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KP CM restores electricity supply af ter entering grid station in DI Khan
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to the province Enraged citizens staged demonstrations in Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan, where the Grand Trunk Road was blocked triggering severe traffic jams Irate protesters raised slogans against unannounced power outages during Eid causing problems for motorists and pedestrians alike Former KP chief minister Pervez Khattak s car was also caught in a traffic snarl Khattak urged protesters to exercise restraint Meanwhile, PTI leader Asad Qaiser joined a protest against power loadshedding in Swabi He criticised the federal government and announced plans to protest in the National Assembly and on the streets against the discriminatory electricity supply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In Karak, women protesters demonstrated against unannounced power cuts, blocking Shagai Road to traffic In a related development, MPA Fazal Elahi personally intervened restoring power to 10 feeders at the Rehman Baba Grid Station A video of this unconventional approach to power restoration went viral on social media In response the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) decided to take action against MPA Fazal Elahi, Jameel and 45 others for disrupting the power distribution company's operations Application for FIR against MPA Fazal, others moved Meanwhile the SDO for the Rasheed Garhi Subdivision wrote a complaint to the Rehman Baba police station seeking the registration of an FIR against MPA Fazal Elahi and his companions, citing losses totalling Rs2 64 million incurred by Pesco due to the incident
tion and restored power to 10 feeders
MPA Fazal claimed that Pesco and the district administration had given a schedule for loadshedding but they did not follow their own schedule and did unscheduled loadshedding causing great inconvenience to the masses He said he was forced to go to the grid station and restore the power supply POWER CRISIS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL IN KP: GOVERNOR
territorial sovereignty will be met with a swift and resolute response with the full support of the nation Earlier upon arrival, the COAS was received by the Rawalpindi Corps commander
the National Assembly and on the streets against the discriminatory electricity supply
MPA Fazal allegedly entered Rehman Baba grid sta-
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Wednesday that power crisis in the province was spinning out of control and he will talk to the federal government on the issue He said it was the responsibility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to resolve people s problems as they have elected him their chief executive The governor said there was an allied government in the country and issues would be resolved with negotiations and talks
In par tnership with Profit T h u r s d a y, 2 0 J u n e , 2 0 2 4 I 1 3 Z i l - H a j j , 1 4 4 5 R s 5 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 3 4 9 I 3 6 Pa g e s I I s l a m a b a d E d i t i o n ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t P RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed to redouble efforts for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as provision of essential aid to the innocent Palestinian brethren On the occasion of Eidul Azha, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif exchanged Eid greetings with Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the telephone The prime minister conveyed his sincere wishes and prayers for the prosperity and progress of the fraternal people of Malaysia as well as for the Muslim Ummah the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Monday While discussing the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the prime minister appreciated Malaysia s principled and consistent stance on the Palestinian cause, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Underscoring the close and cordial relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia the prime minister expressed satisfaction on the upward trajectory of bilateral ties The two sides agreed to further strengthen their relations which were marked by commonality of views on all issues of mutual interest The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further broaden the historic ties between Pakistan and Malaysia in all areas of mutual interest particularly in trade and investment While recalling their recent warm and productive meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting in Riyadh in April 2024 as well as two telephone conversations in the last four months the two leaders underscored the need for maintaining regular high-level exchanges A T T E N T I O N Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint Contac t: 0307-7338168 r fan farooq@pakistantoday com pk IN T O DAY S S S U E g P r e m i e r S h e h b a z, Ka z a k h P r e s i d e n t r e a f f i r m c o m m i t m e n t t o e x p a n d b i l a t e r a l t i e s t o i t s f u l l p o t e n t i a l g E x p r e s s e s s a t i s f a c t i o n o v e r u p w a r d t r a j e c t o r y o f b i l a t e r a l r e l a t i o n s w i t h M a l a y s i a a n d K a z a k h s t a n P M , M A L AY S I A N C O U N T E R PA R T A G R E E T O R E D O U B L E E F F O R T S F O R G A Z A C E A S E F I R E COAS visits Line of Control, celebrates Eid with soldiers RAWALPINDI n p Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir visited the Line of Control in the Haji Pir sector on Monday to celebrate Eid with the troops According to ISPR the COAS offered Eid prayers with officers and soldiers at the front line praying for Pakistan s peace and prosperity Addressing the troops the COAS commended their dedication, high morale, and commitment to defending the motherland He said, “As soldiers, we take pride in celebrating such festivities away from our homes and loved ones while on duty ensuring the security of our country and fellow citizens Discussing the indigenous freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people in IIOJK the COAS reiterated Pakistan s principled stance, aligned with relevant UN resolutions He condemned India’s ongoing oppression and brutalities against Kashmiris, noting that post-election, India has been attempting to mask its aggression and victimisation of the Kashmiri people with false propaganda and provocations against Pakistan He added that such tactics, including manufacturing false flag operations, have become a routine political tool of India The COAS stated that Pakistan has always supported peace and stability in the region However, any provocation or violation of Pakistan’s
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Shehbaz Sharif and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan exchanged Eidul Azha greetings during a phonic call on Wednesday According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister ’s Office both leaders expressed their wishes for the continuous development and prosperity of the people of Pakistan and the UAE The prime minister thanked the UAE president for his ongoing support for Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan s full support for the UAE Reflecting on his highly productive visit to the UAE in May 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan s strong commitment to transforming the brotherly relations between the two countries into a sustainable and mutually beneficial strategic partnership focused on trade and investment Highlighting the importance of regular high-level exchanges between the two nations the prime minister invited the UAE president to visit Pakistan soon Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed accepted the invitation and expressed his willingness to undertake an official visit in the near future Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact to further strengthen the fraternal and close relations between their countries Additionally Prime Minister Shehbaz also called the leaders of Qatar Kuwait Turkey and Tajikistan to extend Eidul Azha greetings In a telephonic call, PM Shehbaz, UAE president exchange Eid greetings C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 DERA ISMAIL KHAN s a l e e M j a d o o n Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin on Wednesday personally restored electricity supply after entering grid station, announcing an end to any loadshedding that exceeded 12 hours in any area of the province According to a statement posted on the KP government s X account no area would suffer power outages for more than 12 hours now The chief minister also directed all lawmakers to visit grid stations in their respective areas and ensure the implementation of the 12-hour loadshedding schedule The chief minister was accompanied by Dera DPO Nasir Mahmood and DSP Adnan as he visted DI Khan to resolve the ongoing issue of prolonged loadshedding The visit came amid a dispute between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments over electricity loadshedding The Press Secretary to the KP s Chief Minister later confirmed that CM Gandapur has fixed the schedule for loadshedding stating that loadshedding will not exceed 12 hours in any area of the province from now on He said that the KP CM had also called on all parliamentarians in the province to visit their respective grid stations to implement the 12-hour loadshedding schedule Residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are currently facing 18 to 22 hour loadshedding The federal government citing 'electricty theft in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has committed to provide additional supply only in case of theft going down Last month Energy Minister Awais Leghari had termed revenue-based power cuts, i e suspension of power supply to areas with high pilferage and poor bill recovery, “a necessity” He had explained that category 3 to 8 feeders those with 20 to 80 per cent losses were subjected to power cuts for 15-16 hours “If we supply electricity from these feeders the economy that is already struggling will collapse Leghari had said PROTESTS ERUPT IN KP AGAINST OUTAGES DURING EID DAYS Protests erupted on the third day of Eidul Azha against long-hours unscheduled electricity loadshedding in major cities and towns of the province with the PTI announcing plans to protest in
s k s l a w m a k e r s t o f o l l o w s u i t a s C M a n n o u n c e s e n d t o o u t a g e s e x c e e d i n g 1 2 h o u r s i n a n y a r e a PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday urged the federal government to pay the dues and revenues of the provincial government amounting to around Rs1,600 billion, threatening that the province would withdraw support to the federal government for securing IMF loan “I first want my province’s money otherwise I will clearly tell the IMF that they take money in our name tax our people CM Gandapur threatened while addressing a press conference on Wednesday Addressing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Gandapur said the premier had called him and told him about the province’s support to secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund I first want my province s money otherwise I will clearly tell the IMF that they take money in our name tax our people He warned PM Shehbaz that the premier was forcing [us] to shove your government aside because of his behaviour and actions Gandapur to Centre: Pay KP ’s dues lest will back out of IMF deal China’s key CPC Minister Liu Jianchao arrives in Pakistan today ISLAMABAD M a n a b r a r Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and member of the Communist Party s Central Committee Mr Liu Jianchao is set to arrive Islamabad today on a three-day visit and would hold high level meetings with the Pakistani leadership Mr Liu is visiting Pakistan from 2022 June 2024 on the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar Mr Liu Jianchao is a senior CPC leader who has held top offices in China Liu Jianchao heads the Communist Party s diplomatic arm the IDCPC a body that promotes the party s ideology and influence abroad Mr Liu s appointment signals a departure from the abrasive “wolf warrior” diplomacy KAMALIA p r o f i t Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday reaffirmed the government s commitment to expanding the tax net to include more sectors while reducing tax exemptions His comments followed the recent presentation of the federal budget for FY2024-25 which totals Rs18 9 trillion and aligns with IMF guidelines The new budget aims for a 3 6% GDP growth and sets a challenging Rs13 trillion tax collection target It also raises taxes on salaried individuals and eliminates many existing tax exemptions Aurangzeb, during the budget presentation emphasized the need to broaden the tax base to avoid overburdening current taxpayers Addressing a press conference in Kamalia, Aurangzeb highlighted the unsustainability of the current 9 5% tax-to-GDP ratio, advocating for an increase to 13% He noted that effective taxation is essential for the functioning of public institutions like schools universities and hospitals Aurangzeb outlined several strategies to achieve this goal, including imposing direct taxes in previously untaxed areas and cutting back on the Rs3 9 trillion in tax exemptions He assured that key sectors such as health and agriculture would remain protected The minister also revealed that around 32 000 retailers have been registered and will be taxed starting in July No sector can remain untaxed, he stressed, underscoring the necessity of an equitable tax system A c k n o w l e d g i n g e n f o r c e m e n t c h a llenges, Aurangzeb called on the Federal B o a r d o f R e v e n u e ( F B R ) t o e n h a n c e i t s efforts He cited poor implementation of the track and trace system as a major revenue loss factor and announced that cons u l t i n g f i r m M c K i n s e y h a s b e e n c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h t h e F B R f o r t h e p a s t m o n t h t o i m p r o v e d i g i t a l i z a t i o n a n d a ut o m a t i o n T h i s i n i t i a t i v e a i m s t o r e d u c e human interaction increase transparency and minimize corruption Aurangzeb also addressed the fear of harassment and frivolous notices that deter people from joining the tax net, sharing his personal experiences from the private sector to highlight the issue In addition to tax reforms the minister announced the upcoming privatization of the Karachi airport, expected by July or August, and plans to outsource other airports He also mentioned the federal government’s intention to close ministries and departments that have been devolved to provincial authorities to reduce expenses and boost efficiency The closure of the Pakistan Public Works Department, already announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a significant step in this direction Aurangzeb further detailed plans to privatize state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to alleviate the financial burden on the government and improve operational efficiency He highlighted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) which has Rs622 billion in liabilities as a prime candidate for privatization These initiatives reflect the government s strategy to enhance fiscal stability, expand the tax base, and streamline operations to support sustainable economic growth Aurangzeb vows to expand tax net, cut exemptions C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
FITCH FORECASTS SIGNIFICANT DEBT REDUCTION FOR PAKISTAN FOLLOWING FY25 BUDGET
push branded milk prices to at least Rs340 per litre starting July 1 This price hike may drive consumers towards cheaper loose milk which will still be Rs100 per litre less expensive than packaged milk even after the price increase
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb argued that middle and uppermiddle-income groups, who primarily consume packaged milk, can afford the 18% GST However following the budget announcement the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) increased electricity prices by Rs5 72 per unit, adding a Rs570 billion burden on households
The government has also imposed an 18% tax on animal fodder and poultry feed which will likely increase the prices of meat milk and chicken from July Although the finance minister pledged to tax holy cows, the budget primarily targets actual cows and buffaloes, sparing major industries
Exporters the only significant sector taxed in the budget are pressuring the government to withdraw the income tax and reinstate a fixed income tax at a higher rate The PDA has criticized the 18% GST, calling it a disaster for public health farmers’ livelihoods formalizing the loose milk supply chain investment in the sector and controlling food infla-
Two killed as laptop batter y explodes in
NEWS DESK
Faisalabad s Shareef Pura area on Wednesday witnessed a fatal incident when a laptop battery exploded while charging igniting a fierce fire that claimed two lives and inflicted severe burns on seven family members The victims, including five children and two women, were residents of a house along Satyana Road They were promptly transported to Allied Hospital following the incident according to rescue personnel Hospital officials reported that the deceased were siblings
tion The association emphasized that milk is a crucial part of the human diet, essential for addressing malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies Despite being one of the highest milk-consuming nations Pakistan faces severe malnutrition issues with stunting at 40% wasting at 18%, and underweight rates at 29% Scientific studies from leading institutions and food authorities indicate that a significant portion of loose milk is adulterated and contaminated with nearly half deemed unsafe for human consumption Globally over 90% of milk is consumed as packaged milk, while in Pakistan, over 90% of milk consumers rely on loose milk
The PDA advocates for the formal milk supply chain highlighting its benefits for farmers the economy consumers and the government The industry supports fair taxation recommending income tax over GST for packaged milk to avoid disadvantaging the taxed formal sector against untaxed loose milk
The association fears that the proposed GST could reduce sales volume by 75% harm profitability and deprive farmers of Rs23 billion in procurement due to decreased demand It argues that removing the sales tax would promote the formal sector ’s growth increase income tax revenues and provide consumers with safer milk options
and those injured suffered burns covering 50% to 60% of their bodies In response to the tragedy Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her condolences to the affected family and mandated immediate provision of optimal medical care for the survivors
Following the incident an investigative team was formed by the Faisalabad deputy commissioner while Regional Police Officer Dr Muhammad Abid Khan directed the senior superintendent of police to launch a thorough inquiry into the cause of the fire
In a separate incident in Lahore, a major fire was extinguished by 25 rescue workers at a paper factory within Sundar Industrial Estate after battling the flames for over 14 hours, as per Rescue 1122 sources This string of fires including a recent catastrophic event at Sahiwal Teaching Hospital that resulted in 11 infant fatalities has prompted heightened scrutiny and intervention by governmental authorities
Chief Minister Nawaz has called for stringent accountability measures, leading to several arrests and terminations within the hospital’s administration
Thursday 20 June 2024 ISLAMABAD 02 NEWS PR OFIT n e w s D e s k F I T C H Ratings an American credit rating agency has forecasted that Pakistan s FY25 budget will significantly reduce government debt, predicting a decline to 68% of GDP by the end of FY24 This improvement is attributed largely to high inflation and deflator effects which help offset the rising domestic interest costs Fitch expects both inflation and interest costs to fall due to economic growth and primary surpluses On June 10, the State Bank of Pakistan made a pivotal move by reducing policy rates by 150 basis points to 20 5% marking the first cut in five years This monetary easing is anticipated to further reduce inflation to 12% for FY25 and lower the policy rate to 16% by the end of FY25 on June 13, the federal government presented the FY25 budget setting ambitious targets: a 5 9% GDP deficit and a 2 0% primary surplus a significant improvement from FY24 s estimated 7 4% deficit and 0 4% primary surplus The budget also aims for a 3 6% growth rate in FY25, up from 2 4% in FY24, driven by extensive tax increases and significant fiscal efforts at the provincial level D e s p i t e t h e s e o p t i m i s t i c t a rg e t s t h e budget might face resistance within parl i a m e n t a n d b r o a d e r s o c i e t y d u e t o t h e coalition s weaker mandate from the February elections Fitch has revised its fiscal forecasts, predicting a primary surplus of 0 8%, taking into account potential revenue shortfalls and higher current spending, partially offset by lower-than-expected development spending Consequently the growth forecast for FY25 has been adjusted to 3 0% down from 3 5% Fiscal credibility has been bolstered by unpopular subsidy reforms, aligning the FY24 primary deficit with targets While Pakistan has historically struggled to sustain reforms the absence of viable alternatives has fostered support for stringent policy measures in the short term Following the completion of a nine-month IMF Stand-By Arrangement in April, significant progress has been made towards a new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) according to the IMF However, Pakistan s external liquidity and funding remain critical challenges A new IMF deal is expected to secure other external funding sources, but maintaining stringent policy settings to manage external financing needs and comply with a new EFF could prove increasingly difficult Since the February elections Pakistan s external position has improved The current account deficit is projected to narrow to 0 3% of GDP (USD 1 billion) in FY24, down from 1 0% in FY23 Subdued domestic demand has reduced imports while exchange rate reforms have boosted remittance inflows Strong agricultural exports have also contributed positively Gross reserves, including gold, have risen to USD 15 1 billion, covering over two months of external payments up from USD 9 6 billion at the end of FY23 Nevertheless Pakistan’s projected funding needs still exceed its reserves estimated at about USD 20 billion annually for FY24–FY25, including maturing bilateral debt expected to be rolled over This exposes Pakistan to external funding conditions and potential policy missteps Pakistan’s ‘CCC’ rating reaffirmed in December 2023 reflects the high external funding risks amid substantial mediumterm financing requirements Fitch emphasizes that despite these challenges, the FY24 primary deficit aligns with targets, supported by unpopular subsidy reforms that enhance fiscal credibility While sustaining reforms has been difficult historically the necessity for stringent policy measures has garnered short-term support in the absence of viable alternatives
PR OFIT r e u t e r s Nvidia becomes the world’s most valuable company on Tuesday dethroning tech heavyweight Microsoft as its high-end processors play a central role in a scramble to dominate artificial intelligence technology Shares of the chipmaker climbed 3 5% to $135 58, lifting its market capitalization to $3 335 trillion, just days after overtaking iPhone maker Apple to become the second most valuable company Microsoft’s stock market value was $3 317 trillion as its shares dipped 0 45% Apple s stock slipped over 1% leaving its value at $3 286 trillion Nvidia s stunning surge in market value over the past year has become emblematic of a Wall Street frenzy driven by optimism about emerging AI technology While Nvidia s rally has lifted the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to record highs, some investors worry that unbridled optimism about AI could evaporate if signs emerge of a slowdown in spending on the technology “It’s Nvidia’s market; we’re all just trading in it ” said Steve Sosnick chief market strategist at Interactive Brokers Nvidia has also become by far the most traded company on Wall Street, with daily turnover recently averaging $50 billion, compared to around $10 billion each for Apple, Microsoft and Tesla, according to LSEG data The chipmaker now accounts for about 16% of all trading in S&P 500 companies Nvidia s stock has nearly tripled so far this year compared with a rise of about 19% in Microsoft shares with demand for its top-of-the-line processors outpacing supply Tech giants Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Googleowner Alphabet are competing to build out their AI computing capabilities and add the technology to their products and services An insatiable appetite for Nvidia’s AI processors, viewed as far superior to competitors’ offerings has left them in tight supply and many investors view Nvidia as the greatest winner to date from surging AI development Nvidia has been getting a lot of positive attention and has been doing a lot of things very correctly, but a small misstep is likely to cause a major correction in the stock, and investors should be careful,” said Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in New York Tuesday s gain lifted Nvidia s stock to a record high and added over $110 billion to its market capitalization equivalent to the entire value of Lockheed Martin The company s market value expanded from $1 trillion to $2 trillion in just nine months in February, while taking just over three months to hit $3 trillion in June Since its blowout forecast about a year ago, the company has consistently breezed past Wall Street s lofty expectations for revenue and profit, with demand for its graphics processors far outstripping supply as companies rush to embed AI applications Nvidia executives said in May that demand for its Blackwell AI chips could exceed supply well into next year Sharp increases in analysts expectations for Nvidia s future earnings have outpaced its stellar stock gains, resulting in a fall in the stock’s earnings valuation Nvidia recently traded at 44 times expected earnings down from over 84 about a year ago LSEG data showed Increasing the appeal for its highly valued stock among individual investors, Nvidia last week split its stock 10-for-one Govt imposes hefty tax on milk consumers Nv i d i a e c l i p s e s M i c ro s o f t a s wo r l d ’s m o s t va l u a b l e c o m p a ny Fed’s Williams expects rates to come down as inflation pressures ease PR OFIT r e u t e r s Federal Reserve President John Williams said on Tuesday interest rates will come down gradually over time, but he declined to say when the U S central bank can kick off its monetary policy easing I expect interest rates to come down gradually over the next couple of years reflecting the fact that inflation is coming back to our 2% target and the economy is moving in a very strong sustainable path,” Williams said in an interview on the Fox Business television channel Asked if the Fed will meet the current market expectations for a rate cut in September Williams said I m not going to make a prediction about the exact path of policy What happens depends on how the data evolves,” he said, adding “I think that things are moving in the right direction” for an eventual easing Williams’ comments were his first public remarks since last week s Fed policy meeting when policymakers kept the central bank s benchmark interest rate in the 5 25%-5 50% range The Fed also released updated economic projections that pared back the expected rate cuts this year to one from the three seen in March in the wake of strongerthan-expected inflation data in the first months of 2024 Williams said that for the Fed job number one is to make sure that we get inflation back to 2%, as he rejected the idea that the central bank would tolerate inflation holding around the 3% level He also weighed into the debate that some recent data might be overstating what have been robust job market gains Overall the data tell me convincingly we still have a very strong labor market and we re seeing some slowing in hiring, Williams said But he acknowledged some parts of the job data may be “overstated,” adding that it will take time to confirm it
PR OFIT M o n to r i n g D e s k The Pakistan Kissan Mazdoor Tehreek (PKMT) has urged the National Biosafety Commission (NBC) to reject the proposal for the commercialisation of two genetically modified (GM) sugar cane crops citing significant hazards associated with GM crops In a recent press release the PKMT expressed strong opposition to the Technical Advisory Committee’s recommendation under the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in Islamabad This committee approved and recommended the commercialisation of two high-yielding GM sugar cane varieties: insect-resistant transgenic sugar cane (CABB-IRS) and herbicide-tolerant transgenic sugar cane (CABB-HTS), both developed by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad These varieties now await final approval from the NBC The PKMT denounces this attempt which will further enable corporate control over our food and agricultural production Approving GM sugar cane commercialisation will be disastrous for the country, particularly the agriculture sector This will be the first GM food crop in Pakistan the organisation stated The PKMT pointed to the failure of Bt cotton in India as a cautionary tale, noting that Pakistani farmers are also experiencing declining cotton yields They highlighted that GM crops are banned in several European Union countries Turkey and
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a r c a n e i s u s e d f o r e t h a n o l p r o d u c t i o n , t h i s m o v e w i l l w o r s e n t h e a l r e a d y d i r e e n v i r o n m e n t a l s i t u a t i o n a n d f u r t h e r i m p o v e r i s h s m a l l a n d l a n d l e s s f a r m e r s We s t r o n g l y u rg e t h e N a t i o n a l B i o s a f e t y C o m m i s s i o n t o d i s a p p r o v e t h e s e t w o G M s u g a r c a n e v a r i e t i e s , t h e P K M T s t a t e d MUMBAI r e u t e r s I N D I A should avoid adventurism and continue to focus on bringing down inflation towards the target of 4% despite the growing clamour to signal a pivot in monetary policy Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Tuesday At this point there is again clamour that one should change the stance But we want clear evidence that inflation should moderate and perhaps a little faster It will be too premature to talk in terms of changing the stance Das said at an ET Now Leadership Dialogues event “Any form of adventurism should be shunned it is better to stay the course and be watchful and play ball by ball The central bank kept the key repo rate unchanged at 6 5% for an eighth straight policy meeting earlier this month saying robust economic growth will give it space to focus on bringing down inflation towards its medium-term target Strong momentum in the South Asian nation s economic activity has continued in the first quarter of the new financial year that started in April with private investment also picking pace, Das said during a speech at the event He said there is no room for complacency but current confluence of factors was strongly favourable for India s growth and stability India s economy expanded at a much faster-than-expected rate of 8 2% in the fiscal year that ended in March and RBI expects it to grow by 7 2% in the current fiscal year Rural demand which was earlier lagging behind has also visibly improved and trends indicated that rural demand will hold going ahead Das added Despite global growth yet to pick up, Das said external demand was expected to remain strong and will give a lot of support to India’s merchandise and services exports On inflation Das said prices were moderating but at a very slow pace and reiterated that the last mile of disinflation was proving “sticky, arduous and very slow” Core inflation reached a historical low of around 3% in May he added Bringing down food inflation which has primarily been driven by supply side pressures like extreme weather, however, remains challenging, Das said Annual retail inflation in May rose 4 75%, slower than 4 83% in April and below 4 89% forecast by 50 economists polled by Reuters g C R E D I T R AT I N G F I R M E X P E C T S B OT H I N F L AT I O N A N D I N T E R E S T CO S T S TO FA L L D U E TO E CO N O M I C G R OW T H A N D P R I M A RY S U R P LU S India must avoid ‘adventurism’, focus on bringing down inflation, central bank chief says PR OFIT M o n to r i n g D e s k The PML-N-led coalition government has introduced a significant tax burden of over Rs250 billion on milk consumers by proposing an 18% general sales tax (GST) on every litre of packaged milk sold in Pakistan This move comes despite the country’s high child stunting rate of 40% raising concerns about its impact on nutrition Currently, packaged milk makes up a small portion of total milk consumption in Pakistan Consequently, the government expects to collect only Rs75 billion from this tax while the remaining Rs175 billion will benefit milkmen Malik Amjad Zubair Tiwana Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), confirmed that the 18% GST will generate Rs75 billion in the next fiscal year, equivalent to the budget allocation for parliamentarians’ schemes According to the Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA) which represents branded milk producers the new tax could increase the price of packaged milk by Rs50-70 per litre Additionally, milkmen could raise their prices by at least Rs30 per litre forcing consumers to pay an extra Rs250 billion for both packaged and loose milk With the formal sector accounting for only 8% of total milk sales in Pakistan, the new taxation will
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Ag e n c i e s
ADistrict and Sessions Judge of the Anti-Corruption Rawalpindi Court has awarded 96 years of rigorous imprisonment and a total fine of 5 8 million Rs to four people, including two revenue officials, for their involvement in multiple cases of cheating
manipulation and fraudulent ownership papers forgery to a prominent British Pakistani family Anti-Corruption Court Special Judge Ali Nawaz has sentenced the accused Aurangzeb Patwari, Malik Muhammad Safdar, Muhammad Almas Abbasi, Haq Nawaz Abbasi and Raja Shahid Ahmed for fraudulently occupying the lands using fraudulent means of forgery in papers of British Pakistani businessman Nisar Ahmad Afzal The convicts previously on bail, have been sent to Central Jail Adiyala after the damning judgment
The case of fraud was registered in November 2021 in Rawalpindi by Hamzah Afzal of Edgbaston in Birmingham and his father Nisar Afzal of the fraud on their lands in Rawalpindi District s Rajar Tehsil after officials of the land record of Revenue Estate
Aurangzeb Patwari Malik Muhammad Safdar – criminally conspired to forge the land record and transfer it to three men with powerful connections – Almas Abbasi s/o Mohammad Aslam; Haq Nawaz Abbasi s/o Kudadad Khan; and Raja Shahid S/o Raja Bashir as beneficiaries of the embezzlement in connivance with each other and with officials of the land record
The complainants had filed an application before the director-general of Anti-Corruption Lahore (Punjab) Anti-Corruption Lahore said in a forensic report prepared by Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) seen by The News that it investigated the accused and established that the record of the land registry was tampered with, signatures forged and additional pages added to the original land record in order to defraud the British Pakistani family The court was told that mutation of the land was not compared/verified by Girdawar which is a prerequisite under the law and that names of Almas, Haq Nawaz & Raja Shahid seems to be inserted subsequently and “this mutation has not been entered in Roznamcha Waqiati Raja Shahid Almas Abbasi and Haq Nawaz initially denied being involved in the
forgery scheme but the forensic investigation by Anti-Corruption Lahore (Punjab) proved they were involved in tampering of papers, fraud and manipulation in order to snatch the expensive piece of land worth around three billion Rupees (approximately £10 million) Anti-Corruption Court Special Judge Ali Nawaz said it was proven beyond any doubt that the accused had manipulated and forged the papers to commit crime against overseas Pakistani Nisar Afzal and his family and sentenced all the accused for 96 years in total on several counts each of criminal misconduct forgery fraud alteration and using forged documents to make gains: Raja Shahid sentenced for 17 years and fined 1 2 million Rs Haq Nawaz Abbasi was sentenced for 17 years and fined 1 2 million Rs; Aurangzeb Patwari sentenced for 31 years and fined 1 7 million Rs on five counts of criminal misconduct; Muhammad Safdar Naib Tehseeldar sentenced for 31 years and fined 1 7 million
Rs The main accused in the case Almas Abbasi died during the trial in December 2023
The judgment noted that entries in the mutation were made in both black and red ink but a sanction order dated May 16 2005 allegedly attributed to Revenue Officer
Ghulam Mujtaba Naib Tehsildar
was written in blue ink with cuttings This document, purportedly written by Naib Tehsildar Ghulam
Mujtaba, was sent for verification of the handwriting against his
admitted signatures and routine signatures confirmed that it was not
authored by Ghulam Mujtaba Naib Tehsildar Similarly in mutation no 5442/1 the signatures of Ghulam Mujtaba,
Naib Tehsildar were sent for comparison with his routine signature The forensic report confirmed that the signatures did not match
Ghulam Mujtaba’s supporting his claim that he never sanctioned these
mutations presented by accused Aurangzeb the former circle Patwari The judgement noted that Nisar Afzal has the option to initiate criminal proceedings against the convicted and at the same time can claim damages under the relevant law in the civil court The judge ruled that the accused persons had committed cheating fraud manipulation prepared fake documents with the pur-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He said the federal government had asked for some time to review the power system and requested the provincial government s support in the endeavour
However CM Gandapur said the timeline given to the Centre was up and he had attempted to contact Leghari but received no response This means you (the people) and we are free, he said Outlining his policy for future action, the chief minister urged everyone to follow it to the letter and propagate it as well No one has to damage any Wapda asset because it is our asset and made with our tax money
The chief minister announced that there would be no loadshedding beyond 12 hours at any feeder and lawmakers would have to ensure this and monitor this by personally overseeing the matter Addressing the police Gandapur said he had informed the KP police chief that the police would register no case against anyone on Wapda s request “This is KP’s police It is not bound to Wapda Wapda is committing injustice we are not getting our right and at the same time there is unfairness with us so you have to move forward with what is just Imran Khan has made me the chief minister of your province, I m the chief executive and you have to follow those instructions that I’m telling ” To the administration he said that it
would also have to follow his instructions and said personnel would have to be present with lawmakers in overseeing grid stations and ensuring no fault and no loadshedding beyond 12 hours
He said it was the federal government s responsibility to solve all the above issues but it was not fulfilling it thus criticism for it was warranted
The KP CM said his next step would be to curtail the national power supply from the province I am also coming to Islamabad Don t think that I am saying all this only from my province I will say all this in Islamabad too
He alleged that the federal government had not fulfilled its word and would now have to suffer for it
China’s key CPC Minister Liu Jianchao arrives in Pakistan today
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
A fluent speaker of English who studied briefly at Oxford University, Mr Liu has a knack for defending Beijing’s most ardent positions such as its claims to the self-governing island of Taiwan without being acerbic Mr Liu is considered a trusted CPC loyalist Many who have met with Mr Liu say he is more informal and engaging than other Chinese officials, seemingly comfortable going off script During the visit Mr Liu will co-chair with Dar the Third Meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint
Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of the Political Parties on CPEC He will also call on the senior civil and military leadership of Pakistan
Established in 2019, the JCM of Political Parties on CPEC is a regular consultation mechanism between the Communist Party of China and the political parties of Pakistan Previous meetings were held on 19 March 2019 in Beijing and on 20 August 2020 virtually
At the Third Meeting of the JCM Pakistan and China will review the progress of CPEC projects, CPEC’s contribution to Pakistan’s socio-economic
development and its up-gradation and extension for regional connectivity The visit is a part of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China including between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the political parties of Pakistan It reflects upon the importance attached by the two countries to further deepen their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership reaffirm mutual support on issues of respective core interests advance high-quality development of CPEC and enhance communication and dialogue on important regional and global developments
12 perish including Pakistanis as migrant boats sink off Italian coast
R OME Ag e n c i e s
At least 12 dead including Pakistani immigrants when two boats sink near the Italian water territory
According to several sources the boats were carrying several dozen immigrants heading towards Europe via Italian coast German aid group RESQSHIP, which operates the Nadir rescue boat, said it picked up 51 people from a sinking wooden boat including two who were unconscious and found 10 bodies trapped in the lower deck of the vessel Survivors were handed over to the Italian coastguard and taken ashore on Monday morning, while the Nadir was making its way to the Italian island of Lampedusa towing the wooden boat with the deceased the charity said The UN refugee agency UNHCR the International Organization for Migration and UN children s agency UNICEF said in a joint statement the boat had set off from Libya, carrying migrants from Syria Egypt Pakistan and Bangladesh
The second shipwreck took place about 200 km (125 miles) east of the Italian region of Calabria, as a boat that had set off from Turkey caught fire and overturned, the agencies said
They said 64 people were missing at sea, while 11 were rescued and taken ashore by the Italian coastguard, along with the body of a woman Shakilla Mohammadi a staffer of the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity said she heard from survivors that 66 people were unaccounted for, including at least 26 children, some only a few months old
“Entire families from Afghanistan are presumed dead They left from Turkey eight days ago and had taken in water for three or four days They told us they had no life vests and some ves-
sels did not stop to help them, she said in a statement The UN agencies said migrants from the second shipwreck came from Iran Syria and Iraq The incidents confirmed the central Mediterranean s reputation as one of the world s most dangerous migration routes According to U N data, more than 23,500 migrants have died or gone missing in its waters since 2014 UN agencies called on EU governments to step up Mediterranean search and rescue efforts and expand legal and safe migration channels so that migrants are not forced to risk their lives at sea
Thursday 20 June 2024 ISLAMABAD NEWS 03
–
pose and intention to get wrongful loss to the complainant and unlawful gain for them Last year, Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) dropped a mortgage fraud case after failing to establish enough evidence to prosecute him Nisar Afzal had left for Pakistan around 15 years ago after the case was charged He had pleaded that he was being victimised in a case in which he had no role to play The SFO, later on, accepted it didn’t have evidence and ended the case last year Nisar Afzal said in a statement: “I am relieved that finally justice has been done This was a case of financial terrorism At the trial we established through a record of transactions that I owned the land through completely rightful means The accused were proven to be cheaters, liars and scammers during the investigation and the trial but my time and resources were wasted for several years to expose the fraud I suffered so much that some of my family members left for the UK faced with threats to kill by the accused This was a case of a daylight robbery I am thankful to the court and the prosecution for giving me justice Overseas Pakistanis are a great asset and this should not happen to them or anyone else ” NISAR
SENTENCED FOR 96
G a n d a p u r t o C e n t r e : Pay K P ’s d u e s l e s t w i l l b a c k o u t o f I M F d e a l KP gov t drops major spor ts initiatives wor th Rs2.3b due to budget cuts NEWS DESK The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has removed seven sports projects, valued at over Rs2 34 billion, from its annual development program This decision shifts away from earlier plans initiated by the former Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) government The termination of these projects is due to a lack of allocated funds and delays in starting the projects This move has raised concerns about the provincial government’s commitment to sports development and support for athletes The projects that were canceled include building two sports stadiums in Peshawar and Swabi launching a talent hunt program throughout the province establishing a cricket coaching academy in Kohat and constructing the Takht Bhai Sports Complex Other affected initiatives are renovations at the Kohat Sports Complex and Swabi Sports Ground, installing new lighting and developing sports facilities in Lower Dir and a Motor Sports Arena in Nowshera The discontinuation of these projects is expected to disappoint the sports community in the region, affecting both young talent and professional athletes who were looking forward to these new facilities Sindh offers interest free loans for solar system installations KARACHI i n p The Sindh government has announced an initiative to provide interest-free loans to the middle class for installing solar systems Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah shared this news while addressing the media at his residence, where he also extended Eid greetings to the nation and urged people to remember the martyrs During his address the minister acknowledged the various issues faced by the region and highlighted the government s efforts to alleviate these problems through the budget He emphasized that ongoing schemes have been prioritized, and the promises made to the public will be fulfilled “For those who wish to install solar systems independently the government is introducing an interest-free loan scheme The interest on these loans will be covered by the Sindh government he said Additionally, Shah revealed plans to construct two grid stations in every district of Sindh to further improve the region’s energy infrastructure He also announced measures to ensure the supply of clean water across Sindh Pointing out that over 200 000 houses in the province still lack electricity he said the government plans to provide electricity to 500,000 people annually Initially, very poor households will receive solar systems capable of powering a fan and three bulbs Will make 'comeback' in politics after Aug 30: Sh Rashid RAWALPINDI s tA f f R e p o R t Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has said he will stay away from politics till August 30 Talking to the media after the Eid prayers, Rashid took a jibe at PML-N-led coalition government for budget mismanagement “The state of the country is visible to everyone Trillions of rupees in taxes have been imposed while people cannot afford basic utilities he said This government failed to deliver People can either pay electricity bills or children's school fees,” he added He went on: “Skyrocketing electricity tariffs left people in the lurch while PM Shehbaz Sharif facilitated the industrialists with a significant slash in the power tariffs The country has gone into a quagmire Problems are not being solved PTI founder Imran Khan is right Negotiations with the current government are futile, as the real power lies elsewhere Monsoon to hit Karachi in first week of July KARACHI s tA f f R e p o R t Weather experts predicted the arrival of monsoon season in Karachi in early July under “a medium-level pressure over the Arabian Sea likely to be created on June 30 A weather analyst revealed that a mediumlevel pressure is expected to be created over the Arabian Sea on June 30 which would result in the first spell of downpour to the port city in the first week of July The monsoon season will commence from June 27 to July 4 across Pakistan whereas the experts forecast more than usual rains in southern areas of Sindh including Karachi this year However, the expert termed it a long-term forecast which could further change in future Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated in its daily forecast that mainly very hot and dry weather is expected in most plain areas of the country during the daytime However gusty winds and windstorms with isolated rainthunderstorms are expected in northeast Punjab, Islamabad, Potohar region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan during evening night It also predicted that some areas of Karachi would experience drizzle late Wednesday night however the weather in the port city is expected to remain hot and humid during the next 24 hours Rumours on social media about pilgrims at Mashair baseless: Pak Hajj Mission ISLAMABAD A p p The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Wednesday urged the public to rely on credible sources for accurate information and to disregard baseless rumours circulating on social media about the Hajj pilgrims Director General of Pakistan Hajj Mission (PHM) Abdul Wahab Soomro in a statement dismissed the rumours that the Pakistani pilgrims were being left helpless in the Mashair during the Hajj pilgrimage "The authenticity of videos being circulated on social media in this regard could not be verified Even their date and year could also not be confirmed he added Soomro said that the PHM relied on information provided by the Saudi government which was later verified by the Mission itself "As of 4 p m on June 18, a total of nine deaths of Pakistanis had occurred in Mashair, with four in Mina, three in Arafat and two in Muzdalifah " he added He said that Hajj this year was challenging due to extreme heat and harsh weather conditions with temperatures reaching 50°C He said, "The Mission receives reports of deaths and verifies them before taking any action " The Saudi government he said had set up a system for burials and funeral prayers in Haramain and arrangements were also made to send the dead body of a pilgrim to Pakistan if the heirs demanded so CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 In this regard Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for graciously accepting his invitation to visit Pakistan in the very near future On X account, the prime minister said that he was delighted to have spoken with Anwar Ibrahim Prime Minister of Malaysia today and exchange warm greetings on Eidul Azha Conveyed best wishes and prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Malaysia Exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest he said Also agreed to maintain regular highlevel exchanges to broaden fraternal ties between our two brotherly countries Looking forward to welcome Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Pakistan very soon ” the prime minister further posted on X P M P R E S I D E N T K A S S Y M - J OM A RT D I S C U S S B I L AT E R A L, R EG I O N A L I S S U E S : Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed bilateral as well as regional issues of mutual interest The prime minister emphasized that enhanced connectivity between the two countries was critical for economic and trade relations and the two sides need to maintain their focus on this important dimension The prime minister held a telephone conversation on the occasion of Eidul Azha The two dignitaries exchanged Eid greetings and prayers for the peoples of both countries The Kazakh president expressed his delight on the prime minister s election for the second time and remarked that this would help strengthen Pakistan’s political and economic situation The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of their bilateral relationship and reaffirmed shared desire to expand cooperation between both countries to its full potential, particularly in trade and investment,” PM Office Media Wing said in a press statement While underscoring the significance of regional cooperation, the prime minister said that he looked forward to his participation in the upcoming SCO Heads of State meeting in Astana Kazakhstan on 34 July 2024 The Kazakh president expressed his happiness on learning of the prime minister ’s participation in next month’s Summit, where the invited leaders would discuss a comprehensive agenda to advance regional cooperation The prime minister also extended a cordial invitation to the president of Kazakhstan to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, which he graciously accepted PM, Malaysian counterpar t agree to redouble effor ts for Gaza ceasefire
AFZ AL ‘VINDICATED’ AGAIN AS L AND GRABBERS
YEARS FOR FRAUD
IN sanghar district, a horrific crime was committed when a local landlord and five henchemend chopped off the leg of a she-camel after she wandered into the landlord’s fields and damaged his crops the poor animal was rushed to Karachi where she is being kept and where she will receive a prosthetic limb the culprits have been arrested and the sanghar police has become doubly vigilant after the camel’s owner was reported to have been murdered that was not the only tale of man’s cruelty towards fellow creatures In Rawat, in Rawalpindi district, a donkey s ears were cut off after it disappeared for a couple of days the donkey s owner accused a local rival of the crime their rivalry seems rooted in a land dispute, with the accused having won four of 13 cases between them though they are relatives, the donkey s owner was accused of having murdered the father of the alleged ear-cutter the law contains remedies for all grievances, and there seems to have been no need to go to animals except under some misguided sense of causing the owner pain the camel’s depredations are defined as the crime of mischief for which the punishment is a three-month sentence apart from the civil remedy of suing for damages Damaging the camel on the other hand, carries a five-year sentence, as does damaging or maiming any other animal worth more than Rs 50 surely a donkey cannot be got for Rs 50 nowadays that such brutal crimes have been committed on animals to coincide with eidul Azha is a mockery of the sacred day We are forcibly reminded that Islam has not taken the easy way out of veganism or vegetarianism, but has made it obligatory to carry out the sacrifice with as little suffering for the sacrificial animal as possible the need to vent one’s spleen on poor dumb animals dragging them into human quarrels is not just cruel but savage As the director of the NGo that received the maimed camel from sanghar said “this is a different level of evil ” there is little that can deter such crimes this is the impulse behind cock-fighting and dog-fighting, the latter of which is supposedly illegal, but are popular rural sports, as is bear-baiting the crime must become hateful through education and civilization It should not be forgotten that one of the first things serial killers do is start with animals, pulling wings off insects and then graduating to people via stray cats
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
Mutilating animals makes mocker y of Eidul A zha M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
No such thing in religion
he does
Aits dictionary meaning (anything new) and as a religious term (innovation in religion) It is only in this latter terminological sense that innovation becomes problematic from the religious perspective the good innovation , in this context is a contradiction in terms, for innovation in religion cannot possibly be good since it is presented and accepted as a religious concept or a religious practice the Quran refers to it as attributing something to God falsely It lists it among five (and only five) fundamental things forbidden in religion (apart from foods and drinks) [7 33] the Prophet (peace be upon him) also warns against introducing new matters into the religion, for they will all be rejected [Bukhari] Furthermore, he categorically declares every innovation to be a misguidance and every misguidance as destined for Hellfire [muslim Nasai] many folks justify innovations in religion by pointing to new developments in worldly matters to rationalize qul or chaleeswan (for example) they are apt to argue that did the Prophet (peace be upon him) not travel on camels, horses and the like; while we are not averse to using cars and aeroplanes instead? this is a terrible argument because mode of transport is a technological matter while the practices they seek to justify are anything but there is a simple litmus test to separate one category from the other: Just ask this type of person whether or not
Immigration has made the USA great
was largely Italian, with
nants of
tion to
When
of
of
or
grew back to 64 000 thousands of Bosnians Burmese Russians Vietnamese Africans latin Americans and Arabs (from Iraq sudan somalia, and Yemen) have settled in Utica my sister provided me a look at the rich cultural diversity that now makes up her street with families from sudan Burma Poland and Bosnia and African American and latino families all living next door to one another Businesses that had been boarded up have reopened homes and neighbourhoods that one might have thought unsalvageable have been restored to their original beauty Gardens are growing everywhere, and children are playing in the streets and parks the city has come back to life the last census shows that almost one in five Uticans are foreign born and
and
of
in the
the city
the
a
tion was halved homes were abandoned neighbourhoods left in ruin, and businesses closed It was at that point that Utica did something very American they opened a refugee centre beckoning immigrants and refugees from far and wide they welcomed newcomers helped them resettle and find employment and provided them services needed to speed up their acculturation into their new environment the success of this endeavor is evident After decades of decline, Utica’s population
by them and their contributions A friend of mine, mike Baroody, a lebanese American who served in the Reagan administration, calls this the wonderful alchemy of becoming American immigrants become American and America changes as a result of their addition to our cultural fabric A final word
Credibilit y factor
04 Thursday 20 June 2024 COMMENT Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 I K arachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 I Web: www pakistantoday com pk I Email: editorial@pakistantoday com pk A d i f f e r e n t l e v e l o f e v i l
I recently went to the council office located in my neighbourhood in connection with the birth certificates of my two daughters the official handed me a form that I was supposed to fill and get attested from the local councillor I went to the councillor s house, waited for a good 30 minutes, but he did not even come out to have a word with me I am a government employee working in BPs-16 having a valid CNIC my daughters have birth certificates issued by reputed healthcare institutions Why do I need a verification from someone who managed to get a few hundred votes to become a councillor? Why does my own credibility hold no value in this country? Period IHSAN KHAN PESHAWAR Social media and the future t e C H N o l o G Y is surely winning the race over culture and traditions the social media has become the new and preferred form of communication with people-to-people contact having to take the proverbial backseat making use of technological tools miscreants are out to spread anarchy this does not bode well for the future ARSLAAN ZAFAR JHANG Vigilant minds t H e current academic-focused approach neglects the vital role of physical activities for our children While academic success is crucial we cannot overlook the well-documented benefits of regular exercise for both physical and mental well-being Physical activities not only enhance fitness but also instil vital life skills like teamwork and resilience I urge educators parents and policymakers to reassess our educational priorities, striving for a balance between academic excellence and the promotion of an active lifestyle let s prioritise holistic child development by integrating more physical activities into the curriculum and providing ample opportunities for sports and recreation NOOR USMAN ISLAMABAD Pakistan’s education quandar y t H e concept of meritocracy permeates various sectors notably education and government offices creating disparities in achievement In Pakistan the education system s poor quality undermines merit-based grading in schools and job placements three concurrent education systems operate in Pakistan: public and nonelite private schools elitist private schools and religious seminaries (madaris) each follows distinct curricula teaching methods and standards complicating the credibility of education elitist private schools despite high fees provide international-standard education while middle-class students attend private public schools with lower quality and facilities those unable to afford even these turn to madaris for free education and stipends the National education Policy 2009 identifies a commitment gap as a major factor in the low literacy rate and insufficient skilled workforce this complex scenario leaves children from different systems without a clear path With the prevalence of jobbery and a lack of job opportunities in public offices disadvantaged segments withdraw children from school leading to child labor and increased income this cycle coupled with the absence of checks on corruption, breeds hopelessness and lethargy these issues contribute to a rise in crime, with educated, unemployed youth resorting to violence SAJID ALI NAICH KHAIRPUR NATHAN SHAH E d i t o r ’ s m a i l Send your letters to: Letters to Editor Pakistan today 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah Lahore Pakistan E-mail: letters@pakistantoday com pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan today exclusively
U N e is National Immigration month in the UsA an appropriate time to reflect on the special role immigrants have played and continue to play in enriching this country Far from being a threat to the vitality of the UsA immigration has been a life-giving force that in every generation has helped the country grow this fact is on display in communities across the UsA as new immigrants and refugees come not only with their hopes and dreams for a better life but also with their energy and determination to prosper and provide for their families they also have brought their unique cultural characteristics that contribute to making the UsA the country it is today All of this is too often forgotten in times of economic stress or political polarization, as xenophobic bigots rise up demanding that the UsA’s doors be closed Immigrants are presented as a threat to the economic well-being of citizens they argue that there is an American culture that the immigrants do not share they raise slogans like you will not replace us or immigrants don t share our values or culture or they’ll “pollute the blood of the country ” What these anti-immigrant bigots forget is that their own ancestors were often greeted by the same fears and exclusionary slogans when they first came to the UsA And they forget that there is no uniquely American culture without the contributions of immigrants who made our culture what it is today What would American culture be without the scots-Irish and African Americans who brought their music and dance or the Italians Chinese mexicans Greeks and Arabs who contributed their food or the eastern european Jewry who gave us their arts and humour, not to speak of the countless others whose contributions to science, medicine, art, and business have made us the country we are today It’s important to understand that these two competing visions of the country have come in successive waves And it s particularly sad to see the descendants of the earlier waves of immigrants who were reviled a century ago, now becoming the xenophobes of this era But thankfully, the bigots of every period, after doing short-term damage, have always lost as the more inclusive spirit of the UsA has triumphed And when inclusion wins, America wins I saw this on display during a recent visit to my hometown of Utica, NY For most of its more than two centuries of existence Utica has been a community of immigrants First came the Germans Welch and then the Irish to dig the canals and work in the city s factories then beginning with the turn of the last century, came a massive influx of immigrants from Italy, eastern and Central europe,
lebanon
mid-century Utica had a population of over 100 000 they lived in ethnic neighbourhoods worked in the factories of east and West Utica where their wages put them squarely in that period s middle class
neighbourhood in which I
J
and
By
the
lived
pockets
Poles
rem-
Utica’s dwindling population
German descent
the factories closed
second half
the century moving their produc-
the non-unionized south
overseas
began
slow steady decline
popula-
there are 40
languages spoken in the city Within
than a generation, all of these diverse
become American they ll become Democrats or Republicans they’ll follow their favourite baseball or football teams their kids
listen to popular music Not only will they become American but also the UsA itself will
transformed
to the xenophobes: It is this absorptive and transformative quality that has made America great, not your exclusionary bigotry The writer is President, Arab American Institute
different
less
groups will
will
be
Washington Watch D r J A m E S J Z o g B y The last census shows that almost one in five Uticans are foreign born, and there are 40 different languages spoken in the city Within less than a generation, all of these diverse groups will become American TheyÊll become Democrats or Republicans TheyÊll follow their favourite baseball or football teams Their kids will listen to popular music
l m o s t all doctors today are in agreement that cholesterol comes in the good and the bad varieties Be that as it may, and contrary to what many hold to be true there is no such thing as the good innovation (bid at e hasana) when it comes to religious matters In the worldly
other hand an innova-
better, bad
worse
as,
to, how useful
effective it is
nothing whatsoever against innovation
this latter domain In fact more power to it as far
the good innovation stems from lack of thought and/or lack of intelligence (the usual suspects) What certainly does not help this particular issue is the fact that ‘innovation’ (or bid at) is used to mean two completely different things It is used in
matters on the
tion can be good,
or
according
and in proportion
and
Religion has
in
as religion is concerned like most problems the whole concept of
certain
it a religious
him
he observes
khatam
example
ask him why he
there
one religion has a problem with one source of error in this regard is the failure to realize that not everything connected with religion becomes ipso-facto religion to call the azan for prayer is religion But when and how exactly (unaided, via loudspeaker, radio or the tV) it is done is a technological or administrative matter Understanding the Quran is religion Using hard copy however or a cell phone to read it; or listening to it on an electronic device are merely the means to do it; and are therefore outside the domain of religion to perform prayers is religion But deciding to go to the mosque by car or on foot, carpeting the floor of the mosque or using ceramic tiles, the precise manner of roofing the mosque etc are all technological aesthetic pragmatic and/or financial matters When all else fails the last resort of folks hellbent on justifying innovations is demanding to know what harm is there in any given practice any way Well, there is plenty of harm, and very serious harm at that It suffices to simply summarize what Imam malik had brilliantly observed 13 centuries ago that adding new things to religion was tantamount to attempting to improve religion; an improvement that can only be thought necessary based on one of three (and only three) implicit assumptions: one: Despite making an announcement to that effect [5:3] God did not perfect or complete the religion even after the Quran had been fully revealed two: God revealed the perfect religion but the Prophet (peace be upon him) failed to convey all of it despite the explicit instructions from God to do so three: the Prophet did his job perfectly but his companions (RAA) failed to receive the religion practise it and/or transfer it to the following generations may God preserve every muslim from all three delusions the religion is complete and perfect in the Quran and the sunnat Instead of looking to improve it therefore, one would be well-advised to devote all one’s energies in understanding it as it is and following it As for the desire to be creative and innovative there is plenty of scope for it in the domains of literature fine arts mathematics and the physical sciences The author is a connoisseur of music literature and food (but not drinks) He can be reached at www facebook com/hasanaftabsaeed
a
thing considering
or a spiritual activity Ask
why
the
, for
Now
wears eyeglasses, say Neither practice was
in the Prophet’s time, but only one of the two is done for religious reasons And that is the only
T h e r e l i g i o n i s c o m p l e t e a n d p e r fe c t i n t h e Q u r a n a n d t h e S u n n a t . I n s t e a d o f l o o k i n g t o i m p rov e i t t h e r e fo r e , o n e wo u l d b e w e l la dv i s e d t o d evo t e a l l o n e Ês e n e rg i e s i n u n d e rs t a n d i n g i t a s i t i s a n d fo l l ow i n g i t . A s fo r t h e d e s i r e t o b e c r e a t i v e a n d i n n ova t i v e , t h e r e i s p l e n t y o f s c o p e fo r i t i n t h e d o m a i n s o f l i t e r a t u r e , f i n e a r t s , m a t h e m a t i c s a n d t h e p hy s i c a l s c i e n c e s .
HASAN AFTAB SAEED
T h e ‘ g o o d i n n o v a t i o n ’
Tra n s f o r m at i o n a l a n d t ra n s f o r m at i ve
Mental health of women
INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS: The qual-
Causes, Fac tors and B eyond
volvement leading to increased stress and potential mental health challenges
WO M E N S mental health encompasses the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of women, shaped by a unique interplay of biological psychological social and cultural factors
A BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES:
Women s mental health is significantly influenced by biological factors, including genetic makeup, hormonal fluctuations and reproductive health
Hormonal changes during menstruation pregnancy postpartum and menopause can affect mood and behavior Conditions such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and menopause-related mood swings illustrate the profound impact of hormonal changes on mental well-being
B PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS:
Psychological factors play a crucial role in shaping women s mental health
Women may experience higher rates of certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, compared to men Emotional regulation coping strategies and cognitive styles can differ between genders influenced by both inherent and socialized factors
C SOCIALAND CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Social and cultural contexts significantly affect women’s mental health Gender roles and societal expectations can create pressures that influence mental wellbeing Women often juggle multiple roles such as caregiving professional responsibilities and community in-
Social support systems relationships and community networks are vital for women s mental health, providing emotional and practical support In the context intersectionality is a key concept in understanding women’s mental health considering how overlapping identities such as race class sexuality and age intersect to create unique experiences and challenges
Recognizing intersectionality is essential for addressing disparities and promoting equity in mental health services Access to quality mental health care is crucial for women s well-being This includes availability of counseling psychotherapy medication, and support groups Culturally sensitive and gender-responsive approaches in mental health care can improve outcomes and support women in achieving better mental health Women s mental health is a multifaceted subject that requires a holistic understanding of biological psychological social and cultural factors
Women s mental health is determined by a multitude of factors that can be categorized into biological psychological social and cultural domains Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective interventions and support systems
A PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS:
EMOTIONAL REGULATION: Women’s ability to regulate their emotions influenced by both genetic and environmental factors plays a crucial role in their mental health
COGNITIVE STYLE: Negative thinking patterns, such as rumination or catastrophic thinking, can contribute to the development and persistence of mental health issues
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS:
Prevalence: Women are more likely to experience certain mental health disorders such as depression anxiety and eating disorders
Understanding the symptoms and risk factors for these conditions is essential for prevention and treatment
B SOCIAL FACTORS:
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Strong social support networks can provide emotional and practical support, which is vital for mental health
ity of intimate relationships including the presence of domestic violence or emotional abuse, significantly affects mental well-being
ECONOMIC STABILITY: Financial stress and economic instability can lead to increased anxiety depression and other mental health issues
ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: Opportunities for education and employment can impact self-esteem, financial independence, and mental health
C CULTURAL FACTORS:
CULTURAL NORMS: Societal expectations and cultural norms about gender roles can create pressure and stress affecting women s mental health
MEDIA REPRESENTATION: Portrayals of women in the media can influence body image self-esteem and expectations contributing to mental health issues like eating disorders and depression
GENDER DISCRIMINATION: Experiences of discrimination and unequal treatment in various aspects of life can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression
LIVING CONDITIONS: SAFETY: Living in a safe and supportive environment can enhance mental well-being while unsafe or unstable living conditions can exacerbate stress and anxiety
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE: Availability of mental health services and general healthcare plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders
D INDIVIDUAL FACTORS:
RESILIENCE: Traits like resilience and adaptability can help women cope with stress and adversity, mitigating the impact on mental health
PERFECTIONISM: High levels of perfectionism can lead to stress anxiety and burnout especially in environments that demand high performance
E COPING STRATEGIES:
HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS: Effective coping strategies such as mindfulness exercise and seeking social support can protect mental health
UNHEALTHY COPING MECHA-
NISMS: Reliance on substances denial or avoidance can exacerbate mental health issues Women s mental health is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and individual factors Understanding and addressing these diverse factors is crucial for promoting mental well-being and ensuring that women have the resources and support they need to thrive Women and men differ in various aspects of nature and mentality due to a combination of biological psychological social and cultural factors:
A BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES:
GENETICS AND PHYSIOLOGY
CHROMOSOMES: Women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome These genetic differences influence the development of sex-specific characteristics
HORMONES: Women primarily produce estrogen and progesterone, while men produce higher levels of testosterone These hormones play significant roles in physical development reproductive functions and can influence behaviour and emotions
BRAIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION:
NEUROANATOMY: Studies have shown some differences in brain structure between men and women For instance, women typically have a larger corpus callosum the part of the brain that facilitates communication between the two hemispheres This could influence cognitive functions and multitasking abilities
NEUROCHEMISTRY: Differences in neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin and dopamine can affect mood regulation and susceptibility to mental health disorders differently in men and women
B PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES:
EMOTIONAL PROCESSING:
EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION: Women are often more expressive of their emotions and may have higher levels of empathy and emotional intelligence, though these tendencies can be influenced by socialization and cultural expectations
STRESS RESPONSE: Women and men may respond to stress differently Women are more likely to use social and emotional support systems, whereas men might adopt more problem-focused coping mechanisms
C EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVES:
EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY:
REPRODUCTIVE ROLES: Evolutionary theories suggest that different reproductive roles have shaped distinct psychological traits For example, women’s roles in childbearing and nurturing may have led to greater empathy and social cohesion while men s roles in providing and protecting might have favoured traits like physical strength and risk-taking
MATE SELECTION: Evolutionary pressures have also influenced differences in mate selection strategies with women often prioritizing resources and stability and men prioritizing physical attractiveness and fertility
The differences between women and men in nature and mentality are shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, cultural, evolutionary, and environmental factors While there are general trends and tendencies it is important to recognize the considerable overlap and individual variability within each gender Understanding these differences can help foster a more inclusive and equitable society that appreciates and supports the diverse experiences and strengths of all individuals
The writer is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science B N Mandal University Madhepura, Bihar, India
IN the second half of the 19th century, Britain s subject Muslim populations were largely concentrated in India and the Indian Ocean’s littorals The southern Arabian port of Aden occupied in 1839 was ruled from Bombay; Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890 and Britain increased its control over Peninsular Malaya s Muslim sultanates This inner empire of largely Islamic territories broadened considerably with British expansion into Sudan and Nigeria in the late 1890s Throughout the lifespan of Britain’s Muslim empire, the largest number of its Muslim subjects was Indian Indians formed the largest number of pilgrims from outside Arabia alongside Egyptians and Indonesians By the end of the nineteenth century the annual transregional travels of thousands of Indian pilgrims to and from Mecca had become a permanent fixture of the British imperial administration across India and its consular administration in Arabia Consequently, this chapter ’s geographic focus is the Hijaz and across the Arabian Sea India
The majority of existing works on Britain and the Hajj centre on the late 19th century Although this chapter will acknowledge these studies concerns, which mostly concentrate on British efforts to combat epidemic disease and anticolonial, pan-Islamic activities related to the Hajj, emphasizing these aspects has tended to exaggerate the extent and effectiveness of Britain’s overall ability to exercise control over certain aspects of the pilgrimage This chapter builds on Radhika Singha s pioneering work on pauper pilgrims to move beyond other studies that take indigent pilgrims as a given feature of the Hajj and explores the interactions between this group of pilgrims and British officialdom These pilgrims were often seen by officials and others as incapable – the very attribute that such officials often displayed in their inability to stem the flow of poor pilgrims between India and the Hijaz Alongside sanitary and quarantine regulations and concerns about pilgrims potentially subversive sojourns in the Hijaz, destitute pilgrims’ travels occupied a substantial amount of time for those officials tasked with engaging with the Hajj Before analysing British interactions with destitute pilgrims in detail this chapter opens with an appraisal of Britain s relationship with the Hijaz up to the 1850s It considers accounts from this period that mention poor pilgrims and highlights the initially dismissive British response to this group Surveying the wider context of British perceptions of Islam – especially in relation to the impact of the 1857 Indian rebellion – shows how these fed into suspicious attitudes toward the pilgrimage Nevertheless British views of Islam became more ambivalent and less hostile as the century wore on; the empire s deepened interactions with the Hajj formed part of this shift in attitudes The chapter continues with a brief examination of the 1865 cholera epidemic, which focused Britain’s attention on the pilgrimage, and then provides a Muslim perspective on the Hajj by analysing the begum of Bhopal s pilgrimage account Britain s engagement with destitute pilgrims increased in complexity from the 1870s as authorities in Jidda and India attempted to grapple with the seemingly intractable question of how to deal with the presence of these pilgrims, stranded in Jidda after the conclusion of each Hajj Officials did not develop a clear-cut policy on this issue A huge body of information
pilgrimage
Muslim officials and by local Indian Muslim leaders consulted by the British Muslims significantly influenced an official stance of inaction toward these pilgrims One area however where Britain attempted to supervise pilgrims travels was Thomas Cook s appointment as a travel agent for the Indian Hajj from 1886 to 1893 But Cook s exit from the Hajj travel market further underscored the limits of Britain’s capacity to exercise a supervisory role over the flow of pilgrims to and from Mecca The issue of destitute pilgrims is emblematic of Britain s interactions with the Hajj; Britain was simply unable to exercise control over this group Britain s relationship with the pilgrimage in this period was characterized by numerous contradictory drives and an underlying uncertainty that was almost disabling in enacting various policies A desire to exert a degree of control over certain aspects of the Hajj ran in tandem with an almost complete inability to enact certain administrative measures An important reason for this was British wariness about the consequences of interference in such an important religious practice, reflected in and exacerbated by their assiduous cultivation of local Muslim opinion across India on this issue In doing so, Britain was drawn deeper into the intricacies of the Islamic faith By the eve of the First World War Britain s engagement with this group of pilgrims was transformed into wholesale repatriation of them effectively underwriting the cost of their Hajj
The key role played by Muslim employees at Jidda formed another important part of British interactions with the pilgrimage These men energetically occupied themselves with the thorny issue of destitute pilgrims and helped shape Britain’s emergent Hajj administrative apparatus by contributing to official knowledge about the pilgrimage The work of these men within imperial bureaucracies demonstrates the complexity of AngloMuslim relations in this period, which cannot be characterized as being implacably hostile Nevertheless, in the final analysis, motives of pragmatic self-interest drove British and Muslims alike
One strand of British thinking about the pilgrimage was tinged with paranoia and suspicion over the Hajj s potential as an occasion for anti-British activity Because Mecca and Medina were closed to non-Muslims, the idea of these cities and the Hijaz as a menacing, unknown space contributed to this perception However, these views became gradually more nuanced from the early 1880s as Britain’s Muslim employees especially those in Jidda provided a fresh channel of information on the Hajj to their employers This chapter s examination of Islamic subversion related to Mecca and the Hajj and directed against Britain reveals the largely ephemeral nature of this phenomenon and shows how some officials who dealt with this topic were prone to exaggeration and hyperbole Taken together these themes show how Britain s evolving association with the Hajj was not an aspect of imperial administration that was likely to disappear If anything the complexities that surrounded Britain s interactions with the Hajj demonstrate how officials were drawn haphazardly, yet irrevocably, into a deeper engagement with this aspect of Islamic religious practice Britain’s emergent administrative involvement with the Hajj in this period brings into focus some of the material realities of Britain s Muslim empire
The initial impetus for England s first forays into the Red Sea area during the seventeenth century was trade However, these efforts were opposed by Indian merchants, the Hijazi authorities, and English pirates operating in the area A mob massacred several British merchants in Jidda in 1724 British merchants were again put under threat from the local populace in the late 18th century because
the East India Company authorities refused to continue the Mughal practice of sending annual donations from Surat to the Holy Cities Nevertheless, the relative profitability of the Jidda trade meant that British merchants remained engaged in commercial activity at the port
Several events precipitated a more active British connection with the region In the aftermath of his invasion of Egypt in 1798 Napoleon informed the sharif of Mecca that he would facilitate the Hajj continue to send Egypt s donations to the Holy Places and confirm the appointment of the Egyptian amir al-hajj In response to Napoleon’s offensive, Bombay’s governor dispatched a small naval force to the Red Sea which attacked Frenchheld Suez and Qusayr in April and August 1799 Captain Sir Home Popham was dispatched to the Red Sea in 1800 to coordinate forces from Britain and India against the French and ensure the cooperation of local rulers, especially Sharif Ghalib of Mecca Popham was also ordered to establish a factory in Jidda for trade with India and to secure concessions and treaties with the sharif Mahdi Ali Khan an Indian Muslim notable was Popham s assistant in negotiations with Ghalib These went nowhere; Ghalib distrusted the British because they were Christians and a potential economic threat to Hijazi trade Ghalib floated the possibility of acquiescence with British proposals, but only in exchange for a guarantee that Britain would ensure his independence from his Ottoman suzerains Popham refused; Britain was concerned with preserving the Ottoman Empire’s territorial integrity Mahdi Ali Khan became involved in local plots to unseat Ghalib hoping that another ruler would be more amenable to British requests Popham s recourse to Ali Khan points to what William Roff calls the inherent ambivalence” of British attempts to understand and engage in Hijazi affairs – they were in many ways powerless without using men like Ali Khan a feature seen later in this book Napoleon s Egyptian misadventure highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the Red Sea and the Hijaz to Britain and British awareness of the Hijaz was further enhanced by reports of the Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali s campaigns against the SaudiWahhabi forces in the Hijaz from 1811 to 1818 In October 1837 the East India Company appointed British agents – elevated to vice-consuls
Thursday 20 June 2024 COMMENT 05
on destitute pilgrims often contradictory was produced
variety of British and
by a
by the Foreign Office in October 1838 – to Suez Qusayr and Jidda in order to facilitate steam communication between Egypt and India Alexander Ogilvie was the first viceconsul in Jidda and arrived there to serve in its hot climate at the end of 1838 An economic treaty with the Ottomans that same year led to a large increase in trade with Jidda Indian Muslims played a key role in this trade – the richest person in Jidda in the 1850s was Faraj Yusr an Indian who had interests in shipping and banking The majority of goods imported to Jidda were British, and by the 1880s the value of these was around £1 5 million By 1897 British subjects in the Hijaz (mainly Indian Muslims) made up approximately one-seventh of the population with over three hundred families in Jidda alone; over 50 per cent of commerce was in Indian hands Aden s seizure by troops dispatched from the Bombay Presidency in January 1839 was driven by British desires for a suitable port in the region that would protect the route to India and encourage greater trade Indian pilgrims who briefly transited through the port back and forth between India and the Hijaz formed a substantial portion of Aden s large Indian Muslim community
How the British empire facilitated the Hajj
of its Muslim subjects dr raJkumar Singh
An excerpt from ‘ The Hajj and Britain’s Muslim Empire’ by John Slight The richest person in Jidda in the 1850s was Faraj Yusr, an Indian who had interests in shipping and banking SCR OLL J o h n S l g h t Priyanka’s poll debut Congress takes right call to field her from Wayanad
H E Congress encouraging performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections has prompted former party president Rahul Gandhi to retain the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh and vacate the one in Wayanad Kerala His sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who was appointed Congress general secretary in 2019 will make her electoral debut in the Wayanad bypoll The grand old party, which had been reduced to a nonentity in UP, made a comeback in the 2024 parliamentary polls in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) The Congress bagged six seats including the Gandhi family bastions of Raebareli and Amethi Priyanka is believed to have played a key role in helping the party win the two prestigious seats especially Amethi, where Rahul had suffered a shock defeat in 2019 It is obvious that the Congress wants to build on the gains made in UP and actively assist the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP in dislodging the ruling BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections Rahul s long-term presence in the state is a must to energise the party rank and file For the record, the Congress had hit a new low in the 2022 Assembly polls, winning just two seats in the state with the highest political stakes Having made major inroads into the South in recent years the Congress has chosen a presumably easy seat for Priyanka The Congress-led United Democratic Front swept the Lok Sabha polls in Kerala winning 18 of the 20 seats even as the BJP managed to open its account Both the BJP and the CPI have trained their guns on Rahul, alleging that he did not inform voters of Wayanad beforehand about his plan to contest from two constituencies Nevertheless the Congress is confident that the electorate of this constituency will send another Gandhi to Parliament that too a first-timer thus strengthening the resurgent Opposition TRIBUNE E d i to r i a l
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No pauses or withholding of shipping weapons to Israel, says White House
and railway equipment, and strengthening cooperation in poverty reduction to better achieve win-win cooperation he said Li added that China hopes to work with Malaysia to prioritize bilateral relations in their respective foreign policies and take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to accelerate the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future He also urged the two sides to promote a high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and conclude the negotiations for version 3 0 of the ChinaASEAN Free Trade Area as soon as possible to jointly contribute to peace stability prosperity and development of the region and the world at large For his part, Anwar said Malaysia cherishes its friendship with China and is firmly committed to consolidating the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries Malaysia adheres to the one-China policy firmly supports the reunification of China, and does not support any words
or deeds advocating “Taiwan independence ” he said
Noting that Malaysia-China relations are at a new starting point Anwar said that Malaysia is willing to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, in the spirit of mutual respect, to further strengthen exchanges at various levels as well as cooperation in such areas as trade investment agriculture digital economy education and poverty reduction actively advance the construction of major projects, promote peopleto-people and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual learning among civilizations and advance dialogue and cooperation between China and ASEAN Malaysia supports major initiatives proposed by President Xi such as the Global Development Initiative, welcomes China s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive TransPacific Partnership, and stands ready to work with China to build a ChinaMalaysia community with a shared future he added
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern
The two leaders have agreed to unswervingly strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation and take the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a higher level
Thursday 20 June 2024 | ISLAMABAD 06 NEWS TEL AVIV ag e N C e S
HE Israeli army has announced that plans for an offensive in Lebanon have been “approved and validated amid escalating cross-border clashes with Hezbollah and a relative lull in Gaza fighting The war in Gaza has heightened tensions across the region, with Israeli forces and Lebanon’s Iranbacked Hezbollah a Hamas ally exchanging fire on a near-daily basis Operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated as commanders met for a situational assessment, the army said in a statement This announcement followed Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz s threat to destroy Hezbollah in a total war T h e w a r n i n g s c a m e a f t e r I srael announced a daily pause of military activity in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah to facilitate aid flows during the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday In central Gaza witnesses reported gunfire and artillery shelling near the Nuseirat refugee camp, where the civil defense agency said at least 13 peop l e w e r e k i l l e d i n t w o s e p a r a t e s t r i k e s o n a f a m i l y h o m e a n d a commercial building Al-Awda hospital reported receiving the bodies of six martyrs and 15 wounded from Israeli air strikes on various areas in the central and southern Gaza Strip Witnesses and the Hamas government media office also reported strikes and fighting in northern and central Gaza In a statement the Israeli army said its operations continued Tuesday in central and southern Gaza, including Rafah city on the border with Egypt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting criticism at home over his handling of the Gaza war and the hostage crisis The veteran rightwing leader invited the relatives of killed hostages to his home several families told the media on Tuesday However one relative who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she would decline the invitation, saying, he remembered a little late to invite us ” T h o u s a n d s g a t h e r e d i n f r o n t o f p a r l i a m e n t i n J e r u s a l e m o n Tu e s d a y e v e n i n g c a l l i n g f o r e a r l y e l e c t i o n s a n d t h e r e s u m ption of negotiations for a hostage r e l e a s e d e a l , a n A F P c o r r e s p o nd e n t r e p o r t e d We a r e h e l d hostage by an extreme-right gove r n m e n t a n d w e w a n t t h i s t o stop ” said Marva who has been demonstrating against Netanyahu for more than a year Moshe, a retired journalist, said, Democracy is at stake He added, “We protest to save the country,” and expressed his aim to “bring down the Knesset ” Israel’s legislature This marked the second day of a planned week of action in Jerusalem against Netanyahu and his government I
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A N O N Xi Jinping stresses enhancing political loyalt y in militar y BEIJING S ta f f C o r r e S P o N d e N t Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored the importance of enhancing political loyalty in the military in the new era and providing a firm political guarantee for building a strong military Xi also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the statement at a military political work conference held in Yan’an of northwest China s Shaanxi Province from Monday to Wednesday Xi Jinping inspects northwest China s Qinghai Provinc Xi Jinping general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected northwest China s Qinghai Province on Tuesday During the inspection, Xi visited a middle school and a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Xining capital city of Qinghai He learned about local efforts in advancing education work through collaboration between the eastern and western regions and paired assistance and in strengthening education on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation Xi also learned about the efforts made by the Tibetan Buddhist circle in carrying forward the fine traditions of loving the country and the religion and in promoting ethnic unity and progress PYONGYANG ag e N C e S Shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embraced Russian Vladimir Putin on his arrival at Pyongyang’s airport on Wednesday, the two leaders shared their “pent-up inmost thoughts” and agreed to develop their nations relations North Korean state media said Putin who arrived in the pre-dawn hours, is on his first trip to the North Korean capital in 24 years, a visit likely to reshape decades of Russia-North Korea relations at a time when both countries face international isolation The countries partnership is an engine for accelerating the building of a new multipolar world and Putin s visit demonstrates the invincibility and durability of their friendship and unity, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said Russia has used its warming ties with North Korea to needle Washington while heavily sanctioned North Korea has won political backing and promises of economic support and trade from Moscow The United States and its allies say they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea s missile and nuclear programs, which are banned by UN Security Council resolutions and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers Kim greeted Putin, shaking hands, embracing and talking beside the Russian leader ’s plane The pair then rode in the same limousine to the Kumsusan State Guest House Passing through charmingly lit streets of Pyongyang at night the top leaders exchanged their pent-up inmost thoughts and opened their minds to more surely develop the DPRK-Russia relations, KCNA reported, using the initials of North Korea’s official name Wednesday’s agenda includes one-onone discussions between the two leaders as well as a gala concert state reception honour guards, document signings and a statement to the media, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying In a signal that Russia a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council is reassessing its entire approach to North Korea Putin praised Pyongyang ahead of his arrival for resisting what he said was US economic pressure, blackmail and threats In an article carried on the front page of North Korea s main ruling party newspaper he promised to develop alternative trade and mutual settlement mechanisms not controlled by the West and build an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia Putin’s article implies that there is an opportunity for North Korea’s economic growth within an anti-West economic bloc led by Russia which is a message that is likely appealing to Kim Jong Un wrote Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with the 38 North programme in Washington “If Pyongyang views Russia as a viable longer-term partner for improving its economy – as irrational as this may seem to some – there is even less of an incentive for it to try to improve relations with the United States she said in a report Putin also issued a presidential order on the eve of the visit saying Moscow was looking to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” with North Korea Ushakov said it would include security issues Ushakov said the deal would not be directed against any other country but would outline prospects for further cooperation Putin, Kim pledge to deepen relations during historic Pyongyang meeting KUALA LUMPUR S ta f f C o r r e S P o N d e N t Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that China-Malaysia ties are at the forefront among relations between regional countries and have set a benchmark and an example He made the remarks in a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur The Chinese premier is paying his first official visit to the Southeast Asian country In the past half century no matter how the international situation has changed China and Malaysia have always been committed to sincere friendship, win-win cooperation and mutual learning, he said, adding that the relationship has been steadily moving forward China is willing to work with Malaysia to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Asian values of peace cooperation inclusiveness and integration, and jointly safeguard the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in regional cooperation, he said China is willing to work with Malaysia to steadily advance the construction of major projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and the Two Countries, Twin Parks, while expanding the scale of trade and investment, promoting cooperation in such areas as logistics, new energy, artificial intelligence, digital economy
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C h i n a - M a l ay s i a t i e s s e t ex a m p l e fo r r e g i o n , s ay s C h i n e s e P r e m i e r L i RIYADH I N P Diplomats from various countries have reported that at least 577 pilgrims died during the hajj highlighting the grueling nature of the pilgrimage, which unfolded in scorching temperatures this year At least 323 of the deceased were Egyptians most of whom succumbed to heat-related illnesses according to two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries responses All of them (the Egyptians) died because of heat except for one who sustained fatal injuries during a minor crowd crush, one diplomat said The total figure came from the hospital morgue in the Al-Muaisem neighborhood of Mecca Additionally the diplomats reported that at least 60 Jordanians died an increase from the official tally of 41 provided earlier on Tuesday by Amman These new deaths bring the total reported so far by multiple countries to 577 The diplomats confirmed that the total number of deaths at the morgue in Al-Muaisem was 550 E a r l i e r o n Tu e s d a y E g y p t ’s f o r e i g n ministry said Cairo was collaborating with Saudi authorities on search operations for E g y p t i a n s w h o h a d g o n e m i s s i n g d u r i n g the hajj While a ministry statement mentioned a certain number of deaths it did n o t s p e c i f y w h e t h e r E g y p t i a n s w e r e among them Saudi authorities have reported treating more than 2,000 pilgrims suffering from heat stress but have not updated that figure since Sunday and have not provided information on fatalities Last year at least 240 pilgrims were reported dead by various countries most of them Indonesians The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims with the means must complete it at least once The pilgrimage is increasingly affected by climate change according to a Saudi study published last month that indicated temperatures in the area where rituals are performed were rising by 0 4 degrees Celsius (0 72 degrees Fahrenheit) each decade Temperatures hit 51 8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday according to the Saudi national meteorology center Reporters in Mina outside Mecca observed pilgrims pouring bottles of water over their heads as volunteers handed out cold drinks and fast-melting chocolate ice cream to help them stay cool Saudi officials advised pilgrims to use umbrellas drink plenty of water and avoid exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day However, many of the hajj rituals, including the prayers on Mount Arafat, which took place on Saturday involve being outdoors for hours in the daytime S o m e p i l g r i m s d e s c r i b e d s e e i n g m otionless bodies on the roadside and ambulance services that appeared overwhelmed at times Around 1 8 million pilgrims participated in the hajj this year with 1 6 million of them coming from abroad according to Saudi authorities Each year tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform the hajj without securing official hajj visas to save money, a more dangerous undertaking because these off-thebooks pilgrims cannot access air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities along the hajj route One diplomat on Tuesday said that the Egyptian death toll was absolutely boosted by a large number of unregistered Egyptian pilgrims Earlier this month, Saudi officials said they had cleared hundreds of thousands of u n r e g i s t e r e d p i l g r i m s f r o m M e c c a a h e a d o f t h e h a j j O t h e r c o u n t r i e s r e p o r t i n g deaths during the hajj this year include Indonesia Iran and Senegal Most countries have not specified how many deaths were heat-related Hosting the hajj is a source of prestige for the Saudi royal family and King Salman’s title includes “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the cities of Mecca and Medina Hajj death toll reaches 577, with majorit y being Egyptians WASHINGTON I N P The United States reacted strongly on Tuesday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that ally Washington was withholding critical weapons from his country as it wages war against Hamas in Gaza Let me just start off by saying that we genuinely do not know what he’s talking about,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters With the exception of “one particular shipment of munitions that US officials were examining closely Jean-Pierre stated there are no other pauses None Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said earl i e r Tu e s d a y t h a t Wa s h i n g t o n i s c o n t i n u i n g t o r ev i e w o n e s h i p m e n t w i t h r e g a r d t o 2 , 0 0 0 - p o u n d bombs because of our concerns about their use in a densely populated area like Rafah ” a city in southern Gaza However the top American diplomat emphasized that other weapons were moving as usual and that Washington was making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself The pointed reaction from the White House came hours after Netanyahu said Blinken had assured him the US government was working “day and night” to address the delay in the arrival of the weapons In a video statement Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for America s support during the Gaza crisis but also conveyed his frustration, stating he had told Blinken, it s inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel ” The United States is Israel’s main military backer but the White House has voiced frustration over the rising civilian death toll in Gaza where Israel has conducted more than eight months of operations against Hamas
KHUSHAB
Islam places a high emphasis on cleanliness considering it an essential part of faith The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said Cleanliness is half of faith (Sahih Muslim) This teaching underscores the importance of both physical and spiritual purity During Eid ul Azha this principle is especially significant as Muslims prepare for the festival by performing ritual ablutions wearing clean clothes and ensuring their homes and surroundings are tidy This reflects their respect for the occasion and the values of hygiene and purity that are integral to Islamic teachings The practice of Qurbani (sacrifice) also involves cleanliness in a hygienic manner Eid ul Azha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is a significant event in the Islamic calendar It involves the ritual sacrifice of
a p p
animals which requires extensive cleanliness arrangements to ensure public health and hygiene This year, the Punjab Government, along with the dedicated efforts of the Deputy Commissioner of Khushab and his team has made commendable contributions to maintaining cleanliness during this sacred occasion PUNJAB GOVERNMENT'S INITIATIVE
The Punjab Government has always prioritized public welfare and their proactive approach towards cleanliness during Eid ul Azha is a testament to this commitment In preparation for the festival, the government launched a comprehensive cleanliness campaign, focusing on the swift and efficient disposal of animal waste
Key measures included:
1 Pre-Eid Awareness Campaigns
To educate the public about the importance of maintaining cleanliness, the government initiated awareness
campaigns These included distributing pamphlets running advertisements on electronic media, and organizing community meetings
2 Provision of Additional Resources Recognizing the increased waste during Eid ul Azha the government provided additional resources to municipal bodies where needed This included extra waste collection vehicles, additional workforce, and an ample supply of disinfectants
3 Designated Sacrifice Zones
To control and manage the waste the government designated specific areas for animal sacrifices These zones were equipped with proper waste disposal facilities and were regularly monitored
4 Emergency Response Teams
The government set up emergency response teams to address any sanitation-related issues promptly These teams were on standby to ensure that any complaints or issues were resolved quickly
King Charles III has conferred the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour upon Asif Rangoonwala a British-Pakistani philanthropist and entrepreneur Asif Rangoonwala has been honoured by King Charles III in the 2024 Birthday Honours list for his philanthropic contributions in the United Kingdom and South Asia, particularly in Pakistan Asif Rangoonwala CBE, Vice Chair of the British Asian Trust (BAT) was recognized for his contributions to charity and philanthropy Asif Rangoonwala CBE talking to the media said I am profoundly honoured and humbled by this recognition I am committed to advancing our mission of fostering a fairer and more compassionate world He thanked his colleagues who had helped him over the years “Public service is a legacy I inherit from my parents as they were devoted to helping others and social causes We are working in several areas in Karachi but our work in the education sector is of phenomenal nature and tens and thousands of under-priviledged children are benefitting from our schemes We plan to increase the scope and nature of our work Asif Rangoonwala said more British Pakistanis should be honoured and recognised We are one of the most integrated communities in the UK and we play a vital role in all areas of public life We will be working to bring out more heroes and role models from our communities There are hundreds of Pakistanis in the UK doing a magnificent job and they deserve more recognition Another Vice-Chair of the British Asian Trust Shalni Arora was awarded the title of
07 NEWS Thursday 20 June 2024 | ISLAMABAD CORPORATE CORNER VLADIVOSTOK s ta f f r e p o r t Mushahid Hussain Syed became the first Pakistani to speak at the official International BRICS Forum hosted by Russia, the current Chair, in Vladivostok, a city near North Korea and Japan The two-day event, organised by the ruling United Russia Party, revealed that 29 countries, including Pakistan have applied for membership in BRICS Hussain was introduced by Senator Andrei Klimov a senior member of the United Russia Party and head of its Foreign Relations Committee This group represents almost half the world s population and accounts for 30% of global GDP, including 50% of the world’s oil and gas producers Mushahid Hussain who serves as the Co-Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Politic a l P a r t i e s ( I C A P P ) a n d l e a d s t w o t h i n k t a n k s i n P a k i s t a n f o c u s e d o n C h i n a a n d A f r i c a d e l i v e r e d a keynote speech He expressed hope for Pakistan s inclusion in BRICS, stating, “Pakistan wants to join BRICS as part of the new emerging order of the Global South ” He added “As a member of the UN Security Council during 2025-2026 Pakistan will be a robust voice for peace justice and the oppressed H u s s a i n c r i t i c i z e d t h e p o s t - Wo r l d Wa r I I We s te r n - b a c k e d g l o b a l e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l o r d e r, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h a t i t w a s u n r a v e l i n g H e n o t e d t h a t o rg a n i z a t i o n s l i k e B R I C S a n d t h e S h a n g h a i C o o pe r a t i o n O rg a n i s a t i o n ( S C O ) w o u l d b e t h e p i l l a r s o f t h i s n e w g l o b a l o r d e r, w h i c h w i l l b e b a s e d o n t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s C h a r t e r, i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w, a n d t h e F i v e P r i n c i p l e s o f P e a c e f u l C o e x i s t e n c e , a n d w i l l r e j e c t h e g e m o n y, m i l i t a r y d i c t a t e s , a n d d o u b l e s t a nd a r d s He outlined the major trends in contemporary international relations which include the democratisation of international relations through dialogue demilitarisation to counter new Cold War hysteria, and de-dollarisation of the international financial system O n s e c u r i t y i s s u e s , H u s s a i n w e l c o m e d R u s s i a n President Vladimir Putin’s June 14 initiative for a new Eurasian Security paradigm which emphasises the indivisible security of nations ensuring that no country s security is compromised at the expense of others H e a l s o p r a i s e d C h i n e s e P r e s i d e n t X i J i n p i n g s Global Security Initiative In conclusion, Hussain thanked Russia and China for their principled positions on what he described as the Gaza Genocide condemning Israel for losing the battle politically morally legally and diplomatically He also criticized the declining West for its double standards and complicity in the actions in Gaza which he declared a crime against humanity as per the International Court of Justice IGP Islamabad reviews securit y measures across cit y during Eid holiday ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t According to details the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizwi visited security checkpoints and public parks during Eid He inspected security arrangements at public parks and met with officers stationed at checkpoints, commending DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza and the police force for their effective security arrangements He mentioned that due to Islamabad Police s robust efforts the city remained incident-free Police vigilance curbed incidents such as one-wheeling and reckless motorcycle stunts He expressed heartfelt appreciation for the officers' diligent Eid duty, emphasizing their dedication even in extreme heat while wearing bulletproof jackets Throughout Islamabad strict security checks at city entrances and exits were consistently enforced by Islamabad Police DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza personally oversaw all security operations Special police units were deployed around public parks, and Safe City cameras ensured effective monitoring During Eid major public parks in Islamabad were designated as family parks Police patrolling units remained on high alert supported by traffic police squads to manage traffic flow Strict legal actions were taken against individuals involved in one-wheeling and dangerous motorcycle stunts Mushahid Hussain speaks at BRICS forum in Russia, denounces western double standards ISLAMABAD i n p I NTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday appreciated Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa and his team for successfully carrying out zero waste operation in the Federal Capital during all three days of Eid-ul-Azha The entire team deserves congratulations for making Islamabad zero waste by working exceptionally hard through teamwork, Naqvi said in a statement The minister said the CDA officers a n d s t a ff , I s l a m a b a d p o l i c e a n d S a f e C i t y p e r s o n n e l s e t a n e x a m p l e o f p u bl i c s e r v i c e a n d s u c c e s s f u l l y c o mp l e t e d t h e C l e a n I s l a m a b a d M i s s i o n o n d u r i n g E i d d a y s I t m a y b e a d d e d t h a t t h e C D A Chairman and Chief Commissioner Isl a m a b a d M u h a m m a d A l i R a n d h a w a p e r s o n a l l y s u p e r v i s e d t h e z e r o w a s t e o p e r a t i o n More than 2500 personnel and over 200 vehicles and machinery remained in the field for disposal of the entrails and offals of sacrificial animals The CDA for the first time distributed free biodegradable bags to citizens and set up 110 collection points across the city to carry out animals waste Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon monitored the zero waste operation through the cameras of Safe City All the the officers and staff of three departments performed their duties diligently, and it was a pleasure to see the best cleanliness arrangements in Islamabad Mohsin Naqvi said He also appreciated the citizens for their full cooperation with the CDA teams in keeping Islamabad clean The CDA chairman Inspector General of Police Islamabad Ali Nasir Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon and Safe City officials and staff deserved kudos the minister reiterated N A Q V I L A U D S C D A C H A I R M A N , T E A M S O V E R Z E R O WA S T E O P E R AT I O N D U R I N G E I D D AY S India's closure of Srinagar's Jamia Masjid condemned MIRPUR i n p The Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM) has strongly condemned India's decision to prevent Kashmiri Muslims from offering Eid prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in occupied Srinagar KFM President Engr Afzal Ziai in a statement on Wednesday called the action a heinous act and reflection of India s brutal reality of occupation He stated that the closure of the mosque a symbol of Kashmiri Muslim heritage, was an attack on their religious freedom and identity Ziai emphasized that the Jamia Masjid was more than just a place of worship as it was a beacon of Kashmiris cultural and spiritual resilience He urged the international community to hold India accountable for its actions and repeated violations of human rights in the occupied Kashmir The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar which manages the mosque, confirmed that Indian authorities prevented devotees from offering Eid prayers at the scheduled time This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Jamia Masjid has remained silent on Eid-ul-Azha a day of celebration and sacrifice for Muslims worldwide
s ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab
for cleanliness arrangements on Eidul A zha Parliamentarians meet CM Bugti during Eid days QUETTA B a l o c h i s ta n Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday met with provincial ministers assembly members officers tribal leaders and public delegations On the third day of Eid the doors of the Chief Minister s Secretariat remained open for the public People from different walks of life met with the CM and extended Eid greetings Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Haji Ali Madad Jatak, Saleem Khosa, Raheela Hameed Durrani Bakht Kakar Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri Raheela Hameed Durrani Bakht Kakar Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri, and others also met with the chief minister “We are striving to bring a balanced budget in challenging circumstances ” said Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti while talking to the parliamentarians and other people met him at CM Secretariat “We are prioritizing sectors directly related to the public such as education health communication and agriculture he said A task force will be formed to address pending matters related to solarization and to curb electricity theft ” he said adding that development projects will be aligned with public needs Pakistani envoy,
BRUSSELS s ta f f r e p o r t Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union Belgium and Luxembourg Amna Baloch on Tuesday met with Jean Van Wetter the Chief Executive Officer of Enabel, the Belgian development agency In the meeting, they discussed the Enabel s priority areas and engagement landscape, according to a press release
sides also discussed Pakistan’s profile in Belgium and European Union as well as the potential areas of mutual cooperation LONDON
Contribution of
Govt, DC K hushab
Belgian development agency head discuss cooperation
Two
Order of the British Empire (OBE) for advancing the Trust s mission to tackle poverty and inequality Shalni Arora OBE said, “This award is a testament not just to me but to the incredible work of so many partners Together we strive to create a more inclusive and compassionate society
I share this award with everyone who has supported our mission Lord Jitesh Gadhia Chair of the British Asian Trust, expressed his congratulations: Asif and Shalni s passion and commitment to charitable causes are truly inspiring “Their leadership has been pivotal in advancing our goals and making a tangible difference to the lives of those we serve We are immensely proud of their achievements and this well-deserved recognition British-Pak istani philanthropist awarded CBE by King Charles III Mehbooba Mufti vows to fight India’s hostile policy MIRPUR-AJK a p p Kashmiri leader Mehbooba Mufti
India
trying to enslave the people of Jammu and Kashmir and calls for a collective fight against New Delhi’s hostile approach, vowing to reclaim the rights of the Kashmiris
public rally on Saturday
Minister of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) criticized New Delhi s decisions since August 5 2019 as hostile and anti-Kashmiri She urged Kashmiris to unite and fight against India s assault on their rights and resources “Our youth are suffering and our resources are being plundered We must fight back to reclaim our rights ” she said Mufti vowed to represent Kashmiris aspirations with determination and energy if elected and called for full support and cooperation from the public RAWALPINDI a p p Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) removed over 9 000 tons of animal waste from the district during three days of Eid ul Azha Chairman RWMC Saqib Rafiq said that a comprehensive cleanliness plan following the policy of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was chalked out for Eid ul Azha to get rid of entrails of animals under which 3,832 sanitary workers and 435 vehicles worked day and night to keep the district neat and clean despite rainfall on the second day of Eid He added that workers deployed in Rawalpindi Murree and four tehsils of the district including Gujar Khan Taxila Kallar Syedan and Kahuta had removed over 9,000 tons of garbage during the three days of Eid Saqib informed that 61 transfer stations including 18 permanent collection points and 43 mobile transfer stations were set up in the city and tehsils for proper disposing of waste At the same time RWMC had distributed around 2 0 0 0 0 0 b i o d e g r a d a b l e w a s t e b a g s a n d 1 0 0 0 0 a w a r e n e s s p a m p h l e t s t o t h e c i t i z e n s , h e s a i d a n d a d d e d t h a t a m o b i l e a p p h a d a l s o b e e n l a u n c h e d t o g u i d e t h e c i t i z e n s RWMC lif ted over 9,000 tons of waste during Eid days Saudi ministr y distributes over 400 million food items to Hajj pilgrims ISLAMABAD a p p The Saudi Ministry of Commerce oversaw the distribution of over 400 million food items and more than 160 million packages of milk and juice to pilgrims during the Hajj season of 1445 AH According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) beverages were the most sought after, with bottled water following closely at over 147 million packages, and baked goods totaling more than 84 million loaves of bread As part of the Hajj plan this year, the ministry’s supervisory teams worked closely with organizers to guarantee the availability of essential goods for pilgrims They conducted inspections at sales outlets monitored food supply chains and supervised commercial establishments to uphold consumer protection regulations and prevent any violations
and
accuses
of
Addressing a
Mehbooba Mufti former Chief
Govt vows to protec t national interests amid misinformation on China ties
D ar promises to take up Jagran-2 projec t at ECNEC for earl y completion
and assured full support and security of the Government of Pakistan for its timely completion
He expressed confidence that the project would contribute significantly towards electrical power generation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and bring benefits to the local population in terms of employment, education, agriculture, industrial development, and tourism
The deputy prime minister also made a surprise visit on Tuesday to the Jagran-1 Hydropower Plant in the Neelum district
He had expressed satisfaction at the smooth functioning of the 30 4 MW Jagran-I which was conceived, approved, and financed during the 1997-1999 tenure of former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif when Senator Ishaq Dar was the finance minister
sured its
of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Government of Pakistan for the engineers technicians and workers working on the project
The Jagran-I Hydropower Project was first initiated in 1995 and progress gained momentum under the leadership of then Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Deputy PM Mohammad Ishaq Dar, serving as then Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC),
prayer tIMINgs FA J R S U N R I S E Z U H R A S R M AG H R I B S H A 4 : 0 0 4 5 8 1 : 3 0 5 : 3 0 7 : 1 3 9 : 1 5 Thursday 20 June 2024 news Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 051-2204545 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk ISLAMABAD M I a N a b r a r P AKISTANI security forces on Wednesday rejected India s false propaganda concerning the brutal murder of former Army officer Brigadier (R) Amir Hamza saying that the propaganda had no no relevance with ground realities involving the attack on the retired army officer Brig (R) Amir Hamza was assassinated by unknown assailants two days back while he was travelling with his wife and daughter near Lilla Interchange District Jehlum The former Army officer succumbed to his injuries and died on spot while his wife and daughters sustained injuries and are hospitalised in stable condition A n I n d i a n m e d i a r e p o r t c l a i m e d o n We d n e s d a y t h a t B r i g a d i e r ( R ) A m i r H a m z a w a s a k e y I n t e r- S e r v i c e s I n t e l l i g e n c e ( I S I ) o p e r a t i v e , w h o I nd i a n c o u n t e r - t e r r o r a g e n c i e s b e l i e v e w a s a m o n g t h e b r a i n s b e h i n d t h e 2 0 1 8 a t t a c k o n t h e S u n j w a n a r m y c a m p i n J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r ( J & K ) w h i c h l e f t s i x s o l d i e r s k i l l e d a n d o v e r a d o z e n i n j u r e d S o u r c e s i n t h e s e c u r i t y s o u r c e s t o l d P a k i s t a n To d a y t h a t t h e p r o p ag a n d a i n v o l v i n g c o n c o c t e d a n d m i sl e a d i n g s t o r i e s a p p e a r i n g i n t h e I n d i a n m e d i a h a s n o r e l e v a n c e w i t h g r o u n d f a c t s a n d c i r c u m s t a n c e s l e a d i n g t o a ss a s s i n a t i o n o f f o r m e r A r m y o ff i c e r B r i g ( R ) A m i r H a m z a L i n k i n g i t w i t h t h e a s s o c i a t i o n o f B r i g A m i r H a m z a w i t h a n I n t e l l i g e n c e A g e n c y a n d h i s i n v o l v e m e n t i n a n o pe r a t i o n i n I I O J & K i s a b s o l u t e l y a bs u r d a n d d e v o i d o f t r u t h ” s a i d t h e s o u r c e s a d d i n g t h a t c o n s e q u e n t t o t h i s i n c i d e n t Let me put it on record that during his entire military career, Brigadier Amir Hamza has never served in any Intelligence set up After his retirement in 2016 the officer was employed in Rescue 1122 After completion of this stint in 2018 Brigadier Hamza remained employed in DHA Lahore till 2021 the sources said L i n k i n g A m i r H a m z a w i t h a c o nc o c t e d o p e r a t i o n i n I I O J & K a s p a r t o f Intelligence task is a part of traditional a n d v i c i o u s p r o p a g a n d a c a m p a i g n a i m e d a t m i t i g a t i n g e ff e c t s o f e m b a rr a s s m e n t c a u s e d d u e t o t h e o v e rwhelming set back to Modi regime and i t s s t o o g e m e d i a i n r e c e n t l y h e l d e l e ct i o n s , t h e s o u r c e s c o n c l u d e d S E C U R I T Y F O R C E S R E J E C T I N D I A N M E D I A ’ S R E P O R T A B O U T B R I G A M I R H A M Z A M U R D E R A S ‘ FA L S E P R O PA G A N D A ’ LAHORE M o N I to r N g r e p o r t Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has condemned a recent misinformation campaign allegedly orchestrated by a political party aimed at undermining Pakistan-China relations During a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday, Iqbal highlighted the misuse of social media to harass critics and manipulate public opinion regarding the bilateral ties The minister accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) along with other political entities of attempting to destabilize the country s diplomatic engagements Our government will not tolerate any actions that compromise state institutions or jeopardize national stability, he asserted Iqbal also announced exciting developments in Pakistan-China cooperation, particularly in the space sector, where China is set to play a significant role in elevating Pakistan s space program He reassured that these advancements are a result of direct negotiations between the two governments dismissing any influence of misleading publications on policy decisions Moreover, Iqbal referenced statements from the Chinese President, emphasizing China’s interest in deepening strategic relations with Pakistan He refuted claims of any deterioration in ties labeling such allegations as enemy propaganda The press event also included remarks from Barr i s t e r A q e e l M a l i k , t h e f e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t s spokesperson on legal affairs, who criticised PTI’s actions on international platforms Malik accused PTI of engaging in anti-state activities and employing lobbyists to push anti-Pakistan legislation abroad actions he deemed unprecedented He called for the PTI to cease these activities and engage in constructive dialogue with the government Malik s comments underscored a broader concern about the potential damage such campaigns could inflict on Pakistan’s international relations particularly with long-standing allies like China
Journalists protest as colleague Khalil Jibran laid to rest in Khyber KHYBER I N p Pakistani journalist Khalil Jibran, who was shot by unknown assailants on Tuesday in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was laid to rest on Wednesday Before the burial, a group of journalists protested on the main highway with his body Jibran was shot near his home in the Mazrina area of Tehsil Landi Kotal He was traveling in a vehicle with another person identified as Sajid who was injured in the attack The vehicle had an issue, so they stopped it Assailants arrived, pulled Jibran out, shot him dead, and fled the scene Jibran died on the spot while Sajid was transported to the hospital for medical treatment According to the police Khalil Jibran had previously received threats from terrorists due to his affiliation with a local TV channel, Khyber News Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the killing He took notice of the incident and directed the police to take immediate action to arrest those involved Gandapur expressed his heartfelt condolences and assured the affected family that the killers would not escape the law Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the murder and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family The funeral prayers were performed in KP and attended by political and social leaders journalists and other individuals Before the funeral prayers journalists political and social personalities protested on the Pak-Afghan highway along with the deceased s body The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the killers a martyr s package for the grieving family, and free education for Khalil s children A case has been registered at the Landi Kotal police station The DPO (District Police Officer) stated that the case registered on the complaint of the injured lawyer Sajid includes sections from the anti-terrorism law The DPO explained that Sajid who is also an eyewitness, was injured in the attack Gandapur directs arrest of journalist killers PESHAWAR a p p Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur taking notice of the brutal killing of senior journalist Khalil Jibran at Landi Kotal in Khyber district, on Wednesday directed the police to make all-out efforts to arrest his killers immediately The chief minister condemned his murder and said that the killers would be brought to justice He expressed condolence with the bereaved family and prayed for them to bear the loss with fortitude Khalil Jibran former president of Landi Kotal Press Club was shot dead by unknown gunmen outside his house Peshawar Press Club President Arshad Aziz Malik and office-bearers of other journalists unions have strongly condemned the murder of the senior journalist and demanded arrest of the accused at the earliest ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday responded to the Indian statement on references made to Jammu and Kashmir in the Pakistan-China joint statement issued in Beijing, following talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on June 8 The Foreign Office stated, “It is an established fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally-recognised disputed territory The dispute has been on the agenda of the UN Security Council for over seven decades The relevant Security Council resolutions clearly stipulate that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations In that backdrop, the Indian claims over Jammu and Kashmir are totally unfounded and misplaced ” India had rejected “unwarranted” references to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement last week and criticised the mention of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying that New Delhi rejects any move to legitimise Islamabad’s illegal occupation of territory “We have noted unwarranted references to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan We categorically reject such references, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal had said The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are, and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India,” he added While responding a week later the FO spokesperson asserted that India should not mislead the international community on CPEC which is a flagship developmental endeavour, agreed upon by two sovereign nations Instead of making baseless claims about CPEC, India should implement at the earliest the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir she maintained The joint statement from June 8 read that Pakistan briefed China on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the Chinese leadership reiterated that the “Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history and should be properly and peacefully resolved RAFAH r e u t e r s Israeli tanks backed by warplanes and drones advanced deeper into the western part of the Gaza Strip city of Rafah on Wednesday killing eight people according to residents and Palestinian medics Residents said the tanks moved into five neighborhoods after midnight Heavy shelling and gunfire hit the tents of displaced families in the Al-Mawasi area further to the west of the coastal enclave they said Some eight months into the war there has been no sign of let up in the fighting as efforts by international mediators, backed by the United States, have so far failed to persuade Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire Israeli forces have laid waste to much of Gaza and seized most of the Palestinian territory but have yet to achieve their stated goal of wiping out Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages Medics and Hamas media said eight Palestinians were killed in Al-Mawasi and many families fled north in panic They did not identify the fatalities and the Israeli military said it was looking into the report Residents said Israeli army forces blew up several homes in western Rafah which had sheltered over half of Gaza s 2 3 million people before last month when Israel began its ground offensive and forced most of the population to head northwards Some United Nations and Palestinian figures put those who remained at under 100,000 people “Another night of horror in Rafah They opened fire from planes drones and tanks on the western areas to cover for their invasion said one Rafah resident who asked not to be named Bullets and shells landed in the Mawasi area near where people slept, killing and wounding many, he told Reuters via a chat app Pakistan shrugs off Indian objec tion to Pak-China joint statement on Kashmir Isreali tanks storm deeper into Rafah, forcing people to reloc ate again Ear thquake causes panic in KP, Islamabad ISLAMABAD N p A s t r o n g e a r t h q u a k e r a t t l e d m a n y c i t i e s o f K h y b e r P a k h t u n k h w a a n d I s l a m a b a d o n We d n e s d a y m o r n i n g c a u s i n g p a n i c k e d r e s id e n t s t o r u s h o u t o f t h e i r h o m e s T h e e a r t hq u a k e m e a s u r e d a t 4 4 o n t h e R i c h t e r S c a l e j o l t e d s e v e r a l K P c i t i e s i n c l u d i n g P e s h a w a r M a r d a n S w a t M a l a k a n d L o w e r D i r M a n s e h r a , B a l a k o t , B a t t a g r a m , H a n g u , S w a b i , N o w s h e r a , C h a r s a d d a , N o r t h Wa z i r i s t a n , P a r a c h i n a r, K o h a t , a n d K o h i s t a n T h e e p i c e nt e r o f t h e e a r t h q u a k e w a s t h e b o r d e r r e g i o n b e t w e e n A f g h a n i s t a n a n d Ta j i k i s t a n s t r i k i n g a t a d e p t h o f 1 4 5 k i l o m e t e r s Tr e m o r s w e r e a l s o f e l t i n t h e t w i n c i t i e s o f I s l a m a b a d a n d R a w a l p i n d i D u e t o t h e s t r o n g t r e m o r s , t h e p u b l i c c a m e o u t o f t h e i r h o m e s a n d r e c i t e d v e r s e s f r o m t h e H o l y Q u r a n A s o f n o w, t h e r e i s n o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t a n y l o s s o f l i f e o r p r o p e r t y d a m a g e d u e t o t h e e a r t h q u a k e O n J u n e 1 5 r e s i d e n t s o f S w a t a n d a d j a c e n t r eg i o n s w e r e a l s o j o l t e d b y a n e a r t h q u a k e o f m o d e r a t e i n t e n s i t y Punjab CM, Spanish envoy discuss trade, investment oppor tunities LAHORE N p Ambassador of Spain in Pakistan, Jose Antonio de Ory and Honorary Consul for Spain Jalal Salahuddin called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Tuesday to discuss a range of issues During the meeting they exchanged views on promoting trade investment, education, culture, and tourism between Punjab and Spain The discussion emphasized the need for enhanced joint efforts to strengthen bilateral relations Speaking on the occasion, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted the government s sustainable measures to provide a conducive environment for business growth The Spanish ambassador expressed keen interest in promoting a strong economic partnership with Punjab ISLAMABAD/NEELUM s ta f f r e p o r t Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday visited the Jagran2 Hydropower Plant being constructed in the Neelum district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir The deputy prime minister was briefed about the progress in the construction of 50MW power plant It was told that the work on the Jagran-2 project was proceeding as per the plan and would be completed by the year 2025, according to
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