E-Paper PDF 13th January (LHR)

CMYK

Monday, 13 January, 2020 I 16 Jamadi-ul-Awwal, 1441 I Rs 20.00 I Vol X No 194 I 56 Pages I Lahore Edition

MQM-P chief Quits cabinet over broken ProMises g

Pakistan kicks off peace mission with Iran visit STORY ON PAGE 03

ppp, pml-n woo mQm-p after siddiqui quits cabinet STORY ON PAGE 03

US seeks Kashmir’s return to normalcy STORY ON PAGE 02

emergency imposed in Balochistan districts after snowfall; six killed STORY ON PAGE 03

siddiQui says government’s multiple promises to mQm and people of Karachi failed to materialise

pm forms committee to address grievances of ally, says pti Will stand By its Words

ISLAMABAD

m

MIAN ABRAR

uttahida Qaumi movement-pakistan (mQm-p) convener dr Khalid maqbool siddiqui on sunday announced his resignation from the post of the information technology minister over the pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) government’s failure to fulfil its promises to the party. addressing a press conference in Karachi, the mQm-p chief said his party, however, will not abandon the ruling pti despite its reservations. he said he was forced to leave the ministry as his presence in the cabinet was raising a lot of questions due to the government’s inability to act on its promises. he said that when his party became part of the federal government, they vowed to support the government through difficult times; however, despite the passage of 16-17 months, the government has failed to improve the conditions in sindh. “two agreements were made with the pti, one in Bani gala and the other in the Bahadurabad in the presence of pti senior leader Jahangir tareen,” siddiqui said. “at this point, it has become difficult for me to remain in the government. i cannot remain a minister while the people in sindh continue to face the same problems they did before we joined the federal government,” he said, adding that his party would have waited a little longer if the government had shown “some seriousness” in resolving sindh’s woes. “the lack of seriousness on these matters has left us no choice. the rabita committee held a detailed discussion on this issue on friday and concluded that it was useless for me to remain a part of the cabinet,” he said, adding that despite the differences, the mQm-p would not end its cooperation with the government.

despite the chief’s resignation, mQm-p leader and law minister dr farogh naseem did not tender his resignation, implying that the party was divided on its strategy to deal with the pti. in response to a question regarding the ending of its alliance with the government, siddiqui said, “We did not ask for the law ministry neither did we propose naseem’s name. the two names that we had proposed for the ministry did not include naseem’s name. the government had selected him on its own.” siddiqui also denied the notion that his decision had anything to do with the recent proposal of provincial ministries by pakistan people’s party (ppp) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in exchange for his party’s help in toppling the government.

BODY FORMED TO WOO MQM-P: following siddiqui’s announcement, prime minister imran Khan vowed to resolve differences with its allied party and formed a committee comprising pti senior leader Jahangir Khan tareen, planning minister asad umar, defence minister pervez Khattak and national assembly speaker asad Qaiser in this regard.

he also said that he would himself speak to the mQm-p convener to convince his party to remain allied with the pti. it is worth mentioning here that the mQm has a history of using resignation as a tool for politically blackmailing allies as it had used the same strategy successfully in the past against the ppp and the pakistan muslim league-nawaz (pml-n).

‘INTERNAL CONFLICTS’: following siddiqui’s presser, informed sources told Pakistan Today that internal differences within the party pushed the chief to tender his resignation. sources said that the party’s top leadership was uncomfortable with the news that the premier was considering a proposal to appoint the incumbent law minister as the sindh governor. “amir Khan has been uncomfortable with naseem’s close association with the prime minister and the news of him being considered for the governorship fuelled the internal conflicts, leading to the decision to veto the premier’s proposal,” sources said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

rockets hit iraq base hosting us troops, says iraqi military STORY ON BACK PAGE

Protests erupt again in Iran after military admits it hit plane g

g

British amBassador to iran roBert macaire Briefly detained for allegedly inciting protests

trump warns iran against ‘massacre’ STORIES ON BACK PAGE

CMYK

Indian police battle anti-Modi protesters over disputed law STORY ON BACK PAGE

in today’s issue

CMYK Monday, 13 January, 2020

02 NEWS

US SeeKS KAShMIr’S retUrn to norMAlcy iSLamaBad

A

Mild quake in AJK, upper parts of country

STAFF REPORT

LICE Wells, US principal deputy assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, has expressed serious concerns over the lockdown in India-occupied Kashmir (IOK) and detention of Kashmiri leaders in the region.

Wells made the statement three days after Indian authorities took foreign diplomats from 15 countries, including US, on a two-day visit to the Himalayan valley for the first time since New Delhi stripped IOK of its semi-autonomous status in a rushed presidential decree on August 5 last year.

Some European nations, including other countries, declined to visit the occupied territory after being refused permission to travel independently.

While reacting on the Indian clampdown in the valley, the senior US diplomat wrote on the official Twitter handle late Saturday, saying: “Closely following @USAmbIndia & other foreign diplomats’ recent trip to [Occupied] Jammu & Kashmir. Important step. We remain concerned by detention of political leaders and residents, and Internet restrictions. We look forward to a return to normalcy.” Access to Occupied Kashmir for foreign observers, including diplomats, rights groups and journalists, is tightly controlled. Foreign envoys are

ISLAMABAD: A 4.7 magnitude earthquake tremor was felt in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and upper parts of the country on Sunday. According to details, tremors were felt in Swat, Upper Dir, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, GB and other areas. People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran. There were no reports of any injuries or damage to property, private news channels reported.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Center (NSMC), the magnitude of the quake was recorded at 4.7 on the Richter scale. Whereas, the epicentre of the quake was 58 kilometres from Chalas at a depth of 15 kilometres. APP

PIA cancels three flights due to flooding at Dubai airport rarely granted permission to travel outside of IOK main city of Srinagar. Foreign journalists have not been granted permission to visit since August last year.

The disputed valley has been under severe restrictions – including one of

the world’s longest internet shutdowns – after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government revoked decadesold laws granting IOK autonomy and statehood, leading to widespread unrest.

Kashmiris see the move as an attempt

to dilute the demographics of Muslimmajority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.

Pakistan had strongly condemned the move and is “exercising all possible options to counter the illegal steps” taken by India.

Scientist at MoST made OSD for ‘exposing corruption’ iSLamaBad GHULAM ABBAS

While there are dozens of corruption inquiries pending before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against the officials of the Ministry of Science and Technology, a scientist was made an officer on special duty (OSD) for allegedly exposing illegal activities, especially in the Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), an attached department of the ministry.

Through a notification issued on January 7, 2020, the PSQCA made Technical Services Centre Lahore Director Dr Shehzad an OSD with immediate effect till further orders.

The notification was issued a couple of days after an inquiry was held by a two-member committee comprising Joint Electronics Adviser Abid Mehmood and Deputy Electronics Adviser Zawar Hussain on January 1. The committee was tasked to visit the PSQCA office in Lahore to physically verify all records and documents and to get a personal statement of Dr Shahzad Afzal. The committee was to investigate the

alleged “white-collar corruption” of the said scientist.

According to insiders, the officials of the ministry had complained to Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry that Dr Shahzad had leaked the information pertaining to corruption and illegal activities at PSQCA to the media, which constituted defamation of the authority and the ministry.

The officials of PSQCA, who have pending inquiries in NAB and FIA, were annoyed over the voices being raised against them by some officials, including Dr Shahzad, within the department. Interestingly, the scientist, who was the head of PSQCA’s office in Lahore, was removed from his post while many other officials were restored to key posts in PSQCA soon after Fawad took charge of the ministry last year. Talking to Pakistan Today, Dr Shahzad said that he had appeared before the inquiry committee despite reservations about one of its members, but the committee members neither provided any documents nor shared any details of the charges being levelled against him. “They did not even consider my letters sent to the ministry against the inquiry notice issued on January 1,” he said, adding that “the members were

also not ready to record the hearing as I had serious reservations about Abid, who is the most corrupt official in PSQCA.” “Abid has a tinted history. I am sure the committee was constituted on the behest of the corrupt lobby which considers me as a troublemaker for them,” Dr Shahzad, said. “Since they have no evidence or justification to suspend me, they made me an OSD to at least to keep me away from the office. I will challenge this in the court,” he added.

When contacted, the ministry’s spokesperson, Pir Suleman, said that Dr Shahzad was made OSD for his misbehavior with the inquiry team while the investigation against him was still in process. He claimed the scientist had allegedly issued certificates to a firm in violation of the set rules. He, however, did not share further details, saying that the inquiry was still going on. It is worth mentioning here that in September last year, Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology had shared a list of Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) officials who were facing corruption inquiry for over a year and asked the ministry to suspend them before the next meeting.

Three Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights were cancelled as one of the world’s busiest airports in Dubai faced unprecedented heavy rain and flooding.

Earlier on Saturday, video footage and images posted on social media showed part of the Dubai airport’s runway area submerged. According to PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez, PK 214 flying from Dubai to Karachi, PK 212 from Dubai to Islamabad and PK 204 from Dubai to Lahore have been cancelled after water accumulated outside of Terminal 1.

“However, the flights will depart for Pakistan later in the day,” the spokesperson added. He maintained that some of the passengers that were stranded overnight at Dubai International Airport were accommodated in hotel rooms and airport lounges. The PIA CEO had taken notice of the situation and directed officials to take care of the stranded passengers. The official Dubai Airports Twitter handle stated on Saturday that flights are likely to be delayed throughout the day and some have been cancelled or diverted to nearby Al Maktoum airport. They advised passengers to directly contact airlines for specific flight schedules. Dubai airport is the base of airlines Emirates and flydubai. NEWS DESK

MQM-P chief quits cabinet over broken promises continued from page 01 However, MQM-P leader Faisal Sabzwari rebuffed the claims. “Although I am not aware of these details, the idea seems to be far-fetched,” he added. When asked about the reasons behind Siddiqui’s resignation, he said that the federal government had made several promises last year but none of them was materialised. “The PTI signed several memorandums of understanding (MoU) but not a single one was implemented and this infuriated the people of Karachi. If they can spend Rs12 billion on Kartarpur Corridor and Rs10 billion on erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), why can’t they spare some expenses for Karachi?” he questioned.

He also said that the government had avoided his party’s other demands as well.

“It has been well over a year since we

joined hands with the government but our offices remain closed and the false cases against our leaders have not been quashed,” he added. When asked whether the federal government had contacted the MQM-P leadership to address their concerns, Sabzwari answered in the affirmative. “PM Imran has spoken to Siddiqui and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has also contacted me. There have been other contacts as well and we are ready to talk to them,” he added. “The planning minister had already scheduled a meeting with us tomorrow but the PTI is giving it a different angle to imply that they are coming to woo back our support. This is a prescheduled meeting but yes we will discuss our reservations as well,” he concluded. Senator Mian Attique told Pakistan Today that four successive prime ministers have not implemented promises made to their party

and hence the party’s decision to quit the federal cabinet was quite justified.

DAMAGE CONTROL: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the premier will not disappoint the people of Karachi, stressing that the port city should be given its due rights. She maintained that the federal government will do justice to the mandate Karachi’s denizens had given to it. “The MQM-P is and will remain our ally,” she said, adding that the party’s demand that the people of Karachi be given basic rights is a reasonable demand and reflects a vision that the premier himself espouses the commitment made by the PTI to the people of the metropolis.

Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda told Pakistan Today that he has spoken to Siddiqui and discussed several issues with him. “He listened to me with

CMYK

patience. MQM-P’s reservations are valid and the federal government will continue to cooperate with the party for improving the conditions in Karachi’s ignored areas.

The premier considers Siddiqui and other allies as his brothers and will not allow any ally to depart,” he said.

BNP-M SUMMONS EMERGENCY MEETING: As the MQM-P made a move, media reports stated that Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal has summoned an emergency meeting of the party’s core committee to discuss the development.

The meeting would be chaired by the party chief in Karachi on Tuesday, reports added. The BNP-M has four members in the NA. However, if the party abandons the government along with seven members of the MQM-P, the PTI would still have the support of 173 lawmakers, in-

cluding five members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), three of the Grand Democratic Alliance, five of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and one each from the Awami Muslim League and Jamhoori Watan Party. The government is also supported by independent lawmakers, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah and Mohammad Aslam Bhootani.

On the other hand, the opposition has 156 lawmakers in the House. The PMLN has 84, the PPP has 55, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has 16, and the Awami National Party (ANP) has one. If two independent lawmakers, Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, also join the united opposition, the numbers would rise up to 158. Furthermore, if the MQM-P and the BNP-M also join them, the number would rise up to 169 – still eight less than the PTI and its allies.

CMYK Monday, 13 January, 2020

NEWS

PAKIStAn KIcKS off PeAce MISSIon wIth IrAn vISIt maSHHad

f

STAFF REPORT

OREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday held a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, wherein he asserted that Pakistan would not become part of any regional conflict in the wake of the killing of an Iranian general by the US.The meeting between the two dignitaries came during the foreign minister's oneday visit to Iran as a part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions in the Middle East. Both sides took stock of the geopolitical situation as tensions between the US and Iran hit an all-time high, with both sides resorting to attacks.

Earlier, on his arrival in Mashhad, Governor Ali Reza Razm Hosseini warmly welcomed the foreign minister.

He later visited the shrine of Imam Raza (AS) and made special prayers for Pakistan’s security and the unity of the Muslim Ummah.Speaking on the occasion, FM Qureshi said that it was an honour for him to begin his mission by visiting the holy site. He also thanked the Mashhad governor for making the best arrangements for three million Pakistani pilgrims who visit the holy site annually.The min-

ister also took to Twitter to share his sentiments on visiting the holy site.“Honoured to pay my respects at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS), a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as my first stop where I prayed for Muslim unity and regional stability,” he wrote.

FM Qureshi is on a diplomatic tour on the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to defuse tensions in the Middle East. He will meet his Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during his Iran visit to exchange views on the prevailing situation in the region.He will also visit Saudi Arabia on Monday, where he will hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh and consult on issues of regional peace and stability. The foreign minister will then travel to Washington on Jan 15 where he will meet senior officials of US President’s Donald Trump administration to discuss the Middle East crisis.

It is worth mentioning here that that tensions in the region escalated after US forces killed Iran’s most revered military commander Major General Qassem Suleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad airport on January 3, while in revenge Tehran attacked two US military bases in Iraq with missiles five days later.

Though the two countries have appar-

ently stood down, tension is still running high in the region.US officials frequently contacted Pakistani military brass during the crisis, but Islamabad made it abundantly clear that it would not become a party to any armed conflict in the region and instead advised all to exercise maximum restraint to avoid war.

During these visits, the foreign minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on the current situation, stress the imperative of avoiding any conflict, underscore the importance of defusion of tensions, and stress the need for finding a diplomatic way forward, according to Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Aisha Farooqui.

The foreign minister will convey Pakistan’s readiness to support all efforts that facilitate the resolution of differences and disputes through political and diplomatic means, she said during a weekly press briefing.Following the Iranian missile strike on two US military bases in Iraq, US President Donald Trump, who had earlier warned Tehran of “disproportionate” action for any attack on Americans or US assets, decided not to retaliate. And in a subsequent letter to the UN secretarygeneral, he offered “unconditional talks” to Tehran – the offer was, how-

ever, spurned.The possibility of another war in the region appears to have diminished. This has raised the question if there is still a need for Pakistan’s peace mission? “Yes,” said Farooqui on Thursday.

“There is always room for engagement and interaction within the region and beyond. The foreign minister’s visit will be aimed towards this,” she added.On Saturday, FM Quresh, in a statement, said that Iran owning up to its mistake of downing Ukrainian passenger plane would likely ease up tensions in the region.“Iran’s confession of downing Ukrainian passenger plane should ease up tensions as the region can neither endure tension nor can it tolerate war anymore,” he said.

FM Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan would play an active role to reduce growing tensions in the region.Iranian armed forces on Saturday admitted that they unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian airliner that crashed this week and blamed "human error" for the mistake.

The plane, which crashed earlier killing all 176 people on board, was mistaken for a "hostile plane" and was hit while enemy threats were at the highest level, according to a press statement published by the official IRNA news agency.

PML-N still vying for civilian supremacy, claims leader SANAULLAH SAYS PML-N DOESN’T MEAN GEN BAJWA OR THE MILITARY WHEN IT REFERS TO ‘KHALAI MAKHLOOQ’ Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah has said that the PML-N’s fight for civilian supremacy is far from over and that the party is sticking to its narrative of ‘vote ko izzat do’ (Respect the vote). In an interview with Voice of America (VoA) on Sunday, he claimed that party supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s slogan of ‘Khalai Makhlooq’ did not mean the army chief or the army as an institution. He said Shahbaz Sharif wants to move forward with reconciliation rather than confrontation with institutions.

He said that the government ministers wanted that the opposition did not support the Army Act Bill so that it can be proved that only the government could under-

stand that national issues. He said that the government wanted to arrest him in Model Town case, but failed because the joint investigative team was challenged in the High Court. He said that neither an institution as a whole is wrong nor can any organization be called wrong. He defended his party’s move to support the passage of the bills pertaining to the tenure of the services chiefs but conceded that it had made an “error” by acting in haste.

“We still stand by our stance of vote ko izzat do and civilian supremacy. Party supreme leader and exPM Nawaz Sharif stand by it,” the PML-N leader said as his party is facing harsh criticism for unconditionally supporting the bills, which swiftly sailed through both the houses of parliament and signed into law by

the president. The decision of the party’s leadership has left many in the ranks and files of the former ruling party red-faced, as they believe that the decision has practically smothered ideology of the party, he added.

Sanaullah maintained that there was “undue haste” by the government to have the bills passed. “Our parliamentary party became a part of this undue haste. I think we made an error there. We should have stopped it instead,” he maintained.

He said that the PML-N leader said Nawaz had instructed the party not to become part of a decision taken in haste to avoid the impression of parliament turning into a rubber-stamp. Sanaullah further clarified that no party had opposed an extension in the army chief’s tenure and only had reservations over the procedure being followed by the government. He said that the opposition leaders who opposed the bill had objections over the process adopted by the government, not the army chief’s extension. NEWS DESK

03

PPP, PMl-n woo MQM-P after Siddiqui quits cabinet The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Sunday supported Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chief Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui for quitting the federal cabinet, saying the Karachibased party should break ties with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its inability to fulfill promises. In a rally, PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah cautioned the MQM-P, saying it shouldn’t go back to the PTI government as the government would take U-turn on MQM-P demands again. He said the government did not have any policy hence it was not possible for them to mend fences with any of the political parties. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nafisa Shah said that it is time to see to what extent MQM is able to fulfill their promises. PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari wants MQM to take care of their voters, she said in a statement. Provincial Minister of Sindh for Local Government and PPP leader Saeed Ghani welcomed Siddiqui’s decision and said that the PTI government did not only make false promises with the general public, but they also deceived their own coalition partners. NEWS DESK

PtM holds power show in Bannu, seeks Pashtun unity The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) held a public gathering in Bannu on Sunday and vowed to seek the support of all Pashtun leaders in its struggle for the rights of the ethnic group. The rally — addressed by PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen, North and South Waziristan lawmakers Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar in addition to other leaders of the rights-based group– was attended by a large number of supporters from both Waziristans, Peshawar and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing the rally, Pashteen announced the formation of a jirga to convince the Pashtun leaders to join the PTM to strengthen its cause and jointly fight for the rights of the community. “We want the unity of Pashtuns,” said Manzoor Pashteen while addressing the gathering. He urged the Pashtun political elite to unite, saying that the community has been suffering for a long time. Pashteen added that they were not opposing any political party or Pakhtun leader. “We want peace and justice, but unfortunately, new waves of targeted killings have been seen in the former tribal belt and justice is not being served,” Pashteen said, adding that PTM leaders’ resolve to fight for their rights has only gotten stronger. NEWS DESK

Emergency imposed in Balochistan districts after snowfall; six killed Quetta STAFF REPORT

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday imposed emergency in seven districts of Balochistan following continuous heavy rain and snowfall across the province.

As per details, the PDMA has declared an emergency in Ziarat, Harnai, Pishin, Mastung, Qila Abdullah and Kech districts of Balochistan.

Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Jam Kamal Khan visited PDMA control room and inspected the arrangements of the current weather situation.

Balochistan receiving rain and snowfall while the met office has forecast chances of rain with occasional gusty winds in Karachi on Sunday.

Five passenger vehicles stranded at Kaachar area of Mashkel in Balochistan due to heavy rainfall. The vehicles carrying more than 25 passengers including women and children, reports said.

Moreover, snowfall blocked the highway from Mehtarzai to Zhob and several vehicles have stranded in the severe cold weather at the inter-provincial highway with dozens of passengers including women and children.

Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has said that the work has been underway to open the highway for traffic.

The met office has forecast widespread rain with snowfall over hills in Balochistan’s districts of Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sibbi, Loralai, Chaghi,

Nokkundi, Makran, Kharan, Panjgur, Kech and Gawadar. Heavy fall is expected in Gawadar, Awaran, Kech, Panjgur, Chagai, Quetta, Turbat, Mastung and Kalat districts during the period. Heavy falls may generate flash flooding in districts of Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Kalat, Quetta and Awaran during Saturday (Night) and Sunday. Heavy snowfall is also expected in districts of Quetta, Harnai, Ziarat, Qilla Abdullah and Pishin during the period, the weather department said.

SIX KILLED IN ZHOB: At least six people, including three women and an equal number of children, died when the roof of a house collapsed owing to heavy snowfall. Other members of the family who remained unhurt were rescued and shifted to a safe location, according to Levies officials. The roof of a room fell

CMYK

owing to excessive snowfall, killing all six members of a family.

An emergency has been imposed in

the area. Levies officials said the danger of shanty houses or cottages collapsing due to the heavy snowfall existed.

04 LAHORE

Monday, 13 January, 2020

WEATHER UPDATES 0 monday

12 C

70C

tueSday

140C

60C

wedneSday

150C

PTI govT laId foundaTIon of change by dIScardIng old TradITIonS: buzdar LAHORE

P

INP

unjAb Chief Minister Sardar usman buzdar has said that the incumbent PTI government has laid a foundation of change by discarding the old traditions. He said that the government is promoting austerity instead of profuse expenditure adding that social change may take time but it is long lasting.

In a statement on Sunday, usman buzdar said that development of far flung and backward areas was the top priority of the government. We are determined to improve the living standards of deprived segment of the society, he said and added that by using IT government will make the standard of good gov-

ernance and services better. He said that process of services was being effectively monitored through Citizen Feedback Monitoring Programme.

He further maintained that the reach of chain of services is being extended to the far flung cites through information technology.

System of most of the public offices in Punjab has been made computerized. Record of government employees is also transferred on the computer in various departments.

Paperless automated system will automatically improve the standards of services, he added.

The chief minister said that complaints against the government employees have been reduced due to the utilization of IT system. He said that IT system bring the corruption level on zero. Economic circumstances will be changed by the setting up of 10 industrial zones in the province.

Government wants to complete the process of setting up of industrial zones as soon as possible. usman buzdar further stated that setting up of industrial zone in southern Punjab will reduce the sense of the deprivation among the people of the area. He said that southern Punjab will emerge as a prosperous region of the Pakistan. He said that investment of billions of dollars was being made in Punjab. Past mistakes will rectified by boosting the process of industrialization, he added.

Six members of a family killed in fire GUJRAT INP

At least six members of a family including women suffocated to death in a house fire in the here early Sunday.

According to details, fire caused due to an electric short circuit engulfed a house in AachGoch village of Gujrat.

The smoke from the house alerted the neighbours who rushed to the residence. They found that the fire had erupted in the room where the

family was asleep.

Accumulation of smoke in the room resulted in death of six family members including Amanat Ali, Kashif, Zobia, Madiha, Faisal and Zaheer.

The victim men and women were stated to be aged between 20 to 22 years.

Pilot, engineer martyred as air-craft crashes in Cholistan BAHAWALPUR: A pilot and an engineer martyred in an air-craft incident occurred in Cholistan area while the air craft was spraying over standing crops to get rid from locusts swarms. Officials confirmed to APP that the pilot and engineer had been martyred when their air-craft crashed in bandhi area of Cholistan desert, apparently due to technical fault. “Yes, an air-craft was fallen down and crashed when it was spraying over crops to get rid from locust,” they said adding that pilot and engineer of the air-craft martyred on the spot. The martyr pilot was identified as Muhammad Shoaib and the engineer was as Fawad butt. The two were employees of the Plant Protection Department. Official sources said bahawalpur, Multan, Rahimyar Khan, bahawalnagar and neighboring areas of Sindh had once again attacked by swarms of locusts, coming from Indian desert of Rajashtan and Pakistani desert Cholistan which started destroying crops. The air-craft was provided by the government recently and was engaged in aerial spray for spraying chemical over crops and plants to rid of swarms of locusts. Teams had been dispatched to bandhi area of Cholistan desert which transported the bodies to the hospital in Sadiqabad while the team concerned had also been deputed in the area to transport the wreckage of the air-craft to city. Further probe was underway. APP

14 kite sellers, flyers arrested in faisalabad

FAISALABAD: In a crackdown against kite sellers and flyers, police on Sunday, arrested at least 14 people in Faisalabad. According to a spokesperson, the police have conducted raids in different areas of the city and took the suspects into custody. He said that over 100,000 kites, string rolls worth millions and raw material were also recovered from the suspects. The spokesperson said that cases have been registered against the suspect in various police stations of the city. Earlier on October 21, at least 4091 people had been arrested in different parts of Lahore that year so far by the Punjab police for violating the kite-flying ban. According to police, 3843 cases had been registered against kite flyers in different police stations of the city. “774 people were arrested from Lahore city, 1350 from Cantt area, while 379 from Iqbal town,” the police had said. The police had also recovered hundreds of kites and spools of kite string from the arrested persons. DIG operations Lahore had said that no leniency would be given to arrested people for violating the kite-flying ban. STAFF REPORT

60C

thurSday

160C

60C

Stern action to be taken against flour mills if rules flouted LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan has directed officers to ensure availability of flour at the price fixed by the government in the province and take stern action against the flour mills which are not complying with the instructions. All field officers were also directed to monitor dispatch systems of the flour mills and prices of flour. Chief Secretary was presiding over a meeting along with Mian Aslam Iqbal, Provincial Minister for Industries at his camp office. All commissioners and deputy commissioners were directed to take measures against smuggling of flour and the artificial crisis of flour. During meeting, field officers were also instructed to keep close laision with the district price committees and representatives of market committees for ensuring provision of vegetables, fruits, sugar, pulses, cooking oil and other edibles on the prices fixed by the government.

Secretary Food told the Chief Secretary that introduction of grading system in the markets has increased the purchasing power of the customer since the said system ensures eradication of unfair pricing and no extra burden is being faced by the consumer.

Similarly, progress on home delivery service for the vegetables and fruits was also reviewed. Secretary Industries apprised the CS that at present Online Home Delivery Service is functional in three cities including Multan, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad and soon it will be started in Lahore and Gujranwala.

While taking into consideration upcoming crushing season, operationability of the sugar mills were also came under discussion. It was decided that at least one sugar mill will be made functional in each district. CS directed the field officers to check the operational status of the sugar mills and to ensure that the non functional mills are operationalized and a report in this regard be sent within two days. The CS was told that currently 35 sugar mills are working in Punjab while other four sugar mills will also be made operational.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

NEWS

05

Sindh human rights secy returns home after ‘mysterious’ disappearance News Desk

KARACHI: Children play in a garbage heap under Teen Hatti Bridge. oNliNe

Pakistan Navy ships visit Kenya KARACHI: Pakistan Navy Ships MOAWIN and ASLAT visited Mombasa, Kenya as part of Pakistan Navy Overseas Deployment around African region. During the visit, Mission Commander & Commanding Officers of the visiting ships called on important Kenyan authorities, established free medical camp besides holding an exercisewith Kenyan Navy. The visit was also amply utilized to highlight atrocities of Indian Armed Forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK). Upon arrival at port of Mombasa, visiting Pakistan Navy Ships were extended warm welcome by Kenyan Navy. Mission Commander along with Commanding Officers of Pakistan Navy Ships called on Commander in Chief of Kenyan Navy, County Commissioner ofMombasa and other Kenyan authorities.

During the interactions, MissionCommander conveyed sincere regards of Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi for people of Kenya in general and Kenyan Navy in particular. Both the sides displayed commitment to further enhance brotherly relations and expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan’ssacrifices in fight against terrorism and Pakistan Navy's role in ensuring maritime security were also highlighted which were duly acknowledged by the host.As a gesture of goodwill, a free Medical Camp was also established off port premises by a team of Pakistan Navy doctors and paramedics. The camp provided medical treatment and medicines to around 2200 local patients. Some patients were also treated/ operated onboard Pakistan Navy Ship MOAWIN, which is fitted with state of the art medical facilities. PPI

GoodS traNSPorterS’ StriKe bleedS SiNdh ecoNomy RATES OF FINES FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN RAISED TO AN UNAFFORDABLE LEVEL kARACHI

t

PPI

RANSPORTERS for goods continued their strike for the seventh day here on Sunday against increasing fines and taxes being slapped on their vehicles on motorways and highways.

Due to the strike, industrialists and businessmen are facing immense difficulties in transporting goods to their business destinations whereas the national economy is also taking a hit as the strike has now also hit Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and other parts of the country.

Despite detailed negotiations of the transporters’ union with Sindh governor, there was no breakthrough in the talks.

Cargo supplies from Karachi to other parts of the country also remained suspended. The transporters said that they had decided to halt the cargo supplies until a solution to their issues is presented.

The federal government has recently approved revised rates of fines over traffic violations on highways. After transporters decision to continue their strike, cargo vehicles

have been parked at roads resulting in a suspension of transport of consignments from the Port Qasim and Karachi Port as well as supplies of vegetables, fruits and medicines to various parts of the country.

It may be noted that it is crucial for the federal government to resolve the transporters issues on a priority basis. The fee challan rates have gone up by more than 100 per cent which, according to transport companies, leading to higher costs when the rates of the fines for traffic violations have also been raised to an unaffordable level.

According to an estimate over 300,000 goods transport vehicles run across the country, while over 17,000 cargo vehicles run from Karachi to upcountry daily.

The cargo transportation from factories to ports and other countrywide destinations has come to a halt due to the countrywide strike.

The strike was resulting in scarcity of transport vehicles and containers for the export-oriented industry as the government seems to be less interested to resolve the issue. Karachi handles about 9,827 containers daily at its three container terminals at Qasim International

Container Terminal (QICT), Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and Pakistan International Container Terminals (PICT). The number of containers is rising day by day.

A new State Bank of Pakistan report says the large-scale manufacturing sector witnessed a decline of 5.9 per cent in Q1-FY20 on YoY basis. This contraction was broadbased, as construction-allied industries, petroleum and automobile industries continued on a downward path. Owing to low unit prices, exports growth remained low. The report further highlighted that the average headline CPI inflation reached 11.5 per cent in Q1-FY20, extending the steep upward trend persistent since the beginning of FY19. Not only this level was double the inflation observed in the same quarter last year, but it was also the highest level of quarterly inflation since Q4- FY12.

“This outcome was attributed to the lagged pass-through of the exchange rate depreciation towards the end of FY19; rationalisation of energy tariffs; and revenue-led fiscal measures taken in the budget 2019-20, which included the imposition of federal excise duty on a number of consumer items, and the ending of the zero-rating regime for export-oriented sectors and of the reduced GST regime on sugar,” the SBP report added.

Sindh Secretary for Human Rights, Dr Badar Jamil Mandhro, who had 'going missing' in Karachi on Friday returned home on Sunday. Ferozabad Station House Officer (SHO) Aurangzeb Khattak while speaking to local media on Sunday said that the senior officer’s wife had informed the police about her husband’s return early in the morning; however, it was added that Mandhro was reluctant to meet with the police. Further, the family had not lodged any formal complaint with the police about his disappearance. The police were told that he was not feeling well and will now try to interview the bureaucrat again on Monday. Jameel faces corruption charges and has recently received a pre-arrest bail in a case related to the award of contracts. On Friday, he left office and did not reach his house.

There was no clue to his whereabouts.

The family and police contacted him on the mobile phone but it was not responding. On Saturday, DIG South Sharjeel Kharal had told the local media that Mandhro reportedly made telephone contact with his wife at around 2:30am on the night between Friday and Saturday and told her that he was in Defence Housing Authority.

Sindh to start de-worming campaign by end of January KARACHI: After the successful national de-worming drive in Islamabad, a massive de-worming drive against the intestinal worm infection in children would be undertaken by the Sindh Health Department from end of January in all parts of the province. The campaign will be conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with Health and Education Departments of Sindh, the head of WHO Sindh Dr Sara Salman said while talking to private news channel on Sunday. She explained that the WHO will donate these tablets for the programme’s school-based deworming part on request and the tablet will remove the growth of hook worm, whip worm and round worm in the body. She said that consumption of the tablet would not lead to any health hazard to child. The drive is part of the national de-worming campaign which would be organized in all provinces of the country, she added. Dr Sara Salman revealed that 17 million children were infected by worms, according to a nationwide survey in 2016. This survey was the first of its kind and highlighted 40 districts where infection was most prevalent in children. “It’s important to de-worm people once a year. In some places the prevalence is 20 to 50 percent which means they need to be dewormed twice in the year.”

She explained, the Karachi campaign will target children in schools, madrassas and out-of-school children. Along with this there was a need to create awareness about improving personal hygiene and sanitation, Dr Sara said, without which the parasitic worms would not be eliminated from the soil.The soil-based helminthiasis is transmitted by worms known as hookworms, roundworms and whip worms.

International moot urges more research on Mohenjo Daro LARkANA PPI

Unfolding Indus script during international conference was the first attempt to decipher seals and artifacts found from Mohenjo Daro. Foreign scholars, who attended the three-day conference on "Mohenjo Daro Indus Script 2020", came to know about the research so far made and presented their research papers in this connection.

This was stated by Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, Chairman, Technical Consultative Committee for Mohenjo Daro, while addressing the participants at the concluding session of the three-day international conference held at Mohenjo Daro. He said during last four decades, research work on

Indus civilization had reduced due to which required material was less available.

He said the scholars recommended to establish a digital data base where all the material could be kept and which must be available to the researchers and scholars worldwide. He said that the conference also recommended that all relevant departments should extend their support to the cause of deciphering the Indus script and the research work. He said the subject of archaeology is being reduced day by day and there are examples that one university has only seven teachers of archaeology with only two students.

The conference recommended to every higher education commission to make archaeology department and research work strong by releasing enhanced

grants so that students could also be given employment after obtaining degree. The conference also recommended that Sindhi Language Authority and other language institutes across the country should come forward and start research work.

Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Sardar Shah announced to implement all the recommendation of the conference. He said since Mohenjo Daro is a World Heritage site; therefore, UNESCO and other relevant organisations will be taken on board for further research and digging.

He said soon Data & Resource Center will be established at Mohenjo Daro for which he urged all scholars to help in research work. Shah further said that 100 years will be completed in 2020 in digging of Mohenjo Daro and up to next

CMYK

three-years "Celebrate Mohenjo Daro" awareness programs will be held at local, national and international level and world will know the importance of Mohenjo Daro.

He said it was the first endeavor to read Indus script. Shah complained that federal government was not cooperating for saving world heritage site of Mohenjo Daro for which they had written so many times but without any result, hence, Sindh government was spending at its own.

He disclosed that even, it was tried to include Mohenjo Daro into CPEC for which we had written to China but it could not be included in CPEC. He condemned closure of PIA flights to Mohenjo Daro as saying the federal institutions considered Sindh as growers

of tail end.

The scholars recommended that resource center be established on modern scientific lines at Mohenjo Daro for continued research, all discovered record be preserved, help must also be sought from SAARC countries researchers for deciphering Indus script, apart from universities of US, Oman, Italy and other countries for which funds should be ensured.

More than 11 scholars took part in the conference who included Dr. Ayumu Konasukawa of Japan, Dr. Andreas Fuls, Dr. Steffen Terp Laursen, Dr. Dennys Frenez, Dr. Gregg Jamison, Dr. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, Dr. Michael Jansen, Dr. Abdul Samad, Dr. Farzand Masih, Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari and Dr. Asma Ibrahim.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

06 WORLD VIEW

Trump’s ‘wag The dog’ momenT WE WERE IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHEN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON WAS WRONGLY ACCUSED OF USING MILITARY POWER TO AID HIS OWN POLITICAL FORTUNES. HERE’S WHY THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT

Foreign Policy STeVeN SiMoN aNd daNieL BeNJaMiN

s

INcE the drone strike that killed Iranian Gen Qassem Suleimani, American analysts have focused on how Iran might react and how little thought US President Donald Trump seems to have devoted to the consequences of his extraordinary action. Some, like David Petraeus, the former US commander in Iraq and cIA director, have attempted to put the event in a strategic framework, casting the strike as an effort to restore a measure of US deterrence in the region, even while raising the question whether killing Suleimani was the right way to do it.

The fascination with such topics— particularly with the question of how Iran will respond to the death of its most revered military man—is understandable.

But it is misplaced. What the nation needs to know most urgently is whether there was any substantive intelligence indicating that Suleimani was orchestrating a major military or terrorist campaign against the United States. As former policymakers with extensive experience in countering Iran, we are struck by statements from within the administration suggesting that there was none. The natural conclusion is that, with this attack, Trump used the unparalleled power of his office to authorise this strike to distract Americans from his impeachment. In doing so, he disregarded the profound dangers that killing Suleimani would engender and subordinated the safety of Americans to his own private political fortunes.

The charge that a president “wagged the dog” is not one anyone should make lightly. We know this as well as anyone: Both of us were working on counterterrorism in the White House in 1998, when this charge was most famously levelled at our boss, President Bill clinton. The phrase, derived from the Robert De Niro-Dustin Hoffman movie of the previous year, was instantly affixed to clinton after he ordered cruise missile strikes against Afghanistan and Sudan on Aug 20, 1998, in the midst of the Monica Lewinsky scandal and less than two weeks after terrorists bombed the US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

As National Security council staffers during the impeachment of clinton, we lived a surreal existence. We spent our days in the Old Executive Office Building immersed in the intelligence on a little-known terrorist figure—Osama bin Laden—and his efforts to procure chemical and nuclear weapons for use against the United States.

And when we crossed West Executive Avenue for meetings with the national security advisor, we were suddenly confronted with the carnival of “Monica Beach,” the large swath of the White House front lawn that

had been given to broadcast journalists who needed a place to report on location.

The juxtaposition was mind-bending, and there was no reconciling the national obsession with the president’s sex life and an urgent national security threat.

A refusal among the press and the political commentariat to believe that bin Laden, the architect of the East Africa bombings, might represent a major danger to Americans was palpable. It was tied to the certainty that clinton was only up to shenanigans to distract the nation when he ordered the cruise strikes on Afghanistan and Sudan. In the 48 hours after those attacks, NBc broadcast clips from the movie Wag the Dog at least six times, while the cast of cNN’s crossfire joined the satirist Mark Russell in singing a ditty that began: “If a woman gives you trouble, or maybe two or three … go to war. It’s been done before. It’s ‘Wag the Dog.’” Perhaps because of the lingering embarrassment of that episode, analysts are currently disinclined to accuse Trump of wagging the dog.

Perhaps because of the lingering embarrassment of that episode, which eroded clinton’s effort to mount a military campaign to destroy al Qaeda in Afghanistan, analysts are currently disinclined to accuse Trump of wagging the dog. One of the few times the subject has come up, on Jan 4, the presidential historian Douglas Brinkley brushed aside a question from cNN anchor Bianna Golodryga by saying, “You can see why the comparisons are being made. But I don’t believe Donald Trump is wagging the dog any more than I believe Bill clinton did. They’re just trying to do a target of opportunity, at this moment in time.”

But the fact that one president was wrongly accused of misusing the military to achieve a political end does not mean that such a misdeed cannot happen.

Suleimani was not a target of opportunity.

He was by no means an elusive figure like Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi or bin Laden. Western intelligence services knew where he was most days of the year, and he was a frequent visitor to Baghdad. Nor, for that matter, is there any serious argument that Suleimani’s removal from the scene would yield the United States any substantive security benefits or geopolitical advantages.

Reuters has reported that Suleimani was planning his own “Wag the Dog”-style offensive against the United States in Iraq to distract Iraqis from protesting against their government’s incompetence and Iran’s influence in Iraq. His hope, according to the report, was to trigger a US response that would displace popular anger onto Washington. If true, then Trump dutifully played into Suleimani’s hands and continues to do so, granting the Iranian general a string of posthumous victories.

The costs of this action are mounting faster than they can be tallied. The Iraqi parliament, led by a historically America-

friendly prime minister, has voted to expel US forces from Iraq. If carried out, such a move will mark an end to 16 years in which the United States has laboured mightily to overcome the catastrophic blunder of the 2003 invasion, put Iraq on a stable footing as an American partner in the region, and, having opened the door to Iraq for Iran, compete with Tehran for Baghdad’s affections. The strike appears already to have undermined, perhaps fatally, the coalition fighting the Islamic State, with United States and its Western partners cancelling operations and confining their troops to base for protection.

Adding to the wreckage, Iran has also announced that it will suspend compliance of most of its commitments under the Joint comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. Iran had largely upheld its part of the deal for 20 months despite its dissatisfaction at the US withdrawal from the agreement and imposition of wideranging economic sanctions. Other possible fallout from Suleimani’s assassination includes stepped-up cooperation between Iran and the Taliban, which will deepen the United States’ already considerable woes in Afghanistan. All of these consequences were absolutely foreseeable.

Foreign policy is treated as a tremendously complex subject, and often it is.

But sometimes, it is also starkly simple.

There will be no net benefit from Suleimani’s demise—regardless of how long his trail of bloodshed and mayhem— certainly not for US service members or civilians working in the broader Middle East and certainly not for US national security. The organisation he led, Iran’s elite Quds Force, is not a small terrorist group that will collapse after the removal of its leader; it is a large bureaucracy that will keep conducting its dangerous business.

In any serious accounting, the only plus sign is in the political column for Trump,

who has changed the subject from his own impeachment to a national security crisis.

Put another way, as recently as last year’s United Nations General Assembly, Trump essentially begged Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to take his phone call. That call was aimed at kicking off one of Trump’s vaunted deals, and he continued to pursue it while turning a blind eye to Iranian attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz as well as audacious drone strikes on Saudi oil production facilities. What changed between then and the strike that killed Suleimani? For one thing, impeachment. The contention that Tehran’s posture toward the United States was suddenly and ineluctably dangerous does not pass the straight face test, and if Trump twisted intelligence to a gain political edge, that would be yet one more impeachable offense.

For now, the legitimate need for secrecy puts the executive branch and the public at mutual disadvantage. In 1998, those inside the administration knew that the evidence of chemical weapons production at a facility in Khartoum, Sudan, was compelling, as was intelligence regarding bin Laden’s links to the plant. But the sources and methods that yielded the information had to be kept secret. Perhaps the same constraints apply now.

On Jan 8, congress is scheduled to hear a briefing from the administration on the strike. But US lawmakers must not allow that to be the end of the story. Rather, they must insist on seeing all the relevant intelligence that suggests that there was a threat of imminent action by Iran against US interests. And that intelligence must be viewed in light of the fact that Suleimani had been planning contingencies for hitting the United States for decades—plans that remained on the shelf. The president needs to prove that something had genuinely changed. In past cases like this one, including the August 1998 strikes, the ex-

ecutive branch made relevant intelligence available. Accepting any less now would be an abrogation of public trust. congress must also review the deliberations that led to the decision to strike. It must not sit back while the administration asserts automatic congressional approval for Suleimani’s assassination under either the 2001 Authorisation for Use of Military Force or the 2002 version cited on Jan 3 by National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien.

The 2001 legislation was explicitly geared to the groups or individuals who carried out the 9/11 attacks, and the 2002 follow-on specifically authorised the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime, which took place in 2003, nearly 17 years ago.

Nor should congress let the administration get away with a classified War Powers filing—the documentary explanation regarding the use of force required under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which was enacted with the specific purpose of preventing any president from dragging the country into a war without congressional consent. The administration needs to make publicly clear whether there was an intelligence assessment regarding the likely consequences of the strike. One should have been an essential part of the preparation, but there has not even been a rumour that such an exercise was conducted. The lack of one would be another indication that the attack was not about security circumstances in the region but rather political circumstances at home. congress’s powers in matters of war and peace have been eroding for decades and especially rapidly since 9/11. But even supporters of a strong executive— and we count ourselves in that group— must acknowledge that a president who would abuse his power to advance his personal interests must be prevented from doing so by the institutional checks created by the framers of the constitution.

American lives have been put in jeopardy, and US national security has been imperilled. If the killing of Suleimani was motivated by Trump’s personal political interests, he should be sanctioned just as he has been for corrupting the United States’ policy toward Ukraine.

Steven Simon is a Research Analyst at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and Professor of the Practice of International Relations at Colby. He served on the National Security Council in the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Daniel Benjamin is director of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College.

He served from 2009 to 2012 as ambassador-at-large and coordinator for counterterrorism at the US State Department. During more than five years on the National Security Council staff in the 1990s, Benjamin served as a foreign policy speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and director for transnational threats.

Ukrainian plane incident: Historical records and Iran’s responsibility WITH A GLANCE AT SIMILAR EVENTS, NONE OF THE GOVERNMENTS WHOSE AIRSPACE HAD BEEN THE SCENE OF SUCH INCIDENTS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTS

Tehran Times MohaMMad Ghaderi

The downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane over Iran’s airspace on Wednesday morning, apart from the great sorrow that it caused, was only a repetition of similar events that have been recurring continuously in the contemporary world. The only

difference between the recent crash near the Imam Khomeini International Airport and similar crashes around the world is that none of those governments regretted the incidents but Tehran did.

The reasons behind the tragic downing of the Boeing 737 airliner near Tehran were announced

by Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff. It listed human error, the security situation in the region and the US warmongering policy as the chief reasons.

The Armed Forces General Staff, in a statement on Saturday morning, expressed condolences and sympathised with the Iranian and non-Iranian families and formally apologised about the human

error. This article is trying to utilise a report by the AFP (Agence France-Press) covering similar air crashes to compare Tehran’s reaction to the event with the other governments.

Base on the AFP report, the Malaysian MH 17 airliners was targeted by a missile in the eastern part of Ukraine where a civil war was raging in July 2014. The entire 298 passengers on board lost their lives in the crash. None of the sides involved in the civil war in Ukraine accepted responsibility over the missile attack.

In March 23, 2007, a Belarusian cargo plan was targeted and downed by a missile a few seconds after the plane took off from the

Mogadishu international airport.

Eleven people were killed in the crash. In October 24, 2001, a Russian Topolev airliner that was flying from Tel Aviv towards Novosibirsk exploded over the Black Sea. A week later, Kiev admitted that a Ukrainian missile had downed the plane. It left 78 people dead.

In July 1988, Iran Air Flight 655, an Airbus A300 with 290 people on board, was targeted and blown up by a missile fired from the US navy’s guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes as it was flying over Iran’s territorial waters in the Persian Gulf. The entire 290 passenger and crew on board were killed at the scene. The US, though paying money to compensate for

the deaths of the plane’s passengers, never apologised and even the US navy awarded a medal of honour to the commander of the warship. In September 1983, a South Korean airliner was targeted and downed mistakenly by the former Soviet Union’s fighter jets over Sakhalin Island. 269 passengers and crew on board the Boeing lost lives in the incident.

In February 1973, an airbus of the Libyan airliner was targeted and downed by the Zionist regime of Israel’s air defence units as the plane had approached an Israeli military facility in the Sinai Deseret. 108 passengers and crew were killed in the incident.

The AFP report testifies that

such incidents are inevitable in warlike situations; however, Iran honestly revealed the truth and expressed its apology for the error that it called “painful”. With a glance at similar events, none of the governments whose airspace had been the scene of such incidents accepted responsibility for their faults. For Instance, neither separatists in eastern Ukraine nor the pro-government fighters accepted responsibility for the downing of the Malaysian plane and nobody apologised about the error.

The same story happened for Iran Air Flight 655. The US that has always been claiming as a defender of human rights never apologised about the incident. It even awarded a medal of honour to the man that had ordered the shooting.

Mohammad Ghaderi is the Tehran Times editor in chief.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

FOREIGN NEWS 07

ChIna SayS wILL not Change PoSItIon on taIwan afteR LanDSLIDe eLeCtIon TAIPEI

C

AGENCIES

HINA will not change its position that Taiwan belongs to it, Beijing said on Sunday, after President Tsai Ing-wen won re-election and said she would not submit to China’s threats, as state media warned she was courting disaster. The election campaign was dominated by China’s efforts to get the democratic island to accept Beijing’s rule under a “one country, two systems” model, as well as by anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong.

“No matter what changes there are to the internal situation in Taiwan, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. While China says Taiwan is its territory, Taiwan maintains it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name.

Tsai, who has firmly rejected China’s “one country, two systems” model, won

another four-year term by a landslide on Saturday, and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured a majority in parliament. “Taiwan’s people once again use the vote in their hands to show the world the value of democracy,” Tsai said on Sunday when meeting the head of the United States’ de facto embassy in Taipei, Brent Christensen.

“Democracy and freedom are indeed Taiwan’s most valuable asset and

Restive Philippine volcano prompts evacuation of thousands of residents MANILA: A volcano south of the Philippine capital Manila spewed a giant ash plume accompanied by rumbling sounds and tremors on Sunday, prompting authorities to raise the alert level and order the evacuation of about 8,000 residents. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level at the rumbling Taal volcano to “level 3”, indicating “magmatic unrest” that could lead to a “hazardous eruption in weeks”. The highest alert is level 5, hoisted when magmatic eruption is underway. In an advisory, the Institute said it was strongly recommending that people evacuate the area around the Taal volcano, which is on an island in the middle of Taal lake, and two nearby “high-risk” municipalities in Batangas province as it warned of “possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami”. The country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council told reporters that an evacuation of the area has begun, led by local government officials. The volcano spewed ash that generated a 1-km (0.6 mile) high plume that later triggered ashfall in nearby communities, the Institute said. About 8,000 residents were at risk and needed to be immediately evacuated, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, citing the Institute’s data and recommendations. AGENCIES

Israeli education minister implies homosexuality is unnatural JERUSALEM: Several Israeli school districts held impromptu tolerance classes on Sunday after the country’s education minister, an Orthodox rabbi, angered LGBT campaigners by implying homosexuality was unnatural. The furor over the remarks

by Education Minister Rafael Peretz – who last year spoke favourably about gay “conversion therapy”, a widely discredited method – reached into the Israeli cabinet, one of whose members is openly homosexual. Asked by the weekend edition of the top-selling Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper what he would do if one his children had a “different sexual orientation”, Peretz said: “Thank God, my children grew up in a natural and healthy way. They are building their homes on the basis of Jewish values. I don’t bother my head with ‘what if’ thinking.” Several Israeli municipalities said they would open the new school week with tolerance classes in response. “I will promote within the municipal educational system a program of democracy, equality, recognition of the other and acceptance of differences. In short – everything that is the opposite of Rabbi Rafi,” Amir Kochavi, mayor of the city of Hod Hasharon near Tel Aviv, said on Facebook. AGENCIES

the foundation of the long-term TaiwanUS partnership,” Tsai said, vowing to deepen cooperation with the United States on issues from defense to economy. On Saturday, Tsai called for talks to resume with China, but said she hoped Beijing understood Taiwan and its people would not submit to intimidation. However, China will not change its stance on the “one China” principle and opposing Taiwan independence, the

Chinese foreign ministry said. “The universal consensus of the international community adhering to the ‘one China’ principle will not change either.”

POLICY TOOLBOX: China’s official Xinhua news agency said Tsai won by deploying dirty tricks, hyping the China threat and colluding with Western forces. “Whether it is to curb Taiwan independence secessionist activities or to benefit Taiwan compatriots, the mainland has a full ‘policy toolbox’,” it said. “Tsai and the DPP must be aware that they should not act wilfully because of a fluke.”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated Tsai and lauded her for seeking stability with China “in the face of unrelenting pressure”. Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also sent congratulations, referring to Taiwan as a “precious friend”. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said on Saturday it would continue promoting the “one country, two systems” model for Taiwan, which Beijing uses to run Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.

No end in sight for strike as French govt offers pension compromise PARIS AGENCIES

A crippling French transport strike dragged into its 39th day on Sunday despite the government’s offer to withdraw the most contested measure of the pension reform plans that sparked the protest. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Saturday he would drop plans to increase the official retirement age to 64 from 62 in an effort to end a strike which has paralysed Paris and its suburbs, with bus, train and metro services all badly disrupted. “I am willing to withdraw from the bill the short-term measure I had proposed,” said Philippe, prompting his boss French President Emmanuel Macron to dub the change “a constructive and responsible compromise.”

The more reformist trade unions — the FDT, Unsa and FRC — welcomed the announcement and said they were now ready to work with employers on the sustainable financing of the state pension system.

However the more hardline CGT, FO and Solidaires unions were not moving an inch, calling for the strike and protests to continue, among them a major demonstration on January 16.

SOME WANT TO RETURN TO WORK: CGT head Philippe Martinez played down the impact of the CFDT and Unsa’s readiness to resume negotiations, and spoke of internal splits within these groups.

“We will see” what these unions’

workers have to say on the issue, he said, reiterating his call for the government to withdraw the pension reforms completely which he described at “the major requirement of a majority of unions representing a majority of employees”. However, the arrival of empty January pay slips could sap the determination of some striking workers. “It is clear that some colleagues want to go back to work,” said one disillusioned Paris Metro worker during demonstrations on Saturday.

WE’RE STILL HERE: The government’s compromise move came a day after meetings with unions in a bid to end a strike that has frustrated Paris commuters, ruined December holiday travel plans, and hurt business. Demonstrators in the capital on Saturday, some masked and hooded, broke shop windows along their protest route, set fires and threw pro-

jectiles at police in riot gear who responded with tear gas. Several stores were ransacked as marchers brandished union flags and chanted defiantly: “We are still here!” and “Macron resign!” Protests were also held in Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon, Nantes and several other cities.

PIVOT AGE: In one of Macron’s signature reforms, the government is seeking to rationalise 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system it says will be fairer and more transparent but which unions fear will see millions work longer for a smaller retirement payout. Particularly vexing was the proposal to impose the 64 “pivot age” that people would have to work to in order to qualify for a full pension. Union meetings will be held on Monday to decide on the future of the strikes on France’s local and national rail services.

Both sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire in Libya TRIPOLI: Both of Libya’s warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday.The Turkish and Russian presidents had called for the ceasefire to start on Sunday, more than nine months into an offensive on Tripoli by the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar. Both the LNA and the Tripoli-based, internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) had said they conditionally agreed to the truce. But the GNA said in a statement that it had recorded gunfire in the Salaheddin and Wadi Rabea areas “minutes” after the ceasefire was meant to start at 0001 a.m. on Sunday (Saturday 2201 GMT). From early on Sunday morning exchanges of fire could be heard in Salaheddin and Ain Zara districts. AGENCIES

Israel foreign minister postpones Dubai visit over security concern: diplomats JERUSALEM: Israel’s foreign minister has postponed a visit to Dubai this month due to security concerns, diplomats said on Sunday, linking the decision to Iran-US tensions. Israel Katz, who doubles as intelligence minister, had been scheduled to attend mid-month meetings in the Gulf emirate ahead of its Expo 2020 Dubai but “on the instruction of security officials” would defer the visit, an Israeli diplomat said, without giving a new date.

Another diplomat, who also requested anonymity, said Israel was taking precautions lest its arch-foe Iran try to target Katz as part of retaliation against its US ally. The diplomat did not cite evidence to indicate any specific threat.

Decades-old hostilities between Tehran and Washington have boiled over in recent weeks, with a US strike killing a senior Iranian commander and Iran firing missiles at Iraqi airbases hosting US forces in response. AGENCIES

Bangladesh arrests Sufi Muslim singer after protests DHAKA: A top Bangladeshi Sufi folk singer was arrested under a controversial internet law that critics say is used to stifle free speech after alleged anti-Islam comments triggered protests, police said on Sunday. Shariat Sarker, 40, was detained in the central town of Mirzapur on Saturday, local police chief Saidur Rahman told AFP. A cleric filed a case against Sarker over comments made at a show in Dec 2019 and he was arrested under the Digital Security Act for “hurting the religious sentiment of Muslims,” Rahman said. Film of the show was uploaded to YouTube and more than 1,000 Muslim activists and clerics staged a rally to demand the singer’s arrest. Sarker could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty at trial. AGENCIES

Friends and foes gather in Oman to mourn Qaboos DUBAI AGENCIES

World and regional leaders, many at odds with one another, met Oman’s new ruler on Sunday to offer condolences for the death of Sultan Qaboos whose quiet diplomacy during five decades in power helped calm regional turbulence. The rulers of Qatar and the United Arab Emirate, which are locked in a protracted dispute, were among those who visited the royal palace in Muscat as was the foreign minister of Iran, which is an arch-foe of US-allied Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Oman’s new sultan, Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, promised after assuming power on Saturday to uphold the foreign policy of his Western-backed predecessor under which Muscat balanced ties between larger neighbours Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as the United States.

“His challenge going forward will be to

quickly develop his personal relationships with foreign partners and make clear his likely stance to stay-the-course with Oman’s foreign policy,” said Elana DeLozier, a research fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank. Qaboos, who died on Friday aged 79, managed to maintain Oman’s neutrality, not taking sides in the Gulf dispute with Qatar, and helped to mediate secret US-Iran talks in 2013 that led to an international nuclear pact two years later which Washington then quit in 2018.

President Donald Trump called Qaboos a true partner to the United States, working with nine different American presidents. “His unprecedented efforts to engage in dialogue and achieve peace in the region showed us the importance of listening to all viewpoints,” Trump said in a statement. The British government said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince Charles arrived in Muscat for the

condolences ceremony for the longestserving Arab leader, who took power in a palace coup in 1970 with the help of former colonial power Britain. Among other Western dignitaries was former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Haitham assumes power at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States that could desta-

bilize a region vital to global oil supplies. Qaboos’ death leaves Kuwait’s 90-year old Emir Sheikh Sabah alAhmad al-Sabah, who was also in Muscat on Sunday, as the last of the old guard leaders in the Gulf. The region has seen the emergence of young hawks in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi who are bent on curtailing Iran’s influence.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

08 COMMENT Indian sabre-rattling Playing dangerous games

T

he new indian Chief of Army Staff, Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, put his foot in his mouth right at the beginning of his tenure, saying that if the indian Parliament approved, the indian Army would move to take Azad Kashmir. Commenting on this statement, which appeared in the indian press, DG iSPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that such ‘routine rhetoric’ was meant to divert attention from ongoing turmoil. he added that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared to respond to any act of aggression. That india is undergoing internal turmoil is hidden from no one. even as the indian COAS spoke, protesters against the citizenship amendment act demonstrated in Kolkata against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city.

Meanwhile, in the territory General Naravane seemed so concerned about, Jammu and Kashmir (the indianoccupied part), the lockdown imposed since August 5, when the BJP government changed its status, continues, and the expected outburst of outraged feeling there is still to be unleashed. it is perhaps worrisome that General Naravane was detailed to make this statement, instead of a politician, either Mr Modi himself, or someone else, because it should not be forgotten that Mr Modi is unstable enough to threaten regional peace, as he did last year over the Pulwama incident. Because the indian plan went fearfully wrong, as its air force failed to deliver, instead getting its planes shot down, because the Pakistan government tried, and because the world powers intervened, peace was preserved. however, Mr Modi’s instability is matched only by US President Donald Trump’s, which was on show in the iranian crisis, which he produced all on his own. instead of reining him in, General Naravane seems to think he should pander to his basest instincts with this display of bellicosity.

This statement also shows that the new indian higher defence organisation, with General Naravane’s predecessor as COAS, Gen Bipin Rawat, the first Chief of Defence Staff, has not taken root, for otherwise no COAS could make such a statement which apparently excludes the Air Force, which would provide air cover for any ground operations. This shows that the indian armed forces are not able to cooperate with each other in peace, and thus the latest changes have not yet taken effect as they should. General Rawat as COAS, made many such statements, but now he needs to rein in his subordinate.

Zainab alert bill

America can’t help fighting wars

F

OllOWiNG the assassination of top iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani by the USA, and the subsequent vow by iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei to avenge him, the USA again seemed on the brink of war with iran.

The question always haunting intelligentsia and men in the street alike is why the USA can’t help fighting wars. Why is its checkered history replete with wars without any apposite casus belli? The answer is simple: war is an indispensable US economic sine qua non. its economy is heavily dependent on its military capital hence, if there is no war anywhere, its economy is likely to nosedive. This is never acknowledged by US political leaders and seldom by even its media.

The big arms companies serve as the vertebral column for the US economy. Without continuous and prolonged warfare in which their guns, bombs, tanks, warships and submarines are deployed, they would go out of business. This situation eggs the USA to be embroiled into war either overtly or covertly.

The USA has militarily intervened 223 times since independence. So, does the fault lie in the evil nature of the individuals who reach office or the gargantuan appetite of the military- industrial complex that prompts every US President, whether pacifist or hawkish, to wage a war? The big arms manufacturers keep the country engaged in wars since it is a question of their survival.

Whenever there is a conflict, anywhere in the world; nine times out of ten, the USA, is somehow involved. it has a long history of engineering coups, toppling regimes and backing military juntas worldwide.

According to economists, the USA is a state oxygenated by its war industry. The joint venture between the US arms industry and government is as old as the country. even the Civil War turned out to be immensely profitable for US arms manufacturers. however, the end of that war resulted in declining demand and many gun-makers going bankrupt. But those securing foreign contracts continued to mint money. later, the SpanishAmerican War also helped arms manufacturers.

The story does not end here. Under capitalism, the destruction of one country or region

T

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

I

feeds into prosperity of another state or region.

This is what happened during World War i. The USA remained neutral during most it, entering in April 1917. But the mobilisation of its economy was extraordinary. Over four million served in the armed forces and the US economy produced a vast supply of raw materials and munitions.

The end of the war resulted in a huge slump in production. Some historians claim that peace was one of the contributing factors in the Great Depression. The economic crisis created unemployment of up to 25 per cent.

This grim situation prompted then US President Roosevelt to launch the New Deal. But it is believed while it created only four million jobs, while World War ii provided every American with one.

The Great Depression in America only ended during, and because of, WWii. “economic demand rose spectacularly,” one economist writes. “The war allowed American industry to produce unlimited amounts of war equipments… in addition, the American industry also supplied humungous amount of equipment to the British and even the Soviets via lend-lease. The key problem of the Great Depression– the disequilibrium between supply and demand– was thus resolved because the state ‘primed the pump’ of economic demand by means of huge orders of a military nature”.

The war ended the effects of the Great Depression, giving Americans higher wages and increasing their purchasing power. it is widely believed that US giants also immensely exploited this dreadful carnage.

According to historian Stuart Brandes, “between 1942 and 1945, the net profits of America’s 2,000 biggest firms were more than 40 per cent higher than during 1936-1939… This largesse benefited the American business world in general, but in particular that relatively restricted elite of big corporations known as ‘big businesses or ‘corporate America’. During the war, less than 60 firms obtained 75 per cent of all lucrative military and other state orders”.

Many economists claim that a phenomenal increase was witnessed in economic activity during wartime. For instance, the GDP growth skyrocketed to over 17 per cent in 1942.

After WWii, the USSR was used as a bogey

to multiply affluence earned through military spending. The Korean War may have killed three million, but helped Washington achieve phenomenal GDP growth of 11.4 per cent in 1951. Although this growth decreased in subsequent years, it once again witnessed a boost in 1966 during the Vietnam War. So, the Cold War supported the US arms industry. The industry simultaneously became one of the largest sources of employment for Americans. That role still continues.

To some extent, such dependence fuels conflicts as well. After the collapse of the USSR, the arms industry witnessed a downward spiral. But soon, there came Al-Qaeda and the War on Terror.

The largest US export deal to date is related to munitions. Trump struck a deal worth over $300 billion with Saudi Arabia. his administration is also making efforts to strike arms deals with Japan, Qatar and other states. Who is going to buy American arms if there is peace in the world?

According to history professor Robert Reich in 2010: “Over 1,400,000 Americans are now on active duty; another 833,000 are in the reserves, many full time. Another 1,600,000 Americans work in companies that supply the military with everything from weapons to utensils”. This reflects Americans’ dependence on arms companies for job creation. Reich believed that if the country did not have this giant military jobs programme, its unemployment rate would be over 11.5 per cent in 2010 instead of 9.5 per cent. intellectuals believe the USA must get rid of this military spending and direct resources towards other sectors that could create more jobs. A Brown University research report found that investments in education create nearly three times as many jobs as defence spending while healthcare creates about twice as many. While $1 million spent on defence creates 6.9 direct and indirect jobs, the same amount in elementary and secondary education creates 19.2, and on healthcare, 14.3.

The USA’s ruling elite needs to divert its people’s money towards peaceful sectors. This policy will not only end Washington’s reliance on wars to create jobs at home but will also save millions of lives annihilated due to the insatiable appetite of the military-industrial complex.

Strengthening parliament

Not nearly enough, but a start he National Assembly’s passage of the Zainab Alert Bill after its introduction last year, and two years after a little girl, the late Zainab, was kidnapped and murdered in Kasur, in a case that shocked the nation, and led to a massive manhunt ending in the arrest of her killer, and his swift trial and execution, came after it had engaged in passing other more seemingly important legislation. The Bill was not given the same fast-track procedure leading to ‘crucial’ amendment acts going to the Senate at once, and being passed the next day. instead, it will go the Senate in its turn, be referred to committee, which will then report it back in its own good time, and only then be presented to the house for passage.

Though there is no urgency shown, there should be.

The need to fast-track such legislation would be felt only if such cases were agitating the public, which frankly they are not. This does not mean that they are not happening, because they are. They have not only been reported from madrassahs, which have long housed abusers, but the new Child Welfare Bureaus as well.

They may not have provoked the sort of avid interest, or displays of support, that the Zainab case did, but the new law will help, once it is passed by the Senate. it is to be presumed that Senators, who have been holding up legislation because the government lacks a majority there, will get this legislation through at the earliest.

One possibility that needs examination by all those who want to prevent sexual abuse of children is the preparation of a national register of sex offenders, which will be provided not just to police stations, but also to schools and other places where children gather. Such a register will be an important first step in identifying offenders. There should also be a requirement for offenders to undergo some form of treatment, for it should be accepted that abusers often need treatment, not just punishment. After all, the purpose is to keep everyone’s children safe, not just those whose parents are rich or powerful.

Arms companies need wars to create American jobs

abDur rasool syeD

Dr FariD a Malik

W

hile i fully support strengthening of Parliament, i am seriously concerned about the capacity of its members. For any nation to advance, civilian supremacy is essential, yet the islamic Republic of Pakistan continues to struggle after over seven decades of independence.

As i write this article, i am reminded of the judicial murder of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979 and the actual murder of liaquat Ali Khan in 1951, the two truly elected Prime Ministers of Pakistan. From the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan elected in 1946 to the current 15th National Assembly that took oath in August 2018 after the electoral contest of 2018, the democratic order remains threatened.

Both ZAB and liaquat Ali led from the front in very able Parliament. While the 1946 elected parliamentarians formulated the 1956 constitution which was abrogated by the first dictator, the 1970 house enacted the unanimous 1973 document that continues to guide the democratic order till today. Ayub Khan very skilfully neutralised the political leadership to be replaced by a third-rate rubberstamp Parliament.

ZAB picked up the pieces of what was left to re-enforce representative democracy together with very able Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

and honest elected representatives of the people in Parliament. Khan Abdul Wali Khan as leader of the Opposition was outstanding. The level of debates and legislation was unmatched. The military takeover in 1977, followed by partyless elections in 1985, again brought back the thugs and bounty hunters to the seat of power. instead of a caring mother, the legislature started to behave like a stepmother. With ten manipulated elections between 1977 and 2013 and the disputed electoral exercise of 2018, the Parliament has no legs to stand upon.

Most of the time of the two houses is spent in discussing corruption of the legislators. Out of a total strength of 446 members (342 National Assembly plus 104 Senate) hardly a handful of elected parliamentarians have been effective in leading the nation out of the crises that it faces. Those facing serious charges of impropriety are only interested in saving their skins by prolonging their cases. No one is focused on coming clean by presenting their defence or money trails.

Corruption is a menace which has to be dealt with. elected representatives are required to work in common interests of the nation. An elected representative who is accused of indulging in objectionable practices, should come clean instead of hiding behind parliamentary privileges and production orders. No one should be spared.

For the nourishment of the nation, the Parliament which is the mother institution has to be pure, otherwise impurities trickle all the way down.

The first step in strengthening Parliament is a credible and acceptable electoral contest. Disputed elections weaken Parliament. The 0pposition is openly calling the sitting PM selected, not elected. Those

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

who were conceived and then launched by the establishment are now demanding respect for the vote while the voter continues to suffer. in best national interests Parliament must come up with the necessary reforms for a fool-proof electoral exercise. it is indeed a good sign that all nominees for the coveted position of Chief election Commissioner (CeC) have administrative experience. in the past members of superior judiciary were entrusted with this task, with disastrous results as elections have to administered not adjudicated.

Strength is like respect which has to be earned through performance which has been lacking in all the parliaments since 1977. Democratic gains have been repeatedly pushed back first in 1958 and then again in 1977. The quality of legislators has regressed, not progressed, over time. Most elected representatives are involved in advancing their own interests, while the nation is ignored. it is a perfect reflection of Nero’s fiddling while Rome burnt. Though the fires of terrorism have been put off, the heat is still around for the masses to recover and for the return to normalcy. in the words of Apple founder Steve Jobs, “either lead or get out of the way”. Till the time that the level of parliamentarians reaches the levels of the 1947 or 1970 houses their strengthening may prove to be counterproductive. in the USA a term, ‘the blind leading the blind’ is used, which aptly describes our current state. Morons and their wisdom have to be contained for the nation to move forward by reversing the backward slide.

Certainly, the four martial laws have not helped. With only one indisputed electoral exercise of 1970, our democratic journey has been very bumpy. it is time to remove

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

these bumps. The road to democracy has to be paved with another free, fair and acceptable election to strengthen Parliament. Character, honesty and integrity brings strength. Tainted people always cave in to save their loot. The recent compromises are a proof of vulnerability. There were no corruption charges against the elected parliaments of 1947 and 1970. Both the elected PMs who led these houses were eliminated by vested interests who desired to derail our march to glory and freedom.

Parliament is the mother of democracy and has to acquire motherhood qualities by owing not abandoning the nation it was created to serve. Politics is meant to deliver for the people by protecting their resources, it cannot and should not be mixed with business.

Since 1977 there has been a constant slide down which needs to be reversed. To shatter the status quo the PM needs the support of the Parliament, which has not been there. The spirit of sacrifice has to be restored to put an end to an era of ‘Muk Muka’ or ‘you scratch my back and i’ll scratch yours’ while the nation continues to suffer. For the sake of democracy, as a nation let us make a firm pledge to elect the ablest sons of the land to enter the Parliament as was done in 1946 and 1970. it is the best way to strengthen the democratic order.

Strength of the parliament comes with true representation of the people they represent who then reciprocate by standing behind their leaders as was done for Tayyip erdogan in Turkey.

Dr Farid A Malik is ExChairman Pakistan Science Foundation and can be reached at fmaliks@hotmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Monday, 13 January, 2020

COMMENT 09 Editor’s mail

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

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

Skyrocketing prices of essential commodities SiR, i am writing to you to express my deep concern over the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities which is making the life of the common people very hard. The Government has failed miserably in its promise of keeping inflation low. The prices of essential commodities such as pulses, vegetables, cereals, cooking oil, sugar, rice, and petrol, etc. have been rising unrelentingly. All measures to bring the prices down have failed. i just want to ask the concerned ministry and authorities what is happening. The poor are desperate, while the rich are having a gala! Why does the Government not put a rein on inflation? Why is the Government PDS such a big failure?

See the paradox! On one hand we have food grains worth millions of rupees rotting in the FCi godowns, and on the other hand, the poor and the middle classes of our country are not getting the grain and pulses at reasonable price. Why does the Government not make these food grain and pulses available to the common people? Once the Government will supply these food items into the market, the prices will automatically go down.

Besides, the Government need to act strictly against the hoarding and black-marketing of food items. Through the columns of your esteemed daily i appeal to the concerned ministry to look into the matter and take steps to alleviate people’s troubles.

MAAz AzhEr Karachi

War mongering There’s too much loose talk going on

T

syeD kaswar GarDezi

he past week or so has been turbulent in so far as the safety and tranquillity of the Middle east is concerned, particularly the iran-iraq region. The elimination of the iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, followed by iranian strikes on US military bases located within iraq has had its toll on regional peace. A massive escalation of tensions between the two countries was witnessed as calls and predictions of a conflict were made. The iranians were furious over losing one of their biggest assets.

Contrary to popular expectations, US President Donald Trump did not respond irrationally to the strikes at US bases. instead of declaring war on iran, as would be expected from him, the President downplayed the strikes by stating that no loss was incurred and the strikes were merely a face-saving move on part of the iranians. Nevertheless, the tensions were defused, for the time being, and no more calls of further action were initially made. But then again, the escalation witnessed the unfortunate and tragic shooting down of a commercial airliner by the iranian military itself. The petty warmongering cost the lives of 176 individuals leaving behind an even number of devastated families. An event took place which calls into question the ability of the iranian military to handle its own equipment. it was a human error, in this day and age, which cut short the lives of those ill-fated people aboard the downed plane, an act which should not go unpunished under any circumstances.

While the war hysteria died down in iran, for the time being, another one is prepped up on our eastern border in the aftermath of the provocative statement issued by the indian Army Chief. The commander of the indian forces claimed to be ready to invade Azad Jammu and Kashmir, if given the order. The General probably intended to flex his muscles at the start of his tenure by issuing a threat to Pakistan, however his statement comes at a wrong time and without reason. The fire from the iranian war hysteria has not even been reduced to ashes properly and the indian general is ready to ignite a fire of his own. issuing threats of invading AJK aptly reveals the crude mindset of the indian leadership. in

order to appeal to their domestic audience, played its readiness and ability to respond to they need to build a rhetoric against Pakistan indian aggression. in order to defend its sovand make wishful claims of invading Pak- ereignty, Pakistan would respond to any sort istani territory. Tensions between the two arch of adventure by the indians, but it would be in rivals already remain high following the an- the interest of both countries for india to renexation of occupied Kashmir by india. An at- frain from provoking Pakistan. lack of responsibility by military leaders tempt to further escalate the same would only jeopardise the South east Asian region and in possession of nuclear weapons is alarming and daunting at the same time. What if a human would do no good to anyone.

Astonishingly, war has become the talk of error was to be made, similar to the iranian the town for most. Be it the Americans, irani- downing of the commercial plane, whilst handling nuclear weapons? ans, israelis or the indiWho would then take ans, the notion of and fix responsibility? conflict and fighting a Aren’t hiroshima and war is projected by naNagasaki enough to extional leaders more plain the impact of nuoften than ever. it is as if clear weapons? Or does fighting a war is a game V In the interest of world the world need remindof football to be played for a fixed time which peace and in order to protect ing? Unfortunately, the next use of nuclear would lead to the better our future generations, the weapons wouldn’t leave team emerging victoribehind a lesson for the ous. it seems that the international community next generations. There consequences and the should dispel the notion of a would be nothing left to seriousness of even talkleave behind and there ing about war are not conflict over trivial matters will be no next generaproperly understood. tion whenever the nukes War is no game which every now and then and in are next used. can be played by two or different parts of the world.

The world leaders more players in order to need to comprehend the choose a winner. even The concept of war severity and sensitivity the slightest mention of mongering should be of these testing times war seems as though a and need to vilify all teenager was throwing a abolished which can be such statements which tantrum and remaining create and build up war ever ready to fight over effectively done by hysteria. The indian trivial matters. Recent improving diplomatic ties Chief’s irresponsible years have embroiled comments deserve to be the world into times of between countries, condemned and repriturmoil where different irrespective of their manded. he seeks to battles are being fought threaten regional peace, globally. Be it the fight relations.

Any potential and this should not go against extremism or internal conflicts in a parcause for conflict should be unchecked. in the interest of ticular country, global nipped in the bud and no world peace and in safety remains at risk to protect our fuconstantly. statements of a fight should order ture generations, the inWorld leaders, it apbe issued. Pulling back on ternational community pears, have forgotten the should dispel the notion repercussions of war. talk of war would be a great of a conflict over trivial There would be no winner in a full-scale constep towards ensuring peace matters every now and then and in different flict between two for the future generations parts of the world. The nations, especially if concept of war mongerboth possess a nuclear ing should be abolished arsenal. The indian which can be effectively Army Chief, in an atdone by improving tempt to gain domestic diplomatic ties between traction, should not countries, irrespective issue irresponsible statements which would bring both countries to the of their relations. Any potential cause for conbrink of conflict. Though the DG iSPR in an flict should be nipped in the bud and no stateapt and responsible statement has dismissed ments of a fight should be issued. Pulling back the statement of the indian Army Chief, how- on talk of war would be a great step towards ever it has become a common feature for these ensuring peace for the future generations. statements to be issued. Such statements come Syed Kaswar Gardezi is a lawyer and a at the risk of hampering regional security and threaten the lives of the millions who reside columnist. he can be contacted at here. Pakistan has already, in the past year, dis- kaswargardezi@gmail.com

Increasing number of beggars at Bahadurabad Chowrangi BeGGARS have been a problem for a very long time but nowadays the number of beggars has increased in different parts of the city, particularly at Bahadurabad Chowrangi. They are found almost everywhere. The moment you come out of the shop they start chasing you and keep following.

This has a very negative impact on our society as beggars are also involved in criminal activities: they rob people in different ways. Moreover, this encourages others to enter into begging as it is an easy way to earn money. There are a lot of beggars who can work hard and earn money but choose to beg. i urge the government to take strict action against this problem.

ALvEEnA rAShEED ShAiKh Karachi

Choice of name SiR, it is the right of an individual adult to choose for themselves any name that they think is appropriate for them to be identified.

Nobody other than them has the right to call them by any other name. even PM imran Khan when he was addressed as imran Niazi by the leader of the Opposition during the Joint Session of Parliament took exception to this and reminded him to address him as imran Khan Niazi. The leader of Opposition replied appropriately and stated that in the future he will keep this in mind. in all fairness, the same is right of Bilawal Zardari Bhutto or Maryam Nawaz to be addressed as they would like to be. it is unfortunate that even in the current tense conditions when india has annexed iOK and is constantly shelling across the line of Control, the government and the opposition are not seen setting aside their political differences to stand united with one voice to support the people of Kashmir in their right to choose their own destiny. As the sitting government in power, the onus of creating this unity falls on the PTi government more than it falls on opposition parties. Unfortunately, irresponsible spokespersons of Federal/Provincial Government continue to indulge in gerrymandering and calling opposition leaders names. This tit for tat squabble serves no purpose other than exposing the immaturity of those involved and can be construed as diverting the attention of people from real issues of national importance like Kashmir, the economy, trade imbalance etc.

MALiK TAriq Lahore

Let loose the dogs?

CONTROlliNG the stray dog population is the only solution to get rid of the life-threatening rabies infection. Sindh health Minister Azra Pechuho informed the provincial legislature that more than 92,000 cases of dog-bites were reported across Sindh during this year, adding that the tension with india had created a serious shortage of the rabies vaccine, as a Chinese company had closed its operations. Dog-bite is a serious problem and rabies is highly dangerous and such issues need to be seriously dealt with. Dr Zia said that around 69,000 cases of dog-bite had been reported in Sindh last year and more than 100 cases were reported in the city’s hospitals alone. in fact, majority of stray dog population exists in Sindh as Muhammad Ali Aziz said that Karachi was home to more than 250,000 stray dogs. 12,000 cases of dog bite were reported from Benazirabad, 7000 from Dadu, 4,000 from Shikarpur, 2,750 from Jacobabad and more than 1,000 cases from the Thatta district.

Actually, rabies is not only caused by a rabid dog; in many parts of the province it is also caused by rabid jackals. PTi’s parliamentary leader haleem Shaikh claimed vaccine for dog-bite was not available in the constituency of the health minister. his colleague Jamal Siddiqui said stray dogs were useless animals who could only harm humans, adding that colonies of stray dogs were present everywhere in the province. he said those dogs should be caught and exported to the countries where people ate dog meat. There is a dire need to find solutions and one solution is to export them to those countries where people eat them. iMrAn rAShEED Kech

Monday, 13 January, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

thouSanDS joIn thaI antI-govt Run, whILe RIvaL CaMP PuSheS BaCk BANGKOK

t top guards commander briefs Iran’s parliament TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief was briefing parliament Sunday over the killing of a top general by the US, Tehran’s retaliation and the subsequent downing of an airliner, ISNA news agency said. Major General Hossein Salami was addressing the members of the Majles in a closed session, the semi-official news agency reported. Salami was set to explain the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Guards’ foreign operations arm, in a January 3 US drone strike in Baghdad, ISNA reported. The Guards chief would speak about Iran’s retaliation to the killing of the general on Wednesday when it fired a volley of missiles at US troops stationed in Iraqi military bases, it said. ISNA said Salami would also address members of the parliament about the accidental downing of a Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737, which killed all 176 people on board.

Those killed in the air disaster were mainly Iranians and Canadians, including dual nationals. Many were students. Iran said on Saturday that the plane was mistakenly shot down on Wednesday morning, hours after the missiles were fired at Iraq. The Islamic republic’s armed forces said its air defences had been at a heightened state of alert at the time and that the missile operator who fired at the plane acted independently. Police dispersed students at Tehran’s Amir Kabir University on Saturday evening after their commemoration for those killed in the disaster turned into an angry demonstration, Fars news agency reported. The students chanted slogans denouncing “liars” and demanded the resignation and prosecution of those responsible for downing the plane and allegedly covering up the accidental action. Newspapers in Iran on Sunday paid tribute to those killed in the tragedy, many of them with black front pages. “Apologise, resign,” said the main headline of the reformist Etemad daily. “Unbelievable,” read the front-page banner of Arman-e Meli, another reformist newspaper.

“Unforgivable,” said government newspaper Iran, which published all the names of those who died in the air disaster on the image of black plane tail. Kayhan, a hardline daily, led on supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s “strict orders” to follow up on the “painful incident of the plane crash”. “Deep apology for the painful mistake,” said the front page of Javan, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. AGENCIES

AGENCIES

HOUSANDS of Thais joined a run in the capital on Sunday in what appeared to be the biggest show of dissent against the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, although he also drew a big show of support at a rival event. Police estimated more than 12,745 runners and supporters gathered before sunrise at a park in Bangkok, wearing athletic outfits and colourful shoes, to participate in the “Run Against Dictatorship” event.

Some of them shouted slogans such as “Prayuth, get out!” or “Long live democracy!” while running the 2.6-km (1.6-mile) course amid a sprinkling of security forces. Many also gave a threefinger salute of resistance to authority.

“I want things to be better,” said Bangkok resident Waraporn Waralak, 45, after completing her run. “I want Prayuth to get out.” Thailand’s government is headed by Prayuth, 65, after an election in March 2019 that the opposition described as having been manipulated to favour the leader’s pro-army party. “This is the biggest gathering since the coup,” said Anusorn Unno,

dean of the sociology and anthropology faculty at Bangkok’s Thammasat University, adding that the harmless nature of the activity had spurred greater participation than usual.

An excited crowd watched as organizers auctioned bibs bearing numbers significant in Thai politics, such as 2475, the Buddhist calendar year of the revolution that ended absolute monarchy in 1932. To loud cheers, a bib numbered 0044, in reference to the former ruling junta’s Article 44 that gave Prayuth absolute executive power, was

ripped in two on stage. The event was held in line with people’s rights and no laws were broken, a government spokeswoman told Reuters.

The run followed a rally last month staged by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the 41-year-old leader of the progressive Future Forward Party, who has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of Thailand’s new civilian government. Thanathorn was charged on Friday with breaching a law on public assembly over the December rally, and Future Forward faces dissolution this

Malta gets new PM after reporter murder outcry VALLETTA AGENCIES

Outsider Robert Abela is set to become Malta’s new premier on Sunday after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s downfall over the murder of an investigative journalist.

Abela, who is seen as representing continuity, was elected leader of the Labour Party, meaning he automatically takes the role of prime minister. In the election run-up, Abela did not criticise Muscat, who announced in December he would quit following widespread anger over his perceived efforts to protect friends and allies from a probe into the 2017 slaying of blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia. Muscat, 45, was set to resign Sunday.

Prior to the election result, activist groups cast doubt on whether his successor would bring about real change in the Mediterranean country, which they say has been taken over by “criminals”. Dubbed the “one woman WikiLeaks”, Caruana Galizia exposed corruption at the highest levels. She was killed by a car bomb on October 16, 2017 in an attack that made world headlines. Less than an hour before her death, she wrote on her blog: “There are crooks everywhere you look. The situation is desperate.” It was expected that some 17,500 Labour voters would vote for the party’s first mid-term prime minister in history. Two candidates were vying to take over as Labour leader and prime minister: deputy prime minister and health minister Chris Fearne, a 56-year old surgeon, and 42-year-old lawyer Abela. Fearne had the backing of most cabinet members but Abela had been closing the gap in the polls in the final week of the cam-

paign, the Times of Malta said. Neither referred to the Galizia killing in the run-up to the election. Both have insisted they represent continuity, highlighting their determination to keep the economy on its stellar trajectory.

REPUTATION AS PIRATES: “We have the reputation (in Malta) of being pirates. The reason is that a group of criminals have taken over our government,” Manuel Delia, a member of the activist group Repubblika, told AFP. “We need change.” Martina Darmanin, a 24-year old academic, said the reporter’s killing had been “a shock”, and she had taken part in the regular demonstrations denouncing “the mafia in power”.

“As a member of the EU we want and we deserve better than this: good governance, rule of law,” she said, adding that she was “fed up of hearing that I’m from a tax haven country”. Repubblika plans to deliver a manifesto to the new prime minister calling for a clean up of politics and the economy as well as a revamp of the constitution to guarantee a genuine separation of powers.

Australian PM proposes high-powered inquiry into bushfires response MELBOURNE AGENCIES

After weeks of criticism over the handling of the bushfires scorching Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday he will propose a national review into the response to the disaster, as the fires claimed another firefighter’s life. The Australian bush has been burning for nearly three months and the fires have killed 28 people, claimed 2,000 homes and consumed millions of acres of land and wildlife.

The crisis is becoming increasingly political as the country looks at the causes and the government’s response. “There is obviously a need for a national review of the response,” Morrison said in an interview with ABC television.

Asked whether it should be a Royal Commission, a powerful judicial inquiry, Morrison said, “I think that is what would be necessary and I will be taking a proposal through the cabinet to that end, but

it must be done with consultations with the states and territories.” Morrison said that the inquiry would examine the response to the crisis, including the deployment of emergency services to battle the fires at a state and local level, the role of the federal government, and the impact

of climate change. Bushfires are common during Australia’s summer months, but this fire season started unusually early, often moving quickly and unpredictably, and leaving swaths of the droughtstricken land a scorched earth.

Cooler weather conditions over the

CMYK

weekend have brought a temporary respite, but a firefighter died on duty in Victoria, where new flames sparked.

Authorities said the risk was far from over and more hot weather is expected.

Smoke again sheathed Sydney on Sunday, almost a new normal for the country’s biggest city, moving the air quality into hazardous territory, according to the NSW Department of Primary Industry index. Facing increasing pressure to do more to tackle climate change, Morrison, who has so far been defiant in rejecting any links between his government’s conservative climate policies and the bushfires, said his government will look into improving its performance on curbing emissions.

“We want to reduce emissions and do the best job we possibly can and get better and better and better at it,” he said. “I want to do that with a balanced policy which recognizes Australia’s broader national economic interests and social interest.”

month by the constitutional court.

RUN OR WALK? Sunday’s event was called “Wing Lai Loong” in Thai, which translates as “Run to Oust the Uncle”, in an apparent reference to Prayuth’s nickname of “Uncle Tu”.

It prompted a rival “Walk to Cheer the Uncle” event, held in another park, about 14 km (9 miles) away, to show support for Prayuth, where thousands also turned out. The clashing views of the two camps aroused memories of protests that periodically roiled the Thai capital before culminating in coups in 2006 and 2014.

Supporters of Prayuth, who as army chief, had led the 2014 coup, put nationalism on display by brandishing the Thai flag, while branding Thanathorn and his supporters “nation haters” for their liberal views. They took turns hitting giant fruit piñatas with a wooden stick, to symbolize frustration at the Future Forward Party, with an orange, for example, signifying the party’s official color. Both crowds encompassed a wide age range, but Prayuth’s supporters were older on the whole. “We support the prime minister because he shows loyalty to the monarchy, our king,” said Sorasak Katkonganapan, a 62-year-old retiree at the walk.

Saudi military trainees to be expelled from uS after florida shooting: Cnn WASHINGTON: More than a dozen Saudi servicemen who are training at US military bases will be expelled from the United States in the aftermath of a Pentagon review prompted by the deadly Dec 6 shooting by a Saudi Air Force officer at an American naval base in Florida, CNN reported on Saturday. The Saudi personnel being expelled are not accused of aiding the Saudi Air Force second lieutenant who killed three American sailors at the Pensacola installation, CNN reported, quoting unnamed sources. The Pentagon referred questions to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The FBI and the Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon announced on Dec. 10 it was halting operational training of all Saudi Arabian military personnel in the United States after the incident. The Pentagon then announced on Dec. 19 that it found no threat in its review of about 850 military students from Saudi Arabia studying in the United States. AGENCIES

Irish foreign minister says eu will not be rushed in post-Brexit negotiations: BBC

LONDON: Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said on Sunday the European Union would not be rushed in negotiations with Britain to thrash out their post-Brexit relationship. “The European Union will approach this on the basis of getting the best deal possible – a fair and balanced deal to ensure that the UK and the EU can interact as friends in the future – but the EU will not be rushed on this,” he told the BBC. AGENCIES

Monday, 13 January, 2020

BUSINESS 11

China-Pakistan border reoPens for five days ISLAMABAD

a

GHULAM ABBAS

S the border of Pakistan and China has been closed on November 31, as per scheduled closure every year, the two countries have reopened the border on Monday to facilitate Chinese exporters/importers.

According to a letter sent to Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Government of Gilgit Baltistan , the Sust Dry Port will now remain opened from January 13 to 17 to facilitate the over 186 Chinese Businessmen to cross their containers into Pakistan which had left at the border on Chinese side for closure of the route. The land route of the two countries usually closes for four months every year due to harsh weather conditions. As per the protocol signed by the two countries the border reopens next eight months on 1st April after its closure on November 31.

As per the letter Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on December 31, had requested government of Pakistan through a letter sent to Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs, to reopen the border for few days to facilitate the exporters and importers.

Subsequently the ministry had approached Interior ministry and Government of Gilgit Baltistan to ensure the reopening of border, closed 43 days ago as per the Border Protocol 1885.

The GB government, to reopen the border after closure for over 40 days, has also requested Customs, Dry Port officials and others concerned to facili-

tate the temporary opening of border.

Under a protocol agreement signed between Pakistani and Chinese authorities, the Khunjerab Pass is closed on Nov 30 and reopened on April 1 every year. The goods transportation and bus service between Sust valley of GilgitBaltistan and Kashgar city of Xinjiang province, China, happens from April 1 to Dec 1 every year. Only Chinese containers are allowed to carry goods from

China to Pakistan.

The businesspersons on Pakistani side had also feared that they would suffer losses of billions of rupees if the shortage of Chinese containers continued in last weeks of November.

They said the goods purchased from China for Pakistan and valuing billions of rupees had been lying on the Chinese side of the border due to the shortage of containers.

The GB traders associated importing and exporting goods had feared that if the stranded cargo was not delivered from Kashgar city in Xinjiang province to Pakistan before Nov 31, they would suffer losses of billions of rupees.

Last month the president of the Hunza chamber of commerce and industry had also written a letter to Pakistan’s ambassador in China saying important items needed to be transported to Pakistan continued to be in China due to heavy snowfall at Khunjerab Pass.

He said the transportation of stranded goods from China to Pakistan was not possible until the end of November, so the border closure date should be extended from Dec 1 to Dec 31 to ensure the transportation of all those items.

“If the date to close Khunjerab border is not extended, traders will face huge financial losses,” he warned.

Trader Iqbal Hussain said Pakistani traders paid higher fare for the delivery of goods from China to Pakistan as Chinese transporters exploited their needs.

Construction of Jalalpur Canal yet to be started despite foundation stone ceremony ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

Despite the passage of 18 days to the laying of the foundation stone of Jalalpur canal by the Prime Minister Imran Khan, construction work has still not started mainly due to delay in land acquisition, Pakistan Today has learnt.

According to sources, construction work of Jalalpur Irrigation Project (JIP) has still not started mainly due to delay in the land acquisition for the115.7km-long Jalalpur canal. They said that the delay in land acquisition was because of slow payments to the affecttee land owners by the concerned district administration. And, due to issues related with land possession, the Engineer (Consultant) of JIP has so far not issued Notice to Comments to start the construction work at the site of the JIP. They said an External Monitor of Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also still not verified the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP) of JIP and he has so far not issued No Objection Letter (NoL) owing to delay in the land acquisition. The government (client) has been trying hard to convince the Engineer to issue the Notice to Commence to get start the construction work at site, but he is not willing to violate his contract, said sources.

As per the documents, JIP is consisted of three packages where main canal, distributaries and flood carrier channels (FCCs) are to be constructed in Tehsil Jhelum and Pind Dadan Khan. Total 8687 acres land is planned to be acquired for Jalalpur Irrigation Project

(JIP) and out of total required land, 478 acres lies in Package 1, and 4159 acres in Package 2 and 4050 acres in Package 3.

It is also learnt from documents that so far only 416 out of total1951 affecttee landowners of tehsil Jhelum and tehsil Pind Dadan Khan have so far been given the compensation amount while Rs 36.92 million amount (58percent) paid to affecttee landowners out of total budgeted amount of Rs 122.63 mln for land acquisition to be used for JIP purposes.

As per details, the land of total 1307 land owners of tehsil Jhelum would be acquired for JIP and so far 329 (25 percent) affecttee land owners have been given the compensation amount of Rs 29.1 million (44.3pc) out of budgeted amount of total Rs65.71 mln, while 66 affecttee landowners have died so far.

Similarly, the land of total 644 landowners of tehsil Pind Dadan Khan would be acquired for JIP and so far only 87 affecttee landowners have been given the compensation amount of Rs 7.82 mln (13.7%) out of total Rs 56.92 mln amount while there are several affecttee landowners who have raised objections on the price their land price.

Earlier, the prime minister was expected to lay the foundation stone for Jalalpur Canal on December 13th and it was reported that the Punjab Irrigation Department, along with other concerned departments of the Punjab government, had made necessary arrangements to hold a grand ceremony in this regard. However, the PM refused to lay the foundation stone until “an amicable solution to land acquisition issues” and postponed his programme till 26th December. And, on

26th December 2019, he, however, laid the foundation stone of Jalalpur canal though the required land of the canal was not fully acquired.

The issue of Jalalpur Irrigation Project (JIP) dates to 1898. During the construction of Rasul Barrage in 1898-1901, the right divide wall was built for the future construction of Jalalpur Canal. Even during the reconstruction of Rasul Barrage in 1967 under Indus Water Treaty, provision for the construction of Jalalpur Canal was made. Similarly, during the construction of the motorway, the provision for crossing on Jalalpur Canal was also made near Lillah Interchange (towards Lahore).

The feasibility study of this canal was conducted in 1992-93 while it was updated in 2010. A fresh feasibility study was then conducted from Mar 2014 to Nov 2015, whereas the topographic survey was carried in 2016.

Sources said the total cost of the project is approximately Rs32 billion, of which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would provide 88pc while remaining 12pc would be paid by the Punjab government.

Punjab irrigation and agriculture departments are the implementing agencies of this project. The land acquisition process is underway.

On February 7, 2018, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved Rs32,721.46 million as the cost of JIP. The repayment period of loan was set at 15 years with an interest rate of LIBOR+0.60pc. The project would be completed in five years, including a one-year defect liability period.

China Mobile invests $5bn in Pakistan ISLAMABAD APP

The China Mobile Pakistan (CMPAK) has made some massive contributions for the economic development of Pakistan with total Investments amounting to US $ 3 billion with other investments in infrastructure worth over US $ 2 billion.

According to the press release, China Mobile Pakistan (CMPAK)’s Zong is covering 100 percent projects to be setup under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Moreover, Zong has paid around Rs 134 billion Taxes paid in the last 12 years including Activation Tax, Custom Duty, Income Tax, Sales Tax, AIT, WHT, Payroll Tax, Royalty to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Stamp Duty, etc. and had also created 3,500 direct and over 200,000 indirect employment, it added.

The CMPak’s commitment to leading Pakistan’s Digital Revolution would continue to reinvest all earned revenues in Pakistan whereas the Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) has also awarded Zong 4G for best services in country. China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak) was a 100 percent owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation. The pioneering overseas set up of China Mobile came through acquisition of a license from Millicom to operate a GSM network in Pakistan.

Taken over in 2007 with a market share of only 2 per cent, Zong has seen exponential growth in the last few years to increase it by 10 folds to about 22.2 per cent.

Currently, CMPak engages in the provision of cellular mobile voice and data services to the Pakistani market through 2G, 3G and 4G technologies.

Zong stand proudly as 4G market leader with more than 14M 4G subscribers since 4G launch in 2014, with a key focus on empowering the consumers with affordable connectivity and innovation CMPak is the first operator in Pakistan to deploy more than 12,500 4G sites with 4G presence in more than 300 cities and 95 per cent of the network consists of 4G sites with highest data traffic and growth in data traffic market share and 4G sites. With the backing of a strong group in the form of China Mobile (CMCC) Zong works closely in collaboration with the Pakistan government. Zong envisions a Pakistan which technologically and economically prosperous.

SBP urged to cut down discount rate to encourage FDI LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Industrial & Traders Associations Front has urged the State Bank of Pakistan to drastically cut down the discount rate in forthcoming monetary policy, bringing it to a single digit, ensuring availability of cheaper money to cash-starved private sector, besides encouraging the potential foreign investors for investment in Pakistan.

PIAF chairman Mian Nauman Kabir, in a joint statement along with senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed and vice chairman Javed Iqbal said that in the last monetary policy announcement the SBP kept the interest rate unchanged at 13.25 %, creating hardships in to access to finance for the business community as a whole and for SMEs in particular.

He said that the cost of doing business and cost of production have shot up to the level of un-competitiveness. Under this, the cost of borrowing is huge and capital financing become more expensive.

Mian Nauman Kabir said that the State Bank approach toward monetary policy had been rather conservative and is based on its own analysis of the situation. The continued tight monetary policy in the past has paid some dividends in reviving economic

and financial stability but in view of the latest internal and external development, the SBP approach from now onwards should be beneficial to both the businessmen and the general public. The government must come up with concrete policies to reduce rampant corruption in state-owned organisations, eradicate poverty and unemployment. He urged the governor SBP to review all other economy related banking policies and facilitate the private sector that was engine of the growth.

Mian Nauman Kabir stated that cut in discount rate in monetary policy will spur the economic activities. He said that reduction in interest rates cuts cost of production, strengthens debt repayment ability and improves the credit worthiness. This encourages businessmen to make investment in the productive activities, increasing the wealth of the nation.

Senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed observed that such initiatives also result in job creation, leading to increased employment opportunities. Such financing helps businessmen enhance their working capital and better manage their inventory, he added.

He believes the decrease in borrowing costs coupled with the decline in energy price may raise the exports by 15 to 20 per cent in times to come.

Nasir Hameed said the government should bring

down electricity rates, logistics in the falling oil price scenario.

Vice chairman Javed Iqbal said that lower interest rate triggers borrowing and investments. He added that excessive use of bank borrowing by the government led to excessive rate of inflation, reduced the supply of credit to the private sector and increased the nominal lending rates, reflecting high inflation, attractive return offered by the government and high interest rate spread. He stated that the SBP

would have to make a large cut in interest rate for the revitalisation of the country’s economic growth.

However, the cut in discount rate by 100 basis points would definitely yield some positive impact.

Javed Iqbal said that Pakistan has no employment generation, as industries are being closed down and non-performing loans are rising, posing a threat to industrial growth. The government should make a substantial cut in non-development expenditure and focus on revival of growth.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

12 BUSINESS

tight Monetary PoliCy will reduCe inflation, says sbP governor KARACHI

s

STAFF REPORT

TATE BANK OF PAKISTAN (SBP) Governor Reza Baqir has said that the current tight monetary policy stance is appropriate to help ease crippling inflation rates in the months to come.

Addressing the Pakistan Banking Awards 2019 the other day, he further said inflation had risen due to depreciation of the rupee, increases in utility prices and one-off factors related to temporary food supply chain disruptions.

Reza stressed that economic policies are addressing previously accumulated external and fiscal sector imbalances.

“Imbalances in the external side had increased in the past because a fixed and overvalued exchange rate had widened the current account to a historically un-

precedented monthly deficit of about $2 billion,” he maintained.

To address this external imbalance, exchange rate flexibility and the shift to a market-based exchange rate system in May 2019 had significantly reduced the current account deficit and led to a notable improvement in foreign currency reserves, net of borrowing, he held. “… Pakistan’s history demonstrated that low and falling and levels of reserves had been the leading reason of Pakistan’s repeated need to seek financial assistance from international financial institutions and therefore the best way to avoid such developments in the future is to build and preserve the country’s reserves,” the governor said.

The SBP governor said preserving the policies of a market-based exchange rate system and zero lending of the central bank to the government would help pre-

Malaysian minister assures full cooperation to promote bilateral trade KARACHI: Malaysian Minister for Primary Industries Teresa Kok Suh Sim has assured the Pakistani business community of all possible cooperation for the promotion of bilateral trade and investment. A statement issued on Saturday said that the minister pledged that she would also lobby with other Ministries of Malaysia to get the traderelated issues resolved which were raised by Pakistani businesspersons. She was speaking with officials of Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council (PMBC) of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at a local hotel. Malaysian Consul General Khairul Nazran Rehman and the commercial counsellor were also present on the occasion, while the PMBC team was led by its Chairman Bashir Janmohammed. She supported the demand made by Pakistani business community for direct flights of Malaysian Airline to Karachi, as it would facilitate the movement of the two business communities. PMBC Chairman Bashir Janmohammed and his team called for the earliest review of the free trade agreement between Pakistan and Malaysia to make it practical and equally beneficial for both the countries. “At present, the trade balance is in favour of Malaysia, and the volume of bilateral trade could be multiplied within next few years if certain adjustments are made in the FTA,” he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted more trade with Malaysia and the government was also working on revision of the FTA. Janmohammed said if Malaysia facilitated and relaxed the policy for import of Pakistani rice, the volume could be increased to at least half a million tons from the present 0.1 million tons a year. He said PMBC would send a big business delegation to explore the Malaysian market for Pakistani products, especially rice. Also, he invited Malaysian business delegations to visit Pakistan to see trade and investment opportunities. Perviaz Khan from Dalda Foods proposed working on joint ventures for growing palm trees on the coastal line of Pakistan as Malaysia had expertise in this field. Malaysian Minister for Industries also held a meeting with members of Pakistan-Malaysia Friendship Association, headed by Shahid Jawed Qureshi. STAFF REPORT

additional rs209 billion collected in first 5 months: fbr NEWS DESK The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) says it collected additional Rs209 billion during the first five months of this fiscal year 2019-2020 due to structural changes in taxation system, procedures and withdrawal of exemptions. The FBR data shows that these much-needed reforms in taxation system are already producing fruit despite a huge import compression of around $5billion and slowingdown of growth. The FBR estimates a tax cost of Rs56bn for each $1billion-cut in imports. It is pertinent to mention here that the unprecedented initiatives were introduced in in the budget 2019-20 to remove structural flaws in sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax. The FBR collection grew by 16.4 per cent in the first half of this fiscal year as income tax, sales tax and the federal excise duty (FED) showed a growth of 19percent, 25percent and 23percent respectively. The highest growth rate has been registered in the sales tax regime. Sectoral contribution shows that the wholesale and retail trade contributes only Rs16 billion in tax revenues despite having 18 percent share in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture sector with 18 percent share in GDP has a negligible contribution in taxes. Similarly, informal service sector has a share of 20 percent in GDP but is not contributing much to national kitty.

serve reserves and strengthen Pakistan’s financial sovereignty.

Regarding fiscal imbalances, he said the government had recently demonstrated significant improvement in revenue collection and was on course to reverse the trend of a growing primary fiscal deficit which would improve the sovereign’s credit worthiness. “There was growing recognition that economic policies are being successful in addressing previously accumulated imbalances and as a result the outlook for the real economy was beginning to improve,” he said. In this context, he observed that due to the deprecation of the exchange rate, Pakistan’s exports had become competitive vis-a-vis Pakistan’s competitors which strengthened the outlook for the export sector.

He also pointed to the significant increase in government development spending outlays which were expected to

feed into real activity in construction and allied sectors in the coming months.

He said it was encouraging that the banking industry’s capital adequacy ratio (17.1 percent), leverage ratio (4.9 percent), liquidity coverage ratio (170 percent) and net stable funding ratio (150 percent) are all better than local and international minimum benchmarks. “It is also a matter of satisfaction that the banking sector has remained stable and performed steadily despite recent economic shocks,” he said.

He noted that gross non-performing loans had risen modestly lately to 8.8 percent in line with the slow-down in the real economy but that the net NPL ratio was 1.8 percent due to the fact that banks had provided for more than 80 percent of the

non-performing portfolio.

He also appreciated the efforts of the banks in partnering with the central bank to successfully achieve the change to a market-based exchange rate system. He said despite impressive contribution by the banking industry, the SBP expects that the banking industry would increase their contribution towards the economy further by increasing the lending to the private sector especially in the under-served sectors. He also encouraged banks to pay greater attention to improving services especially to small retail customers and ensure fair pricing of various banking products including exchange rate conversion, return on deposits, mark-up on personal loan and advances, and charges on banking services.

Six-month remittances hit $11.394bn in July-December KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The State Bank of Pakistan has reported that remittances from overseas Pakistani workers jacked up 3.31 percent to $11.394 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year of 2019-20.

According to central bank data released the other day, the inflow of workers’ remittances amounted to $2.097 billion in December, which was 15.25 percent higher than the previous month and 20 percent higher than December 2018.

The surge in remittances was driven by acceleration in these flows from the United States, the United Kingdom followed by the European Union countries. According to the SBP, despite a global economic slowdown in 2019, the inflows from the US and UK remained healthy.

But, inflows remained flat from the

WASHINGTON AGENCIES

The idea of imposing a wealth tax on the richest Americans has got sharply divergent views across a spectrum of politicians, with President Donald Trump branding it socialist and progressive Democratic presidential contenders Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders prominently endorsing it.

But it may have broad public support, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that found nearly two-thirds of respondents agree that the very rich should pay more.

Among the 4,441 respondents to the poll, 64 percent strongly or somewhat agreed that “the very rich should contribute an extra share of their total wealth each year to support public programs” – the essence of a wealth tax. Results were similar across gender, race and household income. While support among Democrats was stronger, at 77 percent, a majority of Republicans, 53 percent, also agreed with the idea.

A wealth tax is levied on an individual’s net worth, such as stocks, bonds and real estate, as well as cash holdings, similar in concept to property taxes. It is separate from an income tax, which applies to wages, interest and dividends, among other sources.

Asked in the poll if “the very rich should be allowed to keep the money they have, even if that means increasing inequality,” 54 percent of respondents disagreed. “Rich people have a right to blow their money on Lamborghinis and world-wide cruises or whatever,” said Esin Zimmerman, 53, a lifelong Republican from Madison, Minnesota, who wants higher taxes for the wealthy. “But that money could be used in other ways that help people.”

Zimmerman said she would especially be in favor of a wealth tax that would help pay for government programs for US military veterans, or help single parents with young children. “It could put the border wall up,” she said. The results may reflect how the eco-

main source like the Middle East due to tight employment conditions in that region.

Pakistani workers residing in Saudi Arabia sent home $2.618 billion in July-December Fiscal Year 2020, compared with $2.567 billion sent in the corresponding period of Fiscal Year 2019.

Remittances from the United Arab Emirates remained at $2.349 billion in July-December in Fiscal Year 2020 compared with $2.348 billion last year. Inflows from the United States increased 9.08 percent to $1.889 billion in the first half of this fiscal from $1.732 billion a year ago. The country attracted $1.753 billion from the UK, compared with $1.647 billion last year. Remittances from the EU countries rose 8.42 percent to $339.24 million.

The SBP data showed that Pakistani workers living in other Gulf Cooperation Council countries sent home $1.089 billion in remittances, which were 3.17 percent

higher as compared to last year.

Experts said the transfer of funds would expectedly reach $22.5 to 23.5 billion this fiscal year, in line with the SBP’s projection.

Remittances stood at $21.8 billion in FY19.

The SBP in its first quarterly report forecast better outlook for remittances, which reflects the ongoing efforts by the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) and the government to increase transmittal through formal channels into the country.

“For instance, the PRI has aided the Pakistan Post and the National Bank of Pakistan to jointly enhance their tie-ups with 41 money transfer operators in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia during the current year,” the SBP’s report said.

“Also, under the ‘foreign remittance initiative’ project, families of Pakistani workers can receive remittances from 240 branches of Pakistan Post for free,” the report concluded.

Two-thirds of Americans support wealth tax on very rich nomic changes of the past roughly 20 years, from globalization to the financial crisis, have shaped attitudes about economic policy.

According to polling by Gallup, concerns about the rich paying too little actually declined through the 1990s and early 2000s, a relative boom period for the United States.

But the concerns have been climbing since the crisis years of 2007 to 2009, from 55 percent to more than 60 percent as of 2016 here The Reuters/Ipsos results suggested even stronger support for an annual levy on total wealth, not just income. Warren and Sanders have touted the idea as a way to help pay for major social programs like Medicare for All and to reverse a stark rise in the share of wealth owned by the very richest Americans, known as the “1 percent.”

The poll also points to changing attitudes toward basic ideas such as “keeping what you earn.” That notion, central to a winner-take-all brand of capitalism, got mixed reviews. While 56 percent of Republicans agreed the very rich should keep what they have regardless of the impact on inequality, 35 percent of Republicans disagreed with the statement, as did 71 percent of Democrats.

Republican survey respondents interviewed by Reuters said they did not see their support for a wealth tax conflicting with their party ideals or their support for Trump.

Kathy Herron, 56, a Republican who lives in Santa Rosa, California, said her support for Trump – a self-proclaimed billionaire – stems from his hardline policies on illegal immigration. In her view, the president would do well to support higher taxes on rich Americans. “We’re taxed from one

end to the other, and it just seems the rich don’t pay their share,” she said. In recent years in particular, mainstream economic institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the Federal Reserve have taken seriously the possibility that high levels of wealth and income inequality may be not just politically corrosive, but bad for economic growth. At the most recent Fed policy meeting, staff members presented research on how families’ differing access to credit might make a recession worse – the sort of exercise that shows how unequal starting points among households can influence national outcomes.

Economic and market trends have likely reinforced doubts about who gets ahead, and how fast. Since the start in 2009 of a nowdecade-long recovery, the top 1 percent’s share of national net worth has grown from 27.8 percent to 32.2 percent, driven by a record-setting boom in the stock market, according to Fed data.

Donald Trump has cited the rise in equity markets as a selling point in his campaign, which is centered on taking credit for historically low unemployment, and a tariff-heavy trade policy that he says will restore manufacturing jobs. But that has not changed the country’s wealth picture.

While the share of wealth held by the bottom 50 percent of Americans has increased since the crisis, to 1.5 percent percent, longterm the trend is down, with their share at less than half what it was in 1989. The shares of wealth held by the middle and upper middle classes – or all other Americans save for the richest 1 percent – have all fallen since the crisis.

Money Back GuaranTee To Be released on eid-ul-FiTr

T

By KauKaB Jahan

HE only Pakistani film which has confirmed its release on this eid-ul-fitr yet is Money Back Guarantee. Produced by Zashko Films, and penned, directed, and co-produced by actor/director Faisal Qureshi of Game Over Productions, MBG is said to be larger than life with names such as Fawad Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Waseem Akram, Aisha Omar, Hina Dilpazeer, Shaniera Thompson, Mani, Gohar Rasheed, Shafaat ALI, and more. The film is also the second venture of Na Band Na Barati famed actor Shayan Khan, who is to be a part of the stellar cast of

this all-out comedy entertainer this time. Besides this, many additional surprises are awaiting in guest appearances of other stars.

Zain Farooqi of Zashko Films views, “Pakistani Cinema will see exponential growth, we will continue our efforts to invest and globally support Pakistani films” If ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ doesn’t make to hit the screens of local cinemas before or on eid, Money Back Guarantee will prove to be the first Pakistani release of super star Fawad Khan after his debut, Khuda Kay Liye 13 years back.

So, all these facts have made the MBG one of the most anticipated Pakistani films this year.

Google's founders were willing to sell to Excite for under $1 million in 1999—but Excite turned them down.

No Show Of Witnesses From Meesha Shafi In Court

By KauKaB Jahan

HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

The Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar legal battle, which started in April 2018, regarding accusation of sexual harassment by the former on latter, takes a new turn in 2020.

In the hundred crore defamation case filed against Meesha Shafi by singer actor Ali Zafar, the court was adjourned to 17th of January after a no show from Shafi or any of her witnesses.

Prior to this, Shafi was summoned to appear for her cross examination, however Shafi’s team requested adjournments on three occasions prior to this pleading that they would not be able to appear for cross examination due to lawyer’s strike as Zafar’s lawyers waited in court. The judge had granted request and summoned Shafi’s witnesses on the 7th of January, however her lawyer Saqib Jillani once again asked for adjournment.

Earlier, The Lahore High Court had dismissed Shafi’s case against Zafar in a 15 page long judgment. Zafar is now seeking damages for loss of reputation and mental trauma caused by allega-

The medical term for ice cream headaches is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia.

tions of harassment tweeted by Shafi on 19th April 2018. Zafar has reportedly also filed a crim-

inal case in the FIA with evidence of a conspiracy against him by “closely related” individuals.

Illuminati Rumored For Doctor Strange 2 Dave Bautista Gives Donald Trump The The Illuminati, members of the X-Men and more are rumored Middle Finger

for Doctor Strange 2, which with the introduction of the Multiverse could be one of Marvel's biggest movies ever.

The rumor comes from the Lords of the Long Box YouTube channel and Mikey Sutton, who have been posting various DC and MCU rumors including that a Wolverine vs Hulk movie is on the way possibly featuring Hugh Jackman.

Regarding the Doctor Strange 2 rumors, it's claimed that Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange forms the Illuminati after the events of the Disney Plus series, WandaVision, that sees Scarlet Witch create her own pocket universe which rips open the Multiverse.

If you are a fan of the comics, obviously this is a different take, as in the comics, the Illuminati is ret-conned to have formed after the Kree-Skrull War and after the events of the Infinity Gauntlet which sees Reed Richards collect and give each member an Infinity Gem. With Thanos having destroyed the Infinity Stones in the MCU, we see how things will take a different route in the films.

Disney and Marvel actor Dave Bautista takes to social media to give President Donald Trump the middle finger.

Bautista, who is known for playing the dumb wit character for James Gunn in the Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy movies, responded to one of President Trump's tweets with a middle finger emoji calling the president a scumbag and offering that the president should correct his grammar (worth a mention is that Trump doesn't post his own tweets but has one of his assistants do it for him, something obvious oblivious to Bautista who has nothing better to do). An additional tweet from Dave Bautista also has the amped-up actor calling Trump: "PresidentDumbDumb."

Oddly enough, Dave Bautista doesn't mind working for and getting paid by Trump supporters.

Disney is a known Trump supporter, as President Trump okayed the purchase of Fox Studios, and Marvel chairman Ike Perlmutter is involved with Trump's Veteran Affairs. Vince McMahon and his wife Linda are Trump supporters: Dave Bautista will be inducted into the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame this year.

CMYK

Although Dr. James Naismith invented basketball, he’s the only Kansas Jayhawks basketball coach with a losing record.

Chhapaak: As Deepika Padukone champions their cause, meet real life acid attack survivors Muzzafarnagar’s Rupa faced the acid attack inside her own home – her step mother-in-law attacked her and even her father did not stand with her or save her.

Deepika Padukone’s latest release Chhapaak salutes the spirit of those like Rupa who fight all odds with little support and emerge winners, even after having faced acid attacks. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Chhapaak is the story of acid attack survivor Malti (essayed by Deepika) who reclaims her life. Chhapaak is loosely based on Delhi’s Laxmi Aggarwal and also features Vikrant Massey.

We profile few of those champions who not only braved the social stigma in a comparatively less-privileged environment of our smaller towns and cities. Rupa was attacked in 2005 and has been associated with groups supporting and helping women who have faced similar attacks. “I only had my uncle for support. He stood with me throughout,” Rupa says.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

14 SPORTS

Serena WilliamS endS three-year title drought, giveS WinningS to buShfire appeal auckLaND

S

Agencies

ERENA Williams ended a three-year title drought and donated her winner’s cheque to victims of the Australian bushfires in an emotional WTA Auckland Classic final on Sunday.

Williams raised expectations for this month’s Australian Open, where she can equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, with her 6-3, 6-4 victory — her first WTA trophy since she won in Melbourne in 2017.

But the 38-year-old tempered celebrations as she donated her US$43,000 winners cheque to the Australian bushfire relief fund and described how the tragedy had affected her deeply.

“I’ve been playing in Australia for over 20 years and it’s been really hard for me to watch all the news and everything that has been happening in Australia with all the fire and... animals and people that have lost their homes,” she said. “I decided at the beginning of the tournament... I’d donate all my prize money for a great cause.”

It is Williams’ first title since 2017 — and her first as a mother — since she won the Australian Open while pregnant. Her 73 WTA titles now

stretch across four decades, after she won her first in 1999. The tournament top seed slipped 1-3 behind in the first set against the unseeded Pegula, a fellow American.

But once she found her range there was never any doubt about the final result, which Williams greeted by raising her arms in triumph while her husband Alexis Ohanian and two-year-old daughter Olympia looked on. “It’s been a long time, I think you could see the relief on my face,” she said, adding she could feel her game sharpening up as she prepares to head to Melbourne.

“It definitely feels good, it feels like i was definitely improving as the week went on and obviously I needed to.”

YellinG WiTH eVerY PoinT : Pegula, who has only one title to her credit, had stunned former world number one Caroline Wozniacki — a close friend of Williams — in a three-set semi-final, winning every game in the deciding set.

The 25-year-old continued in the same fearless vein at the start of the final, seemingly untroubled by her heavily bandaged left thigh as she chased down everything Williams de-

livered and even broke Williams’ first serve. Pegula held her own serve and appeared set to break again when Williams, by this stage yelling with every point she won, fought back from 15-40 to hold her second service game on the fifth deuce.

Williams eventually achieved a break of her own to level at 3-3, finding the power and precision that had deserted her until then. With her confidence boosted, Williams held to love in the next game, broke Pegula again and then served to clinch the first set.

Pegula was down 0-40 at the start of the second set before rallying to hold serve but the strain of facing the player who has dominated women’s tennis for two decades was showing.

Williams broke on Pegula’s next service game and stayed in front until the end to take the title and extinguish a sequence of five defeats in finals since her 2017 win in Melbourne.

Williams, whose last tournament was the US Open in September, was looking for as much game time as possible in Auckland and an hour after winning the singles crown she was back on court partnering Wozniacki in the doubles final. However, the pair were beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Americans Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend.

Liverpool beat Tottenham in Premier League LONDON Agencies

Record-breaking Liverpool beat Tottenham 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to a yawning 16 points on Saturday as Southampton gained sweet revenge over high-flying Leicester.

Chelsea and Manchester United secured comfortable wins in the race for the top four but 10-man Arsenal fell further off the pace after a limp draw at Crystal Palace. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool secured their 20th win in 21 Premier League matches thanks to Roberto Firmino´s 37th-minute goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs had their chances to take at least a point as Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso missed the target with the goal gaping in the final 15 minutes. The European champions have won 61 points in the Premier League — the most any side has ever registered after 21 games in a single season across Europe’s big five leagues, assuming three points for a win.

Their scarcely credible lead over second-placed Leicester means they are almost certain to claim their first English top-flight title for 30 years barring a calamitous collapse.

“We played super football in their box, but for 90-95 minutes you have to be ready,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports. “We were, but we still have to do better.”

Speaking about Liverpool’s record he said: “It’s special. To win the number of games, to always be ready to fight, that’s what the boys do. “The only thing is that you don´t get anything for best starts. The only thing we’re interested in is what we can get in the summer. This league is so strong. We have to be ready.” leicesTer lose: Earlier, Southampton claimed their fifth win in their past six games in all competitions as they came from behind at the King Power Stadium to beat Leicester 2-1.

Dennis Praet fired the hosts into an early lead, but Stuart Armstrong’s deflected effort quickly pulled Hasenhuettl´s men level.

Danny Ings then scored his 10th goal in 11 games eight minutes from time and the visitors survived a late scare when Jonny Evans’s header was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Chelsea put their struggles at Stamford Bridge behind them with a 3-0 win over Burnley, who slid ever closer to the bottom three.

Jorginho opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Tammy Abraham

gave Frank Lampard’s men breathing space before half-time.

Callum Hudson-Odoi then scored his first Premier League goal by converting Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross at the back post. United ended a three-game winless run in style with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial once again leading the way for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in a 4-0 demolition of bottom-of-the-table Norwich.

Rashford marked his 200th appearance for the club with two goals and Martial and substitute Mason Greenwood were also on target.

Solskjaer was delighted with this

team’s performance, which leaves them in fifth spot in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

But after the match he took fans at Old Trafford to task after angry protests aimed at unpopular owners the Glazer family and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

“As a club we’ve got to stick together, we’ve got to be united, we are a family,” said the United boss.

“I can only say from when I’ve been here I’ve been backed by the owners, I’ve been backed by Ed and they’re supporting me, so for me, make sure they stick together.”

pliskova wins in brisbane to fire australian open warning BrisBane: Karolina Pliskova said her tough three-set win over Madison Keys in the final of the Brisbane International on Sunday was the ideal preparation for next week’s Australian Open. The Czech world number two won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in two hours, seven minutes on Pat Rafter Arena.

Pliskova’s third Brisbane title in four years and her 16th on the WTA tour stamps her as one of the favourites for the year’s first Grand Slam. The former world number one is yet to win a Grand Slam singles title, but she reached the semi-finals in Melbourne last year, falling in three sets to eventual champion Naomi Osaka. Pliskova beat Osaka in a marathon three-hour semi-final on Saturday night, and the way she backed up to defeat Keys in another gruelling clash on Sunday shows she has form and fitness heading into the Australian Open. She said while she still saw the Brisbane International primarily as part of her Melbourne preparations, it was a good tournament to win. “Especially beating the last two players, Naomi and Madison,” she said. “I think it always gives you some extra confidence and at least you know which level are you at, so I think it was a great way to start the year. “But of course, Grand Slam or any other tournament it always starts on zero, so there’s nobody’s really thinking that, ‘Oh, she won a tournament two weeks ago’. Agencies

Xavi favours summer return, barca want immediate move Barcelona: Barcelona remain hopeful they can persuade former player Xavi to make a dramatic return as coach immediately rather than in the summer, according to reports in the Spanish press on Sunday. Xavi is currently in charge of Qatari team Al-Sadd, who confirmed on Saturday he has held talks with Barca. The Spaniard who won pulled the strings at the heart of Barcelona’s midfield in their golden era admitted it is his “dream job” to take charge of the Catalans. Barcelona’s sporting director Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar Grau met Xavi on Friday in Qatar and then again on Saturday night following Al-Sadd’s Qatar Cup semi-final win over Al-Rayyan. According to Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo, Abidal and Grau have offered Xavi the chance to replace Ernesto Valverde immediately, even if Xavi’s preference would be to wait until the end of the season. “The preferred thinking of Xavi would be to arrive at Camp Nou in the summer, a message he has transmitted,” Mundo reported on Sunday. “Negotiations remain open and the possibility has not been discarded of him signing imminently.” The suggestion on Saturday had been that Xavi would make a decision as early as Sunday, with terms and contracts already drawn up between the club. Agencies

Disgraced ex-athletics chief Diack to face Paris court over corruption Paris Agencies

Lamine Diack, the disgraced former head of athletics’ world governing body, is to go on trial in Paris on Monday over corruption charges linked to the Russia doping scandal.

Diack, the 86-year-old Senegalese who was in charge of the International Association of Athletics Federations (now World Athletics), between 1999 and 2015, is charged with “giving and receiving bribes”, “breach of trust” and “organised money laundering”. The trial is scheduled to run for three days a week until January 23 and the charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years’ prison.

Also appearing in court will be Habib Cisse, Diack’s former legal advisor, who

is suspected of having acted as an intermediary between the then-IAAF and Russian athletics. The former IAAF antidoping chief Gabriel Dolle will also be there, accused of “receiving bribes”. Both are French.

Missing from the trial, however, will be Diack’s son Papa Massata Diack, who handled lucrative contracts for the IAAF. Diack junior is accused of playing a “central role” in the network of corruption and is charged with “money laundering”, “giving bribes” and “aiding the receiving of bribes”.

Together, the Diacks are suspected of being at the heart of a web of corruption.

The investigations by the French Financial Prosecutor’s Office include allegations that Lamine Diack obtained Russian funds for political cam-

paigns in Senegal, in exchange for the IAAF’s anti-doping arm covering up Russian offences.

The deal also facilitated negotiations with Russian sponsors and broadcasters before the World Athletics Championships in Moscow in 2013.

The case is being pursued by the French authorities because the alleged money-laundering happened in France.

Lamine Diack has been forbidden to leave France since the investigation began. Papa Massata Diack has been holed up in his native Senegal, out of reach of the French authorities.

Papa Massata Diack was, however, questioned in Dakar in November over accusations against him and his father.

A source told AFP Papa Massata Diack had been questioned by an investi-

CMYK

gating magistrate as part of a separate Senegalese investigation, with no further details given.

He has refused to leave Senegal and despite two international arrest warrants issued by France, the Senegalese authorities have said they will not extradite him.

The scandal that the trial touches on led to Russia being banned from competing in several international competitions over state-sponsored doping between 2011 and 2015. Despite being reinstated by other sports federations, Russia is still banned from competing as a nation by World Athletics.

There are two other defendants who will also be absent from the court in Paris.

Valentin Balakhnichev, a former head of the Russian athletics federation and IAAF treasurer, is accused of “giving and

receiving bribes” and “aggravated money-laundering”. Alexei Melnikov, formerly Russia’s chief distance running coach, is accused of “receiving bribes.”

Both are subjects of international arrest warrants.

Monday, 13 January, 2020

SPORTS 15

JaSprit, poonam yadav claim top bcci aWardS MuMbai

J

Agencies

ASPRIT BUMRAH'S trophy cabinet is set to include the BCCI’s Polly Umrigar award, recognising him as the best male cricketer for India in 2018-19. The 26-year-old fast bowler will be felicitated on Sunday in Mumbai alongside , who will go home with the title best women’s player of the past season.

Although he was already a first-choice pick in limited-overs cricket, Bumrah made

his Test debut for India in January 2018 and has proven himself to be . He became the first man from Asia to pick up five-wicket hauls in Australia, England, South Africa and the West Indies, and even added a hattrick to his resume. Since his debut in the Cape Town Test two years ago, Bumrah has picked up 62 wickets in 12 Tests. have a better bowling average than his 19.24 in this period (under the condition of at least 20 wickets taken). was crucial to India winning their first ever series in Australia in early 2019, and for all that the BCCI will present him with a trophy, a citation and a

cash prize of INR 15 lakh.

Yadav, meanwhile, is the (39) for the last two years. Her slow, teasing legspin helps the team dictate terms through the middle overs in T20I cricket as well, where she’s performed even better - . Recognition as India’s best female cricketer by the BCCI comes on the heels of the 28-yearold winning the Arjuna award last year.

Both the senior men’s and women’s teams are expected to be at the BCCI function. “It will be a special evening in Mumbai as we will also have the 7th MAK Pataudi lecture and I am delighted

to inform that it will be who will address the gathering.” the board president said.

Lifetime achievement awards will also be given to the World-Cup-winning former India opener and , the first Indian woman to play 100 ODIs. “We wanted to make Naman [the

BCCI awards] bigger and better and have introduced four new categories - highest run-getter and wicket-takers in WODIs and best international debut men and women - from this year. A total of 25 awards will be presented,” board secretary Jay Shah said.

Carey hopes to mirror Dhoni in ODI finishing role aDeLaiDe Agencies

Aussie cricket legends to pad up for bushfire relief MeLbOurNe Agencies

Cricket greats Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting will come out of retirement to skipper star-studded teams at a charity game to raise money for victims of Australia’s bushfires, it was announced Sunday.

Other former greats signed up for the “Bushfire Cricket Bash” include Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Australian coach Justin Langer, while Steve Waugh will have a non-playing role. All match profits and funds raised during the February 8 game, played as a curtain raiser to the Big Bash League final, will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts said he hoped it would play a part in helping those impacted by the devastating fires that have killed at least 27 people and destroyed more than 2,000 homes.

“People the world over have seen the overwhelming images of hundreds of thousands of hectares burnt, precious lives lost, hundreds of properties destroyed and the

devastating loss of wildlife as a result of the fires,” he said.

“These images have reinforced the need to get behind organisations like the Australian Red Cross which is responding to the immediate requirements of people who have lost loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods.” Cricket Australia also injected Aus$2 million (US$1.38 million) into a fund to assist community cricket clubs impacted by the fires. It is the latest initiative by sports stars to stump up memorabilia and cash to help in the relief effort.

On Friday, Warne’s “baggy green” cap, awarded to Test players on their debut, sold at auction for more than Aus$1 million (nearly $700,000) with all funds aiding victims. Reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has pledged $500,000 while tennis superstar Serena Williams is auctioning a dress she wore at the WTA Auckland Classic.

A “Rally for Relief” exhibition match at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne featuring Williams and Roger Federer is due to take place on Wednesday ahead of the Australian Open to raise further money.

There are many things is primed to achieve, including the possibility of captaining Australia in the future. But above all, the wicketkeeper-batsman hopes to mirror MS Dhoni, whom he observed at close quarters during India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19. While his team were at the wrong side of a tightly contested series, he took silent pleasure from watching Dhoni guide India to series-clinching wins in and .

“I guess if you look at the likes of the best in the world in MS Dhoni, you want to learn as much from him. And I was lucky enough last year to play against him and just the way he took the game deep and won games for India, so I aspire to do that one day,” Carey said.

At the time, Carey was Australia’s T20I joint vice-captain but by no means a World Cup certainty. The batting order itself was a bit of a revolving door, and Carey had found himself in four different positions in his first nine ODIs for Australia. He even opened against India at home. Though not unfamiliar with the job, having done it for his state side, just 47 runs in three matches

could have hurt his chances so close to World-Cup selection.

Besides, Australia had enough options in the top order even before David Warner and Steven Smith’s return, which meant that Carey had a lot to lose. But as has often been the case In Carey’s life, things changed pretty quickly. He was pushed down to No. 7 - something he said he enjoyed even at the time - from where he made an impression in India and the UAE, earning praise from batting consultant Ricky Ponting and, crucially, a ticket to the World Cup, where he went as the vice-captain.

He made 375 runs in the tournament, finishing just four runs behind Smith as the team’s fourth-highest run-getter. Two innings stood out: a counterattacking that eventually ended in defeat, and a gritty in the semi-final that also ended in defeat.

But the contrasting circumstances and the manner in which those two knocks were wrought encapsulated the range of requirements of the finisher that has been identified in him. Carey is motivated to get better at the job.

“I still have lots of areas of my game that I want to improve and get better at. I know I will probably bat middle to lower order, so it’s trying to finish games off for Australia,” Carey said. “We have some world-class players at the top of the order with [Aaron] Finch, Warner and Smith, and Marnus [Labuschagne] is playing so well.

Peter Handscomb had a great series here [in India] last year. I see myself coming in anywhere from five to seven. It’s one of those roles I want to get better at and hopefully win games for Australia. I had opportunities in the World Cup to take it a bit deeper - one against South Africa stands out for me - to be that matchwinner for Australia”

Winners of the Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Golf Tournament 2020 pose for a picture with Pakistan Navy Karachi commander and Bank AL Habib MD. PR

Angrier than ever: Richardson on Stoinis’ homophobic slur MeLbOurNe Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Impressive run of OGDCL continues in the OGCC tournament as it defeats POL by 84 runs PR

Australia fast bowler says he has never seen so angry as when the allrounder directed a at him during the BBL clash between the Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars.

Stoinis was fined AUD 7500 (USD 5200) after he pleading guilty to the Cricket Australia code of conduct level two charge of using personally abusive language and apologised to Richardson.

Richardson, who is in India with the Australia ODI squad, said it was normal for Stoinis and him to exchange words when playing against each other.

The two have played a lot of cricket together for Australia and were both part of Australia’s 2019 World Cup campaign, and have often sparred verbally in domestic cricket.

However, Richardson said this was

different from what he had experienced in the past. “We always talk, we’re both competitors,” Richardson told reporters on Sunday. “It was just a bit of harmless banter about what was going on on the field and the way he goes about it. I always want to have a chat to him about that. It was just harmless

CMYK

cricket chat. For some reason, he reacted the way he did. You would have to ask him why; it was really out of character. He looked more angry than I have ever seen him. I’m not sure what he was thinking. The learning has to be that it never happens again.”

Richardson said Stoinis had con-

tacted him the following morning. And while the pacer was not personally offended, he reiterated the words of Australia coach Justin Langer in saying that it was unacceptable for any player to use those words moving forward, particularly as it was the second such incident this season after Australia Test quick James Pattinson was suspended following a similar code of conduct charge in December.

“Yeah, a little WhatsApp the morning after, but not a whole lot of conversation about it,” Richardson said. “He realised he made a mistake. I could just tell by his body language for the rest of his innings that night that he knew he made a mistake. I didn’t need an apology for myself, he didn’t offend me. It’s what he said that offended so many people. It was more just his actions and everyone’s actions, we can’t afford to have that happen again.”

Monday, 13 January, 2020

NEWS

proTesTs erupT agaIn In Iran afTer mIlITary aDmITs IT hIT plane BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN ROBERT MACAIRE BRIEFLY DETAINED FOR ALLEGEDLY INCITING PROTESTS DUBAI

p

AGENCIES

ROTESTERS piled pressure on Iran’s leadership on Sunday with demands for top authorities to quit after the Iranian military admitted it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner at a time when it had feared US strikes.

“They are lying that our enemy is America, our enemy is right here,” dozens of protesters outside a university in Tehran chanted, according to video clips posted on Twitter. Scores of demonstrators were also shown gathered in other cities. The social media posts could not be verified by Reuters. But state-affiliated media had reported protests on Saturday shortly after the Iranian military apologised for mistakenly bringing down the Ukrainian plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard.

Tehran residents told Reuters police were out in force in the capital on Sunday, as public anger boiled up following days of denials by the military that it was to blame, even as Canada and the United States said a missile had brought the plane down. Riot police fired teargas at thousands of protesters in the capital on Saturday, where many had chanted “Death to the dictator”, directing their anger at the Islamic Republic’s Supreme

Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Apologise and resign,” Iran’s moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the “people’s demand” was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit.

The latest upsurge in anger adds to challenges facing the authorities, which launched a bloody crackdown in November to quell protests. The leadership is also struggling to keep the crippled economy afloat under rigorous US sanctions.

The Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down minutes after taking

Trump warns Iran agaInsT ‘massacre’ WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States was monitoring Iranian demonstrations closely, warning against any new “massacre” as protests broke out after Tehran admitted to shooting down a passenger plane. Iranian protesters and newspapers also piled pressure on the country’s leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday. Riot police fired teargas at thousands of Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting “Death to the dictator”, directing their anger at Iran’s top authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Images and reports of the protests were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, alongside videos on social media. Tehran residents told Reuters that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning. “Apologise and resign,” Iran’s moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the “people’s demand” was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit. Iran earlier said it unintentionally downed a Ukrainian jetliner outside Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard, in an abrupt aboutturn after initially denying Western claims it was struck by a missile. AGENCIES

Queen, Prince Harry, senior royals set for crisis meeting LONDON AGENCIES

Queen Elizabeth has summoned her grandson Prince Harry for a crisis meeting to discuss future arrangements for him and his wife Meghan following the couple’s shock announcement that they want to step back from royal duties.

Harry’s father Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and his elder brother Prince William, will also attend the meeting, due to take place on Monday at the queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England, a Buckingham Palace source told Reuters.

Meghan, an American former TV actress, will try to join via telephone from Canada where she returned earlier in the week to rejoin the couple’s baby son, Archie.

Harry and Meghan, officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, surprised the rest of the royal family on Wednesday by publicly an-

off from Tehran on Wednesday when Iranian forces were on alert for US reprisals following tit-for-tat strikes.

Many of those on board were Iranians with dual citizenship, while 57 were holders of Canadian passports.

REVENGE: Iran’s president said it was a “disastrous mistake” and apologised.

But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public fury when he said he had told the authorities on the same day as the crash that an Iranian missile had struck the plane. The Guards’ top commander, Hossein Salami, said “we are more upset than anyone over the incident”, state media reported.

But others said Iran’s enemies, a term usually used to refer to Washington and its allies, were exploiting the incident.

nouncing they wanted a “new working model” that would allow them to spend more time in North America and to be financially independent.

They did not consult the 93-yearold monarch or other members of the family before making their announcement on a new website, https://sussexroyal.com, a move which hurt and disappointed the queen and other royals, according to a royal source.

The meeting on Monday will be the first time the senior royals have met in person to discuss the concerns raised by Harry and Meghan.

Officials had been holding talks behind the scenes since the bombshell statement to try to work out a new arrangement for the couple, and a royal source said those efforts progressed well.

The consultations, which also included the British and Canadian governments, paved the way for a face-to-face meeting between Harry and the queen.

Decorated Indian officer arrested over ties to Kashmiri fighters Police in occupied Kashmir have arrested a long-serving counterinsurgency officer for allegedly having ties with Kashmiri groups fighting against Indian rule, officials said on Sunday. “Police intercepted a car in southern Kashmir on Saturday night and arrested Deputy Superintendent Davinder Singh along with two [Kashmiri fighters] and their civilian aide,” Inspector General Vijay Kumar told reporters in Srinagar. The case has rattled the Indian security apparatus in the region, where Kashmiris have been fighting for decades, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. Kumar called the arrests a big operation and claimed that one of the arrested Kashmiris was a top commander of the group Hizbul Mujahideen, who had reportedly deserted police ranks in 2017 with four weapons.

He alleged that the commander, Naveed Baba, was second in command in Hizbul Mujahideen. “Some weapons and ammunition were recovered from the arrested men,” Kumar said. AGENCIES

Rockets hit Iraq base hosting US troops, says Iraqi military BAGHDAD AGENCIES

A volley of rockets slammed into an Iraqi airbase north of Baghdad where US forces have been based, wounding four local troops, the Iraqi military said on Sunday.

Its statement said eight Katyushatype rockets landed on Al-Balad airbase, wounding two Iraqi officers and two airmen.

Al-Balad is the main airbase for Iraq’s F-16s, which it bought from the US to upgrade its air capacities.

The base had held a small US Air Force contingent as well as American contractors, but a majority had been evacuated following tensions between the US and Iran over the past two weeks, military sources told AFP. “About 90 per cent of the US advisers, and employees of Sallyport and Lockheed Martin who are specialised in aircraft maintenance, have withdrawn to Taji and Erbil after threats,”

one of the sources said.

“There are no more than 15 US soldiers and a single plane at alBalad,” the source added.

Military bases hosting US troops have been subject to volleys of rocket and mortar attacks in recent months that have mostly wounded Iraqi forces, but also killed one American contractor last month.

That death set off a series of dramatic developments, with the US carrying out strikes against a pro-Iran paramilitary group in Iraq as well as a convoy carrying top Iranian and Iraqi commanders outside Baghdad airport.

Pro-Iran factions in Iraq have vowed revenge for those raids, even as Iran said it had already responded in “proportion” by striking another western airbase where US soldiers are located. Rocket attacks against Baghdad’s high-security Green Zone, where the US and other embassies are based alongside international troops, are still taking place.

Qatar emir calls for regional de-escalation at ‘sensitive’ time during visit to Iran DOHA AGENCIES

Qatar’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, said during a visit to Iran on Sunday that de-escalation and dialogue were needed to resolve regional crises at a “sensitive” time.

He was speaking in a televised news conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a visit to Tehran at a time of heightened USIran tensions that threaten to destabilise the region.

Sheikh Tamim also thanked Iran, with which his country shares a giant gas field, for supporting Doha by providing air and land routes after Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a trade

and transport boycott on Qatar in mid-2017 Qatar is close to the US and hosts Washington’s largest military base in the region, but it also enjoys strong ties with Tehran, with whom it shares the world’s largest gas field.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani reportedly called for a peaceful solution that would lead to de-escalation during a visit to Tehran in the immediate aftermath of the US strike on January 3. The visit follows the US killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad’s airport, and Iran’s admission that it shot down an airliner near Tehran by mistake on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board.

Indian police battle anti-Modi protesters over disputed law KOLKATA AGENCIES

Indian police baton-charged protesters on Sunday to stop them reaching Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cavalcade as nationwide protests against a bitterly disputed citizenship law entered a second month.

Tens of thousands staged protests through the night in the eastern city of Kolkata to denounce Modi’s weekend visit to the capital of West Bengal state, whose local rulers have strongly opposed the legislation. Police said they were forced to act after protesters tried to storm past barricades to stop Modi’s vehicle outside a stadium, where the leader again defended the law and insisted the demonstrators were “misguided”.

Nearly 2,000 protesters gathered outside chanting “Fascist Modi, Go Back” before the showdown between demon-

strators and police. More than 100 protesters were detained, a police official said. Protesters have burned effigies of the prime minister during his visit and brandished black flags, which is considered an insulting gesture in Indian society.

“The government can’t suppress our voice. We are not afraid. We are determined to fight for our rights,” Samit Nandi, one of the protesters, told AFP. “We will continue our protests until Modi leaves our city.” West Bengal has become a political battlefield between Modi’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regional powerhouse Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress party leads the state.

Banerjee is among state leaders nationwide who have said they will not implement the Citizenship Amendment Act, which excludes Muslims from a list of ethnic minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who are al-

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

CMYK

lowed to seek Indian nationality.

Opponents say the government has created a religious test for citizenship in the secular country.

Many among India’s 200 million Muslims fear the law is a precursor to a national register of citizens that could leave them stateless in the country of 1.3 billion. Many poor Indians do not have documents to prove their nationality.

“CAA is not about taking away citizenship, it is about giving citizenship,” Modi told supporters. He has accused political opponents of “misleading” and “inciting” people against his government.

Widespread demonstrations have rocked the Hindu-majority nation since the law was approved by parliament last month. At least 27 people, mostly Muslims, have been killed with police accused of using disproportionate force in several states.