create the audit disparity due to expenditures in excess but also by pass the crucial principle of prior approval from parliament.

Federal Minister for parliamentary affairs however opposed the bill saying that the since budget making is a prerogative of the national assembly therefore the senate is not an appropriate forum to move such a bill. APP

CMYK

ISLAMABAD APP

PM’s Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a Rs.2 billion Ramazan package under which essential items would be provided to the people on cheaper rates at the Utility Stores.

Talking to journalists, Firdous Ashiq Awan said, “19 essential commodities, including pulses, rice, cooking oil, and sugar are being provided on subsidized rates at about two thousand Utility Stores outlets.”

She said that the government would provide a subsidy of Rs.4 per kg on

wheat flour, Rs.5 on sugar, Rs.15 on ghee, Rs.10 on cooking oil, Rs.20 on gram pulse, Rs.15 on moong, Rs.10 on mash pulse,Rs.25 on white gram, Rs.20 on gram flour, Rs.30 on dates, Rs.15 on basmati rice, Rs.15 on sela rice and Rs.15 on broken rice, Rs.15 on squashes and syrups (1,500 ml), Rs.10 on squashes and syrups (800 ml), Rs.50 on black tea, and 10 per cent relief on spices.

Awan further said that despite economic restraints, the government was trying its level best to provide facilities to the people during the holy month of Ramzan.

She also credited PM Imran and his wife Bushra Bibi for the idea of setting up

Al Qadir University.

Awan said it was the unique idea of both the prime minister and his wife that the people, especially the youth, should be imparted knowledge about the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

They took a personal interest in making the idea of such an educational institute of higher learning a reality, she added.

The Al-Qadir University, whose foundation stone was laid under the sagacious and visionary approach of the prime minister and the first lady would also provide modern scientific education, besides imparting Islamic teachings to the youth.

ECP issues schedule for elections on 16 KP Assembly seats ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday announced that elections for tribal district seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will be held on July 2.

“In pursuance of the provisions of Section 57 of the Elections Act 2017 read with Section 102 thereof and clause (4) of Article 224 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”, the ECP has called for elections in 16 constituencies in the tribal districts allocated to K-P as a result of the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) through the 31st Constitutional Amendment. The seats include PK-100 to PK102 for Bajaur, PK-103 and PK-104 to Mohmand, PK-105 to PK-107 for Khyber, PK-108 and PK-109 to Kurram, PK-110 for Orakzai, PK-111 and PK112 to North Waziristan, PK-113 and PK-114 for South Waziristan and PK-115 for Ex-Frontier Regions (FR).

The dates outlined by the ECP direct the returning officer to issue a public notice on May 7 while candidates will submit nomina-

tion papers from May 9 to May 11. The names of nominated candidates will be issued on May 12 and the scrutiny will begin on the same day and end on May 18.

The candidates will have until May 22 to file appeals against the RO’s decisions while the Appellate Tribunal will have until May 27 to decide appeals. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy and publication of a revised list of candidates is May 29. On May 30, the contesting candidates will be allotted symbols. The commission issued another notification under Article 218(3) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with sub-section 4 of Section 5 and Section 181 of the Elections Act 2017.

The notification prevents government and relevant authority from issuing posting or transferring “any officer in the districts where the schedule for the election has been issued till the publication of names of returned candidates”.

It also bars government functionary or elected representative including a local government functionary from announcing development scheme for the constituencies “where the election is under process till July 2”.

CMYK Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

NEWS

naWaz ShaRiF to SuRRenDeR himSeLF at kot LakhPat jaiL aFteR BReaking FaSt LAHORE STAFF REPORT

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USTED prime minister Nawaz Sharif will be heading back to Kot Lakhpat Jail on Tuesday evening after the expiry of his six-week bail period. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader will be turning himself in to the jail authorities after breaking his fast tomorrow at his Jati Umra residence in Lahore. The Supreme Court (SC) had turned down his plea for an extension to his bail period on medical grounds last week.

Meanwhile, Nawaz’s party has decided to set up 10 camps on the way to Kot Lakhpat Jail to express solidarity with him.

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz chaired a consultation meeting at the PML-N Secretariat in Model Town on Monday to finalise the arrangements for Nawaz’s rally. The party meeting decided that Maryam Nawaz will accompany her father, and will be present in his car. She will remain with Nawaz along with Hamza Shehbaz until he is taken into custody by the jail authorities.

Responding to the recent hike in petroleum prices, the party has also decided to put up hoardings, banners, posters and flexes at public places across the city as a protest against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal government.

The PML-N supreme leader was sentenced to seven years in prison and was fined Rs1.5 billion in the Al-Azizia reference by an accountability court on December 24, 2018. However, he was acquitted in another reference related to Flagship Investments. He was imprisoned in Adiyala Jail and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail on his request.

He was granted bail for six weeks by the Supreme Court to afford him an opportunity to get treatment of his choice in the country for his complicated heart and kidney disease.

The bail expires on May 7 as the apex court rejected his review petition seeking permission to go abroad for the treatment.

Nawaz Sharif had filed a petition in the Supreme Court on April 30 which stated that a re-

Fake bank accounts case: nadeem Bhutto’s remand extended for 7 days ISLAMABAD APP

An accountability court on Monday handed over Naudero House caretaker Nadeem Bhutto to the NAB after extending his physical remand for seven days.

Nadeem Bhutto was presented in the court of AC Judge Arshad Malik in a case related to fake bank accounts.

Demanding to extend accused remand, NAB prosecutor said in his supporting argument that startling revelations have been made by Nadeem Bhutto, salaries of employees were being disbursed from his accounts.

“The amount being distributed to the employees as salaries of the employees was being transferred in Nadeem Bhutto’s account from a fake account,” the prosecutor continued.

The court accepting the NAB’s demand handed over him on seven days physical remand to them.

WiLL RetuRn to PakiStan BeFoRe BuDget SeSSion, ShehBaz cLaimS Leader of Opposition in National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday put rumours of his return from London to rest by announcing that he will be returning to Pakistan before the budget session for the fiscal year 2019-20 on May 24.

While speaking to a local news outlet, Shehbaz said that he had no intentions to remain out of Pakistan. “I can confirm that I will be back in Pakistan before the budget session. I have a few medical check-ups to attend to in the next few days and I will be returning to Pakistan after that. It could be much sooner than the budget session, subject to clearance from the doctors,” he said. Earlier, social media was used to spread news regarding the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader’s ‘escape’. However, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khawaja Asif had denied the rumours.

Shehbaz who has been in London for three weeks now has appointments with a cancer specialist on May 8 and May 14. NEWS DESK view petition had been filed in the Supreme Court on its March 26 decision. The petition sought an

ShehBaz’S DeciSion to ReSign FRom Pac ‘not FinaL yet’, SayS Rana Sana Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah on Monday said that Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to resign as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman is not final yet as the party is yet to deliberate on the matter. Speaking in the National Assembly (NA) session earlier in the day, he responded to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s criticism of PMLN’s alleged decision to replace Shehbaz with Rana Tanveer, saying that Shehbaz’s resignation had not yet been received by NA Speaker’s Secretariat. “The foreign minister is speaking on the basis of what he has heard,” he said, adding that it was only a suggestion within the parliamentary party and it is yet to be discussed with the central leadership along with other leaders of the opposition. On Thursday, Rana Tanveer was nominated by PML-N to replace Shehbaz Sharif as the chairman of parliament’s premier audit committee. Reportedly, the party was informed that Shehbaz would not be able to continue with the chairmanship under the current circumstances and therefore took the decision after consulting with party supremo Nawaz Sharif. Shehbaz is currently out of the country and is set to return before the budget session of the next fiscal year on May 24. NEWS DESK extension in Nawaz’s bail until a decision on the review petition.

Convicts’ lawyer tells court child maid Tayyaba’s bruises were ‘accidental’ The lawyer for a judge and his wife jailed for torturing a minor employed as domestic help in Islamabad told the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday that the bruises on the victim's body had been accidental.

The case of Tayyaba, a young domestic worker employed in the convicts' household, first came to light after photos of the tortured child began circulating on social media in 2016. She was rescued from their residence with visible wounds on December 28, 2016 and a first information report was filed against her employers a day later.

Although Khan had reached a compromise with Tayyaba's parents on Jan 2, 2017, the SC took suo motu notice of the matter two days later with the strict warning that "No 'agreements' can be reached in matters concerning fundamental human

rights." A three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Musheer Alam was on Monday hearing appeals filed by additional district and sessions judge Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar, who had been sentenced to one year in jail in April 2018 for keeping the then 10-year-old Tayyaba in wrongful confinement, burning her hand over a missing broom, beating her with a ladle, detaining her in a storeroom, and threatening her of "dire consequences".

In June 2018, when both convicts appealed against the sentence, the court increased their jail time from one year to three years, with a Rs500,000 fine.During the hearing, the convicts' lawyer said that Tayyaba had admitted that she was not abused. He said that Tayyaba's bruises were "accidental" and that she had given a statement in court during her cross-examination

which she had "memorised like a parrot".Justice Ijazul Ahsan wondered what the lawyer expected of a 10-yearold being cross-examined in court. He said that Tayyaba, who had been found shivering in the extreme cold after the incident, had been saved by her companions.

"You certainly have kids. Would your kids, who study in good schools, be able to face a cross-examination in the court?" Justice Ahsan reasoned with the lawyer, suggesting that Tayyaba was at more of a disadvantage since she hailed from a village and had not been given a chance to receive an education.The judge asked the lawyer if he had seen the photos of Tayyaba that had sparked interest in the case and wondered whether he believed that those were also fake, to which the lawyer replied that the picture was not fake, but had been exaggerated and presented.

Justice Yahya Afridi pointed out that Tayyaba had been recovered from the convicted couple's house.

Following a break in the hearing, the convicts' lawyer maintained the argument that Tayyaba's bruises were accidental, to which Justice Afridi replied saying: "You are yourself accepting accidental bruises, this means you did something [wrong].""Sometimes you bring in Bahria Town, sometimes you bring the magistrate into this," Justice Ahsan remarked, adding: "Is the whole world against you?" The legal counsel for the convicts recorded his arguments after which the case was adjourned until tomorrow, when the arguments of the complainant will be heard. NEWS DESK

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nandipur reference: verdict in Babar awan acquittal plea deferred till may 15 ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday once again deferred the announcement of its reserved ruling on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan’s acquittal plea in the Nandipur Power Project reference till May 15. Judge Arshad Malik was expected to announce the verdict during today’s (Monday) hearing; however, the hearing was cancelled without any action as the judge was on leave. Now, the arguments on petitions filed on behalf of other accused persons in the same case will be heard on May 15. Meanwhile, the hearing of the case was adjourned until May 22. Awan, who had served as the federal minister for law and justice in the cabinet of former premier Yousaf Raza Gillani, had claimed that two summaries were submitted to the law ministry for the project but he wasn’t the law minister then. He had said that his name is not mentioned anywhere in the reference filed by NAB. On Feb 11, the court reserved its decision on the acquittal plea after Awan and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor concluded their arguments.

kashmir committee condemns unprovoked firing by indian side on Loc ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The first formal meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir was held here on Monday under the Chairmanship of Syed Fakhar Imam.The Committee was briefed by Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir regarding the Kashmir dispute with its historical background and suggestion for future strategy. While introducing the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir the Chairman mentioned him as a seasoned diplomat and considered an authority on the Kashmir issue. The Chairman Syed Fakhar Imam, briefly shed light on the Kashmir dispute since partition and also said that Kashmir issue is, basically, an unfinished agenda of the partition plan. He also referred to important events in our history, we solve the dispute amicably but on account of India’s intransigence. The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir gave a detailed over view of the Kashmir issue from all dimensions and also urged the Committee to play its due role to further highlight the Kashmir issue in the international arena while effectively using Parliamentary diplomacy and media. The Members took a very keen interest in the proceedings. They made several suggestions and recommendations. The Committee Members also pointed out that the reports of the UN Human Rights Commission, UK Parliamentary Group, and European Union Human Rights Committee may be discussed in the next meeting to formulate a comprehensive strategy for a future plan of action. The Committee also strongly condemned un-provoked firing by the Indian side during the last three months particularly yesterday when a women and a young boy were killed and another injured badly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir villages of Gujran and Sehra (Khui Ratta and Hajirah sub division of Kotli and Poonch District). The Committee expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and further, said that such a cowardly attack and use of force cannot change the principled stance of the Kashmir. On conclusion of the meeting, the Members and the Chairman deeply appreciated the briefing of the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and also congratulated the Chairman on assuming charge of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir with great expectations.

04 KARACHI

Tuesday, 7 May 2019

WEATHER UPDATES TUESDAY

350C 260C

WEDNESDAY

340C 260C

THURSDAY

KaRaCHI SUFFERS MaJoR tRaFFIC JaMS aFtER polICE bloCK RoadS IN REd ZoNE NURSES END PROTEST AFTER SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS WITH CITY GOVT OFFICIALS KARACHI

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STAFF REPORT

AJOR roads of Karachi were blocked for hours on Monday after authorities placed containers to block Din Mohammed Wafai Road, Sarwar Shaeed Road and Aiwan-i-Saddar Road in order to prevent protesting nurses from entering the city's Red Zone.

The blockades resulted in traffic jams on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Abdullah Haroon Road, New Preedy Street and many other roads causing inconvenience to citizens, who were stuck for hours.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Karachi South Sharjeel Kharal said that police "feel sorry that the public suffered inconvenience", but added that their foremost responsibility was to secure the chief minister house and

governor’s house.

Police dispersed without using force the protesting nurses who were advancing towards the CM House after they tore apart blockades placed near the Karachi Press Club, DIG South said. He added that no cases had been registered against the protesters.

The nurses had been protesting outside the Karachi Press Club for the past five days in order for the government to agree to a host of demands, including promotions and increase in salaries.

Mother, daughter and son slaughtered in Khairpur KHAIRPUR: Unknown people slaughtered three people - a woman, her daughter and son in the city on Monday. Unknown men barged into a house in Panjj Hatti Mohalla of Khairpur city and slaughtered 30-yearold woman Suraya, her daughter Shahnaz and an eight-year son Abdul Basit. The police rushed to the scene, took bodies in custody and started a probe into the incident. STAFF REPORT

SHC bars private schools from charging July’s fees KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday barred privately owned schools from charging fees for the month of July. As per details, SHC took up the plea filed against the private schools for charging fees for the month of July. The court said it had already stopped private schools from charging two months fees on account of summer vacations in its ruling. Counsel of private school apprised the court, the case is under trial in the Supreme Court, “Those parents who are contacting courts, not paying fees of their children.” To this, the Sindh High Court ordered parents to pay fees within three days and asked the schools to withdraw fees voucher of one month, issued for the period of summer vacations. The court later adjourned the hearing of the case till May 20. It may be recalled that last month, Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered the privately owned schools to halt recovery of advance fees of more than one month from students. “What is justification of getting the fees of June and July when the academic session ends in May,” the court asked. It will be unlawful to receive fees (for the period) after end of the academic session, the bench had remarked.

Shaam Idrees’ wife Froggy ‘punched in face’

NEWS DESK: The ongoing feud between Youtubers Shaam Idress and Ducky Bhai reached to a new level when an individual ‘punched Shaam’s wife Froggy in face’. In a video going on social media, Shaam Idrees can be seen getting angry over the mob in a shopping mall in Karachi, apparently, after someone attacked his wife. In a YouTube video, Froggy shared the details of the incident claiming that during their meet and greet, a fan of Ducky Bhai attacked her and ran away. “What I have done to deserve this,” asked Froggy, adding she didn’t expect Saad or his followers to spread this much hate. “This time I was punched by a Ducky bhai fan and this time, I am asking for your help,” she said. It was rumoured that Ducky bhai was behind this attack but he quickly denied any involvement in this by tweeting, “Just heard about the assault on Froggy at Sham’s meet & greet today. This type of disgusting behaviour should never be tolerated at any cost, especially on a woman. Fans should enjoy the occasion by staying in their limits. This is not what I or any other YouTuber encourage to do.”

They had announced they would hold a protest outside CM House.

The protest came to an end after an agreement was reached in a meeting between the protesting nurses and city government officials.

It was decided that a four-tier formula — prepared in consultation with representatives of nursing staff — will be forwarded for the approval of the competent authority ‘within 10 days’ and consequently, the same shall be notified.

It was also agreed that the matter of professional health allowance, which has already been proposed by health department, will be considered by finance department "in due course of time".

Furthermore, cases of promotions of medical education and health services nursing staff will be expedited and placed in departmental promotion committee and sent for consideration before the concerned forum "within shortest possible time".

The Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) has already been requested to expedite the recruitment process of staff nurses. Other posts will also be sent to SPSC soon after the approval of change of nomenclature of various posts as agreed under the agreement.

JIT reports’ publicising case: Sindh AG fails to appear before SHC

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday expressed severe outrage over absence of Advocate General (AG) Sindh despite summoning him in the hearing of case relating to release of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) reports publically on the high profile cases.

The SHC judge, Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro, heard the case relating to publicising of JIT reports over Lyari gang war kingbolt Uzair Baloch, Baldia factory fire tragedy and former Fishermen’s Cooperative Society chairman Nisar Morai.

Justice Kalhoro remarked that the court had directed AG Sindh to give arguments in the case but he did now show up.

The petitioner’s lawyer pleaded SHC to publicise the JITs which were finalised by the investigators.

Justice Kalhoro remarked that the verdict regarding JITs will be written.

The high court summoned AG Sindh and adjourned the hearing till May 20.

On April 8, the Sindh High Court (SHC) had put off the hearing of a petition

filed by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi seeking to make public Joint Investigation Team (JIT) reports due to absence of petitioner’s lawyer.

In the previous hearing, the SHC har ruled that it will make public the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) reports public after carefully reviewing them. The sealed JIT reports have already been submitted to bench in pursuance of its orders.

The Karachi-based lawmaker had moved a petition in the high court seeking directives for the law enforcement agencies to make public JIT reports of Uzair Baloch, Morai and the Baldia inferno case.

He, in his petition, contended that more than 250 people lost their lives in the Baldia incident but the JIT report had not been made public yet. The JIT reports of Uzair Baloch and Morai have also not been made publically available, he added.

The minister claimed that Morai had spilled the beans about involvement of senior politicians in the murder of seven people during his questioning by the JIT. “It was the right of citizens to know about the suspects investigated during the JIT investigation.”

31 more dengue fever cases reported in Karachi KARACHI: At least 31 more dengue fever cases surfaced in Karachi in a week, taking the reported cases toll to 419 since 1st January 2019. According to the weekly report issued by Prevention and Control Program for Dengue in Sindh, as many as 35 new dengue fever cases surfaced throughout Sindh province in a week out of which 31 happened in Karachi and four in other districts. In May, a total of 35 dengue positive cases emerged across the province out which 31 happened in Karachi and four in other districts. A total of 437 dengue cases have been reported in Sindh province so far out of which happended 419 in Karachi and 18 in other districts. A death was also reported in Karachi city due to dengue fever this year so far. PPI

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SHC rejects 262 petitions seeking exemption from Ehtram-e-Ramzan law HYDERABAD: The Sindh High Court has rejected some 262 petitions filed by the eateries seeking exemption from Ehtram-e-Ramdan Ordinance, 1981. The Hyderabad Circuit Bench comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Fahim Ahmed Siddiqui underlined that the ordinance's section 5 had restricted exemptions to only certain places. Such places include a canteen or a kitchen in a hospital; a restaurant, a canteen or a stall in the premises of a railway station, airport, seaport, train, aircraft or bus stand; and a kitchen or a canteen in a primary school.

"Since in all the petitions, the places mentioned do not fall within exemption given under section 5 of the Ordinance, therefore, all the petitions are dismissed," the SHC's order reads. Furthermore, the Hyderabad Circuit Bench directed all the District and Session Judges in the province as well as all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that no restaurant, hotel, stall or tea shop operated during the hours of fasting. The justices also ordered Hyderabad's Deputy Commissioner not to allow any restaurant, hotel, stall or tea shop which operated in the public places to open during the hours of fasting. The court asked the eateries which do not fall under section 5 of the ordinance to approach the Deputy Commissioners to seek permission. APP

Employees protest against Steel Mills’ privatisation KARACHI: Employees of Pakistan Steel Mills on Monday staged a protest demonstration in front of Karachi’s Malir Press Club on the National Highway against proposed privatization of their mills. On the call of Steel Mill employees CBA Union a large number of workers gathered at Malir Press Club and chanting slogans against the federal government for its decision of privatizing the Pakistan Steel Mills. Later, the protestors blocked the National Highway which caused problems for traffic flow for one hour. Later, they ended the protest after traffic police officials intervened. STAFF REPORT

Khurram Sher Zaman demands Sindh health minister’s resignation KARACHI: Amid worsening health situation in Sindh province, Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khurram Sher Zaman has demanded resignation of the province’s Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho on Monday. In his tweet, the PTI leader said, Quacks, illegal blood banks, unavailability of doctors, medicines, rise of diseases like HIV/AIDS, gripped Sindh province. While being in opposition, the PTI demands immediate resignation of the health minister for failing to control over the worsening situation, he continued in his tweet. It may be recalled that, the number of the HIV affectees in Rato Dero has climbed to 119. The new affectees include 21 children and one woman, said Medical Superintendent (MS) Rato Dero Hospital. Screening of 657 more people was carried out at two new places, he said.

Samples of the AIDS cases were sent to Jacobabad laboratory for testing. The Sindh AIDS Control Programme had sent the report to the federal government. INP

Nasir Salman appointed as University of Karachi’s acting VC KARACHI: The Sindh government on Monday appointed Dean of Faculty of Education Professor Dr Nasir Sulaiman as acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Karachi.

According to the issued notification, Professor Dr Nasir will be looking after affairs of daily routine until a permanent VC is appointed. Earlier on Saturday, Vice Chancellor at the time Dr Ajmal Khan died after suffering a heart attack. According to the focal person of the varsity, Dr Ajmal suffered a heart attack late on Friday night and was immediately shifted to a private hospital where he died under treatment later on. STAFF REPORT

CTD arrests 19 suspects involved in sectarian killings KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Police here on Monday claimed to have arrested 19 suspects involved in sectarian killing from different areas in Karachi.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Amir Farooqi said that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Malir police conducted joint operations in different areas of the city and apprehended the sus-

pected terrorists.

He alleged that a neighboring country was involved in terror financing and promoting terrorism in Pakistan. “Amazingly, the suspects’ names are included in the list of missing persons,” said the police officer and added that the target killers received militant training in a neighboring country.

He said that the neighboring country through the hostile spy agency was paying them Rs.40,000

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per month each for terror activities in Pakistan.

Amir Farooqi said that the suspects, during the initial interrogation, revealed that 28 people were on their hit list and they had completed their reiki.

The police officer said, “The suspects were given target to convince media persons and use them for their evil design.” He said that the suspects were involved in attack on a religious leader Molana Orangzaib Farooqi.

“No secretion violence or murder was reported in the city since their detention,” Amir Farooqi said and added that the suspects were identified as Saeed Imran, Waqar Raza, Abbas, Syed Matloob Mosvi, and Saeed Mutasim.

The police officer said that the suspects was also involved in recruiting people in their terrorist group and added that the suspects had killed at least 50 people in different areas of city.

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

NEWS

LHC seeks investigation record from NAB against Aleem Khan LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned bail plea of former senior minister of Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan till May 13. A two-member bench of the LHC headed by Justice Ali Baqir Najfi heard the case. At the outset of the hearing, NAB’s Investigation Officer (IO) informed the court that reference is being finalised against Aleem Khan and soon it will be filed in the NAB court. Khan’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar asked the court to grant his client bail as the bureau has failed to prove any charges against his client after his arrest in the month of February. “The proceedings of the reference can also be carried out after bail”, he said. To this, the court directed NAB to produce all the record of the investigation against PTI leader and adjourned the hearing till May 13.

According to the petition, the NAB arrested Aleem Khan over the charges of his offshore companies and assets beyond known sources of income. The petitioner said that he had declared his all assets and the companies in his income statements. Khan called all NAB charges including the misuse of authority as baseless. The NAB failed to prove any allegations against him, Aleem Khan said in his petition and pleaded to the court to order his release on bail. STAFF REPORT

MORe tHAN 15.95PC CigARetteS CONSUMed iN iSLAMABAd CLASSiFied AS ‘iLLiCit’ ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

study on illicit trade of cigarettes has revealed that there are only 15.95% of the cigarettes per day consumed in Islamabad, classified as illicit, while the annual economic cost of smoking in Pakistan is as high as Rs143.208 billion.

According to the finding of the study, there are 15.95% of the cigarettes per day consumed in Islamabad, classified as illicit. These cigarette brands failed to comply with the six-factor criteria i.e. pictorial health warnings, textual health warning, low price, age warning, manufacturer details and printing of retail price. Out of 15.95%, only 10.74% of cigarettes were illicit as smuggled and 5.2% cigarettes were illicit as low priced or duty not paid (DNP). These DNP cigarettes met all the criteria of legitimate brands but selling on low price (PKR 2540), which labeled these as illicit cigarettes.

The study also said that smoking is inversely related to academic qualification and price, the respondents appear to be less educated (65.7% were matriculate or below), 25.5% were willing to quit smoking if the price of cigarettes be doubled. While 36.2% were of the opinion to reduce smoking if price of cigarettes be doubled. 1,131smokers of the study were smoking total 14,463 cigarettes per day.

Out of these smokers, 179 were found of smoking 2,307 sticks of illicit brands and 952 smokers were using 12,156 sticks of legal brands.

These revelations were made in a report titled as “The burden of illicit trade of cigarettes in Islamabad”, which was launched by FFO, a think tank working on NCDs and tobacco control issues here in federal capital on Monday.

Dr. Nausheen Hamid, Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination said that the pilot study carried out to measure the burden of illicit trade in cigarettes in Islamabad would be helpful in strategizing tobacco control in Pakistan especially while taking tobacco taxation measures for reducing demand of cigarettes.

She was speaking on the occasion of launch of a Report on “The Burden of Illicit Trade in Cigarettes in Islamabad”, by FFO, a think tank working on NCDs and tobacco control issues, here in Islamabad today.

Talking about the burden of tobacco use in the country she said that tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of death in the world. Tobacco kills around 1660,00 people every year in Pakistan. In Pakistan, 23.9 million adult populations use tobacco in any form. She said that the annual economic cost of smoking in Pakistan is as high as Rs143.208 billion.

She expressed satisfaction on the findings of the study which revealed that there are only 15.95% of the cigarettes per day consumed in Islamabad, clas-

Fawad claims SUPARCO sent Hubble telescope into space

LAHORE: Firefighters attempt to extinguish fire which engulfed Alfalah Building on The Mall on Monday. ZUBAIR MEHFOOZ

21-year sentenced in Greece for ‘racist’ murder of Pakistani immigrant ATHENS AGENCIES

Two Greek men were on Monday sentenced to over 21 years in prison for the racially-aggravated murder of a Pakistani migrant worker, a verdict that could impact the landmark trial of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, a court source said.

Shehzad Luqman was 27 when he was fatally stabbed by 29-year-old Christos Stergiopoulos and 25-year-old Dionysis Liakopoulos in 2013 whilst cycling to work in the Athens district of Petralona. The pair’s sentences were reduced on appeal on Monday, after a court of first instance had earlier handed down lifetime prison terms.

Luqman’s murder is among crimes investigated in connection with the ongoing Golden Dawn trial, which began in 2015.

Police found a cache of weapons and

Golden Dawn flyers whilst searching the defendants’ homes. Luqman’s killers denied links with Golden Dawn and blamed the killing on an altercation. But prosecutors are seeking to prove that such violent acts against foreigners and political opponents were encouraged, if not actively ordered, by senior Golden Dawn officials.

A verdict on the Golden Dawn trial is expected by early next year. Formerly on the fringe of Greek politics, Golden Dawn went from 19,000 votes a few years ago to over 426,000 in 2012 when it entered parliament for the first time after pledging to “scour the country” clean of illegal immigrants.

It confirmed these numbers in 2015, picking up nearly 380,000 votes. Today it is the fourth largest party in the Greek parliament, with polls predicting it will secure nearly eight percent of the vote when the country goes to the polls later this year.

Buzdar, Awan discuss political situation LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar held a meeting here on Monday in the provincial capital of Punjab.

Both discussed the political scenario and other important matters of mutual interest.

The process of improving the coordination of the information departments of provinces with the federal ministry was also

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discussed during the meeting. Awan said people will soon get relief from the steps taken by the government for their welfare. Speaking on this occasion, the chief minister said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has promoted a new culture of transparency in the country. He said that Zero Tolerance Policy of government against corruption is yielding positive results. It is pertinent to mention that the advisor to the PM on information and the CM had last met on April 22, where Awan had asserted that Prime Minister Khan has repose complete confidence on Buzdar.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Monday waded into dangerous waters of accountability by the Twitterati for claiming that the Hubble Space Telescope was sent into space by Pakistan’s aeronautics and aerospace research agency SUPARCO, instead of its US counterpart NASA. While speaking in a programme on a local news channel, the minister said, “The world’s biggest telescope was sent by Suparco [Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission]”.

“One of the ways to see is the Hubble Telescope, which is the world’s biggest telescope and was sent [into space] by Suparco, which is installed in a satellite. Then there are other satellites, and there are other types of technologies,” he added. People were quick to point out the minister’s ignorance and poor knowledge of science and Twitter exploded with memes soon after his ill-informed statements. NEWS DESK

Five of a family injured in Sialkot gas cylinder explosion SIALKOT: As many as five members of a family received burn injuries in cylinder blast in a house in Sialkot on early Monday morning.

According to details, all the injured were shifted to hospital where condition of three was critical as they received more than 50pc burn injuries.

A woman was preparing breakfast for her family when suddenly a gas cylinder exploded in her kitchen due to which the roof of the house caved in. APP

sified as illicit. She said that based on the overblown figures of illicit trade in cigarettes, the policy of reducing cigarette prices was introduced by FBR in the last government regime. Globally, tobacco industry lobbies for favorable tax structure arguing that an increase in taxes will harm the economy and increase illicit trade. However, evidence from this report shows that the burden of illicit trade in cigarettes in Islamabad is almost half than quoted by tobacco industry. The report also counters the tobacco industry arguments about shifting of smokers towards cheaper brands if price is increased, by revealing that 61% of the smokers would quit of reduce smoking if price is increased. Only 8% of the smokers would opt for cheaper cigarettes if price is increased.

Earlier, Dr. Ziauddin Islam briefed about the rational and intended benefits of the study in strategizing tobacco taxation policy reforms in Pakistan.

He informed that the study will be replicated in all provincial capitals of Pakistan, in the next phase, to have national data.

Waseem Saleem, Senior Economist, SPDC, Mr. Muhammad Javed, Project Manager, Tobacco Control Cell, Malik Imran Ahmed, Country Director Campaign for tobacco free kids, Sanaullah Ghumman, General Secretary, PANAH and Sajjad Ahmad Cheema, Executive Director, Society for the Protection of the rights of the child (SPARC) also spoke on the occasion.

3,000 police personnel to secure capital during Ramzan ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Around 3000 personnel including policemen, security guards and Masajid guards will perform security duties in federal capital during holy month of Ramadan and to ensure elaborate arrangements in coordination with the notables in various areas.

According to plan chalked out following directions of Islamabad Police Chief IGP Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar, DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed has devised an elaborate security plan for Ramadan. As per plan, 3000 security men will perform special duties at 1023 mosques and 33 imambargahs. Police officials/security guards/mosques guards will be deployed for the security of worship places in Islamabad during the holy month. These security arrange-

ments shall be supervised by SPs while SDPOs and SHOs would conduct security checking during Namaz timings.

Special police strength has been called from Police Line Headquarters and provided to various police stations with the purpose to ensure effective security duties at worship places and markets. Police stations have been directed to coordinate with office bearers of traders union in their respective areas to ensure effective security along with security guards. Special drive against the professional beggars would be launched and they should not be allowed to gather outside the worship places. Mosque committees would also not allow any stranger or outsider for stay in worship places. The police officials have been also directed to carry out special checking of hotels, motels, inns and guest houses for security purpose.

IHC serves contempt notice to interior secretary ISLAMABAD APP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday served a contempt of court notice to Secretary Ministry of Interior in a case seeking removal of an accused from exit control list (ECL).

A divisional bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard a case filed by Abdul Qadar, an accused of irregularities in Multan Metro Bus Service.

The petitioner had stated in his plea that his name was placed on ECL on recommendation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) due to an inquiry regarding metro project. However, the IHC bench had directed the ministry to delist his name from ECL. He stated that the ministry had not compliance the court directives and prayed the court to initiate a contempt of court proceeding against Secretary Interior Ministry. At this, the court sought reply from ministry within ten days and adjourned the hearing.

Billion tree tsunami implemented in transparent manner: Zartaj ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul has emphatically stated that billion tree tsunami project was implemented in transparent manner in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing a news conference here on Monday, she said project launched in 2014 was estimated to be completed at a cost of twenty two billion rupees. However, the provincial government completed the project in twelve billion rupees and thus saved ten

billion rupees. Zartaj Gul said the project also received global recognition from Bonn Challenge, World Wildlife Fund and the World Economic Forum.

She urged the opposition parties not to do politics on the project at a time when world donors are ready to provide funding in the countrywide ten billion tsunami project. She asked the media to personally visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to witness the success of this project.

She also challenged the opposition parties to visit the plantation sites along with her to ascertain the facts.

06 WORLD VIEW

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

IndIa: the Whatsapp electIon Financial Times MadhuMita Murgia, Stephanie Findlay & andreS Schipani

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anjukta Pandey quit her job as a hair and make-up stylist in March to devote herself to Indian prime minister narendra Modi’s re-election campaign on social media.

Ms Pandey, a feisty 32-year-old wearing huge hoop earrings, neon pink lipstick and a tattoo of Mr Modi’s name on her left forearm, now spends her waking hours spreading his election message on Whatsapp and other social media apps. “I’m online almost 24/7. I don’t go to sleep; we want Mr Modi to come back,” she says.

“You won’t see anyone getting inked with Rahul Gandhi’s name.”

India’s ruling Bharatiya janata party is using Whatsapp to wage one of the world’s most sophisticated digital political campaigns, carried out by a vast army of volunteers like Ms Pandey, who are devoted to Mr Modi’s brand of Hindu nationalism. as internet access surges in India with the proliferation of smartphones and cheap data, more than 300m Indians are now on Whatsapp, making the country by far its biggest market.

While campaigns used to be conducted on tV and at large rallies, Whatsapp has become the central battleground of India’s election, which began on april 11 and will conclude on May 19. the Indian contest follows a divisive election in Brazil, where far-right candidate jair Bolsonaro swept into power in October — helped in part by a wave of toxic rumours and misinformation, much of it spread over Whatsapp. now India is becoming the latest test case of the capacity of the messaging app, whose millions of small groups of encrypted users are often beyond the purview of electoral authorities or independent fact-checkers, to potentially shape the election in the world’s largest democracy.

For every supporter who says the app has helped bring together families and friends with a cheap communication tool, there are as many critics who fear it has become an impossible to monitor conduit for fake news.

“Whatsapp is the echo chamber of all unmitigated lies, fakes and crap in India, it’s a toxic cesspool,” says Palanivel thiagarajan, an elected official and head of the It department of DMk, a regional party in the state of tamil nadu who is running against the BjP. “If it were up to me I would say just cut it, there are hundreds of substitutes.” the messaging app, which has 1.5bn users globally, has risen to popularity particularly outside the uS in countries where its parent company Facebook is hoping to grow new revenue streams.

Claire Wardle, a research fellow at

IT IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD — IT COULD ALSO SHAPE THE COUNTRY’S POLITICAL FUTURE Harvard university and co-founder of First Draft, a non-profit group addressing misinformation on social media, says Whatsapp took off with the explosion of smartphone users in countries such as Brazil, nigeria and India, where it has become “a primary source of information”. “these questions about its role in the spread of misinformation are not just to do with elections,” she says. “It’s about Whatsapp’s role in societies, full stop.”

In recent years, it has been Facebook itself which has attracted most of the criticism around the spread of false news and electoral manipulation. the report by special counsel Robert Mueller outlined the extensive efforts by Russian actors to manipulate the 2016 uS presidential election using Facebook. It also came under fire when it emerged Myanmar’s military was using the social network to incite violence against the Muslim Rohingya minority in the country.

But it is Whatsapp, which Facebook bought for $22bn in 2014, which has become the communications platform of choice not just in India and Brazil, but also across swaths of Europe including Spain and the uk. Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook founder, has said Whatsapp’s intimate form of communication is the future of the Facebook group.

“In the last year or so we have seen a move from Facebook news feed to more private channels, including Whatsapp and Messenger, particularly in places like Brazil,” says Ms Wardle.

Its encryption system means that in contrast with Facebook or twitter, Whatsapp conversations are impenetrable even to the company itself, say executives. But that has made it more vulnerable to misuse, especially in elections, say critics, who argue it has become a platform for spreading campaign-related misinformation. this risk came to a head in Brazil last year, in what became known as the first “Whatsapp election”. With 120m Whatsapp users in a country of over 211m, the platform was flooded ahead of the October vote with false rumours, doctored photographs and audio hoaxes — much of which helped Mr Bolsonaro. Researchers studying 100,000 images circulating in 347 groups found that only 8 per cent were “fully truthful”.

“Misinformation was huge in Brazil.

It was an election plagued with fake news that left behind a country split in half by hatred,” says Fabrício Benevenuto at the Federal university of Minas Gerais and a researcher on the impact of the social media network. “the political discussion ended up being reduced to a meme.”

In India, the BjP has been the most active of the main parties in trying to use Whatsapp to win votes. “I’ve been trying to reach every household via at least Whatsapp,” says Punit agarwal, the BjP’s social media co-ordinator for the Delhi area.

Mr agarwal says the party has 74,000 volunteers tasked with spreading its message over Whatsapp. “there was a limited audience last time,” he says. “this time we have a vast audience.”

Whatsapp has become the platform of choice for politicians because of its massive reach that goes beyond a party’s loyal voter base, but also because of the lack of gatekeepers. Messages forwarded through the system have no context about where they originate, but benefit from the trust of coming from a contact.

Mr agarwal denies that the BjP is spreading polarising content, but public Whatsapp data collected by analysts and anecdotal evidence show that Indians are being flooded with propaganda memes, much of it anti-Muslim and critical of the opposition Congress party. “Whatsapp groups are considered the most dangerous,” says SY Quraishi, India’s former election commissioner. “the disastrous potential of this media is very strong; you’ve seen how rumours floating [around] can cause havoc.”

Because of the extensive political participation on Whatsapp in India, the company said it began to plan its election strategy early. “We know political parties are using Whatsapp to organise, and we decided to do a test run [to monitor it] during the karnataka election,” says Carl Woog, Whatsapp’s head of communications, referring to regional elections last May. at the time, Whatsapp discovered that one of the political parties, which it declines to name, had created a large number of groups using the party’s name all at the same time, and was adding several people to them in an obvious effort to spread propaganda in contravention of Whatsapp rules. “We had a pretty good sense of what was going on and we banned those groups,” he says, adding that this was the first time the company had observed this viral group behaviour. kiran Garimella, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of technology who is studying misinformation in India, analysed more than 5m Whatsapp messages posted in 5,000 public groups over the past five months, covering roughly 1m people.

“We have observed that it is specifically focused on image-based, subtle misinformation,” says Mr Garimella, giving an example of doctored screenshots from

a reputable news channel. the top shared images accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being a “fake Hindu” and invented a link to Vijay Mallya, India’s fugitive billionaire businessman. a recurring favourite message shows Mr Gandhi praying at a mosque, insinuating that he is a Muslim to deter Hindu voters.

Similar to the Brazilian campaign, academics say Whatsapp is being used by parties to polarise citizens by playing on communal tensions.

“I’m a member of over 100 Whatsapp groups run formally or informally by BjP supporters,” says Soma Basu, a fellow at the Reuters Institute of journalism and an Indian journalist. “I’m analysing 75,000 messages I’ve received in this time, many of which are very disturbing and violent, such as a video of a youth being beheaded in the name of religion.”

Religious propaganda is not just a Whatsapp problem and is spreading through Facebook, twitter, Indian social media app ShareChat and other platforms but, “Whatsapp carries the credibility of the sender, it’s more private and personal, so a lot of things that can’t be said on twitter or Facebook can easily be said on Whatsapp”, she says. the study of Whatsapp political groups in Brazil revealed an elaborate “pyramid” structure of how misinformation spreads on the platform, cascading from regional and local activists to individual citizens and their friends. In India, the structure of Whatsapp political groups is also layered and complex. the BjP’s social media department targets undecided voters with tailored messages, customised according to voting history, class and caste, says a former data analyst for the party, Shivam Shankar Singh. the messages almost never came from official BjP channels, but Whatsapp groups organise outside the party.

Both main parties spread fake news but the “BjP sends messages with communal and religious fundamentalist messages which Congress doesn’t.

[Congress] share a lot of fake statistics, but they clearly don’t have a sound strategy,” Ms Basu adds.

Despite its huge presence in India, Whatsapp only hired its first employee in the country last year. But since then, the app has struggled to contain a torrent of false news in India — from rumours about child kidnappings to fake footage of terrorist attacks and dead bodies — that has contributed to bouts of mob violence and unrest. Whatsapp says it bans roughly 400,000 accounts in India every month.

In response to legal threats from the Indian government starting last july, which demanded that it make changes to how it operates in order to improve accountability, Whatsapp appointed a grievance officer to deal with complaints from users and hired its first-ever India head, abhijit Bose, in March.

the biggest challenge is that, unlike Facebook, Whatsapp cannot identify the source of a message without breaking its encryption system. Instead, it has worked to make sharing more difficult, including limiting the number of recipients of a forwarded message, reducing group sizes and allowing users to decline group invitations. Other product changes being tested include a fact-checking service for images received through the app, although it would not be rolled out in time for the election, Mr Woog says. these measures to limit virality have had limited impact, according to independent academics. “We see many instances where the same message was sent on multiple groups, over 20 groups within a 10-second window, that means there is a person or software sending the messages,” says Mr Garimella.

Whatsapp says it has also spent about $10m in India to run a public education campaign around the dangers of misinformation on traditional media such as television, radio and newspapers. “I think I would say without hyperbole it’s probably the largest public education campaign about misinformation ever undertaken,” says Mr Woog. the company is working with thirdparty organisations such as Boom Live, one of India’s independent Whatsapp fact-checkers, and altnews, as well as the non-profit group Proto, on official factchecking services for the duration of the election. the efforts mirror those by non-profit First Draft during the Brazilian election, where a consortium of journalists factchecked more than 65,000 tips and messages received from users via a dedicated Whatsapp number.

“Most of the stuff we are busting or verifying owes its origin to Whatsapp. there is fake news on Facebook too, but the numbers are small compared with Whatsapp. We get hundreds of reports each day,” says Govindraj Ethiraj, founder of BoomLive. Facebook has recently removed hundreds of “inauthentic” pages.

While Facebook and Whatsapp are confident they have ensured the smooth running of their platforms in election season, academics fear that the millions of people coming online for the first time in emerging nations via Whatsapp will be most vulnerable to rumour and misinformation.

“It’s great that Whatsapp . . . [is] putting out advertising campaigns, and other traditional mechanisms but my concern is that it won’t reach the people actually using it,” says aviv Ovadya, founder of the thoughtful technology Project in California. “they could provide it in Whatsapp itself, make it fun, silly, interesting, in a way that people will engage with it. they should be doing a lot more.”

Madhumita Murgia in London, Stephanie Findlay in New Delhi and Andres Schipani in São Paulo.

The $100 trillion question: What to do about wealth?

WashingTon PosT robert J SaMuelSon

We live in an age obsessed with economic inequality. there is too much of it, most people seem to agree. after President trump — his personality, behavior and policies — inequality may well become the dominant issue in the 2020 election. this poses dangers, the most obvious being the tendency to blame the rich and the super-rich for everything that ails us or displeases us. Still, we can’t (and shouldn’t) duck the issue. americans have long tolerated some inequality, because almost everyone would like to strike it rich. If you harbor these

ambitions, you’ve got to accept the consequences. But today’s gaps between rich and poor, or between the super-rich and upper middle class, long ago exceeded these permissive limits. the present inequality must make all but the most avid enthusiasts of laissez-faire (“let it be”) squirm. anyone who doubts this should consult a recent study by the Federal Reserve. until now, most studies of inequality have focused on income — what people earn or receive in a year. By contrast, the Fed study concentrates on the less common subject of wealth — what people own, from cars to homes to stocks. the study’s most striking feature is how gigantic the numbers are. In 2018, the Fed estimates that americans owned $114 trillion of assets, including $26 trillion of housing and real estate, $26 trillion of pensions (such as 401(k) accounts), $22 trillion of corporate stocks and mutual funds, and $6 trillion of durable goods (vehicles, appliances, fur-

IT SEEMS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN THAT, SOONER OR LATER, TAXES ON THE WELL-TO-DO AND WEALTHY WILL GO UP niture). Liabilities — mostly mortgages and consumer credit — totaled about $15 trillion, leaving net worth at nearly $100 trillion.

Some of these numbers have been available before. What’s new is the distribution of this wealth, which is highly skewed and getting more so: ● In 2018, the net worth of the wealthiest 10 percent of americans represented 70 percent of household wealth, up from 61 percent in 1989, the study’s first year. Even among this upper crust, wealth became more concentrated. Over the same years, the share of the top 1 percent went from 24 percent to 31 percent. ● the bottom 50 percent of u.S. households had virtually no

net worth, the difference between assets and liabilities, mainly loans. their wealth share tumbled from 4 percent of total wealth in 1989 to 1 percent in 2018. their assets (roughly half were homes) stood at $6.8 trillion, compared with liabilities (primarily home mortgages) of $5.6 trillion, leaving a net worth of $1.2 trillion.

Many of these households borrowed heavily in the real estate boom. Recall: total household net worth equals about $100 trillion. ● the big losers over the past 30 years could be termed the broad middle class: those with wealth starting at the median (the midpoint of all wealth) and going to the 90th percentile. their share of household wealth, though still sizable, has dropped from 35 percent in 1989 to 29 percent in

2018.

Some caveats are in order.

Perhaps the most important is this: Economic inequality at the bottom of the wealth distribution does not always indicate poverty.

Low wealth sometimes reflects age. Young households, on average, have lower incomes and wealth; but as they age, these increase. the opposite is often true of older households. Even though they saved for retirement, they’re depleting their wealth. the paucity of past studies on wealth has mainly reflected technical difficulties. Information needed to be collected from many sources and merged into a common statistical framework. there was often a long lag between data collection and publication. Fed economists overcame these problems by merging two existing data sources: the Survey of Consumer Finances and the Financial accounts of the united States. the new wealth statistics, which will be available on a quarterly basis, will give economists

a new set of tools to judge the effects of wealth on spending and saving behavior. the biggest impact could be political, because the new data will enable economists, scholars, pundits and interest groups to produce studies showing how various groups — by age, race, ethnicity and family status — are faring. the truth is that we still don’t fully understand the surge in economic inequality of the past three decades. the populist temptation is to blame greed, but this is not a satisfactory explanation because greed is hardly new. It seems virtually certain that, sooner or later, taxes on the well-to-do and wealthy will go up. that’s where the money is, and that’s where the biggest private gains have been.

But can we do this in a way that doesn’t weaken incentives for risk-taking and investment?

Can we do it in a way that strikes most people as reasonable and not simply an exercise in political and economic revenge? Good questions, all.

FOREIGN NEWS 07

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

US deployS forceS to MIddle eaSt to deter Iran WASHINGTON

t

AGENCIES

HE Trump administration is deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to troubling “indications and warnings” from Iran and to show the United States will retaliate with “unrelenting force” to any attack, national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday.

With tensions already high between Washington and Tehran, a US official said the deployment has been ordered: “as a deterrence to what has been seen as potential preparations by Iranian forces and its proxies that may indicate possible attacks on US forces in the region.”However, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was not expecting any imminent Iranian attack.

Bolton — who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish US policy on Iran — said the decision, which could exacer-

bate problems between the two countries, was meant to send a “clear and unmistakable message” of US resolve to Tehran.

Though he cited no specific Iranian activities that have raised new concerns, Iran has recently warned it would block the Strait of Hormuz if it was barred from using the strategic waterway. About a fifth of the oil consumed globally passes through the strait.

“The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or regular Iranian forces,” Bolton said in a statement.

It marked the latest in a series of moves by President Donald Trump’s administration aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Iran in recent months.

Washington has said it will stop waivers for countries buying Iranian oil, in an attempt to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero. It has also blacklisted Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps, taking the

unprecedented step of designating it as a foreign terrorist organization, which Iran has cast as an American provocation.

‘UNRELENTING FORCE’: The Trump administration’s efforts to impose political and economic isolation on Tehran began last year when it unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal it and other world powers negotiated with Iran in 2015. “The United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force,” Bolton said.

Bolton did not provide any further details. A US Navy statement issued early last month said the aircraft carrier and its accompanying convoy of ships had steamed out of Norfolk, Virginia, on April 1 “for a regularly scheduled deployment”, but it did not give any destination at the

time. While it is not rare for the United States to have aircraft carriers in the Middle East, Bolton’s language could increase tensions.

The threat late last month from the IRGC to close the Strait of Hormuz followed a US announcement that it would end exemptions granted last year to eight buyers of Iranian oil and demanding they

stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. European governments have opposed Washington’s reinstatement of sanctions on Iran. A senior Trump administration official said at the time that any aggressive move by Iran in the strait would be unjustified and unacceptable.

Iran has made threats to block the waterway in the past, without acting on them.

Trump’s ex-lawyer Cohen heads to prison NEW YORK AGENCIES

After dramatic appeals and testimony in Congress, Donald Trump’s one-time personal lawyer Michael Cohen is due to report to jail Monday to serve a sentence he deems unjust because he was simply following his boss’ orders.

The longtime Trump admirer who once said he was ready to “take a bullet” for Trump is awaited at the federal prison in Otisville, New York by 2:00 pm. He was sentenced to three years in prison in December, after admitting to having paid hush money during the 2016 election to two women who said they had had affairs with Trump — in violation of electoral laws — having committed tax fraud and having lied to Congress. The father of two children in their twenties, Cohen had hoped until the last moment that his sentence would be reduced, offering information to investigators that could compromise Trump and his family, including over the Russia investigation.

But even if Special Counsel Robert Mueller referred to the ex-attorney more than a hundred times in his report

on Russian meddling in the US elections, prosecutors have not budged on Cohen’s sentence.

WHY COHEN?: The child of a Holocaust survivor and a nurse will become one of just two close aides of the president jailed for a lengthy period of time after Paul Manafort, Trump´s ex-campaign manager who was sentenced to 7.5 years of prison.

Cohen worked for the Trump Organization for a decade and insists that all reprehensible acts took place at the

behest of the president, who the ex-attorney claims would be ready to cling to power even if he loses his bid for a second term in 2020.

“How come I´m the only one?”

Cohen asked in an interview with The New Yorker. “I didn´t work for the campaign. I worked for him. And how come I´m the one that´s going to prison? I´m not the one that slept with the porn star,” he added, referring to Stormy Daniels, one of the women who received hush money.

Cohen’s lawyer Lanny Davis said Friday

that the president´s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, should have gone to prison since he “signed hush money checks.”

For the American president and his allies, Cohen´s prison sentence has the taste of payback after the one-time attorney turned on his boss. Trump called him “weak” and a “rat” ready to make up any lies necessary to avoid prison.

FINAL STATEMENTS: Cohen, who has been disbarred and is running out of cash, has not said his last word. This weekend, he told reporters following him in Manhattan as he spent his last moments of freedom with his son Jake, a student in Miami, that he would make some final statements Monday before going behind bars. When he spoke to lawmakers earlier this year, Cohen mentioned plans to write a book and have his experiences made into a film.

In doing so, he would be following the example of Richard Nixon´s ex-lawyer John Dean, who pleaded guilty for having bought the silence of the Watergate scandal burglars, and then wrote a book about his experience.

The Otisville prison conditions should allow Cohen to spend at least some time on such projects.

Brunei backtracks on death penalty for gay sex after backlash BRUNEI AGENCIES

After global backlash, Brunei’s sultan on Sunday announced that punishment for violation of rules against gay sex and adultery in a Shariah code imposed in the country last month would not be enforced. The code, which advocates death by stoning for gay sex and adultery, also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet. It fully came into force last month in

the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with Shariah law at the national level. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in a speech late on Sunday, said that a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei’s regular criminal code would also extend to the new Shariah code. But critics on Monday called for the Shariah laws to be abandoned entirely.

The imposition of the new rules had sparked anger from governments and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a “clear violation” of human rights while celebrities led by actor George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted.

In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been “many questions and misperceptions” regarding Shariah laws.

“Both the common law and the Shariah law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country,” he said, according to an official translation of his speech.

Some crimes in Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code — which is enforced alongside the Shariah code — but no one has been executed for decades.

Hassanal said, “We have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law. This will also be applied to cases under the (Shariah penal code), which pro-

vides a wider scope for remission.”

‘DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING’: But rights groups said the announcement on Sunday did not go far enough. “It really doesn’t change anything,” Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP. “This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (Shariah code).”

The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the Shariah code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning. Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term. Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, were not affected by the sultan’s announcement. It was not clear how far other Shariah punishments would be enforced.

The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that “The entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped. It’s a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan’s word is law.” The sultan — one of the world’s wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades — announced plans for the Shariah penal code in 2013.

Gandhis hope to keep seats in 5th phase of India’s elections NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Polls opened on Monday for the crucial fifth phase of India’s marathon elections including in two constituencies in the voterich state of Uttar Pradesh, where opposition Congress party president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi hope to retain their seats.Voting began amid scorching summer temperatures and tight security in Uttar Pradesh in northern India, where more than 25 million people are registered to cast ballots for 14 members of India’s Parliament.Rahul Gandhi is seeking reelection for a fourth consecutive time in Amethi. He’s the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi’s widow, Sonia Gandhi, is running from neighboring Rae Bareli. Both constituencies are considered Congress party bastions.India’s multi-phase elections, which started April 11 and last five weeks, are seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which controls Uttar Pradesh.The polling, spread over 51 constituencies spread over seven states, also is taking place in his mother Sonia Gandhi’s constituency of Rae Bareli. Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is trying hard to defeat the top Congress leadership both in Amethi and Rael Bareli to gain ascendancy for years to come.Modi has adopted a nationalist pitch in trying to win votes from the country’s Hindu majority by projecting a tough stance against Pakistan, India’s Muslim-majority neighbor and archrival.The opposition is challenging him over India’s 6.1% unemployment rate the highest in years and the distress of farmers aggravated by low crop prices. They have also made alleged corruption in a deal to purchase French fighter jets as one of the major election issues.Monday’s polling will mark the completion of voting in more than 400 out of 543 parliamentary seats. The 39day process will be completed on May 19.

The counting will be held on May 23.The election’s fifth phase is a war of titans.Rahul Gandhi is pitted against the government’s textile minister, Smriti Irani, for Amethi.

08 COMMENT

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

Who is afraid of PTM?

World Bank to Pakistan’s revenue rescue

Is the worst yet to come?

$400 million project for robust tax mobilisation

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HILE inflation is approaching former finance minister Asad Umar’s predicted ‘people screaming’ levels, the country’s economy, characterised by crippling uncertainty, lies in the doldrums, and prices of everyday use commodities have spiked sharply due to Ramadan, the government is still hopelessly lethargic and confused in its key economic decrees. The sudden personnel changes of the governor state bank and the federal board of revenue chairman have partially stalled due to second thoughts about the latter, and no notification forthcoming. Making well-pondered moves after ice-cold reflection is not the PTI government’s forte. Hopefully, but still with fingers crossed, the month of May would end the manifold ‘maybe’s surrounding the economy, with an IMF bailout package, a new documentation-friendly Tax Amnesty Scheme and of course the announcement of the annual budget set for May 25, or thereabouts. The decisions and policies spelled out this month will have immense future implications.

To assist Pakistan in overcoming one of its major fiscal handicaps, the absurdly narrow tax base in the world’s sixth populous nation, the World Bank is financing a comprehensive Pakistan Revenue Mobilisation Project (though not for the first time, an earlier attempt having failed due to our shortcomings). It will be to the tune of $400 million, in a bid ultimately to simplify the taxation system, restructure FBR through a transformational roadmap, make it semi-autonomous, modernise it by introducing information and communications technologies (ICT) and improve overall detection of tax evasion. Though the tax collection has improved from 9.5 per cent of GDP in 2011-13 to 13 per cent of GDP in FY17-18, it is still short of the minimum 15 per cent required to cover expenditures, especially for financing investment in human capital and infrastructure. The WB finding states that by following a broad base-low rate tax formula, Pakistan would not need to raise existing taxes or impose new ones, and its revenue can even reach 26 per cent of GDP, but the small print is that tax compliance must be raised to 75 per cent as presently less than 50 per cent tax is being collected. Other areas needing revisiting are multiple tax exemptions, dicey withholdingtax collection, frequent policy changes, legal loopholes, and federal-provincial government coordination, among others.

But, in our work environment, easier said than done.

ShAh nAwAz MohAl

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HAT are our issues? One can begin by naming everything under the sun ranging from unemployment, a shaky economy, a weak political setup and end up regretting the rampant increase in population. What we peddle as their remedies? Promises without a plan; slogans without substance; magic bullets without research and hope without belief. The powersthat-be revel in perpetuating the sanctity of the state while the individuals are left to fend for themselves. There are red lines, not meant to be crossed. There is a path of ‘One nation, One People, One Culture’ to tread upon. There are sacred cows never to be questioned. And lastly, there is ever-elusive yet always present ‘Greater Good’ for which one has to sacrifice everything; be it passion, dreams, loved ones, or even life.

Last year, in these pages I wrote about PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement) and how pleasures abandoned them long ago, their hopes dashed eons back, and now even their fears have died.

This debt of disillusion has accumulated over many decades. The Pashtuns have just begun to shed it. I read Shelley way back. I didn’t under-

O

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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Shah Nawaz Mohal is a law graduate and member of staff, Islamabad Bureau.

Dialogue the only way forward

Yoking together science and mysticism

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

media, the PTM made extensive use of social media. Motivational songs, memes, criticising the state’s policy of fighting terrorism while avoiding questions about its cause; the movement attracted acolyte from the length and breadth of society.

Like their predecessors in Sindh and Balochistan who struggled for their rights, PTM too is being labelled as nDS-RAW sponsored movement aimed at disintegration of Pakistan as part of some grand conspiracy against the country.

According to PM Imran Khan the grievances are real, everybody concurs but it is the methods that are troublesome. The need of the hour is to realise that PTM and other movements are neither anti-state nor aimed at breaking Pakistan into pieces. These movements are children of neglect and oppression, brought up in the lap of lack of opportunities and want that have finally grown up to demand their share of the pie. The state has so far refused to even acknowledge that deadly fault lines divide the citizenry in many large and small groups. Pashtuns are just one ethnic segment that has raised its voice, many more like Hazaras, Sindhis, Seraikis and others will take cue from them.

So, who is afraid of PTM? The answer is neither straight nor simplistic. The doings of decades cannot be wished away. The harvest has to be reaped. Either through dialogue, a far more permanent solution or through force, a path paved with more bloodshed, ruin and perdition; the state has a choice.

It should choose wisely for in wisdom lies salvation.

Risk of Israeli-Iranian war still looms high

Al-Qadir University n Sunday Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of Al-Qadir University in Sohawa.

It was a good idea to set up a university between Gujrat and Islamabad to allow local graduates, particularly girls, to have access to higher learning nearer home.

In his address the PM underlined the need to inculcate ideology of Pakistan in the student community. The kind of society the Father of the nation wanted to create in the newly carved out state of Pakistan has been explained by him in the address the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947. Pakistan has to be a pluralistic Islamic country with parliamentary democracy based on federalism and an economic system characterising a welfare state. The Quaid also made it known soon after the creation of Pakistan that civilian supremacy would be a corner stone of the new state. Hopefully the new university would impart the Quid’s concept of the ideology of Pakistan.

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani is a well-known mystic revered by many as a saint but the Sheikh never claimed to be a scientist. Mysticism is a matter of passion and otherworldliness. What one needs to become a Sufi is to find the right kind of guide and follow him. All major Sufis from Ibnul Arabi to Bulleh Shah have stressed devotion and berated argumentation and reliance on books. A scientist on the other hand observes dispassionately the causal laws of the material world by means of observation and experimentation.

The best way to pay homage to the Sheikh was to create an Al-Qadir chair in one of the universities of Pakistan or abroad. The Sohawa University should have been devoted to science alone and named after Ibn Khaldun, the philosopher of history, or Ibn Rushd, the Andalusian philosopher, if the idea was to give the new university a historic name. By combining science and mysticism, one would only confuse the students and in the process produce neither good scientists nor trustworthy mystics.

Imran Khan would do well to improve the condition of government schools and the standards of colleges and universities. The government should concentrate on manpower training on a massive scale. Avoiding difficult decisions and taking recourse to shortcuts belittles the stature of a leader.

stand him then. now, seeing thousands of Pashtuns without any fears holding them back are brimming with newfound hope, I think I understand what Shelley had in mind when he wrote ‘Death Is here And Death Is There’. The sons and daughters of forgotten, perished Pashtuns have finally decided to traverse the road less taken.

They know that life is a strange struggle. The monsters of yesteryears are victims of today, the successors of oppressed nobodies become the mouthpieces of liberty and deliverance, the meek and humble, once empowered, turn into brutal taskmasters. War, famine, wants, and poverty brings out the best and the worst of qualities in us mortals.

Pashtuns are mortals. And mortals perish for ideals.

When terrorism wreaked havoc in all parts of the country. They shouldered the brunt. There was a time, not very long ago, when bomb blasts, suicide blasts, killings of innocent people from majority and minority groups was order of the day. The civilians and military decided to root out this menace. Operations in ilaqa-gheir were conducted. Resultantly, millions were displaced internally, collateral damage in the form of civilian deaths skyrocketed and Pashtuns in particular were once again at the receiving end of the proverbial stick.

Enter PTM. The movement has gone from strength to strength. The party has bagged full support from various political and social quarters in their struggle for their fundamental rights. Their demands are not unjust: an end to the harassment of their people by forces, recovery of missing persons, clearing of mines from their lands and a stop to extrajudicial killings of Pashtuns.

Barred from the traditional and conventional

Dr Alon Ben-Meir

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CCUSInG Iran of being a rogue country bent on acquiring nuclear weapons, supporting extremist groups and terrorism, persistently threatening Israel, and destabilising the region in its relentless effort to become the dominant power may well all be justified. The question is: what would it take to stop Iran from its destabilising activities and help make it a constructive member of the international community, and avoid military confrontation with either the US or Israel or both?

The answer is not regime change, as Israeli Prime Minister netanyahu and top American officials advocate, but a diplomatic solution. The EU, led by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – who continue to adhere to the JCPOA – should initiate a behind-the-scenes dialogue and pave the way for US involvement in a negotiating process with Iran to find a peaceful solution and prevent a disastrous military confrontation.

Should the Trump administration remain adamant on regime change, it is more than likely that one of the following scenarios will unfold, which could lead to a catastrophic development.

Bellicose narrative leads to violence: The threats and counterthreats between Iran and Israel could lead to miscalculation, resulting in an unintended outbreak of a catastrophic war that neither side wants nor can win. As it continues to escalate, such narratives also create a public perception both in Israel and Iran that military confrontation may well be inevitable. As a result, both countries would become entrapped by their bellicose narrative against one another, in which any incident Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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perceived to threaten the national security of either side could trigger a devastating military confrontation.

Attacks in Syria spark further conflict: Israel’s continuing attacks on Iranian military installations in Syria, from which Iran has sustained heavy losses, could pressure Iran to retaliate as it will no longer allow itself to be humiliated now that these attacks are in the open. Iran’s tendency to overly exaggerate its military prowess, which it has come to believe in and Israel’s psychologically rooted fear of existential threats, narrows the space of reasonable discourse.

The problem here is that Israel’s determination not to allow Iran to establish permanent military bases in Syria, and conversely Tehran’s resolve not to cut its losses and leave, shortens the time before an outright military confrontation could occur.

These conditions are further aggravated by Trump’s support of netanyahu’s military campaign against Iran in Syria, bringing Israel and Iran ever closer to the precipice of war.

Effecting regime change in Iran: Trump’s desire to effect regime change – by imposing sanctions to dislocate the Iranian economy and instigate public unrest, while trying to isolate Iran internationally – could create chaotic conditions in the country, but it does not guarantee that regime change will in fact be realised. Unlike the US’ successful attempt in 1953 to topple the then-Mosaddeq government, in today’s Iran the clergy is far more entrenched in every aspect of life.

Although Iranians are suffering and ordinary people take a serious personal risk by demonstrating against the government and demanding change, this public pressure is not enough to unseat the government, as the Trump administration is hoping for. It does, however, push the government to search for new avenues to alleviate the worsening economic conditions.

The mullahs have shown an inordinate capacity to ruthlessly quell any public unrest, and it can count on the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to safeguard the survival of the clergy, because in protecting the mullahs, the Guard protects its own elite position. This mutuality of interests and depend-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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ency explains why the clergy allocates a significant portion of Iran’s national budget to the Guard, regardless of the overall economic hardship from which the public suffers.

Waging a premeditated war against Iran: This is the worst option of all, as there is simply no way to predict the ultimate outcome. To suggest, as some Israelis do, that a surgical attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities carried out jointly by the US and Israel will not necessarily evolve into a regional war displays a clear lack of understanding of the Iranian psychological and political disposition. Regardless of cost, Iran will retaliate against US targets and allies in the region, which could plunge the Middle East into a devastating war from which no one will escape unscathed.

The fact that no war can obliterate Iran, and Israel’s low threshold for casualties, any Iranian attack on Israel in the course of a war that results in the death of thousands of Israelis while inflicting massive destruction may well force Israel to resort to the use of WMDs. This option becomes even more realistic should Israel conclude with certainty that Iran is posing an imminent existential threat. For this reason, no sane Israeli or American should even contemplate a premeditated war and must stop short of nothing to prevent an accidental one.

The February 2019 Warsaw conference revealed disunity and disagreement between the US and its allies in addressing the Iran problem.

Although it was ostensibly convened to address the crises sweeping the Middle East, the focus quickly shifted to Iran, which was the intent of the US in the first place. The Trump administration wanted to rally the international community behind its confrontational policy toward Iran, to which the European countries objected, as was manifested by the low-level delegations they sent to the conference.

For Iran, this display of disunity provided it the opportunity to take full advantage of the Western alliance’s discord and trade with many other countries to compensate for American sanctions. However, the EU must make it clear to Tehran that it cannot count on the discord to last indefinitely. Conversely, Germany, France, and the UK ought to

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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persuade the US that its confrontational approach will not work.

The EU must initiate behindthe-scenes negotiations with Iran, if it hasn’t already, and along with the US, develop and agree upon a joint cohesive strategic plan to mitigate the conflict with Iran based on the carrot-and-stick approach. The new negotiations should be based on quid pro quo aiming to achieve a comprehensive deal in stages to enhance mutual credibility and build trust.

Every conflicting issue must be placed on the table and a solution to any such issue, for example, an agreement on freezing Iran’s research and development of ballistic missiles, is reciprocated by lifting a specific set of sanctions from which Iran can derive immediate benefit.

To be sure, Western powers should offer Iran a path for normalisation of relations, removing sanctions, and assurances that the West will not seek regime change.

In return, Iran must stop meddling in the affairs of other states, supporting extremist groups such as Hezbollah, threatening Western allies, and waging proxy wars in Yemen and Syria while undermining their geostrategic interests. Moreover, Iran must provide a full account of its nuclear weapons history and present all information pertaining to its nuclear facilities and equipment, as was uncovered by the archives seized by Israel, along with the technology and materials that it has hidden from the international monitors.

This kind of cooperation and high level of transparency will serve the objective of reaching regional stability from which Iran can benefit greatly, instead of continuing its nefarious activities which invite condemnation, sanctions, and potentially war.

There is nothing in the current crises with Iran that cannot be resolved through negotiations. But the continuing threats and counterthreats will gain increasing traction and make the risk of waging a war preferable to the consequences of allowing Iran to continue its destructive behaviour.

This article is a short excerpt from my latest essay, ‘Preventing an Israeli-Iran War’, published in the May 2019 issue of American Diplomacy. The full-length essay is available here (online).

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 09

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

Editor’s mail

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Hepatitis threat WITH an estimated 12-15m of its citizens likely infected with hepatitis B and C, Pakistan has been on the top status of having one of the world’s highest prevalence rates of viral hepatitis. Thousands of people are found undiagnosed in Pakistan. national Hepatitis reports have time and again warn the authorities to revamp its policies and counter all loopholes in healthcare system. All provinces are tangled with this very disease. Sindh is likely most affected by hepatitis due to unstable healthcare system.

Considering all such repercussions, Shikarpur Youth Organization—- which has been active for humanitarian services—- has started working for helpless people affected severely by hepatitis. The 5th of May is marked to initiate an open door camp at Hazaridar, Shikarpur for all hepatitis affected citizens. This date will, undoubtedly, prove to be a milestone for human services.

The organisation will also disclose a plan to sweep the waves of hepatitis disease from its grass roots. The struggle done by organisers for the sake of humanitarianism is worthmentioning. In this globalised and busy world, who is ready to help the downtrodden people in society? We must appreciate the herculean efforts made by Youth of Shikarpur, and join hands with them for the noble cause to which Almighty God impresses. This is a worldwide issue, by your cooperation and support, it could be normalise at large.

WAJAHAT ABro Shikarpur

Tandoori tea, Binglish slogans and the cautious forecast of poets Modi gaining ground in Bengal

M J AkBAr

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T takes me a few minutes to notice something that isn’t there.

There is no tension in Petrapole.

We are standing on the line which a British lawyer, Sir Cyril Radcliffe, drew in August 1947 to seal partition and shatter the unity of Bengal and India. Seven decades later, this small town on the Ichamati River has the faint bustle of normalcy and the relaxed feel of friendship. A steady flow of people step out of buses, three-wheelers and take the occasional car to walk across into Benapole on the Bangladesh side. The process takes less than half an hour, says a BSF trooper who has sauntered towards us at about the same pace as we have strolled towards him. He dutifully checks what we are doing in open space instead of going through the customs and immigration sheds on the right of the road.

Border tourism, I reply. Ah. Quite all right.

Petrapole is the precise opposite, in every way, of Wagah, the only point at which you can cross by land to Pakistan, over 2200 km to the West. Wagah is an arid space consumed by brittle silence, bottled within a hostile vacuum. In Petrapole, you hear the small-talk chatter of friendship between countries who have picked up positive strands of culture and history, and applied them to real life. ****** The bookends of a frontier economy are need and opportunity. The need is predictable; the opportunity, here, is delectable. A queue of heavy trucks waits with goods for export, and while papers are being stamped, drivers and attendants relax in a cluster of hole-inthe-bazaar restaurants. One dhaba advertises, in red neon, a special meal of the fabled Hilsa fish curry. Logically, this eatery should be in Bangladesh. For reasons known only to God, and never explained to Bengal, this magnificent fish becomes a class apart in the rivers of East Bengal, far superior to its cousins in West Bengal. I have no doubt that the Hilsa being cooked in Petrapole has come from the country which begins ten yards away. Fish swim in rivers but live above the law.

But the big news here is that the BJP believes it can win elections in this parliamentary constituency, Bongaon, this year. In 2014, the BJP was a distant sniff in the air. Today, the subaltern whisper is: “Chuppe-chaap, Kamal chaap”. There is a definite surge for the party, and we shall find out on 23 May how far it has travelled. The contest is now between Prime Minister narendra Modi’s BJP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s TMC. ****** The ideal electoral victory is a combina-

tion of push and pull; when one side has pushed away voters and the other discovered the presence and credibility to pull them into alternative space. Without the pull, any negative push could stall, and protect an unhappy status quo. There is discernible, growing and frequently expressed voter distaste for Mamata Banerjee’s divisive politics, aggressive cadre and intemperate language. The pull comes from hope symbolised by narendra Modi.

Soon after lunch we broke the conversation steered towards politics, in particular the politics. “Mamata Banerjee,” the young man who organised some pretty good spicy chicken and vegetables. explained, “emerged from the villages, but has got lost in air-conditioned Calcutta. The villages have been left where they were. They will take their revenge.” He was referring to Banerjee’s gamechanging campaign at Singur, in Chandannagar subdivision, where Tata wanted to set up a nano car factory on 997 acres of farmland, with production scheduled to roll out by 2008. The Marxists, then in power, were fully supportive of such capitalism. Mamata Banerjee led a protest against the acquisition of land, igniting a fire than eventually consumed the Marxist fortress.

Villagers, said the young man, had realised that this was an empty victory. There was similar anger in other place. His home was in Asansol, and the news there too was bad for TMC. How many seats would BJP get? He would not venture beyond “Anek”, or many.

The turning point came when Banerjee or Didi as she is often referred to, began promoting a nephew, Avishek Banerjee, as her successor. This was not a signal of abdication.

She wanted an heir in Calcutta even as she dreamt of wider pastures in Delhi. Voters saw evidence of sudden new wealth when her nephew built a palatial mansion in the heart of Calcutta; it became a site of political tourism. Talk is inflationary. Corruption has a multiplier effect in the party cadre. There was soon talk of extortion at street and village level. The nouveau riche wanted to protect their power, and the last panchayat elections turned into a farce when over 25,000 TMC candidates won without a contest. Bengal heard the croak of democracy being stifled.

I assume it would please Mamata Banerjee to be known as the Achilles of Bengal. In which case, the nephew is her heel. ****** Interesting fact: Didi’s hopes of becoming a future Prime Minister were not pinned on how many seats she would win in Bengal, but on the fact that Rahul Gandhi could never become PM, no matter how many seats Congress won. She dismissed the Congress President as “just a kid”. Sharad Pawar, while ruling himself out, offered three names: Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and Chandrababu naidu. no Gandhi, despite his alliance with Congress in Maharashtra. ****** Binglish becomes more exotic by the year.

A “Beauti Parlor” might be a simple mistake, but two signs put up by the State Government on the Jessore Road have the stamp of authority. ****** “The three helicopters appear like a mirage out of the white-hot sky and descend toward a tiny village in northern India. For hours, thousands of people have waited in the 95-degree heat for the man they hope to reelect as the country’s Prime Minister. The thrum of the rotors brings them to their feet, and they chant his name in a thunderous roar: Mo-di! Mo-di.” This was written by a correspondent of the Washington Post, datelined Khudana, Friday, the 12th of April.

On the same day, in Bengal, Didi’s helicopter briefly lost its way en route to a campaign rally. She was late. Her crowd became restive and began to leave, according to a report in the Times of India.

Even the police have been impressed by the size of crowds for Prime Minister Modi in Bengal this year. There was a spectacular reception in north Bengal; but the momentum did not ebb as he moved south to Didi heartland. The mood in the once-envied industrial belt of Bengal, in cities like Serampore and Bhatpara, both about 20 km north of Calcutta, on opposite sides of the Hooghly river, seemed infectious. ****** There is nothing called a bad poet in Bengal.

The power of verse lies in the soul of the poet, not the mind of the reader. Criticism is conceit; the poet lives in the anguish of raw depths in a soul without borders, hierarchies, creed or class. He does not write poetry every day. He does for that blessed season in autumn when the Durga Puja specials are published, thirsty for creative contributions. The truly creative are modest; their eyes look south while awaiting any reaction to the travails of a sulphurous horizon where the full moon dies young.

My advocate friend was a practical man.

He made his money out of deeds and documents. They were the mainstay of the judicial framework. A mistake could lead to irreparable injustice. His new passion was for a doctorate in a contentious issue of foreign policy.

The sincerity of a north Calcutta face in quest of academic glory is a sight to remember.

Being practical, he was also cautious. There was some momentum for BJP in north Calcutta, he murmured, but he refused to commit himself to any prediction. Then suddenly his reserve cracked. He mentioned a separate constituency where the sitting MP was an acknowledged lout. “O baita haarbe-i haarbe! Gelo! Ghurni cholche, dada, ghurni cholche!” he exclaimed as many times as there were words. I can only offer a poor English version: “That son-of-agun is going to lose! Gone! Whirlpools are moving, brother, whirlpools are moving.”

Mobashar Jawed Akbar is a leading Indian journalist and author. He is the Editorin-Chief of The Sunday Guardian. He has also served as Editorial Director of India Today.

He tweets at: @mjakbar.

Education system WE all know the importance of education. It is the most important aspect of any nation’s survival in the modern day world. Education determines the future of a nation. So that’s why we have to adopt our education policies very carefully because our future depends on these policies.

Islam also emphasises on education and its importance but I think in our Country we truly are at loss. Our politicians and bureaucrats have not been able to figure out our education system. neither our schools nor our madrassas (Islamic education centres) are educating youth in this regard. In the institutions that are supposed to polish them into scholars for east and west, they are being provided with degrees that only help them develop into “money machines”. We are only burdening our children with heavy books and enrolling them into reputed, big schools for what that put a financial stamp on the child, that he could afford an education here, just for the upheaval of status?

On the other hand, in our madrassas we are preparing people who can never adjust in the modern society. The education provided in madrassas is not compatible to the modern day requirements. It is an unfair race, a madrassa student’s starting line and finishing line is more apart than the other students. It is crystal clear that Islamic education is necessary for Muslims but it is also a fact that without modern education no one can compete in this world. There are many examples of Muslim scholars who not only studied the Holy Quran but also mastered in other subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and many more, with the help of Holy Quran.

I think with the current education system we are narrowing the way for our children instead of widening it. There is no doubt that our children are very talented, both in schools and in madrassas, we just need to give them proper guidance to groom and mentor them, give them the space to become useful. The education system we are running with is not working anymore. We have to find a way to bridge this gap between school and madrassas. Robert Hutchins described it: “the object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives”.

SHEESH uL HAq Karachi

Child Marriage Act THE members of nA who voted in favour of passing Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 deserve praise for undoing a wrong. It is jurisdiction of parliament alone to legislate and other than superior judiciary no institution has constitutional right to review.

Attempt by certain quarters which included Religious Affairs Minister to refer it to Council of Islamic Ideology were defeated. It is time that CII stop interference in legislation of laws relating to women rights, because of their displayed obvious bias. This country has suffered in past when certain sections of ulema gave fatwas declaring Zia’s intervention in Afghan War as Jihad when in fact it was nothing but a war between USA and Russia where we allowed our territory to be used as sanctuary for foreign elements to fight a proxy war. In Islamic history during days of Holy Prophet PBUH and his companions jihad was always launched led by able- bodied leaders and their sons. In numerous such battles many embraced Shahadat. The hypocrisy is that Zia and his junta went from rags to riches.

This country was created by politicians led by MAJ and Allama Iqbal with numerous others such as Liaquat Ali Khan, Qazi Eassa, Haroon Abdullah, Malik Barkat Ali, Zafar Ali Khan, nishtar etc. Majority of Ulema opposed and gave fatwas against MAJ and Allama Iqbal. Quaid chose Jogendranath Mandal, a leader of Bengali Scheduled Caste Dalits who made common cause with Muslim League as Minister of Law and Labour with additional charge of Commonwealth and Kashmir Affairs. As Law Minister Mr Mandal was to help Constituent Assembly draft a constitution for a modern democratic welfare state which certainly would never have adopted Objectives Resolution in its present form.

MALIK TArIq Lahore

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

41 killed after russian passenger plane crash-lands in Moscow MOSCOW

A

AGENCIES

Russian passenger plane erupted in a huge ball of fire and black smoke after making an emergency landing at Moscow’s busiest airport, killing 41 people including at least two children.

Dramatic footage that went viral on social media showed Aeroflot´s Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft crash-landing and then speeding along the runway at Sheremetyevo international airport on Sunday, flames pouring from its fuselage. Passengers could be seen leaping onto an inflatable slide at the front and running from the blazing plane as huge black columns of smoke billowed into the sky. Investigators said 41 people had died. “There were 78 people including crew members on board the plane,” which was bound for the northwestern city of Murmansk, Russia´s In-

vestigative Committee said in a statement. “According to the updated info which the investigation has as of now, 37 people survived.”

Eleven people were injured, Dmitry Matveyev, the Moscow region’s health minister said earlier in the day. The Superjet-100 carrying 73 passengers and five crew members had just left

Sheremetyevo on a domestic route when the crew issued a distress signal, officials said. “Flight Su-1492 took off on schedule at 6:02 pm (15H02 GMT),” said a statement from the airport.

“After the take-off, the crew reported an anomaly and decided to come back to the departure airport. At 6:30 pm, the aircraft made an emergency

landing,” it added. The tabloid newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda quoted one passenger, Petr Egorov, who said: “We had just taken off and the aircraft was hit by lightning… The landing was rough, I almost passed out from fear.”

“The plane sent out a distress signal after takeoff,” a source told Interfax news agency.

“It attempted an emergency landing but did not succeed the first time, and on the second time the landing gear hit (the ground), then the nose did, and it caught fire,” the source added.

Interfax, citing an anonymous source, said the plane had landed with its fuel tanks full because, having lost contact with air traffic controllers, it was too dangerous to dump its fuel tanks over Moscow. According to the Ria Novosti news agency, the plane had been headed to the far northwest city of Murmansk in Russia. It said initial findings suggested an electrical fault might have caused the blaze.

Chinese negotiators still eye US trip despite Trump tariffs BEIJING AGENCIES

China said Monday it still plans to send negotiators to the United States for trade talks even after President Donald Trump vowed to raise tariffs later this week, a threat that sent stock markets into a tailspin. Trump upped the ante as negotiators prepared to meet in Washington on Wednesday for what has been billed as a last-ditch round of negotiations to reach a deal or revive the trade war. “The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!” Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

The US leader said tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods would increase from 10 percent to 25 percent on Friday.

The United States is already applying custom duties of 25 percent on $50 billion in Chinese high-tech products.

Trump also renewed a threat to impose tariffs on all Chinese imports to the US — worth $539.5 billion last year. Despite Trump’s tweetstorm, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said a Chinese team was “currently preparing to go to the US for negotia-

tions” — but he did not say when or whether top negotiator Liu He would lead the delegation. Geng said “positive progress” has been made in 10 rounds of high-level negotiations and that the whole world was watching.

“We still hope that the US can work together with China, walk shoulder to shoulder and strive for a mutually beneficial win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect,” he said at a regular press briefing. “This is not only in line with the interests of the Chinese side but also the interests of the US and the international community,” Geng said. The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that China was considering cancelling the talks. “China shouldn’t negotiate with a gun pointed to its head,” the newspaper quoted a person briefed on the matter as saying, using a line Beijing has repeatedly said in the past.

Chinese shares sank following the tweets, with Shanghai stocks tumbling by more than five percent, their worst day in more than three years. Hong Kong plunged by 2.90 percent while Shenzhen ended down 7.38 percent. The two sides have imposed tariffs on $360 billion in two-way trade since last year.

But Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in December to refrain from further escalation. The US side visited Beijing last week for talks that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin described as “productive”. Trump and Xi would likely hold a summit to seal any deal. Trump says he wants to reduce the huge US trade deficit with China, which in 2018 totalled $378.73 billion with services trade included.

Besides a greater opening of the Chinese market to US goods, Trump is pressing for structural changes such as Beijing ending its alleged practice of forcing US companies that operate in China to share their technology. Trump is also demanding that China halt intellectual property theft and subsidies to state-owned companies. The US president has insisted throughout the process that he will not accept a watered-down trade accord. And his administration warned recently that trade talks could not simply go on forever.

For now, the Trump administration insists that the trade war has left the US economy unscathed, unlike the Chinese economy, which last year posted its slowest growth in nearly 20

years. Trump asserted that so far the tariffs he imposed on Chinese goods “are partially responsible” for the robust US economy, which in the first quarter grew at an annual rate of 3.2 percent. But many economists are worried about the longer term effects on the US economy.

Some US manufacturers who import Chinese products that are subject to tariffs are already complaining of higher costs. And economists warn that US consumers will end up paying more for everyday items.

So far, the Chinese side in the talks has agreed for China to buy more US products, mainly in the farm and energy sectors.

Modi flies over cyclone-ravaged east, promises millions to rebuild MUMBAI AGENCIES

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw for himself the damage wreaked by a powerful cyclone on Monday, pledging an extra 10 billion Indian rupees ($144.19 million) to the hardest-hit state of Odisha where hundreds of thousands returned home from shelters.

Cyclone Fani killed at least 34 people in India, destroying houses, ripping off roofs and knocking down electricity poles. Early warnings from meteorologists helped authorities evacuate more than a million people from low-lying towns, minimising the death toll from the strongest storm in 43 years to pummel India’s east coast.

Modi flew by helicopter over battered towns and villages, where thousands of rescue workers and volunteers were sifting through the debris. “Before the cyclone, we had released 381 crore (INR3.81bn) to Odisha and we will now give an additional 1,000 crore (INR10bn) for relief and rebuilding efforts of the state,” Modi said.

He also announced financial compensation for victims. Modi said his officials would work closely with the state government to rebuild infrastructure. Modi, who is busy campaigning in India’s 39-day staggered general election, last week chaired meetings in New Delhi to oversee efforts to deal with the storm. India’s seven-phase election began on April and voters in Odisha have already cast their

ballots. Tens of thousands of people remained without electricity in the state capital of Bhubaneswar and the Hindu temple town of Puri after the storm made landfall on Friday. Power has been restored to airports and hospitals.

Bhubaneswar airport had resumed flights, state government officials said.

In a letter addressed to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, pledged INR1m ($14,400) to Odisha. After battering India, Fani barrelled into neighbouring Bangladesh on Saturday as a much weaker storm, killing at least five people. By Monday, more than a million Bangladeshis had returned to their homes from cyclone shelters, officials said.

prince harry, Meghan Markle welcome baby boy into world LONDON AGENCIES

The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a boy, the Duke of Sussex has announced. Prince Harry said they were “absolutely thrilled” and thanked the public for their support during the pregnancy. He said Meghan and the baby were doing “incredibly well”, adding that they were still thinking about names for the infant, who was delivered at 05:26 BST. Buckingham Palace said the baby weighed 7lbs 3oz (3.2kg), and that the duke was present for the birth. Prince Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting their first baby in October, at the outset of a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Commentators at the time believed the baby, Queen Elizabeth II’s eighth greatgrandchild and seventh in line to the throne, was due in late April. The 34year-old prince and Meghan, 37, have reportedly opted for a home birth at their new Frogmore Cottage residence, on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London. But it is unclear whether the first baby of the Duchess of Sussex, who is believed to be a week overdue, is being delivered at home. The move would break with the tradition followed

by Prince Harry’s brother William and his wife Kate, whose three children were all born in the private wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London. Buckingham Palace also said last month Prince Harry and Meghan wanted to keep the arrival of their first child “private”. That would also contrast with Prince William and Kate, whose newborns were immediately shown off by the couple in front of the world’s media. They have three children: five-year-old Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 4, and one-year-old Prince Louis. As April came to an end without news of the birth, Britons have been on tenterhooks with royal-watchers eagerly awaiting the latest addition to the family.

Fans have already been seen gathering in Windsor as news that Meghan had gone into labour broke on Monday lunchtime.

There has been fevered speculation in recent weeks over everything from the newborn’s gender and name — to whether it will have Harry’s ginger hair.

Punters have been betting heavily on the various options, with the favoured scenario that the baby will be a girl called Diana. Other hotly tipped names included Ivy, Grace and Alice.

BUSINESS 11

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

Pakistan needs to enhance tax compliance instead of hiking tax rates: WB Pakistan does not need to impose new taxes or hike tax rates because the existing taxes have potential to achieve taxation targets, the World Bank has said in its paper on Pakistan’s revenues, a private media outlet reported on Monday. The targeted revenues of Rs10 trillion annually could take the country’s tax revenue potential to 26pc of GDP if tax compliance were raised to 75pc, the lender said in its recently published document titled Pakistan Revenue Mobilization Project. The bank has called the 75pc tax compliance a realistic level of compliance for a lower-middle-income country like Pakistan in its document. The Washingtonbased lender has revealed that Pakistan’s revenue gap has widened from Rs3.3 trillion to Rs5 trillion, which is 26pc of the size of its economy. The World Bank has prepared the project information document of $1.5 billion to approve a $400 million loan for tax reforms in the country. The remaining $1.1 billion will be contributed by the government. The document states Pakistan’s tax authorities were currently capturing only half of the revenue potential and the gap between actual and potential receipts is 50 per cent. As per the last fiscal year, Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio stands at 13pc of GDP. The bank’s assistance of $400 million for the revenue mobilization project would be implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) targeting to contribute an increase in the domestic revenue by broadening the tax base and facilitating tax compliance. The $400 million credit for the project will come from the International Development Association (IDA), a World Bank affiliate. The report advises for improvement in tax recovery and promotion of a healthy tax culture. World Bank believes that the FBR’s methodology to assess tax liabilities for some sectors is leading to huge tax losses. The government recently removed the chairman of the FBR due to poor performance of the tax authority. BUSINESS DESK

PTA stopped from taking action against two CMOs isLaMaBad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stopped Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) from taking action against two mobile operating companies. The court has also sought a parawise reply from the Ministry of Information Technology and from PTA till May 14. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah took up the pleas filed by Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited (Mobilink) and Telenor Pakistan for hearing on Monday. During the course of hearing, Advocate Hamid Khan took the plea that licences to cellulor mobile operators were last issued on 26th May 2004 for a period of 15 years. “Renewal of license is our right,” he stated, adding that the PTA has to decide on the renewal of licence within three months. “We wrote a letter to PTA in this regard on 31st March 2016, but no decision has been taken on the application as yet,” he said, accusing the respondents of delaying the process of renewal of licences “intentionally”. Deputy Attorney General Raja Khalid Mehmood on the occasion sought time from the court to file a reply. The court, while granting his request, adjourned the hearing till May 14. INP

AdditionAl tAxes on Pol Products Behind recent hike: sources ‘AROUND RS40 PER LITRE ARE BEING COLLECTED ON THE SALE OF POL PRODUCTS UNDER THE HEAD OF VARIOUS TAXES’ ISLAMABAD

t

AHMAD AHMADANI

HE money-starved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is expected to collect approximately Rs55 billion from the inflation-hit masses on account of the sale of petroleum

products (POL) during the running month of May 2019.

Sources in the Petroleum Division informed Pakistan Today about the actual reason behind the government dropping the petrol bomb on the already burdened masses. They said that the government, while increasing per litre prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), had made an excuse that “oil prices were hiked in the international market”.

Disagreeing with the government’s claim, sources said that petrol and diesel prices witnessed a massive hike only due to the imposition of additional taxes, as the price of diesel could be reduced by Rs4 per litre in line with the price of the global oil market. “Ap-

proximately Rs40 per litre is being collected on the sale of POL products under the head of general sales tax, petroleum levy, regulatory duty and margins,” said claimed.

They said that the Finance Division has imposed a high rate of petroleum levy on the sale of POL products, adding that there was no example in the country’s history with regard to such a high rate of petroleum levy.

According to sources, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) may be responsible for approximately Rs350 billion revenue shortfall. However, the common public would have to bear the brunt of this shortfall.

Available copy of notification issued by Ministry of Energy (petroleum

division), dated 30th April 2019, disclosed the rate of petroleum levy for sales of POL products through retail outlets and for direct sales.

According to the notification, petroleum levy on petrol for direct sale is at Rs17.62 per litre and at Rs14.15 for sales through retail outlets. Similarly, petroleum levy on diesel (HSD) for direct sales is at Rs5.98 per litre and the same rate of levy is for sales through retail outlets. Moreover, petroleum levy on light diesel oil (LDO) for direct sales and through retail outlets is at the same level of Rs2.58 per litre. Furthermore, petroleum levy on high octane blended component (HOBC) is at Rs17.62 per litre for direct sales and Rs14.15 per litre for sales through retail outlets.

FTA–II with China to help increase Pakistan’s exports, Senate body told ‘CHINA HAS AGREED TO GIVE PAKISTAN FREE MARKET EXCESS ON 313 TARIFF LINES’ ISLAMABAD APP

Senate’s Standing Committee on Commerce and Textiles was informed on Monday that Pakistan has a comparative advantage in the recently signed China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA)–II, as opposed to the agreement signed in 2006.

“The CPFTA was concluded after the 11th round of negotiations last month and was signed during the prime minister’s recent visit to China. Pakistan has managed to get tariff relaxation and free market excess on 313 tariff lines from the Chinese side,” said Shafiq Shahzad, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, while briefing the gathering.

The committee, chaired by Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, initiated the discussion on a five-

point agenda, including the briefing on the CPFTA– II, at the Parliament House. Shafiq Shahzad stated that Pakistan entered into an FTA with China on November 24, 2006, which became operational in July 2007.

“The bilateral trade volume between the two countries had reached $17.2 billion in 2017-18, as Chinese exports to Pakistan grew from $3.5 billion to $15.7 billion from 2006-07 to 2017-18,” he continued. The joint secretary further informed the committee that under the Phase–I of CPFTA, which completed in 2012, Pakistan liberalized 35.6pc of tariff lines, while 19.9pc of the tariff lines were placed in category II with tariff rates at 5pc or less. He stated that after the impact assessment and public and private stakeholders’ consultation (2016-19), it emerged that achieving the agreed phase–II Tariff Reduction Modalities (TRM) would be a great challenge.

“During the course of negotiations, Pakistan conveyed its dissatisfaction over the lopsided outcome of the FTA, highlighting unequal gains due to eroded margin of preference and maintained that the phase– II negotiation should be independent of phase–I and should be based on the principle of ‘less than reciprocity’ in the favour of Pakistan,” he maintained.

The joint secretary said Pakistan had also sought from the Chinese side unilateral concession on its priority items as a sign of goodwill to address Pakistan’s concerns. He said Pakistan has successfully brokered the revision of Safeguard Measures (SGM), which were invoked to temporally restrict the import of a product. “In phase–I, SGM was limited to an absolute increase in imports, but now it can be invoked on a relative increase in imports as well,” he added.

The senior official informed that the transition period in phase–II has been increased to 10 years for category-I and 8 years for the remaining track, which in relation to TRM will be 15 years for CAT-II and 23 years for CAT–III. During the meeting, the committee gave directions to the Ministry of Commerce to review the tenure period of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, as it could be extended from to three years.

Senators Syed Shibli Faraz, Dilawar Khan, Dr Ghous Khan Niazi, Nauman Wazir Khan, Ahmed Khan, Commerce Secretary Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, FPCCI President Eng Daroo Khan Achakzai and senior officials of the commerce ministry attended the meeting.

Trump plays hardball with China ahead of key talks WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US President Donald Trump decided to play hardball with Beijing ahead of a key round of negotiations this week, threatening to impose tariffs on all of the $550 billion in Chinese goods imports. The threat tanked stock markets worldwide and frightened US farmers and businesses caught in the crossfire who have been banking on a resolution to the year-long conflict.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1.6 percent at the open — a loss of just under 400 points — before recovering some losses, reflecting the market

concern over a trade war that could undermine business prospects even further.

Comments from officials in recent weeks indicated the sides were making progress towards an agreement aimed at addressing longstanding concerns about the forced transfer or outright theft of American technology, as well as reducing the US trade deficit with the world’s second largest economy. But after his weekend threats — which prompted reports the Chinese might cancel the talks in Washington due to begin on Wednesday — Trump remained defiant.

“The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose

500 Billion Dollars,” he said on Twitter on Monday. “Sorry, we’re not going to be doing that anymore!” Trump has continued to equate the US trade deficit as a loss or as payments to trading partners, and tariffs as payments from the offending country to the United States.

Economists stress that it is American businesses and consumers who pay the tariffs and are hurt by higher prices.

RestRained gRowth US manufacturers and farmers were becoming more optimistic amid signs of progress and comments from officials that the talks were entering their final phase. The hope was that tariffs and counter-tariffs on a total of $360

billion in two-way trade would be lifted, helping farmers and manufacturers who had suffered in the trade war.

But Trump in a Twitter screed on Sunday accused China of trying to “renegotiate” the trade deal, threatened to more than double the existing tariffs to 25 percent from the current 10 percent, and then extend the higher tariffs to the remaining goods that had been spared so far.

Trump credited the tariffs with the strong first quarter growth but economists and businesses have complained that the trade conflict is in fact hurting the bottom line and the uncertainty is causing them to delay investment.

CDWP refers nine mega projects worth Rs594 billion to ECNEC ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has accorded approval to 17 projects worth Rs18.8 billion and recommended nine projects worth Rs594.5 billion to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration.

The meeting was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Planning Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar. Planning Secretary Zafar Hasan, along with the senior officials from the federal and provincial governments, was also present on the occasion.

Projects related to energy, transport & communication, science & technology, health, population, industries & commerce, food & agriculture and education were presented before the meeting.

The Ministry of Water Resources presented a position paper of Dasu Hydel Power Project due to its increased land and compensation cost from Rs19 billion

to Rs36 billion (total worth of Rs510 billion). The project was approved and referred to ECNEC for consideration.

The Ministry of National Food, Security & Research presented five projects, namely ‘Productivity Enhancement of Wheat’ worth Rs31.98 billion, ;Productivity Enhancement of Rice’ worth Rs15.80 billion, ‘Productivity Enhancement of Sugarcane’ worth Rs5.01 billion, ‘National Oilseeds Enhancement Programme’ worth Rs10.16 billion and ‘Cage Culture Cluster Development Project’ worth Rs6.58 billion. All projects were recommended to ECNEC for consideration.

Three projects and a position paper related to the energy sector were also presented in the meeting. The first project titled ‘Up-gradation of POL Testing Facilities of HDIP at Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and ISO Certification of Petroleum Testing Laboratory at Islamabad’ worth Rs293 million was presented and approved. The second energy project ‘Construction of 132 KV Grid Station at Mashkay & 132 KV STD

Nal-Mashkay Transmission Line (120km)’ worth Rs1.19 billion was also approved.

The third project ‘500 KV Moro Grid Station’ worth Rs5.40 billion was recommended to ECNEC for consideration. A project related to transport and communication titled ‘Construction of Groyne Wall/Break Water and allied works at East Bay (Demi Zer) Gwadar’ worth Rs1.01 billion was also approved in the meeting.

Four projects related to science & technology were presented on the occasion. The Higher Education Department (HEC) presented two projects ‘Strengthening and Development of Physical and Technological Infrastructure at the University of Haripur’ worth Rs1.54 billion and ‘Livestock Sector Development through Capacity Building, Applied Research and Technology Transfer, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences’ worth Rs1.90 billion. the projects were approved in the meeting.

The Ministry of Science & Technology presented two projects titled ‘Establishment of Pak-Korea Testing Laboratory

for PV Modules & Allied Equipment’ worth Rs1.38 billion and ‘Up-gradation of Polymers and Plastics Laboratory at PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore’ worth Rs140.249 million. The projects were also accorded approval. Three health-related projects were presented in the meeting. The Ministry of National Health, Services, Regulation & Coordination presented ‘Treatment of Cancer Patients of ICT, AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan’ worth Rs4.77 billion, which was recommended to ECNEC for consideration.

PAEC presented two projects ‘Upgradation of Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital-KIRAN (AECH-KIRAN)’ worth Rs2.34 billion, and ‘Up-gradation of Diagnostic & Therapeutic Facilities at BINO, Bahawalpur’ worth Rs1.37 billion were also given approval.

Three projects related to population planning were presented by the Ministry of National Health, Services, Regulation & Coordination. Projects titled ‘Population Welfare Programme, GilgitBaltistan’ worth Rs422 million,

‘Population Welfare Programme, Azad Jammu Kashmir’ worth Rs355 million and ‘Population Welfare Programme, FATA (erstwhile)’ worth Rs184 million were accorded approval in the meeting.

Four projects related to Industries & Commerce were presented. Commerce Division presented ‘Remodelling and Expansion of Karachi Expo Centre (Component-II)’ worth Rs2.67 billion, which was given approval.

The Ministry of Industries & Production presented three projects titled ‘Handicraft Export Development Project’ worth Rs385 million, ‘Industrial Designing & Automation Centres (IDAC)’ worth Rs1.47 billion and ‘Footwear Cluster Development through CAD/CAM & CNC Machining’ worth Rs78.7 million. All projects received approval from the meeting.

The Ministry of Education requested an extension till June 2019 in ‘Establishment and Operation of Basic Education Community Schools in Pakistan’, worth Rs4.62 billion. The project was referred to ECNEC for consideration.

12 BUSINESS CORPORATE CORNER

ISLAMABAD: State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited have signed a bancassurance/takaful distribution agreement. PR

SAHIWAL: Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Livestock and Dairy Development Sardar Faisal Hayat Jabwana, along with his team, visited Engro Foods’ Sahiwal Plant. PR

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

ISLAMABAD

t

GHUlAM ABBAS

HE appointment of “a tax expert” as the new chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has irked the tax officials, who have reportedly decided to challenge the appointment in a court of law.

According to sources, the appointment of “someone belonging to the private sector as FBR chairman was more surprising for the officials than the appointment of Ahmed Mujtaba Memon, a BS-21 officer”.

The appointment of Shabbar Zaidi, a prominent chartered accountant and former caretaker minister for Sindh, came at a time when FBR officials were unhappy over the reported appointment of Mujtaba Memon as the board’s chairman.

The appointment of Memon was being opposed by senior officials of FBR, particularly the BS-22 officers.

On Monday, a placement committee comprising Adviser to Prime Minister on Establishment Shehzad Arbab, Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Husain, Minister Education Shafqat Mehmood and Adviser to PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh was scheduled to meet to decide about the new FBR chairman. It is not clear whether the prime minister proposed Zaidi’s name for FBR’s top slot in consultation with the said committee or not.

FBr oFFiciAls MAY chAllenge shABBAr ZAidi’s APPointMent As chAirMAn “Although there has been an FBR chairman from the private sector in the past, the appointment of Zaidi is not being welcomed by the FBR officials,” sources claimed, adding that some of the officials have decided to challenge the appointment, for which they may refer to a similar case of Islamabad High Court (IHC) in 2013.

It is pertinent to mention that IHC in 2013 had termed the appointment of former FBR chairman Ali Arshad Hakeem as illegal.

Petitioner Ashfaq Ahmed, a grade-19 officer of FBR, had challenged the qualification of Ali Arshad Hakeem. The bench, observing that the appointment of Hakeem was made without adoption of a competitive process, had directed the government to appoint a suitable person as FBR chief. The Pakistan People’s Party government had appointed Hakeem as the FBR chairman on July 10, 2012.

After becoming FBR chairman, Hakeem was also given the additional charge as secretary of the Revenue Division.

Counsel for the petitioner, Barrister Zafarullah Khan, had argued before the court that while appointing Hakeem as FBR chairman, the government relaxed at least 10 essential requirements. However, referring to the fresh appointment, sources claimed that there was no prescribed criterion for the appointment of the FBR chairman. On Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that Shabbar Zaidi would be the next FBR chairman. The appointment is yet to be notified, but the PM said it would be done soon.

According to details, Zaidi is a senior partner in A.F. Ferguson & Co, a member firm of Pricewaterhouse Coopers and has authored multiple books, including ‘Panama Leaks: A Blessing in Disguise–Offshore Assets of Pakistani Citizens’,

‘Govt to overcome circular debt by Dec 2020’ ISLAMABAD APP

DUBAI: General Electric hosted the Power Partnership Summit in Dubai, convening over 150 representatives of organizations working across the power sector in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan. PR

KARACHI: The management of Shell and Visa present Toyota Fortuner to a lucky winner. PR

syed Masood hashmi elected president of Marketing Association of Pakistan unopposed KARACHI: Recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Syed Masood Hashmi, Chief Executive, Orientm McCann, elected unopposed as President of Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) at a local hotel in the 49th Annual General Meeting. This is the 11th time that Syed Masood Hashmi has been elected unopposed president of MAP. Previously, he has also held the position of President of the International Advertising Association (Pakistan Chapter) for 2 years, he has been the President of the Management Association of Pakistan for two years and has also held the position of the elected Head of the Arts Council of Pakistan, for 3 consecutive terms, he has also served as Chairman of the Pakistan Advertising Association.

His father, late S. H. Hashmi was a pioneer of the advertising industry in Pakistan. Other elected members of MAP include; Vice President Imran Ahmad, Honorary Secretary Ali Hassan Naqvi and Honorary Treasurer Jerjees Seja. Elected council members include Asim Shafiq (Abbott), Jahangir A. Rasheed (Dalda), Aslam Allahwala (Tibet Group), Muhammad Azfar Ahsan (Nutshell) and Imran Ahmad (CNN). PRESS RElEASE

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday chaired a high-level meeting wherein he was apprised that the government had set a target to get rid of the power circular debt by December 2020.

The meeting was attended by Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan, Finance Advisor Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, PM’s Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, PM’s Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, PM’s Spokesperson Nadeem Afzal Chan, Power Secretary Irfan Ali and other senior officers. The prime minister was briefed in detail about the reforms in the power sector, removal of impediments in the power transmission,

measures to curb power theft and issue of the circular debt.

The meeting was told that during 2017-18, the circular debt had increased by Rs450 billion which would be brought down to Rs293 billion during the current year and to Rs96 billion by fiscal year 2019-20. “The government would completely overcome the issue of circular debt by the end of next year.” The prime minister was told that a 25-year plan to cope with the demand and supply of power has been formulated. Moreover, a fresh policy for power production through alternate energy resources has been formulated.

Under the policy, 20pc of total electricity would be produced from alternate resources by 2025 which would be enhanced to 30pc by 2030.

Qntc launches biggest ‘summer in Qatar’ programme Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) has announced a season of summer experiences, retail offers and entertainment, to run from 4th June to 16th August. This year’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ introduces a wide range of exciting indoor activities and thrilling outdoor experiences for the whole family. QNTC Secretary-General and Qatar Airways GCEO Akbar Al Baker said, “This year’s summer season promises to put Qatar on the map as a destination for authentic experiences. Beginning in June and continuing till mid-August, this summer in Qatar allows visitors to participate in the festivities surrounding the two Eids – which bookend the season this year. Leveraging the collaboration between aviation and tourism, we are offering discounts on airfare, promotional travel packages, and exceptional airport experiences throughout summer.” PRESS RElEASE

nestlé partners with Akhuwat to empower BisP beneficiaries LAHORE: Nestlé Pakistan and Akhuwat have partnered to empower Nestlé’s Rural Women Sales Agents enrolled under the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).A Memorandum of Understanding was signed under which, Nestlé has provided a grant of PKR 2 million to Akhuwat to extend interest-free loans to Nestlé-affiliated BISP beneficiaries in expanding their businesses, in districts of Renala, Okara, Sheikhupura and Pindi Bhattian. Speaking on the occasion, Nestlé Pakistan CEO Freda Duplan said, “Today is a big day for our Rural Women Sales Agents. The Nestlé-Akhuwat partnership will allow our sales agents to avail interest free micro-loan facility. It has been proven time and time again, that when women have the power to make, spend, save, and control their own money, they make gains not only for themselves but also for their families and communities.” PRESS RElEASE

‘A Journey for Clarity’ and ‘Pakistan: Not a Failed State’. He is well versed in Pakistan’s tax laws and key policy matters governing fiscal strategy, corporate regulations and foreign exchange regimes and has written extensively on the topics. He recently also advised the Supreme Court in a case concerning offshore assets owned by Pakistanis.

Reforms in FBR have been a challenge for the government which made tall claims of making the board an ideal institution of the country.

However, despite laps of over seven months, no improvement in the taxation system is being witnessed.

The FBR is currently on course to register one of the highest shortfalls of its history by the close of this fiscal year, anticipated to come in above Rs350 billion. According to sources, former FBR chairman Jahanzeb Khan was shown the door owing to his poor performance with regard to revenue collection.

spices export increases 14.65pc in nine months FY19 isLaMaBad: The export of spices has earned $68.445 million for the country during the first three quarters of the current fiscal year (2018-19), showing an increase of 14.65pc as compared to the export of $59.689 million during the same period of last year.

In terms of quantity, the export of spices increased by 16.64pc during the period under review as compared to the same period last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported. The spices export during July-March 2018-19 were recorded at 18,428 metric tonnes, as against the exports of 15,799 metric tonnes during July-March 2017-18. On a year-on-year basis, the export of spices witnessed a decrease of 0.34pc as it fell from $9.323 million in March 2018 to $9.291 million in March 2019.

On the other hand, the export of spices witnessed an increase of 4.14pc on a month-on-month basis ($8.922 million in February 2019). It is pertinent to mention that the country’s merchandise trade deficit plunged by 13.02 per cent during July-March 201819, as the deficit contracted by over $3.544 billion to $23.672 billion in the period under review as against the deficit of $27.216 billion recorded during the same period of the previous year. APP

MARKET DAILY

KSE-100 plunges another 517 points amid lackluster trading KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Investors of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a dull start to the week as indices continued to crumble amid lack of turnover. Foreign investors were net buyers for the previous week with a net inflow of $4.76 million.

According to a recent report published by the World Bank, Pakistan has substantial potential to increase tax receipts without imposing further taxes or increasing their rates. The country’s revenue could go up to 26pc of GDP if tax compliance was to be raised to 75pc, it added.

Breaking below the 36,000 points mark, the KSE 100 index touched an intraday low of 35,570.38, levels not seen since May 2016. Failing to recover loses, the index closed lower by

517.53 points at 35,605.42. The KMI 30 index declined by 1,220.32 points or 2.11pc to close at 56,659.46, while the KSE All Share index sunk by 305.47 points, ending at 26,232.32.

The overall market volumes declined further and were recorded at 71.42 million, of which 54.35 million came from the KSE 100 index. Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF -4.78pc) was in the lead with 6.44 million shares exchanging hands, followed by The Bank of Punjab (BOP -1.73pc) and Unity Foods Limited (UNITY -5.78pc). The scripts had traded 5.70 million and 4.19 million shares respectively. As the holy month of Ramadan commences today (Tuesday), the market shall open at 10:17am and close at 2:00pm from Monday to Thursday. Timings for Friday shall be 9:17am to 12:00pm.

Omar Ayub given additional charge of petroleum ministry BUSINESS DESK According to a notification issued on Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan has allocated the additional portfolio of petroleum ministry to Omar Ayub Khan, the Minister for Power Division.

Last month, in a major cabinet reshuffle, PM Imran Khan had taken back the petroleum ministry from Ghulam Sarwar Khan and gave him

aviation ministry. As per reports, the premier was not satisfied by the performance of Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

Newly-appointed PM's Special Assistant on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan had criticized the policies of the former petroleum minister and accused him mismanaging the ministry. “The petroleum ministry was looted, that’s why the minister was changed,” she had stated.

How did you start modelling?

I was not ready for this because I never thought somebody would help me or like to work with me considering I was unfit for the setup. But, there are so many good people in the industry that recognised the talent inside me and they loved my work. When I started modelling, some people from Depilex approached me for a trans-shoot. When the shoot came out on national television, my family called me and stopped me saying this is not a right job in our society. I convinced my parents that if I am having a career in modelling, I am not doing something bad.

Tell us about your past?

Since my childhood, I was a very normal (At least, that is what I thought). But for my family, I was a different child because I was so feminine. In my school and college life, I faced so many difficulties coping with people’s weird comments and taunting stares. Before starting comedy and music, When I started working, people did not realise that I was different. They would mock me or bully me. But, I never let my confidence shatter. This is the main thing and that is why I am here right now. In my opinion, it is not about who you were, where you were from. All that matters is what I am today. My confidence gave me all the strength.

When did you start modelling and is it the only thing you do?

I started my modelling career in 2016. Professionally, I am running an organisation “Subrang Society”. So, I am a social activist as well. Modelling is my part time job and I enjoy it a lot. I have recently done HUM Showcase and it was a wonderful experience.

What makes your story different from other people?

So, my story is different from other people. First, I come from a Muslim conservative family. Secondly, I am a trans-person. Third, being a trans in a muslim conservative family is quite different and full of hurdles at the same time. It is not like I am against my religion or any other religion but my beliefs are not as conservative as my family’s. Though, I am not a practicing muslim, I do believe in God and I believe that one day we all will stand in front of God. We are answerable for everything.

Who you think has supported you throughout your journey?

When I started my career, I had friends, my companion and my partner, all of them helped me to become who I am today. If you have good friends and companions in your life, you can achieve anything. Apart from that, your confidence takes you anywhere you intend to reach.

Being a trans-person, does this make you any different from other people in terms of your goals?

Although I am a trans person, I don't believe I am any different. We get life for once. I want to do so much not for myself but for those who are unheard. I want to be the voice of people who are helpless and who nobody wants to listen to.

FOr My FaMIly I Was DIFFerenT Because I Was sO FeMInIne

How have you been impacting people’s life and how are you changing people’s stereotypical prospective towards trans community?

Through modelling, I changed people’s mindset. now, Trans people get jobs in multinational companies, media house and this was all I wanted to do for my community i.e. to be loud and proud of who you are.

What is your message for people out there?

The message is all about respect and love. Please respect and love not on the basis of gender but on the basis of humanity.

When God created this world, He did not make a man or a woman, instead, he made human beings that were equally great being the most evolved of all the creatures. While, we all accept the harsh reality of having less or no opportunities for the transgender community, we all as human beings are given the capabilities to change our lives and choose our own fate in the best possible way.

It is rightly said that you are the creator of your own destiny. This is what the immensely talented Kami Sid has done. Kami created her own ways of living a life of her dreams. She did not let her gender identity hinder her from achieving her goals. Not only that she helped herself, she has been constantly working as an activist to work for the rights of trans community by also changing people’s narrative towards this group of people.

We had a chance to talk to this gem, first Pakistani trans model, and that is what we found out.

By Rohama Riaz

INDONESIA

RAMZAN MUBARAK

KUWAIT

I

Ramadan is a month that unites every Muslim on earth, and while we all fast in the morning and focus on our faith, each country has its own unique culture and distinct traditions for celebrating Ramadan in different ways. Here in Egypt, we have our lanterns (Fanoos), the drummer (El-Mesaharaty), our cannon (Madfaa’ El- Iftar), and our atayef, others have different things to celebrate with. Check out the most interesting Ramadan traditions from around the globe.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

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OT springs in Indonesia have a very significant spiritual and cultural importance, especially on the island of Java, so mixing culture with religion, just before ramadan, Muslims go and perform a tradition called “padusan” which means to bathe in Javanese.

They go to certain hot springs, and cleanse themselves there, washing themselves in preparation for the holy month. These hot springs differ in shapes, and sizes, some of them are in lakes, others have been turned into a swimming pool like structure to facilitate, and accommodate the number of people coming.

F you thought that the firing of the cannon to symbolize the ending of the fast was only in egypt, think again, while yes, it originated in egypt over 200 years ago, it has reached its fair share of countries, and one of them is Lebanon.

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CMYK

BANGLADESH, PAKISTAN, AND INDIA

“

Qarqia’an” in Kuwait is very similar to “Haq el-Lielah”, however this one is usually celebrated in the middle of ramadan, for three days, and the kids wear traditional clothing. They also sing different songs, as there is a song for the boys, and a song for the girls, and usually some words are changed to include the person sung to. Of course the kids get to learn about fasting, and are rewarded with chocolates and sweets.

TURKEY He best way to describe it, is a Middle eastern version of trick or treat. In the middle of Shaa’ban just before ramadan, Children in the UAe celebrate “Haq el-Lielah” where they would wear bright colors, and go door to door, chanting “Give us and Allah will reward you and help you visit the House of Allah in Makkah.”

The person sung to usually offers sweets and nuts. The whole idea is to remind people of a simpler time, and to teach the children about ramadan and fasting.

LEBANON

V

ery similar to the egyptian “Mesaharaty,” Turkish drummers, who band their double sided drum in the streets to remind the people to eat Sohour and pray.

They were traditional clothing, including a fez, and sing in the streets as well, knocking on people’s doors twice in ramadan, asking for “bahşiş” or tips to be given.

O

n the eve of eid el-Fitr, just after ramadan “Chaand raat” meaning “The night with a Full Moon,” is celebrated.

Friends, and families take to the streets to observe the moon, and confirm ramadan’s end as well as celebrate.

Women usually adorn their hands with henna. Stores and shops stay open till the early morning offering desserts and shopping options.

14 SPORTS

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

SANA Mir helpS pAkiStAN WoMeN Secure firSt-ever AWAy WiN over South AfricA PotCheFStRooM

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Agencies

devastating opening spell by Sana Mir helped Pakistan Women skittle South Africa Women to their second lowest ODI total of 63 and eventually secure an eight-wicket win in their first ODI of the ICC Women's Championship in Potchefstroom on Monday.

Mir's four-for, two of which came on back-to-back deliveries in the second over, wrecked the Proteas top order. Coupled with Fatima Sana's dismissal of Lizelle Lee in the opening over, Mir's demolition job never allowed Africans to recover.

For the hosts, only Mignon du Preez () and Chloe Tryon (21) could reach double figures as Nashra Sandhu and Nida Dar cleaned up the rest of the line-up with two wickets a piece.

The start to Pakistan Women's

innings was exactly as their South African counterparts' as they lost their opening innings on the third ball of the opening over with just four runs on the board.

However, one-down batter Javeria Khan made sure that that setback did not derail the run chase. Her un-

beaten 34-run knock was enough for Pakistan to even absorb the loss of Sidra Ameen (10).

Khan and Bismah Maroof (12*) made sure the team got over the line and register their first-ever victory in South Africa.

Mir was deservedly named the

player of the match but she insisted that the result was the product of "a team effort for which everyone tried their hardest".

"Nahida was exceptional in the slips. Nashra, myself ... the young Fatima Sana gave us a quick breakthrough. Nida bowled brilliantly, and Aalia [too] bowled well. Then our batters did the job. Bismah and Javeria finished it off."

Now that they have the winning formula, Mir said the team "would like to stick to it". She credited coach Mark Coles and his support staff for devising the team plan and hoped that "the team executes the plans and repeats the performance in future matches as well".

Despite a dominant win, Mir wasn't entirely satisfied, saying that the team "gave away a few runs in the field and lost two wickets", and could use some improvement in those areas.

Focus on Jadhav's fitness for World Cup after being ruled out of IPL playoffs New Delhi Agencies

With the World Cup less than a month away, Kedar Jadhav has presented India with a worry, picking a shoulder injury while fielding during Chennai Super Kings' game against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL on Sunday. According to Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, Jadhav will not be available for the remainder of the IPL. "Kedar Jadhav's getting an X-ray and a scan tomorrow," Fleming said after the match. "We're hopeful for him. I don't think we'll see him again in this tournament for us. So now his attention will turn to what it looks like for the World Cup. "He's in some discomfort but we just need to be accurate with our assessments tomorrow.

Fingers crossed that it's nothing too serious but it didn't look that good."

Jadhav was fielding on the leg-side boundary when he injured his left shoulder while diving to stop a ball. It was the 14th over, bowled by Dwayne Bravo, and Jadhav dived to his left while trying to stop an overthrow from Ravindra Jadeja. Jadhav stopped the ball, but immediately clutched his arm, and walked out to be attended to by Super Kings physio Tommy Simsek.

Jadhav did not take the field for the rest of the innings with M Vijay coming in as the substitute. To add to Super Kings' woes, Vijay spilled a straightforward catch at point from Nicholas Pooran the very next delivery.

The Indian team management and selectors will hope the injury is not too serious, considering that the squad will leave for the UK on May 22 with India playing their first

group match on June 5 against South Africa. Jadhav is among four allrounders in India's World Cup squad, and if his injury rules him out of the tournament, the selectors will look at the back-up pool of Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel.

Jadhav had picked up an injury during the IPL last year too. He had sustained a hamstring tear in the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians and was then ruled out of the

remainder of the tournament. This time, the injury will make him miss the playoffs for Super Kings.

Jadhav has had an unimpressive IPL, scoring only 162 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 96 and average of 18, with one half-century. And he hasn't bowled at all.

All nationals’ teams for the World Cup can make changes to their preliminary squads by May 23 as per ICC tournament rules.

Warner, Smith help Australia edge New Zealand welliNgtoN Agencies

David Warner hit a quickfire 39 and Steve Smith 22 Monday in their first appearance for Australia since a major ball-tampering scandal as the home team edged a second-string New Zealand by one wicket in a practice match. The Australians were set a target of 216 at Allan Border Field in Brisbane as they warm up for their World Cup defence, and scraped home with 10 balls to spare thanks to a tail-end rescue act.

They have now won nine one-dayers in a row, although this was an unofficial game and not counted as a full international. Skipper Aaron Finch continued his rich vein of form with a measured 52, but fellow opener Usman Khawaja fell cheaply -bringing Warner to the crease, to warm applause from the crowd. He survived a dropped catch on nought before clicking into gear and turning on the form that saw him average 69.20 in 12 innings in the Indian Premier League. Warner hammered 39 off 43 balls before falling to leg-spinner Todd Astle attempting a reverse sweep. That brought out Smith who started nervously before hitting a pair of boundaries. He spent 43 balls in the middle before being caught behind off Matt Henry. It was the pair's first game in Australian colours since serving yearlong bans for their part in the "Sandpaper-gate" ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town that rocked Australian cricket. After Smith departed, Australia lost five for 42 before an impressive 34 from Nathan Coulter-Nile helped steer them home. Earlier, Pat Cummins grabbed two wickets in his first over before New Zealand, missing Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Trent Boult, recovered to post respectable 215 off 46.1 overs Tom Blundell led the fightback and top scored with 77. Cummins ended with 3-36 off eight overs, with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff also grabbing three apiece.

Australia play another two games against New Zealand this week before heading to England where they open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol.

Windies openers break Imam, Fakhar’s record for highest first-wicket partnership DUBliN Agencies

West Indies openers John Campbell and Shai Hope shattered the record for the highest first-wicket partnership in a oneday international with a stand of 365 as their side thrashed Ireland by 196 runs in Dublin on Sunday.

Campbell made 179 and Hope 170 in an eventual total of 381 for three after the visitors were sent in to bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield at Clontarf.

The Caribbean duo were only seven runs shy of the record partnership for any wicket in a men´s ODI, with their fellow West Indians Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels smashing 372 for the second

wicket against Zimbabwe in Canberra during the 2015 World Cup. Campbell and Hope did, however, comfortably exceed the previous opening best at this level of 304 set by Pakistan´s Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in July last year.

Hope was first to his century while Campbell quickly followed to him to a hundred — his first in international cricket. They were both dismissed in the 48th over, Campbell top-edging Barry McCarthy to mid-off with Hope falling three balls later when he holed out to deep square-leg.

McCarthy´s figures of two for 76 in a maximum 10 overs were almost respectable amid the torrent of runs.

Campbell faced 137 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes, with Hope´s 152ball knock featuring 22 fours and two sixes.

Ireland´s attack had sparked an England top-order collapse at nearby Malahide on Friday but had no answer as the West Indies ran riot in the opening match of a triangular series also featuring Bangladesh.

Faced with a mammoth chase, Ireland promptly collapsed to 21 for three before Kevin O´Brien´s 68 at least gave the West Indies bowlers something to think about.

But the West Indies were always in control with off-spinner Ashley Nurse taking four for 51 in Ireland´s 185 all out.

CMYK

SPORTS 15

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

BAttered ANd BruiSed liverpool fAce BAlANciNg Act AgAiNSt BArceloNA loNDoN

l

Agencies

IVERPOOL emerged victorious from a bruising battle against Newcastle to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, but may have sustained too many wounds to summon a Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona on Tuesday.

A late double from Lionel Messi in the Camp Nou on Wednesday has left Jurgen Klopp’s men with a mountain to climb to overturn a 3-0 first leg defeat if they are to reach a second consecutive Champions League final.

Liverpool have overcome such deficits before in the Champions League, most famously in the 2005 final against AC Milan.

But hopes of another famous European comeback at fortress Anfield were dealt a blow when Mohamed Salah was stretchered off with a head knock as Liverpool edged out Newcastle 3-2 on Saturday to move two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Salah watched a thrilling end to the match at St. James’ Park in the dressing room as his replacement Divock Origi headed home fellow substitute Xherdan Shaqiri’s free-kick four minutes from time.

Origi, who also scored a 96thminute winner to beat Everton in the Merseyside derby in December,

Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge have made important contributions in a supporting role to a club record points tally for Liverpool this season.

“We are always ready to get on the pitch and make a difference,” said Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.

“The lads who have been left at home and lads who are on the bench and haven’t come on, they are buzzing for us.

“There’s no egos in this squad and that’s why we are where we are today and long may it continue.”

However, with Roberto Firmino already ruled out due to a groin injury, few would give Liverpool any hope of overhauling a three-goal deficit with-

out two of their prolific front three should Salah not start.

Klopp therefore has a difficult balancing act deciding whether it is worth emptying the tank of his injury-hit squad once more on Tuesday or to save their legs for Wolves’ visit to Anfield on the final day of the Premier League season.

“We are now qualified for the league final, which is brilliant,” said Klopp at taking the title race to the final game of the season.

Despite a sensational season, Liverpool’s chances of winning either trophy are fading.

To have any hope of a first league title in 29 years, Klopp’s men must

hope that Manchester City’s relentless run of 12 straight league wins comes to an end either at home to Leicester in their game in hand on Monday, or at Brighton come Sunday.

Barcelona will also not be complacent heading to Anfield a year on from letting a 4-1 first leg lead against Roma slip away in the quarter-finals.

Messi made it clear from before the season began that the Champions League was his and Barca’s primary target in his first campaign as club captain.

Moreover, while Liverpool toiled on Tyneside on Saturday night, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde had the luxury of making 11 changes for an inconsequential 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo having already wrapped up the Spanish title.

Yet, Origi’s winner at Newcastle personified Liverpool’s persistence and refusal to give up.

Four times in their last seven league outings Liverpool have won the game in the final 10 minutes.

Now they must harness the same belief if Barca are to be given a fright at Anfield.

“If we do fall short this season we will be back next season and we just need to keep going and keep going, and hopefully get what this club deserves,” added Robertson.

“First of all Tuesday, a hell of a task, but if we can get a wee bit of luck then hopefully we will progress.”

Mertens overtakes Maradona’s Napoli goal record, pledges to stay NAPleS Agencies

Dries Mertens on Sunday overtook club legend Diego Maradona in Napoli’s all-time Serie A scorers list after bagging his 82st goal in a 2-1 win over Cagliari which sealed second place in this season.

The Belgian striker headed in the equaliser after 85 minutes in Naples to surpass former Argentinian ace Maradona, who hit 81 league goals between 1984 and 1991.

Mertens is now the third best Serie A scorer in the club’s history, behind Antonio Vojak, who hit a record 102 league goals between 1929 and 1935 and Slovakian Marek Hamsik, who achieved 100 before leaving to play in China this season.

“I’m very happy to have overtaken Maradona and to be a part of Napoli’s history,” said Mertens, 31, who arrived in southern Italy in 2013 from PSV Eindhoven.

“We must be proud of our second place.”

“The future? If I want to score goals in Italy I have to stay. I have always said that I feel good here, I have a contract for next year and I am very happy to stay here.”

Hamsik has scored the most goals in all competitions for Napoli with 121, followed by Maradona on 115 with Mertens now joint third on 107 with Attila Sallustro.

Mertens said he was enjoying playing under Carlo Ancelotti who took over from Maurizio Sarri this season.

“With Ancelotti my role has changed. The place behind the striker is mine. I have more freedom and it shows.”

Mertens has scored 14 goals this season including the last three games.

Both of Napoli’s Serie A titles were won under Maradona in 1987 and 1990.

The club are 16 points behind champions Juventus but 10 ahead of third-placed Inter Milan with three games to play.

chelsea grab top-four spot as rivals self-destruct again loNDoN Agencies

While the Premier League title race has been contested by two thoroughbreds the battle to finish third and fourth has descended into a demolition derby in which Chelsea emerged from the wreckage to seal a top-four finish on Sunday. Maurizio Sarri’s team beat Watford 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their penultimate game to ensure they will return to the Champions League next season but Manchester United will definitely not be joining them. United’s prospects were already slim but a woeful 1-1 draw away to bottom club Huddersfield Town ensured Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can finish no higher than fifth. Arsenal then handed their London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur a welcome gift by only drawing 1-1 at home to a Brighton & Hove Albion side whose top-flight survival had been sealed 24 hours earlier. That meant Chelsea were guaranteed a top-four finish while Tottenham Hotspur, whose domestic form has collapsed culminating in a nine-man defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, are all but assured of a Champions League spot due to their superior goal difference. While Arsenal could still match their north London rivals’ total of 70 points should they win at Burnley on the final day of the season and Spurs lose at home to Everton, they must also achieve a highly unlikely eight-goal swing. “We knew it is going to be difficult but our focus is now the Europa League,” Arsenal manager Unai Emery, whose side lead 3-1 going into the second leg of their semi-final at Valencia next week, said with an air of resignation. “We have the opportunity in the Europa League to do something important and we will try and do that.” Arsenal had taken an ninth-minute lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early penalty but Glenn Murray’s spot-kick dragged Brighton level, meaning Arsenal have earned a miserly one point from the past 12 on offer. Chelsea have not been a great deal better in an increasingly inept scrap for the top-four, picking up only two from nine points in their previous three games, and they were booed off at halftime against Watford with the score 0-0. Quickfire headers from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and David Luiz early in the second half, both from Eden Hazard assists, put them in control and Argentine marksman Gonzalo Higuain added a third in the 75th minute. “In the first half we were in trouble because we were tired, physically and mentally,” Sarri said. “We were lucky of course because we scored after two minutes and after the first goal, probably we improved mentally.”

Sarri gave a brief substitute appearance to titlewinning defender Gary Cahill for what is almost certainly his last Chelsea appearance in the league at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United, for whom Solskjaer’s impressive start after taking over from sacked former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in December is now a fading memory, failed to even rouse themselves for a trip to Huddersfield, who until Sunday had managed 14 points.

Football pioneer Anderson calls for harsh penalties for racist abuse loNDoN Agencies

Clubs or countries whose fans racially abuse players should be fined millions, docked points or even expelled from competitions, Viv Anderson, the first black footballer to play for England, told AFP. The 62-year-old former full-back lambasted UEFA's decision to fine Montenegro's football authorities 20,000 euros ($22,400) for their fans' racial abuse of England players, including Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose, in a Euro 2020 qualifier in March.

Anderson, an integral part of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side that won two European Cups and went on to play for Manchester United and Arsenal, said unless there was a real deterrent racism would not be quelled at football matches.

"If a fine is a million pounds, you dock points and chuck the team out of the competition the associations will soon wake up and go we need to do something about this," said Anderson, speaking at the Sport Resolutions Annual Conference 2019 in London last week.

"By fining Montenegro 20,000 euros that's actually saying 'we accept what they are doing, just get on with it'.

"There has to be a serious deterrent. If you fine them millions, ban them and dock points, see how quickly it is remedied."

Anderson, who went on to win 30 caps for England, drew a comparison with the punishment for acid attacks in Britain.

"When one man got 20 years (in December 2017) for an attack in a club, there have not been many acid crimes since then," said Anderson.

He says is it not enough for players to

leave the pitch in protest -- administrators should take the lead if their players are racially abused.

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"You can't have teams and players walk off the pitch. It has to come from the top," he said.

"Whoever runs Tottenham says to Harry Kane if that happens on the field you have the authority to take the team off.

"Same with the FA and other governing bodies - they say whatever repercussions come from that, we will deal with it."

Anderson, whose 12-year-old son Freddie has caught the football bug and is a member of the Manchester City Academy, admires the manner in which City forward Sterling and Tottenham defender Rose have spoken out about racism.

"Them speaking out can only be good," said Anderson.

"My professional mind would be thinking, (if I were) Raheem Sterling, I only want to win the league or if I were Danny Rose to play in the Champions League semi-finals.

"But fair play to them, they came out and made a point and have done it very well."

Tuesday, 7 May, 2019

NEWS pti to challenge maryam nawaz’s appointment as pml-n vice president LAHORE: The ruling Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday decided to challenge ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz’s appointment as vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the court. “Maryam Nawaz is convicted from the court, how she can hold a party position?” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked during an interaction with journalists. He said the political heir of the former prime minister was given a temporary relief as her jail term was suspended by the court, but her conviction remained intact.

Qureshi said consultation was underway with lawyers in this regard, and the party is also mulling to contact the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in this matter.

Earlier, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had also termed Maryam’s appointment as ridiculing the law. STAFF REPORT

MNA Ali Wazir among 12 PTM members booked for sedition North Waziristan police on Monday registered an FIR [First Information Report] against 12 members of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s (PTM) central committee, including Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Ali Wazir, for allegedly provoking people against the State. According to the FIR lodged by South Waziristan District Police Officer (DPO) Kifayatullah, the case was registered on the basis of an “intelligence report”. The FIR accuses Wazir and 11 others for “enticing people to revolt against the state and for protesting and chanting slogans against the state and security forces” during a public rally in North Waziristan on May 1. Last week, the army signalled taking legal action against the PTM leadership, stating that “those who are playing in others’ hands, their time is up”. Speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor accused PTM of getting funds from Afghanistan’s secret agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS) and India’s spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). “Those who playing in others hands, their time is up,” said Ghafoor. NEWS DESK

Government’s policies taking country towards economic enslavement, say Opp leaders ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said recent economic decisions by the government, including an oil price hike of Rs9 per litre and the appointment of Dr Reza Baqir as governor State Bank of Pakistan, would take the country on a path of “economic enslavement”. Iqbal, flanked by senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah said that there was a discussion with opposition parties on these two main issues on which the “nation stands united”. “In the past, when oil was $72 per barrel in the international market, the oil price was much lesser, while now, oil is less than $65 per barrel, hence an increase in the price of petrol is not acceptable.” “We demand the government to retract its decision of increasing the oil price.” Iqbal went on to add that as the government has completely surrendered to the IMF, referring to Dr Reza Baqir’s appointment as the SBP governor, and has become a colony for the international monetary body. STAFF REPORT

imRan says will devolve poweR to gRass-Roots level in punjab PREMIER SAYS 22,000 VILLAGE COUNCILS WOULD ENABLE DEVELOPMENT AT LOWER LEVEL AND BRING NEW LEADERSHIP ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced that two-tiered elections will be held across Punjab to form the new municipal system in the province.

Talking to senior journalists here days after the Punjab Local Government Act 2013 was repealed in favour of the new Punjab Local Government Act 2019, Imran said that direct elections will be held in 22,000 village councils in Punjab, which he said would “enable development at a lower level and also bring in new leadership”.

The prime minister said that during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) previous term in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), it had formed councils in villages, which were “very popular among the people”, and the same system will now be adopted in Punjab. He said that Rs40 billion have been allocated for villages, which will be passed down directly to village councillors so that they do not have to wait for federal or provincial governments to secure development funds.

“Direct elections will also be held at tehsil level,” he said, noting that “management at district level has become harder due to expansions”.

Flanked by Punjab Chief Minister Usman

REJECTS IMPRESSION THAT INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL GOVTS IS A STEP TOWARDS PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Buzdar, KP Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, party’s former secretary general Jahangir Tareen and others, the prime minister said that “Rs140 billion will be allocated for local bodies in Punjab,” adding that “this is the first time that a government was devolving power”. “When military governments were in power, they focused on municipalities. On the other hand, democratic governments put an end to municipalities and instead give the money that was supposed to be spent on the development of cities and villages to MNAs and MPAs,” he said. In cities, direct elections will be held for mayor that will be contested by political parties, the premier said.

He said that the new local bodies system will empower city mayors to collect revenue and spend it on the welfare of urban dwellers and as well as improvement in cities’ infrastructure, development, and other matters. He added that in urban centres, mayors will be directly elected, and they will collect revenue to improve the condition of cities in a better way. The prime minister said that mayors can bring his own team of professionals to improve civic facilities.

He lamented that Karachi, Lahore and other urban cities in Pakistan could not be developed because they could not generate enough revenue.

Prime Minister Imran cited Iran’s example,

where despite sanctions, Tehran’s management had not been affected because of a strong local government system. When asked how much of the taxation authority would be given to the city’s government, the premier did not specify but said that “if cities cannot collect taxes, the [local government] system will not be viable.”

Flanked by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, KP Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, party’s former secretary general Jahangir Tareen and others, the prime minister said that “Rs140bn will be allocated for local bodies in Punjab,” adding that “this is the first time that a government was devolving power.”

“When military governments [were in power], they focused on municipalities. On the other hand, democratic governments put an end to municipalities and instead give the money that was supposed to be spent on development [of cities and villages] to MNAs and MPAs,” he said. The premier rubbished the notion that the introduction of local governments was a step towards a presidential system of government, saying: “I don’t know where these [rumours] are coming from.” “Our government’s number one priority is to hand over the governance to the people,” he explained. “All over the world, local bodies govern on a grassroots level.”

CII chief suggests ‘high-powered body’ to tackle moon-sighting issue Fawad sees no wisdom in spending Rs4 million on moon sighting ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Monday said that it is not wise to spend 3.6 to 4 million rupees to sight Ramzan and Eid moon. Fawad maintained that the religious scholars are respectable but they should not charge money to sight the moon as this work is done voluntarily around the world.

The federal minister said he has just expressed his views regarding the formation of the Ruet-eHilal Committee, and it is not necessary for others to agree with him. He proposed that science and technology should be used to sight moon, and claimed that unnecessary expenditures and controversies will be averted. STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz on Monday proposed the formation of a high-powered committee to see how the nation could observe Ramzan and celebrate Eid on the same day.

Dr Qibla Ayaz, a distinguished Islamic scholar, in a statement said that the nation has always been divided over the issue of moon sighting of Ramzan and two Eids. The CII chairman backed the proposal of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry about preparation of a lunar calendar, adding that the scholars, however, suggest that sighting the moon with naked eye is compulsory according to Islamic teachings. The CII chief emphasised for considering the point raised by the federal minister to reach to a solution. Dr Ayaz is known for promoting inter-faith and sectarian harmony. He was appointed the chairman of the CII in November 2017, which provides legal advice to the government on Islamic issues but its recommendations are not legally binding.

security personnel martyred, three injured in north waziristan attack RAWALPINDI: At least one security personnel was martyred and three others injured when terrorists attacked a vehicle here on Monday. According to details, the terrorists targeted a vehicle of the security forces in Datta Khel area of district North Waziristan of Khyber Pakhutnkhwa (KP). The vehicle was damaged in the attack resulting in death of one security personnel and leaving three others injured. The attackers fled the scene. The body and injured were shifted to Miranshah Hospital. The security forces cordoned off the area after the attack and launched search operation. STAFF REPORT

US-Taliban talks stumble over troop withdrawal TALIBAN SPOKESMAN SAYS ‘IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FINALISE IT IN THIS ROUND, THEN … PEACE WOULD BE FAR AWAY RATHER THAN BEING CLOSER’ KABUL AGENCIES

Talks between the Taliban and the US have become bogged down over the key issue of when foreign forces might leave Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said.

The Taliban and US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad have met repeatedly in the Qatari capital Doha in recent months in a bid to finally end Afghanistan’s gruelling war. Central to negotiations is the fundamental question of a timetable for when US and foreign forces might leave Afghanistan, after more than 17 years of conflict. While Khalilzad in February sounded an optimistic tone, suggesting a deal was within reach by July, the two foes have hit a sticking point. Before the US agrees to withdrawal, it is demanding the Taliban put in place security guarantees, a ceasefire and other commitments.

But the insurgents insist they won’t do a thing until the US announces a withdrawal timeline. In an interview with

AFP, Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s political spokesman in Doha, said the two sides are trying “to narrow the differences and have an agreement on a timetable which is acceptable to both sides”.

“That has not been achieved so far,” Shaheen said. Asked if that meant nothing would move forward until America announced a withdrawal timetable, Shaheen said: “In principle, yes”, adding that the issue might not be resolved in this round of talks. “If we are not able to finalise it in this round, then … peace would be far away rather than being closer,” Shaheen said. The US embassy in Kabul did not immediately comment, but Khalilzad has repeatedly stressed the troop withdrawal is only one issue in the talks.

For things to progress, he says the Taliban must ensure Afghanistan is never again used as a terrorist safe haven, implement a ceasefire, and speak to Afghan representatives. Shaheen said the Taliban are ready to provide the US with the security guarantees it seeks.

It was not clear if the talks were to continue Monday, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. Many Afghans are aghast at the prospect of the US making a deal with the Taliban, and see the United States as desperate to leave a country that has cost it more than $1 trillion and the lives of some 2,400 troops.

They fear an emboldened Taliban would try to seize power and reintroduce its extreme version of Islam, wiping out

years of gains by women, the media and others. The Taliban have steadfastly refused to talk to Ghani, who they view as a US puppet, and talks thus far have cut out his government. Khalilzad has tried to reassure Afghans by meeting with representatives from across the diverse country.

Thousands of tribal elders and other figures met in Kabul last week to express their red lines for a deal with the Taliban.

Many in Kabul scoff at the idea the

insurgents, who once stoned women to death on flimsy allegations of adultery, have adapted to more modern times.

But Shaheen insisted the Taliban do “not have any problem with women’s rights,” though he said they would be based on “Islamic values.” “We have a different culture and different values. Our values, Afghan values are different from that of Western values”, he said.

At the end of last week’s mega-summit, President Ashraf Ghani offered the Taliban a ceasefire. The insurgents refused, and on Sunday launched a suicide and gunman attack at a police station in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 13 people. The attack was just the latest incident in daily violence across Afghanistan.

US forces train Afghan partners on the ground and strike the Taliban from the air, sometimes killing hundreds of the insurgents in a week, in a bid to push the war to a political settlement. Negotiations between the Taliban and the US are complex, with Taliban chief negotiator Abbas Stanikzai leading a 13-member team, while Khalilzad has about two dozen officials with him. The Qatari government is also participating. Negotiations move slowly, with interactions translated back and forth into Pashto and English, while negotiators often pause to confer with higher ups.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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