E-Paper PDF 9 August 2018 (KHI)

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thursday, 9 august, 2018 i Zul Qadah 26, 1439 i rs 17.00 i vol iX no 42 i 20 pages i Karachi edition

swiss cases against Zardari cannot be reopened, sC told

Imran’s vote recount offer a ‘polItIcal statement’, cJp says g

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Cjp nisar says high Court aCteD beyonD its manDate by orDering suspension of pti Chief’s notifiCation as mna-eleCt from lahore’s na-131 Courts rejeCt usman Dar, top Court tells saaD jamsheD Dasti’s pleas rafique to approaCh pertaining to vote reCount eleCtion tribunal g

ISLAMABAD

STORY ON PAGE 03

sC restores gb order 2018, calls for equal rights for residents gb Cm inaugurates repaired building of school torched in Chilas STORIES ON PAGE 02 & BACK PAGE

sC reopens nanDipur power projeCt Case

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Staff RepoRt

hat comes as another relief for Pakistan tehreek-e-Insaf (PtI) Chairman Imran Khan, the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday quashed the Lahore high Court’s (LhC) order to the election watchdog to withhold Imran’s victory notification until a recount of ballots in Lahore’s Na-131.

During a hearing of the case by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, the court criticised the LhC for “acting beyond its mandate” as result of Na-131 had already been declared and the winning candidate had been notified. “the matter comes under the domain of the ECP, not the LhC,” the bench remarked while hearing a petition filed by prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan which was filed on aug 6, in response to the high court order. however, the lawyer for former minister and Imran’s main rival in Na-131, Saad Rafique argued before the court that the PtI chief had won the July 25 election from five constituencies and that the prime minister-in-waiting in his victory speech had promised to open constituencies where rigging had allegedly taken place.

But the CJP brushed off this argument, saying, “these are merely political statements.” the court then directed Rafique’s counsel to approach the relevant election tribunal with his complaint and request for a recount.

Moreover, CJP Nisar remarked that the top court had suspended a similar order of the high court on tuesday while hearing a petition regarding election in Na-140. after Imran emerged as the winner in the general elections, the former railways minister requested the Returning Officer (RO) for a recount.

wali I), Na-35 (Bannu) and Na-243 (Karachi East II) constituencies will also be decided soon. “there are only notices of violations. Imran has stated in the application that he believes in supremacy of institutions and will adhere to rules and regulations.”

‘CORRUPTION IN ELECTORAL SYSTEM’: Following the verdict, Saad Rafique criticised the decision, saying the top court’s decision to suspend recounting points to “corruption in the electoral system”.

his plea, however, was dismissed.

Rafique then approached the ECP – which accepted the application but only allowed scrutiny of rejected votes. Imran remained the remained the winning candidate and the PML-N leader’s effort could not bear fruit, leading him to file a petition in the high court. the PML-N leader then filed a petition challenging the RO’s order to dismiss the recount plea of votes of the whole constituency. On august 4, Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh of the LhC sustained Rafique’s plea. however, the prime minister-in-waiting challenged the decision in the Supreme Court by terming Rafique’s petition inadmissible and stating that the high court’s order was in contradiction with law and the Constitution and hence must be declared null and void.

Speaking to the media outside SC on Wednesday, Imran’s counsel Babar awan said the party had received notification of wins at two out of five constituencies while three were subject to a condition due to court cases. “Out of the three, SC heard and decided to suspend LhC decision hence the constituency result was restored.” awan claimed there was no deliberate violation in Na-53 (Islamabad II) and expressed confidence that Na-95 (Mian-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

‘naya pakistan will start from punjab’

STORY ON BACK PAGE

STORY ON PAGE 02

opp parties demand eCp officials’ resignations over rigging

ptI mpa-elect from swat mahmood Khan will be Kp cm g

nominated Kp Cm Served aS miniSter for SportS and touriSm in previouS pti govt

eCp denieS delay in aSSembly formation

Senate body orderS probe into rtS’ failure STORIES ON PAGE 03

aC malfunction in pia aircraft creates pandemonium STORY ON PAGE 03

STORIES ON PAGE 02

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02 NEWS

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

PtI mPa-eleCt from swat maHmood KHan wIll be KP Cm NOMINATED KP CM SERVED AS MINISTER FOR SPORTS AND TOURISM IN PREVIOUS PTI GOVT ISLAMABAD

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Imran summoned by eCP for vIolatIng seCreCy of ballot Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was summoned on Wednesday by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the case pertaining to breaching the secrecy of the ballot. The development comes a day after the ECP withheld the victory notification of Imran Khan in two constituencies over violation of its code of conduct. On July 25 the PTI chief had stamped his ballot paper in public, breaking the ECP’s rules regarding keeping one’s vote secret. The commission had taken notice of the matter on election day after videos of Imran stamping his ballot paper in public had gone viral. The commission has ordered that Imran appear before it in person or submit his reply on the matter through his lawyer. News Desk

sTAFF RePORT

HE Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday nominated Mahmood Khan, an MPA-elect from PK-9 Swat, as the next chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The party’s official Twitter handle also confirmed his nomination to the CM slot, followed by confirmations from the PTI leadership in Islamabad and Peshawar. The new KP CM-designate belongs to village Kharerai of tehsil Matta in district Swat. He was born in 1972. He belongs to a middle class family. He completed his early education in Matta and college education from Peshawar.

He has a Masters in Agricultural Sciences from KP Agriculture University.

In 2014, during his previous term, Mehmood Khan was investigated for alleged charges of corruption. He had transferred government allocated discretionary funds to the amount of Rs 1.8 million to his personal account, which he claimed was done mistakenly. Later on, he was 'exonerated' of corruption charges by a committee formed by the provincial government. The then minister for agriculture had acknowledged the fact that Rs1.8 million had been transferred from his discretionary fund as minister to his personnel account. His argument for the act was that it had happened due to lack of understanding on his part regarding the system but there was no bad intention behind transferring amount from official to personal account.

He defeated Awami National Party’s (ANP) Ayub Khan Ashari in last month’s elections by securing 25,697 votes. He was first elected from Matta to KP Assembly in 2013 after defeating the same opponent. He has served as Home, and Irrigation and Sports Minister in previous KP government.

He is the first ever politician from Malakand Division to be elected to the top executive office of KP. He participated in the 2008 local elections as an independent candidate and was elected the Union Council Nazim for Kheri.

Although his family was always associated with the Pakistan People’s Party, Mahmood joined the PTI in 2012 and has risen to the rank of president of PTI Malakand division.

us ambassador, Imran Khan discuss mutual relationship at bani gala ISLAMABAD: The acting Ambassador of the United States (US) to Pakistan, John Hoover on Wednesday called on prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan at Banigala to discuss Pak-US relations and matters of mutual interest. The US ambassador while congratulating Imran Khan over the victory of his party in elections 2018 expressed willingness to improve relations between Pakistan and the United States.

During the conversation, Imran Khan said “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is adamant to establish good relations with the US based on mutual trust and respect.

We view Pak-US relations in terms of trade and economic matters, to be significant.” Commenting on Afghanistan, Imran said “A stable Afghanistan is beneficial for all; US, Pakistan and the region. There have been many ups and downs in Pak-US relations due to trust issues between both countries”. “It is pleasant to see voices raised from the US also in favour of a political solution for the Afghan war. War and use of military force have never been the solution for Afghanistan’s situation”. “Pakistan has always wished for a stable & peaceful Afghanistan. I have always pushed for a political solution for the Afghan war”.

IMRAN ACCEPTS INVITATION TO VISIT IRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Imran and extended an invitation to visit Iran, which he accepted. The Iranian president congratulated PTIchairman on winning the general elections and invited him to visit Iran which he accepted, said a statement issued by the PTI. Both leaders exchanged best wishes and love for the people of both neighbouring countries, it added. sTAFF RePORT .

Indian reign of terror claims four more lives in IHK JAMMU: Indian Army’s Special Forces and commandos on Wednesday attacked and killed four more Kashmiris in what they called an ‘encounter’ in Sopore, a town in the Baramulla district of the Indian-held Kashmir (IHK). The Indian media claimed that the ‘encounter’ broke out in the afternoon when the Indian forces had cordoned off the area on the basis of information about the presence of the ‘militants’ there. The army team cordoned off the area. In a statement, Indian Army’s Chinar Corps GOC Lt Gen AK Bhatt complimented the forces for eliminating the ‘militants’ during the armed operations in the disputed Kashmiri state. AGeNCIes

The future KP CM has already been given a time frame to prove his mettle in the province as prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan announced that he would replace the next chief minister for the province and his ministers if they failed to deliver the goods within three to six months of assuming office. Talking to a private media outlet, Mahmood thanked Imran Khan for trusting him and said that he will work round the clock to fulfil Imran's vision and work closely on party's manifesto. He also reiterated the commitment that the PTI will show better performance than the past in the province.

It is pertinent to mention here that Mahmood Khan is a billionaire who owns 55 shops and has a bank balance of over Rs40 million besides owning 87 kanal.

Imran Khan to reside in CM annexe of Punjab House after becoming PM PTI SPOKESMAN SAYS PARTY WILLING TO COOPERATE IF PROTESTING OPP PARTIES WANT TO RESOLVE POLL RIGGING ISSUE ISLAMABAD sTAFF RePORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haque on Wednesday said that Imran Khan, after taking oath as the prime minister, will take up residence in the Punjab House chief minister (CM) annexe.

While talking to the media in the federal capital, Haque said he had been instructed to visit the Punjab House CM annexe by Khan himself. “Imran will reside at the annexe during the week

and go to his personal residence over the weekends,” he said.

In his first speech after PTI’s victory in the July 25 election, Khan had said that he was likely to turn the Prime Minister (PM) House into an educational institute. “Our government will decide what we will do with the PM House. We want to turn it into an educational or public institution,” he had said.

The PTI chief had also promised to convert governor houses into public spaces which would collect revenue.

fatf team to visit Pakistan, review action plan implementation A team of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will visit Pakistan on August 13 in a bid to review the implementation of the counter-terror financing action plan issued earlier in 2018. According to media reports the delegation will comprise members of Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering. They will arrive in Pakistan on August 13 and stay till August 16. The purpose of the visit is to have a detailed review of a report submitted to the global watch dog by Islamabad, the reports

Furthermore, commenting on the protest being held here by major opposition parties, the PTI spokesperson said that the PTIled government was ready to cooperate if the protestors wished to resolve the matter.

“The system installed by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is exceedingly faulty and requires to be overhauled,” he said. “We will improve the system so that future elections can be conducted with ease and nobody gets a chance to complain.”

state, adding that the team will also be briefed by the officials of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and other relevant authorities.

The officials of NACTA and other institutions will brief the delegates on measures taken by the country against terror financing, the reports said. After greylisting Pakistan due to its ‘terror-financing deficiencies’, FATF had gave a 10-point action plan, welcoming the high-level political commitment conveyed by the country. The task force had said it has “identified Pakistan as a jurisdiction with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies”. The body had recommended an action plan to address the issues regarding anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing In August 2018, NACTA had reviewed the national strategy to implement the action plan and eliminate terrorist financing. News Desk

naya Pakistan will start from Punjab, says Imran Khan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the start of ‘Naya Pakistan’ will be from Punjab. “We have to provide relief to people of Punjab,” Imran said while addressing a Punjab parliamentary party session in the federal capital. The prime minister-in waiting, while shedding light on the challenges Punjab has been facing, said that he plans to depoliticise the Punjab police and make it autonomous. “We also have to improve schools and hospitals in Punjab. Nation’s money should be spent on improving the lives of people,” he added. Commenting on PTI’s nominee for Punjab chief minister (CM), Imran said that he will put forward the name of a “corruption-free” candidate.

“The nominee will have a clean image with not a single corruption charge against him,” he said. “You all must support this nominee,” he stressed, adding that his decision will be based on merit and the country’s benefit. Furthermore, speaking about the recently held election, Imran congratulated his party members on winning a “tough election”. “Everyone knows that the real battle was fought in Punjab,” he stated while adding that the system of ticket distribution would be improved. sTAFF RePORT

eCP denies delay in assembly formation ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday issued a statement to refute rumours hinting at the possibility that there might be a delay in the formation of assemblies. Confirming the same, the caretaker Minister for Information and Law, Syed Ali Zafar, announced during a conversation with the media said that a session of the National Assembly has been called between August 12 and 14 during which the Assembly's speaker and deputy speaker will be appointed and all the newlyelected ministers will take oath. According to the ECP statement, things are proceeding as outlined in the Elections Act 2017.

Successful candidates submitted details of their campaign expenditure within 10 days of polling and a notification was issued on August 7. The statement further mentions that independent candidates will announce their party affiliations within three days of the above-mentioned notification. The deadline for doing so has been set as August 9. Upon declaration of party affiliation, a limited number of seats shall be allotted to each party. According to the provisions outlined in article 51 of the Act, the allotment shall take place on August 11. sTAFF RePORT

bnP-m, PtI join hands QUETTA: Balochistan National PartyMengal (BNP-M), in a major breakthrough for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has agreed to support Imran Khan in the upcoming elections for the slot of prime minister. The party has pledged its support for PTI in the centre after inking a six-point deal with PTI leaders who flew to Quetta to meet Sardar Akhtar Mengal and requested his party’s support. “We have signed a landmark agreement with the BNP-M,” PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed while speaking to media representatives after the meeting with BNP-M leadership. sTAFF RePORT

GB CM inaugurates repaired school building in Chilas BURNING OF GIRLS SCHOOLS IN GB ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE, SENATE BODY SAYS ISLAMABAD sTAFF RePORT

Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman on Wednesday inaugurated the repaired building of a school in Diamer district which was previously torched last week.

In a span of a few days, 13 schools -- at least half of which are girls-only schools -- were vandalised in Chilas and surrounding areas. The unidentified assailants had caused panic among

the residents of GB. Declaring the incident an intolerable offence, CM Rehman issued directives for the expedient arrest of those involved. He urged the use of the latest technological means available to uncover the identities of the terrorists.

The chief minister ordered the prompt repair of all the affected schools and provided assurance that all schools in the district would be given round-the-clock security.

He encouraged the residents of the area to play their role in defeating the terrorists in their objectives. CM Rehman was accompanied by Education Minister Mohammad Ibrahim Sanai and various other ministers from Diamer during his tour of the schools in the area.

According to Diamer Superintendent Police (SP) Roy Ajmal, in some cases, books had also been thrown outside the schools and set alight.

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On Monday, the government of GilgitBaltistan had decided that classes will resume on September 1 at all schools of Diamer district, including those attacked by the extremists.

SENATE BODY CONDEMNS BURNING GIRLS SCHOOLS: Special Senate Standing Committee on Interior asserted that incidents like burning down girls schools in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) are absolutely unbearable and sought fierce action against those found involved behind such heinous crimes.

The Senate body said on Wednesday that burning dozens of schools was an act of terrorism.

The government of GB should submit a comprehensive report on the incident in next meeting of the Committee, Chairman of the Committee, Senator A Rehman Malik said while chairing the meeting.

CMYK Thursday, 9 August, 2018

NEWS

oPP PartIes demand eCP offICIals’ resIgnatIons over Poll rIggIng ISLAMABAD

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N) President Shehbaz Sharif, however, was not able to participate in the protest as his flight from Lahore to Islamabad got delayed due to bad weather, said party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The decision to hold the protest was made by the newly formed 11-party grand opposition alliance, named ‘Pakistan Alliance for Free and Fair Elections’, at a multi-party conference held in Islamabad on Friday.

Apart from the Pakistan People’s

sTAFF RePORT

EADERS of the joint opposition on Wednesday demanded the resignations of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials over alleged rigging and irregularities in the July 25 general election.

The demand was made during a protest demonstration outside the ECP. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-

Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the opposition alliance comprises Awami National Party (ANP), Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party (NP) and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).

Fazlur Rehman, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and president of the MMA, who arrived after the protest had been going on for a few hours, said: “The only reason why all political parties have

Swiss cases against Zardari cannot be reopened, NAB tells SC ISLAMABAD sTAFF RePORT

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that Swiss cases against PPP Cochairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari cannot be reopened as they were time-barred and their statutory limitation period has expired.

The apex court, on July 4, had sought details of assets of former presidents Pervez Musharraf and Zardari while hearing a case regarding the recovery of losses incurred because of the infamous National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). The anti-graft body on

Wednesday submitted a two-page report to the top court, detailing its findings on the NRO as well as the cases against the PPP co-chairman.

“The federal government's failure to file a timely appeal meant that the cases against Asif Zardari are now timebarred,” the NAB stated in its report.

It added, "Swiss officials have excused themselves from reopening the cases as they are now out of date.”

The corruption watchdog, in its report, also included a list of pending cases against Zardari in Pakistan courts.

"There are five pending cases against Asif Zardari in high courts, including an assets-related case that has

Imran’s vote recount offer a ‘political statement’, CJP says contInueD froM pAge 01 “Imran lost 117 votes during the recounting as 2,835 votes were rejected and votes received from five polling stations were reconsidered. Hence, Imran came running to the SC to stop the recounting which reveals the reality of his bogus victory,” he claimed. Meanwhile, PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb has asserted that the apex court’s decision was in violation of Elections Act, 2017. “The law bounds RO to recount votes which have over 5 per cent or less than 10, 000 difference,” she told media. Lamenting that the party was deprived of legal rights, Marriyum claimed the recount had already begun in polling stations across the constituency upon LHC directives and witnessed Imran’s lead to drop from 640 to 602. “Initial recounting decreased Imran’s win by 29 votes at five polling stations,” she said.

NO VOTE RECOUNT FOR DASTI: Separately, the apex court also rejected Awami Raj Party (ARP) Chairman Jamshed Dasti’s request for a vote recount in NA-182 Muzaffargarh. Rejecting the request for a recount, the chief justice instructed Dasti to approach the concerned election tribunal for the recount.

LHC REJECTS DAR’S RECOUNT PLEA: On the other hand, the LHC upheld the victory of PML-N stalwart Khawaja Asif in NA-73, Sialkot, as it rejected PTI leader Usman Dar’s plea seeking vote recount in the constituency.

On Monday, the court restrained the ECP from issuing the notification following Dar’s plea. Dar, in his petition submitted through Advocate Anees Hashmi and Advocate Tajamul Gondal, had challenged the victory of Asif pleading that the returning officer did not provide Form-45 to the polling agents. The PTI leader maintained that as many as 7,346 votes were dismissed in his constituency and he lost to the PML-N leader by a margin of 1,406 votes.

been in the Lahore High Court since 2015," NAB informed the court.

Moreover, four other cases — the SGS, Cotecna, Ursus tractors and ARY gold import — have been pending in the Islamabad High Court for the last few years, the anti-graft body added.

The bureau further said that it had found no evidence of the NRO causing any financial loss to the national kitty.

Zardari, although never convicted, was in prison from 1997 to 2004 on charges pertaining to money laundering, corruption and murder. When Nawaz Sharif was re-elected as prime minister in 1998, he initiated the case in Switzerland which accused Benazir

Bhutto and Asif Zardari to have embezzled $60 million in kickbacks in Swiss bank accounts.

Senate body orders inquiry into rigging allegations, failure of RTS NEW NA SPEAKER TO CONSTITUTE PROBE COMMITTEE ISLAMABAD sTAFF RePORT

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has ordered an inquiry into allegations of rigging in the July 25 polls and the failure of the Results Transmitting System (RTS).

Senator Rehman Malik said on Wednesday that a parliamentary committee will look into the complaints regarding the failure of the RTS, adding that the new National Assembly speaker will constitute the

committee to probe the allegations.

The panel further ordered all home secretaries to inquire about the ballot papers recovered from garbage after the polls. Rehman also asked the National Database and Regulatory Authority (NADRA) to brief the panel on August 20 about the RTS failure on the election day.

In addition, Senator Chaudhry Tanvir stated that NADRA should also share the expenditure required for forensics of every single vote.

Briefing the Senate panel on the

Former interior minister and PML-N stalwart Ahsan Iqbal said they would ensure their demands are met and criticised PTI leader Imran Khan for withdrawing promises of vote recount in his own constituency.

“We will not allow anyone to rob masses of their right to rule. We will continue to protest until a leadership representative of masses’ will [rule Pakistan],” “We want to tell the world that the public rejects [these] elections. We are united on this matter,” said PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq. Workers numbering in hundreds gathered in the federal capital earlier in the day. The participants chanted slogans about their respective political parties as well as the alleged rigging. The opposition leaders also decided to register a strong protest inside and outside parliament during the first sitting of the National Assembly, which according to Caretaker Information Minister Barrister Ali Zafar on Wednesday would be called between August 12 and 14.

Earlier in the day, ANP and JUI-F workers blocked Peshawar-Islamabad motorway.

joined hands today is because the ECP failed to conduct free and fair elections.”

Rehman reiterated the opposition’s demand of resignations of senior ECP officials. Members of the anti-PTI alliance gather outside Election Commission of Pakistan office against alleged rigging in the recently held elections.

PPP’s Sherry Rehman, Khursheed Shah and Farhatullah Babar, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal were among the leaders who took part in the protest.

While speaking to reporters during the protest, PPP leader Sherry Rehman vowed to remain peaceful and demanded resignation from ECP officials.

“We will go to the Parliament and unite political parties,” she said.

PML-N PRESIDENT SHEHBAZ SHARIF PPP’S SHERRY REHMAN SAYS OPP PARTIES FAILS TO PARTICIPATE IN JOINT WILL CONTINUE TO PROTEST AGAINST RIGGING OPP’S PROTEST OUTSIDE ECP OFFICE ‘INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT’

working of the RTS, election commission authorities said that the system was designed for returning officers. Officials representing the Election Commission of Pakistan said that the ROs had to send the results on WhatsApp through RTS. They said that the other system was the Result Management System (RMS), which was installed in the offices of the ROs. Authorities further clarified that RMS was digital, which was sending results through the internet.

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aC malfunction in PIa aircraft causes pandemonium A video of a baby who had allegedly fallen unconscious due to faulty air conditioning in a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight was shared on social media and TV channels on Wednesday, prompting the national carrier's senior management to take notice. The video shows a woman — presumed to be the mother of the infant — yelling at PIA crew members to open the plane's door while pointing at the baby who was being held by a male passenger. The PIA staff can be seen telling the woman to wait, with one male official saying: "[sic] would have opened the door ... [we are] talking to the pilot".

The other passengers can also be heard demanding for the door to be opened, with some of them fanning the baby and others chanting "shame" at the officials.

Soon after the video resurfaced, PIA Spokesman Mashood Tajwar in a statement said that an investigation has been launched into the matter.

The flight which was scheduled to depart from Paris at 9pm on Aug 3 was delayed for 2 hours and 39 minutes. However, PIA has claimed that the flight was delayed for 30 minutes only. “The PIA President and CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan has taken immediate and serious notice and has asked for a detailed inquiry into the matter. The delay was for 30 mins as doors were closed, aircraft was ready for pushback, however, Air Traffic Controller (ATC) clearance was not received and the aircraft could not start it’s [sic] engine as it was still parked at the jetty. Details of the incidence and explanations are being given to the captain in command, ground handler and PIA’s chief operating officer (COO).

Zero tolerance policy has been adopted in PIA and there shall be no compromise on customer convenience and comfort,” said a statement released on the airline’s social media page. News Desk

MoI denies placing Hasan, Hussain Nawaz on blacklist NAB’S REQUEST TO PLACE NAMES OF FORMER PM’S SONS ON ECL AWAITS APPROVAL BY CARETAKER CABINET ISLAMABAD sTAFF RePORT

The Interior Ministry on Wednesday contradicted news of placing names of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s sons, Hasan and Hussain Nawaz on the blacklist. Interior Minister Muhammad Azam said, “Hasan and Hussain’s names have not been placed on the blacklist. As of now, only red warrants have been issued to the brothers.”

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has requested for the names of Hasan and Hussain to be placed on the Exit Control List, on which the caretaker cabinet has not passed a decision.

Earlier, reports were circulating saying that the names of Hasan and

Hussain Nawaz have been placed on the blacklist and they will not be able to travel on their Pakistani passports.

According to earlier reports, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had reportedly written to Interpol Headquarters seeking red warrants for the brothers. The accountability court in Pakistan has issued warrants in the Avenfield Reference case and had issued orders to immediately produce Nawaz Sharif’s sons before the court.

Earlier on December 4, an accountability court had declared Hassan and Hussain proclaimed offenders in three corruption references filed by NAB. The anti-corruption watchdog had also presented a report in court regarding property owned by the brothers,

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which stated that the accountability bureau did not find any property in the country owned by them.

The brothers, who reside outside Pakistan, are accused in all three references ordered by the Supreme Court (SC) in its July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case: Avenfield properties, Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, and Flagship Investment Ltd.

Judge Mohammad Bashir had on Oct 9, accepted NAB’s plea to declare Hussain and Hassan proclaimed offenders and separated their proceedings in the three references filed against them.

Their non-bailable arrest warrants, issued on October 2, remain in effect.

The judge had also directed for initiating the process of declaring them proclaimed offenders.

On Oct 12, NAB posted the court’s proclamation order on the main gate of the Sharif family’s residences in Jati Umra and Model Town, Lahore.

NAB Rawalpindi had stated the action was taken in light of the accountability court’s directions for the initiation of the process to declare them proclaimed offenders, as they failed to show up in the court’s last hearing.

The court had also ordered the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to freeze the assets of Hassan and Hussain.

04 KARACHI

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

WEATHER UPDATES THURSDAY

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SATURDAY

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JAm SHoRo’S bRotHeR undeR nAb wAtCH in illegAl APPointmentS CASe KARACHI aftab ChaNNa

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HEREAS the Sindh Local Government (LG) Department seems reluctant to remove 13,000 illegally appointed officers during the tenure of former Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) minister Jam Khan Shoro, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday initiated investigations into further illegal appointment made by his brother Kashif Shoro in Qasimabad Municipal Committee (QMC), Hyderabad, it was learnt.

The sources told Pakistan Today that Kashif as QMC chairman made hundreds of illegal appointment in the town in connivance with Sub-Registrar Shah Muhammad during past few years, putting an extra burden on the provincial exchequer. In this regard, the NAB has summoned Local Government Board Deputy Secretary Aftab Isran to bring all the relevant record of both accused before the NAB investigators on August 10.

“Whereas the competent authority has taken the cognizance of an offence allegedly committed by Shah Muhammad, Sub-Registrar Qasimabad, Kashif Shoro, Chairman, Municipal Commit-

tee Qasimabad and others under the provision of NAO, 1999.

“Whereas the inquiry has revealed that your office is in possession of information/evidence whatsoever which relates to the commission of said offences”, said the official letter issued by NAB. According to sources, the LG department has been feeding more than 13,000 illegal appointees since past couple of years despite the fact that the administrative department recommended action against these employees after thorough verification.

The NAB had also investigated the case and has arrested absconding for-

Mushtaq Ahmed removed as AIG, transferred to CPO KARACHI: Karachi Additional Inspector General (AIG) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar on Wednesday was removed from the position and transferred to report to the Sindh Central Police Office (CPO).

A notification was issued in this regard by the Sindh office Inspector General Amjad Javed Saleemi. Furthermore, the notification said, “Mahar has been transferred and directed to report to Sindh Central Police Office (CPO)”. It was reported that Mahar, a BS-21 officer wrote a letter to the IG and

Sindh government two days after the July 25 elections, stating that the three-year period of his tenure had expired. The transfer notification was issued subsequently.

In July 2015, Mahar was appointed as the Karachi police chief after AIG Ghulam Qadir Thebo was transferred from the post.

In July 2017, AIG Mahar was transferred and appointed as traffic police chief amid reservations of some stakeholders about the targeted operations underway in Karachi. Staff RepoRt

mer LG secretary, who was considered to have close ties with PPP leaders including former LG minister Agha Siraj Durrani and Owais Muzaffar Tapi, for his alleged involvement in the illegal appointments. The officials of the LG department have also recorded confessional statements informing the investigators that Durrani forced them for forging around 12,800 illegal appointments in the LG department.

The confessional statements were made by at least 23 officers of the Local Government Department who were summoned by NAB Investigation Officer Sabih Rafay at bureau’s headquarters.

Pakistan’s ideal geo-strategic location can benefit maritime economy: Navy chief

KARACHI ppI

On the invitation of President Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi visited KATI’s Head Office on Wednesday.

The visit was aimed to educate the business community regarding the country’s the potential of the blue economy and to encourage them to play their role in the development of the maritime sector.

While addressing the representatives of the business community, Chief of the Naval Staff highlighted the role of economic security in overall security construct of the country. He emphasised that a robust and strong national economy is a fundamental driver for national security.

He said Pakistan is a big country and a nuclear power and it should get its mettle acknowledged. He said Pakistan Navy also plays an important role in peacetime. While underscoring the strategic importance of the oceans and the maritime domain for progress and prosperity of the na-

tions, he said that our geostrategic location, at the cross-road of world energy routes, offers us a unique opportunity to achieve economic affluence by initiating economic activities in the maritime domain.

Pakistan has huge maritime potentials and there is a dire need to explore and tap these resources by boosting local industry and creating opportunities of undertaking joint ventures, he added. While highlighting the importance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Naval chief said that it will act as a catalyst to boost Pakistan’s economy. He ruled out any threat of Tsunami to Gwadar.

KATI President Tariq Malik lauded the role and efforts of Pakistan Navy (PN) in making Sea Lanes of Communication safe and defence of sea frontier. He further acknowledged PN’s initiatives to enhance maritime awareness in the country. On this occasion, Maritime Policy and Research director also briefed the members of KATI regarding the role and functions of PN. The presentation also focused on potential and opportunities to develop national economy through the maritime sector.

SUNDAY

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SHC moved against reopening of Askari Amusement Park Sindh High Court (SHC) was moved the other day against the reopening of the Askari Amusement Park before investigations of the ride crash incident are complete. The petitioners, Ahmed Zaman and Shah Zaman Khan, contended that naming a commercial park “Askari” was illegal. They also claimed that the park was being run without the approval of the authorities concerned. The petitioners argued that the park administration imported precarious rides from China without required approvals and operated such rides without following any standard operating procedure. It was also contended in the petition that commercialisation of parks in the city was depriving the people of recreation. The petitioners asked the SHC to order annulment of entry charges for public parks. Askari Amusement Park be not reopened again until inspection of its rides and the inquiry into the ride collapse incident are complete, the petitioners asked.

They nominated the Sindh government, Karachi commissioner, Karachi mayor, Rangers director-general and others as respondents. NewS DeSk

Police book captor for holding co-workers hostage Karachi Police on Wednesday registered two cases against Saleem Shehzad for taking his fellow employees hostage at a Karachi factory on August 7. Police booked Shehzad on charges of terrorism, attempt to murder and attacking police force.

Shehzad, a factory worker apparently disgruntled at having been treated unfairly by the owners, had taken fellow employees hostage at a crushing plant in Sohrabh Goth area. NewS DeSk

Rao Anwar’s bail challenged in court KARACHI: The bail application of former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, accused of being involved in the killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud, was challenged on Wednesday in Sindh High Court (SHC). Father of deceased, Muhammad Khan challenged the bail through his counsel Faisal Siddiqui and pleaded that Rao Anwar is the primary accused in Naqeebullah Mehsud case and giving bail to the accused without hearing the view of the petitioner would be a great injustice. It was maintained that the bail of Rao Anwar should be cancelled and the accused should be arrested, against whom two cases are under process. oNlINe

Tragic memories of 2016 Quetta suicide attack still alive: CM Marri QUETTA app

Caretaker Balochistan chief minister Allauddin Marri said the tragic memories of August 8, 2016, were still alive when 74 people, including 54 lawyers, were martyred in a suicide attack at Civil Hospital Quetta.

The nation could never forget its martyrs, including lawyers and personnel of security forces, he said in a statement on the eve of the second anniversary of the deadly attack.

The chief minister appreciated the security forces who had successfully eliminated the mastermind and the fa-

CMYK

cilitators of the tragedy.

Expressing solidarity with the families of the martyred lawyers, he said both internal and external enemies were hatching conspiracies to destabilise Pakistan through terrorist activities.

The terrorists, he added, were targeting educated persons including lawyers, citizens and security forces, with an aim to disturb peace in the province of Balochistan.

The brave security forces, however, were conducting successful raids under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to eradicate terrorists from the country, including Balochistan, he said.

The backbone of terrorists had

been broken as only a few were still operative in the area, he noted.

Marri vowed such cowardly attacks could not weaken the morale of the nation and the security forces.

He further appreciated the lawyers’ community for their commitment as they continued their services for the betterment of the country.

The province is observing black day today in memory of the victims of the suicide attack. The Balochistan Bar Council, as well as other lawyers’ associations, have boycotted today’s proceedings in mourning. Black flags have also been hoisted at court buildings across the province in memory of the martyrs.

WORLD VIEW 05

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

MohaMMed bin SalMan iS weak, weak, weak SAUDI ARABIA HAS STARTED A CRISIS WITH CANADA BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT ITS OWN FAILINGS

Foreign policy

T

STeVen a COOK

He weirdness of 2018 continues.

Upon reconnecting, I discovered that the odious former president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, tweeted in support of LeBron James (he also likes Michael Jordan), Toto covered Weezer, and the government of Saudi Arabia freaked out at Canada. Not Iran or Qatar, but Canada… the Great White North. The place that has bestowed such gifts to the world as John Candy, poutine, Wayne Gretzky, the Montreal bagel, and the 55-yard line.

Like most countries, Canada does have darker aspects. The way Canadians treated what they now refer to as the First Nations was horrific, for example—although they recently apologized and accepted responsibility for the near-destruction of those cultures. And even when Canadians are angry at you, they tend to be unfailingly polite about it.

So, what is the Saudi beef? Why have they thrown the Canadian ambassador out of the country, halted Saudi flights to Toronto (a lovely airport), and told anywhere between 7,000 and 16,000 Saudis

enrolled in Canadian universities that they can’t go back to school in a few weeks? A tweet. More specifically, last Friday the Canadian foreign ministry tweeted: “Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists.”

That’s it. The Canadian government did not impose sanctions, offend Islam, or make common cause with the Houthis in Yemen. As anyone with a passing interest in international affairs knows, Ottawa has publicly positioned itself—often in contrast to the United States—as a strong voice in defense of human rights. This is particularly the case under Liberal Party-led governments such as the one under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has been (politely) forceful in her defense of a rulesbased and liberal international order.

According to their Saudi counterparts, by expressing concern for the plight of peaceful activists in the kingdom, Canada’s diplomats were in egregious violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty.

This is the kind of response that one might expect from say, egypt—though even the egyptian leadership, which loathes civil society, activists, and their international supporters with great passion, would not throw an ambassador out of the country and cancel the scholarships

of thousands of university students.

There are various theories to explain the Saudi reaction to Canada’s tweet. Some analysts have suggested that the episode is another example of Saudi Arabia’s reckless foreign policy under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Others see it as another warning to Saudis that the only reforms in the kingdom are those that the crown prince has articulated, and they are at their peril should Saudis demand more.

Both explanations are plausible—and either way, Mohammed bin Salman comes out looking every bit the impetuous, petty, immature, tyrant that his critics say he is.

Arab leaders have some good reasons for responding poorly to activists and nongovernmental organizations that international supporters of these individuals and groups tend to overlook. But rounding up people who peacefully express a different vision of society from the Saudi leadership is weak. Not just weak in a vague moral sense, but as a basic description of the government’s political standing. General rule: If a leader is arresting people who disagree with them, it is a sign that this leader is well aware of a significant gap between the stories the government is telling its citizens about how good life is under its benevolent leaders and how people are actually experiencing it. The Saudi women in jail right now had to be arrested, because if they weren’t silenced, there would be an ever-increasing risk that they would expose the emptiness of the government’s sunny narrative

about the future. Coercion of this sort is a demonstration of brute force and political weakness.

For all the Saudi government’s declarations about the “new Saudi Arabia” and how the country is moving forward thanks to the crown prince’s reform program, it rings hollow against the background of jailed peaceful dissenters. The Saudis will argue that all the Western reporting and analysis is wrong—the people arrested were in communication with foreign countries and thus trying to undermine the Saudi state. It is a claim that is both tiresome—because it comes from the script every foreign ministry reads anytime their governments want to repress activists—and revealing. There is no foreign conspiracy, of course. It is the dodge of a nervous Saudi leadership, fearful that its people will discover its inability to deliver on its promises.

The Saudis and their supporters often complain that they get a bad rap in Washington. I am sympathetic to this claim.

Sure, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman got some terrific personal press on his barnstorm through New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley last spring—but news coverage of Saudi Arabia at around the same time was demonstrably negative. With good reason, of course. In November 2017, the Saudis orchestrated the brief resignation of the Lebanese prime minister—surely one of the stranger diplomatic episodes in the Middle east ever—and then there was the terrible (and ongoing) humanitarian toll of Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen. The Saudi-led blockade of Qatar, meanwhile, seems to have been a pointless exercise in showing Doha who

Confrontation in Dhaka

Boris Johnson and the liberal criticism of Islam

Spectator, UK Brendan O'neill

A truly bizarre thing happened: Boris Johnson was branded an Islamophobe and a bigot for writing in defence of Muslim women who wear the niqab.

In his Telegraph column, Johnson said it was wrong for Denmark to ban the niqab and burqa in public places because the state should not be telling any ‘free-born adult woman what she may or may not wear, in a public place, when she is simply minding her own business’.

Top-down burqa-banning risks ‘play[ing] into the hands of those who want to politicise and dramatise the so-called clash of civilisations’, he said. That is, authoritarian state controls on religious dress are both illiberal and also seem ‘intended to make some point about Islam’ that could whip up those who believe the West is at war with that religion.

So he defended Muslim women’s right to wear religious garments in public and he expressed concern about the state appearing to be in conflict with Islam.

A liberal, tolerant take on a difficult issue, right?

Apparently not. He’s been slammed everywhere as a racist, a borderline fascist, a poundshop Mussolini who if he ever gets to No10 will declare war on Muslims and other minorities. What is the

basis to these shrill and wilful misinterpretations of what he said? Because alongside defending women’s freedom to wear the niqab and burqa, he expressed distaste for these garments. And, as we now know, you’re not allowed to say anything even remotely critical about Islam or its practices these days.

In the column, Boris said the niqab and burqa are oppressive garments. He said he dislikes the pressure some Muslim men put on Muslim women to don these black, shapeless ‘modesty’ garments. He said women who wear the burqa look like ‘letter boxes’.

And he said individual institutions, universities for example, should have the leeway to ask women who turn up to lectures looking like ‘bank robbers’ to remove their face-obscuring veils, because sometimes you need to be able to see someone in order to engage with them.

Also, echoing comments made

by Jack Straw a few years ago, he said that if a woman arrived at his MP surgery wearing the niqab or burqa, he’d ask her to uncover her face. Because he wants to see her. He wants to converse with her openly and freely, to see her expressions and her emotions. What a fascist!

The rash reaction to Boris’s comments, the depiction of him as a hard-right tyrant, confirms that it is now tantamount to thoughtcrime to say anything critical about Islam.

To make any kind of moral judgement about Islamic practices, to question its beliefs or its garments, is to run the risk of being branded an ‘Islamophobe’, a racist, a fascist.

We’re witnessing the return of blasphemy laws by the backdoor.

Only now it isn’t the Christian God and Christian beliefs that are protected from ‘contemptuous, reviling, scurrilous or ludicrous’ commentary, as was the case under the old blasphemy laws; it is Islam.

Slowly but surely, informally, through the sly and hyperbolic de-

monisation of anyone who has any issues whatsoever with Islam, we have erected a moral forcefield around this religion to protect it from criticism or scepticism. Old blasphemers against Christianity were denounced as ‘heretics’; new blasphemers against Islam are branded ‘phobes’.

That Boris can be so publicly mauled for defending Muslim women’s rights while also criticising certain Islamic views shows how chilled and unforgiving the public discussion of this religion has become.

It also points to a profound confusion about freedom and tolerance among the modern commentariat.

They seem to think that society doesn’t only have a responsibility to guarantee freedom of belief to its citizens, but also that it must respect what its citizens believe. This is utterly wrong. In a free society, people must have the right to adhere to whatever religious or moral convictions they consider best, but the rest of us must have the right to criticise and even ridicule those convictions.

That is freedom in action.

What Boris’s shrill detractors are really demanding is that he respect everything about Islam. That he be unquestioning towards this religion. That he celebrate it and love it, unconditionally. But why should he? His responsibility, as a politician, is to never interfere with people’s religious freedom; he doesn’t have to like people’s religious beliefs.

The attacks on Boris are a reactionary, illiberal assault on his right to be critical of certain aspects of religious ideology. People are not demanding that he support freedom of religion, because it is clear from his column that he already does.

Rather, they are demanding that he bow and scrape before Islamic values and never criticise them again.

This is a medieval demand, a war on heresy, dressed up as a progressive critique.

is the big boss in the Gulf.

Yet the negative coverage ignored the middle ground; complications and shades of gray are typically saved for stories other than Saudi Arabia. The war in Yemen has been a foolish blunder, but hardly anyone mentions the brutality of the Houthis. The Qataris may be victims of Saudi, emirati, egyptian, and Bahraini scheming, but they are not innocent victims. The crown prince is hardly the reformer that he has proclaimed himself to be, but he does seem to enjoy genuine support at home.

Still, whatever beating the Saudis are taking over the war of words with Canada, it is entirely of Riyadh’s own making and well deserved. One is hardpressed to truly understand what officials at the Royal Court are thinking, beyond taking a cue from the Trump administration and declaring, “We are Saudi Arabia.” The Saudis really can’t have it every which way: posturing as “reformers,” tossing activists in jail, and then taking umbrage when people dare criticize them for not actually reforming.

The crown prince decided to pick a fight with the wrong country. Not because Canada is powerful and the Saudis are dependent upon them, but rather because Ottawa has taken a stand on the straightforward principle that peaceful dissent is not a crime. In their overreaction, the Saudis have decided to flaunt their own foolishness and feebleness. Instead of railing against Ottawa, Riyadh should apologize for its rash behavior. That’s what the Canadians would do.

Steven A. Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

THE BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT CLAMPS DOWN ON DISSENT AND DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES HindU Vijay PraShad

Students in Dhaka, Bangladesh, have long worried about their journey to school. Dangerous driving cost the lives of two students in the last week of July — they were run over by a bus — which triggered mass rallies of students across the centre of the capital. The students wanted the government to act — finally — to protect them.

This was an opportunity for the government to do something following a simple plea by the students. But it did not.

Instead, ruffians went along the avenues, threatening and beating protesting students.

Photographs of the violence were quick to reach social media. The award-winning Bangladeshi photographer and activist, Shahidul Alam, documented the protests and also the violence with his camera. On social media, he published his pictures of what appeared to be the organisers of the violence meeting with ruffians, who were then set out to attack the students. This did not go down well with the establishment.

Mr. Alam had received a request from the media outlet, AlJazeera, to appear on the channel and talk about the protests. He

went on air and pointed out that the protests, while about traffic safety, also indicated a far wider set of concerns — ‘the looting of banks, the gagging of the media, extrajudicial killings, disappearances, bribery, corruption’. What he narrated was of little surprise to the people of Bangladesh.

Protests are a constant feature of life, both in the past and in the present, in the country — over electricity supply in Kansat; over open-pit coal mining in Phulbari; against a coal plant at the rim of the Sundarbans; against stock market scandals that defrauded millions of small investors; and against quotas in government jobs for the descendants of ‘freedom fighters’ in the 1971 war.

Mr. Alam, who had been following the protests and the crackdown, also reported on social media: “Today, the police specifically asked for help from armed goons to combat unarmed students demanding safe roads.” This struck him as an important departure for the government which had now publicly gone after the students. “The government has miscalculated. It thought that fear and repression would be enough, but you cannot tame an entire nation in this manner,” he added.

On August 5, a group of men arrived at Mr. Alam’s home in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area and took him into custody.

It is said that the men taped over CCTV cameras in the area and forbade taking any photographs of his arrest. Rahnuma Ahmed, a journalist and Mr. Alam’s partner, said she rushed to the local police station but it turned out that Mr. Alam had been taken away by the Detective Branch. A police officer later said, “We are interrogating him for giving false information to different media and for provocative comments.”

Mr. Alam’s lawyer has said that the police only registered the first information report after she called him and kept up the

pressure on them. There was no appetite in the Bureau to follow common procedure.

Mr. Alam was arrested after being charged under Section 57(2) of the Information and Communication Technology Act for “spreading imaginary propaganda against the government.” The Act is often used as a broad-brush tool to muzzle journalists. As he was taken from the court, Mr. Alam said, “I was hit (in custody).

They washed my blood-stained Punjabi [kurta] and then made me wear it again.” Mr. Alam, a recipient of the Shilpakala Padak, one of Bangladesh’s prestigious awards, was now on a seven-day remand. . On Tuesday, the High Court ordered that the remand be suspended and that Mr. Alam be transferred to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for care. Whether the case against him will be pursued and whether this will send a message against such abductions in the future is to be seen.

The United Nations has said that it is “deeply concerned about the reports of violence” during the protests for road safety in Bangladesh and has appealed for calm. Dhaka’s streets remain tense. Some students have braved the crackdown, but the mood is sombre.

It appears that the government is unwilling to negotiate with the students. Mr. Alam’s experience suggests that it is even unwilling to accept that there is a problem here — one that is bigger than road safety.

Human rights groups and PeN International (a worldwide association of writers) have condemned his arrest.

This is an election year for Bangladesh. The crackdown on the students sends a very strong message — that the government will tolerate neither dissent nor democratic challenges.

Vijay Prashad is the Director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research.

06 NEWS

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

New govt faces eNormous challeNge iN reformiNg higher educatioN HARSH, TRANSPARENT, MERIT-BASED DECISIONS A MUST TO REFORM THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR ISLAMABAD

P

HAMID KHAN wAZIR

AKISTAN Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) always gave special emphasis to the promotion of education in the country, so it would be a litmus test for the party, which is all set to form the government in the Centre, to fix the higher education system which is in disarray at present.

The incoming government of PTI will face serious challenges to bring about the desired results and have to take very bitter and bold steps to make sure the provision of higher education to the huge population as Pakistan has one of the lowest ratios in the world when it comes to the access to higher education.

Talking to Pakistan Today, various education experts, academicians and senior officials were on the same page that the new government has no option but to take bitter, speedy, just and merit-based decisions to bring reforms in the higher education sector as the challenges are humongous.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE: They were of the view that the government has to rid the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the universities of political interference and have to make sure merit-based and relevant offi-

cials on the high positions in the commission as well as in universities as due to the political meddling, the working of the institutions is compromised to a great extent.

Almost all appointments were being made on personal likes and dislikes due to which the education standard was going downward, they opined, suggesting that the new government have to hammer out a strategy to ensure merit-based appointments on high positions to discourage the culture of favouritism and nepotism.

Vice chancellors of the public universities, including Quaid-e-Azam University, Allama Iqbal Open University and International Islamic University Islamabad, are going to retire in October and the previous government had already advertised the posts and applications have been summoned. Moreover, a number of other universities in the country are also having acting VCs, so a transparent competency and merit-based system are necessary for the appointment of vice chancellors, educationists suggested. They also suggested putting an end to the culture of adhoc-ism, as it would not only help provide employment to the unemployed youths but would also discourage the culture of nepotism and favouritism.

COMMISSIONS IN KP,

230 lives lost to terrorism in election month As many as 230 people lost their lives and 417 others injured in 22 reported terrorist attacks in Pakistan in the election month of July. Out of the total 22 reported terrorist attacks as many as 13 targeted political leaders and were election-related targets, the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies’ (PIPS) monthly security review of Pakistan revealed. According to the report, these terrorist attacks included four suicide blasts including the one that killed over 150 people in Mastung alone. Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) candidate for a Provincial Assembly Nawabzada Siraj Raisani was also a victim of the Mastung blast. Two other suicide blasts targeted political leaders in Peshawar and DI Khan killing Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) election candidates Haroon Bilour and Ikramullah Gandapur, respectively, among others. Moreover, another suicide attack targeted security forces in Quetta. Among the total 230 killed in the terrorist attacks, 211 were civilians, 15 personnel of security and law enforcement agencies, and four militants; those injured included 398 civilians and 19 security personnel. The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for this wave of terrorism in July. As many as 12 terrorist attacks took place in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in July 2018 while eight terrorist attacks were reported from Balochistan in July 2018. Most of the casualties (183 dead; 255 injured) were caused by two lethal suicide bombings by ISIS, which targeted political gatherings and security forces, respectively, in Mastung and Quetta.

The Sindhu Desh Liberation Army (SDLA), a Sindhi nationalist insurgent group, perpetrated at least two attacks in interior Sindh, injuring four people in total.

Political leaders and workers were also targeted in these attacks. However, no terrorist attack took place in Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir and the federal capital, Islamabad. NEwS DESK

BALOCHISTAN: They opine that the government has to ensure autonomy of the federal and provincial HECs along with the universities besides creating trust-based cordial and effective coordination mechanism to ensure smooth functioning and working-relationship among all the institutions.

At present, Punjab and Sindh provinces have their own provincial commissions, hence the government has to speed up its efforts to set up autonomous commissions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan so as to ease burden unto the federal HEC. The restoration of the student unions is also essential because it helped produce leadership.

FOREIGN VARSITY CAMPUSES: In addition, a large sum of the population was deprived of education. Experts opined that neither the public nor the private sector have sufficient resources to ensure provide them education, therefore, the government should open the education system and allow foreign universities to open their campuses in Pakistan as it would not only produce qualitative students but also make skillful degree holders who would be in a position to face the modern-day challenges effectively.

Besides, setting up foreign universities campuses will create an environment of competition in the country as at present, Pakistan only produces degree holders rather than skillful and technical graduates.

The academicians advised that

the education standard in the country was going down rapidly and it could be judged from the loss-making institutions in the country due to which the government has to take steps to ensure quality and standard education in the country.

HEFTY FEE & FACULTY INDUCTION: Besides, private institutes receive admission fee beyond the capacity of the people. Keeping in view the rural poverty, the government should bring the admission fee under certain limits as that youth the far-flung areas, who left education half way due to hefty fee, can get higher education.

They were of the view that the government has to set up technical universities instead of general universities to prepare the students to deal with the modern needs.

The government should establish new universities, especially for women, in the backward and remote areas of the country to promote education. In many parts, the parents don’t send their children to universities located in big cities due to financial or cultural constraints, experts pointed out.

Students are being charged heavily several times for attestation of degrees, hence a system should be developed to make degree attestation affordable.

The universities have witnessed eight to 10 per cent annual increase in student enrolment, so the faculty induction and budget increase must be proportionate to this increase.

Accountability court told to complete NICL trial within two months ISLAMABAD ONLINE

Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the accountability court (AC) to complete the trial of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) corruption case within the next two months.

A three-member bench of the SC, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, took the NICL corruption case up for hearing on Wednesday.

The CJP inquired during the hearing regarding the whereabouts of Mohsin Habib. The apex court had ordered to place the name of Mohsin Habib on ECL, however, he fled away abroad The chief justice further said that according to his information, Mohsin Habib was in London. “Mohsin Habib has escaped abroad through Afghanistan and it is learnt that he will come back after the new government comes into power,” he observed.

Later, the court ordered the AC to

complete the trial within two months.

The scandal from five years ago pertains to financial embezzlement by former NICL chairperson Ayaz Khan Niazi, Mohsin Habib Warraich, then commerce minister (late) Makhdoom Amin Fahim, and several others in the purchase of official land.

Niazi was arrested earlier in March 2018 on the directives of the top court. The SC, in its 2013 verdict, had held that Niazi was appointed as the head of NICL in violation of rules and directed NAB investigations against several top bureaucrats and politicians of the country.

Pti unlikely to offer relief to people in first 100 days During the first 100 days in the office, the new Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is set to offer dollar bonds to overseas Pakistanis, place China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreements before parliament, but is unlikely to offer any relief to the people. According to a report by local media outlet, the prospective new finance minister Asad Umar during the first formal press conference said that “the first 100 days would also not see a decision that would change the destiny of the nation, but a clear direction on what we promised and where we are headed for stocktaking.” Asad Umar said that there has been no discussion on revising the budget so far and nontransparency in foreign loans was the real challenge, adding that the international and local media reports have not quoted him accurately. He further said, “PTI so far did not have access to real data, nor did it have any outside view of the latest situation but based on the best available information, one thing was clear that the requirement was reasonably urgent to examine all available options to finance external account.” The PTI leader said, “Sukuk bond, Eurobond, bilateral and multilateral options were on the table, but most importantly his party wanted to tap into overseas Pakistanis’ potential in a big way.” Umar quoted in the report said, “All agreements should be transparent and placed before parliament unless some real secret was involved.”

Similarly, he said that “there was no question of going back on any international commitment or reopening any agreement unless some clear wrongdoing or corruption appeared and there should not be any problem to take them up with the Chinese government.” He said the Chinese ambassador held a meeting with PTI chairman Imran Khan and had a follow-up session with him in which “matters relating to taking the CPEC to the next level were discussed without any specific proposals”. Furthermore, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government was criticized for presenting an “unrealistic budget and reckless spending for political means” which had increased fiscal deficit, adding that the current situation of the country was dire and required “tough decisions for course correction”. He also said, “Imran Khan would not distribute jobs in D-Chowk, but increase revenues, reduce expenditures and open up six areas for investments and job creation.” MONITORING DESK

minor’s tortured body recovered in mardan A tortured body of a minor girl was found from a field in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Mardan district of on Wednesday, a private media outlet reported. Haseena, the six-year-old victim, had been missing for the past two days, authorities said. The deceased’s father Habibur Rehman said that they had been trying to find her, but to no avail. The body has been shifted to the Mardan Medical Complex for medico-legal requirements.

Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Wahid Mehmood constituted a special team to investigate the incident with the family to be briefed on the progress into the case on a daily basis. The victim’s family demanded the concerned authorities bring the perpetrators to justice to set an example for such an issue to not occur in the future. NEwS DESK

ECP uploads all forms containing election results on its website FORM 45 CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM ECP’S WEBSITE ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday uploaded all forms containing the results data from the July 25 general elections on its website.

An ECP official said that their responsibility has been fulfilled and the results are out for the nation to see. Furthermore,

“those who were unable to get Form 45 could now download it from the commission’s website,” the official added. The electoral body issued a press release stating that “the results prepared by presiding officers are available on the site as Form 45”. Form 45 is the ‘Result of the Count’ showing the number of valid votes for each contesting candidate and ballot papers excluded from the count.

Earlier, it had been reported that a number of political parties had cried foul, especially on election day, that their “political agents were not issued Form 45s after the counting of votes and that rigging may have possibly taken place”.

Furthermore, Form 46, which is an account of the ballot papers, and the Provisional Consolidated Statement of Results form (Form 47) have also been uploaded to the ECP site, along with Form 48, the Consolidated Statement of Results of the Count, and Form 49, the

Final Consolidated Result form.

Earlier, after a summary of issuing notifications to successful candidates was approved by the chief election commissioner, the documents were uploaded on the electoral body’s website.

It was reported that the notifications to successful candidates from reserved seats will be issued after the final list of positions of political parties is compiled.

Candidates from reserved seats will be notified within two days after independent candidates join political parties.

According to the electoral body, political parties have submitted their lists of preferences for reserved seats.

After the notification of candidates for the special seats is issued, the president will summon NA’s session. The newly-elected parliamentarians will take an oath and elect the speaker and leader of the house in the same session.

The governors of all the four provinces will summon the session of provincial assemblies according to the rules.

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

NEWS

ihc directs safdar’s couNsel to make accouNtability court Party to Plea

07

SAFDAR’S LAWYER SAYS PETITION TO SUSPEND PUNISHMENT CAN BE ACCEPTED IF JAIL SENTENCE IS LESS THAN FIVE YEARS

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered Captain (r) Safdar’s lawyer to make accountability court a party to the case as the petition was against the court’s ruling. A twomember bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice and Justice Aamer Farooq was hearing the case. As the court began hearing Safdar Awan’s plea against his conviction in Avenfield corruption reference, his lawyer Pervez Amjad argued that a petition to suspend punishment can be accepted if the jail sentence is less than five years. Upon this, Justice Aurengzeb noted this is

why Safdar’s petition was separated from pleas of his father-in-law Nawaz Sharif and wife Maryam Nawaz.

Safdar’s counsel further argued that the court had ordered the sentence of all three convicted in the case to start simultaneously, this, however, was not the case for his client has remained in the custody of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for a day.

“The accountability court’s ruling was based on a forged signature on a trust deed,” Amjad argued, adding the expert witness had admitted that Calibri font was available in 2005. To this, Justice Farooq remarked that it would be better if the merits of the case were not discussed. After NAB objected to Safdar’s petition against conviction,

‘Police provided incorrect facts about raped, murdered cholistani girls’ BAHAWALNAGAR: Contrary to the police’s initial report, the three minor girls found dead in Fort Abbas town in Cholistan desert area on June 13 were raped before being murdered. According to a sub-committee report presented to the Standing Committee of Senate on Wednesday, the girls—aged 12, nine and six— did not die of natural causes as claimed by the police earlier. In the report, forensic expert Dr Waqas claims that the evidence presented by the police was incorrect. The samples taken from the bodies were not sent in a secured manner to the laboratory. “It seems as if the samples were wasted intentionally,” he noted, adding that the police should provide complete protection to the lady doctor and her husband conducting the postmortem. Following the subcommittee’s briefing, the standing committee suggested that a case should be registered against the officers who hid the facts. Federal and provincial governments should form a joint-investigation team (JIT) to probe into the incident, adding that the JIT should be headed by an officer holding the post of AIG. Furthermore, Senator Rehman Malik, who was present during the briefing, questioned how the deputy commissioner claimed that the girls died a natural death. A case has been registered against unidentified people, said the police. Over which Senator Rana Maqbool remarked that the incident occurred three months ago but FIR was registered only two days ago. Senator Azam Swati remarked that the police officers who tried to hide the facts should be suspended. STAFF REPORT

the hearing was adjourned till Monday.

On Tuesday, IHC ordered transferring the Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment references against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family to another court, accepting the plea filed by Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris. The high court, which had earlier reserved its order after National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi’s concluded his arguments, decided in the favour of the Sharif family shortly afterwards. The Sharif family had also petitioned against their convictions in the Avenfield reference. IHC had clubbed the two references, which are being heard by the

same two-member bench. Without hearing the petition against the conviction of Captain (r) Safdar Awan in Avenfield verdict, the court adjourned it till Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nawaz and his daughter Maryam’s pleas against the conviction in the same case was adjourned till Monday.

On July 6, an accountability court had sentenced Nawaz to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the corruption reference, while his daughter Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million). Nawaz’s son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar was also given a one-year sentence without any fine.

Zainab’s murderer sentenced to life term for rape, murder of 1 other girl LAHORE STAFF REPORT

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday sentenced Imran Ali — who is currently incarcerated and on death-row for the rape and murder of six-year-old Zainab Amin — to life imprisonment on three counts for the rape and murder of one other girl.

The verdict was announced by Justice Sajjad Ahmed of the ATC after listening to the arguments presented by prosecutor Abdul Rauf Wattoo.

Ali, from Kasur, was found to be involved in at least nine incidents of rape-cummurder of minors, including Zainab, which he had confessed to during her murder investigation. The court has so far announced the verdicts on 7 children, including in Zainab's case. Two more cases remain pending against Ali. Ali was found guilty under sections 364-A (kidnapping or abducting a person under the age of fourteen),

377, 324 (qatl-i-amd), 336 and 411 of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 7(c) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

According to the judgement, Ali has been sentenced to imprisonment for life on three counts, sentenced to ten years prison on two counts, and sentenced to three years prison on one count. He has also been fined Rs3.55 million and ordered to pay Rs2.05 million as diyat to the family. On Saturday, he was handed the death penalty on 12 counts for the rape and murder of three other girls. In another trial held inside a prison, an ATC on Monday handed Ali the death penalty on five more counts for the rape and murder of two other girls.

Zainab's rape and murder earlier this year had sparked outrage and protests across the country after the six-yearold, who went missing on January 4, was found dead in a trash heap in Kasur on January 9. Her case was the twelfth such incident to occur

within a 10 kilometre radius in the city over a 12-month period.

The heinous nature of the crime had seen immediate riots break out in Kasur — in which two people were killed — while #JusticeforZainab became a rallying cry for an end to violence against children. The Punjab government had declared the arrest of Ali, the prime suspect, on January 23.

On June 12, the Supreme Court rejected Ali's appeal against the death sentence handed to him for the rape and murder of Zainab, noting that the petitioner had admitted committing similar offences with eight other minor victims and "in that backdrop, he did not deserve any sympathy in the matter of his sentences".

Ali had filed the appeal challenging the death sentence handed to him in February, claiming his trial was not fair. He still has the right to seek clemency from President Mamnoon Hussain.

aamir liaquat fined rs 20,000 for skipping contempt hearing PTI MNA-ELECT IS CHARGED WITH MAKING ABUSIVE COMMENTS ON TV ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday fined TV personality and PTI’s MNA-elect Aamir Liaquat Hussain Rs 20,000 for not appearing in court in a contempt case. The fine will go towards the DiamerBhasha dam fund. During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar asked the accused’s lawyer why his client should not be arrested for not appearing in court despite being summoned. Faisal Qureshi, the lawyer for the petitioners, argued that Aamir Liaquat had levelled false allegations against politicians and media personalities on his show on Bol TV. The CJP said that Aamir Liaquat had previously assured the court that he would not make any defamatory remarks on his TV programmes. He added that the court will investigate transcripts of his shows to verify if he had defied the court by making any abusive statements. The SC adjourned the case hearing till Friday. The petitions for defamatory material were filed against Liaquat by Independent Media group, Mir Shakilur Rehman, Najam Sethi and Shahzeb Khanzada.

Earlier, in general elections, Aamir Liaquat won a seat from the constituency NA-245 (Karachi) on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket.

AAMIR LIAQUAT FACES TROUBLE ON TWITTER: On August 1, Aamir Liaqat was the focus of controversy on Twitter when he posted a photo of Senator Sherry Rehman, MMA spokesperson Owais Noorani and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with a provocative caption. Upon negative reaction from Twitter users, Liaquat was forced to take down his tweet and make a public apology. He tweeted, “Twitter didn’t delete my tweet, I deleted it myself cause I later realized it might look bad for you. I have respect for you because of the issues you raised in NA when I was there too. It is a misunderstanding, I was targeting MMA Owais Norani, not you. I apologise @sherryrehman.”

PEMRA BANS LIAQUAT FOR ONE MONTH: In May, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned the PTI leader for 30 days for making hate speeches on TV. He was banned from making any television appearances during Ramzan. According to reports, the television host was guilty of using Ramzan transmissions as an excuse for making sensational and controversial statements to invite drama.

Young PTI lawmakers who pulled surprise victories in GE-2018 SHEHRYAR AFRIDI, IBRAHIM KHAN MANAGED TO WIN DESPITE RESISTANCE WITHIN THE PARTY ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR

The July 25 polls were full of surprises and there are many untold stories about how candidates, written off either by their own parties or by mainstream media, had pulled surprise victories leaving all and sundry in bewilderment.

The tale of two young lawmakerselect from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is intriguing as they managed to win against all odds, even after opposition from within their own parties.

SHEHRYAR KHAN AFRIDI: PTI MNA-elect Shehryar Khan Afridi won the General Election 2018 from NA-32 Kohat even after his own party’s parliamentary board had unanimously declared him an underdog against his rival candidate from Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Maulana Gauhar Mohammad Bangash, and former textiles minister Abbas Khan Afridi of Pakistan Muslim

League-Nawaz (PML-N). Sources in the PTIsaid that the party’s parliamentary board was unanimous in its verdict that Shehryar Afridi stood no chance against his opponents and had advised party Chairman Imran Khan to award ticket to former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governor Lt Gen (r) Iftikhar Hussain.

However, the sources said that Imran challenged their judgement and directed the parliamentary board members to open the report of a recent survey conducted in NA-32. “When the survey report was opened, a shocking truth exposed the bias of parliamentary board members as the survey put Shehryar Afridi as the top-most popular politician in Kohat with a rating of 52 per cent, followed by Maulana Gauhar Bangash who stood at 32 per cent,” said a source. He added that the PTI chairman immediately directed the board to award ticket to Shehryar Afridi but the damage had already been done as only 24 days were left for elections when the

ticket was awarded to Afridi.

Talking to Pakistan Today, Shehryar Afridi said since he was already late in canvassing, he launched his campaign in a ferocious manner. “I conducted 300 public meetings in 24 days. I used to sleep only in my car for two or three hours while travelling. Since my constituency is the largest in the entire province, I had to make long travels to attend public meetings. I addressed rallies as late as 3am and as early as 8am. I was on the roads all the time,” said Afridi. The MNA-elect said that not only he was pitted against former minister Abbas Afridi who had launched development projects of Rs130 billion, he also had to face resistance from MMA candidate.

But due to the support from the party chairman, he overcame all barriers.

Afridi bagged around 83,000 votes while his closest opponent Gauhar Bangash could manage only 47,000 votes.

PML-N’s Abbasi Afridi could muster 44,000 votes. “I dedicate this overwhelming triumph to Imran Khan who held a deep probe to foil all conspiracies against the people of Kohat. It is a win of people,” said the PTI leader.

IBRAHIM KHAN: Ibrahim Khan is an-

other PTI leader who was awarded a party ticket after a long controversy as the party’s Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi was lobbying to get the ticket awarded to former MNA Nawab Liaqat Ali Khan. By then, NA-158 had become the most sought-after constituency of the country where the former prime minister and PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gilani and former water minister Javed Ali Shah were up against Ibrahim Khan, PTI’s deputy secretary-general.

Ibrahim Khan, who obtained an MBA degree in Industrial Management from California University, USA, and lived and worked there for 18 years, was being considered a strong candidate as he was the sole candidate in entire Multan district who was elected as an independent MPA from PP-203 Multan in 2002. PTI sources said that though Ibrahim Khan is joint secretary of the party and had been associated with the party since 2007, Qureshi, however, was targeting him due to Ibrahim Khan’s close association with party’s top leader Jahangir Khan Tareen.

Sources said that this delay did a huge damage to Ibrahim Khan who could not even commence his electoral campaign due

to the ticket controversy. However, later the ticket was awarded to Ibrahim Khan but the damage had been done already. Talking to Pakistan Today, Ibrahim Khan said that the major challenges for him were not the political heavyweights but the amount of money used by them to defeat him.

“I was up against mafia groups who have been fooling the people of my area for past many decades. For Yousaf Raza Gilani, it was a matter of life and death since the PPP leader had faced stiff resistance in his own constituency – NA-154 Multan – which had compelled him to move towards Shujaabad. On the other hand, I had to face former minister Javed Ali Shah who had launched several development projects just before elections to again fool the poor masses,” the PTI leader said. He alleged that Gilani had used the money to win over the poor voters through fake Benazir Income Support Programme Cards (BISP) and mobile phones, but both his opponents could not buy loyalties of voters.

Despite all this, Ibrahim Khan won over 83,000 votes while Yousaf Raza Gilani could manage 73,000 and Javed Ali Shah got 72,000 votes.

08 COMMENT

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

Education and ignorance

More problems for PTI Clarity lacking

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OR one reason or the other General Election 2018 just refuses to come full circle. Now, two weeks after July 25, a possible crisis is building as ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) finally notified the election’s final result but held back results of nine national assembly and 17 provincial assembly seats for a number of reasons that the press, and indeed the public at large, is still struggling with. Also, since PTI won four of the nine seats put on hold, its total tally in the lower house has now been reduced to 112; while that of its ally BAP (Balochistan Awami Party) is down from four to three.

Coming so late in the day these developments have, quite naturally, triggered another debate; about whether Imran will be able to form a government at the Centre after all. Needless to say that a combined opposition that has so far swung from complete boycott to serious opposition to now aiming for the PM position itself will leverage these events to the maximum. But not all has been going well within PTI either. Weeks after the election they are still, from the looks of things, still confused about their choices for the most important positions, in the provinces as well as the Centre.

And it is not looking quite so confident on the economic front anymore. Far from living up to the claim of putting everything right in the first 100 days – something that made voters decide in their favour – the finance minister-designate now feels any subsidy or relief in that timeframe would amount to giving the people a lollypop, whatever that means. Also, he says, he was simply misquoted by the local and international press alike when he detailed how everyone would have a job and a house in no time as the government went about handling the loans and deficit. Now it seems expats, empowered with debt instruments and equity options, will lead the turnaround that will make Pakistan prosperous again.

There is an urgent need to bring clarity not just to the election result, but also what the winning party is going to do now, and just how.

Handling rape cases

syed Kaswar Gardezi

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ESPITE jubilation and triumph continuing into its second week over Imran Khan’s victory, a painful and harsh reality surfaced. The backward, intolerant and illiterate society crept up its ugly head when 12 girl’s schools were torched in the northern areas of Pakistan; the epitome of a misogynistic mindset prevalent in the country.

As expected, condemnations were received from all over the nation, however, the very fact that such elements exist breeds an air of uncertainty. Not long ago, the people of Swat witnessed similar occurrences in the shape of Mullah Fazalullah, the firebrand militant who was stringently against education being provided to girls.

Though Fazalullah is long gone and the people of Swat valley live in peace, it is agonising to see isolated pockets of the same mindset persisting. The torching of girls schools in Gilgit-Baltistan is nothing but a revival of Mullah Radio’s memory. The fiery speeches are absent but the practical steps to ensure eradication of girls have been taken.

These steps may not hinder our resolve to fight against terrorism and shall certainly not preclude us from according education to girls.

However, it does stigmatise the nation and highlight societal defects present within.

The war may have largely been won yet the actual fight against ill mindsets is far from being won. Apparently, those responsible for burning the schools were locals and not some brainwashed foreign militants. It would have been easier to accept these events had they been undertaken at the behest of non-state actors or other foreign militants. But the fact that the accused are from the same area is traumatising and worrisome. It means an intolerant mentality rules certain people to the extent of making them undertake events, the likes of which were displayed a few days back.

In spite of the war being fought on the national level by the armed forces of Pakistan, a significant breakthrough which is everlasting is still needed. The army has done it job by practically fighting out the militants. However, a proper rehabilitation and awareness in regards to these aspects has to be provided by the government. The road to education and knowledge has to be cleared from all the hurdles present. Without proper education, the hopes of a progressive Pakistan will blow away with the wind without actually materialising.

Those poor souls who wish to seek education and rise along with other people of the society are deprived of their basic fundamental right. Sometimes even the legal experts sitting on Tv screens fail to point out that the laws of Pakistan do apply to other far flung areas as well. This amounts to infringement of constitutional rights in the same sense as it would in Islamabad or Karachi.

A ray of hope is prevalent in the hearts of the millions who voted PTI into power. Those inked thumbs will be put to waste amidst shattered dreams if Khan fails. There is no room for failure. Because this isn’t about his own political survival or his party’s achievements. But rather, the educated class has put faith in him to secure the future of the incoming generations.

At the moment, he seems to be the only one who isn’t pondering over construction of roads or the provision of subsidised public transport.

Needles in a haystack

What to do?

E

vEN as the hated and condemned rapist of the poor girl from Kasur was getting additional punishment over his involvement in similar abduction, rape and murder cases of minor girls from the same city, it could still not be said with certainty that the combined deterrence of media presence, better policing and legal precedent was really working. The rape case from the F-9 park in Islamabad, where a girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and blackmailed by a CDA official, as two other people watched (in broad daylight in a public park), is appalling and once again questions the safety of public places for females.

More importantly, cases like this one prove, if any were still needed, the need for stricter punishment to ensure that nobody feels confident enough to break the law and get away with it, especially when such crimes are concerned. At the time of Imran Ali’s arrest much hue and cry was made of the demand, put forward by numerous sections of society, of a public hanging for such a depraved criminal. However we were told, in light of the law, that there was no space for such medieval forms of justice.

Sexual aggression is, of course, just one form of subjugation Pakistani women are generally exposed to.

From being deprived of education and careers, to workplace harassment for the few that do break that barrier, to outright abduction, rape, murder, etc, they are and remain clearly marginalised. But for the state to be simply unable to curb a crime as heinous as rape is unacceptable. At a time when the judiciary, clearly bending over backwards to ensure justice to the common man, is even apprehending the high and mighty in pursuit of justice, crimes against women must be accorded higher priority. It is now for those in power to prove that they are up to the task.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

It is an orchard which bears fruit for generations to come

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Is there a place for them in Naya Pakistan?

Hussaan Tariq Naya Pakistan will be based on, and driven by, merit,” stated Fawad Chaudhry in his press conference at Bani Gala on August 04, 2018. The media talk came in the midst of wild media speculations on supposedly who will be who, and what will be what in Khan’s upcoming government. The central spokesperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s statement was a mere reiteration of what the to-be-Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed all along.

Change and merit have remained at the core of PTI’s electoral campaign. But do the two ideas even go hand in hand? Particularly in our style of political governance.

For our political elite, change simply refers to replacing the old faces with all new ones.

While the concept of merit, on the other hand, symbolises and endorses the new wine. All irrespective of background, competence, and performance.

What is expected from the PTI’s incoming government though is an abnegation of the deteriorative trends of the past. The optimistic public now looks forward to the implementation of change, and merit in their true essence.

The bars set by the charismatic Khan are high, and there is less than little room for PTI to deviate from its pledges.

It is imperative for the IK, and his PTI army to realise that the idea of change goes beyond merely replacing the old people. In order to emKarachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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brace true change, the new government must abolish the malafide practices of the past. To highlight one of which is the preference of political favouritism while ignoring merit.

While corruption, favouritism, and bad governance allegedly were rampant during the past government’s tenure, we can still find some promising needles in the haystack. Of course subject to a merit-based evaluation, rather than political decisions. The performance of these individuals is very much evident from the outcomes witnessed as a result of their initiatives, and efforts.

An acknowledgement of their efforts by the incoming PTI government will be a pleasant aberration on one hand. While on the other, subject to a merit-based evaluation, a continuation of the former’s services by the latter can also be given due consideration.

A brief look at the few names that deserve due applause include: Maliha Lodhi, permanent representative and ambassador of Pakistan to the United Nations, remains a key figure amid her role in the UN. Appointed by Sharif in 2015, Lodhi has proven herself to be a vocal representation for Pakistan, and her principal stands at the world stage. Being one of Pakistan’s prominent diplomats, Lodhi through her proactive and aggressive role at the UN during the past few years has justified her appointment from all angles. From gaining acknowledgement on Pakistan’s much ignored role in the war on terror, to blocking way for India’s negative designs to isolating Pakistan diplomatically; from raising red flags on human rights violations in the occupied lands of Palestine and Kashmir, to promoting the soft and peaceful image of Pakistan via cultural exposure; Lodhi has played a critical role in defending Pakistan’s interests at the international stage.

She recently called on Imran Khan, and briefed the PM in waiting on the future developments at the UN. The name of Najam Sethi, the present chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), can certainly not be left behind in the debate.

Although a journalist by profession, Sethi, upon being designated as the PCB chairman, has turned the tables around in favour of the otherwise ailing game.

While many, along with Khan, question

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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On the contrary, he has promised to divert his energy in ensuring provision of basic education and healthcare.

Education is an orchard which bears fruit for generations to come. As time progresses, the fruit turns sweeter. Imran Khan would do a great service to this nation if he is successful in planting this orchard in the country. More importantly, the education of women needs to be prioritised. As mothers, these women pass on their knowledge to the children early on in their lives. Educated mothers bring about a better class of children as opposed to poor women made to remain illiterate. We have to teach the future generations how to think, not what to think.

The ability to decide right and wrong will create its own way provided the right direction is given at the outside. None of these highways or metros is going to help the country achieve success. It is only education that kindles the flame of advancement. Only education can help win the war against intolerance and illiteracy.

Not only would it help in progression but a tolerant society can be brought to shape. Minorities can be protected in spirit due to an educated class of people surrounding them.

Eradication of misogyny can only be undertaken under the guise of education. It shall serve as the key to unlock the doors of freedom. Freedom from the ignorant society that is hell bent upon clutching the dreams of young children effectively turning them into nightmares.

Decisive action against the culprits of GB coupled with the construction of two dozen schools as a replacement to the 12 burned is urgently required. Let’s hope that our country moves from darkness towards the light, guided by the flame of education.

Albert Einstein persuasively, and rightly so, stated: “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of minds to think”.

Syed Kaswar Gardezi is a lawyer and a columnist. He can be contacted at kaswargardezi@gmail.com Sethi’s compatibility with cricket, the outcomes of the latter’s revolutionary initiatives are selfexplanatory.

Under the chairmanship of Najam Sethi, the Pakistan cricket team has found back its, once lost for good, way to glory. Comprising mesmerising talent like Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Ali, Shadab Khan, etc, the green team has improved its position in Test Cricket rankings, and also remains till date the number one in T20 format of the game. Pakistan also lifted the ICC champions’ trophy during Sethi’s reign as chairman PCB. Dr Umar Saif, chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), follows in the list. Saif, upon being appointed by Shahbaz Sharif in 2011, has played a key role in technological transformation of Punjab through advancement in the field of IT. As chairman PITB, Saif has been responsible for all public sector information technology projects in the province.

Computerising the land records in Punjab, introducing and promoting start-up culture, setting up Pakistan’s first start-up incubator SCI are some of his significant achievements. Saif had also extended tech support in revamping, and digitalizing the Police, CTD, and health systems in PTI led KPK. Having earned numerous accolades including Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Dr Saif also holds the privilege of being the youngest vice chancellor of a university in Pakistan. Recently, he became the first Pakistani to be appointed as UNESCO chair for using information and communication technology for development.

Similarly, the recent appointment of chairman HEC, Dr Tariq Banuri, was also acknowledged by the intellectual circles as merit-based.

While the list can further go on, the aforementioned names are those that have earned recognition for their services irrespective of their political inclination, or appointments.

The merit based change promised by IK, and PTI, certainly calls for a merit based evaluation of their services and achievements before any decision is made.

Change for the good can only be ensured through establishment of merit. Unless backed by merit based appointments, and decisions, change will continue to remain an unfulfilled dream. Hence, both the concepts go very much hand in hand. Perhaps this answers the question raised in the beginning.

Change can, and will, sustain only if it is merit oriented.

Hussaan Tariq is an HR professional. He can be contacted at hussaantariq@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 09

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

Editor’s mail Jinnah: The Protector-General of minorities

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

Why is there a ‘no-discount’ policy for Imran Khan?

We need to kill our animal instincts in order to become a human

aminaH moHsin

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MAGINE a house that has not been cleaned for a month. Spider webs, dust, dirt, signs of termites, and many other forms of filth would be waiting to welcome the denizens of the place. The cleaning process would, therefore, consume much more time in the case of this house as compared to any whiter than white accommodation. This is exactly what pro-PTI faction chants every now and then. The contamination caused in 71 years cannot be sluiced overnight.

The opponents, on the contrary, eye the notion as a tactic to conceal inefficiency and unreliability of the winning party, in general, and its leader, in particular. But what they fail to realise is that an entity enjoys the advantage of being called pristine only if: (a) it is new; or (b) it has been kept immaculate.

Pakistan movement caused the advent of a designated homeland for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent but it was itself a potion comprising promises and hopes. The extent to which these have been fulfilled is not hidden from anyone. Convincing a population full of hero-worshippers to follow a leader is not at all a tough job, but remaining their leader truly is as people find a hero’s replacement way before the actual process of succession.

Quaid-e-Azam was no different. He is worshipped to date without his worshippers having even a faintest idea of the ideology he followed and tried to propagate in his life. His legacy is deemed more important than his words, a

dilemma Pakistan continues to face in the age of reasoning. The Muslim population was compelled but to build one dream after another and fabricate a huge pile of expectations from the neonate country with limited resources to suffice everyone’s needs. Besides, the horizon of hopes was not restrained to material resources and, instead, covered almost everything that was the colony’s status quo – persecution of the innocent, way too less opportunities for Muslims in the realms of academia and politics, and lack of compassion, to list a few. Pakistan was portrayed as a wonderland where all matters have already been settled and where Muslims will not have to suffer anymore.

Eyed as an Arcadia, Pakistan was dreamt to be a fruit that is enjoyed after lengthy days of cultivation and ripening.

And that was the real mistake.

Jinnah had neither promised nor guaranteed a future free of struggles, sacrifices and hardships. His job was to provide the Muslim population with an undisputed opportunity – a separate homeland – where the foundations of a disciplined nation had to be laid. It was not the end to all sacrifices; it was just the beginning.

And it was on us to make this country a nation.

Similar is the now-curious case of Imran Khan, the premier-in-waiting.

Unlike Jinnah, he has made tall claims. Unlike Jinnah, he has let people believe in an instantaneous transformation of prevailing scenario. Unlike Jinnah, he is indecisive, which has, in turn, put several question marks on Pakistan’s future policies in the domains of international relations, monetary stability, etc. Yet, it would be as irrational to believe in an instant change as is the idea itself. Even the fastest method of change – revolution – requires some strategy and time.

Yes, Imran Khan has promised change. But the country that elected this ‘change-maker’ on

Pakistan movement caused the advent of a designated homeland for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent but it was itself a potion comprising promises and hopes

25 July 2018 has been in news for several reasons that show change is still a distant dream.

While Imran Ali, the rapist and murder of Zainab, was sentenced to death for heinous crimes committed to three other minor girls, Pakistan has witnessed the lifeless body of yet another daughter who hailed from a different city but was born with the same fate.

Kainat’s body was found in Karachi when the country had allegedly entered into its new phase.

While Mashal Khan had fallen prey to false blasphemy allegations in purana Pakistan, TLP emerged as the third largest party of Lahore in naya Pakistan.

With much reluctance and less willingness to change, how can we expect Imran Khan to swish a magic wand and put everything in order overnight? Why is there a ‘no-discount’ policy for Khan owing to which a heavy faction of people preferred other parties to PTI? All the political parties that have ruled to date (the throne being majorly exchanged between two prominent ones) have manifestoes; their leaders have promised welfare of people and betterment of society. Yet, despite their failure to deliver and that, too, in most indelible manner, many people actually voted for the past sinners as the future sins of IK were too evident to overshadow the ghosts of the past.

This rings the alarm bells for the sane. We actually do not need Khan or any other leader to bring about a change. It is all about changing attitudes and perceptions that can warrant irreversible metamorphosis.

We need to differentiate between truth and falsehood, right and wrong.

We need to kill our animal instincts in order to become a human.

We need to separate the essence of religion from exaggerations and suppositions.

It is us who can bring the required change.

To quote Barack Obama: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

If we were willing to give other parties several terms to prove their point (which they miserably failed to utilise) then we should wait until the end of IK’s term before making him our hero or equating him to zero.

Quaid-e-Azam was no different. He is worshipped to date without his worshippers having even a faintest idea of the ideology he followed and tried to propagate in his life

aminah Mohsin is a freelance columnist.

CURRENT wave of religious extremism disappointed many non-Muslim patriotic Pakistanis. Jamsheed Marker (a parsee), in his book Cover Point, writes, ‘Another charge against Liaquat was that he moved the Objectives Resolution, which declared Pakistan to be an ‘Islamic State’ (ibid. p. 33)”.

The Quaid visualised Pakistan to be a democracy, not a theocracy (as some political parties envision). In a broadcast addressed to the people of the USA (February 1948), he said, ‘In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State to be ruled by priests [mullahs] with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims _Hindus, Christians, and Parsees _ but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizen and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan’. (Maleeha Lodhi (ed.), Pakistan: Beyond the Crisis State). When an over-ebullient admirer addressed him as ‘Maulana Jinnah’, he snubbed him. Jinnah retorted, ‘I am not a Maulana, just plain Mr Jinnah’. About minorities, the Quaid often reminded Muslim zealots ‘Our own history and our and our Prophet (PBUH) have given the clearest proof that non-Muslims have been treated not only justly and fairly but generously. He added, ‘I am going to constitute myself the Protector-General of the Hindu minority in Pakistan’. He joined Christmas celebrations in December 1947 as a guest. In his first seven-member Cabinet, he included a Hindu.

He hoped India and Pakistan would live in peace after Partition. He bequeathed a part of his fortune to educational institutions in Aligarh, Bombay and Delhi. He never changed his will as he hoped to visit India again.

Lord Ismay, Chief of Staff to the viceroy recorded an interview with the Quaid. Excerpt: ‘Mr Jinnah said with the greatest earnestness that once Partition has been decided upon, everyone would know exactly all troubles would cease, and they would live happily ever after where they were’.

Let us introspect where our country is heading towards.

ZP Khan Peshawar

Pakistan after 71 years PAKISTAN became a reality on 14 August 1947, it was indeed a result of selfless sacrifices by muslims of subcontinent and tireless efforts of our dynamic leaders. We are now in 2018, 71 years have passed since we became an independent state, we say ‘hum zinda quom hain‘, but the question is ‘kia hum waqai ek zinda quom hain?’

Today, after 71 years of independence, Pakistan is facing number of lethal problems which are a threat to Pakistan’s existence. The deadliest of the issues is that, that we, the countrymen of Pakistan, ourselves are not sincere and loyal towards our country. Although, if we compare todays Pakistan from that of 1947, we find that we are gone too far in the field of science and technology and have made applaudable achievements. We are the only muslim state with nuclear power. But we lack, we lack in the field of humanity, unity, and equality.

The laws and policies that are made by the judiciary are only for common and weak people, and the rich and powerful people escape from all the laws, as if the country is their belonging. Quaid called for a Pakistan with ‘unity, faith, and discipline’ but we are divided and discriminated on the basis of caste, language and money.

Our economy is worsening day by day, and it is said that Pakistan will run dry by 2025 that means water scarcity. The situation is sad, and sadder is the fact that we are doing nothing to overcome these problems.

To get better every Pakistani need to take it seriously that what has been done till now and what should be done to proceed further Apart from those having sticks in hands, every Pakistani needs to review his/her priorities and get the right things to do. Accelerating educational development and strengthening the democratic process will surely yield more than what we expect to be done in the coming years. In Sha Allah, if we work hard and change our perspective toward major issues the day is not far, when we will feel proud, having the green passport and this pure land of Pakistan will be among the major powers.

MuHaMMad aLi QuRESHi Karachi

Our green eyed monster THE founder of Pakistan hated bribery and equated it with poison. Unfortunately, he did not live long after creation of the country and his successor Liaqat Ali Khan was assassinated.

Thereafter, the leaders who held power in one garb or the other, adopted luxurious lifestyle and paid not attention to the menace of corruption. They instead of cultivating culture of austerity, started running after wealth by any means possible. Our leaders became ambitious to compete with affluent class and forsaken Mr.’s Jinnah vow to eliminate corruption. Thus, corruption spread in all segments of life from politicians to government servants to business of all sizes. The more efforts were made to restrict it, the more it flourished. In words of a poet, ‘marz barhta gaya, joon joon dawa ki,’ literally meaning that the disease kept getting worse as we tried to cure it. People in power and those holding wealth have more ingenuity and resources to get find ways to amass more wealth through any means possible. The rich and famous now enter politics to enhance and protect their ill-gotten wealth. This has literally buried Jinnah’s pledge to root out corruption. Rather, it seems the upper classes of the country are in a race to make more by unfair practices at the cost of our beloved country fully endorsing Plato’s idea that business and politics don’t mix well.

SHaFaTuLLaH islamabad

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

IndonesIa earthquake death toll rIses to more than 345 t JAKARTA

AGENCIES

HE death toll from Sunday's devastating earthquake on the Indonesian island of Lombok has risen to 347, according to the state-run Antara news agency.

The majority of people died in Kayangan, on the north side of the island, Antara reported. Another 1,447 people were injured and 165,003 were displaced by the 6.9-magnitude quake, National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told the news agency earlier. Around 200,000 people live in northern Lombok, a mountainous region, according to the 2010 census. On Tuesday, the government estimated 20,000 people are in need of assistance, with around 80% of buildings destroyed, as aid workers struggled to reach those affected by the disaster. "We are concerned aid trucks can't get through because of the debris, and there are also landslides happening," Husni Husni, a Jarkarta-based representative for the Red Cross, told CNN. "A lot of people are displaced, and many have migrated to the hilly and mountainous areas because of fear of a tsunami."

Sumati, 27, lives in Dangiang village in Kayangan. She had recently given birth when the quake hit. With her newborn in her arms, she fled outside as the walls of her home began to shake violently.

"After the quake happened, I ran to get

my child. At the time, the electricity was out, but it came back on, so I took my child with me and went outside to save us from the rubble. And thank God I could be saved," she recounted. Sumati returned to her home to survey the damage and found the roof partially collapsed.

Sumati has been staying at a makeshift evacuation center with her husband and baby. She said they can't do much but wait for support from local authorities.

"I now stay in the evacuation spot. It's cold at night and very hot during the day," she said. "At nighttime, I need Pamper (diapers). ... I'm worried my child will get sick. The health center did not give (the baby) a full bill of health, so I'm very worried. We need help here."

FULL IMPACT OF THE QUAKE IS UNCLEAR: As relief agencies get to work on the ground, they warned the full impact of the earthquake may take days to become known.

"We are still waiting for assessments from some of the more remote areas in the north of the island, but it is already clear that Sunday's earthquake was exceptionally destructive," Christopher Rassi, the head of the assessment team for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a statement.

Despite the mammoth recovery efforts ahead, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency said Wednesday that international aid was not yet needed.

TOURISTS EVACUATED: Meanwhile,

Bangladesh acquits British citizen held since 2016 cafe attack DHAKA: A Bangladesh court on Wednesday acquitted a British man detained without charge for two years on suspicion of involvement in a 2016 attack on a cafe in Dhaka that killed 22 people, his lawyer said. Rights group Amnesty International had campaigned for the release of Hasnat Karim, who was in the cafe at the time of the attack for his daughter’s 13th birthday party. “We are happy that the court accepted the charge sheet and dropped him,” Karim’s lawyer, Sanwar Hossain Somazder, told Reuters. Karim is due to be released from jail later in the day. Somazder said Karim would not be seeking compensation. Karim was with his family celebrating his daughter’s birthday when militants attacked, taking 22 hostages, mostly foreigners, who were killed over 12 hours. Karim became a suspect after he agreed to act as a human shield, witnesses said at the time. An investigation later cleared him of involvement. AGENCIES

the Red Cross said Tuesday all of the 2,000 tourists on the Gili Islands had now been evacuated.

Dramatic video tweeted by authorities showed hundreds of people, many believed to be foreign vacationers, crammed onto a beach on the island of Gili Trawangan as evacuation measures got underway.

Emergency personnel raced to evacuate tourists from the three small islands, famous for their white sandy beaches and

clear waters, which are near the epicenter of the quake on Lombok.

For residents of Lombok and surrounding islands, many saw their homes destroyed, with the collapse of roofs and walls causing the majority of casualties from the quake.

Gusti Lanang Wisnuwandana, an official with the Mataram Search and Relief Office, told Antara that medical and rescue workers were struggling to deal with sur-

First Muslim woman poised to join US Congress WASHINGTON: Former Michigan state lawmaker Rashida Tlaib on Tuesday won the Democratic nomination to run unopposed for a House seat, setting her up to become the first Muslim woman elected to the United States Congress. No Republicans or third-party candidates ran in Tuesday’s District 13 primary race, meaning Tlaib is set to win the seat in November’s election. She would take the spot held since 1965 by John Conyers, who stepped down in December citing health reasons amid charges of sexual harassment. A special primary race to serve the last two months of Conyers’ term is still too close to call. Tlaib and Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones are neck and neck. The winner of that race will also run unopposed in November’s election. AGENCIES

vivors terrified of being indoors after the quake. "They are still traumatized. Most of them are not willing to stay in the building while they are undergoing (an) operation or after they have undergone (an) operation.

They want to be treated outdoors," he said, adding that search and rescue work was still ongoing.

"Today, we managed to find one dead victim buried under the rubble of a building in Sigar Penjalin village."

Ex-city police chief claims role in Venezuela drone attack CARACAS: A former Venezuelan municipal police chief and antigovernment activist says he helped organize an operation to launch armed drones over a military rally on Saturday that President Nicolas Maduro has called an assassination attempt. In an interview, Salvatore Lucchese, a Venezuelan activist who was previously imprisoned for his role in past protests, told Reuters he orchestrated the attack with a loose association of anti-Maduro militants known generally in Venezuela as the “resistance.” The “resistance” referred to by Lucchese is a diffuse collection of street activists, student organizers and former military officers. It has little formal structure, but is known in the country mostly for organizing protests in recent years in which demonstrators have clashed with police and soldiers. Reuters could not independently verify Lucchese’s claims about the attack, in which drones flew over the rally in central Caracas. AGENCIES

China defends Iran’s business Mattis throws support behind new ties after Trump’s threat space-focused military command BEIJING AGENCIES

China’s business ties with Iran are open, transparent and lawful, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump said companies doing business with Iran would be barred from the United States.

New US sanctions on Iran have taken effect despite pleas from Washington’s allies. Iran dismissed a last-minute offer from the Trump administration for talks, saying it could not negotiate while Washington had reneged on a 2015 deal to lift sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump decided this year to pull out of the agreement, ignoring pleas from the other world powers that had co-sponsored the deal, including Washington’s main European allies, Britain, France and Germany,

as well as Russia and China. Beijing has cultivated close commercial links with Tehran, especially in the energy sector.

“China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions and long-armed jurisdiction,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a faxed statement to Reuters, responding to questions on the new US sanctions and Trump’s threats on firms doing business with Iran.

“China’s commercial cooperation with Iran is open and transparent, reasonable, fair and lawful, not violating any United Nations Security Council resolutions,” it added. “China’s lawful rights should be protected.”

China, Iran’s top oil customer, buys roughly 650,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Tehran, or 7 percent of China’s total crude oil imports. At current market rates, the imports are worth some $15 billion a year.

WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday threw his support behind the idea of creating a space-focused military command but stopped short of promising the new “Space Force” branch of service that President Donald Trump has touted.

Trump called for the creation of a sixth branch of the military, for space, a move critics said could harm the Air Force and which US officials say would require an act of Congress.

The US military, however, could create a unified combatant command for space, like one it created to focus on cyber warfare.

A Pentagon report to Congress expected in the coming days could examine the possibility of doing something similar with the US military’s space capabilities, which include everything from satellites enabling the Global Positioning System (GPS) to sensors that help track missile launches.

Asked whether he supported establishing a new combatant command for space, Mattis responded: “Yes, absolutely.””We need to address space as a developing war-fighting domain and

a combatant command is certainly one thing that we can establish,” he told reporters at the Pentagon, adding: “This is a process we’re in.”

Mattis once voiced opposition to creating a new branch of the US military to focus on space-based military assets, saying in a 2017 letter to a lawmaker that would likely “present a narrower and even parochial approach to space operations.”

Mattis has since suggested he was not ruling out the idea and on Tuesday left the possibility open. Mattis said he was coordinating closely with Vice President Mike Pence and was in complete agreement with the White House.

Asked whether a new branch of the military would be created, Mattis responded: “I don’t have all the final answers yet.

We’re still putting that together.”

The United States is a member of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which bars stationing weapons of mass destruction in space and only allows use of the moon and other celestial bodies for peaceful purposes.

The idea of a Space Force has been raised before, including in previous administrations, with proponents saying it would make the Pentagon’s efforts more focused and efficient.

FOREIGN NEWS 11

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

malaysia's najib pleads not guilty to money laundering as charges pile up KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges slapped on him on Wednesday, as the country’s new government looked for answers to how billions of dollars went missing from a state fund 1MDB during his term.

Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were barred from leaving Malaysia after his decade in power ended in a shock election defeat in May, and the new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, relaunched an investigation into 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Dressed in a grey suit, Najib appeared calm as three charges of money laundering were read out at the Kuala Lumpur high court. He pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail. Najib has also pleaded not guilty to three charges for criminal breach of trust and one charge for abuse of power that were leveled against him last month. The money laundering charges relate to electronic transfers amounting to 42 million ringgit ($10 million) from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit, into Najib’s personal bank account. AGENCIES

roadsIde bomb kIlls eIght afghan cIvIlIans: offIcIals e MAZAR-I-SHARIF AGENCIES

IGHT civilians, including women and children, were killed in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday when a roadside bomb apparently targeting security forces ripped through the vehicle in which they were travelling, officials said.

Another six people were wounded in the early morning blast in Sholgara district in Balkh province, Abdul Razaq Qaderi, deputy provincial police chief, told AFP. "They were travelling towards the centre of the district when their vehicle was hit," he said, adding four children were among the dead.

District governor Amir Mohammad Weqar confirmed the incident, saying the bomb was planted by militants to hit Afghan security forces.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Taliban often use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target vehicles carrying foreign and

Afghan forces and government officials.

Civilians have borne the brunt of the 17-year conflict, with casualties at record highs. IEDs, such as remotely detonated or pressure-plate bombs, are one of the main causes of civilian deaths and injuries.

In the first half of 2018 IEDs were responsible for 877 civilian casualties -232 deaths and 645 wounded.

That accounted for 17 percent of overall civilian casualties in the country, according to the UN. On August 3, a suicide bombing attack on a Shiite mosque in the eastern Afghanstan killed at least 29 worshippers and wounded dozens more, police and government officials said.

Abdullah Asrat, spokesman for Paktia's provincial governor, said one of the

attackers blew himself up through a door of the mosque, which was packed with worshippers attending weekly Friday prayers. Security guards shot and killed the other attacker.

The two assailants were reportedly dressed in women's burka clothing as they entered the Khawaja Hassan mosque in the city of Gardez.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the "Islamic State" (IS) militant group and its affiliates have targeted Afghan Shiites in the past.

The Afghan Taliban denied any involvement in the attack.

Sunni militant groups in the region consider Shiites, who belong to a minority Islamic sect, apostates, and oppose Iran's influence in the area.

The surge in violence comes as US and Afghan forces intensify ground and air offensives against IS, with reports emerging that Kabul and the Taliban are "accommodating each other" to defeat IS. Both the Taliban and IS are vying for control of territory in the war-torn country.

UN urges Myanmar to speed Rohingya returns, grant citizenship

Saudi Arabia stops medical treatment programmes in Canada as row escalates

US will not stop Iran oil exports: Iran's foreign minister

GENEVA: United Nations aid agencies called on Myanmar on Wednesday to improve conditions in Rakhine state for the safe return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and provide a clear pathway to citizenship for those eligible. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNDP said in a joint statement that they needed full access to Rakhine state and were still awaiting permission for international staff to be based in the town of Maungdaw following requests made on June 14. There was no immediate response from the Myanmar authorities to a Reuters request for comment. The United Nations signed an outline deal with Myanmar in early June aimed at eventually allowing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya in Bangladesh to return safely and by choice. But the secret agreement, seen by Reuters, offers no explicit guarantees of citizenship or freedom of movement throughout the country. The UN agencies said that substantial progress was urgently needed in three key areas: “granting effective access in Rakhine State; ensuring freedom of movement for all communities; and addressing the root causes of the crisis”. AGENCIES

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it had stopped all medical treatment programs in Canada and was working on the transfer of all Saudi patients from hospitals there, in an escalating row after Ottawa urged it to free rights activists. Saudi Arabia froze new trade and investment with Canada and expelled the Canadian ambassador this week, pushing Canada to seek help from the United Arab Emirates and Britain to try to defuse the dispute. Since rising to power in 2015, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has courted Western allies to support his reform plans, offering billions of dollars of arms sales and promising to fight radicalism in the kingdom. Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments were discussed during his trips to the United States and Europe. The dispute with Canada has shed light on scores of political and rights activists arrested in Saudi Arabia over the last two years. State news agency SPA said Riyadh had stopped sending patients to Canadian hospitals and “is coordinating for the transfer of all Saudi patients from Canadian hospitals … according to directives by the leadership.” AGENCIES

BEIRUT: A US plan to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero will not succeed, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was cited as saying by an Iranian newspaper on Wednesday. US officials have said in recent weeks that they aim to pressure countries to stop buying oil from Iran in a bid to force Tehran to halt its nuclear and missile programs and involvement in regional conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

“If the Americans want to keep this simplistic and impossible idea in their minds they should also know its consequences,” Zarif told the Iran newspaper. “They can’t think that Iran won’t export oil and others will export.” President Hassan Rouhani hinted last month that Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route, if the US attempted to stop the Islamic Republic’s oil exports. US President Donald Trump responded by noting that Iran could face serious consequences if it threatened the United States. “The Americans have assembled a war room against Iran,” Zarif said. “We can’t get drawn into a confrontation with America by falling into this war room trap and playing on a battlefield.” AGENCIES

Trump-backed Republican clings to narrow lead in US House race in Ohio WASHINGTON AGENCIES

A Republican clung to a narrow lead in a hotly contested US House of Representatives race in Ohio late on Tuesday, holding off a strong challenge in the reliably Republican district after a late show of support from President Donald Trump.

Republican Troy Balderson led Democrat Danny O’Connor by about 1,700 votes with all precincts reporting, although the Ohio secretary of state’s office said a final result would be delayed until more than 8,000 provisional and absentee ballots were counted.

The close race in the Ohio special election became a referendum on Trump’s leadership and a last chance to gauge Democratic strength ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The narrow margin will be little comfort for Republicans anxious about the prospect of a Democratic wave heading into the November 6 elections, and it is certain to encourage Democrats

who performed dramatically better than expected in a district Republicans have represented since the early 1980s.

The central Ohio race was the marquee contest on a day when four other

states held nominating contests, including a battle for governor in Michigan in which a mainstream candidate beat a progressive and a high-profile conservative challenge to the incumbent Re-

CMYK

publican governor in Kansas.

The Ohio contest drew an avalanche of national attention in recent weeks as polls showed it tightening, with Republicans and their allies outspending Democratic groups by more than 4 to 1 and running ads linking O’Connor to liberal House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.

O’Connor, a local county official, tried to project a moderate image, saying he would support new Democratic leadership in Congress and work with Republicans but also criticizing the Trump tax cut.

Trump took credit for the apparent Republican victory, saying on Twitter that Balderson’s campaign made “a big turn for the better” after he campaigned for him in the district on Saturday night.

Balderson told supporters in Ohio: “I’d like to thank President Trump.”

Other Republicans had also rushed to Balderson’s aid. Ohio Governor John Kasich, a Trump critic, endorsed Balderson and Vice President Mike Pence visited.

Japan bracing as strong typhoon heads for tokyo TOKYO AGENCIES

Japan is bracing for heavy rains and high winds on Wednesday as a strong typhoon is forecast to make landfall near the capital of Tokyo, the latest storm to hit Japan in recent months. Typhoon “Shanshan”, a Chinese girl’s name, is currently a Category 2 typhoon but is expected to weaken slightly as it moves closer to the eastern part of Japan’s main island of Honshu, drawing near to Tokyo in the early hours of Thursday and possibly snarling the morning rush hour. The Japanese Meteorological Agency warned that Tokyo and surrounding areas could get as much as 350 mm (14 inches) of rain in the 24 hours to noon on Thursday, with winds gusting as high as 180 km/h (111 mph). Shanshan is expected to move extremely slowly, perhaps as slow as 15 kmh (9 mph), meaning intense rain may fall in one area for an extended period. After pounding the area near Tokyo the storm is expected to rake the northeastern part of Honshu before weakening to tropical storm strength and heading out into the Pacific.

12 BUSINESS

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

mInISTry rejeCTS ClAImS oF dISCoverIng oIl reServeS lArger ThAn KUwAIT'S ISLAMABAD

T

AHMAD AHMADANI

HE Energy ministry has negated caretaker foreign minister’s tall claim of discovering huge oil reserves reportedly bigger than Kuwait's in Pakistan near the Iran border by US energy giant Exxon Mobil, sources said.

Senior officials at the Energy Ministry on condition of anonymity informed Pakistan Today that the energy ministry has negated the tall claim made by the caretaker Minister for Maritime Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Hussain Haroon that the US energy giant is ‘close to discovering’ oil reserves bigger than Kuwait in Pakistan.

They said neither a license for oil and gas exploration was awarded to Exxon Mobil nor the American multinational oil and gas company is currently engaged in the drilling of an exploratory well. Drilling work on the first-ever offshore block located near to Karachi is scheduled to start in January 2019, said sources.

The sources also said that the caretaker foreign minister has given an irresponsible statement on a sensitive matter which needs inquiry as it has added problems for the ministry, intelligence forces and concerned departments. Foreign minister’s statement contained exaggerated figures and it has made a seism movement in the petroleum sector, sources added.

Addressing business leaders at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Haroon on August 4 said that Exxon Mobil is close to discovering huge oil reserves in Pakistan near the border with Iran, and those reserves could even be larger than the oil reserves of Kuwait.

Exxon Mobil is part of a four-member joint venture engaged in oil and gas discovery which is located in the sea near to Karachi. And, Eni (Italy) is the operator of the oil and gas discovery in offshore Indus Block G. Quoting the petroleum ministry’s license, sources also said that the offshore Indus Block G exploration license is a joint venture with Eni (Italy) as Operator with a 33.34 per cent working

China interested in joining TAPI pipeline project ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

China is exploring building a spur from Pakistan’s territory once the multi-country TAPI natural gas pipeline project begins operating, a Pakistani official said, with the financial close of the project’s first phase expected next month. Originating at the giant Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan, the $9.6 billion TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) pipeline involves the four countries’ own energy companies, and would carry 33 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year. Turkmenistan is building the TAPI pipeline to diversify its gas exports, which have mostly gone to China. But the project has suffered lengthy delays due to difficulties obtaining financing and the security risks of building a pipeline through war-torn Afghanistan. The chief executive officer of Pakistan’s state-owned Inter State Gas Systems (ISGS) Mobin Saulat, told Reuters that Chinese officials have shown growing interest in building a spur from Pakistan and the line could act as an alternative to Beijing’s plans to build a fourth China-to-Turkmenistan pipeline. “With this channel, there is a possibility they don’t have to do another line and they can off-take from this pipeline which is passing through Pakistan,” Saulat said. A China-to-Turkmenistan line has to cross several Central Asian mountain ranges and Saulat said it would be cheaper and easier for China to built a line from inside Pakistan’s territory to cross the Karakoram range to its Western border. China’s ties to Islamabad have deepened in recent years as Beijing has pledged to fund $57 billion in infrastructure as part of its Belt and Road initiative, including power stations and transport links.

Facing more delays, TAPI countries have changed tack to attract financing and make progress in the past two years. The project is now due to be done in two phases, with the pipeline built without compressors in the first phase, which would cut gas volume but would reduce prohibitive project costs.

EXXON MOBIL NEVER INITIATED DRILLING FOR OIL AND GAS DISCOVERY NEAR IRAN BORDER, SAYS PETROLEUM SECRETARY interest, the Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd with a 33.33 per cent and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. with a 33.33 per cent working interest. License area is about 7,500 sq. km, water depth about 1,600 – 2,800m and distance from Karachi about 250 km.

This license falls in the ultra-deep offshore category. And, recently, ExxonMobil (USA) entered this joint venture as an equal partner so that all four companies, Eni, OGDCL, PPL and ExxonMobil will each have an equal 25 per cent working interest. Operatorship will remain with Eni. Currently, the plan is for the joint venture Operator (Eni) to drill an exploratory well in early 2019 with an investment of over $100 million.

They said the skills and experience required to operate in ultra-deep waters is possessed by only a few companies in the world and Pakistan is fortunate to have two of these companies Eni and ExxonMobil as partners in this Block. The partners are optimistic about the prospects of this Block and in the case of success eventual investment in the Block could be as high as $10 billion, said sources.

Official sources further said that this under deepwater drilling in sea for oil and gas discovery will cost around $80 million and the drilling for oil and gas will be of 2,000 to 2500 meter under the deepwater while drilling from a floating rig station will be completed within 50 days.

Similarly, if oil and gas is explored after completion of the drilling of first well, then a test for the quantity and quality will be made and drilling of more wells will be initiated besides the start of commercial production of oil and gas from offshore Indus Block G. They said that development will be made for the start of commercial production which

Summit Bank's clearing operations to continue: SBP KARACHI STAFF REPORT

will cost three billion dollar. Development work of the oil field will take four years period, said sources.

When contacted Secretary Petroleum Sikandar Sultan Raja said actual facts have been communicated to the foreign office. He said Exxon Mobil has never initiated drilling for oil and gas discovery in Pakistan near with Iran border. He, however, said it is a positive development that multi-national oil and gas companies are working in country’s offshore for oil and gas discovery.

A senior official of OGDCL said Eni (Italy) will work as the operator in the oil and gas discovery and remaining members of the JV including OGDCL has fulfilled required pre-requisites. He said if the oil deposits are discovered as claimed by the minister, Pakistan will be among top the 10 oil-producing countries ahead of Kuwait in the sixth position.

According to current estimates, Kuwait’s total proved oil reserves were 101.5B barrels at the end of 2017, accounting for 6 per cent of the world’s total proved oil reserves while 81.89 per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves are located in OPEC member countries, with the bulk of OPEC oil reserves in the Middle East, amounting to 65.36 per cent of the OPEC total, latest OPEC data shows.

Kuwait’s oil reserves make up 8.4 per cent of the oil reserves in the world. Kuwait claims to hold about 101.50 billion barrels, including half of five billion barrels in the Saudi-Kuwaiti neutral zone which Kuwait shares with Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan currently meets just 15 per cent of its petroleum demand with domestic crude oil production, while 85 per cent of its demand is met with imports. With the high imports, and the higher oil prices in recent months, Pakistan faces a large current account deficit and spends a substantial portion of its foreign exchange reserves on importing oil.

In May 2018, ExxonMobil had acquired 25 per cent stakes in offshore drilling in Pakistan. The agreement was signed at Prime Minister’s Secretariat among ExxonMobil, Government Holdings Private Limited, PPL, Eni and the Oil and Gas Development Corporation. The agreement has reduced the drilling share of other partner exploration companies to 25 per cent.

MARKET DAILY

Bulls lose ground as KSE-100 sheds 28.27 points LAHORE: It was another roller-coaster ride for investors of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as indices traded within a narrow range. The range bound session saw bulls lose their ground. The currency also weakened further against the US Dollar on Wednesday once again.

The KSE 100 touched intraday low of 42,639.24 after losing 120.89 points. The index ended lower by 28.27 points at 42,731.86. The KMI 30 index lost 161.94 points and settled at 73,300.97. While the KSE All Share index saw a decline of 35.47 points and was recorded at 30,910.57 at the close of the day.

The market volume saw a decline of 20 per cent day on the day basis and was recorded at 191.47 million. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBTL +3.92 per cent) was top pick of investors which saw 11.08 million shares traded, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC +0.35 per cent) was next with 10.64 million exchanged and Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited (LOTCHEM -1.13 per cent) with 9.12 million.

Siddiqsons Tin Plate Limited (STPL +1.54 per cent) and Pak Elektron Limited (PAEL -1.09 per cent) were also amongst the top traded. The scripts

had 8.39 million and 7.74 million shares respectively change hands on the table.

Even though the market trend was negative the oil and gas exploration sector managed to record a slight gain of 0.48 per cent in its cumulative market capitalization. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC), one of the volume leaders, was up by 0.35 per cent while Pak Petroleum Limited (PPL) appreciated by 0.61 per cent. Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL +0.26 per cent) and Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MARI +0.84 per cent) clinched minor gains.

Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL -0.61 per cent) released its financial results for 2QFY18.

The company declared an interim cash dividend of Rs 1.50 per share. Sales saw a minor increase of 0.55 per cent YoY. The per share earnings appreciated by 4.80 per cent to Rs 2.84 from the same quarter last year.

As per news sources, expected Finance Minister of Pakistan from the PTI‐led government mentioned in various interviews that the government will offer profitable bonds to overseas Pakistanis. However, during the first 100 days, no relief will be provided to the people as the government will implement its decisions and assign duties to responsible people. STAFF REPORT

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has taken notice of misleading rumours spreading on social media regarding the clearing operations of Summit Bank Ltd. It is clarified that NIFT (National Institutional Facilitation Technologies), which provides clearing services for banks, has not discontinued its membership or its services in any way for the Summit bank. It is pertinent to mention that these rumors stemmed from the notice of NCCPL (National Clearing Company of Pakistan Ltd.) regarding the bank’s status as a settlement bank to provide clearing services to stock brokers. Such a settlement bank only processes payments and receipts of funds on behalf of its broker clients with NCCPL for their sale/purchase transactions in stock exchange.

Further, these operations do not have any bearing on the other regular operations, such as deposit taking and withdrawal, of Summit Bank Ltd. The Bank is discharging its liabilities towards its depositors and other stakeholders in a satisfactory manner and it’s clearing and settlement function is working smoothly.

Pakistan to get over $200m in benefits after signing FTA with Thailand ISLAMABAD APP

Pakistan would get benefits of $200 million after signing the free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand. Pakistan and Thailand would present their final list of FTA in coming round of negotiation scheduled for September that are aimed at increasing trade liberalisation between both the countries. Both sides had exchanged the final offer lists of items for free trade, including automobile and textile sectors in order to remove the reservations of both sectors.

Pakistan wants concession on 110 products on textiles, agro-products, plastic and Pharmaceuticals as the same was granted by Thailand to other FTA partners in these products, a top official of the commerce ministry told APP. He said that Pakistan had relative advantages over Thailand in some 684 commodities including cotton yarn and woven textiles, ready-made garments, leather products, surgical instruments and sports goods. While talking on second phase of Pak-China FTA, he said China had agreed to provide market access to 58 items, shared by Pakistan besides providing concession on all items included in the offer list.

“We want the concession on 70 export items and low tariff line on products for further trade liberalisation in second phase of FTA between Pakistan and China,” he said. He said that Pakistan was desirous to have duty relaxation on 70 products before launching the phase-II as the same was given by China to ASEAN countries.

China to slap additional tariffs on US goods BEIJING/WASHINGTON AGENCIES

China is slapping additional tariffs of 25 per cent on $16 billion worth of US imports from fuel and steel products to autos and medical equipment, the Chinese commerce ministry said, as the world’s largest economies escalated their trade dispute.

The tariffs will be activated on August 23, the ministry said, the same day that the United States plans to begin collecting 25 per cent extra in tariffs on $16 billion of Chinese goods. The United States published its final list of goods subject to the new tariffs on Tuesday. China’s final list announced on Wednesday differs from an earlier draft it published in June, which included crude oil. The number of categories of goods subject to tariffs rose to 333 from 114 in the June draft, although the total value is unchanged.The US action that prompted the Chinese retaliation was the latest by President Donald Trump to put pressure on China to negotiate trade concessions after Washington imposed tariffs on $34 billion in goods last month.

US envoy hopeful of strong economic ties with Pak LAHORE APP

There is optimism about the future of Pakistan-US relationship and the private sector of both sides can play a vital role in this regard, said US Consul General Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau.

During her visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday, she said exchange of trade delegations, close contacts between the private sector of the two coun-

tries and awareness sessions could help boost mutual trade. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid expressed satisfaction over growing trade between Pakistan and the US. Quoting a report, he said the volume of bilateral trade touched a record high at $6 billion in 2017, which was ample proof of the immense trade and economic potential in the two countries.

Javaid said the business community wanted the US to consider duty-free ac-

cess for Pakistani merchandise, stressing that economic stability of Pakistan through prompt direct access to the US market was a must.

“Aid or grant is undoubtedly a remedy, but has never been a substitute to trade,” he added. Javaid said the US would achieve two goals through that gesture; first, it would win the hearts of Pakistanis and second, it would be able to fulfil the promise of economic revival of Pakistan.

There was a vast scope for US in-

vestors to make investment in several sectors including power, textile, auto, health, education, food, livestock and dairy. Therefore, the US administration must convince potential investors to pour money into joint ventures with Pakistanis besides ensuring transfer of latest technology, he said.

Talking about energy shortage, Javaid said it was the biggest hurdle to economic growth and urged the US to facilitate Pakistan in the use of civil nuclear technology for power generation.

BUSINESS 13

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

CORPORATE CORNER Fauji Fertilizer Company to participate in UngC summit

PAKISTAn deFendS eConomIC PArTnerShIP wITh ChInA ISLAMABAD

islamabad: FFC's head of CSR Brig Arshad Mahmood SI (M) (r) met with the UNGC (Pakistan Chapter) Executive Director Fasihul Karim Siddiqui and discussed mutual collaborations to take the sustainable development agenda 2030 implementation forward in Pakistan. FFC will be participating in UNGC summit to be held in New York on September 242018. An International summit is convened each year to take the International Development Agenda forward. PRESS RElEASE

Karachi: Premier Systems CEO S Arshad Raza and Avanza group CEO Mehmood Kapurwala shaking hands on the launch Pakistan's first private payment system on Wednesday. PRESS RElEASE

PTCl conducts fire drill, awareness session with mCI, rescue 1122

islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), in collaboration with Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and Rescue 1122, organised Fire Safety Drill Exercise and Awareness Session, which was organised at PTCL Headquarters, Islamabad, as a part of PTCL Safety Drive. PRESS RElEASE

Tri-Angels electronics brings hisense laser Tv technology to Pakistan

Karachi: Tri-Angels Electronics launched the latest and top of the line LED and Laser Televisions by China’s number 1 TV brand, Hisense in Pakistan with a colorful ceremony held in Karachi. The 39-year-old brand Hisense form the past 14 years has been leading the charts in China being the No.1 TV brand and No.4 brand in the world has now launched in Pakistan through their exclusive distributing partners Tri-Angel Electronics, and have also established Hisense manufacturing plant in Karachi, Pakistan and started the production of LED TV’s. PRESS RElEASE

P

AGENCIES

AKISTAN defended its economic partnership with China, amid fears that the terms of opaque multi-billion dollar investments by Beijing could be exacerbating Islamabad’s economic woes as it considers a fresh International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

“We have noted recent media reports questioning the viability of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), claiming that it would create an unbearable debt burden for Pakistan,” the government said in a statement issued to the media on Wednesday.

“Such media reports are often one-sided, distort facts, and are based on irresponsible statements by individuals who either have no understanding of CPEC or are driven by ulterior motives,” the statement continued.

CPEC is an ambitious plan by Beijing to build infrastructure in Pakistan, mainly energy and transport, connecting the western Chinese region of Xinjiang with the Arabian Sea. It is part of China’s massive “Belt and Road” initiative seeking to revive ancient

trade routes through a massive rail and maritime network via $1 trillion in investments across Asia and Europe.

But the opaqueness of the CPEC terms has led to concerns as Pakistan faces a looming balance-of-payments crisis, with analysts saying it will need to take urgent action, potentially seeking a bailout from the IMF. “It is because of the favourable financing arrangements that Pakistan opted for Chinese investment under CPEC,” said the statement, issued under the caretaker administration currently running the country pending the formation of a new coalition government by the winner of the election, Imran Khan.

“China stepped forward to support Pakistan’s development at a time when foreign investment had dried up, and economic activity was being crippled by energy shortages and infrastructure gaps,” it said, calling CPEC a “win-win”.

Chinese energy companies have “raised funds from Chinese banks and investors”, and these do not constitute any debt obligation on Pakistan, the statement said.

“CPEC projects are financed through a composite financing package comprising longterm government-to-government concessional

minor oil and gas discovery in Kohat, says ogdCl NEWS DESK: The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has reported a minor discovery of oil and gas deposits in the Kohat district of KhyberPakhtunkhwa, the company notified in a statement Tuesday to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The discovery was the outcome from the development of the well at the ‘Samanasuk Formation’ in Mela oil field, number five, D&PL block. “The well has tested 95 barrels per day (BPD) of crude oil and 0.249 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD),” said Zafar Ahmad, the OGDCL company secretary as quoted in the notification.

The well was drilled and tested using OGDCL’s in-house expertise, said Ahmad, adding, the discovery was the upshot of OGDCL’s aggressive exploration strategy. The Mela D&PL block is a joint venture between operator OGDCL (56.45% stake), with Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) having 28.55% and 15% stake respectively. In the context of earnings, the discovery didn’t accrue much by way of value. And it was reflected in OGDCL’s share price, that fell by 0.14%, or Rs0.21, to close at Rs152.37 with 2.66 million traded on a bearish day with the KSE100 Index closing slightly lower than the previous session.

octara, expothon to conduct training for quadrupling national exports Karachi: Octara, Pakistan’s leading training solutions provider, will collaborate with Expothon, a Canadian think tank on innovative excellence to host a series of exclusive workshops focused on devising pragmatic solutions for Pakistani businesses. A marathon debate on this key issue will be held at the Ramada Plaza in Karachi on Saturday August 11, 2018. The five-day intensive trainings will take place in Lahore (Sept 24-28), Karachi (Oct 1-5), Faisalabad (Oct 8-12), Islamabad (Oct 15-19) and again in Karachi (Oct 22-26 for women entrepreneurs only). PRESS RElEASE

Serena announces winner of Faisalabad writing Competition

oPPo to launch first handset with water-drop screen lahore: OPPO, The selfie expert is soon going to launch a new addition to the popular F series – OPPO F9. It will be industry’s First handset to sport a unique Waterdrop Screen design – A front with a top notch that hosts the receiver, camera and light sensor for more condensed space and more compact layout, thereby bringing the handset a symmetrical beauty and allowing users to view more content. PRESS RElEASE

islamabad: Serena Hotels announced the winner of the bilingual Faisalabad Creative Writing Competition out of more than 70 submissions in both English and Urdu. Eminent jury panel comprising Daily Jang Islamabad Bureau Chief Hafiz Tahir Khalil and Dawn Media Group Sub Editor Sanam Zeb selected the best essays during a panel session held at the Islamabad Serena Hotel. PRESS RElEASE

and preferential loans, as well as grants from the government of China. Repayments on these loans would not commence in the immediate future,” it added.

The details come after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced concerns in July over any IMF bailout being used to repay Islamabad’s debts to China, with whom Washington is engaged in a trade war.

On Tuesday Pakistan’s likely future finance minister Asad Umar announced that the decision on a possible IMF loan would be taken by “the end of September”.

“There is a general perception that we have picked up very expensive loans from the Chinese. I personally don’t think so,” he told reporters in Islamabad.

“They are like most commercial loans,” he said, denouncing the “lack of transparency” by the previous government on the subject.

China’s financial largesse, in the form of the Belt and Road project, has raised concerns over the vulnerability of poorer nations to such massive debt.

Last year Sri Lanka was forced to hand over majority control of its Hambantota port to China after being unable to repay its loans.

SECP approves vital regulations for capital market, corporate governance

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in its Commission meeting has passed regulations concerning capital market, insurance and corporate governance.

In this regard, the commission approved the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, for public consultation and to be disseminated by posting them on the SECP’s website as well as consultations with the stakeholders, including IAP, non-life insurers and insurance brokers to solicit their feedback.

The Commission also approved publication of the draft General Takaful Accounting Regulations, 2018, to elicit public opinion. These draft regulations have been formulated in the exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 29 of the Takaful Rules, 2012, read with sub-section (1) and (2) of section 46 read with section 167(3) of the Insurance Ordinance, 2000. These regulations provide the principles based on which accounting and reporting of general takaful business of general takaful operators and window general takaful operators shall be made.

The Commission deliberated in detailed on the segregation of non-core functions of CDC in light of the Central Depository (Licensing & Operations) Regulations, 2016, and approved the amendments to Regulation 5(1)(l) of CDC Regulations to remove the restriction on CDC to segregate its non-core business which are not incidental to its functions.

The Commission issued a direction to CDC to carve out the function of Share Registrar Services being offered by CDC through a separate subsidiary only on account of a statutory requirement of Section 65(2) of the Securities Act, 2015.

In addition, the Commission also approved the Foreign Companies Regulations, 2017, which primarily cover the areas pertaining to name reservation of foreign companies, registration of certain documents of foreign companies, registration of changes in documents or details concerning foreign companies, provisions regarding accounts/financial statements, registers, mortgage and charges of foreign companies, etc.

The procedure and filing requirements for registration of documents of a foreign company have been amended suitably and provision of issuance of certificate of registration of documents has been added with clarity; registration of alteration in documents or details of foreign company has been simplified and only one form has been specified for any alteration in any documents and other details of a foreign company and provisions relating to filing of accounts by foreign companies have been amended to bring the same in line with the provisions of Act. In addition, procedure of certification of documents and translation of documents required to be filed by a foreign company has been provided; available modes of payment of fee to the SECP have been specifically stated, i.e. through credit card or debit card or another mode of online payment or through challan in the designated branch of the bank and provision regarding penalty to be imposed in case of violation of any provision of the regulations has been added.

Lastly, the Commission also unanimously approved for publishing the draft amendments to the Real Estate Investment Trust Regulations, 2015, in the official gazette for eliciting public opinion. These regulations intend to introduce changes in the regulatory regime for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) for promoting investment in real estate through the capital market.

The amendments to the regulations have been proposed on the basis of feedback received from all the stakeholders, including a REIT management company, Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan, Central Depository Company, lawyers and valuers.

It may be recalled that the regulatory framework for REITs was introduced in 2008. However, the framework was revised in 2010 to encourage the launch of REIT schemes. In spite of these improvements, only one REIT scheme was launched because, among other factors, the requirements for setting up a REIT scheme were considered stringent by the industry.

The proposed amendments will reduce the requirements of approval from the SECP and enhance the role and responsibility of RMC and trustees. For comments, the draft regulations will soon be placed on the SECP’s website.

CMYK

14 SPORTS

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

Takeaways from The PCB’s CenTral ConTraCT announCemenT Lahore

T

AbdullAh niAzi

HE Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a list of 33 centrally contracted players on call to play for international cricket for Pakistan.

With the era of Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan firmly in the past, this now becomes a central contract award that will determine the direction the PCB is trying to send Pakistan cricket towards.

Of the 33 awarded, the PCB gave seven E category, five D category, nine C category, six B category and six coveted A category contracts in total.

Category a: Much of the attention regarding contract announcements has been hogged by Mohammad Hafeez. His tantrum regarding his demotion to category B, and subsequent refusal to sign the contract on offer has kept the other five recipients out of the picture.

Naturally, the first person on the list is the Captain of the cricket team in all three formats Sarfaraz Ahmad, who is accompanied by former Captain and ace test batsman Azhar Ali. The third on the list is Shoaib Malik, who is currently the most experienced hand in the team as well as a consistent performer and the backbone of the middle order in the limited over formats.

The three stars that have shone through are Yasir Shah, Babar Azam and Mohammad Amir. Yasir, having the unfortunate limited overs disadvantage of being a leg spinner, is still Pakistan’s go to bowler in tests and has rightly been rewarded with the PCB’s highest offer.

While it could be said that it is premature for the PCB to already give Babar Azam an A category contract, it is testament to his rising starpower and in recognition of him being the foreseeable future of the team in all three formats that he has been placed in the top tier.

Perhaps the hardest to explain of the choices is Mohammad Amir. Amir’s name immediately comes to mind as a

category A player. But what one soon realises is that he has not fared too well in recent times, even if that is on the back of a string of bad luck. Let us hope he can turn things around and prove up to the task.

Categories B&C: There were no great surprises in this one. While Mohammad Hafeez might think otherwise, he is a B category player at best. In fact, even that might be debatable considering his bowling is constantly under doubt.

Fakhar Zaman being brought up to category B is a nod to his belligerent batting with no consideration for opponent.

While Pakistan is far from finding a stylish left-hand opener the likes of Saeed Anwar, he is for sure a better option than the much hyped and much scandal embroiled Sharjeel Khan.

Shadab Khan has also been kept in category B, which he should be happy about considering he is still young in the team and has the shadow of Yasir Shah hanging over him. But with the variety to be effective with the white ball, he is a good prospect for the future.

Asad Shafiq finds himself where he is because he is limited to test match cricket. That is a significant disadvantage he has not been able to cover. His batting position also remains up in the air ever since Misbah and Younis have vacated their spots.

Faheem Ashraf is an iffy choice, not because he has not performed, but because he seems better fit for the company of Haris Sohail, Imamul Haq, Muhammad Nawaz, Usman Khan, Shaan Masood, Imad Wasim in category C. Perhaps the only name that could be surprising in category B is that of Hassan Ali, who could might have been better suited for the top tier contract, especially given the nod the PCB has given to Babar Azam. The PCB, of all boards, should not make the mistake of prioritising batsman over bowlers.

Categories D&e: There are two kinds of players here, either those that are just emerging and that the board wants on

retainer but not at too much expense, and those that the boards is slowly trying to nudge out. Of these, luckily there are more of the former than the latter. Young blood is good for Pakistan cricket, and with the exception of Rahat Ali, Rumman Raees, Asif Ali, Usman Salahuddin, Hussain Talat, Bilal Asif, Saad Ali, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan, and Umaid Asif are all promising young men.

The only question is what was stopping the PCB from putting Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz in either of these categories too. is MohaMMaD hafeez B Category Material?: After being demoted from category A to category B in the PCB’s central contract awards, Mohammad Hafeez has, basically, thrown a tantrum. The tantrum has been accompanied with the requisite throwing of things, which in this case would be the category B contract he has refused to sign, and in the process proverbially thrown back at

Mathews keen to stick to plans despite series defeat

the board’s face.

The strong reaction begs the question of just how big of a deal is this? To many, it may even seem strange that Hafeez ever was in the first category given how little we have seen on him in recent times. His last memorable performance was a cameo in the Champions Trophy final, which was overshadowed anyhow

by Fakhar Zaman and Pakistan’s route of the Indian batting.

But Mohammad Hafeez was once a key player in the Pakistan set up. Not only did he have stretches of batting form, such as he three centuries on the trot against Sri Lanka, but he was also a more than useful off spinner with the white ball. He was once also Captain of the team, which in itself might merit a category A contract.

Yet his performance in the past couple of years has been uninspiring. In 2018, he played 5 ODIs at an average of less than 30. He made two fifties in his five innings, both against New Zealand at home. But

by his 2017 numbers, there were always going to be more hits than misses. In that year, he played 17 innings at an average of 39 with only 4 fifties to show for in the entire year. He only played 3 T20Is in that year, with a best of 25. In 2018, he played two T20Is with a best of 7.

He has not played a test match since 2016, in which year he batted in six innings making a best of 42 at an average of 17.

His bowling, which was once a key feature of the Pakistan attack for conservation purposes, has become uncertain thanks to the repeated bans and lifts on his bowling action. This back and forth has also depleted his bowling skill but not improved his batting.

Over all, Hafeez seems to have lost the ‘it’ about him which had sustained him for so long as one of the team’s go to players. While he may feel snubbed, the reality as it stands is that the numbers do not warrant a category A contract. They may not even warrant a category B one.

Gibson shifts focus to experimentation for last two ODIs Johannesburg Agencies

Johannesburg Agencies

The one-day international series has gone away from Sri Lanka after three games but that shouldn’t deter them from keeping the process going, feels Angelo Mathews, reported ICC. Speaking ahead of the fourth game of the five-match series, where the South Africans have been dominant across departments, Mathews stressed on the ‘plan’ and the ‘process’.

“We’ve got to play for our pride now. We started something in the last match – when we play on good wickets, the bowlers and the batters will get exposed. That is something that we have to deal with – it’s something that we have to get better at,” he said.

“We will continue to do what we have planned, without shoving it away after one or two games. This is a process.”

Like the South Africans, the Sri Lankans also have an eye on next year’s ICC Cricket

World Cup in England and Wales, and trying out new players is very much a part of the agenda.

“We have an opportunity to try a few combinations, but at the same time, we need continuity. We will try to give opportunities to whoever who has not played so far, but unfortunately, I don’t think we will be able to give everyone the opportunity,” pointed out Mathews. “This is a learning process, and we need to keep the same player as much as we can.”

The Sri Lankans haven’t done well as a whole since the end of the Test series, which they swept 2-0, but the repeated failures of Kusal Mendis, in particular, has been a cause for concern.

Mendis, one of Sri Lanka’s most skilled all-format batsmen, has scored 3, 0 and 31 in the three ODIs so far, and has a highest score of 25 in the last three Tests Sri Lanka have played after hitting 4, 102, 45 and 87 in the first two Tests in the West Indies.

Following the horrors that were their three-day and four-day Test defeats, the one-dayers could hardly have gone better for South Africa.

They had two main objectives in the series - a) to recover some one-day form after having been beaten 5-1 at home by India earlier in the year, and b) to trial several players with a view to the World Cup. The first has already been emphatically achieved, with Sri Lanka not getting close to South Africa in any of the three matches so far. The second objective is halfway done as well, but with the series now decided, South Africa can kick their experimentation up to a new gear.

"We will be making changes," coach Ottis Gibson said ahead of the fourth ODI, in Pallekele. "The intention from the outset was to take a look at other players. We have two games and we have that opportunity.

We have not finalised who we are going to look at in the fourth ODI, but I am pretty sure we will make some changes."

Some of the players South Africa have had "a look at", have done exceedingly well so far. Reeza Hendricks hit a maiden ODI ton on Sunday, after coming into the side in place of the misfiring Aiden Markram. Left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi has also claimed six wickets in the series so far.

"The last ten ODIs have been about getting ourselves ready for the

CMYK

World Cup," Gibson said. "In the last match Faf [du Plessis] went from No. 3 to No. 4, and Reeza Hendricks has come and done very well at No. 3. We have left Imran Tahir at home in order to look at another spinner and Tabraiz Shamsi has done well. We still have to look at Keshav Maharaj who is our No. 1 Test spinner. We have answered lot of questions but there's lot more we could do."

One more player South Africa would like to trial before the series ends is Heinrich Klaasen - ordinarily a wicketkeeper-batsman, though he will likely play as a specialist batsman, with Quinton de Kock likely to retain the gloves. Klaasen had produced a promising interna-

tional innings, albeit in T20s, having hit 69 not out off 30 balls against India in February. However, he has been battling a groin niggle through the course of this series, which has kept him out of the side.

"Fingers crossed that Klaasen will be okay to play tomorrow," Gibson said. "He was quite close to playing the last game, but he himself felt that although running on a straight line he was fine, certain movements where he has to turn laterally he was feeling unsteady. We didn't want to risk him, but we're really hoping that he is good to go this game. After the way he started against India, he is somebody we want to see. He is a very good player of spin."

CMYK

SPORTS 15

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

Babar azam takes home best T20 player award in PCB awards 2018 held in karachi KaraChi stAff rePort

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Awards 2018 were held in Karachi on Wednesday crowning Babar Azam as the best T20 player of the year.

The categories of Best Batsman, Best Emerging Player, Best Bowler, Best Wicket Keeper, Best Coach, Best T20I Player, Best Umpire, Best Referee and many others were included in the awards.

Former captain Azhar Ali, Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Hafeez and Muhammad Amir culd not make it to the event.

Moreover, signed bats, balls and other items were auctioned at the #TitansGala. The money raised from it will go to charity.

Shan Masood won the award for best batsman, Aizaz Cheema won the award for best bowler, Kamran Akmal bagged the best wicket keeper award while Hasan Ali took home the best ODI player of the year award.

Furthermore, award for emerging cricketer of the year went to Faheem Ashraf. Sarfraz Ahmed received the Imtiaz Ahmed Spirit of Cricket trophy.

In the women domestic category, best batter award went to Bismah Maroof.

Best bowler went to Diana Baig and best wicket keeper award went to Sidra Nawaz

'nervous' de koCk geTs oPPorTuniTy To show he Could Be nexT Cape Town

Q

Agencies

UINTON de Kock does not immediately come across as a leader or a deep thinker or anything other than incredibly instinctive. However, it is that natural cricketing nous that has seen him elevated to South Africa's stand-in captain for the remaining two ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Broadly speaking, with the series already won and the opposition barely proving a challenge, it should not matter much who captains South Africa but it is significant that de Kock was chosen above other candidates in the current squad. It is, perhaps, a peep into the post2019 World Cup future.

If all South Africa wanted was to go through the motions, they could have asked former captain Hashim Amla to step in. Though Amla's reluctance to lead is well-documented, it's unlikely he would have said no to filling in as an emergency replacement and his seniority would have ensured a smooth transition.

If the next two matches are nothing more than a formality, JP Duminy, who will captain in the lone T20, could have taken over. Duminy has captained at both franchise and at international level before, and is finally batting like a man in charge, so he would have been a welcome choice. And if South Africa wanted to do something different and give a future leader the chance to get some experience in the role, they could have gone back to Aiden Markram, who took over

there is evidence to suggest de Kock is not a bad choice. Scant evidence, but evidence nonetheless.

In typical de Kock fashion, the man himself expressed some reticence over the magnitude of the role. "To be honest, I am feeling quite nervous," de Kock said. "It is an honour to be given this responsibility of captaining the Proteas. I want to carry on where Faf has left off and to continue with his legacy. As a captain, I will try to stay true to myself and stay true to what I believe it takes to be a good leader. I will strive to help others

when du Plessis was injured against India. But Markram's white-ball game has gone backwards since the 1-5 defeat to the extent that he was dropped from the third ODI, and so the succession plan may not be as clear cut as it seemed. De Kock, therefore, has a real opportunity over the next five days; an opportunity to show he could be next.

Markram may still be the long-term choice but de Kock could be on trial to take over if du Plessis does indeed use the 2019 World Cup as a swansong, which he has suggested in the past, and

going forward, just to be there as a captain."

De Kock's task will be a little harder than du Plessis', and not just because he is new to the job. South Africa are committed to experimentation in the last two matches which could see them bench their most experienced seamer, Kagiso Rabada, and include some younger batsmen. But that also means the outcomes will not be used to judge de Kock completely and so, he will have a certain freedom for the next few days, which is exactly what he most enjoys.

Independence Day Cup Open Golf Championship 2018 to be held from August 9 to 12

Red Bull Campus Cricket unveiled super 8 teams of future gladiators

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Red Bull Campus Cricket (RBCC) is the only global T20 cricket tournament for university students where campuses from 8 countries contest for national pride and become the world champions. On August 5, 2018, Red Bull Campus Cricket (RBCC) unveiled super 8 teams of Future Gladiators at Moin Khan Cricket Academy. From 96 campuses to 8 and 1500 players down to 128, Red Bull Campus Cricket (RBCC) is on the verge of starting an epic battle between super 8 teams i.e. Peshawar Markhors, Multan Infernos, Lahore Lethals, Hyderabad Riders, Faisalabad Phoenix, Islamabad Shaheens, Quetta Thunders and Karachi Knights of the Future Gladiators.

The mentors for each team were also revealed at the ceremony; Sarfaraz Ahmed for Karachi Knights, Asad Shafeeq for Hyderabad Riders, Anwar Ali for Peshawar Markhors, Umer Amin for Islamabad Shaheens, Hassan Khan for Faisalabad Phoenix, Rameez Raja Junior for Quetta Thunders, Ameer Hamza for Multan Infernos and Moin Khan for Lahore Lethals.

The national winners will travel to Sri Lanka for the World Finals, competing with 7 other countries for the crown of World Champions of Red Bull Campus Cricket (RBCC).

This is the seventh season of Red Bull Campus Cricket (RBCC) and for this edition Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators has joined hands with Red Bull for the tournament. Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar said, “We have tried our best to bring out the outstanding talent for all 8 teams and we anticipate an epic battle between them.”

Chelsea target Kepa pays Athletic Bilbao buyout clause London Agencies

Athletic Bilbao said on Wednesday that Kepa Arrizabalaga has paid his 80-million-euro ($93 million) buyout clause, paving the way for the Spain international to join Chelsea as the world's most expensive goalkeeper.

The 23-year-old is expected to replace Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge for a record fee that would surpass the 72.5 million euros Liverpool paid Roma for Brazilian Alisson last month.

"At 12:02 p.m. (1002 GMT) on Wednesday, August 8, La Liga informed our club that the player, Kepa Arrizabalaga, had met the conditions to unilaterally break his contract that linked him to Athletic Club," the Spanish side said in a statement. "The amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited.

"Athletic thanks the player for his

contribution during the time he has remained in our club."

In Spain, instead of the buying club paying the selling club the amount set by the contract, the player must buy himself out.

This is done by depositing the amount of the buyout clause with La Liga to release the player. La Liga then pass the money onto the selling club.

Chelsea's move for Kepa comes with Belgium number one Courtois strongly linked with Real Madrid, having yet to report to training with the Premier League club following the World Cup. Kepa has played 53 times in La Liga for Bilbao over the last two seasons, and made his international debut in a 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in November 2017.

He was also in the Spain squad for the recent World Cup in Russia as backup to David De Gea, but did not get any playing time.

The 10th Independence Day Cup Open Golf Championship 2018 will be held at the windswept, evergreen golf course of Defence Authority Country and Golf Club (DAC&GC) from August 9 to 12. This was announced by Brig Muhammad Qasim Changezi (r), Secretary DAC&GC addressing a crowded press conference held at the club venue. He said that the Independence Day Golf Championship is an approved event by Pakistan Golf Federation and Sindh Golf Federation and indeed a unique open golfing championship of the country.

Over 200 enthusiast golfers from all over the country will participate in different categories including professionals, senior professionals, amateurs, seniors, veterans, ladies, juniors and masters; revealed Secretary DHA Golf Club. He said that the tournament carries a prize money of Rs 2 Million which will be contested by professionals and senior professionals. He elaborated that the main match will be played over 54 holes for three days by professionals and amateurs (H/Cap 12 and below).

Phf has cleared pending dues of players, says president lahore: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday said that it has cleared the pending dues of players and team management. PHF President Brig (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar arranged the funds through his own resources to fulfill his commitment as he had promised the players and management to clear their dues before the departure of the team to Jakarta for Asian Games, said a press release issued by PHF. Earlier, Pakistan hockey team players announced they will not participate in the upcoming Asian Games over the non-payment of their daily allowance.

"The players have not yet received the daily allowance for the training camp held for Champions Trophy," Rizwan Senior had said. "We won't participate in the Asian Games if we aren't given our due daily allowance." The national side's training camp was scheduled in Holland for the Champions Trophy. "It's not a revolt we are asking for our due right," Rizwan had added. news desk

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Last year’s champions Shabbir Iqbal and Zohaib Asif will defend their titles in the tournament.

Brig Changezi (r) said that DAC&GC by holding the tournament is not only celebrating the Independence Day of Pakistan with enthusiasm and fervour but also providing a reinvigorated support to the exciting game of golf which needs further exposure and involvement in the country. He reiterated that DHA Golf Club is all set to hold the prestigious golf tournament at THE national level in a befitting manner.

Real Madrid end US tour with 2-1 win over Roma Madrid Agencies

Gareth Bale is serving notice that he is ready to shine without Cristiano Ronaldo, factoring in both goals as Real Madrid wrapped up their US tour with a 2-1 win over Roma on Tuesday. Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid who put on a strong performance especially in the first half of the International Champions Cup friendly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Real Madrid is hoping Bale is ready to fully evolve into the player they signed for a world record fee in 2013. The 33year-old Ronaldo ended a nine-year spell at Real Madrid by recently signing with Italian champions Juventus.

"We're scoring goals and we're winning matches, so we're doing well," Bale said. "We have to keep

improving and we're really looking forward to starting the new season."

Asensio, with his third goal of the preseason, opened the scoring just two minutes into the contest.

Bale delivered a brilliant pass to the foot of Asensio and he found the back of the net.

Real Madrid struck again in the 15th minute as Bale would score this time, taking an equally superb pass from Dani Carvajal. Bale walked in and beat goalkeeper Robin Olsen to make it 2-0. Real Madrid wasn't nearly as dominant in the second half as most of their starting squad was subbed off. Kevin Strootman made it interesting by scoring in the 83rd minute for Roma.

Strootman was left wide open off a throw-in and headed pass and all he had to do was hammer it past the startled Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Thursday, 9 August, 2018

NEWS

suprEME Court rEopEns nanDIpur powEr projECt CasE

Militants kill three in DI Khan PESHAWAR: At least three people were killed in a series of suspected sectarian attacks by militants across Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday. An official of the CounterTerrorism Department (CTD) said that the first incident took place near a mosque at Choudhana square. The second and third attacks took place simultaneously in the jurisdiction of Parawo police station. Haider Ali, a resident Mahra Adda area was killed during the attack, while a youth named Hifatullah was taken to the hospital following the attack, where he succumbed to his injuries. Protesting the latest wave of attacks, angry residents blocked the Indus Highway by placing the bodies of their relatives on the main thoroughfare. STAFF REPORT

CJP SAYS KHAWAJA ASIF COULD HAVE INITIATED PROBE INTO ISSUE WHEN HE WAS WATER AND POWER MINISTER ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

HE Supreme Court on Wednesday reopened the Nandipur power project corruption case. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case on Wednesday. Former minister for water and power division Khawaja Asif, who is the petitioner in the case, was also present during the hearing.

Established in 2005 and expected to generate 525 megawatts of electricity, the estimated cost of the project increased to Rs58 billion from Rs22 billion because of delays.

“You were a federal minister and had the authority to resolve issues,” the

CJP inquired from Asif.

Asif responded by citing conflict of interest as the reason behind his removal from the case. Nisar remarked that Asif could have initiated an investigation into the issue while he was minister.

Khawaja Asif informed the court that a commission head by Rahmat Ali Jafri was constituted to probe into the matter “An order was passed to complete the Nandipur project and Chichonki Malian Hydropower Plant (CMHPP),” he said.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that seven years had passed since Asif’s plea. “You had petitioned in 2011. It has been seven years since then. What do you want this court to take up in the case?” the CJP remarked.

“It was not contracted to a private contractor, the government has been

LHC juDgE rECusEs HIMsELF FroM HEarIng pLEa agaInst sHarIFs’ ConvICtIon

running the plant for the past five years,” Asif responded.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that Asif had previously alleged a law ministry staff member behind the delay in the project. In response, Asif confirmed he made the allegation and that the commission formed to ensure project completion admitted delay as the

Apex court restores GB Order 2018 to 'ensure equal rights for residents' RESTORATION OF GB ORDER SURPRISES LOCALS WHO HAD PROTESTED AGAINST THEN PML-N GOVERNMENT'S DECISION IN MAY ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Mehmood Mirza on Wednesday recused himself from hearing a petition against the Sharif family’s conviction in the Avenfield properties corruption case.

The judge was heading a three-member bench, which was constituted on August 4, to hear a petition filed by Sharif’s legal counsel AK Dogar seeking annulment of the punishment given in the case. Mirza recused himself from the hearing, citing personal reasons. The LHC chief justice has been informed of the decision. Justice Sajid Mehmood Sethi and Justice Mujahid Mustaqeem were the other two members of the bench. The Sharif’s were convicted under the National Accountability Ordinance 1999; however, the petition argued that implementation of the 18th amendment made the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) law invalid. Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law captain (r) Muhammad Safdar were given sentences on July 6 by an accountability court in the Avenfield corruption reference. The former prime minister was sentenced to 11 years in prison and given a fine of Rs1.3 billion while his daughter was sentenced to eight years in prison with a Rs335 million fine. Safdar was given a year-long sentence. STAFF REPORT

primary factor in cost hike. The CJP remarked that the case will be taken up.

Notices were issued to all concerned parties including the federal government, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO). The hearing was then adjourned till Thursday.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday restored the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Order 2018 and ordered the government to ensure equal rights for the people of the region, overturning the suspension

by Supreme Appellate Court.

In June, President Mamnoon Hussain had approved the GB Reforms Order 2018, replacing the old GB Self Governance Order 2009, notwithstanding widespread opposition to the reforms package. As per the new Order, the prime minister had been given the authority of legislation over 68 subjects and to overrule any law passed by GB Assembly.

While hearing the case, CJP Nisar observed that “the government needs to ensure that the people of GB have the same respect and rights as all other citizens of the country.”

He said the SC accepted the Centre’s request against the GB court on the 2018 order as it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that people of the region get basic facilities.

In the final order, various amendments had been made where the entire subject of judicial reforms in the area has been deleted keeping the judicial chapter of order 2009 in-

tact in the new one. Earlier, through the proposed judicial reforms, judges of superior courts including Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court and GB Chief Court were to be appointed from the region through a proposed committee.

The government officials had claimed that as compared to 2009 Empowerment Act, the new order was considered as more comprehensive, wide-ranging and all-inclusive as the powers vested in the GB council, including passing legislation regarding mineral, hydropower and tourism sectors that had been shifted to the GB Assembly.

SC ORDER SURPRISES GB: The local residents had largely rejected the GB Order 2018 introduced by the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for being contrary to their wishes. The Supreme Court’s decision of restoring the same order on Wednesday has surprised many in the region.

Interestingly except PML-N, the ruling party in GB, all political, religious parties and civil society were against the GB order, which according to them made prime minister in the Centre more powerful in GB affairs. Since the Chief Justice, during his weeklong visit to GB, was in-

formed about grievances of the residents in the area, they were expecting a decision against the Order 2018. However, contrary to the expectation of people in GB, the superior court decided in favour of the petitioner, ministry of law, which challenged the suspension of GB Order 2018 by a GB court.

Soon after the development at SC, people in GB started giving their reactions on social media and other forums. They were largely unhappy over the decision saying that the chief justice should not have restored the new order as the order, they claim, gives the prime minister the authority of legislation over 68 subjects and to overrule any law passed by GB Assembly.

However, sources say, the court may evaluate the order and decision GB Court in next hearings of the case.

The GB Order 2018, which was promulgated in May, replaced the GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009. The new order is said to provide political, administrative, financial and judicial powers to people in the region. Moreover, the new order shifted powers from the GB council — including those related to passing laws on mineral and tourism —to the GB Assembly.

However, many people in GB voiced objections to the order, including a member of the GB Council, Saeed Afzal. Afzal, who had filed the petition before the law was promulgated, was of the view that the new order should not be introduced till their tenure was completed.

Zulfi Bukhari, Fawad Hasan Fawad on ECL ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry on Wednesday reportedly placed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s close aide Zulfi Bukhari on the Exit Control List (ECL) upon the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) request. The name was added to the list after the cabinet committee’s approval following NAB’s request. It was reported that Bukhari has been barred from leaving the country as there is an ongoing NAB probe against him pertaining to offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). In June, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had instructed Bukhari to join an ongoing NAB probe against him. On July 15, the IHC had permitted the Ministry of Interior to decide an application of NAB, which sought Bukhari’s name on ECL, in connection with establishing offshore companies. IHC’s Justice Aamer Farooq held that the MoI shall be at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with the law on NAB’s application for placing Bukhari’s name on the ECL. Earlier, the court had issued the directives while hearing two petitions simultaneously: one filed by Bukhari seeking removal of his name from the blacklist and the other where a petitioner has challenged Bukhari’s name removal from the blacklist within mere hours which allowed him to leave the country and travel to Saudi Arabia and the use of the Noor Khan airbase in Islamabad for a private flight to Saudi Arabia. Bukhari was not allowed to leave Pakistan when he proceeded to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah with PTI chairman and his wife. However, the Interior Ministry had later granted him a one-time permission to go abroad for six days.

FAWAD ALSO PUT ON ECL: Meanwhile, deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s former principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad’s name has also been placed on ECL as he is accused in various corruption cases and was arrested by NAB earlier in July. NAB had claimed that it has uncovered property worth billions of rupees owned by Fawad and sent a supplementary reference filed by the bureau against former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Ahad Cheema over the matter. Earlier, according to NAB officials, “Fawad was wrongfully awarded the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme’s contract to ‘favourites’, illegally ordered the shifting of nine CNG stations and also worked in a private bank from 2005 to 2006 without official permission.” STAFF REPORT

Pakistani student attacked, beaten in Australia’s Newcastle university NEWS DESK A Pakistani student was attacked and beaten by men and a woman in Australia’s Newcastle.

According to a report by Newcastle Herald, Abdullah Qaiser says he came to Newcastle from Pakistan last year to study in a secure environment.

But on Saturday night, the 21-year-old had his nose smashed by a man wearing a knuckle duster after his car was stopped at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus.

“I came over here because I believed it was pretty secure,” Qaiser told the Newcastle Herald.

“I’m from Pakistan – you know what’s happening in Pakistan – people come here to get a better education, to be a bit secure. So when this kind of thing happens, it’s pretty sad.”

Qaiser was driving alone along Ring Road just after 8.30pm, on his way to finishing an assignment with a friend at the Auchmuty Library, when he saw six or seven people standing on the road blocking his

path near the medical science building.

Before he knew it, a woman was reaching through the passenger door trying to grab his mobile phone and a man had pulled open the driver’s side door and was yelling: “go back to your country, you don’t belong here”. The man then punched Qaiser with a hand wrapped in a knuckle duster, leaving the student with a broken nose that will likely require surgery to repair it in the coming days.

The group fled the scene after the punch, taking the mobile phone. Qaiser said he blacked out briefly but then drove to the uni gym, The Forum, where staff administered first aid and called the police, campus security and an ambulance.

“I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. The blood was flowing out of my nose,” he said. “I had no option but to stop my car [when he saw the group on the road.

“I was just thinking they were students just making fun.” Police told the Herald investigators were reviewing CCTV footage from the campus grounds.

Despite the racial abuse, police said they did not

believe the attack was racially motivated. Qaiser agreed and said the incident turned racial when his attacker saw him up close. “I was in the car, how would they know I was a brown person in the car? It could have been anybody,” he said.

Qaiser arrived in Newcastle from Pakistan in February 2017, to study engineering. He lives in North Lambton with six other people – all of whom had a connection with each other in Pakistan.

Qaiser’s housemates said they couldn’t believe it when they got the call on Saturday night to say he had been hurt. They described the 21-year-old as quiet. There is a well-documented history of violent incidents at and around the Callaghan campus.

A University of Newcastle spokesperson said the institution was helping with police inquiries into the attack. “We promote a culture of respect and tolerance and our priority is making sure the student is OK and is supported while the police conduct their investigation,” the spokesperson said.

When asked what the university was doing to en-

sure students were secure, the spokesperson said the uni was increasing patrols and would continue to invest in security infrastructure such as CCTV and emergency help points.

“If anyone on our campuses feels unsafe or needs assistance, they should contact Security Services immediately,” the spokesperson said.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 79, Sector 24, Korangi Industrial Area Karachi. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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