Pakistan condemns US resolution as misunderstanding of political landscape
PTI lauds US resolution
uation and electoral process
Responding to media inquiries regarding the resolution, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that Pakistan had noted its passage “We believe that the timing and context of this particular resolution do not align well with the positive dynamics of our bilateral ties and stem from an incomplete understanding of the political situation and electoral process in Pakistan,” Baloch remarked She emphasised that Pakistan, as the world's second-largest parliamentary democracy and fifth-largest democracy overall remains committed to constitutionalism, human rights, and the rule of law in line with its national interests
Baloch stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and engagement based on mutual respect and understanding Such resolutions are therefore neither constructive nor objective We hope
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday expressed approval of the recent US House of Representatives resolution calling for an impartial investigation into alleged irregularities during Pakistan’s general elections on February 8 The resolution which passed overwhelmingly, aligns with PTI s longstanding demands following the disputed election results US lawmakers have voiced their support for upholding democratic processes and human rights in Pakistan emphasizing the importance of the Pakistani public s participation in these processes The resolution has
that the US Congress will play a supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on avenues of mutual collaboration that benefit both our peoples and countries ” she added
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) along with other parties have since formed a coalition government Former President Arif Alvi praised the resolution as a critical endorsement of democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan Conversely, PTI’s opponents have criticized the resolution as unwanted foreign intervention
US House of Representatives approves resolution Earlier on Wednesday, the US House of Representatives approved a resolution supporting democracy and human rights
Articles 51(6)(d) and (e) as well as 106(3)(c) the AGP s response read
The SIC neither contested the general elections as a political party nor filed any list of candidates for reserved seats for women and non-Muslims, under Section 104 of the Election Act, 2017, it further stated
Subsequently the aforesaid party did not present its manifesto before the February 8 nationwide polls and its candidates to the voters for their scrutiny
The SIC cannot be permitted to use the backdoor to make its way into the assemblies Allowing so will set a very dangerous precedent, the AGP said
“It will permit elements who would otherwise be rejected by the voters to make their way into the assemblies by encouraging independents’ getting elected or luring them to join such parties and benefitting from the allocation of reserved seats
in Pakistan, calling for an impartial investigation into claims of irregularities in the country s February 8 general elections A total of 368 members voted in favour of the resolution which called for a full and independent investigation of claims of interference or irregularities in Pakistan’s February 2024 election " Seven members voted against it Pakistan's February 8 general elections were marred by a nationwide mobile internet shutdown on election day arrests and violence in the lead-up, and unusually delayed results These issues led to widespread accusations of vote-rigging The resolution highlighted the need for public participation in the democratic process following the contentious elections Opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have disputed the election results, citing significant obstacles faced by their candidates Many PTI candidates had to run as independents due to a legal dispute with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) In the aftermath of the elections the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) formed a coalition government, leaving PTI and other parties in
The attorney general said that the approval of the SIC s appeal would be an antithesis to the democracy and “will weaken the political parties who participate in the electoral process”
It further elaborated that the reserved seats for women and non-Muslims would only be allocated to political parties whereas independently elected candidates or those parties who have not contested the polls would not be considered for the seats
PTI’s plea for becoming a party in case
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to become a party in the reserved seats’ case being heard by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa-led full court and submitted a plea via its chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan
The petition sought the top court s permission to be a party in the case after the “Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) levelled “unfounded” allegations on the PTI during
N B U S I N E S S : G I L L A N I
C arpet manufac turers warn of shutdown over tax regime changes
ened inflation They also voiced fears that Pakistani exporters might relocate to countries such as the UAE, which offer more favorable business conditions like Special Economic Zones
Demanding export-friendly policies they urged for the implementation of a stable five-year export strategy that remains unaffected by future budget revisions Critically, the association criticized the government’s decision to increase the financing rate for exporters from 3% to 19% labeling it impractical They also lamented the withdrawal of crucial benefits like Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies and overdue payments dating back four years
Regarding impending changes in fixed tax facilities an association member condemned the move as unjust and unacceptable They further called for renegotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to lower electricity costs, reductions in gas prices, and the restoration of other export subsidies
Kashif Anwar President of LCCI acknowledged the challenges faced by exporters due to currency devaluation and rising energy expenses over the past three years Despite these obstacles, he highlighted that robust government policies and exporters’ diligence had boosted Pakistan’s exports to $30 billion However he cautioned that withdrawing crucial support measures could precipitate a decline in export volumes
Anwar expressed optimism for a prompt resolution to the issue, stressing that while they support fair taxation abrupt changes to established tax policies should be avoided
PTI lauds US resolution
CONTINUED
IMF in charge openly
The PM’s admission opens a new can of worms
R I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif ’s admission that the IMF dictates the budget should not be taken as the admission of a political neophyte nor dismissed as revealing something that was any sort of secret That the country is currently engaged with the IMF in negotiations for a new package must be kept in mind Mr Sharif has seemingly been rattled by the general reaction to this government’s first budget, which has been generally negative Even those who should defend the Budget, the Treasury Benches, are at best silent The government s main ally, the party without which it cannot survive, the PPP, has been critical of the Budget, and decided to vote for it because otherwise the government would have fallen Mr Sharif has tried to limit the political damage, but he should not forget that his main opponent, the PTI, is giving the public the narrative that it will not submit to the IMF The PTI’s record is one of doing a deal and it has presented no alternative to that of doing what it says but the message of defiance even if without substance has a resonance that this admission will probably not dampen Mr Sharif may have extended the long bull run at the PSX by hinting coyly that a deal with the IMF is round the corner with the approval by the IMF of the Budget
At the same time, his announcement that the government will not abolish the zero-rating enjoyed by exporters indicates that the PML(N) has vindicated its reputation as a business-friendly party The continuing of zero-rating was one of the main demands of protesting exporters, who, like most Pakistani businessmen, have a strenuous objection to coming within the tax net Coddling exporters may not amount to a whole policy, but it would be a step in the direction of obtaining the foreign exchange needed to service the country’s external debt
At the same time the Finance Minister has not stopped warning the retail sector that its days of remaining outside the tax net are over The emphasis on expanding the tax net was known to come from the IMF but now it has been brought into the open that the IMF is behind this step Is Mr Sharif trying to send a signal to a core constituency? He would certainly like businessman, filers and non-filers alike, both compilers and evaders, that what is happening is not his fault
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TH E last decade witnessed major advances in the realm of Public Finance Management (PFM) legislation in Pakistan The passage of the 18th Amendment and consistent financial indiscipline highlighted the need for public finance reforms Accordingly, the Federal Government was the first to draft the Public Financial Management Act, 2019 Since the gross revenue of the country (termed federal divisible pool) gets shared between the provinces according to the NFC formula it was the need of the hour to initiate a discourse on provincial-level fiscal management Hence the provincial laws namely The Sindh Public Finance Administration Act, 2020, Balochistan Public Finance Management Act, 2020, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Financial Management Act 2022 and The Punjab Public Financial Management Act 2022 were enacted The provisions of the aforesaid laws are somewhat similar but these provide a sound and comprehensive public financial management structure on provincial as well as federal level The laws are universally drafted in an idealistic way keeping in view the margin for future development and advancements in the subject with which the legislation deals; public finance in the instant case
The following paragraphs highlight some of the key features within and differences between the aforesaid legislative instruments
1 PERFORMANCE BASED BUDGETING: Section 9 of the Federal PFM Act 2019 makes it mandatory for presentation of a performance based budget in respect of every year in view of the policy and goals past and future expenditure trends outputs/outcomes and KPIs Likewise, all provincial acts also reproduce the same provisions regarding performance based budgeting
2 MTBF: In order to prepare the budgets beyond the conventional incremental method Medium Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF) has been introduced through PFM legislation MTBF is based on a 3-4 year time-horizon quantitative analysis of the budgetary allocations It therefore links the empirical values to policy goals and outcomes over a reasonable period of time
3 CASH MANAGEMENT: The PFM legislation provides the detailed contours of a cash management system for each tier of the government It also provides for promulgation of policies and rules under the PFM Act(s) for effective liquidity management of the Government This provides for effective treasury management along with utilization of idle cash in profitable investments
4 REVENUE GENERATION: PFM acts were promulgated after the 18 h amendment devolution when the provinces were made financially autonomous However, financial autonomy re-
quires an increase in the pie of national wealth This aspect has also been adequately addressed in the letter of law However, there are certain areas where the implementation of PFM laws is yet to be attained both at federal and provincial levels some of which are explained here
1 INCREMENTAL BUDGETING: Despite repeated focus on performance-based and outcome-oriented budgeting, because of certain inherent peculiarities, we still follow, to a large extent, the incremental mode of budget preparation The incremental budgeting dilutes the entire legislative effort put in the PFM legal framework The real goal of budgeting should be value for money (VFM) budgeting where each penny spent should give more benefit than the cost of such expenditure
2 DEVELOPMENT AND REVENUE BUDG-
It
Basin management In Singapore 40 percent of water needs are met by recycling wastewater Likewise we too may recycle and reuse wastewater by replicating this model Small dams in provinces are more important Conservators to monitor the glaciers and to link them with the rivers should be made Efforts are required to conserve water, expeditiously manage it and take steps to ensure good governance of water The writer is a freelance columnist
P a k i s t a n ’ s c o m i n g w a t e r d i s t r e s s In Singapore 40 percent of water needs are met by recycling wastewater Likewise, we, too, may recycle and reuse wastewater by replicating this model Small dams in provinces are more important Conservators to monitor the glaciers and to link them with the rivers should be made Efforts are required to conserve water, expeditiously manage it and take steps to ensure good governance of water
A Solemn Obser vance of World Refugee Day
Kamran mushtaq
Hard knocks and hopes
Ghazala anbreen
Beating Karachi’s heat
S cience and Urban Planning S olutions
HFAyyAz SAlih huSSAin
pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk heat waves also exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions high temperatures can increase the concentration of pollutants like ozone at ground level which can trigger asthma and other respiratory diseases cardiovascular stress is also a concern as the body works harder to maintain a stable internal temperature heat waves can lead to severe environmental consequences They exacerbate drought conditions leading to water scarcity Increased temperatures also elevate evaporation rates which can deplete water bodies and soil moisture impacting agriculture and ecosystems economically, heat waves lead to increased energy demand as people rely more on air conditioning and cooling systems
This surge in energy use can strain electricity grids leading to power outages and higher energy costs for consumers For example during the 2006 california heat wave energy demand soared resulting in widespread power outages and economic losses estimated at over $1 billion heat waves also affect labour productivity particularly in outdoor and non-air-conditioned environments high temperatures can reduce workers efficiency and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses impacting industries such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing Additionally, the healthcare system faces increased pressure due to a rise in heat-related illnesses, leading to higher healthcare costs Karachi s geographical and socio-economic factors exacerbate the challenges posed by heat waves The city s coastal location typically benefits from the moderating effects of the sea breeze however, during heat waves, high-pressure systems can block this breeze, causing temperatures to spike hot winds from Baluchistan further exacerbate the heat creating extremely uncomfortable conditions
The urban heat island effect is pronounced in Karachi due to its dense population and extensive concrete infrastructure
The city’s rapid urbanization has led to a significant reduction in green spaces, with concrete and asphalt surfaces absorbing and retaining more heat This not only raises local temperatures but also contributes to poor air quality and increased energy consumption
Socio-economic disparities mean that many residents lack access to adequate cooling systems and healthcare making them more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat Informal settlements, which house a significant portion of Karachi’s population, are particularly susceptible as they often lack basic infrastructure and services
Addressing the challenges posed by heat waves in Karachi requires a comprehensive approach to urban planning and infrastructure improvements This includes both immediate and long-term strategies aimed at reducing temperatures, improving living conditions and building resilience against future heat waves
One of the most effective strategies for mitigating the urban heat island effect is the implementation of green infrastructure This includes increasing the number of parks, green roofs, and tree-lined streets Vegetation cools the air through a process called evapotranspiration where plants absorb water through their roots and release it as vapour through their leaves This process not only lowers temperatures but also improves air quality For example, Singapore s city in a Garden” initiative has transformed the city into a green oasis with extensive tree planting and green spaces This has significantly reduced urban temperatures and improved residents quality of life Karachi can benefit from similar initiatives by incorporating more green spaces and promoting urban forestry
Promoting the use of reflective and cool roofing materials can also help reduce indoor temperatures These materials reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat making buildings cooler and reducing the need for air conditioning Building codes and regulations should encourage designs that minimize heat absorption and improve insulation In Los Angeles, the cool roof programme mandates the use of reflective roofing materials for new and refurbished buildings This has led to
mitigate climate change but also reduces the urban heat island effect Germany’s energiewende initiative aims to transition the country to a renewable energy-based economy This has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased the use of renewable energy sources Karachi can benefit from investing in renewable energy infrastructure to reduce its carbon footprint and combat the effects of heat waves educating the public about the risks of heat waves and how to stay safe is crucial Public awareness campaigns should emphasize the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat, and recognizing the symptoms of heat-related illnesses community engagement is also essential in developing and implementing effective heat wave mitigation strategies establishing cooling centres in public buildings such as schools community centres, and libraries, can provide relief for those without access to air conditioning These centres should be well-publicized and accessible to all residents Additionally emergency services should be equipped to respond to heat-related incidents including providing first aid and transporting individuals to cooling centres During the 2019 heat wave in europe, cities like Paris and Berlin opened
the elderly children and individuals with
Why Assange’s plea deal is bad news for investigative journalism
The WikiLeaks co -founder didn’t just have his c ase dropped – it does not bode well for the future of truth-telling
that reduce the reliance on fossil fuels This not only helps
French elections: The far right looks set for power, with dire consequences for Muslims
not the russians as the entire US media complex had been reporting There s
27-year-old, he works for the Dnc, who was shot in the back, murdered, just a few weeks ago for unknown reasons as he was walking down the street in Washington ” Assange said “I am suggesting that our sources take risks and they become concerned to see things occurring like that We have to understand how high the stakes are in the United States and our sources take serious risks and that’s why they come to us so we can protect their anonymity ” In an interview with Fox news Sean hannity he was asked: So in other words let me be clear russia did not give you the Podesta documents or anything from the Dnc? That s correct, Assange responded To better appreciate the severity of the leak the information found in the emails caused major harm to the clinton campaign and has been cited as a potential contributing factor to her loss in the general election against Trump
It’s worth pondering at this point in Assange’s life whether he will continue fighting the powers that be or take a long and much-needed vacation from the dangerous world of truth-telling Time will tell but I ve got a hunch that Julian Assange has only just begun to fight Robert Bridge is an American writer and journalist He is the author of ‘Midnight in the American Empire ’ How Corporations and Their Political Servants are Destroying the American Dream
Fr e n c h President emmanuel Macron s surprise dissolution of the national Assembly following his humiliating european election defeat is producing shockwaves across the entire political landscape well beyond France Three radically opposite blocs now confront each other for the unexpected blitzkrieg legislative elections of 30 June and 7 July, with little possibility of significant vote transfers from one of the coalitions to the other between the two rounds
The most surprising plot twist which no one including Macron expected has been the rapid reunification of the four main opposition parties of the left into the new Popular Front: the Socialists (nearly 14 percent at the european election), La France Insoumise/France Unbowed (nearly 10 percent), the Greens (5 5 percent), and the communists (2 percent)
Given the electoral maths there were only two options for the left: unite and get a chance at both winning and defeating Macron and the far right, their historical arch-enemy, or remain divided and perish at the ballot box At a projected 20-23 percent, the third place, the Macronist ensemble coalition often described as centre-right stands no chance of winning At 25-30 percent the new Popular Front has from the start remained well ahead of the Macronist central bloc, but even with its real momentum, it lags far behind the national rally, itself between 33 and 35 percent counting the probable second round vote transfers to Jordan Bardella from the other far-right parties such as eric Zemmour s reconquest (5 5 percent at the european election) and a guaranteed substantial vote switch from the conservative party Lr/The republicans (7 25 percent), the far right may reach or exceed 40 percent
The electoral maths are damning All by itself the national rally remains well ahead of both the left and centre-right coalitions It is bound to become the largest political force by far at the next national Assembly, followed by the new Popular Front CONSEQUENCES FOR GAZA: A France with a national rally prime minister and government means a complete abandonment by the executive of the cause of Palestine Bardella s line on this has been and will remain clear: Israel was savagely attacked on 7 October, it has the right to defend itself; hamas is the sole culprit, and we stand firmly behind Israel They will not even pay lip service to the genocide of the Palestinians Ironically given its origins a major part of Marine Le Pen s detoxification strategy has consisted of recreating itself as a pro-Israel, pro-Jewish party Besides offering a more respectable face that contributes to its normalisation, this has also enabled the national rally (former national Front) to better demonise their main hate figures (Muslims and the left) as the
worst antisemites in France In other words the suffering of Jews is used as a means to further spread Islamophobia usually under the alibi of fighting Islamism or Islamo-leftism just like Israel is often used by western Zionists as a weapon-state to keep Arab countries in check and brutalise its Muslim-majority populations Unfortunately, this cynical seduction strategy has been highly successful fooling many Serge Klarsfeld himself the famous nazi hunter and holocaust survivor just declared that the French far right was no longer an enemy and that if he had to choose between them and France Unbowed, he would vote for the far right Ironically it is now the leftist France Unbowed that is being portrayed again successfully as a party of antisemites on the mere basis of a couple of clumsy declarations by its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, such as antisemitism in France is residual Its initial refusal to describe hamas as “a terrorist organisation”; its choice of rima hassan for the european election; its strong condemnations of Israel s atrocities; and its resolute pro-Palestinian positions and student movements have given them the reputation now well-established even within the new Popular Front, of dangerous left-wing radicals, “anti-French” Islamo-leftists, rabid antisemites and apologists of hamas terrorism As a result the image of the only significant pro-Palestinian party has been gravely degraded to the point that no one even in the new Popular Front, wants Melenchon as prime minister France Unbowed itself seems to have understood that, as suggested by the fact that rima hassan - who for weeks had become its main media figurewas no longer included in the photo-ops for the election and was nowhere to be seen for the high-profile announcements of the creation of the new Popular Front There has also been no talk and barely any mention of Palestine during this campaign even among the leaders of France Unbowed This being said their promotion of the Palestinian cause and a figure like hassan was successful and at nearly 10 percent, helped them increase by three percent their electoral european score, largely thanks to the mobilisation of pro-Palestinian youths from the “banlieues” FORCED INTO COMPROMISES: Since its creation in 2017 France Unbowed has also been by far the strongest - actually the only - French political voice against Islamophobia in France It is also the only party that dares talk about and denounce systemic and state racism and the only one to propose the abrogation of the infamous “law against Islamist separatism a major part of Macron s Systemic Obstruction Policy The risk is now that even the LFI diluted as it is in a larger coalition, would tone down its strong anti-Islamophobia rhetoric, moderate or silence its much-needed positions or be forced into compromises out of fear of introducing dissent within the new Popular Front nonetheless the new Popular Front programme includes many of France Unbowed s proposals, including ending the French government s support for the rightwing supremacist government of netanyahu,”
“the liberation of Palestinian political prisoners” an “embargo on weapons sales to Israel” (among other sanctions) the “immediate recognition of the Palestinian state and the organisation of free Palestinian elections under international supervision All things that are conspicuously absent from the programmes of the other parties It also proposes abrogating many of the recent xenophobic laws targeting populations from the Global South (especially Muslims) such as the Migration and Asylum Pact while facilitating access to French nationality needless to say, on all those issues, the national rally, largely borrowed from Marine Le Pen’s 2022 presidential programme, proposes the radical opposite while its likely future right-wing allies at the national Assembly such as Zemmour s reconquest are even more extreme in their heinous and racist targeting of foreigners, immigrants from the South, Muslims, and Islam ALARMING FOR MUSLIMS: cloaked, as is now routine as a “fight-against-Islamism-for-the-defence-of-republican-values-especially-laicite the real motive seems to be the creation of a nativist allwhite (or mostly white) homogenous society of citizens purged of its ethnic, religious and cultural diversity, in pure Great replacement fantasy Besides the trademark “end to population settlement [read: immigration] and family reunion laws the promotion of national preference and a slew of tough-on-crime law-and-order measures the national rally programme even includes such radical proposals as ending the right of the soil, which has existed since the 16th century for children born of foreign parents and the suppression of most forms of state assistance to foreigners including emergency medical aid in order to stop the migratory invasion Most alarmingly for Muslims, Le Pen/Bardella also plan to “close all radical mosques”, “dissolve all associations from the ultra-left [read: all those Bardella would deem ‘Islamist’] and the ultra-right ban Islamist ideologies and make the burqa and Islamic headscarves illegal everywhere including
Y J U LY 24
G andhi steps up as
govt in parliament
PUNJAB GOVT APPROVES SIKH MARRIAGE ACT, STRENGTHENING MINORIT Y RIGHTS
CORPORATE CORNER
SLB collaborates with OGDCL on geothermal resource development in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
SLB is collaborating with Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) Pakistan’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company to develop a strategy for exploiting geothermal resources in hydrocarbon fields across Pakistan
As part of the collaboration, SLB will help OGDCL develop a plan for evaluation of the geothermal potential of 25 fields in the North South and Central basins in Pakistan that have been pre-selected by OGDCL SLB experts together with the OGDCL team will assess surface, subsurface, and well data
for the fields to identify focus areas and estimate their geothermal potential using regional models and well-productivity calculations The scope of the initial OGDCL pilot project includes screening, evaluation and selection of nine fields for detailed analysis evaluation of geothermal potential wellbore modeling and determination of next steps OGDCL is committed to exploring innovative avenues for energy development in Pakistan, and our collaboration with SLB marks a significant step towards harnessing the country's geothermal potential By leveraging SLB s expertise and technology we aim to not only evaluate the potential of geothermal re-
sources but also contribute to sustainable energy solutions for the nation said Ahmed Hayat Lak MD/CEO of OGDCL Governments across the region are seeing the potential of geothermal as an alternative clean energy source that can support their netzero initiatives said Karim Badawi SLB s New Energy Development Director for MENA This geothermal pilot project study encompassing fields across the country’s three basins is an important first step in Pakistan’s journey to develop its geothermal resources and we are excited to work with OGDCL on exploring renewable lower carbon energy sources
C ricketers boost polio eradic ation effor ts
critical role of skill development in lifting Benazir Income Support Programme beneficiaries out of poverty She stated Economic empowerment is a prerequisite for the overall empowerment of women Financial independence is the key to their freedom and success Taking beneficiaries out of poverty is our top priority, and Benazir Income Support Programme is committed to various projects to achieve this goal ” One of the major advancements discussed was the introduction of a digital system to enhance transparency in the disbursement of quarterly stipends This system aims to ensure that beneficiaries receive their payments promptly and securely, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the programme Bill Gates commended the initiatives and performance of the Benazir Income Support Programme calling it an excellent welfare programme for those in need He expressed his full support for the programme, acknowledging the significant progress made in combating malnutrition and increasing food security for vulnerable populations
Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has received a major boost in fight against polio as two Pakistani cricketers including Muhammad Ali and Bismah
Maroof, have joined the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative as polio ambassadors
The ceremony to induct both cricketers into Pakistan End Polio Team was held at a local hotel on Saturday Head of the polio programme in Punjab and Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator Mr Khizer
Afzaal led the ceremony from the front and welcomed the two Pakistani heroes as ambassadors
Large number of people from different walks of life and EOC staff joined the ceremony where both players were given #PakistanEndPolioTeam kits
Speaking on the occasion the EOC Coordinator and head of the polio programme in Punjab Mr Khizer
Afzaal lauded the sportsperson spirit of both cricketers and hoped the cooperation will flourish in the future, paying dividends for the children of Pakistan
“The cricketer ’s support in the national cause of polio eradication will be key in building an enabling environment for polio teams noted Mr Afzaal
We are focusing on implementing and delivering high quality campaigns – in terms of accessibility and information dissemination – to reach all children under
QUETTA
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in collaboration with the Center for Peace Development (CPD) BRDS and IDO organized a seminar to celebrate World Environment Day Themed "Our Land, Our Future," the seminar aimed to raise awareness about the adverse effects of climate change on human lives and the environment and the role of all stakeholders in addressing this issue effectively
Governor Balochistan Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail was the chief guest of the seminar The seminar highlighted climate change as the biggest challenge of the 21st century especially for Pakistan one of the top five countries most affected by its extraordinary impacts While addressing the seminar, Governor Mandokhail urged the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to mitigate the risks of climate change He quoted an environmental expert who discussed the water scarcity issue in Quetta stat-
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
five We need to vaccinate 100 percent of children in order to achieve population immunity and prevent recirculation To realize this level of coverage our national heroes must reassure communities that polio vaccinations are safe and that parents can trust the program to keep their children safe emphasized the head of the polio programme
In light of the fact that Pakistan suffered a new polio case in Karachi, Punjab has further prioritized the issue Punjab has been polio-free since October 2020, but 12 environmental samples have tested positive this year so far This indicates that every child is at risk until polio is completely eradicated from both Pakistan and Afghanistan Punjab is fully cognizant of the potential impact on the country s most populous province and remains committed to tracking and vaccinating all children
“Polio eradication must remain an urgent priority And we need to maintain the highest level of vigilance to keep Punjab polio-free in the current environment underlined Muhammad Ali and Bismah Maroof
Muhammad Ali is a right Arm Medium Fast bowler who took 19 wickets in PSL season 9 He emerged in international cricket in 2022 after playing in a test match against England
While Bismah Maroof broke into the Pakistan cricket team as a 15-year-old and didn't take long to establish herself as a regular
ing that the city needs another 300 years to control the alarming degree of water depletion Human and livestock lives are in danger due to environmental hazards, a series of natural disasters, and public indifference caused by government neglect Mandokhail deplored He added that almost 70% of people in Balochistan are dependent on agriculture and cattle and if a coordinated plan is not developed, there will be dire repercussions in the near future, which need imme-
Empathy, adaptability and the human touch are vital to SMEs navigating through today’s
diate attention and consistent policies to overcome this issue To reduce the threat posed by climate change natural disasters deforestation, and land degradation, he urged for changing legislation and planting saplings domestically He emphasized the need to conserve the environment The governor praised the PPAF and CPD for their efforts to raise public awareness of the negative effects of climate change among the public, academic community, and lawmakers
Karachi heat wave results in 100 fatalities in three days
N p
Amidst the ongoing heatwave Cheepa Foundation on Wednesday reported that 100 bodies have been brought to their morgue over the past three days, highlighting the severe impact of the extreme temperatures in Karachi
A spokesperson for the Cheepa Foundation indicated that the sudden influx of bodies to their facilities underscores the escalating fatalities associated with the current hot weather conditions affecting the city
“Thirty-seven dead bodies brought to the morgue on June 23 44 bodies on June 24 and 19 bodies on June 25 the foundation s spokesperson stated
Thirty-six dead bodies brought to the morgue were unidentified,” the spokesperson added Karachi is passing through a heatwave spell as the government has announced 77 heatwave centres in seven districts of the metropolis
The government has announced to set up 1 heatwave camps in Karachi South, 18 in Karachi East, six in West, 12 centres in Karachi Central 15 in Malir eight in Korangi district and seven camps in Keamari Paramilitary Rangers have also established heat-stroke camps across the city with cold water and Sharbat stalls
A spokesperson has said that heatstroke centres have been set up at key roads and thoroughfares of the city with doctors and paramedics
PTI urges CJP to fix May 9, Feb 8 vote fraud pleas for hearing
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to fix the long-pending petitions of the party regarding May 9 ‘false-flag operation ’ review petition of the party’s election symbol and February 8 mega polls fraud sans any further delay to bring the truth before the nation
Addressing a press conference along with former GilgitBaltistan chief minister Khalid Khurshid, PTI CIS said that it was mentioned nowhere in the constitution to put the most important petition under the carpet and just focus on trivial matters and unnecessary petitions on his own choice
He urged that the chief justice fix the party s pending petitions including the May 9 incidents review petition level playing fields and mega polls robbery of February 8 instead However, Hasan expressed dismay that several letters were written to the CJP regarding level playing fields but had gone unheard PTI CIS made it clear that that these acts were part of the notorious London Plan and questioned whether the CJP and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) were also complicit
He said that the CJP repeatedly raised questions during the court proceeding regarding PTI s intra-party elections, reminding him that PTI conducted three party polls
including one under Supreme Court guidelines, but the ECP still raised questions Hasan said that instead of criticizing PTI the SC should take the blame as PTI was completely deprived of level playing fields during general elections as the party s candidates, their proposers and seconders were detained and threatened, adding that ECP was complicit in all these egregious acts, as the conduct of the Chief Election Commissioner was suspicious from day one PTI CIS asserted that they were asked to respect the constitutional body and asked whether the electoral body that conducted fraudulent election deserved any respect as all Fafan Patan Commonwealth European Union and US Congress were unanimous on the point that mega polls robbery took place on February 8 Hasan said that the US congress passed a damning resolution with overwhelming majority of over 98 percent and raised five serious questions pertaining to credibility and transparency of the February 8 general elections which was the most rigged polls in the country He mentioned that the US House of Representatives expressed robust support for democracy in Pakistan by an overwhelming 368-7 vote and condemned efforts to suppress democratic participation in the country specifically it denounced harassment intimidation violence arbitrary detention and restrictions on internet access as well as any violations of human civil or political rights
Sanam Javed
the court As proceedings began, the judge questioned the state lawyer why Zartaj Gul’s name was listed in two FIRs in the report, quipping that the names of actual terrorists never make it to the ECL The judge wondered why the names of political leaders are put on the ECL just for holding political rallies He also questioned the state lawyer if there was anyone answer for such action s, observing that no gangster or terrorist ever walked into his courtroom requesting to be taken off the ECL Addressing Zartaj Gul’s counsel Osama Tariq the judge inquired whether there were only two cases registered against his client The lawyer replied that his client was on bail in both cases The court while observing that both were minor charges ordered the removal of the name of Gul from the ECL The court also ordered the AAG to submit a report in this respect within a week
‘Contempt Proceedings ’: Vawda tenders ‘unconditional ’ apology to apex cour t
ISLAMABAD
t
Senator Faisal Vawda on Wednesday submitted an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case In the second written response to the court the firebrand senator expressed his utmost respect for the judiciary and included references from the Qur an and Hadith demonstrating his sincerity Following the court proceedings on June 5, I met with religious scholars to understand the role of a senator
I was advised to stand by justice, even if it is against my own kin ” Vawda stated in the apology to the apex court He requested the Supreme Court to withdraw the show-cause notice issued to him stating In the light of Islamic teachings I seek forgiveness with a sincere heart
If my press conference has harmed the dignity of the judiciary, I unconditionally apologise I leave myself at the mercy of the court and request the withdrawal of the show-cause notice in the contempt case ” The contempt case against Vawda is set to be heard by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on June 28
