E paper pdf (24 07 2017) (isb)

CMYK

Monday, 24 July, 2017 I 29 Shawwal, 1438 I rs 19.00 I Vol VIII No. 26 I 16 Pages I Islamabad edition

comPariSonS betWeen tWo money trailS

it’s apples and oranges to imran g

“the Sharif family didn’t reveal itS Source of fundS; i have”

g

SayS Kh aSif Should taKe claimS about SKmch to court

ISLAMABAD

P

INP/NEWS DESK

aKiStan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) chairman imran Khan on Sunday lashed out at his critics for creating an impression in the media that his ‘failure’ to submit money trail for his properties can be compared to the Sharif family’s case in the Supreme court. addressing a media conference, Khan said that “it seems after looking at today ’s papers that i haven’t given my money trail either ”.

“People are being misled. i need to clear this delusion as being a public figure, people give me donations for my charity projects,” said the Pti chief. the Pakistan muslim league-nawaz (Pml-n) wants to link its case with mine, but their cases are totally different, he said, adding that, “the Sharif family didn’t reveal its source of funds whereas i have”. “my ex-wife, Jemima, has provided bank accounts' details in the apex court showing how the funds from the london flat's sale came into Pakistan.” the Pti chief displayed the documents he has submitted to the court, claiming they prove how he earned money as a cricketer and brought it to Pakistan. lashing out at a story in a local newspaper yesterday titled ‘imran submits ‘Qatari’ letter to Sc’, he said that the comparison was ridiculous. as far as my letter is concerned, i can elaborate. "robert wrote in his letter that he signed me in 1977. he didn’t only sign me; Zaheer abbas, asif iqbal, majid Khan, Javed miandad, and 50 other cricketers from all over the world were also signed. it was a standard annual contract of $25,000," said Khan. "if you believe you are an investigative journalist, call austin robert, check his background, and you will realise that his letter is not [like the] Qatari letter. he will have all the documents in his archives — not just mine,

PML-N asks PTI chief to present full money trail STORY ON PAGE 02

hashmi says nisar won’t leave Pml-n STORY ON PAGE 03

Gilani says Panama case verdict should be announced soon STORY ON PAGE 03

UN SecUrITy coUNcIL To dIScUSS JerUSaLeM crISIS STORY ON PAGE 02 but of 50 other cricketers — proving that we had a standard contract." “everything i own and invested in is in Pakistan. however, nawaz Sharif ’s children have billions parked outside the country,” he alleged. lashing out at Pml-n’s Khawaja asif, who had accused him of investing charity money in france and oman, he said that if the minister had any proof of discrepancies in Shaukat Khanum memorial cancer hospital's (SKmch) accounts, then he should take his objections to court. “it [the hospital] runs on donations and we have audit reports as proof.” he should be ashamed of himself for levelling baseless allegations against a oneof-its-kind charity hospital.” those who support criminals are accomplices and considered criminals themselves, he added. With regards to the Panama Papers case, whose judgment

was reserved by the Supreme court on friday, imran said: “the entire country is awaiting the court’s decision”. listing matters that became ‘clear’ in light of the court’s hearings, he said maryam proved to be a beneficial owner of nielsen and nescoll offshore companies; nawaz Sharif received a salary for his employment with [dubai company] fZe capital; Gulf Steel mills was in loss, and ‘most importantly’, the Sharif family lied in court and submitted forged documents. he said the country will soon be free of this ‘dark night’, adding that the foundation of a ‘naya Pakistan’ will be set when the Sharifs land in adiala Jail.

Pml-n leader hanif abbasi had petitioned the Supreme court to disqualify imran Khan and Pti leader Jahangir tareen for concealing their assets and ‘offshore companies’ in their nomination papers filed to the election commission of Pakistan.

Pashto folk singer Zarsanga, family members injured in attack STORY ON PAGE 05

Sherry’s luggage broken into on flight STORY ON PAGE 04

eNGLaNd beaT INdIa by 9 rUNS, cLINch TITLe for 4Th TIMe

nisar’s tease continues.... g

PreSSer PoStPoned till today

Saad says attempts to halt train operation foiled g

STORY ON PAGE 03

STORY ON PAGE 15

miniSter SayS Some driverS create Problem for travelerS

STORY ON PAGE 03

02 NEWS

Monday, 24 July, 2017

Pml-n aSkS PTi chief To PreSenT full money Trail DR fazal says IMRan Cannot esCape ‘IMRan Must pResent hIMself befoRe aCCountabIlIty foR MIsDeeDs eCp, atC to subMIt ReplIes’ ISLAMABAD

T

STAFF REPORT

HE Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) on Sunday said that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had failed to provide money trail for purchasing property.

“Imran Khan should stop misleading the nation and shouting on others, and present his own money trail before the Supreme Court,” Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CAAD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said while addressing a press conference here along with MNA Daniyal Aziz.

Dr Tariq Fazal said that the money trail,

which Imran Khan had submitted to the Supreme Court, was not authentic as there was no mention of any proper source of his income in the documents. He said that he (Imran) had also not provided complete details to the Supreme Court about his offshore company – the Niazi Services Limited.

He said that Imran could not escape accountability for irregularities in his personal property documents. “His (Imran) assets were beyond his means,” he said, adding that one of Imran’s lawyers had admitted tax evasion in the case of the Niazi Service while another one conceded about his getting party funding from abroad.

In his tweets, Imran Khan had thanked the Indian nationals and the Jewish lobby for funding to his party, the minister said.

He said that those talking of ‘moral’ obligation must keep in mind that Imran Khan had no moral courage to present himself before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Anti-Terrorist Court for submitting replies to their queries.

He said that Imran had totally failed to prove actual source of his income. He questioned as to how Imran was morally justified to level allegations against the government while avoiding to present himself before the courts. On the occasion, Daniyal Aziz said that the people could not be misled any more as they were aware of the ones, who believed in accountability, and the others, who had been escaping from the courts of law.

Despite constitutional immunity,

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had taken a historical step by presenting three generations of his family for accountability, he said, adding that Imran had been continuously raising hue and cry, and levelling allegations against the prime minister, but he could not present a single proof against him.

He said that neither in the Joint Investigation Team’s report nor during the hearing of the Panama Papers case by the Supreme Court, a single allegation of corruption or misuse of authority was proved against the prime minister. Imran, who was in the habit of shouting and abusing others, had distorted facts about his own earning sources, he pointed out.

He advised Imran to stop doing politics of allegations and using abusive language against respectable politicians. He said that the PTI chairman was in fact afraid of the PML-N’s growing popularity. The government led by Prime Minis-

Russia keen to sell new fighter jet MiG-35 to India ZHUKOVSKY AGENCIES

Russia is keen on selling its new fighter jet MiG-35 to India with the MiG corporation’s chief saying the country has evinced interest in the aircraft and talks were on to understand its requirements. Director General of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG Ilya Tarasenko said the MiG-35 was “the best” and definitely better than Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation combat aircraft F-35. He claimed that the MiG-35 would beat the American jet in air to air combat.

Tarasenko, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the MAKS 2017 air showhere, said after having presented MiG- 35 in January, the MiG corporation began to actively promote the aircraft in India and in other parts of the world. “We are proposing supply of the aircraft for tenders in India and we actively work with its Air Force in order to win the tender,” he said. The MiG-35 is Russia’s most advanced 4++ generation multipurpose fighter jet developed on the basis of the serial-produced MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M/M2 combat aircraft. Asked if India has expressed any interest in the MiG35, Tarasenko said, “Of course they

have.” MiG aircraft have been used

by India for almost 50 years and MiG corporation proposes its new products to India among the first countries and intends to continue supplying India with its most modern aircraft, the MiG chief said.

Asked about the current status of the proposal of the aircraft to India, he said, “We are in the negotiation stage where talks on technical and technological specifications that MiG can present to India and the requirements that India has for this aircraft were taking place.” “Since this is a very new plane, it will still take some time to negotiate on exactly what India needs and adjust the product to it,” he added. Talking about the cost of the plane, Tarasenko said it was economical due to the after-sales services being offered along with the aircraft. “We propose not just the aircraft, but also training for its use, as well as after-sales servicing where we take upon the responsibility to service it for 40 years,” he added.

He stressed that in comparison to its competitors, the prices offered by MiG were 20-25 per cent cheaper, making it an attractive option for those who wish to purchase this aircraft. Highlighting the main features of the MiG-35, Tarasenko said its

technical specifications were close to a fifth generation aircraft, namely its flight capabilities, its new weapon range and defence systems, including stealth. “I would like to note the demand for this aircraft for our own air force, as well as our foreign partners.

The plane is light, multi-functional and has high manoeuvrability,” Tarasenko said, adding that the MiG was also offering special commercial terms to its partners. He also stressed that the plane was fully Russianmade with Rostec companies like United Engine Corporation (UEC), KRET and Technodinamika participating in the project. At MAKS 2017, the MiG-35 grabbed all the limelight as it took to the skies and enthralled the audience with breathtaking manoeuvres like the tail slide, barrel roll and the nesterov loop.

Meanwhile, Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev also said that Russia is ready to take part in India’s tender for the supply of light fighter jets with its MiG-35 plane. “Principally, Russia is ready to participate in future aviation tenders in India. However, as of now, we do not have information on the opening of a tender and, correspondingly, on the plane’s technical requirements set by

the Indian side,” he was quoted as saying by Russia’s TASS news agency.

Mikhail Belyaev, the Lead Test Pilot of MiG-35, told reporters that the main feature of this aircraft was the new on board equipment and the new quality of weapons — air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea.

“Compared with the basic version of the MiG-29, it is a new aircraft, new airframe, fly-by-wire, glass cockpit, adapted for night vision goggles...new engines, more power, more fuel, new on board equipment and new weapons,” said Belyaev, who was earlier this year presented the star of the ‘Hero of Russia’ by President Vladimir Putin for bravery in piloting and testing of aviation equipment. Asked if it was easier to fly MiG-35, Belyaev said new tasks were required for such an aircraft so one needs to learn these. “On the basic level it is not that difficult to switch from MIG 29 to 35 as the plane remains the same. It is still a light simple plane. The combat tasks that can be achieved from this plane are much more serious and much more complex,” he said. “More combat tasks can be achieved from this plane than with the MiG-29. So it will take time to learn new tasks and to adapt,” he added.

Form JIT on Shehbaz Sharif’s projects and nation will forget Panama: Ch Parvez Elahi LAHORE INP

Pakistan Muslim League (PML) senior central leader and former deputy prime minister Ch Parvez Elahi said that if a JIT is formed on the development projects of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the nation will soon forget about the alleged corruption of Sharif family in the Panama Leaks case. He said this while addressing a press conference along with party’s Central Secretary General and MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema and Provincial General Secretary Ch Zaheeruddin on Sunday.

He said that the auditor general and the accountant general of Pakistan have pinpointed

corruption in every project under the Punjab government. He said that billions were corrupted in every scheme and project, from the Orange Line to the Ashiana Housing Scheme.

Ch Parvez Elahi also accused Shehbaz Sharif of misleading people, saying that the CM boasts that no corruption was revealed in the JIT report, when, in fact, the JIT was not constituted to investigate corruption done in any government project but was entrusted only to investigate the charges levelled against the family in the Panama case. Presenting instances of corruption in Punjab, he said that the auditor general of Pakistan has reported corruption of Rs 25 billion in Sasti Roti and illegal payments of Rs 4. 88 billion in Danish School Scheme; in the Laptop

Scheme, the accountant general of Pakistan has pointed out corruption of Rs 2 billion.

He said that at a cost of Rs 260 billion, the Orange Line project has become an “earn dollar train”. He questioned why, for the project, the loan at 0. 25 per cent markup, which was approved by the Asian Development Bank, returned and a loan at 3. 25 per cent markup secured from Exim Bank.

Ch Parvez Elahi further said that “if Shehbaz wants to compare his performance, then he should do it with the tenure of our government in Punjab.” Following which, Elahi gave detailed accounts of welfare and development projects during his tenure and how Shehbaz Sharif’s projects pale in comparison.

Syed Tahir Shahbaz To aSSume charge of federal ombudSman Today ISLAMABAD: The newly appointed Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz will assume the charge of the prestigious post today. On arrival at the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat, he will be received by senior officials and later briefed about the functioning of the important institution. Syed Tahir Shahbaz is a well reputed civil servant, who is known for his honesty, professional expertise, hard work and experience in different departments of the government. During his service, he performed important duties across the country. His last posting was Secretary Establishment before the appointment at the constitutional post of Federal Ombudsman for a four-year tenure. INP

CMYK

ter Nawaz Sharif had made considerable progress in all the fields and Imran could not stop it by telling lies.

He expressed the confidence that Nawaz Sharif would emerge unscathed from the Panama Papers case. To a question, Dr Fazal condemned the incident of misbehavior with journalists at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and assured that an inquiry would be conducted against those involved in it.

Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had already taken notice of the incident and sought a report from FIA high-ups. He said the present government believed in freedom of expression and considered any attack on media as an attack on itself.

un Security council to discuss Jerusalem crisis UNITED NATIONS APP

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the recent escalation of violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, according to diplomats. Sweden, Egypt and France requested the meeting to urgently discuss how calls for de-escalation in Jerusalem can be supported, Sweden’s Deputy UN Ambassador Carl Skau posted on Twitter.

The request comes at the same time as news that a Palestinian man wounded in clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank on Saturday has died of his injuries.

The recent incidents occurred after at least four Palestinian people lost their lives during clashes in the Palestinian lands on Friday. Tensions began to soar after the Israeli authorities imposed restrictive measures on the entry of worshipers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem. The new restrictive measures include installation of metal detectors at entry points to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the suspension of all official contact with Israel until it removed the metal detectors. The Israeli government has tried to change the demographic makeup of Jerusalem over the past decades by constructing settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population. The AlAqsa Mosque compound is a flashpoint Islamic site, which is also holy to Jews.

UNICEF’S WARNING: The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that the lives and futures of some 27 million children caught up in violence in Iraq’s Mosul and other Middle East conflicts as well as parts of Africa are at risk, and called for their immediate care and protection.

“The worst of the violence in Mosul may be over but for too many children in Mosul and in the region, extreme suffering continues,” Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement. As for recently-liberated Mosul, he said that children in shock continue to be found, some reportedly among the debris or hidden in tunnels.

Some have lost their families while fleeing to safety.

According to reports, families have been forced to abandon their children or give them away, they are now living in fear, alone. “Many children have been forced to fight and some to carry out acts of extreme violence,” he said, emphasising that these were horrific times for far too many children in Iraq and other conflict-affected countries in the region. UNICEF says that violence and conflicts are putting the lives and futures of nearly 27 million children at risk, impacted by violence in Yemen, inside Syria and refugee hosting countries, the Palestinian Territory, Libya and Sudan, as well as Iraq. In the north-eastern city of Ar-Raqqa in Syria, violence has further intensified over the past weeks, with children repeatedly coming under attack.

Between 30,000 and 50,000 civilians continue to be trapped in the city as heavy violence continues around them,” Cappelaere said. Moreover, families have described horrific conditions and journeys fraught with danger, sniper fire, landmines and unexploded remnants of war, he added. Such horrors are not over even if children escape from immediate danger. They are being detained, abused and stigmatized for perceived affiliations, while tensions are high between and within communities, Cappelaere said. “Those children who are alone need our support to help them find their families, be reunited and surrounded with care, protection and services, regardless of their family’s origin or affiliation,” he underscored. “As with any other child in the world, they have the right to be safeguarded, including through legal documentation. Children are children!” The time to act is now, Cappelaere said, and asked: “How can we build a more stable and prosperous future for all while children are exposed to such horrors and treated this way?”

Monday, 24 July, 2017

niSar’S TeaSe conTinueS....

MuCh awaIteD pResseR postponeD foR toDay speakeR ayaz saDIq latest leaGueR on MIssIon on aCCount of baCkpaIn to woo InteRIoR MInIsteR ISLAMABAD

i

MIAN AbRAR

NTERIOR Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Sunday postponed his scheduled press conference for today (Monday) on the pretext of ‘medical grounds’, leaving the gossips to go rife in the political circles of the federal capital.

Spokesman of the interior ministry said that the presser had been postponed as the minister had suffered a severe backache which made the minister to postpone the media interaction.

“The press conference to be addressed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has been postponed until tomorrow. The postponement came due to a severe backache suffered by the minister, who has been asked to take complete rest,” the spokesman said. The spokesman added that the presser would be held today at 5pm.

“Media is requested not to speculate over the postponement. The only reason for the postponement is a health issue,” the spokesman added. However, ruling party sources claim that the presser had been postponed following an important message was dropped to the minister by one of the family members of Sharifs.

“There is a breakthrough and it seems that the pressure tactic by Chaudhry Nisar is working. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has realised that the ouster of Nisar may prove to be the last straw to break the camel’s back. If Nisar leaves the party, many others may follow suit, causing floodgates to open with disgruntled lawmakers and party bigwigs angry with Sharif brothers,” a

party leader told Pakistan Today. The leaguer said that Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had been invited for a meeting with the prime minister at Murree on Saturday, where he joined the ruling family at dinner as well. However, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the de-facto spokesperson for the prime minister, took to Twitter to contradict reports of the meeting.

“Ayaz Sadiq has been tasked to use his influence with Nisar, as both have been longtime fellows and friends. Perhaps, the message by Sadiq has made the minister to postpone the presser.

Though Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had assured the prime minister to woo back Nisar,

the angry minister only postponed the presser. This reflects some bargaining is going on,” the source added. Asked what bargain was being eyed by the interior minister, the ruling party leader said that Nisar had plainly informed the ruling family that if the premier is disqualified, “he could not work with the prime minister—with whom he does not even feel comfortable.”

“The minister has clearly informed the premier that he had been loyal to his leadership and he would continue doing so. However, he could not get along with the new generation of Sharifs, who are now making decisions in the party,” the source added. When asked who

Nisar was referring to, the source said he could not name any of the family members. “It’s up to you. Guess, who is making decisions while the prime minister is still functioning? It’s not only Nisar, in fact, there are many in the party who will prefer leaving the party if they have to deal with the expected successor of Sharif,” the source added.

The source revealed that Nisar was angry for not being consulted by the prime minister regarding the strategy to deal with Panama Leaks case. Moreover, the minister was also furious over the ruling family’s barrage of accusations against state institutions for efforts to ‘fix’ the prime minister through judiciary. Another reason for the minister to leave abroad has been the reports suggesting that those who are likely to take over the top slot, in case the prime minister is disqualified, are the worst adversaries of the interior minister.

“Defence Minister Khwaja Asif is not on speaking terms with the interior minister. Moreover, the interior minister believes that the latest accusations against him came from Ahsan Iqbal, who went to a television talk show to criticise him. Both are being termed among the front runners for the top slot.

Nisar believes he simply can’t [get along] with those who are being patted to take up the job, if PM is disqualified,” the source added. Another PMLN lawmaker views that Nisar was only wrangling to put further pressure on the prime minister. “It’s a clear cut blackmail. Chaudhry Nisar is damaging the party in the most difficult of times. It’s nothing more than arm-twisting,” the lawmaker concluded.

Gilani says Panama case verdict should be announced soon MULTAN INP

Former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the Panama Papers case verdict should be announced as soon as possible so that normalcy can be restored in the country. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was an ideological party and would wait for the Supreme Court’s decision. The government should complete its term and elections should be held in 2018, he said.

Talking about election reforms, Gilani said that all parties need to work for them. “Without election reforms, we cannot have transparent elections,” he said.

“We need election reforms for real change,” he said. He also said that it was only the PPP that has actually represented the people of southern Punjab. “All the presidents, ministers and governors from this region were nominated by the PPP,” he said. “Both the Pakistan Muslim League-N and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will give us nothing,” he said. To a question, Gilani

pointed out that he was the first prime minister to have spoken about foreign interference in Balochistan.

SHEIKH RASHEED: Speaking to media at his residence in Rawalpindi, former federal minister and

Awami Muslim League Chairman MNA Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad claimed that Nawaz Sharif has decided to bring in a new prime minister anticipating his ‘disqualification’ in the Panama Papers case.

He also claimed that there would be a ‘good number’ of defections from the PML-N the moment the Supreme Court sends Nawaz Sharif packing. “Around 40 MNAs were ready to ditch PML-N to rejoin the party of former president General Pervez Musharraf,” he added. “Nawaz Sharif will be shown the exit door next week,” he claimed. “He (Nawaz) is mulling over the names of his aides for premiership,” he said. He also said that if Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was selected it would ‘widen’ rift within the party as Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Ishaq Dar and Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif were not happy with his nomination as the new premier.

The former minister claimed that if National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq was elected, another Prime Minister’s House would be set up in Lahore which Sharifs won’t tolerate.

Saad says attempts to halt train operation foiled LAHORE SAMIULLAH RANDHAWA

The Pakistan Railways has confirmed to resume its train operations which were halted on Saturday midnight on the strike call of train drivers. At least 276 train drivers had stopped their locomotives on the tracks after the Train Drivers Welfare Association’s strike call, demanding upgrading the pay scales of the railway employees, paying overtime wages, distance allowance and reinstatement of sacked drivers.

Soon after the strike came to commence, an urgent meeting was called in the Railways Headquarters under Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique to review the situation. The meeting which started from midnight continued till 8am also included press briefing of the minister. Addressing to media persons early morning, Saad said that the attempt to

halt the train operation was foiled and all the trains had started departing and arriving on time. Calling it the irresponsibility, he said that those drivers participated in strike caused the problems for the passengers and upset the train schedule.

“All the demands of drivers were not to be considered and the department has accepted their four out of six demands,” he said, adding that their demand for the reinstatement of the sacked colleagues was not possible because they had been fired after a number of lives were lost in accidents due to their negligence.

“We will not be blackmailed by drivers involved in different accidents,” he said. Saad invited the protesting drivers to return to their duty and offered to negotiate. However, he maintained that the drivers who would not return to work would be sending home. “They tried to disrupt the railways system which is

meant to criminal act but the conspiracies had been foiled with the cooperation of those drivers who rejected the strike.”

However, the minister was hopeful that all railways operations would be back to normal within 48 hours. Soon after the strike was begin, railways spokesperson Najam Wali Khan confirmed stern action against the drivers participating in the strike. He said that the department would register cases against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He said that most of the drivers on strike joined their duties voluntarily within two hours while the railways managed to avail the drivers for all the trains till 7am. He admitted that trains scheduled had disturbed a lot due to this short strike. However, he expressed his hope that all trains would be resuming their schedule within 48 hours.

Najam said that 13 drivers from differed divisions were detained and most

CMYK

of them had been released. On the other hand, the representatives of the association rejecting the railways’ stance said that at least 25 drivers were held in custody from different stations. On Saturday midnight, passengers traveling in trains put into immense trouble as drivers went on a strike. Most of the running trains were stranded on the tracks in the deserted looking areas. That also put the lives of the passengers at risk due to security reasons. The trains at 13 stations in the Sukkur Division were halted when the protest began. Khyber Express and Sukkur Express, going to Karachi, were parked at Shahdadpur Station, while Shalimar Express (Karachi-Lahore), Allama Iqbal Express (SialkotKarachi), Pakistan Express (Rawalpindi-Karachi), and Fareed Express were stopped at Rohri Station.

On the other hand, Tezgam, en route

NEWS

03

army clears terrorist strongholds in rajgal valley: iSPr RAwALpINDI AGENCIES

The army’s media wing on Sunday said that the military has cleared two strongholds of terrorists in the Rajgal valley during the ongoing Operation Khyber-IV. The Spinkai Top dominating Saprai Pass and Star Kille have been secured and are “effectively dominated by the Pakistan Army”, read a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The army was targeting terrorist hideouts “by artillery and army aviation” which has dismantled terrorists who are “on the run”, the ISPR quoted IG FC Major General Shaheen. The operational commander further said that Khyber-IV was progressing as planned. On Saturday, the army announced that it had completed the first phase of Operation Khyber-IV in the Rajgal area of Khyber Agency after gaining control of a key mountain top. “Khyber-IV’s Phase-I has been completed after clearance of Brekh Muhammad Kandao,” ISPR said in an update on the operation that started last Sunday. Two soldiers have been martyred in the operation in which over 90 square kilometres of a total of 250 square kilometres have been cleared. ISPR Director General Major Genral Abdul Ghafoor had announced the launch of Operation Khyber-IV under Radd-ulFassad last week to “wipe out terrorists” in the Rajgal Valley of Khyber Agency that he called “the most critical area in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas”.

hashmi says chaudhry nisar won’t leave Pml-n MULTAN INP

Former federal minister and veteran politician Javed Hashmi has said that his experience tells him Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will not leave the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN). Speaking to media on Sunday, he said that Nisar should not leave the party but instead resign from his ministry. Terming Nisar an asset of his party, he said that the minister knows how to manoeuvre diplomatically amid political circles. Hashmi said that Nisar was a reasonable and practical person, who does not want state institutions to clash. “Institutions should not interfere in politics,” he said. Hashmi was a senior PML-N member and close associate of Nawaz Sharif when he jumped ship to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 2011.

However, the veteran politician parted ways with his new party in protest against PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s anti-democratic handling of the 2014 protest sit-in against the government. Nisar skipped a crucial PML-N parliamentary party meeting last week whereas in the cabinet meeting a day prior to that, he reported lectured the participants for nearly an hour on their mishandling of the Panama Papers case.

MInIsteR says soMe DRIveRs CReate pRobleM foR tRaveleRs from Karachi to Rawalpindi, was halted at Begmaji Station. According to railways officials, all the trains stranded in Karachi and other areas of Sindh resumed their journeys on Sunday morning. “The Millat Express and the Karakoram Express scheduled to travel from Karachi to Faisalabad and Lahore, respectively — left for their destinations around at 5am.

The Loco Running Staff Association (LRSA) blamed that they were being ‘threatened’ instead of accepting their demands by the high-ups. They said that the authorities arrested those drivers who were called for negotiations. An insider told Pakistan Today that so far negotiations between the authorities and the drivers were remained unsuccessful as the drivers were not ready to withdraw from their demands.

04 NEWS shah hopes nisar to share his stance with public SUKKUR Agencies

Opposition leader Khursheed Shah has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification would have repercussions for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan as well. “Imran would definitely be out if the prime minister is disqualified,” he said while speaking to media here. He said he has advised the prime minister to step down as his ouster would be inevitable after the Supreme Court verdict in the Panama case. “It is up to Nawaz Sharif now whether he steps down or not,” the opposition leader said.

Commenting on media reports about the interior minister, he said that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan seems apprehensive about the junior politicians of the PML-N giving out reckless statements. He said that he hopes Chaudhry Nisar recovers from his back pain and presents his stance before the public.

one dead in shooting incident at israeli embassy in Jordan AMMAn Agencies

At least one person was killed on Sunday in a shooting incident at the Israeli embassy in the Jordanian capital Amman, a Jordanian security source said.

The source declined to give any details as police sealed off the heavily protected embassy in an affluent part of the capital. Israeli officials declined to comment.

The country has seen an outpouring of public anger against Israel. Jordanian officials have called on Israel to remove metal detectors outside the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, whose installation has triggered the bloodiest clashes with the Palestinians in years. Several thousand Jordanians demonstrated on Friday against Israel, urging a jihad (holy struggle) in protests in Amman and in cities and refugee camps across the kingdom. Many of Jordan's 7 million citizens are of Palestinian origin, they or their parents having been expelled or fled to Jordan in the fighting that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948.

Monday, 24 July, 2017

Three parallel law degrees being offered in pakisTan SATTAR SAYS TEACHING MECHANISM TO TRAIN LAWYERS BROKEN, FLAWED ISLAMABAd

i

sHAH nAWAZ MOHAL

N Pakistan, three parallel law degrees are being offered to students after completion of their intermediate or bachelors. The conventional three-year LLB degree after 14 years of education is the oldest one while LLB (Hons) is a fiveyear degree and can be done from various colleges and universities after 12 years of education.

A relatively new degree is LLB offered by colleges and institutes affiliated with foreign universities like the University of London (external programme) which is opted mostly by Alevels students and of three years

ADVOCATE BASHIR SUGGESTS QUALITY EDUCATION FOR FUTURE ATTORNEYS

duration.

In March last year, the Pakistan Bar Council conveyed to the 28 law institutions concerned that the duration of LLB – the basic degree required to enroll as an advocate in any bar of Pakistan – will be of five years from now on.

Previously, it was a three-year degree if done after bachelors. However, the LLB Honors is of five years and was offered to those students who have passed their intermediate or A-levels.

Much hue and cry followed the decision and the Lahore High Court formed a commission to look into the matter and submit its findings about the viability of five-year LLB. In its first report, submitted in June,

Over 100mn saplings to be planted in ongoing monsoon: Zahid Hamid ISLAMABAd inP

More than 100 million saplings will be planted across the country by provincial and federal forest departments during the ongoing monsoon season which set off mid-June. “Climate Change Minister, Zahid Hamid, accorded approval to the 103.32 million tree sapling plantation target for the monsoon season at a high-level inter-ministerial and inter-provincial meeting held at the Ministry’s committee room,” said Mohammad Saleem, the Media Spokesperson for Climate Change Ministry.

The minister chaired the meeting, which was held to deliberate on targets put forward by provincial and federal forest departments, the ministry of defence, Taxila heady industries, Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and non-governmental organisations.

The media spokesperson said that

Rulers’ attempt to remove articles 62, 63 will not be allowed: Siraj LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has said that the rulers’ attempt to delete articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution to escape accountability would not be allowed to succeed. He was talking to different delegations at Kimrat in Dir (Upper) on Sunday. Siraj said that the JI struggle for a corruption-free Pakistan was at a final stage, and all those who had plundered the public wealth in any manner would be exposed and made to return the looted money. He said that nobody was above the law and the constitution. He said that the recovery of the plundered wealth would help in providing basic facilities to the people all over the country.

JI Secretary Information Amirul Azeem and district Nazim Sahibzada Fasihullah and MPA Muhammad Ali Khan were also present. He said that the JI was not striving for an individual’s rule in the country and it had waged a prolonged battle for the supremacy of the constitution and for democracy. Instead, it wanted to enforce the Islamic system of life in the country. The JI wanted to make the articles 62 and 63 more effective during the next elections so that the corrupt elements could not enter the elected houses. Referring to the problems of the northern areas, JI chief said that the rulers would not be allowed to usurp the rights of the people of Malakand. He said that the foremost route of the CPEC, which had been agreed upon by all, passed through Dir and Chitral.

He said that this was also the shortest, as well as safest, route because of being close to China. inP

while approving the target, the minister directed representatives of forest departments, CDA, ICT and other departments to utilise all possible resources at hand to achieve the tree plantation target.

While sharing the details of the monsoon tree plantation target, he said that 12 million trees would be planted by the Punjab forest department in the province during this monsoon season. Besides, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will plant 70 million trees, Sindh 14 million trees, Balochistan 750,000 trees, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 3.75 million trees, FATA 1.01 million trees, Ministry of Defence 1 million trees, Heavy Industries Taxila 1,000 trees, Pakistan Ordinance Factory 4,000 trees and IUCN 500,000 trees. He further said that a ceremony would be held next month for launching a fullfledge monsoon tree plantation campaign under the aegis of the federal climate change minister.

the commission has pointed out various challenges and lacunae that are the very heart of five years LLB course. The report has pointed out irrelevance of subjects taught during first two years, lack of coordination between regulatory bodies, syllabus formation and universities, and absence of exit strategy from those who opt to leave the degree after two years.

According to Supreme Court Advocate Majid Bashir, the decision to abolish three-year LLB programme would have adversely affected the some affiliated colleges. “The remedy lies not in limiting the number of students or increasing the years of the degree but elevating the standards of education imparted to future attorneys,” he said.

He was of the view that the increase from three years to five years was a futile exercise and stressed that the present nomenclature of legal education allows many students who remain absent all year from their classes to pass their annual exams and then bar exams and become license-wielding advocates.

“So it doesn’t matter whether it is five years or 10. The same lot will be churned out year in, year out,” he said.

Renowned lawyer and political analyst Babar Sattar hailed the decision as good and long overdue. “Teaching mechanism to train lawyers in Pakistan is broken and flawed,” he said.

In the West, the lawyers were trained rigorously both in theory and practice, he said. “To pass a bar exam is akin to Herculean task in countries like the US and England. In our country, the lawyers representing litigants in courts neither know the theory and are oblivious of the decorum and procedures to be followed,” he said.

Sherry’s luggage broken into on flight KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Senator Sherry Rehman on Sunday tweeted through her official twitter handle a photo of her luggage – an unzipped bag with a Benazir Bhutto scarf and books in it and other items, which was broken into and thoroughly checked.

She wrote, “Shocked that my luggage from Islamabad to Karachi has been broken into and thoroughly roughed up off @Official_PIA flight just now. NOT ok.”

In another tweet, she said, “Don’t know what they were expecting to find in my bags, but after breaking [the] locks all they found were books and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed scarf.” Sherry’s tweets meet with a sympathetic response from the users, with one person asking the prime minister to take notice of the incident. “@sherryrehman lands Karachi airport with her bags broken into and searched. Mr prime minister please take notice and punish the culprits.” Sherry Rehman was travelling from Islamabad to Karachi on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight. The PIA twitter handle responded to Sherry’s tweet with an apology. But that clearly cooled Sherry off as she bragged too while she responding to the PIA tweet, “Thank u @Official_PIA for taking notice, but this is not ur [your] doing. I always put my bags and self thru [through] regular search despite exemptions.” Agencies

UK welcomes Qatar's call for Gulf crisis talks London Agencies

Britain's government has praised Qatari emir's willingness for dialogue to resolve the ongoing diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

"I welcome the Emir of Qatar's commitment to combat terrorism in all its manifestations, including terrorist financing," Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a statemen on Sunday. “The Emir also pledged to resolve the remaining differences with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain through dialogue, negotiation, and Kuwaiti mediation. These steps will help to resolve the dispute,” Johnson added.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said in a televised address on Friday that his country is ready for dialogue to resolve the diplomatic row with the Saudi-led group, but stressed that any solution to the crisis must respect his country's sovereignty.

Johnson said Britain hopes that "in turn Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain respond by taking steps towards lifting the em-

CMYK

bargo," and that "this will allow substantive discussions on remaining differences to begin." "The UK will continue to engage our partners in the region to help them reach a solution, including assisting Kuwait's important efforts in whatever way we can," Johnson added. British Prime Minister Theresa May had previously urged the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to take steps to reduce tensions in the region Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar last month, and imposed a sea and land blockade while accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Doha denies the accusation of terrorism and contends the blockade is a violation of international law.

MOGHERINI URGES DIRECT TALKS TO END GULF CRISIS: European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has called for swift direct talks to resolve the Gulf crisis between Qatar and its neighbour states.

Mogherini's remarks came in a statement issued on Sunday after she met with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah and expressed EU support for his "relentless me-

diation efforts" in the dispute.

She called on "all the parties to enter into negotiations to agree clear principles and a roadmap for a swift resolution of the crisis".

The statement said the EU was ready to support the process of negotiations and assist in the implementation of a plan for the resolution of the crisis, in particular in the area of counterterrorism. Sheikh Sabah has been mediating to resolve the crisis after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremist groups. Doha strongly denied the allegation. The quartet imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar and issued a list of 13 demands.

The move has been condemned by various international rights groups, the United Nations and multiple governments. Qatar has rejected the demands.

On Friday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said in a televised address that his country was ready for dialogue to resolve the row, but stressed that any solution to the crisis must respect his country's sovereignty.

WEATHER UPDATES 0 MONDAY

Monday, 24 July, 2017

32 C 250C

TUESDAY

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

12:14

5:09

5:15

7:14

WEDNESDAY

310C 260C

THURSDAY

310C 260C

ISLAMABAD 05

IMProPer waSte MaNageMeNt threateNINg CaPItaL’S eNvIroNMeNt

PRAyER TImINGS 3:37

320C 260C

8:52

Lady reading hospital’s technician arrested for sexual assault

LACK OF PROPER GARBAGE DUMPING SITE ADDING TO PEOPLE’S WOES

PESHAWAR: A technician at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, reportedly attempted to rape a female patient, on Sunday. She told a local media outlet that was in the CT scan room when the technician, Izzat Khan, tried to sexually assault her. Her brother said they were waiting outside the room when they heard her screaming. When we went inside the room the technician was in an objectionable state, he added. Police also reached the site while the deputy medical superintendent of the facility tried to calm the situation down.

But the patient’s relatives were adamant on getting the technician jailed. A case was registered against Izzat at Khan Raziq police station and he was put behind bars.

LRH Spokesperson Zulfiqar Ali Babalkhel said the hospital administration was aware of the issue and was investigating the matter. The patient was brought to LRH from Malakand Agency. She is a mother of five and was taken to the district headquarters hospital in Batkhela after a head injury. But the doctors there referred her to LRH in Peshawar. AGENCIES

ISLAMABAD

t

BILAL KANJAL

HE failure to launch a proper garbage dumping side in Islamabad indicates the incompetence and apathy of Capital Development Authority (CDA). The city, with a population of almost 2 million, is in dire need of a garbage dumping site to dispose of the tonnes of garbage accumulated in the

city on a regular basis.

Moreover, the city administration has been unable to decide on a mechanism to address the waste collection and cleanliness system in the capital.

The CDA and MCI have both badly failed to resolve this much-awaited project and it seems that both authorities are in limbo with the issue as Environment Protection Agency (EPA) objected on their temporary fix for a garbage dumping site in Islamabad.

The civic agency does not want the citizens to litter around and dump rubbish on streets, roads, green belts, business and recreational places and exhorts them through banners to make the city litter free. But ironically, the CDA authorities themselves are oblivious to their own responsibilities. As the authority has been unable to designate a

proper dumping site and formulate an adequate waste lifting system, one can find rubbish in open plots, streets, parks and many other places in Islamabad.

A citizen named Shahzad Ahmed said that CDA has, multiple times, fixed a temporary dumping site for in the capital, and polluted the environment instead of resolving the issue permanently. It’s necessary to develop a proper site with all its allies as the heaps of rubbish lying around the city pose a serious threat to citizens, he added. During a survey of Pakistan Today in the area of Bari Imam, people said that the residents here are facing health problems as they have to face not only the repelling sight and smell of garbage dumps but also have hurdles in the smooth flow of water through nullahs through which garbage is seen pervading.

Complaints were made by residents

of Bani Gala as well. The environment of this beautiful rural area is under serious threat because of a lack of solid waste management, said Aftab Rana.

When a citizen, who was throwing garbage on an open green area, was told that littering in Islamabad is a crime under clause 5(29) of CDA Environment Protection Regulation 2008 and violators can be fined from Rs 50 to Rs 300 on the spot, he said that he was unaware and does not know of another option.

Talking with Pakistan Today, CDA Spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said that the identification of land for a garbage dumping site is in the process with consideration of all allied facilities including recycling. After repeated attempts, the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation Chief Asad Kiani was not available for a comment.

Free Children Summer Book Club allures children of twin cities

two killed, 3 injured in firing over property dispute ISLAMABAD: At least two people were killed and three others injured in firing by armed men over a property dispute here on Sunday. Police said that the incident took place in Millpur area of the federal capital where armed men opened indiscriminate firing at their opponents with whom they were in dispute over ownership of a piece of land. As a result of the firing, two people were killed on the spot while three others were critically injured. The bodies and the injured were shifted to Federal Government Services Hospital (Poly Clinic) for medicolegal formalities. The police have registered a case after starting investigation. INP

ISLAMABAD: PNCA Director General Jamal Shah gives away prize to a winner of the art competition organised by the Islamabad Devcom Centennial Leo Club and Devcom-Pakistan on Sunday at PNCA. INP

Pashto folk singer Zarsanga, family members injured in attack

Khasadar force officer killed in blast in Khyber agency PESHAWAR: A Khasadar force officer was martyred and another injured when an improvised explosive device went off in Khyber Agency’s Sheen Drang area on Sunday, security sources said. According to sources, the incident took place in Aka Khel area of Khyber Agency, which is situated adjacent to Peshawar, on the side across from Frontier Road. The injured officer was transferred to a hospital in Peshawar. Security personnel cordoned off the area soon after the blast occurred. The deceased soldier has been identified as Riaz while the injured is named Saqib. A few days back, an explosion occurred in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, claiming the life of a Frontier Corps major. INP

NOWSHEHRA AGENCIES/APP

Pashto singer Zarsanga and her two sons were severely injured after being attacked by unknown men in Nowshehra. According to reports, the assailants attacked the singer and seven members of her family in Nowshehra.

The attackers also reportedly

robbed them of their valuables. The singer and her family members are currently under treatment at a medical facility in Nowshehra. So far, the law enforcement agencies have been unable to arrest any suspects; no details regarding the attackers have been disclosed as well.

Lok Virsa recently named a hall to her name for her services to folk music and she inaugurated the

2017 Lok Mela as a chief guest.

DR FOUZIA CONDEMNS THE ATTACK: Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed has strongly condemned the attack on Zarsanga and her family.

In a statement, she appealed the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to arrest the attackers immediately and provide protection to the legendary singer.

ISLAMABAD: The colourful activities of the Children Summer Book Club at the main auditorium of National Book Foundation (NBF) continue to attract children from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The Summer Book Club was formally inaugurated by NBF on July 11 in presence of Federal Secretary Aamir Hasan, NBF Managing Director Inam-ul-Haq Javed and other officials.

Over 50 children from different educational institutions are participating in the activities of Summer Book Club.

Talking to APP, Inam-ul-Haq Javed said, the foundation has been arranging Summer Book Club from the last five consecutive years successfully and has received an overwhelming response this year too.

This free Summer Book Club, featuring a number of book related activities including book reading sessions, crafts learning and question and answer sessions, is arranged for the children every year to provide them with a platform where they can learn a variety of crafts and gain practical knowledge, he said. APP

Journalists protest, disrupt PML-N presser ISLAMABAD: A press conference being held by leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was disrupted by journalists who were protesting against the manhandling of two journalists at the PIMS hospital in Islamabad.

The protest was against the alleged mishandling of two journalists by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at PIMS hospital for recording and picturing the chairman of Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Zafar Hijazi.

Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the media personnel that due action would be taken with respect to the incident, which involved the manhandling of a female journalist by the FIA. The minister informed that he had obtained a video of the incident and will soon follow with action on the matter. AGENCIES

Ceremony held to launch collection of Pashto poetry PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

A ceremony was held at Peshawar Press Club on Sunday to launch a collection of Pashto poetry by Amjad Ali Khadim titled: “Goyana Karkhe”.

The ceremony was organised by the cultural committee of Peshawar Press Club and Culture Journalist Forum.

Prominent writer Saleem Raz and Radio Pakistan Regional Director Laiq Zada Laiq graced the occasion.

Addressing the occasion, Saleem Raz said that Amjad Ali Khadim is not new in the field of literature and journalism. He said that despite his poor economic condition, he continued to work and struggle for the power of the pen.

He said that he always found Amjad

Ali Khadim a dedicated and honest friend who always loved his nation. His love is not limited only to his countrymen; he also has great concern about the Muslims suffering across the world.

The book covers 43 different subjects including poems. Besides, there are 24 modern ghazals in the book, about the deprivation of poor children, violence and terrorism. Other aspects include poetry on labourers, a message to Pakhtuns, poetry on motherhood, the beloved country, a homage to Saadat Hasan Manto, poetry in the memory of Parishan Khattak, Hamza Shinwari and his father, as well as poetry on Shangla Valley and Nathia Gali. Other topics include Eid, the poor, peace, springtime and the international community.

Peshawar Radio Pakistan Regional

Director Laiq Zada Laiq termed the book progressive and modern, and the commended the efforts of Amjad Ali Khadim.

He said that in this world of challenges, reserving life for the national cause is a miracle and the people who concern themselves with the plight of others are rare in the world.

President Culture Journalist Forum Ihtisham Toro also hailed the collection and termed it a comprehensive piece of writing. Khadim, who is a journalist by profession, has already authored a number of books including “Lamghare”, “Karkech”, “Ghargay ao Guloona” and “Da Ranra Safar”.

Khadim plans to soon publish a work of prose consisting of interviews with political, social and literary figures of tribal agencies from Bajaur to South Waziristan.

06 FOREIGN NEWS Would be immigrants found dead in a lorry in US San antonio: Eight dead bodies and 20 people in dire condition have been found in the back of a sweltering lorry at a supermarket parking lot in the US city of San Antonio, the state of Texas. The lorry’s driver was arrested and all 28 survivors were taken to hospitals in what police are calling a horrific case of immigrant smuggling, authorities said on Sunday. Twenty people were in extremely critical or serious condition and eight others were being treated for lesser injuries, including heat stroke and dehydration. Temperatures in San Antonio reached 38C on Saturday and did not dip below 32C until after 10pm, according to the National Weather Service. The lorry’s trailer also did not have a working air conditioner system, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said in a news briefing. “They were very hot to the touch. So these people were in this trailer without any signs of any type of water,” he said. “It was a mass casualty situation for us.” A person from the lorry initially approached a Walmart supermarket employee in the parking lot and asked for water late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning, police Chief William McManus said. The employee gave the person the water and then called police, who found the dead and desperate inside the truck. McManus did not release the arrested driver’s name.

Investigators checked store surveillance video, which showed vehicles had arrived and picked up other people from the lorry, police said.

“We’re looking at a human trafficking crime this evening,” McManus said, adding many of those inside the vehicle appeared to be adults in their 20s and 30s but that there were also what appears to be two school-age children, as well. He called the case “a horrific tragedy”.

The US Department of Homeland Security is assisting in the investigation. AgeNcIes

Monday, 24 July, 2017

IRAn denIeS TRUmp’S demAnd To ReleASe ImpRISoned AmeRICAnS TEHRAN

I

AgeNcIes

RANIAN Foreign Ministry rejected the US President Trump’s demand to release detained Americans, describing it as “interfering and unacceptable,” Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.

“The meddlesome and threatening statements by the United States would not affect the Iranian Judiciary’s determination to prosecute and punish the violators of Iran’s law and national security,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying.

Qasemi stressed the independence of Iranian Judiciary, adding that Iranian Judiciary is responsible to deal with the behaviors and moves that would threaten the national security. He also said that the US administration is pursuing an incorrect and illegal approach, in which it threatens other countries and interferes in their internal affairs.

The spokesman also urged Washington to immediately release the Iranian nationals who have been jailed in the United States on “false” charges.

On Friday, Trump warned Iran of facing “new and serious consequences” if Iran did not release the im-

prisoned Americans. “President Trump is prepared to impose new and serious consequences on Iran unless all unjustly imprisoned American citizens are released and returned,” said the White House in a statement.

The US statement followed earlier remarks by an Iranian Judiciary official, saying that an Iranian court had sentenced a US dual national to 10 years in prison over spying charges.

The person who owns the nationality of both the United States and another country had snooped into Iran to gather documents and intelligence, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie,

South African ruling party calls for regulation of political funding

600,000 Yemenis could contract cholera in 2017: ICRC aDEn: More than 600,000 people are expected to contract cholera in Yemen this year, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned Sunday as the war-torn country’s healthcare system faces collapse.

One in every 45 Yemenis will have contracted the disease by December as “a direct consequence of a conflict that has devastated civilian infrastructure and brought the whole health system to its knees,” the ICRC said in a statement. More than 370,000 people have fallen ill and 1,800 have died since late April in Yemen’s second cholera outbreak in less than a year, according to the ICRC and the World Health Organisation. A war between the Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Huthi rebels has killed thousands of people and displaced millions. A string of vital ports along the country’s Red Sea coastline are blockaded, leaving millions of people with limited access to food and medicine. Less than half of the country’s medical facilities are currently functional. AgeNcIes

spokesman for Iranian judiciary, told the reporters.

Iran has sentenced several dual nationals, some of them hold US citizenship, over spying charges in the past years. The latest example dates back to September 2016, when Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the arrest of an Iranian-American in the country’s northeastern province of Golestan over spying and security charges. In August 2016, Iran reportedly arrested another person, also with dual citizenships, accusing him of linking to Britain’s foreign intelligence service MI6.

VIRGINIA: Visitors walk on the deck of USS Gerald R Ford after its commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. XINHUA

CaPE toWn: South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Sunday called for the regulation of private financing of political parties amid growing reliance by these parties on private donations. In a submission to Parliament on matters relating to the review and strengthening of political funding, the ANC said political financing must be transparent in a way that will promote and support democracy. This came after the current overreliance by political parties on private donations as well as the secrecy that clouds political party financing has fueled perceptions that anonymous donations from masked sources subvert democratic processes, lead to a manipulation of public policy positions in favor of those private interests and dilute the voice of citizens.

“Transparency therefore is necessary to increase public confidence in the democratic system and to allow parties to remain financially sustainable in an ethical, lawful and predictable manner,” ANC Treasurer General Zweli Mkhize said. Party finances, Mkhize said, must be open to public scrutiny and discussions engaged on the desirability of donations from, amongst other categories, foreign interests or from companies that conduct substantial business with the state. The ANC appreciates the current fiscal constraints and thus the need to revise current allocations to political party funding without sacrificing other important public priorities, said Mkhize. The ANC therefore calls on Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee to consider these proposed reforms to strengthen democracy, combat corruption and build transparency and accountability in the funding of political parties in line with the party’s stated commitments to prudent financial management. The multiparty special parliamentary committee, set up earlier this month, is responsible for enquiring into and making recommendations on funding of political parties represented in national and provincial legislatures. At its first meeting on Friday, the committee unanimously decided that the public will be invited to submit views on the proposed model to adequately fund political parties, regulate private funding and to ensure transparency and accountability. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, political parties in the country have been united in refusing to open their books. Currently political parties are not required to declare sources of their funds or how they use their money. AgeNcIes

Trump proposed cuts may threaten AIDS programme HEADWAY ON AIDS THREATENED BY FUNDING SLOWDOWN PARIS AgeNcIes

Progress in beating back the AIDS epidemic risks being eroded by a funding shortfall set to grow under Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to global health projects, experts and campaigners warned ahead of a major HIV conference.

If adopted by Congress, the 2018 Trump budget could deprive some 830,000 people, mostly in Africa, from life-saving antiAIDS drugs, according to calculations by the Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], a Californiabased health policy NGO. “We will see lives needlessly being lost,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, president of the Interna-

tional AIDS Society [IAS] hosting some 6,000 experts in Paris from Sunday to take stock of advances in HIV science. “We’re not talking about maybe a slowing down… if these [US] cuts come about we could very well see a real turnaround in terms of the progress that has been made,” she told AFP. A Trump budget could lead to nearly 200,000 new HIV infections, according to the KFF. It could also leave as many as 25 million couples without access to sponsored contraceptives, which not only prevent pregnancy but also virus spread. “I cannot tell you how anxious I feel… To have the funding carpet taken from under our feet just seems such an incredible travesty,” said Bekker.

The United States has for years been the biggest contributor to the global fight against HIV infection, accounting for about twothirds of funding by governments.

Last year, it contributed

US$4.9 billion to global HIV projects – 7.5 times the amount provided by second-placed donor Britain. Trump’s proposed budget, submitted in May, would reduce this amount by about $1 billion, according to Health Global Access Project, an activist group which crunched the numbers.

The US president put forward a blueprint which, in its own words, “reduces funding for several global health programmes, including HIV/AIDS, with the expectation that other donors can and should increase their commitments.” The draft spending plan proposes to “maintain current commitments and all current patient levels on HIV/AIDS treatment” under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, set up by George W Bush in 2003. The programme provides anti-retroviral treatment (ART) to over 12 million people.

The goal of PEPFAR, said Anthony Fauci, director of the

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [NIAID], a US government research agency, “is to get more people who have been newly infected on therapy” – which means more money. “If you don’t increase it, you… have more responsibilities that you are not able to meet.”

Trump also proposed a 17-per cent cut of US$222 million to the government’s 2017 contribution of US$1.13 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, which provides about 10 million people with ART. “The future outlook of donor funding for HIV remains uncertain, given recently proposed cuts to HIV funding by the US, amidst other competing demands on donor budgets more generally,” said the KFF report. Since the epidemic erupted in the 1980s, 76.1 million people have been infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Some 35 million have died.

Last year, AIDS killed a mil-

lion people and infected another 1.8 million, according to the UN. And while infections and deaths are on the decline, the number of people living with HIV – requiring lifelong treatment – continues to grow. Last year, 19.5 million of the 36.7 million people who needed it, had access to ART. By 2020, the UN is aiming for 90 per cent of HIV-infected people to be on medication. But to achieve this target, annual spending must reach $26.2 billion, according to UNAIDS. In 2016, public and private funders were able to muster US$19.1 billion for AIDS research, prevention and treatment programmes in poor and middleincome countries.

“We are maximising the use of every dollar available, but we are still $7 billion short,” UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibe said this week. The IAS conference organisers warned in a statement that “all of the scientific challenges still before us are

threatened by a weakening resolve to fund HIV science.”

The gap is set to grow larger.

“It is… a difficult moment for all of us,” said French HIV expert Jean-Francois Delfraissy, who will co-chair the Paris meeting, citing a “modification in funding in the US” and a shift in “the political vision of the US government” on working with other countries. Just over half of AIDS-related health spending came from domestic sources in 2016, but many of the poorest countries remain heavily reliant on foreign help.

Globally, said the KFF, government donor funding for HIV dropped in 2016 to the lowest level since 2010 – from US$7.5 billion to US$7 billion. “We’ve seen two successive years of declines,” said Jen Kates, the foundation’s HIV policy director.

“This raises concerns about the ability of the global community to successfully tackle the epidemic.”

FOREIGN NEWS 07

Monday, 24 July, 2017

ARAb leAgUe SAYS ISRAel ‘plAYIng WITh fIRe’ AT holY SITe CAIRO/WASHINGTON/RAMALLAH

T

don’t interfere in Turkey’s affairs, erdogan tells germany ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Germany has no right to interfere in Turkey’s domestic affairs.

“Turkey is a social democratic state based on the law and no one has the right to interfere in its internal affairs,” said Erdogan before leaving on a trip to the Gulf.

Several German nationals are among those being held in Turkey. Berlin has warned its citizens that their safety cannot be guaranteed [in Turkey] and that consular access is not assured in case of arrest.

Throwing away any pretence at diplomatic nuance, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Thursday had warned German firms against investment in Turkey and spoke of an “overhaul” of the entire relationship.

In a letter published in German and Turkish in daily newspaper Bild, Gabriel had assured the three million German citizens of Turkish descent that “it is clear that you, people of Turkish roots in Germany, belong here with us, whether you have a German passport or not.”

Addressing Gabriel’s comments, he said, “We (Turkey and Germany) are together in NATO. We are in negotiations to join the European Union (EU). So the strategic partnership between us is nothing new. We have been partners for a long time. No step should be taken to overshadow this partnership.”

Turkey remains under a state of emergency imposed days after last year’s failed coup, which critics claim is being used to go after any opponent of Erdogan. The authorities, on the other hand, claim that the state of emergency is important for public security.

The latest crisis was precipitated by the order of a Turkish court to remand in custody a group of human rights activists detained on an island off Istanbul, including Amnesty International’s Turkey director Idil Eser and Berlin-based activist Peter Steudtner.

Berlin was already furious over the jailing of Deniz Yucelin, Turkey’s correspondent for Die Welt newspaper, in February, who Erdogan has personally denounced as a “terror agent”. Meanwhile, Turkey has accused Germany of not doing enough to deal with Kurdish militants and suspects from the failed coup who have taken refuge on its soil. AgeNcIes

AgeNcIes

HE Arab League on Sunday accused Israel of “playing with fire” with new security measures at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site. “Jerusalem is a red line,” its chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said in a statement, adding that “no Arab or Muslim will accept violations” against the city’s holy sites.

Deadly clashes have rocked Jerusalem since Israeli authorities installed metal detectors at entrances to the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, following an attack on July 14 that killed two policemen.

Palestinians view the measure as an Israeli attempt to assert further control over the site, the third most holy place in Islam and the most revered site in Judaism.

Abul Gheit accused Israel’s government of “adventurism” and said its moves could trigger a “crisis with the Arab and Muslim world”.

The compound, which includes the revered Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, has been the focal point of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians for decades.

MiDEaSt QuartEt ExPrESSES ConCErn ovEr JEruSalEM violEnCE: The Middle East diplomatic quartet expressed concern about escalating

Philippine govt to intensify offensive to quell IS terrorists: military MANILA AgeNcIes

The Philippine government on Sunday warned Islamist militants and their sympathizers to surrender or face the full force of the law. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued the warning a day after the Philippine Congress approved the extension of martial law in the entire Mindanao until the end of the year.

He said security forces are de-

termined to defeat terrorism within the next five months when martial law is enforced in the south Mindanao region. “With the overwhelming vote of confidence from our legislature and the ardent support of the Filipino people, your defense department will strive even more to deal with the rebellion decisively and expeditiously,” Lorenzanna said in a statement.

Lorenzana urged militants to return to the government fold, saying

the government is ready to welcome them anytime they want without any conditions. “But if you persist in your crooked ways, the armed forces and the police will come after you without let-up,” he said.

“The ones who should worry are the members of the terrorist-extremist group, the law violators, the supporters and sympathizers of the extremist-terrorist group and not the ordinary people.”

Some 700 militants affiliated

Taliban fighters overrun district headquarters: Afghan official farYaB: Taliban fighters overran a district headquarters in northern Afghanistan after a ferocious clash that left two police personnel dead in northern Faryab province, an Afghan official said on Sunday.

Abdul Karim Yourish, provincial police chief spokesman, said that the assault on the Lawlash District government headquarters was launched under the cover of darkness late Saturday.

The police headquarters are located inside a compound along with government offices.

In recent days, Taliban have launched dozens of attacks in northern Afghanistan, temporarily closing a key highway between the capital Kabul and northern Afghanistan.

The attacks reflect the Taliban’s efforts to apply pressure on government troops and police across the country, and not just in their strongholds in the south and east of Afghanistan. AgeNcIes

STOCKHOLM: People take part in the ‘Colour Obstacle Rush’ in Stockholm, Sweden. XINHUA

Syrian warplanes strike near Damascus despite ceasefire BEIRUT AgeNcIes

Syrian regime warplanes carried out several air strikes in the Eastern Ghouta area east of Damascus on Sunday, a day after the Syrian military declared a cessation of hostilities in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said.

The British-based monitoring group said Saturday had been rela-

violence in Jerusalem and called on all sides to “demonstrate maximum restraint.”

The Quartet comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. The envoys “strongly condemn acts of terror, express their regret for all loss of innocent life caused by the violence, and hope for a speedy recovery to the wounded,” the Quartet said in a joint statement. “The Quartet Envoys call on all to demonstrate maximum restraint, refrain from provocative actions and work towards de-escalating the situation,” it added.

Two Palestinians died in clashes with Israeli forces on Saturday as the army moved in to seal off an attacker’s home, following violence over security measures at an ultra-sensitive holy site. On Friday, a 19-year-old Palestinian killed three Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and three Palestinians died in clashes with Israeli forces. iSraEli forCES DEtain 32 PalEStinianS in WESt Bank: Israeli occupation forces detained 32 Palestinians in different parts of the West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoner Club said in a statement on Sunday.

A Palestinian lawmaker and two female minors were among those rounded up by the Israeli troops, the statement added.

The arrests were made in the governorates of Hebron, Qalqilya, Jericho, Nablus, Jenin and Bethlehem, the statement read.

Also, the Israeli occupation forces apprehended Palestinian Lawmaker Omar Abdel Razek in Salfit city, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, the Israeli troops arrested Salah Tayeh, an activist of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, the statement said.

tively calm after the ceasefire took effect with isolated incidents of shellfire.

On Sunday, six air strikes hit the towns of Douma and Ain Terma in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, it reported.

There was no immediate comment from the regime or army.

Syria’s military declared a “cessation of fighting activities” starting at noon on Saturday in besieged Eastern Ghouta, which has long been controlled by the opposition.

One rebel group in Eastern Ghouta quickly welcomed the ceasefire.

A separate statement from Cairobased political opposition movement Al-Ghad, headed by Ahmad Jarba, said the agreement had been reached in Cairo, sponsored by Egypt and Russia and with the involvement of mainstream rebel groups.

There was to be a full ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta, no government forces would enter the area and aid would be

allowed in, it said. Numerous attempts at a lasting ceasefire in western Syria, where rebels have lost ground to government forces and their allies over the last year, have often collapsed with both sides trading the blame.

The United States, Russia and Jordan reached a ceasefire and “de-escalation agreement” for southwestern Syria this month, which has reduced violence. That agreement did not include Eastern Ghouta.

with IS overran Marawi City in the southern Philippines on May 23, prompting the government security forces to launch a series of airstrikes to crush the insurgents.

The ongoing battle has so far claimed the lives of some 600 people, including 105 soldiers and policemen and 428 terrorists and 45 civilians. The government said 40 civilians, who fled the city when the war broke out on May 23, died from sickness in local hospitals.

08 COMMENT

Monday, 24 July, 2017

A taste of his own medicine for Imran Khan Like Nawaz Sharif, Khan’s money trail also lost

T

HE Sharif family has been accused of having amassed fabulous wealth which cannot be accounted for. Imran Khan dragged the family to the Supreme Court where it was required to prove that its properties had been acquired through honest means. As the family failed to satisfy the SC over the money trail that led to the purchase of Park Lane flats, the probe was assigned to a JIT. As the PML-n spokespersons called into question the JIT’s integrity and its style of work, Imran Khan and PTI leaders defended the JTI. The money trail must be established, they insisted.

The PTI chief presents himself as a paragon of honesty. There is a need on his part therefore to follow the same criterion for himself against corruption that he prefers for his opponents. A SC bench hearing a petition seeking Khan’s disqualification over the nondisclosure of assets had asked him to furnish a comprehensive history of his finances. On Saturday Khan, in a written reply to the SC, admitted that he had not been able to procure all documents required to substantiate how he came to own assets held in London. The reply stated that Khan had played county cricket for the Worcestershire County Cricket Club from 1971 and Sussex County Cricket Club from 1977 to 1988. It said both clubs do not keep records for more than twenty years, which is why the record of his employment and the money paid to him during his association with the teams was missing.

Kerry Pecker however must have paid Imran through cheques. So would have the county clubs.

Imran must have deposited that money in his bank account and payment for the flat must have been made through a bank as well. So there should be a money trail. Does Imran want the SC to appoint a JIT to look into his financial affairs? Like nawaz Sharif he too is answerable before law. What is more the court cannot follow double standards.

Postponing the presser Will the grumbler call it quits?

C

H nisar has uninterrupted association with nawaz Sharif since 1985. While he did not have to face the wrath of Pervez Musharraf after the overthrow of the PML-n government in 1999, nisar did not join the Kings Party created by the military ruler. Till 2002 he preferred to lie low. But after getting elected to the nA in 2002, he started criticising the army for interfering in the country’s political affairs. Ch nisar claims that he rejected an offer made by President Pervez Musharraf in return for ditching the PML-n. The self-opinionated Interior Minister thinks that his long and faithful association with the party and his uninterrupted membership of the national Assembly endows him with the status of an oracle in the PML-n. Whenever crossed by younger colleagues nisar starts boycotting cabinet meetings and absenting himself from the national Assembly sittings.

It is not for the first time that Ch nisar has made a public display of unhappiness over the way party affairs were being conducted. During a prolonged boycott of the sort in June-July 2014 many thought the rift would lead to his resignation. Ch nisar is however considered indispensable by nawaz Sharif as he is able to act as a bridge between the government and the military establishment at times of crisis. He was required to deal with the government-army rift caused by the Geo versus ISI affair. nisar also managed Musharraf’s departure from Pakistan as desired by Gen (rtd) Raheel Sharif and looked after the DAWn leaks imbroglio. He is apparently unhappy over the way his advice was not sought during the ongoing crisis and younger colleagues were allowed to accuse the judiciary and the army of conspiring against the government.

The least that nisar is likely to do is to voice his grievances in the press conference. In case he has sensed that the party leadership has already agreed on a new Prime Minister from among his junior colleagues, nisar might resign as Interior Minister in protest.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

I

Shredded ideologies, long lost stability and the blame game There’s much to be said about our role in today’s state of affairs

Syed KaSwar Gardezi

I

n almost 70 years since its inception, our beloved nation has progressed through various winds of change. Temporary stints of democracy were often injected with initially sweet but eventually bitter doses of khaki rule. The system as a whole went through a roller coaster ride with occasional though significant bumps.

With the absence of an honest and sincere leadership, we created a vacuum which had to be fulfilled and undoubtedly the powerful ones succeeded in filling it. These periods of instability which had its lasting effects came at the cost of halting democracy.

The prolonged breaks in the continuance of the still developing system have been disastrous and our nation has endured more than its capacity to bear. The establishment however is not burdened with the onus of intervening in affairs outside of their domain. As I reiterated in a previous article, the quandary was never the interventions, it was and still is the persistent mind-set. Our shredded ideologies at the time permitted us to welcome decisions in cases such as the State v Dosso and even celebrate these punctures to democracy. Rallies in favour of autocratic rule plagued our hearts and gripped our minds. The likes of General Zia were contemplated by many as the saviours.

The political system was so decayed to the core that these incidents were justified under the doctrine of necessity. An impotent leadership forced the public to look elsewhere, hence:

consider themselves to be above all. It isn’t about the Panama Papers or the Sharif family, the fact that BS-20 grade officers gallantly and with the utmost professionalism fulfilled their duties, is the beauty of democracy.

On the contrary, every citizen of the nation is duty bound to play their part. With the continuance of the democratic system it is also our prerogative to challenge the status quo and try and ward of the evil within. This is our motherland and we should take care of it as we would of an ailing mother. From the outset, one expects the system to heal itself but we aren’t ready to contribute to the healing process. Let us not forget the sacrifices of our ancestors who carved out this beautiful country in their blood. It would be a shame if we remain indifferent and refuse to step in the right direction.

It is high time for us to stand with ‘Haq’ and oppress ‘baatil’. What was wrong and is wrong must be declared so. Accordingly, what is right should be unconditionally acknowledged. Yes! We have taken the first step which is by far the most consequential stride in the history of Pakistan. nevertheless, a lot needs to be done and must be done. We must achieve the long lost stability we have been deprived of, not as a consequence of the actions of a particular institution but rather as the outcome of a failed political setup.

Spreading positive notions can help create an atmosphere where the children of tomorrow will not bow down to oppression. They will resultantly fight not only for themselves but for the entire mankind. Along with the appraisal of the judicial system we should also assess our own choices in life, so that the next time we stand up for something it should ultimately be in the best interests of the nation and the generations to come rather than the temporary privileges we seek for ourselves. There is immense need to emancipate from paradoxical ideologies and philosophies enshrined in the society.

Let us all create a modus operandi, where the boots remain vigilantly on the borders, the cloaks remain donned within the courtrooms and only the waistcoats decorate the halls of the Parliament.

Above all, let us preserve the essence of humanity.

Syed Kaswar Gardezi is a student of law at the University of London and a freelance columnist. He can be contacted at: kaswargardezi@hotmail.com

Are cities driving higher emissions in Pakistan?

anam zeb

W

HEn Andrew Steer from the World Resources Institute declared that ‘the battle for climate change will be won or lost in the cities of the world’ at a room full of Mayors in the C40 summit in 2060, he wasn’t necessarily talking about ‘insignificant’ little cities in Pakistan like Larkana, nowshera, and Skardu. In fact, the only city in Pakistan to make it to the group of 90 cities that will reduce emissions in line with the Paris agreement is Karachi.

And although Karachi is significant in the urbanisation dialogue, as the 7th largest megacity in the world, its population grown 80.5% between 1993 and 2003, and other cities are increasingly significant. With an annual urbanisation rate of 3%, more than half of Pakistan’s population by 2025 will be living in cities, according to the Un. In 2016, it was estimated that 40% of Pakistanis were already living in cities, both large and small. Vision 2025, Pakistan’s development roadmap and the ‘Future Cities’ project (as a part of the Chinese investment in Pakistan) plan to speed up the urbanisation rate even further.

But where does climate change come into the mix? According to UnHABITAT, 60% of the world’s carbon emissions

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208

the army. Interestingly, the decision of a select few in the top brass always reflected on the entire institution thus creating a sentiment against the establishment. This point of view which is even harboured today creates an aura of instability. Therefore for progression, all the stakeholders need to be and must be on the same page rather than be part of a blame game.

Any person whosoever when associated with an institution always portrays itself to be the white knight and all the other departments as the evil entities.

The political pundits will always swing the ball towards the establishment and vice versa.

Even the judiciary or the bureaucracy never lags behind. All state functionaries have always shifted the blame on the other. However, majority of us fail to understand the premise behind the actual dilemma. Shifting the blame on others will never conceal our own wrongdoings.

Since the beginning of time every department and institution in Pakistan has consisted of rotten eggs. Disguised within the system these individuals have contributed conspicuously to the bumpy ride. Till the time we are not ready to cleanse, the purpose will not be met.

In spite of the above discussion, every new-born child learns to walk gradually and not instantly. Stumbling and staggering, Pakistan has also learnt to walk on its own. The emergence of the democratic process in the last 9 years has achieved some sort of stability. It is this empowerment of the system which has ensured the appearance of the prime minister for accountability. Despite being in power the rulers of today are facing across the board accountability.

A lot many people contend that even if the apex court indicts the PM and his family there still won’t be any significant change in the system as the vices are deep rooted. However let us appreciate that it was a judge of the sub-ordinate judiciary who refused to grant bail to the criminally charged the SECP chairman and not the Supreme Court. Even the ones not so subservient towards the judicial system have been made to adhere to the judge’s edict. Simultaneously, the freedom of the media is also another feather in democracy’s hat. not very long ago we witnessed their fate at the hands of the commando.

Collectively, these aspects have contributed in strengthening the democratic system and that too in a comparatively short stint. Give it a few more consistent terms and God willing even those will have to answer who as of now

Why are we still (not) talking about climate change? come from cities, mainly from transport, industry, biomass use, and energy generation. In fact, cities consume a whopping 78% of total energy produced globally.

Cities also generally mean increased vulnerability- especially in population dense areas. People live close together, crowded, and sometimes in housing that cannot provide adequate protection from extreme events.

In the case of Pakistan, a country whose carbon emissions increased by 123% in the past 2 decades, the population growth and high rural to urban migration rates are responsible for the growing urbanisation. There are many factors driving the migration to urban centres, but the most ironic of which is people migrating to urban centres to escape from the impacts of climate change. Many of those living in rural areas rely on climate vulnerable sectors like farming and fishing, which means livelihoods are increasingly at risk due to the impacts of climate I

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

change, especially the scarcity of water resources. To switch livelihoods to something more secure, as well as to have access to supposedly better services such as education, healthcare etc., people are migrating from Pakistan’s rural areas to the cities, where they feel they will have a better chance at a better life.

But here’s where things get shaky. Although initiatives like the Supporting Pakistan’s Future Cities by CPEC, and government policies and promises give hope that urban centres may be able to provide a better standard of living, the truth is at this stage that Pakistan’s cities are overcrowded and not positioned at the moment to take on the migrants. The Urban Sprawl, notable in cities like Lahore in particular, has not only increased the rich/poor divide within the cities, but also sees migrants living in poor conditions, cut off from many of the facilities they came to the city to avail.

The focus therefore should

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

not be on speeding up the process of urbanisation, although it is inevitable as Pakistan’s agriculture and fishing sectors continue to fall prey to the impacts of climate change. Initiatives to strengthen the resilience of climate vulnerable sectors such as these against the impacts of climate change through adaptation practices is the key, as well as providing options for diversified livelihoods, education and access to healthcare in the rural areas. In the meantime, cities can better prepare to host the migrants- and be better positioned to provide them with the facilities they need and jobs they require.

What is even more important is for city administrations to preempt the rise in carbon emissions that will arise from this increase in urbanisation, and push policies and investments to help curb this.

Anam Zeb, a climate change practitioner, can be found at anam.zeb@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 09

Monday, 24 July, 2017

Editor’s mail

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

Fax: +92-42-32535230 E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Pakistani women’s cricket and the lack-lustre welcome wagon IT was sad to find out that when the Pakistani women’s cricket team returned home, they were greeted by neither the presence of any officials from Pakistani cricket Board nor any transport. It is believed that this happened because our cricket team did not play well, or at least not according to the expectation. This behaviour is utterly disappointing for the team members, who’ve work hard, especially since the challenges faced by our women’s cricket team are far more difficult and far exceed those faced by the men’s cricket team. Furthermore, cricket in women’s in our country has not flourished from the grass root level. The absence of experience and a proper system are the root causes that our team is still struggling. At the end, I would like to appeal the citizens and the government to express gratitude and give support to our team, so it can flourish as well.

GHAZALA ASLAM Islamabad

Can America’s Afghan policy be driven by experience in Germany and Japan?

Ask not for whom the historian groans

abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi

T

WO foreign policy thinkers & diplomats Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski dominated the direction of US policy in the last three decades of the 20th century. Kissinger was pro-war and a believer of using coercive power for diplomatic gains. Brzezinski was a believer in pre-emptive diplomacy to avoid a probable future war.

Both were children of Eastern European immigrants deeply impacted by the devastation of Second World War and rise of communist Russia. They were pro-Israel but it is not clear whether their Jewish roots played any role in that. They believed in American values and its promotion around the world as a force for good.

Kissinger dominated US-China diplomatic relations and played critical role in the gradual evolution of a good partnership. Brzezinski advocated for bringing Russia into the European fold after the demise of USSR. He believed ignoring Russian strategic interests in her near abroad will be detrimental for building mutual trust that was critical for allaying any fears of an ideologically defeated nation. Kissinger’s advice was accepted and implemented but Brzezinski’s advice was ignored resulting in gradual deterioration of relations with Russia.

Brzezinski is now dead and Kissinger is old. This has created a void that many other experts are finding hard to fill.

As a student of foreign policy, I am also concerned about the long term direction of US foreign policy and reading extensively to find some sense of it. I recently finished two books from two expert foreign policy thinkers. Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasian Group, is considered a leading voice on US-Russian relations and published a book titled Superpower: Three Choices for America’s Role in the World, published May 2015. It was published before last Presidential election as an effort to inform and guide the new administration. Richard Haas held positions in past US administrations and currently holds the position of President of Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He published a book titled A world in disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the old older, published January 2017. After reading both these books it is clear to me that American policy makers are confused and unsure about the role of their country in the world. Let me try to explain this point.

After the Second World War, America emerged as a victor with its economy and mili-

tary power largely intact. That enabled her to play the role of a dominant power for the next 70 years. But as a geographically isolated country

by Atlantic and Pacific oceans, she relied on her own history, without any respect for histories of others, as a guide. As long as America was strong this disrespect for others history, culture and values was tolerated but despised beneath the surface.

Both Bremmer and Haas in their books emphasise that America should abandon its reliance on values to drive her foreign policy but should rather exercise its dominance in military might, economic size, and diplomatic muscle. In other words, they believe the might of a nation is directly proportional to its geography, money in the bank, the number of tanks/troops, and the size of its diplomatic corps. But there is no historic confirmation of that. Britain was a global power despite its small size in every aspect. Rome was also a big power despite being small. Japan has always been a major South East Asian power despite being a small island. So tangible assets do not make a country a major power. So then what does?

In all my foreign policy pieces I have suggested that there are three kinds of powers i.e., super or global powers, bridges and satellites or pawns. A super power has superiority in the military, has a big economy, and has effective diplomatic muscle. In this, I have never proposed that quantity or size of each is directly proportional to the power it derives. Military might does not come from the numbers alone but rather the gap in quality of innovative weapons between countries. For instance, Mongol hordes overran much larger adversaries because they were expert riders and could use arrows while riding fast. From this respect, America may have a large number of weapons and extensive reach but it is only marginally ahead of Russia and China. If the USA has the mother of all bombs then Russia has the father of all bombs. In economy a country’s influence is based on a number of linkages it has. America is breaking trade pacts rather than forming more linkages. nAFTA with Canada/Mexico, Transpacific Partnership (TPP) with South East Asia, and Transatlantic Trade & Investment Pact (TTIP) with Europe are all either put on review or abandoned. China, on the other hand, is forming linkages and promoting multilateral and bilateral trade pacts. In diplomacy, America promoted a rule based world order which it has herself disbanded by the legally questionable war in Iraq and extensive use of drones in violation of respect of sovereignty promoted by Un Charter. It is asking countries to be subjugated to its power rather than become allies with an equal voice in an issue. The recent reduction in State Department budget is an indi-

cation of this diplomatic withdrawal. The greatest damage to American image is her decision not to consider human rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of political choice as universal rights. Both Bremmer and Haas suggest that when it comes to American interest these values should take a second priority.

In the light of this new approach to foreign policy, let’s review their upcoming Afghan policy which is under consideration. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been asked to step aside in this process and the lead has been given to Secretary of Defence James Mattis. Mr Mattis on various occasions suggested that America should consider long term presence in Afghanistan as they have in Germany and Japan. But is Afghanistan really comparable to Germany and Japan defeated in WWII? I don’t think so.

The key question to answer is whether these nations considered the presence of Americans as occupation forces. Afghan’s, on the other hand, consider Americans as occupiers and want them to leave. If that was not the situation then Afghan Taliban that has the foot soldiers on the ground could not succeed in holding 47% of the territory without significant resistance from people. Afghanistan is not Germany or Japan for the USA but a Vietnam. The sooner American planners realise that the better.

America blaming Pakistan for its military failure in Afghanistan is also unrealistic. Since President Obama announced the complete departure of forces from Afghanistan all regional players are now involved in it including Iran, Russia, and China. This means that by targeting Pakistani cities Karachi and Quetta through drones using the pretext of pursuing Afghan Taliban leaders would only destabilise the country while the Afghan Taliban commanders could be residing comfortably in Iran or northern former USSR countries. Will America then expand drones to these countries? It is not the solution.

The solution is to develop a regional platform comprising of Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, USA, and Afghanistan to find a viable political and security solution. EU and India can also play their due role in the process by helping build the governance and economic capability.

Confusion of American policy planners could be costly for the world. It is important that other powers exert pressure that a multilateral approach is adopted to find solutions to Syria, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ukraine crisis.

Of the thinkers who dominated US policy in the 20th century, Brzezinski is now dead and Kissinger is old.

This has created a void that many other experts are finding hard to fill.

Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi is former President of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, USA, and member of PTI Central Tarbiyati Council as Incharge of Curriculum Development. He has also authored the book: Islamic Social Contract.

Caring for expectant mothers IT is good to note that on the special instructions of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, first ever initiative in Pakistan for the safety and well-being of the mothers and infants has been launched through “Mehfooz Maan Ambulance Service”.

This service is available round the clock free of any charges on all days exclusively for the expecting mothers in the rural areas of Punjab.

This is undoubtedly is a good step in the right direction for providing ambulance service and taking care of the expectant mothers in the rural areas of the province though it is not immediately known as how many ambulance have been put in service for this appreciable purpose.

To ensure that more and more expectant mothers in the rural areas avail this ambulance service, it is suggested that this should be printed in leaflets in Urdu and the same should be displayed in the rural areas down to the union council level for the information of all particularly the prospective beneficiaries—the rural expect months. The expectant mothers in the rural areas will only be able to avail this innovative service only if they are aware about existence of such a novel facility in their areas and that too round the clock and free of cost.

EM ZED RIFAT Lahore

The arc of the moral universe is long THE decision by Supreme Court to proceed against allegations of gross irregularities and corruption, such as mis-declaration, submitting fake documents, tax evasion, money laundering, abuse of power, conflicts of interest, living beyond your declared means of income etc. in response to petitions filed by multiple parties is heartening. One only hopes that this sets a precedent to rope in all elected or paid public office holders, whether civil or khaki, who have played havoc with this country over past few decades. Selective accountability will not serve any purpose except scandalising this process.

Justice must not only be done, but seen to be done, with no bias or favour. Thousands of acres of prime real estate and forest lands belonging to state have been illegally occupied by a nexus of land mafia and few criminals within powerful stake holders of this country. Smuggling of weapons goes on unhindered across our borders with Afghanistan and along shore line. The criminal black economy of this country exceeds documented economy because of corruption infected state institutions.

One only hopes that this curse of bribery, corruption and pilfering state resources is dealt with an iron hand, so that Pakistan can function as democratic welfare state which Father of nation wanted to establish, and not a country ruled by corrupt mediocrity lacking any vision or credibility.

AnEELA CHAnDIo Sukkur

Karachi and education THROUGH your esteemed newspaper, I want to draw the attention of those responsible for the education system of Karachi towards a serious problem about the large amount of Low-Graded School. The fact is that the teachers of private institutions have the lion’s share in the academic set up of Pakistan.

Teaching faculty of most of the institution’s set up has become worse and does not come up to the requirement of the modern world. Private institutions claim to introduce advanced method of learning and teaching but they fail to build up the vision in the students. The less qualified teaching staff is thus appointed to teach the senior classes, working at lower rates and destroying the education system as a whole.

SAnA nooR Karachi

10 BUSINESS

Monday, 24 July, 2017

Pakistan, senegal look forward to PartnershiP in trade, tourism

Call to set up material testing laboratory in sialkot siALkOT APP

DAkAR

P

INP

AKISTAN and Senegal agree to promote partnership in trade, agriculture, textiles, higher education and vocational training, information technology, air transport and tourism.

Pakistan seeks Senegal’s support to establish a trade partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan led the Pakistani delegation to participate in the Inaugural Session of the Joint Commission between Pakistan and Senegal, which was held on July 20-21, 2017 in Dakar, Senegal, while Senegal’s Commerce, Informal Sector, Consumption, Promotion of Local Products and SMEs Minister Alioune Sarr led the Senegalese delegation.

A delegation of private businessmen from the areas of textiles, agriculture and pharmaceuticals also held B2B meetings with Senegalese businessmen

on the sidelines of the session.

During the discussions, both sides underlined the importance they attach to the development of partnership in all areas of common interest, including trade, pharmaceutical industries, investment, agriculture, textiles, higher education and vocational training, information technology, air transport and tourism.

To address the difficulties of trade between the two countries the Pakistani side has sought Senegal’s support to establish a trade partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Both sides also agreed to sign “the Convention for the Avoidance of Double taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion” as soon as possible. With regards to Technical Cooperation, Pakistani side highlighted the low level of participation in capacity building programmes offered by Pakistan in various disciplines under the auspices of Pakistan Technical Assistance Program

(PTAP). The Senegalese side took note of this fact and expressed the desire to redirect the supply of training in line with Senegal’s priority policies and programmes.

Both sides also agreed to cooperate in order to facilitate and promote tourism between the two countries, including presenting tourist attractions, facilitation of visa issuance as well as sharing data bank from travel and tourist agencies. Pakistani side offered restoration of historical sites in Senegal

by Pakistani manpower. Senegalese side appreciated the offer and both sides agreed to exchange further details in this regard. Both sides also agreed to study ways and means for the establishment of air and sea links. In that respect, Pakistan side has proposed a Draft Air Services Agreement to the Senegalese side which agreed to respond on the proposed draft as soon as possible.

Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation between the Port of Dakar and Karachi Port (KPT) with a view to creating synergies and increasing the volume of trade between

the two counties. Both sides also showed interest in exchange of experiences in maritime education and training and Technical Port Management.

Pakistan and Senegal signed the following agreements: “The Agreement on Cooperation in Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals” and “The memorandum of understanding between the federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Senegal.”

Besides JMC, Khurram Dastgir had a call on the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and conveyed him special message of the Pakistan prime minister and also reported on successful conclusion of 1st Pak-Senegal Joint Ministerial Commission.

The minister also announced a gift of 1000 footballs made in Pakistan for the Senegalese football association and also announced to send special gift of premium basmati rice of Pakistan to the important dignitaries of Senegal.

Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Majid Raza Bhutta urged the government to take immediate steps for setting up a state-ofthe-art material testing laboratory to support highly valued sectors like surgical instruments, sports goods and sportswear, leatherwear and others.

Talking to APP on Sunday, he said that in the absence of a laboratory, the exporters have to send their samples abroad to get their products testified, certified and accepted worldwide. The SCCI president underscored the need for establishing a high powered Leather Promotion Council and setting up of tannery zones in leather clusters of Pakistan with all the compliances ensured, right from the slaughterhouses till the end of production.

He called to encourage the vendors of leather industry including slaughterhouses, collection centres, tanneries and others to reorganise themselves according to latest Leather Working Group (LWG) standards and provide them with incentives for implementing them.

The SCCI president further said that international market requirements for quality, environment and social standards were changing rapidly, which demand tractability and transparency of the full supply chain of leather products being manufactured in Pakistan, for compliance with the new international quality standards being introduced by REACH and LWG. Pakistan’s tanners, leather goods manufacturers and exporters have to acquire latest technology and ensure that products conform to international quality requirements in order to compete in the international markets in coming years, he said. Majid said that with the introduction of new standards are now being made mandatory for any business involved in leather products to ensure that necessary compliance was made right from the start of value chain.

Why UK trade deal will be harder than Trump thinks Business Desk Britain and the United States will kick off informal talks on a trade deal when U.K. officials visit Washington Monday.

President Trump has said that he expects a “very big” and “very powerful” deal that’s good for both countries to be reached “very, very quickly.”

Such an agreement would be a huge boon to Britain. It has staked the future of its economy on the idea that leaving the European Union will unleash its trading potential because it will be easier to do bilateral deals than wait for the 27 other countries in the bloc to agree.

Experts, however, say that the rosy view advanced by both governments is unrealistic. “The scope for a really big comprehensive trade deal with the U.S. is very limited,” said Peter Holmes, a trade expert at the University of Sussex. “There are a lot of very big obstacles.”

Here’s why striking a deal will be so difficult: Brexit comes first: Even if negotiators are able to hammer out an agreement quickly, Britain won’t be able to sign it right away.

That’s because the U.K. will remain a member of the EU until March 2019, and it’s prevented from inking new deals

until ties are formally severed.

In the meantime, Britain’s top trade experts will spend the coming months trying to hammer out the details of a new trading relationship with the EU, its biggest export market.

Major questions still need to be answered, including whether the U.K. will remain part of the bloc’s customs union.

Until there is clarity, not much progress can be made on talks with the U.S. Prime Minister Theresa May is betting that Brexit will help turn Britain into “a great global trading nation.” If that is to happen, the U.S. will indeed be a top priority once the relationship with the EU is settled. Britain sells more goods and services to the U.S. than any other single country. The U.S. accounts for about 20% of British exports and total trade is worth $235 billion, according to the U.K. A weAk hAnd: Leaving the EU means that Britain will no longer be party to over 600 treaties through the bloc, 34 with the U.S. alone. Many are related to trade and will need to be renegotiated.

One problem: Britain has relied on the expertise of EU negotiators for over three decades, and it doesn’t have enough trade experts to do the job. The government is racing to hire more officials.

“I can’t think of a more brutal way for

novice U.K. trade negotiators to learn the ropes than negotiating with the Americans,” said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade at the University of St. Gallen. “God save them.”

The inexperienced negotiators are likely to find the deck stacked against them in another way.

Britain is the only the sixth largest trading partner for the U.S. behind China, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

The simple math suggests that getting a

deal — any deal — matters much more to Britain than America. opposition At home: American negotiators will seek to win concessions that open British markets in some uncomfortable ways.

A recent attempt by the U.S. and Europe to hammer out a free trade deal collapsed even before Trump became president, partly due to political opposition among Europeans.

Britain had its share of skeptics.

Chief among them was the current leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn.

The Labour politician vowed to stop the deal in order to protect British public services, such as health care, from coming under attack from American companies looking for profit.

Any future deal is likely to run into the same concern about public services, consumer protection, health and safety.

“U.S. negotiators will likely ask for controversial protections for their multinationals and for access to the [National Health Service] medicines budget,” said Evenett. “Both will cause a backlash among many U.K. groups and politicians.”

A trump cArd: Former President Obama warned Britain that it would be “at the back of the queue” for a trade deal if it left the EU. That changed when Trump took office and moved the U.K. to the front of the line. But Trump has also displayed an isolationist streak, claiming that global trade is rigged against the U.S. and emphasizing the failure of globalization.

He has abandoned trade deals that he views as unfair, and pledged to renegotiate others. What does that mean for a deal to be negotiated from scratch? Britain will soon find out.

BUSINESS 11

Monday, 24 July, 2017

oil tankers association announces nationwide strike from today

KARACHI: An old woman sells national flags to earn some livelihood. ONLINE

kARACHi INP

orange line metro train: first train to reaCh Pakistan by July’s end BeiJinG

t

APP

HE first of 27 trains designed for Orange Line Metro in Lahore, would be delivered by a Chinese company to the Punjab government at the end of this month. This will be beginning the era of subways and light rail in Pakistan.

The train designed and manufactured under a framework agreement signed between China and Pakistan in April 2015 to build the rapid mass transit system in Lahore, had already rolled off the production line in central China’s Hunan province in May this year. The remaining 26 trains will be handed over to the authorities by the end of the year, according

to official sources here. The system, the first large rail transit project within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was contracted by a consortium, composed of China Railway Corporation and China North Industries Corporation. The train with five coaches designed for the 25.58 km Orange Line Metro, is being produced by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd. An energy-saving air-conditioning system, suitable for the constant high summer temperature in Pakistan, has been designed and installed in the train which would have maximum operation speed of around 80 km per hour. The design combines the national flower of Pakistan and the shape of the dome of the Badshahi Mosque while heat-resistant

growers advised to ensure cotton cultivation from July to oct sArGodhA: Cotton growers have been advised to complete cotton cultivation from July to October and irrigate the fields according to weather conditions.

Agriculture (PLANT and Protection) assistant director said that the months of July, August, September and October were best for cotton cultivation and all arrangements for easy flow of access to water in the fields should be ensured to avoid standing rain water. He also advised farmers to ensure pests scouting twice in cotton fields daily and spray their crop after consultation with agriculture experts.

He said that farmers should avoid overuse of urea fertiliser for cotton plants as chances of pest attack increase after excessive usage. He further said that usage of zinc, boron and urea spray was needed in case of fruit dropping; mixture of 2 litre potassium nitrate in 100 litre water can improve the health of plants, otherwise mixture of 10 kilogram potassium nitrate can also be used. APP

bogies increase durability, said an engineer of the company. The metro project is being built in accordance with the same quality requirements for highspeed railway linking Beijing and Shanghai, according to the project manager.

The 26-kilometer line will have 26 stations, two of which will be underground.

Adopting Chinese standards, the project will use China-made metro cars and mechatronic systems as well. It is the early achievement and demonstration project of CPEC and is a demonstration project of China-Pakistan cooperation under the background of Belt and Road Initiative. In April 2015, China and Pakistan signed the Orange Line Project EPC Contract and the contract price is about 1.6 billion dollars.

The project was financed by Export-Import Bank of China and CRRC ZELC was responsible for manufacture. Besides, it adopted the standard of China and metro vehicle and electrical system of it all adopted Chinese equipment.

The project will go into service in the first half year of 2018. Thus, it will ease the traffic pressure of Lahore effectively by shortening the drive time to 45 minutes or so from 2.5 hours and providing services to 250,000 people each day, or so it is claimed by the government. According to an analyst, in the first year, it can achieve about 9.29 billion rupees (about 610 million Yuan), and save about 5.62 billion rupees (about 370 million Yuan). It will bring remarkable social and economic benefits.

PCMA, UET to plan research for benefit of chemical sector LAHORe APP

Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) have instituted a joint committee to evolve a long-term plan to conduct research projects for benefit of the chemical sector under the Industry-Academia Linkages Programme. PCMA spokesman said that the joint committee discussed various proposals to synergise activities of chemical industry with academia by identifying demanddriven research projects for bringing in innovative and best practices for adoption.

It was decided in the first meeting with Chemical Engineering Department (CED), and Polymer & Process Engineering Department (PPED) of UET Lahore that PCMA would propose five projects from UET’s final year students from and one of its members would take the responsibility of co-supervision.

The CED would propose training programs and titles to PCMA that would conduct Training Needs Assessment (TNA) and arrange training to be conducted by CED, he

maintained. CED also agreed to arrange a symposium for a broader interaction of its students with PCMA in September this year.

He mentioned that first joint committee meeting was chaired by CED Chairman Dr Naveed Ramzan, and was attended by PPED Chairman Dr Asif Ali Qaiser, CED Associate Professor Dr Tanveer Iqbal and a team of five Assistant Professors. The PCMA Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer Iqbal Kidwai and Chief Consultant Tahir Jamal Qadir were also present.

During the meeting, the spokesman said that Iqbal Kidwai highlighted the significance of Industry-Academia Linkages Programme and expressed gratitude to the UET management for extending strong cooperation in this regard.

Kidwai acknowledged that PCMA and UET had set an ideal example of collaboration in reference with Industry-Academia Linkages, which would encourage the other institutions to adopt the similar long-term mechanism. He hoped the collaborative projects of PCMA and UET would prove to be of equal benefit for the chemical industry and academic research sector.

The All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owner Association has announced a strike from Monday, according to which, no tanker owner will participate in oil distribution throughout the country. All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owner Association Chairman Shams Shahwani claimed that motorway police and traffic police officials have caused hurdles in their distribution process by implementing the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) safety regulations. He told that oil was distributed through the same tankers in several parts of the country, but the owners are now being forced to spend Rs 1,000,000 on every tanker in light of the new OGRA safety regulations. The oil transporters have planned a strike for indefinite period following the strict policies of government, Shahwani stated. He said, “85,000 tankers are used to supply oil throughout the country.” It is worth mentioning that 12 oil tanker accidents occurred in the past month whereas the Ahmedpur Sharqia oil tanker tragedy alone cost lives of over 200 people. Many of the injured are still under medical treatment. The motorway and traffic police had decided to implement on OGRA safety rules after the dreadful incident. Their strict screening has caused worries to the oil tanker owners, prompting them to announce this strike.

rCCi, Chinese association ink mou RAWALPinDi APP

Overseas Chinese Association of Pakistan (OCAP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

OCAP President Chen Zong Dong, RCCI President Raja Amer Iqbal, Senior Vice President Rashid Waien, member of executive committee Nosherwan Khan and Secretary General Irfan Manan were present at the signing ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Raja Amer Iqbal said under the agreement the RCCI would provide maximum visa facilitation to the Chinese exhibitors for participation in the International Rawal Expo-2018.

The RCCI would help the OCAP for organising exhibitions and arranging participation in the said exhibitions in Pakistan, while the latter would reciprocate the same in like terms with similar ventures of RCCI on its intimation, he added. He said the MoU was a great milestone and reflected the trust and interest of Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan. It would help the two organisations in organising expos and exchanging trade delegations and information of businesses.

He said it would also help traders to identify the genuine companies whom they wanted to have businesses.

On the occasion, Chen Zong Dong lauded the RCCI’s efforts in facilitating traders and promoting trade activities in the country. He said the MoU would serve as a platform to strengthen the linkages between the trader communities of both the countries. The OCAP, he said, would provide the maximum visa facilitation to the Pakistani exhibitors for participation in the Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo.

Rs635bn allocated under ADP for Punjab to usher new era of prosperity LAHORe APP

Different lawmakers, on Sunday, said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was spending a huge amount of Rs 635 billion on development projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), which would usher in a new era of prosperity in the province. Talking to the agency, they said that the Punjab government presented a wonderful budget for financial year 201718 and maintained that it would ensure speedy development.

MPA Qaiser Magsi said that record funds had been allocated for rural and less-developed areas of the province. He said that the PML-N was paying special attention to important sectors, including education, healthcare and provision of clean drinking water, as well as the social sector.

He said that the government earmarked historic resources for improving the quality of life of people belonging to southern Punjab. He said that it was heartening to note that ratio of development funds was much more compared with the population of southern Punjab.

Magsi said that clean drinking water programme would be initiated in all tehsils of southern Punjab with an amount of Rs 25 billion. He said that work on Khanewal-Lodhran Road had been started with an amount of Rs 22 billion.

Meanwhile, Muzaffargarh-DG Khan dual carriageway will be completed this year with a cost of Rs 17 billion.

MPA Mohsin Ashraf said that merit, transparency, and honesty based culture had been promoted, while the menace of nepotism, corruption and illegal gratification had been eliminated from society.

MPA Majid Zahoor said that various

projects had been completed despite obstacles, adding that the ‘sit-ins party’ put the journey of national development at stake for personal gains. It conspired against national development and prosperity and ignored the interests of 20 crore people of the country, he added.

He said that corruption records were made in development projects in previous regimes but the PML-N government set new records of transparency, quality and speed.

MPA Pir Ghulam Farid said that no opponent could point a finger at development projects, carried out by the PML-N

government, adding that destinations become easy when one moves on with honesty, passion and determination.

“The last four years of the PML-N government was the story of these pure emotions, he added.

He said that political elements, which obstructed development and prosperity through their negative politics, had been fully exposed.

Farid said that the PML-N government would win the next elections because it had served the people selflessly under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

12 WORLD VIEW inDia toDay

n

WAJAhAt S KhAn

AwAz Sharif isn’t much of an orator. He rarely gives oneon-one interviews, and when he does, he has usually got an aide or two hanging around, whispering the appropriate response in his ear for a tough one, even handing him a scribbled note to read out.

The Man of Steel, as the industrial magnate has been baptised for his political prowess and foundry background, isn’t much of a number-cruncher either, and Punjabi jokes come more easily to him than statistics: all very unbecoming traits for the premier of a raucous land.

But before he holed himself up in Islamabad’s lush Prime Minister House last week, digging in to defend his family from the increasingly inquisitive Panama Papers probe, Sharif was most confident, even cavalier about one subject: the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a long roster of public appearances he made before being snowed under by the ongoing graft investigation, the usually taciturn Sharif had taken the lead in promoting the $50 billion trade and infrastructure Chi-Pak project as his own.

In his first speech to the nation on Independence Day in 2013, he promised to make Pakistan a “hub of economic and political activities” with its newly enhanced but iron-clad China partnership. Just two weeks later, at the induction ceremony of an ‘indigenously built’ frigate fitted by the China Shipbuilding Trading Company in Karachi, he would use what would become his favourite phrase for the next four years: “Game changer”. Fast getting clarity and not yet past his first quarter in office, by mid-September 2013, Sharif was telling Turkish businessmen in Ankara to invest in a ‘corridor’ he was making with Beijing. By the end of the month, he was sharing his plans at the United Nations, telling the General Assembly that Pakistan wanted to work with Afghanistan to “establish and reinforce regional trade, energy and communication corridors”.

A month later, he would announce at an American Business Council lunch in washington that “Pakistan’s proximity to two of the world’s largest markets-China and India” would place her in the “middle of all the action” as she geared up for something he would finally gave a name to: the “Pakistan China Economic Corridor”.

But ‘PCEC’ didn’t have the same ring as ‘CPEC’, and once the senior partner in the pact officially took over the title as well as the driver’s seat, marked by a state visit from President Xi Jingping in 2015, Sharif never looked back.

Ribbon cuttings, political speeches, power lunches and state dinners, there was never a time when Sharif was not flexing his China muscle in this premiership. Perhaps overexcited at a launch ceremony, he told an audience in Balochistan last winter that the project was conceived just two years ago (not entirely true, the Chinese reportedly pitched CPEC to Pervez Musharraf in some form as far back as 2003). Still, the fact-checking didn’t stop his courtiers from calling him the “architect” and “co-creator” of the project.

Monday, 24 July, 2017

Pakistan Playing ball with China.

Common enemy india the reason?

Meanwhile, Pakistanis of all sorts, business journalists, labour rights leaders, opposition politicians, ethnic nationalists, called him out for making CPEC a closeto-home project for himself and his own constituency, Punjab. In return, he unleashed his wharton-schooled spin doctors on the talk show circuit. Soon enough, the CPEC civil war had erupted, and the project’s transparency was called into account. But like Le Carre’s Tailor of Panama, Nawaz had stitched a tale longer than any wardrobe could bear. The Mayfair Apartments scandal took over. The supreme court stepped in. And now, just a bad hearing or three away from being disqualified, he’s angling again: ruin Nawaz and ruin CPEC, or so his ruling Pakistan Muslim League would have us believe.

“If you lose political and economic stability right now, another 20,000 soldiers guarding CPEC won’t be able to stop the damage to this project,” warned planning minister Ahsan Iqbal. ‘we will make CPEC a success, Inshallah, come what may’, came the press release from the Army General Headquarters. It was quoting Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Thus, from being the only same page issue between the government and the army, CPEC has morphed into a potential civil-military flashpoint.

Away from Islamabad, down south, another component of CPEC is unfurling: China is coming to a naval theatre near you. Senior officials say they see ‘clear possibilities’ of Chinese military bases coming up on Pakistani soil, a development that would allow China extended access to the Indian Ocean.

Likely to be naval, with docking, refitting and even partial rebuild facilities for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the bases are likely to be on the Makran coast of Balochistan, the restive Pakistani province that sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman, leading to the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, some of the world’s most vital maritime, trade and energy corridors.

A Pentagon report released in early June had also focused on China setting up military bases abroad. ‘China most likely will seek to establish additional military bases in countries with which it has a long-standing friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and in which there is a precedent for hosting foreign militaries,’ said the report, titled ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2017’.

“The bases can only be at Gwadar, with some rebuild facilities, and also in Ormara and Jiwani, as that is where the threat has to be mitigated,” a high-ranking Pakistani military official confirms, on the condition of anonymity, referring to three of the four main coastal cities of

Balochistan, the largest of which, Gwadar, already has a commercial port built and operated by the Chinese.

Common EnEmy The ‘threat’, of course, is India, and other common friends, or now estranged partners, like the US and Iran. “Both Pakistan and China have a shared interest in leveraging the commons, and specifically the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for military and economic purposes and so would be interested in balancing US dominance and Indian strengths in the IOR,” says Sameer Lalwani of the Stimson Center, from washington.

The logic isn’t stretched. As theirs has been a long-enduring relationship, crafted from a security perspective revolving around containing India (and more recently, influencing Afghanistan), China, already Pakistan’s largest arms supplier, would like to see it beefed up as a permanent South Asian bulwark against India. As for Pakistan, it wouldn’t mind an all powerful China in its backyard, providing extra cover against smaller players like India and Iran. while the Chinese foreign ministry slammed the US report as ‘conjecture’, a senior diplomat confirms that Pakistan requested China to build a naval facility in Gwadar as far back as 2011, during then premier Yousaf Raza Gillani’s visit to Beijing, just days after the US Navy SEAL raid to kill Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani garrison city of Abbottabad.

“The more that’s left unsaid, the better for Sino-Pak security purposes,” says the diplomat, asking not to be named. “Also, Pakistan isn’t Djibouti, so there’s little need for a pen-and-paper deal.”

“Cooperation between the two sides is so long-standing there is scope for more flexible arrangements, most importantly, reliable access for PLAN to Pakistani ports,” says Andrew Small, author of The China Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics. “The two sides can plan for developing facilities in Karachi, Gwadar or Ormara that the PLA can use whenever it needs without having to take the sensitive step of providing a separate base.”

“Primarily, we see a Chinese naval base in some shape or form at Gwadar, as half of Chinese oil imports move through the Strait of Hormuz,” assesses a Pakistani naval intelligence officer. “But survival is about keeping pace with change. India switched from non-aligned to its current American tilt, didn’t it? For a country like Pakistan, which has an existential threat from a larger enemy, we need an equaliser against India. Previously, it was the US and Saudi [Arabia]. Now, it’s China.” onE BElt, onE Road, two BRos On June 11, as three Chinese warships docked for a training mission at Karachi port, where China is already manufacturing four attack submarines for

its ally as a part of its biggest arms deal yet, nobody important skipped lunch at the port call reception, despite Ramzan.

As Pakistani admirals reaffirmed their country’s role in President Xi Jinping’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative with their all-hands-on-deck speeches, the famous ‘all-weather friendship’ of the two ‘Iron Brothers’ remained in play. OBOR is the new gravy train helping pull the contemporary Sino-Pak partnership. Crucially, Pakistan is banking on over $50 billion in OBOR loans and grants from China to develop CPEC, running from the landlocked western Chinese province of Xinjiang down to its Gwadar port, connecting Chinese trade and supplies to the larger Indian Ocean. “The economic relationship has previously been extremely weak and China has previously been very reluctant even to contemplate a serious overseas military presence,” says Small.

“There is a significant correction going on now, on both counts.”

That correction is key. with CPEC kicked off, Pakistan’s success becomes a yardstick for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In effect, the Islamic Republic remains too big to fail for the People’s Republic, now more than ever. If it does falter, analysts think that Beijing will need to take measures to safeguard its own assets, too. “OBOR would certainly provide a good reason for China to engage in such basing,” says Lalwani. “The CPEC intensifies Chinese investments and exposure in the region, so they have strong incentives to protect their assets.”

Basing isn’t a new concept for China. with an under construction military base in Djibouti and the man-made islands in the South China Sea, Beijing is showing an increasing interest in the protection of its sea lines of communication (SLOCs), if not power projection.

As CPEC unfurls, Chinese presence in Pakistan is being felt in many ways.

There are already over 50,000 Chinese nationals in Islamabad, says an intelligence official. Chinese companies are booking whole apartment blocks in the city, even as schools introduce compulsory Mandarin classes and banks adopt yuan-friendly practices.

Pla PaRt dEux From Balochistan to Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan is gearing up to protect the under-construction Chinese trade routes.

Its army has raised two new infantry divisions, speckled with commando, paramilitary and police units (around 15,000 personnel strong), to protect Chinese workers and investments. Hotel lobbies are filled with plainclothes officers tasked with protecting incoming Chinese visitors. The Frontier Corps in Balochistan, a vital component of CPEC security, has asked for and is getting as many as 50 new battalion-sized wings. Even the mil-

itary academy in Kakul has increased its cadet intake by a third since CPEC was formally launched.

But interviews with a range of military personnel indicate that while Pakistan is confident about its ground forces protecting CPEC, there are gaps on the coast and at sea. Even though China continues to arm it, the Pakistan navy (and its Marines, in charge of port security) is the smallest and least funded of its three services. That’s where PLAN, already present in the Arabian Sea on the premise of antipiracy operations, and other Chinese elements come in. “Chinese deployments in Pakistan could range from intelligence personnel, naval forces, air forces to support missions in Central Asia, or even special forces or counter-terrorism strike capabilities,” says Lalwani. But nobody, not even the People’s Republic of China, can pitch a tent in Pakistan and not worry about the weather.

Pakistan FiRst, China latER Last summer, when a Chinese nuclear attack submarine quietly docked in Karachi, no one noticed. As the development finally surfaced, Indian analysts were alarmed but the news didn’t even make it to Pakistan’s rowdy evening bulletins. Local editors saw nothing remarkable about a Chinese submarine doing its first port call in South Asia, that too at Pakistan’s strategic nerve centre. But days later, in an auditorium in Quetta, Lt Gen. Aamer Riaz, the man who runs Pakistan’s Southern Command, and former boss of military operations, made an important comment reflecting the strategic community’s stand on Sino-Pak ties. “No doubt, CPEC is going to be great, Inshallah. But remember: the Chinese are Chinese first, businessmen second and Pakistan’s brothers third,” warned the infantry officer who has been tasked with securing the army’s largest land area of responsibility, Balochistan. “we should think the same way: Pakistan first, the business of the state next, then comes China.” Chinese military presence in Pakistan, or its effect on the country’s sovereignty, isn’t going to go unnoticed, or without debate.

“There is a firm opinion against any bases being given to any foreign country inside Pakistan. we’ve seen what happened when we gave such rights to the Americans,” says Lt Gen. Javed Ashraf, retired chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate, referring to the forward bases Pakistan controversially granted to the US for military operations in Afghanistan and drone attacks in its own tribal areas in the 2000s. But Pakistani forces now depend on Chinese aid, and Chinese aid, while more readily available, doesn’t come cheap.

The article originally appeared in India Today.

The al-Aqsa metal detectors aren’t a security measure Diana Buttu Al JAzeerA

Yesterday, thousands of Palestinians came to Jerusalem to perform the most simple, most peaceful act: prayer. Palestinians - Muslims and Christians, women and men, young and old - prayed in the streets after refusing to enter through the new metal detectors and barricades erected by Israel in front of the al-Aqsa compound. Israeli forces, armed with live ammunition, stun grenades, sound bombs, water cannon and tear gas, came prepared to kill.

And they did: by the day’s end Israeli forces and armed settlers had killed three young Palestinian men and injured more than 450 others, some of them very seriously. Israeli forces even raided a Palestinian hospital in an attempt to arrest those injured by their weaponry.

Israel claims that the metal detectors are necessary for Israel’s “security” following an incident last week in which two armed Israeli officers were killed. These metal detectors are not about security, but rather about deliberately attempting to bar Palestinians from their places of worship.

Contrast, for example, Israel’s recent stance towards the Temple Mount Faithful - a group of Jewish extremists who have openly announced that they seek the destruction of the al-Aqsa compound in order to build a Jewish temple in its place.

Yet, while openly advocating for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the destruction of Muslim holy sites, the Israeli government continues to allow this group to enter the al-Aqsa compound (including with arms) under the guise of “freedom of religion”.

In 1990, this group attempted to lay a cornerstone for a Jewish temple at the compound triggering protests in which some 20 Palestinians died.

The demand for freedom of religion for Palestinians - the ability to worship without the interference of Israel’s armed forces - is conveniently ignored. The metal detectors must be viewed in their proper context: as another of Israel’s settler-colonial acts of erasing us, the indigenous population, erasing our homes, our culture and our religious sites and replacing us with settlers.

For his part, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is happy to see Jerusalem erupt

ISRAEL HAS BEEN USING THE PRETEXT OF SECURITY TO QUIETLY CONTINUE THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINIANS FROM THEIR LAND

in violence. Facing a corruption investigation for a submarine scandal, Netanyahu is refusing to remove the metal detectors so as to ensure that attention is deflected from this deal and instead focused on violence. You see, in Israel, “security” sells - it ensures votes and ensures that corruption charges are deflected.

To be clear, no Palestinian wants to see their holy sites turned into places of

armed conflict. But using the guise of “security”, Israel has ensured that we, Palestinians, live as prisoners in our homeland.

In the name of “security,” Israel expropriates Palestinian land. In the name of “security”, Israel builds Israeli-only settlements on stolen Palestinian land. In the name of “security” Israel demolishes Palestinian homes and schools and in the name of “security” Palestinians are be-

sieged in Gaza, forced to live without electricity, adequate medical supplies or water and even barred from accessing the sea.

And, when Palestinians are gunned down by mass murderers, as they were in the 1990s in Hebron by Baruch Goldstein, in the name of “security”, Palestinians - and not Israelis - are subject to increased security restrictions. In short, Israel seeks to turn Jerusalem into Hebron: blocked off from Palestinians, with convenience for Israeli Jews taking precedence over Palestinian rights. So as Israel continues to gun down Palestinians, who will provide security to Palestinians?

This security will not come from the current unelected Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, who spent four days in China as Palestinians were barred from accessing al-Aqsa compound and as Gazans suffered under a siege that he has openly supported. Nor, of course, will it come from a silent international community that only knows how to wring its hands and meekly condemn Israel.

Rather, Palestinians will continue to bravely stand and defend themselves, bowing down only to the God they worship and never to Israeli diktats.

Monday, 24 July, 2017

ARTS

13

SonS remember PrinceSS Diana in fiLm 20 yearS foLLowinG her DeaTh LoNdoN

Lahore based ‘Sachal Studios’ rehashes GoT theme song in ‘desi’ style Moosa saeed The hit TV show, “Game of Thrones”, has spread out like wildfire, garnering a larger fan base each day. There is a multitude of factors that have made the show a success such as the never ending plot twists, the untimely deaths, and the celebrity cameos, etc. Game of Thrones has not only brought about a new wave of fantasy readers but has also excelled greatly in embedding its theme song into the minds of viewers to listen and hum along to. The theme has been covered by big names such as Lindsey Sterling, Weird Al, and even Coldplay; the artists giving it a touch of their own. Now, with the premiere of the seventh season, Lahore based orchestra, “Sachal Studios”, has taken a whack at it and it sounds amazing. Originally composed by Ramin Djawadi in 2011, it did not feature the use of violins or flutes and the main, as well as the backing instrument used, was the cello. However, “Sachal Studios” is known for their cultural style of music and have incorporated the flute and have transformed the dark theme song into a violin-based cultural song. The main riff that is played on the cello in the original has been transcribed and played on the violin, the vuvuzela, and the cello. The riffs and progressions are backed up by a traditional harmonium and flute and accompanied by the violin as well as the cello. A multitude of musicians can be seen in perfect sync and harmony in the video. The orchestra has developed progressions of their own matching the scale of the original theme. Prominent flute progressions, as well as the use of the traditional percussions and drums throughout the piece, give it an undeniable folk and jazz touch. Ramin Djawadi originally wrote the piece keeping in mind the dark nature of the show; full of backstabbing and conspiracies. The cover although keeping the tone of the original theme gives it a folk touch, creating an aura of mystery and mysticism; a concept which the show has adapted recently.

Overall, it is a great initiative taken by the orchestra and has proven to be a wonderful way to spread the folk culture that predominantly exists in South Asian music. This piece is a wonderful example of how modern pop culture influences other aspects of entertainment, especially music. Kudos to “Sachal Studios” for this wonderful and melodic piece.

b

Agencies

RiTAiN’S Prince William and his brother Harry recall memories from their childhood 20 years after the sudden death of their mother, Princess Diana, in a new television documentary to be broadcast this week.

The 90-minute film — “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy” — celebrates the life and work of Diana, Kensington Palace said in a statement.

Diana, the first wife of heir to the throne Prince Charles, was killed in a car crash in Paris in August 1997 when William was aged 15 and Harry was 12.

She was 36. in the documentary, William — Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and second in line to the throne — and Harry are filmed talking about their childhood as they look through photographs in a fam-

ily album assembled by Diana.

Earlier this year, William spoke about how the shock of losing his mother still lingered two decades after her death. Harry said he had sought counselling to help deal with the grief.

The film, made by Oxford Film and Television, will air in the UK on iTV on Monday at 2000 GMT. A number of commemorative events have been planned to mark Diana’s death.

William and Harry attended a private service earlier this month to re-dedicate her grave and the brothers have also commissioned a statue to be erected in her honour outside their official London home.

Rarely-seen possessions of Diana, including her music collection and ballet shoes, went on display on Saturday at Buckingham Palace.

An exhibition celebrating Diana’s fashion opened in February.

Marvel brings hammerless Thor, new king Black Panther for Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO: Thor has lost his invincible hammer and Black Panther shoulders the responsibility of being a new king, in exclusive scenes shown from Disney’s Marvel studios’ upcoming superhero movies at San Diego’s Comic-Con. One of the most high-profile draws of the annual convention for pop and nerd culture fans, Marvel’s star-studded panel session on Saturday kicked off with “Thor: Ragnarok,” due in theaters in November.

Director Taika Waititi joined stars Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston and Cate Blanchett to discuss how the Norse god has evolved in the film, specifically as he has lost his power-wielding hammer, is trapped on a planet named Sakaar and has to fight in a gladiator contest with the Hulk. “i’ve played this character five times now … i got a bit bored with myself and wanted to make something different,” Hemsworth said.

Comedy weaves through a trailer that shows Thor meeting the Hulk and filling him in on his status, saying “i’m doing my own thing now, i’m not really hanging out with the Avengers anymore, it all got very corporate.”

As supervillain Hela (Blanchett) takes over Thor’s home planet of Asgard, he must recruit the help of the superheroes, including his mischievous brother Loki, to stop Hela and prevent Ragnarok – the end of the world.

Avid fans, many of whom lined up overnight to get into the 6,500seat Hall H, gave a rousing standing ovation for the first footage from 2018’s “Black Panther,” in which Chadwick Boseman plays T’Challa, the new king of fictional African nation Wakanda, who is also a deadly superhero.

“T’Challa is someone who got his power from the people around him and his history,” director Ryan

Coogler said. “History is something very important to me, my family and African culture.”

Scenes showed T’Challa, joined by his spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and warrior Okoyo (Danai Gurira), in slick, explosive fight scenes with a villain named Ulysses (Andy Serkis,) as well as T’Challa’s ambitious brother Erik (Michael B. Jordan).

Marvel announced that its upcoming female superhero standalone film “Captain Marvel” starring Brie Larson will take place in the 1990s, before the events of 2008’s “iron Man” that set Marvel’s subsequent film franchise in motion. The villains will be the alien shapeshifters called the Skrulls. it also revealed new additions to its 2018 “Ant-Man and the Wasp” film, including Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne and Laurence Fishburne as Dr. Bill Foster. Agencies

‘Sa re Ga ma Pa’ sensation Zain ali found dead ENTERTAINMENT DESK: The mysterious death of Zain Ali, a Pakistani singer who contested in the indian reality show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ in 2012, has sent shock waves across the music fraternity. Zain was found lying unconscious in a washroom at his friend’s place in Sheikhupura, according to Gulf media.

The singer, who hailed from Lahore, left his home on Thursday night to visit his friends.

His brother, Sonu Ali, was quoted as saying to a local daily, “Zain told us he was going to hang out with his friends for a few days but we woke up to the news of his death.” Police are investigating the case. However, rumours of drug overdose are doing the rounds. Sonu confirmed that his brother did have drug addiction issues, but denied drug overdose taking Zain’s life. According to media reports, initial reports allude to a potential brain haemorrhage as being the cause of Zain’s untimely death. However, the actual medical reason is still to be ascertained and the family is awaiting the final postmortem report. With news of Zain’s death coming shortly after the suicide of Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, Pakistan’s Punjabi music community initially dubbed the Lahori singer’s death as “another suicide”. However, Zain’s family are certain that the musician did not take his own life, “i am certain he didn’t commit suicide but i guess we’ll have confirmation once the investigation and postmortem reports are here,” said Sonu. he singer was apparently working on a new music for an upcoming film and was eagerly looking forward to it, which makes the news of his demise even more shocking. Zain was catapulted to fame after his appearance in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, and he quickly became a household name in both Pakistan and india.

His supporters even included Bollywood powerhouse Shah Rukh Khan. Many industry veterans considered Zain to be at the forefront of the future Pakistani music.

Farhad Humayun goes solo with first Urdu single, video ‘Mur Ke Dekho’ The multi faceted singer, drummer, producer & video artist, Farhad Humayun, has announced the release of his fist single as a solo artist.

The song titled ‘Mur Ke dekho’ (Turn and look) is an autobiographical piece as the artist claims all his work is a reflection of thoughts, emotions and stories he has collected in his life so far.

‘Mur Ke Dekho is a song with a beat that’s danceable and a melody that’s singable and catchy. in a sense it is about looking forward to life, embracing all the dark adventures it holds, dealing with them with a smile and dropping all the baggage we collect. The future always holds promise’, Farhad says.

The video is 80’s inspired and colourful with model and aspiring actress Ramina Maripova who stars as the singer’s lost love, and an older, grey bearded Farhad

Humayun playing her past incarnate.

Previously Farhad has sung, produced and directed songs and videos of his band Overload among other artists and won Lux Style Awards and Hum TV Awards for them. in May 2016, he released his first English solo single titled ‘Give in’, which received worldwide acclaim from Hollywood veterans and club DJs alike.

The artist always boasts a solid team of personnel including Uzma Rao of Native Rock PR, who has styled the characters and their wardrobes and flamboyant visuals done by UCLA animation graduate Numair Abbas. The video is directed

by Farhad Humayun himself as he believes his closeness to the songs he sings enables him to accentuate the story through visuals more accurately than a stranger would.

Farhad has announced an album of ten brand new songs, titled, “Mera Naam” (My Name) that he and producer Sarmad Ghafoor have been working on for 8 months.

“This is going to be my most definitive work as an artist and songwriter. i’m playing all instruments myself except piano and ethnic instruments. i felt i was so close to these compositions that i wanted to transfer my truest emotions on tape by playing guitar, drums, bass and some keys myself, apart from singing and writing. Sarmad and i have worked closely on lyrics melodies and arrangements. He’s truly awesome.”

Mur Ke Dekho audio and video releases on Farhad Humayun’s youtube channel, facebook page, itunes and TV channels on Wednesday 2nd August. Web desk

CMYK

14 LEISURE

Monday, 24 July, 2017

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

You might feel invincible today, but in reality you are as human as ever. Your ruling planet Mars is happily working on your behalf now, but your enterprising spirit could make you sloppy.

Be sure to have.

Once you make up your mind to do something, your legendary determination works in your favor. Others may rush ahead in their excitement, but you are patiently building a foundation that's capable of sustaining.

You are in your astrological element with three planets currently orbiting in airy Libra. People admire your skills and want to be in your company because engaging the world on multiple levels enables.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Expressing your emotions isn't as easy as it sounds today.

Fortunately, messenger Mercury sets up camp in your 5th House of Play, infusing your words with childlike creativity.

Your mind is running on highoctane fuel today, but it's easy to underestimate the time it takes to persuade others to join your cause. The Moon squares boisterous Jupiter in dramatic Leo, propelling you.

Pushing to the front of the line often feels awkward for virtuous Virgos, making it difficult to get your best ideas heard by the right audience.

However, your path is wide open today, even if you don't.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

You tend to play well with others on most days and today is no exception. In fact, you might even give up some of your personal power as you run around making everyone else happy. Ironically, the best.

Although your stamina is strong enough to deliver on your promises and your heart is in the right place, you must be careful how you use your power now. You are receiving inspiration from unseen dimensions.

Your dream to escape to an exotic locale are tugging on your heartstrings today. Or, perhaps you have an opportunity to start an ambitious project while fiery Mars is offering you the extra assistance.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Your need to advance professionally is irrepressible as you make one final attempt to put your ambitions into words without stirring up any trouble.

However, talkative Mercury's last stand in your 10th.

An inspirational person enters your life today, presenting you with an intriguing opportunity. You could be so eager for something new to happen that you start dreaming about all the possibilities without.

An overly exuberant family member or roommate might be a nagging source of trouble today. Surrounding yourself with positive people is nearly always a good idea, but someone's optimism may be covering.

cRosswoRD

ACROSS 1 Seasoned raw egg, swallowed as a hangover remedy (7,6) 8 Kip (3) 9 Place open late for entertainment, food and drink (9) 10 Online site for people to communicate on particular topics (4,4) 11 Fit of shivering and fever (4) 13 Latitude (6) 14 Nauseous (6) 16 Fill to satisfaction (4) 17 A vessel in sight! (4,4) 20 Key resource to be used at the right moment (5,4) 21 Wise bird? (3)

woRD sEARcH

DOwn 1 State of overwhelming fear (5) 2 Nearest bright star to the solar system — run a caliphate (anag) (5,8) 3 Orbital route (4,4) 4 Christmas tipple (6) 5 Legendary beast of the Himalayas? (4) 6 Support for telephone wires (9,4) 7 Bending and springy (7) 12 Of one who has suddenly and undeservedly risen in status (6-2) 13 Independent kingdom, an enclave of South Africa (7) 15 Sentence unit (6)

HAGAR tHE HoRRIbLE

GARFIELD

cHEss ABATE AMUSE ANCHOR BACHELOR BATTLE BLONdE BOOTH BRIAR BURN CENTER CHAd CLOCK COMMISSION CONE CORNER CRASS dAGGER dECIdE FAVOR FLOOR FUdGE

GROSS HOBO HONEy LOdE LONELy OILS OPERATION PAyER POROUS PREVENTION QUALITy ROACH ROUGH SHORN SILT SNORE SURE TEACH TINE TOSS VERSE

black TO PlaY aND MaTE IN THREE MOVEs 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Today’s soluTions

bRIDGE FoRGING AHEAD

sUDokU crossword solution sudoku solution

1...Nf4 2.gxf4 bxf4 3.be5 * chess solution

How to pLAy Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the squares contains all the digits. The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once.

SPORTS 15

Monday, 24 July, 2017

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

EnglAnd bEAt IndIA by 9 runs, ClInCh tItlE for 4th tImE lOnDOn Agencies

E

ngLAnD completed a stunning fightback to beat India by nine runs and win the Women's World Cup at an ecstatic Lord's. Chasing 229, India looked set for victory at 191-3, but Anya Shrubsole pinned Raut lbw for 86 to spark a collapse of seven wickets for 28 runs.

The seamer finished with 6-46 - the best figures in a World Cup final - as India were bowled out for 219 with eight balls unused. natalie Sciver made 51 and Sarah Taylor 45 in England's 228-7, enough for a fourth World Cup crown.

It ended a wait for a global trophy that went back to 2009 and vindicated the approach of coach Mark Robinson, who dispensed with former captain Charlotte Edwards after defeat in the final of the 2016 World Twenty20.

India, unfancied at the start of the tournament, seemed to be in control for much of a match that was played on a slow, low surface. But the brilliant Shrub-

sole and the tenacity of the hosts denied them a first major trophy.

After defeat T20 final in India last year, Robinson criticised his team's fitness and set about making changes.

Winfeld and Fran Wilson have all been integrated into the top order, Alex Hartley's left-arm spin has become integral to the attack and Sarah Taylor has returned from an anxiety-related issue. Knight's side were beaten by India in the first game of the tournament, but ENGLAND steadily imWOMEN 228 FOR 7 proved to top (SCIVER 51, TAYLOR 45, the eight-team inGOSWAMI 3-23, POONAM 2- group, cluding beat36) BEAT INDIA WOMEN 219 ing defending champions (RAUT 86, KAUR 51, Australia.

SHRUBSOLE 6-46) BY 9 T h e i r thrilling semiRUNS final victory over South Africa was frontpage news, but it was nothing compared to the drama of the final in the Edwards was replaced as captain and rain at a packed, partisan and raucous retired, with new skipper Heather Knight Lord's. In the run-up to the final, Shrubleading a team of players that established sole's father shared a picture on Twitter of his daughter as an 11-year-old, who said themselves in the international arena.

Batters Tammy Beaumont, Lauren she wanted to play in a World Cup final at

Lord's. The vice-captain had already hit the winning runs in the semi-final, and, in the final, lifted England when the World Cup looked to be slipping away.

Raut, who should have been stumped

by Taylor on 64, was trapped lbw before Sushma Verma was bowled by Hartley without scoring. India needed only 33 from 39 balls with five wickets in hand, but Shrubsole, steaming in from the Pavilion End, was irresistible.

She removed the dangerous Veda Krishnamurthy, who top-edged a swipe to Sciver, bowled Jhulan goswami and ran out Shikha Pandey from point. Deepti Sharma holed out for Shrubsole to complete the first five-wicket haul in a World Cup final and, although Jenny gunn dropped a simple catch at mid-off that would have clinched the trophy, victory was completed when Shrubsole bowled Rajeshwari gayakwad with the next delivery.

England opted to make first use of a used wicket, with openers Winfield and Beaumont sharing nine fours in the first 15 overs. However, England managed only the same number in the next 35.

India took pace off the ball - leg-spinner Poonam Yadav managed to bowl as slowly as 33mph - but Sciver and Taylor manouvered the ball well in a fourthwicket partnership of 83. When the time came to accelerate, seamer goswami returned to have Taylor caught down the leg side and both Wilson and Sciver lbw.

England were squeezed, but the late impetus of Katherine Brunt, gunn and Laura Marsh ensured they just about had enough.

Big names rumoured for World XI tour to Pakistan SPORTS DESK

World Cup was last chance for sana mir and co: PCb chief KaRachi Agencies

Expressing disappointment at the poor show by Pakistan's women cricket team in the ICC Women’s World Cup, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said the World Cup was the last chance for Sana Mir and company. Pakistan lost all seven games and finished at the bottom of the eight-team tournament in England. Following the poor run, management of the women's team received criticism from all quarters, and now Khan has publicly termed the performance as “disappointing”. “It was disappointing, I was there and it seemed that Pakistan women cricket team has been stagnant. I couldn’t see any sign of improvement there,” he said. “We need to change the current group of players and need to bring new talent; athletic sportswomen should be inducted into Pakistan women team,” he said. The chairman also hinted at the axing of captain Sana Mir and manager Ayesha Ashar, adding that the World Cup was the last chance for them. “It was the last chance for them. now, [it is the] time to bring changes in the Pakistan women cricket team.” In response to a question, the chairman affirmed reports of grouping in the team. However, he didn’t talk much on the rifts among players. Khan also spoke about the ongoing match fixing inquiry and hoped that the matter will reach its logical conclusion in two weeks’ time. “[The hearing at anti-corruption tribunal] should complete soon,” he said. The chairman confirmed that two more names surfaced during the inquiry, but didn’t go into the specific of the matter. “I have heard about the two names emerging into the scandal,” he said. Khan expressed disappointment at the reports of Pakistan players objecting to the prize money being offered to them by different corporates and termed the attitude as inappropriate. “This is not appropriate, and I will take notice of it once I am home,” he said.

A pair of former Test captains mentioned as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) look to lock in three-match T20 series in September.

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke and Proteas batting superstar Hashim Amla are among the names who could feature in a World XI side set to visit Pakistan.

While the PCB is still awaiting official security clearance from the Punjab government for the tour to go ahead, the proposal involves a three-match T20 series against the Pakistan national team, which would be recognised as full internationals by the ICC. "Andy Flower will be the coach of the touring World XI side," PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said on a local television show, before adding he had "heard that Hashim Amla,

Michael Clarke, along with new Zealander Luke Ronchi and Australian Tim Paine, are going to be part of the team".

Only a 2015 tour by Zimbabwe, which included three ODIs and two T20Is, has broken a run of more than eight years without international cricket in Pakistan, since a Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by gunmen in Lahore.

However, a successful staging of the Pakistan Super League

final at the gaddafi Stadium in the same city in March this year led to the head of the ICC's Pakistan task team giles Clarke to conceiving of the idea of a World XI tour, which has since gathered momentum as the PCB look to encourage the return of international teams to their war-torn country.

"I have spoken to (the government) but I'm waiting for a final word," said Khan, "which I am hopeful to receiving in time.”

Pakistan win silver medal in Asian Cadet Wrestling Championship Phuket: Pakistani wrestler Inayat Ullah on Sunday won the silver medal in Asian Cadet Wrestling Championship being held in Thailand. Inayat won his first fight against wrestlers from Tajikistan, Iran and Mangolia. He lost his final fight against a Kazakhstani wrestler. With Inayat`s performance in the tournament, Pakistan will be receiving a silver media after a span of28 years. Inayat Ullah was the only wrestler representing Pakistan in the tournament. Agencies

IAAF president cannot guarantee clean athletics championships SPORTS DESK IAAF president Lord Coe says he cannot guarantee next month's World Athletics Championships will be drug free.

Russia's athletics federation is banned from the event in London, having been suspended by the sport's global governing body in 2015 amid allegations of statesponsored doping.

"It's a very utopian view, people will always seek to cheat," said Coe, speaking on BBC One's show.

Coe, however, added the system for detecting cheats "is a lot safer".

"We have the technology that allows us to be very much more specific about what we are looking for," he said.

"I would love to tell you that we will have a drug-free sport in future. Everything we are doing is engaged in trying to achieve

that but we know a few people will cheat.

"What we do have in place now is an independent athlete integrity unit, we have independent sanctioning and discipline and we will be able to be a lot tougher and speed up the process."

Russia was barred from international athletics after last year's McLaren report claimed more than 1,000 athletes benefited from a state-sponsored doping programme between 2011 and 2015.

CMYK

Coe said in April he was "disappointed" by the lack of progress made by Russia in anti-doping reforms.

What about Eugene being awarded 2021 Worlds?

Coe was also asked about Eug e n e , Oregon b e i n g awarded the 2021 World Athletics Championships.

The decision is being investigated by the FBI and the Criminal Division of America's Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the BBC learned.

The US city was awarded the event in 2015 with the IAAF bypassing the usual formal bidding process.

"First of all, 23 people voted for Eugene, Oregon," said Coe. "Every sport wants to get into the United States. It has been a very clear intent from the IAAF to have a World Championships in the United States.

"I would have loved other cities in the United States to have bid for it. Eugene wasn't our choice, it was the choice of United States Track and Field Association.

"Eugene and Qatar came within three votes of each other and the council made a judgment that we needed to have a presence in the United States.

"If anything subsequently comes out of that that gives us any reason for concern we will look at that."

SPORTS Monday, 24 July, 2017

AUSTRALIA PAY ROW

MoU talks coNtiNUe after ‘coNcocted crisis’ MElBOUrNE

c

AGENCIES

RICKET Australia has quelled speculation the coming Ashes summer is under threat, claiming that negotiations for a new Memorandum of Understanding are progressing positively despite a series of curious statements by the players’ union over the weekend that have been described as fuelling a “concocted crisis”.

CA Chief Executive James Sutherland met for more than two hours with his Australian Cricketers’ Association counterpart Alistair Nicholson today to further progress an agreement, with further meetings scheduled over coming days.

The tone of conciliation stands starkly at odds with claims made in ACA correspondence over the weekend that left CA officials “perplexed” and “bemused” given that productive talks had taken place just hours before the union wrote to players warning the weeks of negotiations were at risk of regressing ‘back to square one’.

In an email sent after Nicholson had updated the ACA’s executive on progress of the MOU negotiations last Friday, players were also told that the vast level

of detail that needed to be covered in a new agreement meant it “still may not be completed with time enough to meet the needs of fans, sponsors and broadcasters invested in the upcoming tours and the summer of cricket”.

CA indicated today it remains “100 per cent confident” the summer’s Ashes series against England will proceed as planned starting in Brisbane on November 23, but were less clear on the rationale for the rolling commentary on the ongoing talks provided by the ACA over the weekend.

de Gea not joining real: Mourinho

This included: • Claims that a ‘terms sheet’ flagged as a possible “peace proposal” by the ACA had been rejected by CA even though the union had specifically noted it was not a legally binding document • Assertions that the ‘terms sheet’ had been tendered on Tuesday and the union was awaiting CA’s response, even though contents and financial assumptions contained within the document had been discussed at length (despite its unofficial status) during negotiations last Wednesday

• A pledge that the union will continue to fight for a “fair share for all players and for grassroots cricket” even though the proposal contained in the initial ‘terms sheet’ delivered more money to players and less to grassroots than was mandated under the previous MOU • A suggestion that any move by CA to ignore the proposals outlined in the ‘terms sheet’ would “have the effect of taking the negotiations back to ‘square one’ minimising the good work and good faith acquired over the last two weeks and again jeopardising upcoming tours” even though the document was tendered unsolicited and held no formal status Despite being confused by claims that MOU negotiations that seemed to progressing harmoniously on Friday afternoon were suddenly at risk of collapsing just hours later – without any formal meetings having taken place in the interim – CA remains hopeful an agreement is imminent.

“Cricket Australia will not comment on details of the negotiation but productive discussions were held today and progress is being made on a range of issues,” a CA spokesman said this evening in the wake of the meeting between Sutherland and Nicholson.

Danilo completes Man City move Madrid AGENCIES

lonDon: Goalkeeper David de Gea will "100 per cent" be staying at Manchester United this season, says manager Jose Mourinho. The Spain international, 26, has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid, two years after a deadline-day deal fell through because the paperwork was not faxed through in time. Mourinho hinted that United were open to selling De Gea to Real last summer, but said that stance has now changed. "I can guarantee he is not going this season," the United boss said.

Speaking about last summer, the former Real coach added: "The club was closed, but when a player has a desire to go, I don't stop them. So, we opened it and they [Real] decided to close." Before the sides meet at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Mourinho also said he regarded Real's Gareth Bale as being in the same "mission impossible" category as team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. Former United forward Ronaldo last week ruled out a return to Old Trafford. "He was never on my list," Mourinho said of the Welsh attacker. "It is clear Bale likes Madrid. He is in a very good situation. I never felt a desire from him to leave. So why lose time and energy on that?" Mourinho described De Gea as "really happy, focused and working better than ever" but suggested that he is no longer guaranteed his place in the starting XI. Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero pushed De Gea hard last season and was preferred for the Europa League final win against Ajax. Romero, 30, signed a contract extension until 2021 last week and both men will be given 45 minutes against Real on Sunday. "The best thing that could happen for De Gea was the way Romero played last season," Mourinho said. "Until last year, David was clearly a safe man. A clear choice. But after what Romero did last season, David thinks he is training in another way. He is much better than before." Mourinho also confirmed that Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo will miss the start of the campaign, despite all three being on the tour of the United States. Left-back Shaw is expected to return from a foot injury by September, Young will likely be back playing in October following a hamstring problem and Rojo will be fit after knee damage in December or January. AGENCIES

Real Madrid right-back Danilo completed his move to Manchester City on Sunday, the Brazilian joining Pep Guardiola's Premier League giants on a five-year contract.

The 26-year-old will now link up with City on their pre-season tour of the United States after agreeing personal terms and passing his medical.

"There has been strong interest from other clubs, but it has always been my ambition to play for Pep Guardiola," Danilo told his new club's official website.

"As soon as I heard of his interest, I knew immediately I wanted to be a City player," he added. His departure from the European champions had been con-

firmed by Real boss Zinedine Zidane on Saturday on the eve of his team's meeting with Manchester United in California.

According to the BBC he moves to Manchester on a £26.5 million (29.5 million euros) deal.

Ian Chappell defends Kohli in Kumble controversy SportS DeSk: Australia legend Ian Chappell has backed India captain Virat Kohli following the controversy over the stepping down of Anil Kumble as coach of the Indian team and then Ravi Shastri’s appointment. Following Kumble’s stepping down from the role of India’s coach, there was a clash between the two with Kohli unhappy with the former India bowlers’ approach to things within the team.

“Kohli didn’t have the same harmonious relationship with Anil Kumble that he enjoyed with Ravi Shastri

Guardiola had made full-backs his top transfer priority in the close season having released Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna.

Danilo links up with City's new recruit Kyle Walker, the Tottenham defender who signed a five-year contract for a fee that could rise with add-ons to £54 million (61m euros) this month.

Danilo, who joined European champions Real in 2015 from Porto, started just 17 Spanish league games last season with Dani Carvajal often preferred in the right-back role.

The Spanish international started ahead of Danilo in the Champions League final in Cardiff as Real Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 to lift their 12th European Cup. Real are due to face City in Los Angeles next week.

when he was cricket director. The fact that India have now reverted to Shastri as coach prompts the question: ‘Why change something that isn’t broken?’,” wrote Chappell in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

“If a coach is to be inflicted on a captain then at least it should be someone with whom he’s comfortable,” he added.

Chappell’s final suggestion on the process to be followed while selecting a coach was that the right captain needs to be appointed first before going after a coach. “The moral of this story? Make sure you appoint the right captain, ensure a strong selection panel and only then worry about finding the appropriate coach,” wrote.

“We have been in constant communication with the ACA and we are expecting further meetings on the negotiation to continue over the coming days.”

It is understood the ACA used its missive to players on Friday evening as part of its regular communications roll-out to keep their members abreast of developments in the negotiations for a new MOU that was due to come into effect on July 1.

The decision to air the prospect of talks regressing to “square one” has also been interpreted as a stunt to gain additional leverage in negotiations, by raising the prospect of a major setback to the process when the unofficial ‘terms sheet’ was not accepted

by CA as a de facto MOU. A media statement issued by the ACA this morning, the 35th put out by the union in relation to the MOU (CA has released 14 over the same period), referred to the unofficial ‘term sheet’ under a headline ‘Players Propose Peace Plan’.

Among the items included in the ‘term sheet’ and outlined in the media statement was a proposal for players to allocate a sum of up to $30 million to grassroots cricket out of the share of money they would receive from revenue above CA’s forecasts, as well as performance bonuses they might earn.

We want Neymar with us: Valverde barcelona: Coach Ernesto Valverde reiterated his desire to keep Neymar at Barcelona after the Brazilian scored twice in a 2-1 friendly win over Juventus. Paris St-Germain have reportedly triggered the forward's 222m euro (£199m) release clause, although Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu told BBC Sport the 25year-old is not for sale. Neymar did not speak to reporters after the pre-season win in New Jersey, but Valverde did address the speculation. "We want Neymar with us," he said. "We know his value on the pitch and what he brings to the locker room." Neymar, who joined from Santos in 2013 and signed a new fiveyear contract until 2021 in October, only played for the first half of the International Champions Cup contest. He opened the scoring after 15 minutes following a clever exchange with Paco Alcacer and doubled the lead nine minutes later, drilling low past Gianluigi Buffon after burrowing through the Juve defence. Giorgio Chiellini scored a consolation for the beaten Champions League finalists just after the hour in front of a sell-out 82,104 crowd at the MetLife Stadium. PSG coach Unai Emery would not be drawn on the speculation following his side's International Champions Cup opener against Tottenham. AGENCIES

Women's Hockey World League: England beat Argentina 5-2 to take bronze JOHaNNESBUrG AGENCIES

England women's hockey team won bronze at the World League Semi-Finals with a 5-2 win over Argentina in Johannesburg.

Sophie Bray and Susannah Townsend's first-half goals were cancelled out with the teams going into half-time on 2-2.

However, a Laura Unsworth field goal, on her 201st international appearance, and two goals from Giselle Ansley sealed third place for England.

Captain Alex Danson described it as a "completely professional performance".

"The bronze-medal match is always a difficult game but we are a team on the rise and we are delighted with a solid, fantastic team

performance."

England lost to the USA in a sudden-death shootout semi-final on Thursday.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad.

CMYK

A storming solo run from Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Lily Owsley resulted in a penalty stroke for England in the 50th minute when

Argentina's goalkeeper Belen Succi heavily intercepted Owsley inside the shooting circle.

"I feel like I've been hit by a bus" she joked after the victory.

"I knew I had pace above anyone else so I thought, 'chuck and run'! But I knew one-on-one she was going to have to commit - which she did."

Head coach Danny Kerry was absent through illness and missed his side's final two group games.

Coach David Ralph said: "We are delighted with the result today and what pleased us more is our performance.

"To pick ourselves up from the semi-final result and play like that shows the character within this group."

Kerry's side have already guaranteed qualification for November's World League Finals in New Zealand.