E-PAPER PDF 18 FEBUARY 2020 (KHI)

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tuesday, 18 February, 2020 i 23 Jamadi-ul-Sani, 1441 i rs 17.00 i Vol X no 230 i 16 Pages i karachi edition

World failed Pakistan, afghan refugees, un chief says g

GUTerreS SAyS ‘INT’L SUPPorT for PAKISTAN HAS beeN MINIMAL CoMPAred To [ITS owN] NATIoNAL efforTS for AfGHAN refUGeeS’

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

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NITed Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday said that the world “must recognise that international support for Pakistan has been minimal compared to [its own] national efforts” for Afghan refugees. while addressing a conference — jointly organised by the Pakistan government and UN High Commissioner for refugees — titled “40 years of Afghan refugees Presence in Pakistan: A New Partnership for Solidarity” in Islamabad, Guterres said, “we have come together to recognise a remarkable story of solidarity and compassion. It is important to do so because it is a story that spans over decades.”

The event was attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan, foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, UN High Commissioner for refugees filippo Grandi, US Special envoy for Afghan reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad,

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Afghanistan vice President yunus Qanuni, as well as other ministers and senior officials from around twenty countries were present on the occasion.

“The story of Pakistan and Afghan refugees is a story of compassion to be celebrated for many reasons, one of which is that such compassion is missing from much of the world,” said the UN chief. “for 40 years, the people of Afghanistan have faced many crises, for 40 years the people of Pakistan have responded with solidarity. This generosity now spans across

PM IMrAN SAyS PAKISTAN doeS NoT HAve ANy MILITANT SANCTUArIeS Now decades and generations and this is the world’s largest protracted refugee situation in recorded history,” he said.

“This is also a story close to my heart. In my previous life, as the UN human rights commissioner, Pakistan was a familiar destination. during most of my time at the post, Pakistan was the number one refugee-hosting nation in the world,” he added. “for more than three out of every four years since 1979, either Pakistan or Iran have ranked as the top refugee-hosting country. And even though major conflicts have since erupted in other parts of the world and the refugee population has soared, Pakistan is still today the world’s second-largest refugee-hosting country in the world,” the UN chief said. “on every visit here, I have been struck by their resilience, exceptional generosity and compassion. I not only saw compassion in words but in deeds,” he said.

“The generous spirit is fully in line with what I regard as the best description for refugee protection is found in Surah Al-Tawbah of the Holy Quran and I quote: “And if anyone seeks your protection then grant him protection so therein he can hear the words of God. Then escort him where he can be secure,” he added.

‘This is Pakistan, not India’: IHC warns govt against curbing free speech g

CHIef JUSTICe MINALLAH SAyS ‘AN eLeCTed deMoCrATIC GovT CANNoT PLACe CUrbS oN freedoM of exPreSSIoN’ STORY ON BACK PAGE

India rebukes UN chief’s Kashmir mediation offer g

New deLHI SAyS KASHMIr ISSUe IS ‘bILATerAL’, UN CHIef SHoULd INSTeAd PUSH PAKISTAN To SToP ALLeGed CroSS-border TerrorISM STORY ON BACK PAGE

CONTINUTED ON PAGE 02

Guterres lauds Pakistan’s anti-terrorism efforts Khalilzad calls for better PakAfghan ties to achieve peace

Lawmakers demand JIT probe into Sindhi journalist’s murder

STORIES ON BACK PAGE

STORY ON PAGE 03

Suicide bombinG at Quetta ProteSt rally killS eiGht

STORY ON PAGE 03

un chief thanks Gen bajwa for giving full access in kashmir STORY ON PAGE 02

FatF asks Pakistan to do more against terror financing

british mP who leads kashmir group denied entry to india STORY ON BACK PAGE

STORY ON BACK PAGE

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

02 NEWS Pakistan will resume work on pipeline after Iran sanctions are lifted, SC told ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) was informed on Monday that Iran has completed work on its portion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project whereas Pakistan would resume work upon the lifting of sanctions on Iran. A threemember bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mushir Alam and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case. During the course of proceedings, the Interstate Gas submitted a report regarding gas projects. Justice Faisal Arab said that billions of rupees from the public exchequer had been spent since 2011 but no practical work started yet. It was the public’s tax money, he added. He asked as to why all the government projects had slowed down. The bureaucracy delayed the projects which increased their cost. What the bureaucracy was doing, he questioned. The Interstate Gas chief executive officer (CEO) said Pakistan had to invest Rs271 billion on the Pakistan-Iran gas project, while Rs3.3 billion had been spent on its paperwork so far. Iran had completed work on the project on its soil while Pakistan would complete its portion after lifting of sanctions on Iran, he added. He said Turkmenistan had completed work on the TAPI project and now work would be started in Afghanistan. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that the government had been spending money since 2011, but the plan was still on paper. The Interstate Gas CEO said that the Karachi-Lahore gas pipeline would be laid under the third project of North-South. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that if all the previous projects had been completed then the new ones should be started. The CEO said that Interstate Gas was also working on another project of underground storage. The court also expressed annoyance over the government officials for not appearing before it with proper preparation of the case. APP

Zaidi denies poisonous gas leaked from cargo ship

UN chief thaNks GeN Bajwa for GiviNG fUll access iN kashmir raWaLpindi

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STAFF REPORT

NITED Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Monday, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interests, the overall regional security situation including the issues of Afghan refugees, Afghan reconciliation process and Kashmir dispute were discussed. Guterres during his conversation with Gen Bajwa “thanked Pakistan for full access given to United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Kashmir”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said.

It added that the UN chief also said that there is a need to implement UN resolutions on the Kashmir issue. Guterres once again acknowledged

Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions and “extraordinary achievements in counterterrorism”. According to the statement, he commended the improved security situation in Pakistan and the country’s efforts towards regional peace and stability.

Gen Bajwa during the meeting remarked that Pakistan is committed to achieving “a stable, peaceful and normalised Pakistan”.

Guterres on Monday also held a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad.

KHALILZAD CALLS ON PM, COAS: Also on Monday, United States Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called on Gen Bajwa, a separate ISPR statement said. “During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including overall regional security situation and ongoing Afghan reconciliation process were discussed,” it added.

Khalilzad also met Prime Minister Imran, according to a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Punjab govt constitutes committee to examine Nawaz's medical reports LaHore

KARACHI: Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi on Monday ruled out the impression of mysterious gas leakage from any cargo ship at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) a day earlier which killed at least five people.

“Gas was leaked from land near Jackson market, which is situated behind the KPT,” Ali Zaidi told a private news channel. “He said the video of a cargo ship that is making rounds on the social, belongs to Malaysia,” he said, adding: “The ship was loaded with sunflower beans no toxic gas leaked from it.” The minister said the investigation into the matter was underway and the final argument will be made after the completion of the investigation. Replying to a query, the minister said the gas leakage affected those citizens, who were having breathing problems. Zaidi said the situation is under control and he has met with the patients personally. Earlier, Zaidi had tweeted: “By the Help of Almighty, things are now getting under control. NBCD team is deployed & is investigating the root cause of the poisonous gas.” The death of five people reported in a gas leakage incident in Keamari the port area of Karachi while over 100 affected and shifted to various healthcare facilities of the city. STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPORT

The Punjab Home Department on Monday formed a committee to examine the medical reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is seeking an extension in his bail. According to details, the committee headed by provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat also includes Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid and Additional Chief Secretary (Interior) Momin Agha.

Earlier, Punjab government had raised objections over Nawaz’s reports and said that incomplete medical information was submitted.

The medical reports stated that delay in Nawaz Sharif s angiography could pose life threat to him. On Oct 29, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended the sentence of former premier Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds for eight weeks in the Al-Azizia reference case. The court had ordered him to submit two surety bonds of Rs2 million each to the court for securing his release.

A plea for bail had been filed by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on behalf of his brother Nawaz, who was under treatment at Lahore’s Services Hospital. The court further announced that for an extension in bail, the Punjab government should be approached.

On Oct 25, Nawaz procured bail on medical grounds in the ongoing Chaudhry Sugar Mills case from the Lahore High Court. The former premier submitted two surety bonds worth Rs10 million each for his release in

the case. Shehbaz Sharif had filed the bail application for the release of his brother from the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

“We applied for bail on the grounds that his health conditions were deteriorating and that he needs better treatment,” his lawyer, Azam Tarar, told reporters after the ruling. On Nov 19, Sharif arrived in London, three weeks after he was granted bail by the IHC in the Al-Azizia case on medical grounds, along with his brother Shahbaz Sharif after the government and courts granted him permission to travel abroad. Sharif and members of his family had also consulted with several doctors, including those who specialise in cardiac issues and immune disorders.

In 2018, accountability judge Arshad Malik had convicted Nawaz in the Al-Azizia reference but acquitted him in the Flagship Investment case. He was handed seven years in jail in the reference with a fine – Rs1.5 billion or $25 million.

kashmiri leadership reminds Guterres of UN obligations on iok ISLAMABAD: Jammu and Kashmir People’s League (JKPL) and Jammu and Kashmir National Front (JKNF), while welcoming the visit by the UN Secretary General António Guterres to Pakistan, hoped that he will play his role in settlement of the Kashmir dispute in the light of UN resolutions. JKPL Chairman Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and Vice Chairman Syed Ijaz Rahmani, in a statement issued in Srinagar, referred to the report of the UN Human Rights Commission on rights abuses in occupied Kashmir said that the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir has become more inevitable in view of the present state of affairs in the occupied territory, reported Kashmir Media Service. The peace resolution will also improve relations between India and Pakistan and herald an era of prosperity in South Asia, they added. Meanwhile, Reminding Gutteres of his “legal and moral obligations to protect the fundamental rights of the people” in conflict-hit zones, Senior Vice Chairman of JKNF, Altaf Hussain Wani said that rights situation in the occupied Kashmir have deteriorated to such a level where UN intervention has become indispensable. In a statement issued in Islamabad on Monday Wani said, “Kashmiris welcome Mr. Gutteres’ statement calling for enhanced dialogue on Kashmir and full respect for humans rights in the region but the fact is that this rhetorical repetition would hardly bring any change on the ground unless concrete steps are taken to address the critical situation in the occupied valley.” APP

sc adjourns justice isa's plea until tuesday ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday adjourned the hearing of Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s petition challenging the presidential reference filed against him over alleged non-disclosure of assets in his wealth statement until Tuesday. A ten-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Maqbool Baqar, Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Justice Faisal Arab, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed heard the case regarding proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Justice Isa. The reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa alleges that he acquired three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015, but did not disclose them in wealth returns.

The court adjourned hearing over the unavailability of Justice Munib Akhtar. Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that Justice Munib Akhtar was not feeling well. APP

World failed Pakistan, Afghan refugees, UN chief says Continued from page 01 “This protection should be accorded to believers and non-believers alike — in a remarkable example of tolerance, [written] many centuries before the 1951 convention that defines in a modern concept refugees and the protection they deserve,” he further said.

“I saw that compassion play out in real-time in Pakistan and it was grounded in vision. We have seen many innovative policies introduced here: biometric registration, access to the national education system, healthcare and inclusion in the economy. And in spite of the many challenges that Pakistan faced, the commencement of these initiatives has made a big difference. Indeed many [of these practices] have been recognised as a global model of good practices,” he added.

“Some of these policies have inspired elements of the global impact on refugees. We have been proud to work

with you to support Pakistan host communities of Afghan refugees.

However, we must recognise that international support for Pakistan has been minimal compared to your own national efforts,” Guterres said.

“As we look to the challenges ahead, the global community should step up. As we have marked 40 unbroken years of solidarity, but we also despair at the 40 broken years of hostility,” he said. “The Afghan conflict drags on and on and we see the deep impact of the protracted nature of conflict, poverty and forced displacement. We know the solution lies in Afghanistan and I hope the signals of a possible passageway of peace will lead to a better future for the people of Afghanistan,” he added.

“I see with us Ambassador Khalilzad and I want to strongly encourage to pursue the way for peace. The Afghan people can count on the UN s to support the efforts for peace. We don’t seek protagonism, we are here only to

serve. The Afghan people need and deserve peace and prosperity and full respect for their human rights,” Guterres said.

PM SAYS NO MILITANT SAFE HAVENS IN PAKISTAN: Addressing the conference, PM Imran said that Pakistan is “celebrating” 40 years hosting Afghan refugees. “I say celebrating because there are not many instances in the world where refugees have conducted themselves with such honor and the hosts — in spite of economic challenges especially in the last 20 years — have wonderfully kept their relation with Afghan refugees.” “Let me just point out a pleasant side effect of the situation is that — after watching cricket in Pakistan for so many years — Afghanistan now has an international cricket team,” the prime minister, a former World Cup-winning cricket captain, said.

“Generosity has nothing to do with the bank balance,” the prime minister said while linking Pakistan’s hosting of the

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Afghan refugees with the Muslims of Makkah seeking refuge in Madinah. He said that a lesson Islam teaches us is about brotherhood and uniting human beings.

Responding to an earlier speech by Afghan Vice President Younus Qanuni, Prime Minister Imran said that there are no militant safe havens in Pakistan. “That may have been true after 9/11. However, Pakistan does not have any militant sanctuaries now,” he said.

The prime minister said that Islamophobia became prevalent after 9/11 because terrorism and Islam were equated with each other. “This led to the sufferings of Muslim refugees across the world,” he added.

Bringing the UN chief’s attention to India and the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, PM Imran said: “Nationalist parties all over the world are now gaining traction by blaming another human community for their problems. And in India, two legislation actually targeting Muslims have been introduced — which will

have future problems for our country, because it could have a huge refugee problem,” he further said.

‘AFGHAN REFUGEES SEEKING GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO PEACE PROCESS’: Earlier, FM Qureshi said that Afghan refugees are seeking a greater global commitment to the Afghan peace process.

“Even today we continue to host three million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees,” Qureshi said while adding that these efforts are based on the Islamic principles of hospitality for compassionate crowds.

“Today, Afghan refugees worldwide are looking for sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan,” he added.

“A joint support platform by Pakistan, Iran and the UNHCR was formed with the aim to promote and support refugee return and enhance the capacity of sustainable reintegration of Afghan refugees within in their society,” Qureshi said.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

NEWS

sUicide BomBiNG at QUetta protest rally kills 8 THREE COPS AMONG THOSE KILLED IN EXPLOSION NEAR QUETTA PRESS CLUB, AT LEAST 21 OTHERS INJURED

interior minister confirms ehsanullah ehsan’s escape ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah on Monday confirmed that former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan, who justified the 2012 attack on teenage Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, has escaped detention. Ehsan, who claimed responsibility on behalf of his group for scores of Taliban attacks, proclaimed his escape on Twitter and then in an audio message sent to Pakistani media earlier this month. Although the military has not commented on the issue, the interior minister, when asked about the report by journalists, said, “That is correct, that is correct.” Shah added that “you will hear good news” in response to questions about whether there had been any progress in hunting down Ehsan. Ehsan later told a Reuters reporter by telephone that he had already left Pakistan and arrived in Turkey together with his wife and children. He said that he had surrendered to the army under a deal, and escaped only after the agreement was not honoured. STAFF REPORT

Quetta

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STAFF REPORT

HREE policemen were among eight persons killed in a suicide bombing during a protest rally near the Quetta Press Club on Monday.

According to Quetta Deputy Inspector General Abdul Razzaq Cheema, 21 others have also been injured in the incident. The senior police official said that a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a police vehicle providing security to workers of a religious party who were holding a demonstration near the press club.

Several vehicles parked in the vicinity were also damaged due to the impact of the blast.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan directed the IGP to submit a report within the next 24 hours.

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan grieved the loss of

human lives in the blast. He directed the authorities concerned to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.

Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai also condemned the blast and said: “Such a cowardly attack can’t weaken the morale of the nation and the security forces.” In a statement, the governor maintained that “measures should be taken to foil the nefarious designs of militants”, adding that law enforcement agencies should take stern action against such elements.

“Foolproof security measures should be ensured across the province for the protection of the masses.” He directed the provincial health department to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured victims, and also prayed for their recovery.

On Jan 10, a suicide bombing inside a mosque in Quetta’s Satellite Town area during Friday evening prayers had claimed 15 lives and left 19 people injured.

Senate panel approves nationwide implementation of Zainab Alert Bill PPP’S QURATULAIN MARRI OPPOSES EXPANSION OF JURISDICTION, SAYS IT VIOLATES 18TH AMENDMENT iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT

Senate’s Functional Committee on Human Rights on Monday approved an amendment in the Zainab Alert Bill, which called for expanding the jurisdiction of the proposed law to the entire country.

Previously, the bill only extended to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The Zainab Alert Bill, which addresses sexual crimes against children and proposes sentences for such offenses, was passed by the National Assembly in January this year but was blocked in the Upper House after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mushahidullah Khan insisted that the bill be sent to the Senate committee first.

On Monday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Quratulain Marri had objected to the amendment, saying expanding the jurisdiction of the bill to the entire country would be a violation of the 18th Amendment.

Earlier, the bill only applied to Islamabad because the National Assembly’s powers are limited as the bill involves the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Criminal Code of

Procedures (CrPC). Therefore, the bill would have had to be taken up separately in each of the provincial assemblies in order to be implemented at the provincial level.

The approval comes a day after another horrific case of child abuse emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district. On Sunday, police recovered a body of an eightyear-old — who, police suspect, was raped before being killed — from bushes in Saro Khel village.

ZAINAB ALERT BILL: The bill — named after nineyear-old Zainab Ansari, who was murdered after being raped in Kasur in 2018 — was tabled by Mazari in June last year after multiple cases of horrific crimes against children emerged, mainly from Kasur.

In 2015, Kasur’s Hussain Khanwala village had attracted worldwide attention when a child pornography ring was busted. Hundreds of video clips had emerged showing a gang forcing dozens of minor boys and girls to perform sexual acts and filming them. The gang had also used the videos to blackmail families of the children and extorted millions in cash and jewelry from them.

In 2018, Zainab’s rape and murder had sparked outrage and protests across the country after she was found dead in a trash heap in Kasur on January 9.

Her case was the twelfth such incident to occur within a 10-kilometer radius in the city over a 12-month period. The heinous nature of the crime had seen immediate riots break out in Kasur — in which two people were killed — while #JusticeforZainab became a rallying cry for an end to violence against children.

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Govt mulls reducing tax on basic food items iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday ordered the officials concerned to take effective action against the smuggling and hoarding of basic food items. PM Imran presided over a high-level meeting attended by senior ministers and advisers.

The meeting focused on steps to be taken to bring down prices of essential food items. The prime minister sought recommendations on how to reduce prices of basic food items and ensure stability in them. “Bringing about stability in prices of basic food items and reducing them as much as possible is the government’s topmost priority,” said PM Imran during the meeting. He urged the government to pay special attention to taking steps against smuggling and hoarding of essential food items. PM Imran told his government to review measures on how to reduce wheat prices so a formal announcement in this regard could be made soon. The government decided to purchase wheat in double the quantity of its previous target to bring about stability in its price and to bridge the gap between its demand and supply. It was also decided during the meeting that prices of sugar will be fixed by the sugar advisory board by having it evaluated by a third party. It was decided during the meeting that concrete and effective steps will be taken to stop wheat, onions, tomatoes and other food items from being smuggled abroad. The government decided it will forward a proposal to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to bring down the tax levied on basic food items. Last month, prices of wheat and sugar skyrocketed across the country after it was found that the staple food items had disappeared from markets. An investigation found out that senior government officials were involved in hoarding wheat which created the artificial crisis. PM Imran announced a “grand operation” against those found guilty of hoarding and smuggling basic food items. Last week the government announced a Rs15 billion package for utility stores to provide relief to the masses. On Saturday, the prime minister admitted that the wheat and sugar crisis had originated as a result of his government’s negligence.

Lawmakers demand JIT probe into Sindhi journalist's murder MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FAWAD HUSAIN SAYS AZIZ MEMON’S MURDER HAD A BACKGROUND THAT MUST BE INVESTIGATED iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT

The treasury benches on Monday demanded the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) or the constitution of a parliamentary committee to investigate the murder of journalist Aziz Memon from Sindh.

Memon, a journalist working with Kawish Television Network (KTN), was found dead on Sunday. He is believed to have been strangulated to death following which his body was thrown in a canal.

Memon had reported that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) bribed hundreds of poor people from nearby villages to welcome Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during his long march on a train from Karachi to Larkana last year. He had also named Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Member of National Assembly (MNA) Syed Abrar Ali Shah and Town Municipal Committee Halani as the ones who had hired the poor people for Rs2000 each but actually paid them a mere Rs200 after which the rented demonstrators protested, adding that it was the protests that caught his attention. It

may be mentioned here that the slain journalist had released a video speaking about threats to his life and pleaded for shelter, alleging that the local PPP leadership and Naushero Feroze senior superintendent of police (SSP) had been threatening him and his family, including children, ever since he reported the story.

Memon further clarified that he did not have any party affiliations and was simply a neutral journalist doing his job, emphasising that the story was not fabricated as a large number of complainants were shown.

LAWMAKERS DEMAND PROBE: Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly (NA), Minister for InterProvincial Coordination (IPC) Fehmida Mirza strongly condemned the murder of the journalist and said the matter should

not be politicized.

The minister said the slain journalist informed the authorities concerned several times about threats to his life but unfortunately they did not pay heed to the complaints. Fehmida Mirza said the provincial government completely failed to protect a sitting minister, member of the provincial assembly, journalist and common people of the province.

She demanded the government to constitute a JIT or a committee of the parliament to investigate the matter in a fair and transparent manner for the provision of justice to the bereaved family.

CPNE CONDEMNS JOURNALIST'S MURDER: Meanwhile, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) also condemned the journalist's murder and called for an inquiry into the incident.

04 KARACHI

Tuesday, 18 February 2020

WEATHER UPDATES TUESDAY

330C 160C

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320C 150C

THURSDAY

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FRIDAY

300C 150C

GAS LEAK

Police call for restriction on movement of containers Petition seeks Probe into toxic gas leak in keamari filed in sHc

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STAFF REPORT

HE police department has advised for restricting the movement of containers from the port area until the matter of gas leakage get cleared.

The death of five people reported in a gas leakage incident in Keamari port area of Karachi while over 100 affected were shifted to various healthcare facilities of the city.

Most the victims of the gas impact suffering from breathing problem, doctors said.

A spokesperson of Ziauddin Hospital, which is nearing the port area, in a statement said that 100 people, affected in gas leakage incident, were admitted at the hospital and six of them were in a precarious condition.

The hospital’s owner Dr. Asim Hussain in his statement said that 70 people affected by the gas were discharged from the hospital after providing medical aid. The hospital providing all possible medical aid to remaining victims of gas leak free of cost, he announced. He also de-

manded a comprehensive investigation of the gas leakage incident.

Karachi Police in a statement clarified that Keamari gas leakage incident has claimed five lives adding that the name of a deceased woman added in the list as Ms Yasmeen at Keamari hospital while Musarrat Yasmeen at Kharadar hospital.

“Around 132 people were affected in the gas leak incident in the port area. The police is collecting details to register FIR of the incident,” according to the statement.

The high officials of the city police have contacted concerned author-

ities and urged for an immediate restriction on movement of gas, chemicals and petroleum products from the port area. The police department has warned likely presence of more containers of gas at the port and urged for a complete search of the East Wharf and West Wharf areas. “The containers in the shape of cylinder and capsule should especially be checked”, the department said.

The police have also advised the authorities to seek help from the chemistry department of Karachi and the PCSIR to reach to the cause of the gas leakage incident.

KARACHI: A petition seeking investigation into deaths by some poisonous gas in Keamari area of Karachi was filed in SHC on Monday. The petition was moved

by Advocate Abdul Jalil Marwat who made the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Sindh government and I.G. Police of Sindh parties in the case.

The petitioner said that expulsion of release of the gas has claimed at least five lives and over 100 people have been affected in the incident. The petition sought a court order for investigation of the incident to fix the responsibility.

The petitioner also requested legal action against those responsible for the incident and providing compensation and assistance to the heirs of victims. STAFF REPORT

APC urges govt to provide alternative residential facilities to KCR affectees KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Participants and speakers at an All Parties Conference (APC) on Monday demanded the federal, and provincial governments and KMC to provide alternative residential facilities of good quality to all the affectees of Karachi Circular Railway according to the May 2019 orders of the Surpeme Court of Pakistan.

The apex court had ordered to start Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) within one year and also provide “decent” alternative houses to the affected people, resolution passed at the APC jointly organized by Joint Action Committee in collaboration with Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. Karamat Ali, Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research presided over the APC, whereas noted urban town planner and head of Urban Resource Resources (URC) Arif Hasan was key note speaker.

After the Supreme Court’s May 2019 orders over 1,000 houses have been demolished so far out of over 4500 estimated houses from the land of KRC. Residents of all those houses are forced to live at the debris of those houses in make-shift tents without any essential facilities. There is no toilets or water and gas to live a life, but people are still living there, the resolution stated.

Over 10,000 houses are feared to be demolished from the land of ML-1 railway project to run speedy trains, which is being developed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Noted urban town planner and head of Urban Resource Resources (URC) Arif Hasan said that the government has demolished thousands of shops and houses of only poor people on the Supreme Court’s orders but it has not taken any measures to rehabilitate the affected people and

shop-keepers.

Properties of political, influential persons or government and defence departments’ buildings were not touched upon on the Supreme Court’s orders, he said adding that only poor people have suffered losses worth billions of rupees.

Arif Hasan recalled that the Supreme Court had issued an order on September 18, 2018 to restore the beauty of Karachi as the old city. Since then, the provincial and city governments have demolished over 6000 shops in various areas of the city which has resulted in unemployment of 12 to 14 thousand workers.

Over 1800 shops only around Empress Market in Saddar have been demolished, which has affected jobs of 6500 workers. Three markets around Saddar were selling tea, dry fruits and eggs and their annual turnover was over Rs. 12 billion per annum. Moreover Arif Hassan said the Sindh High Court had also ordered on 20th October 2018 to remove encroachments around all business centres and at the main roads. Over 40,000 notices have been served so far and encrochments around canals have been removed.

He feared that the major ML-1 project will also create more problems for poor people. He said Karachi has been neglected in the past. The government has failed to provide bus terminals, godowns and houses to the city.

Leader of the Opposition on Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi, MPA from PTI said before demolishing encroachments, strict action be taken against those who had allowed encroachments. The land mafia people be caught first, he said. Naqvi said about 1000 plots are encroached upon through China Cutting every day because the government of the time don't work.

He said encroachment on both public and private property should be discouraged. He said he

ATC acquits Shershah scrap market carnage accused over lack of evidence KARACHI STAFF REPORT

An anti terrorism court (ATC) on Monday acquitted key accused of Shershah scrap market carnage, in which 12 people were killed. The court acquitted key accused of the incident, Aslam Pervaiz Magsi, over lack of evidence against him. 26 witnesses of the carnage recorded their statements but none of them named involvement of the accused in the incident, defence counsel said. Prosecution failed to produce any evidence against the accused, the lawyer said.

Nine suspects, who had allegedly confessed to being involved in the Shershah market carnage, were acquitted in year 2011 because of a lack of evidence and witness testimony. Complainant of the case was failed to identify the accused in the courtroom.

Twelve workers and owners of shops in the Shershah scrap market were killed on October 19, 2010, when around 30 unidentified men on motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire in the market. Seven shopkeepers, Kashif, Arsalaan, Rashid, Zeeshan, Arif and Imran, were injured in the incident. The terrorists of outlawed People’s Aman Committee had reached the scrap market on 16 motorbikes and opened indiscriminate fire, prosecution had said in its charge sheet.

Female students robbed in bus hold-up KARACHI STAFF REPORT

would also appear before the Supreme Court bench during the next hearing.

He said the KCR is a multi-billion project and it will take three years incompletion of finance close and it would be completed before five years. He demanded that until KCR’s financial close is not completed affected houses should not be removed.

He asked Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed to demolish encroachment in Rawalpindi first then look at Karachi. Najmi Alam, a leader of Pakistan People’s Party said all political parties should support the affected people. He asked all the people to gather outside Supreme Court building on the occasion of next hearing on 21st February.

A university bus was looted in Karachi on Monday as two muggers deprived the female students travelling on it of their belongings within the remits of Ibrahim Hyderi area of the city. The two criminals intercepted the bus at Bhittai Colony area in Ibrahim Hyderi and initially one of them held the driver hostage. In the meantime, the other mugger climbed the bus from the back door to deprive the female students of their mobile phones and handbags on gunpoint. The culprits remained successful in fleeing away from the scene. The parents of the students gathered soon after the incident and complained about a delayed action from the authorities. “Despite reaching out on the emergency numbers of police, they arrived an hour later at the spot,” the families claimed and said that during the entire mugging bid, the female students continued crying and yelling out of fear. They further claimed that the culprits also misbehaved with the female students of the varsity during the entire criminal episode. It is pertinent to mention here that a female varsity student was killed while resisting robbery in October 2019 in Gulshan Iqbal area of Karachi. Misbah, a university student, was injured while resisting a robbery bid near Mochi More in Gulshan Iqbal, police said. She got a bullet wound in the head in the incident and transferred to hospital for medical attendance. She succumbed to her injury in the hospital, police sources said. The incident took place at 7:00 in the morning when she was on her way to the university. According to the police, two motorbike riders were involved in the murder incident.

Government must protect vulnerable groups in Sindh: HRCP KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called on the federal and provincial governments to protect the rights of peasants, workers, women and religious minorities in Sindh.

Following a hari and mazdoor convention in Hyderabad, and meetings with human rights defenders and professionals in Mithi, HRCP is deeply concerned that vulnerable and marginalised groups are bearing the brunt of rising inflation and

unemployment, without adequate social safety nets to mitigate this impact.

HRCP’s recent mission to Sindh included Honorary Spokesperson IA Rehman, Council members and office bearers Hina Jilani, Asad Iqbal Butt and Uzma Noorani, Director Farah Zia and Secretary-General Harris Khalique.

During the mission, stakeholders across civil society conveyed their need for more local jobs in development projects, decent working conditions and better access to health services, an end to forced conversions among religious mi-

norities, and the development of reliable sources of clean water, especially for remote communities in arid areas such as Thar. Both the public and private sectors must be held responsible for paying their workers – both men and women – at least the official minimum wage and, moreover, paying wages on time.

Given that women and children remain among the most vulnerable groups across labour and religious minorities, HRCP strongly urges the government to keep their needs at the forefront of all policymaking.

CMYK

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

NEWS

Govt draws court's ire over failure to submit Tezgam accident report ISLAMABAD

T

STAFF REPORT

HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday expressed anger at the interior and railways ministries for failing to submit the inquiry report in the Tezgam accident case.

Seventy-four people were killed on October 31 after the Tezgam Express caught fire near Rahim Yar Khan. The fire spread to three bogies of the moving train. It was heading to Rawalpindi from Karachi and was near the Tanwari Railway Station when the fire erupted. More than 40 people were injured.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said that many people died in the fire but the two ministries are still sleeping. “Should the court summon the prime minister and tell him that two ministries are not working?”

The accident occurred five months ago but still, no report has been prepared, the court remarked, adding that the federal government doesn’t know if an FIR has been registered or not.

“If you don’t work, then we will pass orders to make sure that you do your work,” a judge said. The Interior and Railways secretaries and investigating officer have been summoned in person on February 24.

Pakistan Railways authorities were responsible for the massive fire on the Tezgam Express in October, a report said on January 29.

The Railway authorities, including Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed, had blamed passengers who had brought cylinders on the train. The passengers, all from the Tableeghi Jamaat, had brought gas cylinders and were cooking food when one exploded, causing the fire, authorities had said.

But a report placed the blame on the Railway authorities, not the passengers. The dining car manager and waiters had set up a makeshift kitchen in bogies 11 and 12, said the report. That is where the fire broke out.

The situation was compounded due to the gas cylinders in the train but did not occur due to them, said the report. The cylinders exploded after the train caught fire, making it worse.

Cabinet to consider setting up body on child rights in upcoming meeting ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of the federal cabinet on Thursday to take up 12-point agenda, with a special focus on the establishment of National Commission on the Rights of Children (NCRC) due to the alarming rise in the number of children who are being raped all across the country.

According to documents available with Pakistan Today, the federal cabinet would also take up issues related to price hikes, inflation and common public centric issues such as the Ehsaas programme, gas pricing and electric power bills. In addition to this, the cabinet would also take up the issue of one-time permission to import insecticides from India. According to reports, provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh have requested the import in order to help counter the threat of dengue as summer is arriving. However, a source in the government said that the federal government has put a blanket ban on trade with India. Earlier, the provincial governments had written summaries seeking the premier’s permission for importing the insecticides but he directed that the matter be presented before the federal cabinet. Further, presentations on regulatory duty and taxes on pulses and issues related to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) Corporation would also be made whereas the establishment of a permanent secretariat of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in the ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) would also be discussed at the meeting.

Moreover, the cabinet would also discuss the approvals for a notification for Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) members; grant of fresh Overseas Employment Promoters’ licenses; surrender, transfer and change of jurisdiction of overseas employment promoter licenses under section 12(2) and 12(4) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, under rule 8(5) and 11(A) of Emigration rules 1979. The appointment of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation’s (PMDC) managing director (MD)/chief executive officer (CEO) would also be discussed besides the award of an additional charge of the vacant post of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ (PBS) chief statistician.

KARACHI: McKinsey & Company Global Managing Partner Kevin Sneader poses for a group photo at the Eminent Speaker Series hosted by Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) and Engro Leadership Academy (ELA). PR

LAHORE: Osaka has announced its partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the highly anticipated cricket tournament, Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5, scheduled to kick off this month. PR

SHC issues notices to Zardari, Bilawal in disqualification plea KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday issued notices to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari in a disqualification plea against them for representing two parties at a time. A petition filed by a lawyer Iqbal Kazmi said that both the leaders claim themselves as leaders of both the PPP and the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), therefore they should be declared disqualified from their National Assembly (NA) seats.

He said that the PPP is a separate entity with a party symbol of a sword as compared to the PPPP that contested polls on the arrow

symbol. “Even the PPP is not registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP),” he said and added that if a party is not registered then why these people had run activities under its banner.

Their activities under this banner come under deceit and therefore they no more remain Sadiq and Ameen (honest and righteous) paving a way for their disqualification, the plea said.

The court issued notices to the top PPP leaders and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit their response over the matter.

On February 13, Bilawal appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a joint venture, Opal 255, corruption case.

Gwadar being developed as ‘smart port city’ KARACHI FURQAN MALIK

Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Director General Shahzeb Khan Kakar said on Monday that Gwadar’s development was moving in the right direction and soon it [Gwadar] would emerge as a smart port city, much like Singapore.

He was addressing a gathering at the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), where prominent ABAD members, including Chairman Mohsin

Sheikhani, Senior Vice Chairman Sohail Warind and Star Marketing CEO Wasiq Naeem were present.

Kakar said the [Gwadar] master plan, as well as its related bylaws, have been formulated and that this would help expedite the pace of development.

"Issues pertaining to the master plan as well as lack of bylaws had become a major hurdle in the development of the region, but this has now been sorted out," he said, adding that the government was fully committed to achieving the

dream of a modern Gwadar. Another hurdle in the way of Gwadar's development, he said, was the unavailability of water in the area. "To tackle this problem, pipelines are being laid connecting Gwadar to various dams. This will ensure water supply to the city for the next five years. In addition, desalination plants are also being set up to tackle issues pertaining to water."

He said problems related to electricity in the area were being addressed through the establishment of a 300-megawatt power station,

work on which was underway at a rapid pace. The GDA head also expressed confidence in the improved law and order situation of the city.

Elaborating the Gwadar Master Plan, he said the master plan was “unlike any other”, as it has been prepared for the next 50 years. He also spoke about digitization of land records and claimed that the city would achieve a per capita income of $15,000 by 2050. He said the private sector, through one-window solution, would be given a priority in the development of Gwadar.

05

Nationwide polio eradication campaign begins NEWS DESK The first nationwide polio vaccination drive of 2020 is set to kick off today, aiming to vaccinate approximately 39.6 million children. The campaign will involve nearly 265,000 polio workers going door-to-door to inoculate children under the age of five. The campaign will not cover Karachi where the campaign began a week ago. Just a few days ago, the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed five more polio cases from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, bringing the tally for the current year so far to 17. Last year, 144 cases were reported nationwide, 12 in 2018 and eight cases in 2017. “Building on the successful national campaign in December last year, the nation is all set to undertake aggressive measures to push the virus back during 2020, setting the stage to root out polio from the country once and for all,” said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza. “We have critically reviewed our performance during the last campaign and worked with provincial and district teams for even better preparedness for the upcoming vaccination effort,” he added. Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said that the current geographical spread and the intensity of the virus transmission posed a real risk to children across the country. “Reaching every child during the nationwide door-to-door campaign would provide a much-needed immunity boost to our children and ensure they stay protected from lifelong paralysis. Learning from 2019, we have the firm resolve to turn the situation around in 2020,” he said.

To benefit from a decrease in temperatures across the country as the cold weather makes it tough for the virus to survive, the polio eradication programme scheduled three back-to-back national campaigns during the months of December, February and April with two additional rounds in high-risk districts during January and March. The EOC is also deploying 50 experts as facilitators across critical areas of the country to support anti-polio campaign workers in administering two drops of oral polio vaccine to every child during the February national campaign. The programme has also launched “Sehat Tahafuz Helpline 1166” with local language capacities through which the public can report children who have not been vaccinated due to any reason.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

06 WORLD VIEW

the good SamaritanS oF 4, Fane road WHEN THE KAPUR FAMILY WAS FORCED TO LEAVE LAHORE OVERNIGHT IN THE WAKE OF PARTITION, THE NEIGHBOURING KASURI FAMILY HELPED THEM SET UP THEIR LIVES IN DELHI

Livemint

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aanchal Malhotra

He trial for the Lahore Conspiracy Case began on 10 July 1929 in Borstal Jail, Lahore, where Bhagat Singh and 27 others were charged with murder and waging war against King George V. The average age of the revolutionaries was 22. Their case was presided over by judge Rai Sahib Pandit Sri Kishen, and the accused were defended by a body of seven prominent Indian lawyers, one of whom, Amolak Ram Kapur, would outlive the 1947 Partition to tell a story of cross-border friendship and humanity.

When I meet Kapur’s daughter, Raj Suneja, in Delhi, she recalls the Lahore of undivided India. “4, Fane Road was our address, close to the Punjab high court where my father practised.” Fane Road, prominent due to the many lawyers who inhabited it, was named after General Sir Henry Fane, once commander-in-chief of the Indian Army. She says the kothis on the street were few but large, and tries to recall the owners from memory, “Bakshi Tek Chand, Bishan narayan, Grover sahib, the Suris, the Sonis… .” Unable to remember any more names, she says, “It was quite a close-knit community, where families respected one another, regardless of religion.” Fane Road was also home to the small legal chamber of none other than the late author Khushwant Singh.

When I ask her whether she still thinks about Fane Road, Suneja smiles and says in Punjabi, “Iss umar pe toh kayi cheezein bhool jaati hai, lekin bachpan da Lahore kadi nahi bhoolta, o’ shehr di baat hi kuch aur si (Age makes the past hazy, but memories of the Lahore of my childhood never leave me. There was something truly special about the city).” Fondly, she continues to

speak about the public park on Fane Road, the akhara (wrestling area), their beautifully manicured garden, the two cars, cows and tanga (a horse-drawn carriage).

She notes with pride that theirs was the first home on the street to get a Godrej refrigerator.

But the highlight of no.4, Fane Road was undoubtedly Amolak Ram Kapur’s grand library, with hundreds of books collected over the years. Suneja opens her arms as wide as they go, to show me the vastness of the book collection. And then she reveals that the family had to leave it all behind when they migrated to Delhi during the summer of 1947, hoping the move would be merely temporary—for a week or two, at the most. They had fled in haste, acting in response to rumours of ghastly violence against women in Lahore, carrying minimum belongings and clothing.

During the early days in Delhi, they relied on the goodness of friends and other refugees. Partition had not yet happened, but Kapur’s eldest son, K.K. Kapur, a well-known film distributor, had an office space in Lahore and proposed to exchange it for a Muslim friend’s property in Delhi. And so it came to be that the family occupied 9, Rajpur Road, Civil Lines, in Delhi.

Suneja remembers walking along Connaught Place, seeing many of her father’s old friends and acquaintances selling their wares on the roadside. At home, food was sparse and relatives from across the border flocked into the small property, making it feel no less than a refugee camp. But whatever the circumstances, their door would always remain open to all. With the sudden influx of family, friends and other refugees, Kapur, once a member of the Lahore bar and owner of a thriving, prosperous practice, was now grateful for the additional financial support from his eldest son.

As the date for Partition approached, the family would listen to bulletins on the radio and read the newspaper, fearing with every passing day that their home and life in Lahore would soon become a thing of the past. As the summer of 1947 came to a close, Kapur reached out to an old friend with a sincere re-

quest. It is the mention of this very communication that first caught my interest.

In his memoir, neither A Hawk nor A Dove, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, a Pakistani politician, also alludes to 4, Fane Road, Lahore, writing from the perspective of his family. In the summer of 1947, the Kasuris were vacationing in Murree, an idyllic hill station. Young Khurshid recalls eagerly waiting for the pastrywala when his father told the family they had to pack up and return to Lahore immediately. Khurshid, having just turned 6, writes about being very angry at one “Amolak Ram Kapur, whoever he may be” for having cut short his summer vacation. Later, he found out that Kapur was not only a noted Hindu criminal lawyer and his father’s close friend, but had also rung up to ask whether the Kasuris could occupy his now abandoned house on Fane Road, as he feared looters and thieves might enter the grand premises.

When Partition was declared, Kapur realized that his temporary absence would certainly be permanent, and the Kasuris began to pack the Kapur family’s belongings. Boxes upon boxes were fitted in a truck and sent across the new border to an old friend. With tears in her eyes, Suneja recalls the contents of the boxes, “not only had they sent across my father’s vast legal library and his complete and enviable collection of the works of Shakespeare, but the boxes even included all of our warm clothes.” Winter was arriving, and because they had left in haste and had no means to buy new winter clothes, the Kasuris made sure they would not freeze. It was a gesture of absolute kindness and consideration.

“From the boxes, yet another treasure emerged,”Suneja opens an old dusty file and offers it to me. A photocopy of old pages written in longhand, beginning from Sunday, 13 September 1914.

This was Amolak Ram Kapur’s personal journal that he had begun as a 14-year-old boy in 1914. Carefully, it too had been packed and sent across to its rightful

‘Hype trumps hope’

indian express

U

Sanjaya Baru

nITeD STATeS President Donald Trump arrives in India just about a month ahead of the 20th anniversary of the first India visit of a US President in the post-Cold War era.

Arriving in March 2000, President Bill Clinton inaugurated a new phase in state-to-state bilateral relations between the US and India by implicitly recognising India’s nuclear power status, admitting that the line of control between India and Pakistan should be viewed as the international border so as to bury the “Kashmir issue” forever and increasing entry visas for Indians that has since contributed to the emergence of a sizeable community of Indian Americans.

The Clinton visit occurred against the backdrop of a new assessment within the American strategic community of India’s potential role in the post-Cold War era and against the backdrop of the rise of China.

Condoleezza Rice reflected this new thinking in an important essay in the influential journal Foreign Affairs (January-February 2000) in which she suggested that the rise of democratic India would be in the interests of the US and so the latter ought to be supportive of the former.

The rise of China and of radical Islam and jihadi terrorism provided the geopolitical context, the growth of an increasingly open Indian economy provided the economic context. Influenced by this new thinking, President George Bush took the next steps in strategic partnership and led the initiative to promote cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy that also explicitly recognised India as a nuclear weapons power. As heads of state, Clinton and Bush altered US-India bilateral relations in a fundamental way.

President Barack Obama was the only US President to visit India twice during his tenure but his first visit only helped to make up for his earlier missteps — of not voting in favour of the US-India civil nuclear power agreement in the US Congress and then naming Richard Holbrooke as an emissary to sort out the “Kashmir issue”. His second visit was more a recognition of the growing importance of people-to-people (P2P) relations and aimed at pro-

TO HIDE THE LACK OF SUBSTANCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP THE TRUMP VISIT WILL FOCUS ON HYPE AND PRIME MINISTER MODI HAS PERFECTED THE ART OF DIPLOMACY AS MASS ENTERTAINMENT moting defence sales to India in the hope that the new “muscular” Indian leader, Prime Minister narendra Modi, would spend more money on defence purchases. During the nuclear deal negotiations, US Congresspersons would often suggest that it was a “123 for 126” deal — that is, they would vote in favour of the 123 agreement in Congress in the hope that India would buy 126 fighter jets from the US. That hope remains as yet unfulfilled, with the French getting the Rafale deal and no decision taken on the purchase of US fighter jets.

While Obama finally came around to sticking to the Bush template, the credit for laying the foundation for a new and supportive post-Cold War relationship between the US and India goes singularly to President Bush. The mutually beneficial framework that Bush helped create to promote the bilateral relationship has been rudely disrupted by the arrival of Donald Trump in Washington DC and the turn towards aggressive Hindu majoritarianism in India.

Trump’s “America First” policy offers no space for offering India “special and differential” treatment on any front, least of all trade. With per capita annual national income of US $60,000, Trump’s America has no qualms declaring India, with a per capita annual average national income of US $2,000 a “developed economy” not deserving of any leniency in trade policy. To club China, a $15-trillion economy, with a $3trillion India on the trade front is not just stupid but an affront to Indian sensibilities. On the other hand, such backhanded compliments are a consequence of the premature celebration of India’s rise by a self-congratulatory elite.

It has to be recognised that neither Democratic lib-

Raj Suneja holding a photograph of her father, Amolak Ram Kapur.

owner. As I perused the pages of history, Suneja smiled as the inheritor of her father’s legacy.

“I think the Partition broke him—physically, emotionally, even professionally. It took a few months before the east Punjab high court was established in Shimla, and we could return to a life of normalcy. eventually, my father was appointed president of the Bar Association of the Punjab and Haryana high court. But even in those first few years of beginning again, we tried to hold no malice for all that happened. Lahore had now long been left behind. But if we lost our homes, then so did people on the other side; and if we were witness to communal violence, then so were they. The pain of Partition is shared amongst the people of India and Pakistan, and though we constantly remember the madness and bloodshed, we often forget or ignore the courageous acts of kindness and friendship that also occurred.

“My father was so touched upon receiving the boxes of our belongings that he wrote a letter of gratitude to his friend, Mian Mahmud Ali Kasuri,” she says. In his memoir, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri recalls his father reading the letter out loud to the family. “Aap kay liyee dil se dua nikaltee hai, I pray for you from the bottom of my heart,” read the contents of the note. It was truly a friendship that survived the divide and has sustained for generations.

Aanchal Malhotra is an oral historian and author of Remnants Of A Separation: A History Of The Partition Through Material Memory.

erals nor Republican conservatives are any longer willing to be supportive of the Bush-Rice paradigm that views India’s rise in benign and mutually beneficial terms. The bipartisan consensus in the US on relations with India cuts both ways. It covers both the positives and the negatives in the relationship. Today the relationship seems caught in the pincers between the inward-orientation of rightwing nationalists in both nations. There is no reason as yet to believe that this unfortunate state of affairs will be altered by the Trump visit next week.

Trump has also moved away from the ClintonBush framework on India-Pakistan relations and moved closer to Obama’s initial approach of wanting to insert the US into the equation on Kashmir.

Trump’s motives are no different from those that initially drove Obama — namely, to appease Pakistan in the hope of securing a peaceful exit from Afghanistan. expect differences to persist. At best, India can hope to limit the damage Trump may do to strategic stability in the region.

There will be much talk about US investments in India and increased visas for Indians going to the US. Both are driven largely by US corporate interests.

Given the direction of the Modi government’s trade policy, one cannot expect any dramatic concessions being made. The best India can do for the US is to buy more defence equipment and ease up on some trade restrictions. Defence sales to India are an essentially commercial activity and much of it can go on even in the absence of strategic convergence and shared geopolitical perspectives. The US has often armed both sides in a conflict, interested only in selling arms, not resolving disputes.

Much is made of Indian Americans heading US multinationals and the Great Indian Diaspora in the US, and many of them get paraded around by politicians on such occasions but the fact is that they constitute a “brain drain” out of India, perhaps as big as the “drain of wealth” out of colonial India and into imperial Britain that Dadabhai naoroji wrote about in the 19th century. The continued neglect of education in India is increasing the outmigration of talent, offering the US a reservoir of talent. While the Indian elite celebrate this out-migration, the fact is that it is a drain on national resources.

In sum, therefore, with the supportive Bush-Rice doctrine defining the post-Cold War US-India partnership virtually abandoned, and the new Trump doctrine treating India as a “developed” economy, demanding parity on trade, bilateral relations have become uncertain and testy. To hide the lack of substance in the relationship the Trump visit will focus on hype and Prime Minister Modi has perfected the art of diplomacy as mass entertainment.

The writer is a policy analyst and former media advisor to prime minister of India.

Finally, gender parity in the indian army By reinforcing the principle of equality, the Supreme Court delivers justice Hindustan times In a landmark order, the Supreme Court has upheld the right of short service commissioned (SSC) women officers to be entitled to permanent commission in the Indian Army. It also said that there could not be an absolute bar for considering women officers for command positions. This was in response to the government’s petition challenging a Delhi High Court order of 2010 to grant permanent commission to women officers at par with their male counterparts.

The SC’s verdict is welcome. For one, it upholds the right to equality in the Constitution — for the spirit of the order is the principle of non-discrimination.

Gender cannot serve as the basis for inequitable and unequal treatment in any sphere, including in defence forces.

Two, the SC has categorically rejected the arguments of the Centre — which was based on physiological limitations of women and prevailing social norms, including family obligations — and made it clear that casting aspersions on their ability was an insult to both women and the Indian Army. Three, it has very explicitly opened the doors for women in command positions, thus ensuring they will have a role in decision-making in due course of time.

It is now time for the government to implement the order both in letter and in spirit. This will involve changing mind sets internally, for male officers continue to see women as best suited for adjunct roles and not as equals. The decision will encourage more women to think of a career in the military. This may begin a process of correcting the gender imbalance in India’s forces.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

FOREIGN NEWS 07

Trump, Turkey call for russia To sTop backing syrian 'aTrociTies' WASHINGTON

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AGENCIES

RESIdENT donald Trump has called for Russia to end its support for the Syrian regime’s “atrocities” as he expressed US concern over violence in the Idlib region, the White House said Sunday.

Turkey’s foreign minister also pressed his Russian counterpart over the attacks by damascus on the last rebel-held bastion in the country.

Backed by Russian air power, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made fresh gains Sunday as he intensified his assault on the holdout northwestern province of Idlib. In a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump “expressed concern over the violence in Idlib, Syria and… conveyed the United States’ desire to see an end to Russia’s support for the Assad regime’s atrocities.”

Turkey has 12 observation posts in Idlib as part of a 2018 deal reached between Ankara and Moscow to prevent a regime offensive, but Syrian regime forces have pressed ahead regardless.

Four of the Turkish posts are believed to be encircled by Syrian forces, and Ankara has threatened to attack damascus if they do not retreat by the end of February.

“I stressed that the attacks in Idlib must stop and it was necessary to establish a lasting ceasefire that would not be violated,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists at the Munich Security Conference, after he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Rebel supporter Turkey and dam-

ascus ally Russia have worked closely on Syria in recent years despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year conflict.

A Turkish delegation will head to Moscow on Monday, after Russian officials visited Ankara last weekend but failed to reach a concrete deal.

War monitor the Syrian Observa-

tory for Human Rights on Sunday said regime forces “were in control of all the villages and small towns around Aleppo for the first time since 2012.”

Regime forces have for weeks been making gains in northwestern Syria and chipping away at territory held by jihadists and allied rebels, focusing their latest operations on the west of Aleppo province.

The Russian-backed offensive has triggered the largest wave of displacement in Syria’s civil war, with 800,000 people fleeing since it began in december, the United Nations has said.

Backed by Russia, Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, Assad’s forces now control more than 70 percent of Syria and the president has repeatedly vowed to retake the entire country.

In the Saturday phone call with Erdogan, Trump also “reiterated that continued foreign interference in Libya would only serve to worsen the situation.” Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival administrations vying for power.

States including Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt support strongman Khalifa Haftar, while the UN-recognized Government of National Accord is backed by Turkey and Qatar.

Indonesian military to blame for 2014 Papua killings, says rights commission JAKARTA AGENCIES

Indonesia’s military shot dead four students in the country’s restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out “gross human rights violations”, a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.

Komnas HAM issued its findings five years after the high-school students were gunned down in Paniai, a central area of insurgency-wracked Papua province, which shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea.

“This incident constitutes crimes against humanity,” the commission’s chief investigator Muhammad Choirul Anam told AFP in a statement Monday.

The military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Komnas HAM said it had forwarded its dossier on the unrest to the country’s attorney general for possible prosecution.

The probe was hampered by long delays due to attempts by unnamed in-

dividuals to hide evidence, the human rights commission said.

TORTURE: Rank-and-file soldiers and their superiors should shoulder the blame for the deaths of the students, aged 17 and 18, as well as “torturing” another 21 demonstrating Papuans, it said, without elaborating.

The protests were sparked by the alleged beatings of other Papuan youths by the army. Security forces eventually opened fire on a crowd after demonstrators threw stones at a military office.

The commission interviewed two dozen witnesses, analysed documents and visited the scene to determine whether the military was involved in the deaths. So far no-one has been charged. Indonesia’s military has been accused of committing atrocities against Papuan civilians during a decades-long rebel movement aimed at gaining independence for the province.

The Southeast Asian nation took control of mineral-rich Papua in the 1960s following a vote to stay within

the archipelago that was widely viewed as rigged.

Papua has seen several spasms of deadly violence in recent months, including unrest partly linked to a

fresh push for independence and ethnic tensions. Ethnically Melanesian, most Papuans are Christians who have few cultural links to Muslim-majority Indonesia.

Quake hits near iranian island, no casualties DUBAI: A magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit near southern Iran’s Qeshm island in the Gulf on Sunday, the official IRNA news agency reported, but a local official said there were no reports of casualties and only minor damage. “So far, there has been no loss of life reported,” the governor of Qeshm, Alireza Nasri, told IRNA. “The damage to buildings has been at the level of cracks in walls.” The United States Geological Survey gave the magnitude of the quake as 5.5. Qeshm island lies close to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

german far right arrests reveal 'shocking' mosque attack plan BERLIN: Members of a German extremeright group arrested last week were believed to have been plotting “shocking” large-scale attacks on mosques similar to the ones carried out in New Zealand last year, the government said on Monday. Officials said that investigations into 12 men detained in police raids across Germany on Friday had indicated they planned major attacks, following media reports over the weekend the group aimed to launch several simultaneous mass-casualty assaults on Muslims during prayers. “It’s shocking what has been revealed here, that there are cells here that appear to have become radicalised in such a short space of time,” interior ministry spokesman Bjoern Gruenewaelder told reporters at a Berlin press conference. “It is the task of the state, and of course of this government, to protect free practice of religion in this country, with no reference to what religion it might be,” Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said. “Anyone practising their religion in Germany within our legal order should be able to do so without being endangered or threatened”.

SUSPENDED POLICEMAN: According to media reports, the group planned to use semi-automatic weapons to copy last March’s attacks in Christchurch in New Zealand in which 51 people were killed at two mosques. Investigators learned about the plot from someone who had infiltrated the group, the reports said. AGENCIES

EU in ‘frank’ talks with Balkan nations seeking membership ZAGREB AGENCIES

European Council president Charles Michel on Sunday met with leaders of the six Western Balkan nations seeking to join the EU, for ‘frank’ talks ahead of a key summit in Zagreb in May. The EU is struggling to maintain credibility in the Balkans after it broke promises to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia last October, leading to another postponement despite major reforms on their part.

“I look forward to a frank, intense and open discussion,” Michel said before the meeting began. While most member states were ready to open the negotiations, France has led a small group that vetoed the move, while Germany has led efforts to get the accession process back on track..

“We are going to work today and tomorrow for the next European Council (summit) to open the door to the European perspective of the Balkan countries,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on

Sunday. He attended the informal talks as did EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic of Croatia, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

Next month the European Commission is due to publish an individual report for each of the six Western Balkan candidate countries — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Serbia. “It’s about engaging in a political dialogue at the highest level” with the Balkan nations “and to understand their expectations, before the summit in Zagreb” on May 17, a European official said.

STORMY WEATHER: What is set to emerge is a more rigorous route to membership, as sought by France.

The EU Commission has already submitted a plan along those lines, but it must still receive unanimous support from the existing 27 European Union member states.

“We have revised our methodology and the methodology in its revised form

should create and regain trust in all sides in this process because it’s accelerating the structural reforms,” von der Leyen said. “On the other hand it’s creating a credible perspective for the Western Balkans to join, over time, the EU. We want also to pave the way for Albania and North Macedonia to start the accession talks with EU if possible for before the Zagreb summit,” she added.

Under the new proposals, the EU accession process would focus on “fundamental reforms” first, and create an option for membership talks to be “put on hold in certain areas… or suspended overall.”

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, attending the Brussels meeting, declared himself “very interested to see and discuss the new methodology, see if it can come out as a platform of common understanding with the member states”.

Stormy conditions on Sunday made it difficult for planes flying in and out of Belgium and other European countries.

“We landed with some difficulties, so

it’s a kind of signal that the landing for us will not be easy,” quipped Rama.

He wasn’t the only Balkans leader making the connection.

“We had a landing on our fourth attempt… and I made a comparison to

our attempt to start the accession talks,” said North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Nikola dimitrov. Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are already official EU candidate nations, along with Turkey.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

08 COMMENT

The new national pastime

UN Secretary General Call for mediation on Kashmir rejected

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NITed Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres made an offer of mediation between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, but India rejected that offer. he also called on both sides to de-escalate both militarily and verbally. Secretary General Guterres broke no new ground in his offer, his visit to the region drew attention to the threat posed to world peace by any confrontation between these two nuclear-armed neighbours, and showed that the real problem was the failure to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

The two countries came close to war early last year, after the Pulwama incident. After that gave the BJP, and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi an election victory, the repeal of Kashmir’s special status (and the permission to non-Kashmiris to buy property there) kept the world worried. It also gave Mr Guterres more to do, because apart from the longstanding Indo-Pakistan dispute, which remained on the UN Security Council agenda since 1948, the humanitarian situation in Kashmir also became a matter of pressing concern after the August 5 lockdown.

That would be behind the UNSC meetings on Kashmir.

Both Indian actions, taken together, have the world worried. That is behind Mr Guterres’ visit, as well as the interest he is showing in the issue, which is more than that of his recent predecessors.

So far, the Indian actions have not caused any changes of heart in the countries of the world. however, events like Mr Guterres’ visit are an indication that there is some movement towards recognising that the toxic hindutva ideology of the BJP and its cohort, which is being implemented so religiously by Mr Modi, endangers not just the human rights of millions, as it is doing in Kashmir, and as it is doing with the Citizenship Amendment Act all over India but initially in the Northeast, but the peace of the world and the survival of the planet. That is a more immediate problem than climate change, which Mr Guterres also addressed, and which affects Pakistan more deeply than other countries. But the way India is going, there might not be a Pakistan left, whose climate would cause concern.

Letter from the AIC Government still has time to review its new digital media laws

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here has already been significant and justified outrage over the PTI government’s attempt to regulate social media through a ridiculous set of rules that digital companies such as Google, Facebook and YouTube will have to comply with in order to continue their operations in the country. Yesterday the Asian Internet Coalition (AIC), which includes all major companies that the rules would apply to, has issued a scathing rebuke of the government’s latest attempt to control the flow of information by restricting negative stories and analyses against itself. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Law Minister Farogh Naseem and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman retired Maj Gen Amir Azeem Bajwa, the AIC has clearly stated that it would become near impossible for digital companies to continue providing their services in the country if the new “sweeping set of rules” are implemented. It correctly states that unless revoked “these rules would severely cripple the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy”.

It is clear that not much thought or debate has gone into the formulation of this policy because in its current form, no digital company worth its salt will even consider, much less adhere to the laws on Pakistan’s direction, forcing them to close shop or be shut down by the PTA for noncompliance. This much has also been said in the AIC letter indicating that for them there are leaving Pakistan other lucrative markets would be a very easy decision. There are some worrisome contradictions as well. On one hand PM Imran Khan, in his meetings with various digital media company owners at different forums since he has been in office, has said that Pakistan is open for business while on the other he has greenlit a censorship law so draconian in nature that no digital company in its right mind would even look towards Pakistan as an investment opportunity. Unable to process criticism now that he is in government rather than the opposition; instead of developing a thicker skin, Prime Minister Imran Khan is exercising a dangerous and cowardly form of censorship at the expense of Article 19 of the constitution, the progress of Pakistan as a developing nation and its image of being a democratic state. One hopes the PT government takes time to review and amend the rules to make them more rational and implementable.

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Political correctness gone overboard

haSaN aFTaB SaEED

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AKING offence is the new national pastime. And desi liberals are every bit as nauseating as fundamentalists in this respect. In fact, the more one looks at the two groups, the more one sees similarities between them. Both take everything under the sun purely in the context of their respective religions, the religion of the liberal being political correctness taken to ridiculous levels. It seems that there’s nothing that one can say or do any more without offending anybody.

Political correctness taken to this extreme is a medical condition, which started in the West.

A parody of that was recently doing the rounds on the social media in which a group of friends asks a random guy to take their photograph. The poor man obliges, but when he says ‘cheese’, one woman takes exception to it on the ‘grounds’ that she is Vegan. The guy, who appears to be the jovial kind, is reduced to tearing his hair out when one by one each member of the group objects to anything suggested as the cue for a smile.

Finally, he decides that enough is enough, takes the photo, tosses the camera back in the general direction of the group and runs for dear sanity.

Unfortunately, this malady is somewhat unavoidable for us too. Considering our culturally downstream location, any silliness that the West succumbs to is almost certain to afflict us too

(sadly the same cannot be said about the saner developments of the Western civilization). Add our indigenous hang-ups and one is left staring at a bleak picture.

The wedding of teenagers Nimra and Asad was quite the rage some days ago all over social media. It was celebrated by the more religiously minded as the proper thing to do (as opposed to a clandestine affair) and therefore something to be emulated. The liberals loved it too, as they thought that the whole thing was rather cute.

Well, there’s no law against believing something to be good for one’s religion or for considering something cute. Of course, there’s article 19 of the Constitution too, ensuring freedom of expression subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law and all that sort of thing.

So far so good. But freedom of speech is a double-edged sword. There will always be those who don’t agree with one another on any given issue. And they are equipped with article 19 as well. So it is that not everybody thought marrying young was particularly beneficial, or cute for that matter. Predictably, the most common response to any comments that couldn’t exactly be categorized as unqualified endorsement was ‘Their life, their choice’, which is quite true, provided one recognizes, by the same token, the right of the objectors to express their opinions as well. Unless of course somebody is looking forward only to positive feedback and isn’t interested in a debate at all.

The author of these lines is one of those who failed to live up to the exacting standards of correct behavior on the part of some. Being married, he naturally wishes all men to get married as soon as humanly possible, so far be it from him to criticize a couple in love to have tied the knot or the age when they decided to do so. he merely expressed his concern for the physical wellbeing of the groom, who looked rather frail in the photographs. Of course, what he had in mind (though he didn’t say so explicitly) was the immense levels of physical strength and energy needed to balance a baby on one arm and juggling diapers and formula milk on the other. Much to his horror however, post after post rebuked him for being insensitive, followed by comprehensive lectures

on the absence of correlation between physical appearance and sexual prowess – something the author neither implied, nor entertained in the remotest regions of his consciousness. Considering the nation’s obsession with sex, it’s a safe bet that hakeem Suleimans of the country aren’t going out of business any time soon. But I digress.

The author is all for privacy and people’s right to live their lives however they see fit. But the Nimra-Asad wedding was anything but a private affair, where one could be accused of discussing somebody’s private life in public. The couple is obviously relishing all the limelight it is getting, giving interviews left right and center, enjoying their status as some sort of trend-setters; so the talk about privacy is neither here nor there.

And finally, there’s the small matter of tastes.

On another forum, the author was guilty of inadvertently fomenting a medium-sized riot by suggesting that the bridegroom’s decision of wearing formal shoes without socks wasn’t quite in good taste. he was informed by various people (in ascending order) that 1) socks were overrated; 2) that it was none of his business; 3) that the trends had changed while he was in the cave; 4) that he was an ignoramus for being unaware of the concepts of ankle- and toe-socks; 5) that he was jealous of the bridegroom (this one particularly tickled his funny bone), and 6) that he was a shameless bigot – responses from people obviously preoccupied with political correctness and blissfully oblivious to matters of tastes and judgment.

It’s a common error to categorize things merely as right or wrong, legitimate or illegitimate, and constitutional or extra-constitutional.

Things can also be in good or bad taste. Wearing formal shoes on your wedding day with socks nowhere in sight is manifestly in bad taste. dipping biscuits in tea is in bad taste. Trying to scoop out a broken biscuit with the help of another biscuit is in even worse taste. Men wearing dopattas (on mehndis or otherwise) is in bad taste. And while we are at it, can we, as a nation, try and grow a sense of humour?

Hasan Aftab Saeed is a connoisseur of music, literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed

Corpses of canaries

reared its head in Mardan ‘Naya KP’, remains unresolved. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of the incident and in a rare show of solidarity the KP Police sought expertise of Punjab Forensic Lab. however, the most harrowing response was by none other than the chairman PTI Imran Khan. When asked about the response and els thought of us. It may or may not drain all the progress made by KP government about the empty optimism from our existences but it sure Asma case, Khan Sahab, showing an excellent does ring true right now. The misanthrope is jus- example of ad homine and attacked the organitified to condemn mankind in entirety for the bad zation the reporter hailed from and reiterated his ones among us commit horrendous deeds while conviction to put his employee behind bars.

Canaries are small, colorful cousins of sparthe good ones remain indifferent.

Our piety doesn’t allow us to teach our kids rows who are famous for singing melodiously. In when to reach out for help. We shy away from the tough old days the miners used to carry them in tunnels as their death telling them when they are served as a warning sign of being touched inappropripresence of lethal gases in ately. We shield them, feed them, provide them with Our piety doesn’t allow us mines. The death of these little birds ensured the toys, educate them, and to teach our kids when to lives of many. place our head inside sand the aftermath of reand pray that they be safe reach out for help. We shy centInevents, I trust you to from the predators. figure out who amongst us There is no place for away from telling them is the deadly coal mine, certain forbidden words, when they are being who are the clever miners damned and banished, in our scheme of things betouched inappropriately. We and is there anything we can do to save the many cacause they clash with shield them, feed them, naries in the future. every belief we hold in And please, dearest reverence. provide them with toys, sirs and ma’ams, don’t use ‘Sex education’ falls the words like ‘darindain that category. In our uneducate them, and place or equate these murabashed and wholesome our head inside sand and sift’ derous rapists with beasts hatred of all things west, except for cars, films, pray that they be safe from and animals. Let us never forget what dostoevsky, iPhones, F-16s, massive the predators the russian novelist and loans, no-strings attached foremost knower of human aid and citizenship, the psychology had to say very topic of sex education about the savage side of has been relegated to the cupboard of Taboos and placed right next to human nature. ‘People talk sometimes of a bestial things it aims to deter i.e. harassment, sexual as- cruelty, but that’s a great injustice and insult to the beasts; a beast can never be as cruel as a man, sault and physical abuse.

The deeper malice of backwardness coupled so artistically cruel. The tiger only tears and with a society in perpetual state of transition, gnaws, that’s all he can do. he would never think fluctuating between confusion and resentment, of nailing people by the ears, even if he were able gripes for anything that offers even an iota of to do it’.

Our canaries will keep on perishing until we hope or retribution.

Take for example the case of Zainab. reac- don’t prepare them to scream when someone tive as it may, the Punjab government and police tries to strangle them. Till then, we will be buryimmediately jolted into action. The dNA tests of ing their corpses. more than thousand individuals, the speedy inShah Nawaz Mohal is a law graduate and vestigation, and the media frenzy ultimately led to the capture of the suspect. But the Asma Mur- journalist based in Islamabad. He can be reached der Case, an incident of equal hideousness that at mshahnawazmohal@gmail.com.

Revisiting stifled, bruised and precarious lives of our children

Shah Nawaz Mohal

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eT us revisit what happened two years back. It created a lot of media attention.

The public at large was scared. The parents were afraid of what lies in store for their young kids. The society was questioning everything it stood for. The mass hysteria was all pervasive.

Some were three years old, some were four, others seven or twelve or older. They all had one thing in common: a similar fate. They were physically and sexually abused before being cruelly murdered. This is the pall of fear that has wrapped itself around our children. From Mardan to Kasur and beyond, we’ve been burying our innocent canaries. And the only thing that gets our attention is an exceptional amount of noise. It is noise, unceasing noise, deafening noise that wakes us up.

Once awake, we feel depressed and nauseated. The despair settles in. Some shed tears, others show solidarity. All of us air grievances. We condemn politicians, we abuse police, and we forcefully demand that the culprit be publicly hanged. The frenzy, slowly and steadily, fizzles out. The Zainabs and Asmas get busy playing in the elysian Fields. We get back to living our lives as the ‘most pernicious race of little odious Vermin that Nature ever suffered to crawl upon the Surface of the earth.’ We are the beings that the King from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s TravKarachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

COMMENT 09 Editor’s mail

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Favoritism in Sindh University

CSS 2020 Falling English testing standards aNwar ali

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edIOCrITY beckons mediocrity. Ask mediocre questions, receive mediocre answers, select mediocre candidates, and engrave mediocrity on the system – the odious concatenation that the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has been trying to inflict upon Pakistan.

On February 12, with the subject of english, the FPSC initiated the yearly written examination of the candidates yearning for joining the Central Superior Services (CSS) of Pakistan. The first two papers – english essay, and english precis and composition – laid bare the quality standards the FPSC had set for this year. except one or two topics or questions, both papers offered a glimpse of the papers of 8th class.

The essay paper opened its door with a hackneyed topic, “do we really need literature in our lives?” The rest of the essay topics followed suit: Agents of change, the Kashmir cause, democracy in Pakistan, the foreign policy, informal economy, promotion of tourism, freedom of speech, digital revolution, and IMF bailout package. These were oft repeated topics the notes on which have been now travelling from one generation to the next.

In a paper of english essay, the major objective to test the quality of knowledge of a CSS candidate is by fathoming a candidate’s exposition and analytical ability. Attached to the ability is the faculty of originality sprouting from creativity, though the rest of the factors such as the organization of thought and relevance to the topic are also significant.

There are three aspects that perpetrate the cruelty of the trite topics of the english essay paper of CSS 2020. First, these topics test candidates’ ability of regurgitating the knowledge imbibed through parroting. That is, candidates memorize the whole chunk of be-spoken essays including the embedded analyses leaving no room for originality or creativity. The answer sheet dupes the examiner: mediocrity dissimulates brilliance. Second, the topics plummet the quality bar and become a model essay pattern for the next year to follow. That is, such an exam paper encourages mediocrity amongst the prospective candidates throughout the year.

Third, the topics inflict an injustice on brilliant and studious candidates, the candidates who worked hard throughout the year to shine in the examination. A prosaic paper such as the current one acts as an invidious equalizer. That is, the paper brings mediocre, pedestrian candidates on a par with bright, erudite candidates. Whereas the former celebrate their fluke, the latter repent the hours spent in learning originality and analysis.

In a paper of english precis and composition, the major objective is to test the linguistic understanding of a candidate. To meet the objective, paragraphs as a precis and comprehension are given, correct sentence structuring is asked, idioms and pairs of confusing words are used, besides using other testing measures.

The tyranny that the paper of english precis and composition of CSS 2020 executed is seven in numbers. First, the precis given to test linguistic understanding focused only on the vo-

cabulary part and not on the complexity of check multiple errors in a given sentence.

Fourth, only four sentence were given to thought. That is, the precis given was meant for examining CSS candidates’ familiarity with vo- punctuate the text. The task was where to put a cabulary only. The precis was on the topic of full stop and comma; which letters to capitalize; Saadat hasan Manto – Manto, a misunderstood and where from remove the semi-colon. To everyone’s dismay, a kid writer or Manto, a veiled of class five can punctugenius. The precis was ate the sentences. short of examining candiFifth, out of eight dates’ ability to underIn a paper of English essay, sentences carrying stand a complex thought the major objective to test spaces, CSS candidates couched in multiple had to fill in the blanks in words to simplify it one the quality of knowledge of only five sentences with third. Against the princiappropriate prepositions. ple that a complex mind is a CSS candidate is by A CSS candidate is supcapable of understanding fathoming a candidate’s posed to fill in all the a presentation of complex blanks. Nevertheless, the ideas and facts, the precis exposition and analytical asked prepositions for was for simple minds. ability. Attached to the verbs were these: anThe precis tested overnoyed (at); bound (for); whelmingly the simplicity ability is the faculty of went (off); kept (on); of mind.

Second, the topic of originality sprouting from knocked (down); meddle (in); put (off); and english comprehension creativity, though the rest of rounded (off). was globalization, another Sixth, out of eight idworn out topic. CSS canthe factors such as the ioms, CSS candidates didates of the last cateorganization of thought and had to attempt only five. gory begin their The level of idioms preparatory journey from relevance to the topic are asked was dismally low such a topic. Below a and the selection was small paragraph on globalso significant stale. The asked idioms alization, the questions were these: to break the asked were these: define ice; nip in the bud; see globalization; what is eye to eye with; for good; electronic mass communication; what does the term Third World de- tamper with; the small hours; keep up appearnote; what is privatization; and explain ances; and prima facie.

Seventh, five sentence in Urdu was given ‘liberalism’ in the above context. There was nothing special in this exercise to test the eng- to be translated into english. None of the senlish-comprehension faculty of CSS candidates. tence did carry any idiomatic expression to even students of O level can comprehend the throw down a linguistic proficiency challenge to CSS candidates. topic and answer the questions asked.

In short, both papers of english offered a Third, out of eight incorrect sentences, CSS candidates had to correct only five. A CSS can- cakewalk to CSS candidates, favouring the didate is supposed to correct all the given incor- mediocre ones. The level of expertise tested was rect sentences. Further, it was already known class eight. By offering such an absurdly easy that all the eight sentences were incorrect. That task, the FPSC has being trying to cream off the is, it was not tested whether or not a candidate best candidates suitable for joining the execucould identify a sentence having any anomaly. tive branch of the country. Both papers offer a Moreover, almost all sentences were carrying reason to understand why mediocrity is ruling one error. That is, a candidate had to correct over the administrative affairs of Pakistan. only one grammatical error per sentence. No efAnwar Ali is a freelance columnist fort was made to test CSS candidates’ ability to

IN Islam, teaching is considered a prophetic profession because all prophets gave us the message of peace, love, justice, equality, and kindness towards the oppressed, underprivileged, and penniless people. On the other hand, they strictly forbade us from nepotism, favoritism and cronyism.

Sindh University is one of the oldest universities of Pakistan. There are total fifty four departments and many are still under construction. Sindh University has given birth to many intellectuals: poets, novelists, CSS officers, lawyers, doctors, and engineers etc. In 2015 Sindh University was certified by ISO, an international organization of quality management system. In 2013, it ranked 8th in general category by heC. Today, Sindh university has lost it credibility of education. Teachers are not candid with their noble job. Many students are suffering from the favoritism of teachers who give more preference to those whom they know personally or those who have the same place of origin as they, while others are considered inferior. In semester exams, marks have been given on the basis of favoritism and nepotism. They give grace of marks to those who don’t even have knowledge worth three rupees, whereas industrious students end up with one or two marks short of a good grade. Some male teachers tend to give more marks to girls than they deserve even though they might not even be able to write a correct sentence. I am not trying to seem prejudiced in any sense, but I just don’t feel the marking is standardized and regulated enough. I find these sorts of scenarios depressing and it makes me lose faith in the system.

I request the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Sindh University through your esteemed newspaper to look into this matter. If this practice has been continued in university students faith in education would fly off soon and their future will be ultimately destroyed. It is said that if you want to wipe out any country you have to collapse its education system. But sadly in Pakistan teachers themselves are contributing to its collapse through favoritism.

ANoNyMouS university of Sindh, Jamshoro

Did we really deserve freedom?

SeVeNTY-ONe years have passed since we got freedom from the British colonial masters. We all remember the atrocities committed by them, like the Jallianwala bagh massacre, to suppress the freedom movement, but hardly anyone ever remembers or mentions the network of canals as well as railway system set up by them. This is just because no matter how much social or welfare work they did, they were still the intruders. Unfortunately, although we got freedom in 1947, those who assumed power could not even match the fraction of the development done by the usurper. We even failed to maintain the projects completed by the British. For example, canals are in shambles and at many places have become garbage dumps. Similarly, we did not extend the railway network by an inch, and rather ended up shrinking it.

So much so that after such a long time, some people have started questioning that if we as a nation were even ready for freedom. It is right time that our government stop the blame game and cursing the past rulers and take solid steps for betterment of people.

RAJA SHAfAAtullAH Islamabad

Economic Crisis of Pakistan The currency of Pakistan has been moving downward day by day due to the political instability and the misuse of resources by the public. especially, the imports are very high very high as compared to exports. Another problem behind the crisis is the increase in loans taken by Pakistan between 2001 to 2013 from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) by three times.

According to the estimate of 2018, total GdP (Gross domestic Product) is 45% and the total loan is 22.8 trillion rupees.

I appeal to the higher authorities to make the public aware about the limited usage of resources like energy, water and many more, and increase the opportunities for irrigation and build industries to keep our money inside the country.

MoINuddIN Karachi

Libraries needed in Quetta QUeTTA, the capital city of Balochistan, does not have a single library. It makes me weep to see that most students want to go Quetta in order to continue their education career further. Numerous Baloch students are studying at various academies for the preparation of different tests such as Medical, PCS, CSS, and NTS and they need a quiet place to read. Because they are deprived of a library, half of the students have to sit outside due to lack of place. It is good for those who have a seat and belong to wealthy people who can easily book a seat outside, but we are indignant that for us there is not any place. We are compelled to wait outside.

It is my humble request to the Government to kindly provide libraries for the students in Quetta. yAHAy IJAz KHoSA turbat

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

CoronAvirus Could dAmAge globAl growTH in 2020: imF NEW YORK

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AGENCIES

HE coronavirus epidemic could damage global economic growth this year, the IMF head said Sunday, but a sharp and rapid economic rebound could follow.

“There may be a cut that we are still hoping would be in the 0.1-0.2 percentage space,” the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, told the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai. She said the full impact of the spreading disease that has already killed more than 1,600 people would depend on how quickly it was contained.

“I advise everybody not to jump to premature conclusions. There is still a great deal of uncertainty. We operate with scenarios, not yet with projections, ask me in 10 days,” Georgieva said.

In its January update to the World Economic Outlook, the IMF lowered global economic growth forecast in 2020 by a 0.1 percentage point to 3.3 percent, following a 2.9 percent growth the previous year, the lowest in a decade.

Georgieva said it was “too early” to assess the full impact of the epi-

demic but acknowledged that it had already affected sectors such as tourism and transportation.

“It is too early to say because we don’t yet quite know what is the nature of this virus. We don’t know how quickly China will be able to contain it.

We don’t know whether it will spread

to the rest of the world,” she said.

If the disease is “contained rapidly, there can be a sharp drop and a very rapid rebound”, in what is known as the V-shaped impact, she said. Compared to the impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002, she said China’s

Japan suffers worst economic slump in five years TOKYO AGENCIES

Japan has suffered its worst quarterly GDP contraction in more than five years, with a tax hike and a deadly typhoon taking a toll on the world’s thirdlargest economy.

The nation’s gross domestic product in the three months to December shrank 1.6 percent from the previous quarter, even before the novel coronavirus outbreak in China hit Japan, according to official data published on Monday.

The quarter was marked by a rise in consumption tax from eight percent to 10 percent, as well as Typhoon Hagibis, which killed more than 100 people and caused widespread flooding.

Economists were braced for a contraction of around one percent but had not expected such a poor figure, with Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute, saying it was “quite an undershooting”.

“There was a hit from natural disasters but consumer sentiment was particularly weak after the tax hike despite government measures to ease the impact,” he told AFP. Monday’s data snapped four quarters of growth and was the biggest contraction since the second quarter of 2014 when the econ-

omy shrank 1.9 percent.

That quarter followed a hike in the sales tax from five percent to eight percent and the latest slump also appears to have been affected by a rise in consumption tax to 10 percent that came into effect on October 1.

Private consumption was hard hit, dropping by 2.9 percent — the first fall in five quarters.

Expenditure on factories and equipment decreased 3.7 percent despite investment getting a boost from cashless-payment systems that allow

consumers to alleviate the consumption tax hike.

BLEAK PROSPECTS: Economists are now carefully watching to see what impact the new virus will have on the world’s third-largest economy, as it hits Japanese companies’ manufacturing activities and tourism.

Japan has only a “bleak” prospect of returning to growth in the first quarter of this year, said Minami.

Private consumption would likely pick up from the October-December quarter but how much it will recover in

economy then made up just 8.0 per cent of global economy. Now, that figure is 19 percent.

She welcomed the trade agreement signed last month by the United States and China, the world’s first and second largest economies.

“About China, it has been slowing down naturally, transiting from what we can call high speed to high quality growth,” she said.

“And as a result of the reduction of trade tensions (after the agreement)… we actually have been predicting some improvement for 2020 in the projections for China.”

On the coronavirus, “they’re working very hard to contain the epidemic, they have brought 115 billion dollars equivalent liquidity so they can perk up the economy.”

But the world should be concerned “about sluggish growth” impacted by uncertainty, said the IMF chief.

“We are now stuck with low productivity growth, low economic growth, low interest rates and low inflation,” she told the Dubai forum, also attended by US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and former British prime minister Theresa May. the coming months would depend on the spread of the virus, he said.

“Also, exports might struggle as delays of parts shipments from China could disrupt supply chains,” he said.

He added it was “possible” that the economy will shrink for a second consecutive quarter, the technical definition of a recession.

Health minister Katsunobu Kato on Sunday urged the public to avoid crowds and “non-essential gatherings”, including Japan’s notoriously packed commuter trains, to prevent the virus from spreading.

However, Naoya Oshikubo, senior economist at SuMi Trust, predicted the new coronavirus outbreak would not impede recovery in the first quarter of 2020.

“External demand should continue to grow in Q1 2020 despite the outbreak of the coronavirus, which we forecast to have only a small impact on Japan’s inbound tourism industry, which constitutes only 0.8 percent of real GDP,” he said in a commentary ahead of the data release.

“Going forward, we should see positive growth in Q1 2020 and beyond.

Domestic consumption should recover as the impact of the higher consumption tax abates,” he said.

“In addition, with the Tokyo Olympics just a few months away, we will undoubtedly see a significant positive economic impact of the Games for the Japanese economy.”

Japan’s government is to allocate 15.3 billion yen ($139 million) to fight the economic impact of the virus, including measures to enhance airport inspections and testing capacity.

Trump threatens intelligence block over Huawei WASHINGTON: The United States’ ambassador to Germany said Sunday that President Donald Trump had threatened to cut off intelligence-sharing with countries that dealt with Chinese tech firm Huawei.

Washington has been pressing allies to ban Huawei, one of the world’s largest tech firms, from next-generation 5G mobile data networks, saying it is a security risk. Ambassador Richard Grenell said Trump “instructed me to make clear that any nation who chooses to use an untrustworthy 5G vendor will jeopardize our ability to share intelligence and information at the highest level.” Grenell said on Twitter that the president had called him on Sunday from Air Force One, the presidential plane, to convey the message. Key US allies in Europe, notably Britain and France, have said they will not ban Huawei from building 5G networks but will impose restrictions. Publicly, the US has been restrained in its response, but Trump was reportedly furious with London. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that Huawei was a “Trojan horse for Chinese intelligence.” The tech company vehemently denies the US allegations, and Beijing has characterized its treatment as “economic bullying.” AGENCIES

Armed gang steals toilet rolls in panic-buying HK HONG KONG: A gang of knife-wielding men jumped a delivery driver in Hong Kong and stole hundreds of toilet rolls, police said Monday, in a city wracked by shortages caused by coronavirus panic-buying. Toilet rolls have become hot property in the densely packed business hub, despite government assurances that supplies remain unaffected by the virus outbreak. Supermarkets have found themselves unable to restock quickly enough, leading to sometimes lengthy queues and shelves wiped clean within moments of opening. There has also been a run on staples such as rice and pasta, as well as hand sanitiser and other cleaning items. Police said a truck driver was held up early Monday by three men outside a supermarket in Mong Kok, a working-class district with a history of “triad” organised crime gangs. “A delivery man was threatened by three knife-wielding men who took toilet paper worth more than HK$1,000 ($130),” a police spokesman told AFP. A police source told AFP the missing rolls were later recovered and two suspects were arrested on scene although it was not clear if they were directly involved in the armed robbery. AGENCIES

UAE issues reactor licence for first nuclear power plant of Arab world DUBAI AGENCIES

The United Arab Emirates said on Monday that it has issued a licence for a reactor at its Barakah nuclear power plant, the first in the Arab world, hailing it as a “historic moment”.

The UAE has substantial energy reserves, but with a power-hungry population of 10 million it has made huge investments in developing alternative power sources including solar.

The Barakah plant, located on the Gulf coast west of Abu Dhabi, had been due to come online in late 2017 but faced a number of delays that officials attributed to safety and regulatory requirements.

But the national nuclear regulator has now approved the operating licence for the first of four reactors at the plant, said Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“This is a historic moment for the UAE, making it the first Arab country in the region to operate a nuclear power plant,” Kaabi told a press conference.

“This milestone was achieved due to the UAE’s vision and its leadership to build a peaceful nuclear energy programme to cater for the future needs of energy in the country.”

The plant is a regional first — Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has said it plans to build up to 16 nuclear reactors, but the project has yet to materi-

alise. Abu Dhabi authorities said in January that the plant would start operating within a few months. No new date was given on Monday but Kaabi indicated it would happen soon.

“The full operation of Barakah plant in the near future will contribute to the UAE’s efforts for development and sustainability,” he said, adding that the operator would “undertake a period of commissioning to prepare for commercial operation”. The plant is being built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation at a cost of some $24.4 billion. When fully operational, the four reactors have the capacity to generate 5,600 megawatts of electricity, around 25 per cent of the nation’s needs. The remaining three reactors are almost ready

for operation. The Barakah plant is situated on the Emirates coast, separated from Iran by the troubled Gulf waters. It is just 50 kilometres from the border of Saudi Arabia, and is closer to the Qatari capital Doha than it is to Abu Dhabi.

Amid a tense confrontation between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme, the UAE has said it

will not be developing an uranium enrichment programme or nuclear reprocessing technologies.

But relations between Iran and the UAE, a staunch US ally, have deteriorated as Washington pursues a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran and accuses it of attacking oil tankers in Gulf waters.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

BUSINESS 11

Punjab requests centre to ban onion, red chilli exPorts

CORPORATE CORNER

ISLAMABAD

t

SHAHZAD PARACHA

he Punjab government has requested the federal government to impose a ban on the export of onions and red chillies.

According to sources privy to this development, the Punjab government made this request keeping in view the possible shortage in the coming months.

Earlier, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had to face embarrassment in the wake of wheat and sugar shortage, following which a committee, under the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) director general, was now conducting an inquiry into the matter.

Sources said after receiving the Punjab government's request, the prime minister has instructed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to examine the matter and take necessary action within one week so that the situation could remain under control.

The PM Office has also asked the ministry

KARACHI: Crown Group has partnered with Total Parco Pakistan to introduce a new infusion of quality ‘Ultra Boost Multi-Grade Engine Oil’ which will be available across the country.

‘requesT has been made keeping in view possible shorTage in The coming monThs’ to create on a priority basis another post of 'additional secretary' in order to address the prevalent challenges.

It is pertinent to mention that the food ministry remained neglected for the last 10 years, especially after the devolution of agriculture matters to provinces. Currently, only one additional secretary was working in the ministry.

According to sources, in addition to more recruitments, the PM Office has further directed the ministry to establish a dedicated cell that could timely project future demand and supply situation of essential food commodities.

Meanwhile, sources said the PM Office has asked the Ministry of Interior as well as provincial governments to prepare a national action plan to address the challenges of food

shortage of reefer containers hampering horticulture exports: pfva

ISLAMABAD: A half marathon event was organized by ‘Islamabad Run with Us’ in association with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and supported by Adam Milk Foods.

australia to provide aud1.2m for Pakistan’s rural uplift

govT urged To Take noTice of jump in freighT charges ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

BUSINESS DESK The Economic Affairs Division and the Australian Center for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) signed on Monday a Memorandum of Subsidiary Agreement (MoSA) for expediting the rural transformation in the country. The agreement is part of ‘understanding the drivers of successful and inclusive rural regional transformation and sharing experiences and policy advice in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Pakistan.’ Economic Affairs Division acting Secretary Ahmad Hanif Orakzai and ACIAR Chief Executive Officer Prof Andrew Campbell signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Under the agreement, Australia will provide AUD1.2 million for a programme to be completed in three years till 2022. The objective of the programme is to understand the nature, divers and consequences of rural transformation in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Pakistan as rapid urbanization is exerting pressure on land, labour and other resources for higher productivity. Rural transformation is the process by which an agricultural system transforms over time from being subsistence to commercialized and market-oriented farming.

Many countries have reached different stages of rural transformation with varying speeds and outcomes of rural transformation. Shares of the population in rural areas remain high in China (43pc) and Indonesia (46pc) and even higher in Pakistan (61pc) and Bangladesh (65pc), while an average share for developing countries globally is 58pc. The project will examine the Chinese model of rural transformation and try to understand the nature of its success and lesions for countries with similar challenges.

The export of fruits and vegetables is encountering certain hitches owing to a shortage of reefer containers and an increase in freight charges by the shipping companies in the country, Pakistan Today has learnt.

The major reason behind the shortage of containers could be attributed to a reduction in the volume of import cargo followed by a noticeable downward trend in the imports from China, which is having a negative impact on Pakistani exports.

The All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA), in a letter addressed to Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday, took a plea that the shortage of specific containers had caused a delay in the dispatch of horticulture goods for export.

"As it is the peak export season for kinnow, potato and onion, the acute shortage of reefer containers could hamper their exports," the letter stated. The association said around 100 reefer containers are carrying kinnow, potato and onion for daily exports, and after suspension of garlic import from China, it is being reexported from Pakistan.

The PFVA said around 100 reefer containers are hardly available per day against the demand of 1,500 reefer containers per month.

It said the opportunity to export onion from Pakistan has further brightened after suspension of onion import from India, while kinnow

export has also hit peak now.

As garlic and other different fruits and vegetables are being exported, Pakistan is losing a unique opportunity to enhance its exports because of the shortage of reefer containers, the association further states in the letter.

It says the crisis of reefer containers stemming out of less import volume in the country has further deepened due to a reduction in the import of various products from China.

PFVA Chairman Waheed Ahmad is of the view that an increase in freight charges by the shipping companies has also multiplied the cost of export, narrowing further the thin profit margin. In the last two months or so, the shipping companies have increased freight charges extraordinarily and it’s difficult to grab the opportunities of enhancement in exports enhancement, he added. “Two months’ ago, the shipping companies were charging $1,200 per container as freight charges for Colombo and now it’s $1900 per container. Similarly, the freight charges for Malaysian port Klang have been increased from $900 to $1,600 per container, $1,700 to $2,400 for Chittagong, while freight charges for Dubai have been increased from $1,000 to $1,400,” Ahmad claimed.

Under the prevailing circumstances, he said, it has now become difficult to achieve the export target. Ahmad, who is also a leading exporter, says the PFVA appeals to the government to take immediate notice of the recent increase in freight charges by the shipping companies and negotiate with them to get an assurance to maintain freight charges to a reasonable level.

hbl to voluntarily close new york branch by march 31st KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI

The Habib Bank Limited (HBL) will no longer operate any branch in the United States and will complete the voluntary closure of its New York Branch

by March 31, 2020, in coordination with New York banking regulators.

In a notification sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, HBL further said, “We wish to thank State Bank of Pakistan, New York State Department of Financial Regulations and Federal Reserve Bank of New York for their consistent support and cooperation throughout the process of winding up and close New York Branch.”

In a separate statement, HBL emphasized that the bank had voluntarily agreed, in coordination with the regulators in New York, to conduct a systematic wind-down of the bank’s affairs in New York.

The bank also clarified that even though the ebank would no longer operate any branch in New York, the bank will continue to service its clients’ US Dollar banking requirements, in Pakistan and other countries where it operates, through its network of correspondent banks.

According to the HBL statement, the bank proactively initiated a business transformation programme

Terming The developmenT as ‘posiTive’, analysTs believe The closure will bring cerTainTy regarding The bank’s fuTure earnings

adulteration.

This plan would initially focus on five items: milk, pulses, spices, ghee/cooking oil and water.

The interior ministry has been asked to take corrective measures with specific timelines for effective implementation.

Moreover, sources said, the PM has also directed the Finance Division to convene a National Price Monitoring Committee to monitor the prices of essential items on a weekly basis.

Also, the PM Office has asked the Ministry of Science and Technology to help the Balochistan government upgrade its laboratories so that forensic tests could be conducted to ensure effective anti-adulteration campaign. The Balochistan chief secretary shall ensure submission of weekly reports relating to price, hoarding and adulteration.

Govt likely to appoint Farhan Shafi as PMDC managing director ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

Prime Minister Imran Khan would chair a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday (tomorrow) where he is likely to approve the appointment of Farhan Shafi as the managing director (MD) of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC). The position of PMDC MD was advertised in national newspapers on 15th September 2019. During the initial screening process, the PMDC Board of Directors found 43 candidates fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria. Thereafter, the BoD constituted two committees who interviewed and recommended 14 candidates for the final interview. The PMDC Board, in its 187th meeting, conducted interviews of the shortlisted candidates and recommended a panel of the five candidates, comprising Farhan Shafi, Faisal Bashir Gill, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh, Shahbaz Khan and Zahid Maqsood, to seek the concurrence of the federal government for appointment of one of them as CEO/MD. As per rule-5(2) of the Public Sector Companies (Corporate Governance) Rules 2013, as amended up to 2017, the board shall evaluate candidates based on fit and proper criteria and guidelines specified by the commission for appointment to the position of the chief executive and recommend at least three candidates to the federal government for its concurrence. According to documents, after receiving the nominations from the PMDC Board, the Petroleum Division evaluated the competence, expertise and relevant experience of each candidate and found them suitable for the post of MD/CEO. A summary in this regard was then moved for consideration and approval of the prime minister.

in early 2018, focused on its control and compliance processes and systems to further strengthen its adherence to international standards.

The bank also said it is following Wolfsberg principles. The Wolfsberg Group is an association of 13 global banks that developed financial industry standards for Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) policies. These are akin to, and in some cases stricter than, the policies devised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

As a reminder, the FATF met on Sunday to review Pakistan’s efforts against money laundering and terror financing. According to the bank, as part of the programme, HBL made substantial, and effective investments in management time and resources to further strengthen its AML and CFT protocols and functions. It also engaged the services of international experts to ensure that such functions were brought in line with international standards. The bank claims it has made significant progress on these fronts.

“For HBL, adhering to the international compliance standards and protocols is not just a one-off project but a sustained effort that governs the way we do business.”, the bank said.

The news has been met positively by analysts.

According to a report prepared by Arif Habib Ltd. (AHL), “This is material positive for the bank as this finally settles the dust over the threat of further punitive action from US regulators.”

The report also noted that the “long-overhanging stress” on the bank will finally end, as well as the operating expenses.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

12 BUSINESS Market Daily

stocks close flat in range-bound session KARACHI

circular debt reduced to rs12bn Per month, senate body told ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

It was a dull start to the trading week at Pakistan Stock Exchange, as the incides kept trading within a narrow range before closing flat. Investors preferred to stay on sidelines as they awaited the Financial Action Task Force's official decision regarding Pakistan. According to media reports, FATF has found Pakistan "fully compliant" on 14 of the 27-point action plan, showing the country "is making progress to comply with all its conditions". Starting the session at 40,251.26, the KSE-100 Index soon touched its intraday high at 40,521.69 after gathering 278.43 points. However, it failed to maintain the positive momentum and slipped to its intraday low at 40,047.93 (-195.33 points). The index finally settled flat (+33.67 points) at 40,276.93. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index declined by 344.13 points to end at 63,717.40, while the KSE All Share Index closed lower by 13.06 points at 28,002.69. Out of the total traded scrips, 122 advanced and 154 declined. The overall market volumes remained thin and were recorded at 99.97 million. Out of the traded shares, 77.58 million belonged to 100 index scrips. Unity Foods Limited (UNITY +5.74pc), D G Khan Cement Company Limited (DGKC -2.23pc) and Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL +0.94pc) topped the volume chart. The scrips had exchanged 16.26 million, 9.13 million and 7.91 million shares, respectively. Sectors that helped the index recover some ground included banking (+74.03 points), oil & gas marketing (+23.30 points) and technology (+9.16 points). Among the companies, Habib Bank Limited (HBL +108.14 points) turned out to be the top positive contributor to the index. On the market front, Engro Fertilizer Limited (EFERT -0.98pc) announced earnings per share of Rs13.90 for FY19 (Rs12.48 in FY18), while Byco Petroleum Pakistan Limited (BYCO +1.46pc) declared an EPS of Rs-0.12 for the second quarter of FY20 (Rs-0.06 in 2QFY20).

Meanwhile, Habib Bank Limited rejected a media report that claimed to have identified "a few weaknesses at HBL UAE branch in the year 2017". HBL maintained that the bank has transformed its control and compliance processes to ensure "they are in line with international standards".

'efforts underway to privatise hbs, balloki power plants by april mid' BUSINESS DESK: The 8th meeting of the Transaction Committee for the privatisation of the National Power Parks Management Company Limited (NPPMCL) was held in the federal capital on Monday to discuss further progress in the proposed privatisation of Haveli Bahadar Shah (HBS) and Balloki RLNG power plants.

Privatisation Minister cum Privatisation Commission Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Baber jointly chaired the meeting. The meeting discussed progress in relation to a range of matters in connection with the proposed privatization of Haveli Bahadar Shah and Balloki after 12 investors had been prequalified for the final bidding process. Soomro informed that the ministry was leaving no stone unturned to complete the privatization process of both power plants by mid of April this year. The prime minister was apprised regularly about the privatization process, he said, adding "we are in a liaison with the concerned ministries/divisions to resolve the issues so that the transactions could be completed within the stipulated time period in an organized manner." Speaking on the occasion, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar said the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum had been fully cooperating with the privatisation ministry to expedite the process.

t

STAFF REPORT

he Senate's Standing Committee on Power was informed on Monday that the country's circular debt had been decreased to around Rs12 billion per month from Rs34 billion.

The committee, which met with Senator Fida Muhammad in the chair, was briefed regarding budgetary allocations and its utilisation by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division).

The committee was told that an amount of Rs802 billion of the circular debt was parked with power holding companies. "Owing to timely measures, Rs134 billion was added to the circular debt in the current fiscal year. If [prudent] steps were not taken, it could have swelled to Rs300 billion."

Taking up the issue of budgetary allocation and utilisation, the committee was informed that the budget for the current fiscal year for development projects was Rs75 billion, whereas Rs226 billion was also allocated as power subsidy.

The committee directed that there must be uniformity in tariff rates through an in-built mechanism. The Senate panel was further informed that measures taken by Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) had helped curb the "hook culture", while Gwadar electricity projects were delayed for three months due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Taking up the matter of outstanding dues on account of energy purchase price and indexation of 81MW Malakand – III HPS and 18MW Pehur HPS, the committee stressed the need for PEDO payments to be at par with other parts of the country. “Levelised cost of energy must be calculated and presented to the committee in the next meeting,” the chairman maintained.

Regarding non-provision of electricity connections to the newly established industrial units in Gadoon Amazai Industrial Area, the committee was told that a network was being established to improve the situation due to which domestic

consumers had to face load shedding for eight hours on a regular basis.

The Senate body was assured that this work would be completed by summers and that there would be no complaints in the future. The committee took strong notice of electricity cuts in residential areas on Sundays.

Discussing the Thar Coal Project in Sindh, the committee was informed that permission from EPA Sindh on environmental impact was imperative for commencement of all projects.

It was informed that numerous measures were being taken to facilitate the local population in Thar. “A 250-bedded hospital has been established and 24 schools are operational in areas around the project. A branch of NED University has also been established in Mithi.”

The committee, taking notice of local displacements, directed the ministry that it would like to review the policy for displacements in these areas. Electricity supply to locals was stressed as well, as Thar’s total electricity con-

sumption stood around 1500 MW. It was asserted that as per policy, oil, gas and electricity must be provided to inhabitants of areas nearby to the project.

Committee Chairman Senator Fida Muhammad directed that the concerned officers from the Sindh government and other stakeholders must be summoned in the next meeting.

Discussing non-provision of electricity connections to the newly established industrial units in Dargai Industrial Estate, the committee was informed that the installation of additional 1x20/26 MVA power transformer and 132kV Grid Station Dargai has been approved during December 2018.

However, there was no space available for installation of the said transformer and the WAPDA (Hydel) chief engineer was requested for the provision of land in this regard.

The meeting was attended by Senators Nauman Wazir Khattak, Sitara Ayaz, Shibli Faraz, Nauman Wazir Khattak, Muhammad Akram and Gianchand.

increase in workers’ remittances bodes well for pakistan: moody’s KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI

An increase in worker’s remittances is a positive for Pakistani banks and borrowers, as it supports deposit flows and strengthens household finances, according to the credit rating agency Moody’s.

In a report published on Monday, the agency said that the high levels of remittances have contributed to a reported double-digit growth in residents’ household deposits.

Earlier on 12 February, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) released updated monthly data on workers’ remittances, which showed a 4pc increase in the monthly average for fiscal year 2020, compared to the previous corresponding year.

According to SBP data, workers’ remittances received during the

first seven months of FY20 amounted to a cumulative total of $13.3 billion.

The agency noted that the growth [in remittances] has provided a stable and low-cost deposit base to Pakistani banks, which in turn has enhanced banks’ profitability and increased their liquidity buffers.

The report further stated that the growth might help mitigate the effect of government deposit outflows. The SBP is considering introducing a Treasury Single Account, which will require government deposits to be placed with the SBP instead.

Despite Pakistan’s high interest rates (unchanged since July 2019 at 13.25pc), the remittances have helped negate any associated challenges.

That’s because households are better positioned to meet their fi-

nancial obligations with banks.

Non-performing loans have also been maintained at historically low levels; consumer NPLs accounted for 5pc of total consumer loans as of the end of September 2019, while the system average NPL ratio was 8.8pc.

According to the World Bank, Pakistan was the seventh-largest recipient of remittances globally in 2018, with remittances inflows reaching $21 billion or 6.8pc of the country’s GDP. During the fiscal 2012-19 period, remittances grew at a compounded annual rate of nearly 9pc, with the majority of inflows arriving from Gulf Cooperation Council countries (54pc), the US (16pc), the UK (16pc) and Malaysia (7pc).

Remittances also grew in local terms due to the significant depreciation of the rupee by over 40pc

engro fertilizers’ profit increases 11.4pc to rs18.56bn LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI

The Board of Directors of Engro Fertilizers Limited (EFERT) met on Monday to review the company's performance and announce its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019.

As per standalone financial results, the company reported a profit after tax of Rs18.563 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Rs16.669 billion for the corresponding period last year, showing a growth of 11.4pc. However, according to the consolidated financial results, EFERT's profit after tax reduced from Rs17.414 billion in 2018 to Rs16.871 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, showing a decline of 3.11pc.

The fertilizer company declared a final cash dividend of Rs2 per share or

20pc. Its earnings per share (EPS) were recorded at Rs13.90, which is a jump of 11.4pc from Rs12.48.

The company’s profit before tax clocked in at Rs27.236 billion, an increase of 27.2pc from last year (Rs21.400 billion). The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company for the year ended December 31, 2019, will be held on March 31, 2020.

QUARTERLY COMPARISON: EFERT announced a net profit after tax of Rs6.4 billion for 4QCY19 (EPS: Rs4.76), up by 91pc/23pc QoQ/YoY. According to Ailia Naeem, a senior research analyst at AKD Securities, this takes CY19 NPAT to Rs16.8 billion (EPS: Rs12.63), down 3pc YoY. Naeem mentioned that the NPAT was in line with their expectation.

She stated that deviations were witnessed at gross margins level, with poten-

tially higher than expected trading business GMs. "On the other hand, effective tax rate of 35pc also remained above our expectation of 28pc potentially due to further

reversal of deferred tax, neutralising the impact of expectations beat at gross level," she stated.

According to AKD's report, the YoY decline in CY19 earnings was on the back

during the same period.

Moody’s expects the increase in income to positively impact the historically low demand for personal credit and support financial inclusion. Personal credit accounted for 12pc of total private sector credit in December 2019, based on SBP data.

The agency also predicted that technological advances will further help grow remittances. Currently, the cost of remittances takes up to 7pc of the transferred funds, according to the World Bank. But the SBP’s focus on digitization and the wider availability of digital payment platforms will help reduce that cost.

This is especially true in Pakistan, where remittances are carried out primarily by various remittance and payment service providers, through collaborations with commercial banks.

of three things: firstly, 83pc YoY higher operating expenses; secondly, 88pc YoY higher finance cost amid policy rate hikes over the last year and lastly, higher effective tax rate of 38pc (vs. 28pc in the same period last year) due to reversal of deferred tax booked in CY18.

She mentioned that for 4QCY19 alone, the sequential uptick in NPAT comes from firstly, 39pc QoQ higher offtake leading to 61pc increase in topline, secondly, 106bps QoQ higher GMs led by higher urea retention price (effective Sep’19) and lastly, lower effective tax rate of 35pc vs 44pc in 3QCY19.

"Our TP implies a total return of 26.5pc at last close, implying a buy stance, she stated adding that our estimates do not incorporate the recently notified urea price (Rs160 per bag reduction) and GIDC elimination."

She stated in her report that the company may have to reduce urea prices at par with FFC - by Rs300 per bag to push urea off-takes, which will translate into a negative EPS impact of 27pc, even after eliminating GIDC.

Pneumonia forces elton John to cut short auckland gig LoNdoN

e

Agencies

LTON John has tearfully apologised to fans after cutting short a concert in New Zealand due to illness, with the British superstar saying he was suffering from "walking pneumonia".

The 72-year-old, who is in the midst of a gruelling world tour, struggled to sing while seated at a grand piano during a performance at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday night.

After being checked by a medic with a stethoscope, he battled on through two more songs before calling a halt to proceedings barely halfway through his setlist.

"I can't sing, I've just completely lost my voice," he told concert-goers in a croaky rasp.

"I've got to go. I'm so sorry."

Elton John's illness comes as health authorities worldwide are on high alert for signs of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 70,000 and killed 1,770 in mainland China. New Zealand has no reported cases of the virus.

Video footage showed Elton John, dressed in a powder-blue suit and wearing his trademark over-

sized glasses, standing at the piano and shrugging his shoulders at the crowd in a gesture of helplessness.

He then shuffled off the stage with his head bowed, helped by members of his road crew as the crowd cheered their support.

"I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible," he later tweeted.

"I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no

more. I'm disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had."

Walking pneumonia is an informal term for atypical pneumonia, which causes mild infections of the respiratory system, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.

It said symptoms include tiredness, sore throat, fever and coughing, and the illness can sometimes lead to full pneumonia, a serious lung infection.

New Zealand Prime Minister

Natalie Portman responds to Rose McGowan calling her ‘performative feminist’ New York Agencies

HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

Remember when Natalie wore that cape with female directors embroidered on it to the Oscars on Sunday? Twitter had a LOT to say about it and is dragging her for not practicing what she preaches. Her production company Handsomecharlie Films has a total of eight films (and three more upcoming projects), but apparently the only female director it hired was none other

than Natalie herself.

Looks like Natalie finally caught wind of the backlash she received for her cape, because she responded, but not before Rose McGowan critiqued on Natalie's actions on Facebook, which you can read in full below: Natalie released her statement through The Hollywood Reporter and acknowledged her fault in not having enough women employed, saying she'll do better to hire more women in the future.

Jacinda Ardern said she briefly met the singer before Sunday's concert and "you could tell he wasn't feeling well".

"Given he had what they call walking pneumonia, the fact that he spent roughly two hours on stage giving such a huge performance was incredible and very generous," she told reporters, praising his commitment to fans.

Elton John is in New Zealand as part of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" world tour, which began in 2018 and is scheduled to end in late 2020 in London.

Featuring hundreds of concerts across the globe, it is billed as the last chance to see the star before he retires.The septuagenarian has followed a punishing schedule in New Zealand, not only performing concerts but also slotting in a side trip to sing at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

At the Oscars, he took home the award for best original song for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from the musical biopic about his life, "Rocketman".

Elton John has two more shows scheduled in Auckland before heading to Australia for a further seven gigs.

"I agree with Ms. McGowan that it is inaccurate to call me 'brave' for wearing a garment with women’s names on it. Brave is a term I more strongly associate with actions like those of the women who have been testifying against Harvey Weinstein the last few weeks, under incredible pressure," Natalie's statement read.

"I have had the experience a few times of helping get female directors hired on projects which they were then forced out of because of the conditions they faced at work," she added.

"So I want to say, I have tried, and I will keep trying. While I have not yet been successful, I am hopeful that we are stepping into a new day." Not sure what else to say besides...seeing is believing!

Pollution kills more than 1 million seabirds and 100 million mammals every year.

More than 2 million children under the age of 5 die every year due to pollution.

Children born in polluted cities are more prone to lung cancer.

Asian Style Expo in Manchester draws large crowds

Gul Panra, Khumariyaan mesmerise fans in UK

Traditional music revived as security improves

The Asian Style show delivered a spectacular day of fashion in the heart of Trafford Centre, Manchester on Sunday.

The luxury pret show showcased national and international designers, makeup artists, dance troupes and wedding-related businesses. It was attended by nearly 5,000 people from all over the UK. The show provided a rare opportunity for attendees to speak with designers and artists.

“With year-on-year growth in the Asian lifestyle sector, our expo welcomes people to engage with an array of innovative products and services from top Asian brands and high street names,” show founder Mrs Freda said.

“The show is a rare opportunity for Asian businesses and artists to showcase their designs and talent on such a big scale. The expo is an opportunity for Asians and other communities to get up to date with the year’s emerging fashion trends, entertainment and also gives an insight into the best of what the Asian community has to offer from around the UK,” she added.

Pashto singer Gul Panra and the band Khumariyaan enthralled Afghani and Pakistani fans on Sunday night at a concert in Manchester.

Panra who was performing her maiden concert in UK, mesmerised the audience, which sang along as the singer performed her tracks "Man Amedah Em" (I have come to you) and "Yaar Khabar Ne Yam" (No news of my love).

Peshawar and Islamabad-based music quartets Khumariyaan also rocked the stage with their performance of "Ya Qurbaan", "Tamasha" from Coke Studio 11, along with many other popular Pashto songs during their hour-long set.

Khumariyaan guitarist Sparlay Rawail said this was their best show in the UK. “We have performed in UK before, but this was fabulous. It is good to see people from both Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoying Pashto music.

Our music is unique, as we create the perfect ambiance for people to relish and make them feel that we are accessible,” he said.

Performances that once took place in secret are returning.

Shops selling instruments are open and thriving again, while local broadcasters frequently feature rising Pashto pop singers in their programming. And new, up and coming bands like Peshawar's Khumariyaan have reached rare, nationwide acclaim after appearing on the popular Coke Studios broadcast, where they fused traditional sounds with modern tastes -- spreading Pashtun music far from its native homeland.

"Music is the spice of life... it has been a part of our culture from time immemorial," says Farman Ali Shah, a village elder and Pashto poet in Warsak village near Pakistan's tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pashtun music is characterised by the rabab, a Central Asian stringed instrument, played to the beat from tablas drums, with songs salted with florid lyrics describing the pain of unrequited love or calls for politcial revolution. "For centuries we were a liberal society," explains rabab player and member of the National Assembly Haider Ali Khan from Pakistan's Swat Valley.

CMYK

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

14 sporTs

'NothiNg to lose' lazio topple iNter to go secoNd behiNd JuveNtus TURIN

l

AGENCIES

azio coach Simone inzaghi gave warning his side are ready to fight for their first Serie a title since 2000 after moving into second in Serie a on Sunday, just one point off leaders Juventus after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over inter Milan.

Juventus reclaimed pole position thanks to Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado's goals as the Turin giants rediscovered their winning form 2-0 at home against Brescia. inter Milan dropped from top spot to third -- three points behind the eighttime reigning champions -- after falling to just their second defeat of the season.

"We need to stay humble and focused but i'm sure we will succeed. We have nothing to lose," said inzaghi. "We know that Juventus and inter are two great teams and we will do everything to fight to the end, knowing that it will be very difficult." in a fiery clash in the Stadio olimpico defender ashley Young broke through just before the break with his first Serie a goal for inter Milan after his move from Manchester United.

The 34-year-old got his foot to tap-in off a re-

bound after Thomas Straskosha had cleared from former Lazio player antonio Candreva. a Stefan de Vrij foul on Ciro immobile allowed the Serie a top scorer to slot in his 26th goal in 24 games this season, five minutes after the break.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic snatched the winner after 69 minutes amid confusion in front of goal.

"We gifted Lazio two goals," said inter coach antonio Conte as the northerners fell to their second defeat after Juventus in october.

Lazio extended their unbeaten run to 19 games as they target their second Scudetto, with a return to Champions League football on the cards for next season.

RONALDO RESTED: in Turin, argentine forward Dybala curled in a perfect free kick six minutes before the break, shortly after Brescia's Florian aye was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession.

Colombian Cuadrado tapped in the second from close range after a Blaise Matuidi cross with 15 minutes to go, to get back winning after two away defeats. "We did what we had to do," said Juve coach Maurizio Sarri.

Cristiano Ronaldo was rested, but veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini returned after a long in-

jury layoff. "Cristiano had to rest, he cannot play 75 games a year between the national team and club, we decided to let him recuperate," said Sarri.

Sarri said 35-year-old skipper Chiellini had been desperate to get onto the pitch, after nearly six months off with a cruciate knee injury.

"He said it yesterday, he has made six months of sacrifices and wanted to play the last quarter of an hour, and i found myself next to him when he had already taken off his tracksuit."

The champions did not have it all their own way against Brescia, who stay second-from-bottom, seven points from safety after extending their winless run to nine games. Enrico alfonso went off after just 10 minutes following a knock to the head, with substitute Brescia keeper Lorenzo andrenacci pulling off some fine saves.

MERTENS LIFTS NAPOLI: in Sardinia, Napoli got back to winning ways with a Dries Mertens' 65th-minute goal sealing a 1-0 success over

Cagliari. The Belgian completed a give-and-go with Elseid Hysaj with the ball curling in with a deflection off the post. it was the 32-year-old's 120th goal for Napoli, one short of Marek Hamsik's all-time record, and five ahead of club legend Diego Maradona.

"Dries is a phenomenon, a champion who makes difficult things seem simple," said coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Gattuso's side overtake Cagliari, moving up to eighth, two points off the Europa League berths, as Cagliari drop to 11th place.

Hellas Verona missed the chance to close in on fifth-placed Roma, who fell 2-1 at atalanta on Saturday, with a goalless draw at Udinese. in the Champions League race, atalanta are fourth, six points ahead of Roma.

Verona, in sixth, occupy the final Europa League spot ahead of Parma on goal difference, but stay four points behind Roma.

Quickfire strikes put Marseille in sight of Champions League PARIS AGENCIES

Marseille hit back from a goal down to score twice in two minutes for a 2-1 win at Lille on Sunday which kept andre Villas-Boas' side comfortably on course for the Champions League.

The victory gave second-placed Marseille an 11-point lead over Rennes in third spot in French Ligue 1 where champions Paris Saint-Germain still lead the way with a 10-point cushion.

Lille stay fourth but are 12 points behind Marseille in the race for the two automatic qualifying places for next season's Champions League.

"We didn't do much in the first half, but in the second we had a lot of intensity and showed aggressiveness," said Villas-Boas.

"We had 70 minutes of defence and 20 minutes of attack."

He added: "We talked at half-time about what we would do if we got a goal. We played a decent match."

Nigerian international Victor osimhen gave Lille a 51st-minute lead pouncing onto Jonathan Bamba's pass to beat Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for his 13th goal of the sea-

son, the same number as PSG's Brazilian superstar Neymar.

But Marseille were level in the 67th minute when Reinildo turned a header from Valere Germain into his own goal before argentine striker Dario Benedetto grabbed the winner two minutes later. a below-par Marseille could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty just on the hour when Lille keeper Mike Maignan saved from Valentin Rongier.

Victory was the perfect way for Marseille to bounce back from Wednesday's French Cup exit at the hands of Lyon. Lyon's poor league form continued with a 1-1 home draw against Strasbourg at a blustery Groupama Stadium that leaves them languishing in midtable. Rudi Garcia's side are 11th on 34 points after a fourth match without a win, one in which the away side struck the post twice late on.

"There wasn't enough going forward," said Garcia.

"We didn't create enough goal-scoring opportunities and we didn't shoot enough at goal. We didn't do enough as the home side." Burkino Faso international Bertrand Traore gave the hosts the lead in the 21st minute when he

india's 'usain bolt' buffalo runner turns down sprint trial MUMBAI AGENCIES

stooped to head home Maxwel Cornet's brilliant swinging cross.

Strasbourg, who sit seventh, three points away from the European places, were level just before the break.

Kevin zohi latched onto Majeed arsis's through ball and slotted home as the Lyon defence and the linesman had their arms aloft for offside.

The goal was initially ruled out but a VaR check showed that zohi was onside before he fed his finish in off the post. The hosts struggled to break down

Strasbourg in the second half. The visitors came within inches of snatching the win in the dying moments.

With three minutes left Kenny Lala curled a shot off the post.

Then Strasbourg somehow failed to grab the winner in stoppage time.

Dimitri Lienard's free kick from the touchline slapped the base of the post and sprung out to alexander Djiku, who from centimetres out knocked the ball wide of the other upright as his teammates looked on in horror.

a buffalo jockey in india has refused to take part in a track and field trial after his record-setting performance in a traditional footrace drew comparisons with olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt. Srinivas Gowda and his buffaloes ran 142.5 metres in 13.62 seconds, setting a record in the annual race known as Kambala in the southern state of Karnataka. With a time that equates to running 100m in 9.55 seconds, compared to the retired Bolt's world record of 9.58sec, social media buzz erupted over the chiselled construction worker. But with the Tokyo olympics looming in July, Gowda politely declined an invitation from india's sports minister to try out at the Sports authority of india in Bangalore. "i will not be attending trials at Sports authority of india. i want to achieve more in Kambala," Gowda, 28, told indian media. "Kambala and track events are different and those who have done well in one cannot replicate in the other.

"Many who have achieved in track events have tried Kambala.

Pogba belongs to Man Utd, not Mino, insists Solskjaer MANCHESTER AGENCIES

ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola that it is the club who will decide the French World Cup winner's future. Pogba's long-time representative has been at loggerheads with the United hierarchy in recent years and angered the Red Devils once more this week by casting fresh doubt on where Pogba will be next season.

Raiola revealed on Thursday that he has already had discussions with Juventus sporting director Pavel Nedved about a possible return to the italian champions from where Pogba re-joined United for a ÂŁ89m ($116 million) fee in the summer of 2016. and Raiola also made it clear that if United fail to qualify for the Champions League, Pogba will want to move

CMYK

to satisfy his ambitions. But Solskjaer still sees Pogba -- who has 18 months left on his contract -- as a key part of his future plans. "i've not spoken to Mino that is for sure. and, no, i haven't sat down and told Paul to tell Mino what he should say. Paul is our player and not Mino's."

Pogba, 27 next month, has made only eight appearances for United in an injuryravaged season. He will be missing again when United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday as he makes his way back from ankle surgery.

But Solskjaer insists Pogba is not dragging out his return and is desperate to help United achieve Champions League football, either via the Premier League or by winning the Europa League. "as a player the last thing you want to be is injured and not be able to contribute to your team. Paul's a footballer

and he wants to play football," added Solskjaer. "as a player, i was injured for a long, long time myself so i know what it is like. it's a difficult period in your career but it is part and parcel of being a player.

You are always running the risk of being injured. "He knows that he has to work hard now to get back to his best because he has been out for so long. it's a challenge for him to get back to his best."

United have been offered a lifeline in their quest to return to the Champions League next season with Manchester City's potential two-season ban from European competition meaning fifth in the Premier League could be enough to qualify.

Solskjaer's men are languishing in ninth, but can move to within two points of fifth with a third victory over Chelsea this season.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

FaF du plessis steps dowN as test aNd t20i captaiN

sporTs 15 trent boult, ajaz patel and Kyle Jamieson named for india tests HAMIlToN AGENCIES

JoHANNESBURg AGENCIES

Faf du Plessis has stepped down as captain of South africa's Test and T20i sides with immediate effect. However, the 35-year-old remains fully committed to playing all three formats for the time being.

Du Plessis cited a need to give the next generation of leaders within the team a chance to develop as the reason for stepping down. Last month Quinton de Kock was named stand-in captain for the oDi series against England, with du Plessis being rested. Graeme Smith, South africa's director of cricket, had then confirmed that the management was looking at de Kock as the permanent captain.

"This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but i remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark [Boucher] and my team-mates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group," a Cricket South africa (CSa) release quoted du Plessis as saying. "South african cricket has entered a new era. New leadership, new faces, new challenges and new strategies. i remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player, and will offer my knowledge and

time to the new leaders of the team. "i have strived to lead the team with dignity and authenticity during exhilarating highs and devastating lows. i have given my everything during my tenure. i have never been one to throw in the towel and do believe i am putting the team first and believe we have to stick through the tough times to get to the good times. in a perfect world i would have loved to lead the team in the Tests for the rest of the season as well as the T20 World Cup, but sometimes the most important attribute of a leader is to be selfless. i am healthy, fit, energised and motivated and certainly see myself playing an important role in the squad for as long as i continue putting in winning performances for the team."

Du Plessis led South africa in 36 Tests, out of which they won 18 and lost 15. They fared better in the white-ball formats: winning 28 out of 39 oDis and 23 out of 37 T20is under him.

He is the only South african captain to have won home and away series against australia in both Tests and oDis but has been under pressure since the side failed to make it to the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup in England. That was followed by two forgettable Test series, with South

africa being whitewashed 3-0 in india before losing 3-1 to England at home. "after the 2019 iCC World Cup, i made the decision to continue in my role as captain while the team went through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of some key senior players and a complete overhaul of the coaching staff that we had worked with until then," du Plessis said. "it was important to me that i stayed to help the team find its feet and plot a new way forward while assisting in identifying the next generation of leaders within the players' group during a time of turbulence in Sa cricket. The last season of my captaincy has been the most challenging to date as i had a lot of off-field issues that i devoted my energy towards."

South africa have been looking at de Kock as their next captain across formats for a while now. Last year in du Plessis' absence, he led the side in the three-match T20i series in india, that ended in 1-1 draw. and while South africa lost the recently concluded T20i series against England 2-1 under him, there were plenty of positives for the side.

South africa next host australia for three T20is, the first of those starting on Friday, followed by three oDis.

ajaz Patel is the only frontline spinner in New zealand's squad for the two-Test series against india, which begins in Wellington on Friday. Kyle Jamieson, who was added to the Test squad in australia last year after Lockie Ferguson's injury, earned a call-up on the back of his displays in the oDi series against india, while the allrounder Daryl Mitchell returned to the squad for the first time since his debut against England in Hamilton in the first half of the summer. Jamieson is expected to be the back-up quick behind the usual first-choice trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, unless New zealand play an all-pace attack at Basin Reserve. Boult is back for the first time since suffering a broken hand during the Boxing Day Test against australia in Melbourne.

Ferguson had marked his return from injury in the Ford Trophy, the domestic one-day competition, which his side auckland won. However, according to Stead, his "loads aren't anywhere near for us to be able to consider him for four-day[Test] cricket."

Matt Henry, too, had returned from injury in the Ford Trophy and was available for Test selection, but the management picked Jamieson instead because of his propensity to generate extra bounce.

"Matt was available and it was a tough call we had to make and in this instance we've gone for Kyle over Matt," New zealand coach Gary Stead said. "and i guess in a squad when you can pick only 13, there is only room for so many and it's a tough call because he does a lot of things really, really well for us. But, Kyle's difference in height and what he does with the bounce is something that could be a point of difference for us in this series."

Patel had last played Test cricket on the tour of Sri Lanka in august 2019, and after that New zealand had largely entrusted spin duties to his fellow leftarmer Mitchell Santner, with Todd astle - who has since retired from red-ball cricket - and Will Somerville coming in for the New Year's Test in Sydney on the back of an illness crisis within the squad. Santner is a central member of New zealand's limited-overs teams, but his recent redball returns have been modest, with four Tests in the 2019-20 season bringing him only five wickets at an average of 83.00. "ajaz has done really well for us in the past in overseas conditions, but also look back to his domestic form and the way he performs here in New zealand is very, very good," Stead said. He's been the top wicket-taker for the last three-four years domestically and i guess it's a slight change in role we're looking in terms of that position being one where we can take wickets and focus hard on that." Mitchell makes his comeback following an impressive bowling performance during the indians' warm-up match in Hamilton, where he took the wickets of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill with deliveries that seamed in from a fullish length, before getting Rishabh Pant to nick one that nipped away from him.

PSL team previews: Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi lAHoRE AGENCIES

KARACHI KINGS: For all the talk of Lahore Qalandars woes in the tournament's history, there is little justification for Karachi Kings to feel any smugness at the travails of their traditional rivals.

They've bested them in all four seasons indeed, everyone has - but pretty much all Karachi have done in the PSL so far is stumble through to the playoffs.

They've never finished in the top two, and have consequently gone on to lose three of the eliminators, with a third place finish in 2017 their biggest achievement to date.

The evidence would suggest they haven't got the most from their abilities.

For the past few years, Karachi have had the services of arguably Pakistan's best batsman, their best bowler and their best all rounder in Babar azam, Mohammad amir and imad Wasim, who will reprise his role as captain for a third season.

This year's recruitment has seen them pick up experienced - and successful - PSL campaigners, including Chris Jordan, alex Hales and Cameron Delport, while Sharjeel Khan is back after a two-year absence, and should be hungriest of all to take up the second chance he has been afforded.

PESHAWAR ZALMI: Peshawar zalmi is a T20 franchise done right. in terms of final finishes and performances in the group stage, this is probably the most consistent side in the league. Three of the four seasons have seen zalmi top the group stage en route to the playoffs, and they've made it to the final in the last three seasons. Year in, year out, zalmi show they are one of the sides to beat, and make it clear doing so will not be easy.

You'd think they value statistics over the eye test, analytics above emotions, and fitness trumps maverick brilliance. and yet, bizarrely, their captain for the past three years is the perpetually injured yet wildly popular Darren Sammy, barely able to break into a jog and generally only good enough for a few lusty blows with the bat at the death. They stuck with Shahid afridi for longer than the evidence suggested was sensible, while 38-year old Kamran akmal's fading star in the field hasn't prevented him from being gloriously successful with the bat in the resplendent yellow of zalmi. Most of these players are back for another stint in the PSL; perhaps the consistency of personnel across seasons is the secret to this side's success. No team has managed to retain a core group of players as well as zalmi since the league began; Sammy, Hasan ali, akmal and Wahab Riaz have worn no other colour.

CMYK

Tuesday, 18 February, 2020

NEWS

'This is PAkisTAn, noT indiA': ihC wArns govT AgAinsT Curbing Free sPeeCh ISLAMABAD

T

STAFF REPORT

HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday wrapped up the bail petitions of 23 activists belonging to Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and Awami Workers Party (AWP), who were arrested by the Islamabad police last month while protesting against the arrest of PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen As IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah resumed the hearing of bail petitions filed by the 23 protesters, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat told the court that the case against the protesters had been dropped. On the basis of the deputy commissioner’s statement, the IHC wrapped up the bail petitions of the protesters.

“After the statement of the Islamabad administration, all petitions have become ineffective,” said Chief Justice Minallah.

Earlier on Feb 2, the court was told that Section 124-A (related to sedition) had been deleted, but Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 had been inserted in the First Information Report (FIR) against the protesters.

Following this, the IHC on Tuesday had sought an explanation from a magistrate for invok-

chief justice minallah says ‘an elected democratic Govt cannot place curbs on freedom of expression’

ing sedition charges against those who were taken into custody during the protest.

During Monday’s proceedings, the IHC chief justice said: “We don’t expect that a democratic government will curb freedom of expression.”

“An elected democratic government cannot place curbs on freedom of expression. [We] shouldn’t fear criticism,” he remarked, adding: “The constitutional courts will protect the constitutional rights of the people.

“Everyone’s constitutional rights will be protected. This is Pakistan, not India,” Justice Minallah said. “If you want to protest, get permission. If you don’t get permission, the court is here,” he said.

Islamabad Advocate General Tariq Mehmood Jahangir said that the country had been fighting terrorism for 20 years and the “secret agenda” of the protesters was worrisome. “No one should say anything against the state,” he said, adding that a written order against those who speak against the state or make hate speeches should also be issued.

“No institution or state is so weak that anything is done on someone’s saying,” Justice Minallah remarked.

He said that in 2014, President Arif Alvi had himself challenged Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code — a law concerning the maintenance of public order. Justice Minallah said that the current government had itself challenged Section 144 and added: “[I] hope that they will not take away rights”. “The country is a democracy, let the Parliament decide.”

Guterres lauds pakistan’s anti-terrorism efforts un chief says pakistan’s journey from terrorism to tourism is remarkable ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday lauded Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism and said that it was remarkable that Pakistan had now turned into a tourist destination.

While responding to a question regarding “Pakistan’s journey from terrorism to tourism” after a seminar at Islamabad’s National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), the UN chief said that Islamabad, which looked like a “fortress” a few years back had now become a family station for the world body’s staff.

“We are witnessing the state becoming pres-

ent, both from the point of view of security [… and] basic service, development in an absolutely remarkable transformation,” he said.

“I can see how Pakistan not only opened its borders, in a world where so many borders are closed, but Pakistani people open their houses and their hearts in [an] enormous demonstration of generosity,” he said while referring to the influx of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. “At the same time, I have seen the commitment of Pakistan to peace, namely to support peace in Afghanistan,” he added. The UN chief also appreciated the contributions of Pakistani troops to UN peacekeeping missions. “Pakistan has been lever in making peacekeeping more effective, more accountable

and with a stronger capacity to protect civilians and to make the blue helmets an essential force for peace,” he said. “I want to pay tribute to the very strong commitment of Pakistan to multilateralism and to United Nations,” he added.

Earlier, while addressing the seminar, he paid tribute to Pakistani peacekeeping troops and hailed their “professionalism [and] commitment”.

He commended the peacekeeping troops for their efforts to bring peace in countries struck by war and violence. Guterres also urged the international community to come forward and recognise Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability.

In his address, Military Operations Director General Major General Nauman Zakaria said that Pakistan has sent over 200,000 troops for 46 missions in 28 different countries during the last 60 years.

He said that UN peacekeeping missions have added value to Pakistani troops and built their strong image abroad.

FATF asks Pakistan to do more against terror financing Global body expresses satisfaction over pakistan’s efforts to curb money launderinG, calls for tiGhteninG laws to net suspects NEWS DESK Expressing satisfaction over the steps taken by Pakistan to curb terror financing, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has reiterated its demand to further tighten the laws to bring individuals involved in money laundering and terror financing to task, according to reports.

The five-day plenary session of the FATF is being held in Paris to review the progress made by Pakistan towards implementation of its 27-point action plan. The meeting will con-

tinue until February 21.

The FATF required that Pakistan improve its prosecution system by handing down stricter punishments and penalties to the facilitators of terror financing. Citing the conviction of Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistani officials said that the judicial system in the country was fully independent and the courts were taking decisions on merit, which were being implemented.

Last week, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore convicted Jamatud Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed in two terror-financing cases. He was handed a

british mp who leads kashmir group denied entry to india NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Indian officials denied a British lawmaker entry on Monday after she landed at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, according to an accompanying aide. A Labour Party Member of Parliament Debbie Abrahams, who chairs a parliamentary group focused on occupied Kashmir, was unable to clear customs after the Indian visa she presented was rejected, the aide, Harpreet Upal, told The Associated Press. According to an official statement issued by Abrahams, she was told that her e-visa, that had been issued last October and was valid until October 2020, had been rejected. “Along with everyone else, I presented myself at the immigration desk with my documents including my e-visa, had my photograph taken and then the official looked at his screen and started shaking his head. “Then he told me my visa was rejected, took my passport, and disappeared for about 10 minutes,” she said. “When he came back he was very rude and aggressive, shouting at me to ‘come with me’. I told him not to speak to me like that and was then taken to a cordoned off area marked as a deportee cell. He then ordered me to sit down and I refused.

prison sentence of five-and-a-half years and a fine of Rs15,000 in each case.

One of his close aides also received the same sentence on the same charges.

According to reports, Pakistani officials informed the meeting that money laundering and terror financing had been controlled to a greater extent by implementing the FATF action plan.

The meeting was informed that 14 points out of 27 had been fully complied with, 11 were partially implemented, while implementation on two points was not possible.

The Pakistani officials said that amendments were being introduced in laws to improve the prosecution system for which the standing committee concerned had also given the approval.

khalilzad calls for better Pak-Afghan ties to achieve peace ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Monday emphasised on better ties between Islamabad and Kabul to achieve regional peace. The US diplomat made the comments at an interactive session during the Refugees Summit in Islamabad co-sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Pakistan to mark 40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in the country. Expressing his hope of a successful Afghan peace process, Khalilzad said reconciliation and modern thinking will pave way for the war-torn country. “Afghanistan has been faced conflict for 40 years – dangerous one that continues to this day,” he reflected. He said the US was looking towards reducing violence, negotiations with the Afghan Taliban and internal reconciliation.

Khalilzad underscored moving away from “blame game”, adding that the situation at hand offered both challenges and opportunities. He said the peace talks between US and Afghan Taliban will pave way for reconciliation in the country. The US representative stressed over improved ties between Islamabad and Kabul to ensure peace in the region. He pushed for better economic and trade ties between the two neighbours. “Pakistan and Afghanistan cooperation will pave way for enhanced regional economic and trade.” The United States and the Afghan Taliban are on the cusp of signing a peace deal, with observers expressing optimism that the development would not only end the over 18-year-long conflict but also lead to stability in the war-ravaged country.

The imminent peace deal was the result of a long painstaking negotiation process — brokered and facilitated by Pakistan — between the US and the Taliban. Ahead of the formal signing of the agreement — possibly on February 29 — the Afghan Taliban would observe a seven-day ceasefire in a move that aims at gauging the authority the Taliban representatives holding talks with the US wields on battlefield commanders as well as to create an enabling environment for an intra-Afghan dialogue. In September, the two sides were almost close to a deal but President Donald Trump called off talks at the last minute, citing the Taliban’s continued attacks targeting the American forces. But the real reason for Trump’s U-turn was the criticism he faced from within his administration that the proposed deal was nothing but a document of surrender since the Taliban were not ready to agree on a ceasefire. But a few weeks later, US chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad resumed talks with the Taliban. He met a Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Islamabad in October last year. Using the occasion Khalilzad pushed for a ceasefire by the Taliban before any deal could be signed.

india rebukes un chief’s kashmir mediation offer new delhi says kashmir issue is ‘bilateral’, un chief should instead push pakistan to stop alleGed cross-border terrorism NEWS DESK Hours after United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterated his offer to mediate on Kashmir dispute on Sunday, India rejected the offer, saying that “there is no role or scope for third party mediation” on the issue, The Hindu reported on Monday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi a day earlier, Guterres – who is on a four-day visit to Pakistan – had said he had offered his offices and was “ready to help if both countries agree for mediation.”

Discussing relations between the two arch-rivals, he stressed the need for de-escalation, both militarily and

verbally. However, India rejected his offer for mediation late Sunday evening. According to The Hindu, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson said, “The issue of [Jammu and Kashmir] that needs to be addressed is that of vacation of the territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan.

Further issues, if any, would be discussed bilaterally. There is no role or scope for third party mediation.”

Kumar further said that India hopes Gutteres will “emphasise on the imperative for Pakistan to take a credible, sustained and irreversible action to put an end to cross-border terrorism against India”. Pakistan has repeatedly denied the allega-

tions. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has alleged that Pakistan continues to wage a “proxy war” against India by “backing militants” in occupied Kashmir — an allegation repeatedly denied by Pakistan — where tens of thousands of people have died in recent decades.

This is not the first time India has rejected an offer for mediation on the Kashmir dispute. In July last year, US President Donald Trump had expressed his willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the 70-year-old Kashmir dispute — an offer he has repeated but has been rejected by India.

Last week, India took exception to Turkish President Recep Tayyip

Erdogan’s unequivocal support for the people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and told Turkey to “not interfere in India’s internal affairs.”

Indian forces have been widely accused by Kashmiris and human rights groups of some of the worst violations reported during the last three decades of conflict; from summary executions, torture and rape to holding suspects as well as civilians for ransom. UN CHIEF OFFERS MEDIATION: On Sunday, Guterres, while discussing Pakistan and India’s relations, had said: “We have taken position about the need for Security Council’s resolutions to be implemented for effective de-escalation.” “Another important aspect, which needs full respect for human rights and continental freedom in Jammu & Kashmir, is that people should have free movement as it has in Pakistan’s side.

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