E-PAPER PDF 19 FEBUARY 2020 (ISB)

CMYK

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020 I 24 Jamadi-ul-Sani, 1441 I Rs 19.00 I Vol X No 231 I 16 Pages I Islamabad Edition

OverexpOsure tO sOybean dust likely caused karachi deaths g

ChemICAl rePorT ClAImS ‘AeroAllerGenS From SoybeAn DUST’ FoUnD In blooD SAmPleS ColleCTeD From vICTImS

KARACHI staff report

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he International Center for Chemical and biological Sciences (ICCbS) has advised the Sindh government to consider “exposure to soybean dust (aeroallergens)” as a cause of breathing difficulties being faced by residents of Karachi’s Keamari area, as the death toll from Sunday night’s mysterious incident reached 14 on Tuesday. over 400 people have been taken to different hospitals for treatment reportedly after inhaling toxic gas. Keamari residents have complained of experiencing breathing difficulties, “burning sensation in the nose”, watery eyes and itching in the throat.

A letter sent to Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani by ICCbS Director Dr muhammad Iqbal Choudhary said that the lab had examined blood and urine samples of people “exposed to toxic aerosols” as well as soybean dust samples collected from the port area. Dr Choudhary said that while the

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ProTeST helD neAr KPT, AFFeCTeD PeoPle DemAnD rS1m ComPenSATIon For DeCeASeD vICTImS, jobS For FAmIlIeS

ICCbS was still “extensively engaged in deciphering the cause of this toxic exposure”, the findings so far suggest that the symptoms being experienced by Keamari residents are a result of “overexposure to soybean dust”. The lab suggested that hospitals should give bronchodilators and antihistamines to affected people. ICCbS also advised that “extreme care” be taken while unloading soybean containers.

The report mentioned that Spain experienced a similar incident of soybean dust poisoning two years ago that affected numerous people in the country.

ICCbS is an advanced research centre at the University of Karachi.

The Dr Panjwani Center for molecular medicine and Drug research and hussain ebrahim jamal research Institute of Chemistry are part of the research centre. meanwhile, the Sindh government has called in the chemical and nuclear engineers of the Pakistan Army to investigate the ‘gas leak’ and determine the source of the deadly agent which caused the deaths. The alleged gas leak

was first reported on Sunday after four people died and many were admitted to hospitals due to respiratory problems, creating widespread panic in the area. nine deaths took place at the hospital’s Kemari Campus over the course of the past two days. According to the police, two other deaths were reported at Kutiyana hospital.

Sindh health Department added that two more deaths were reported at Civil hospital Karachi while one more was reported at burhani hospital. According to a Sindh environmental Protection Agency (SePA) spokesperson mujtaba baig they were unable to determine the exact source or cause of the toxic gas, adding that there was “some sort of activity” but they couldn’t yet be certain what it was.

PROTEST ERUPT NEAR KPT: The area residents, protesting administrative negligence, also blocked the road near gate 5 of KPT. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the maritime affairs minister and chairman of Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

They are also asking for rs10m in compensation for each death and a job for next of kin.

Due to the protest, the route heading towards KPT is facing severe traffic congestion and surrounding roads are also affected.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

OMCs stop operations at Keamari due to toxic gas leakage STORY ON PAGE 11

more inside

In a first, MoF set to bring ‘mid-year budget review report’ before cabinet

Kartarpur opening shows Pakistan seeks peace: UN chief g

GUTerreS DrAwS ATTenTIon To InCreASInG ThreAT oF ClImATe ChAnGe, ImPorTAnCe oF ConTrollInG PoPUlATIon GrowTh STORY ON BACK PAGE

Government determined to regulate social media STORY ON BACK PAGE

Cop martyred, 2 injured as polio team targeted in DI Khan blast STORY ON PAGE 03

TAPI gas pipeline to be completed by 2023, SC told STORY ON PAGE 03

Ashraf Ghani declared winner of Afghan presidential poll

STORY ON PAGE 12

FDI surges 66pc in seven months STORY ON PAGE 12

Saudi company mulls investing $5m in Punjab's packaging sector STORY ON PAGE 11

STORIES ON BACK PAGE

US-Taliban agreement to cut violence to start in next five days CMYK

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

02 NEWS

PM IMran to launch Qarz-e-hasna, asset transfer scheMes on frIday iSLaMaBad

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STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister Imran Khan will launch the assets transfer scheme under the Ehsaas programme on Feb 21 from South Punjab.

The announcement was made by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar. Under the Qarz-e-Hasna scheme, over 80,000 loans and moveable/immovable assets every month to the deserving families under Qarz-eHasna and assets transfer schemes, enabling them to undertake their own business ventures. These loans would be prioritised in the 23 underdeveloped districts in the first phase.

Under the asset transfer scheme,

Overexposure to soybean dust likely caused Karachi deaths Continued on page 01 SOURCE OF GAS UNKNOWN: Addressing a press conference along with Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Tuesday afternoon, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani said multiple theories were being considered but thus far the source of the gas and its nature was still unknown. Calling it a “localised event”, he said it had been two days since the toxic gas leak started but added that it was restricted to just one locality of Karachi. Shallwani urged the media not to cover the event in a way that created a panic in the metropolis. The commissioner said an investigation into the gas leak is ongoing and added that samples from those admitted in hospitals had also been collected.

people will be given livestock (goats and chickens), agriculture tools and supplies, sewing machines or material to support local crafts, small shops or

cash to help them start small businesses.

“Assets” under this scheme will be given as one-time support and are not expected to be returned.

Initially, Rs15 billion will be distributed among 10 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seven districts of Sindh, and three districts of Balochistan and Punjab. “60 percent female and 30 percent male would be able to get benefit from assets scheme,” added Nishtar.

She said the scheme will provide employment to millions of jobless people in the country.

Ehsaas is a comprehensive and multifaceted programme with 115 policies under four pillars — addressing elitism and making the government system work to create equality; safety nets for the disadvantaged segments of the population; jobs and livelihoods; and human capital development. It is an inter-sectoral programme to be implemented by 26 federal agencies, four provinces and special areas.

LHC seeks reply from NAB on Maryam's plea to remove name from ECL LaHoRe STAFF REPORT

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), seeking a reply in a petition filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, requesting the court to get her off the Exit Control List (ECL).

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, resumed the hearing on Tuesday.

The federal cabinet in December last year had decided not to remove Maryam’s name from the no-fly list in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.

Following this, on Jan 14 the federal cabinet had placed Maryam on the ECL for the second time in the Chaudhry

Sugar Mills case.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Defence lawyers Amjad Pervez and Azam Nazir Tarrar contended before the court that Maryam’s father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s fresh medical reports had also been submitted along with the petition.

“Maryam has lost her mother. She, along with her father [Nawaz], came back to the country to serve her sentence, even though it would have been very easy for her to stay abroad.

“The court had directed her to submit her passport. Now, for the past two months, she has been seeking permission to go abroad just once,” her lawyers said.

They added that Nawaz’s medical reports were being regularly submitted to the court with due diligence. Nawaz

has an angiography procedure scheduled for Feb 24, the court should allow Maryam to travel so that she can be with her father, the lawyers argued.

After hearing the arguments, the court sought a written reply from NAB and adjourned the hearing for February 25.

Earlier, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had said that because Maryam was not permitted to be with Nawaz in London, cardiologists had to change the pre-decided date for his treatment twice.

He had said that purely on the basis of humanitarian grounds, the PML-N vice president should be permitted to be with her father. “As Nawaz’s health is concerning, the margin for medical action is reducing as more time passes,” Shehbaz had said.

Jemima Goldsmith tweets poster showing Bushra Bibi doing black magic Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith on Tuesday shared a Lollywood film poster on her Twitter handle which shows the PM, his wife Bushra Bibi as a magician, and Jemima. “No disrespect intended. Like most of you, I just found it funny,” she wrote, adding that she did not mean to be disrespectful to anyone and that she shared the picture because she found it humorous. “I’m a genuine fan of Pakistani film posters, street art and truck art,” she added. NEWS DESK

fire erupts at Marriyum aurangzeb's flat at Parliament lodges A fire broke out on Monday night on the third floor of Parliament Lodges in Islamabad, causing damage to the apartment of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and spokeswoman Marriyum Aurangzeb, officials said. PPP MNA Abrar Shah also confirmed the fire had broken out on the third floor, saying there was so much smoke that “one could not breathe properly”. He said around 80 percent of Aurangzeb’s flat had been burned. The director of Parliament Lodges, in a media briefing on Tuesday, said the fire was first reported at 11:35 pm on Monday, adding that it had been extinguished. He said two employees of Aurangzeb were rescued without any injuries, and that the exact cause of the fire was not yet known. NEWS DESK

KP Assembly witnesses rumpus PESHAWAR: The joint opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly continued their protest for the second day on Tuesday, ignoring Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani’s clarification for suspending proceedings on February 7.

According to the details, the House witnessed a ruckus soon after the recitation of the Holy Quran as members from both sides of the isle got into a fist fight. The speaker, however, told the House that he had to prorogue the session on February 7 as the membership of 60 lawmakers, including some opposition members, was suspended by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not filing tax returns. He said that parliamentary leaders of opposition parties did not attend the meeting on Monday for discussing the agenda and also observed that a few opposition members had used unparliamentary words during the proceedings. Ghani warned them to maintain discipline in the House or face a ban on their entry in the House under Rule 227 Article (2).

Despite uproar, the House passed the KP Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2020, while the KP Charities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was also tabled. The House was adjourned till 10 am on Friday. APP

CMYK

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

NEWS

govt prepares bill to proteCt journalists ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

HE government shall ensure that every journalist and media professional’s right to life and security as enshrined in Article 9 of the constitution and will take appropriate action if such an individual is subjected to ill-treatment, said a bill tabled by Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari in the National Assembly.

According to ‘Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2020’, in order to maintain the independence, impartiality and freedom of journalists and media professionals, the government shall take steps to ensure that existing or future counter-terrorism or national security laws are not utilized arbitrarily to hinder the work and safety

BILL SAYS GOVT WILL ENSURE PROTECTION OF JOURNALISTS AGAINST DISAPPEARANCES, ABDUCTION OR OTHER METHODS OF COERCION of journalists and media professionals, including through arbitrary arrest or detention, or the threat thereof.

She recommended that the federal government shall constitute an independent commission to be known as the Commission for the Protection of Journalist and Media Professionals (CPJMP) to exercise the powers and perform the functions under this Act. The commission shall consist of a chairperson, who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, and has a demonstrable knowledge of, or practical experience in,

matters relating to law, justice and human rights; four members nominated by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), one member from each Province of Pakistan; one member who is a representative of the National Press Club (NPC), as nominated by NPC; and One representative of the Ministry of Human Rights, as nominated by Ministry of Human Rights (ex officio).

The bill reads that the commission shall be deemed to be a civil court to the extent that is described in sections 175, 178, 179, 180 and 228 of the Pakistan

SJC, not SC, should judge Justice Isa's 'misconduct', govt says ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The federal government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court (SC) that it is up to the Supreme Judicial Council to determine whether SC Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s actions come under misconduct or not.

A full-court bench of the Supreme 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 Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed was hearing Justice Isa’s petitions challenging the presidential reference against him.

While presenting the government’s defence, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Anwar Mansoor Khan said the level of honesty expected of a judge was more than that of an ordinary citizen. He added that it was up to the SJC to decide on Justice Isa’s misconduct and not the SC. “The judges are responsible for dispensing justices through their

courts and if any accusations are leveled against them then it is the responsibility of the SJC to look into the matter,” he said.

Khan went on to add that Justice Isa had admitted the properties were owned by his family member and filed the petition seeking to quash the presidential reference on technical grounds.

Justice Shah asked the attorney general how the evidence against the top court judge was collected and to explain the legality of the procedure.

When the AGP cited the presidential reference which stated that Justice

tapi gas pipeline to be completed by 2023, sC told ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) was informed on Tuesday that the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project would be completed by 2023. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mushir Alam and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, heard the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) case. During the course of proceedings, the court expressed annoyance over lack of assistance by the Finance Division and other departments.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked what was the total cost of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project. The additional secretary finance said that so far, Rs33 billion had been spent on the project. The North-South project would cost a total of Rs405 billion, he added. He said that Pakistan would spend around Rs20 billion initially on the North-South project.

Justice Mushir Alam said that if the projects were finished timely, these should be completed within the budget, adding this was tax money and delay would double the cost. Addressing the attorney general, Justice Mushir Alam said that no department was assisting the court over the matter as a statement of each officer was different from each other. He said that the Interstate Gas had stated that the amount was not being transferred while the Finance Ministry had stated that funds would be transferred upon request. He said that this was the situation of national projects. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that there seemed to be no end to these projects. The attorney general requested the court to grant some time as he would review all matters. The TAPI project would be completed in 2023, he added. He said that the situation in Afghanistan was the reason for the delay in the TAPI project, however, now the Afghan Taliban have also expressed support for the TAPI project on their website, he added. Justice Faisal Arab said that the North-South plan was a national project. APP

Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860). If any of the offences listed above are committed in the view or presence of the commission, the commission shall, after recording the facts constituting the offence and the statement of the accused as provided for in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), forward the case to a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the same and the Magistrate to whom any such case is forwarded shall proceed to hear the complaint against the accused as if the case has been forwarded to him under section 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898). It was stated that no person or institution, whether private or public, shall engage in any activity that violates the right to life and security of any journalist or media professional.

She stated that the government shall ensure that effective measures are taken to protect journalists and media professionals against forced or involuntary disappearances, kidnapping, abduction or other methods of coercion, besides ensuring that journalists and media professionals are allowed to carry out their journalistic work in conflict-affected areas within the country, without threats, intimidation, harassment or fear of persecution or targeting.

Isa had violated Section 116 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 by failing to disclose properties owned by his family members on his wealth statement, Justice Bandial observed that the violation was already thrashed out by the petitioner and directed Khan to relay other obligations.

The attorney general while reading out the oath taken by the judges said that the judicial officers are bound to obey the code of conduct.

He said that the apex court judge has admitted that the London properties are owned by his wife and children. He further asked as to how an inquiry into undeclared assets could come under the spying definition.

He also raised questions over the role of the executive in case it receives any information against an incumbent judge and asked if it should carry out a probe into the matter or not.

03

Cop martyred, 2 injured as polio team targeted in di Khan blast ISLAMABAD: At least one policeman was martyred while two others received injuries on Tuesday when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off near a police mobile in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan. District Police Officer (DPO) Wahid Mahmood confirmed the causality, adding that the police mobile was deployed for the security of polio workers canvassing the area. The injured have been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where their condition is said to be stable. Mahmood said that the area has been cordoned off, while a search operation is underway. According to him, the police mobile was targeted while policemen were being deployed to provide security to polio workers. Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan condemned the blast and said that the death of a policeman is extremely sad. “We stand with the family of the martyred,” he said. He also directed that the two injured men be given “the best possible treatment”. This year’s first nationwide polio vaccination drive began on Monday, aiming to vaccinate approximately 39.6 million children. The campaign involves nearly 265,000 polio workers going door-to-door to inoculate children under the age of five. 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. STAFF REPORT

04 ISLAMABAD

Wednesday, 19 January, 2020

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PM IMran orders settIng uP coMPlaInt ManageMent systeM at caPItal PolIce statIons ISLAMABAD

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RimE miniSTER imran Khan on Tuesday directed interior minister Ejaz Shah to establish complaint management system at every police station of the capital and make islamabad a model safe and secure city.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting on civic amenities in the capital including law and order, health and education, which was attended by interior minister Brig (r) ijaz Shah, Education minister Shafqat mehmood, Planning minister Asad Umer, Special Assistant for Capital Development Authority Ali nawaz Awan, mnA Raja Khurram Shehzad and relevant secretaries. The prime minister stressed capacity-building of islamabad Police and taking steps according to the required needs relating to human resource.

He said the complaint manage-

imran Khan stressed laying equal ment system would receive online feedback of citizens which would be focus on educational institutes of female used for improvement of service deliv- students as well. Taking serious notice ery. Taking serious notice of com- of illegal concrete construction in green plaints regarding lack of health areas of capital, the prime minister difacilities in federal capital, the prime rected the Chairman Capital Developminister said negligence would not ment Authority to pinpoint the violators be spared and directed the Secretary for a strong action against them.

Health to urgently focus on proper utilization of hospital administration, shortage of human resource and provision of medicines.

The prime minister directed to address the shortage of teaching staff by valuing education as an emergency need. He said PESHAWAR: Four children died and knowledge was linked to bright around 10 others were injured after roof of future and vowed to provide all a religious seminary caved in at Shabqadar necessary resources to ensure Tehsil of Charsadda district on Tuesday. quality education. He instructed According to Edhi Welfare Trust, the that special attention be paid on condition of 10 injured children is critical upgrading quality of 24 model and they have been moved to Lady Reading schools and colleges and devise Hospital in Peshawar for treatment. The a roadmap outlining time-line seminary was located at Kangara area of Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda district. APP of targets achieved.

Four children die, 10 injured as roof of Charsadda seminary caves in

CMYK

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Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

NEWS

05

Imran orders countrywide crackdown to stop smuggling ISLAMABAD

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APP

RIME Minister Imran Khan has directed the authorities concerned to launch a countrywide crackdown against the smuggling of goods, which he said is responsible for price hike and causing billions of rupees loss to the national exchequer.

The decision was taken during a high-level huddle chaired by the premier and attended by National Food Security Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Commerce and Industries Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood among other officials.

PM Imran said curbing the smuggling of goods is a matter of “national interest” as “it is causing billions of rupees loss to the national kitty, besides inflating the prices of commodities and making the lives of masses difficult”. No negligence would be tolerated in this regard, he warned.

He directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), interior ministry, federal and provincial law enforcing institutions, and provincial governments to immediately launch a joint anti-smuggling operation.

He has also summoned the report from the interior ministry within 48 hours on the progress of the crackdown along with a comprehensive strategy.

The prime minister directed to take short-term,

medium-term and long-term measures while keeping in view the recommendations of the task force constituted to check smuggling.

Intelligence Bureau (IB), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) were also directed to present monitoring reports of the effective anti-smuggling operations to Premier Imran on a regular basis. He also asked the officials to step up the development of border markets in Balochistan as well as along the western frontiers.

The prime minister also ordered to formulate a policy to stop the influx of Iranian petroleum products, suggesting to use the modern technology to stop the smuggling.

Lawmakers deliberate change in law-making process ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Sub-committee of the Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication met here on Tuesday to discuss in detail Electronic Transaction (Amendment) Bill 2019 moved by Syed Fakhar Imam in the National Assembly with the aim of clearing the distinctions between the principles and rules.

The convener of the sub-committee Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi also invited members of the legal department and the law and justice department to

take part in the debate wherein the lawmakers deliberated a change in the lawmaking process as well reduce the dependence on the federal cabinet for finalising rules and regulations.

According to the bill, the formulation of rules and regulations should be made the job and authority of the respective minister-in-charge in line with the democratic structure. To elaborate further, there are hundreds of principles – or more legally

appropriate bills and ordinances – that have been put into Pakistan’s law without the establishment of any following rules of how to implement those laws. As per the mem-

NAB moves SC against Javed Latif's bail in assets case

bers of the committee approximately 60 per cent of the laws in Pakistan have not been put into applicable laws.

Imam said that most of the laws that are even interpreted into rules are “ad infinitum” meaning that there is no time limit set on them for renewal or worthy of revisiting. This has not only created a culture of complacency but has also given way to resistance in law-making any other way than having the cabinet to make the final deci-

sion. Lawmaker Kanwal Shauzab said that the Defence Committee had just proposed a suggestion and got it approved that entails passage of laws and regulations even with-

out the interference of cabinet, in cases when the matter in concern is not of sensitive nature.

Syed Fakhar Imam said: “If we were like another parliamentary government we would not have to run to the Supreme Court for every law. Everywhere else in the world it’s convention-practice-convention, but we are still in the same loop of having the cabinet or the court to make laws.”

He said that in Pakistan Principal Accounts Officers (PAO) have the final authority to release funds and they are then made accountable through audits. However, even audits of these PAOs take decades to come out and nowhere else in the world this much delay happens, and that too in such sensitive cases. “No functioning democracy has as old an audit coming though as us.”

Speaking about the need to redefine laws and come up with implementable and enforceable rules and regulations, lawmaker Sher Ali Arbab said, “I believe we should also have a debate that on what grounds has the Chief Justice of Pakistan asked DPOs to personally escort him on his visits.”

In response to the discussions about lawmaking and cabinet’s role in the final formulation of rules and regulations, Naveed Khan said, “There is a General Clause Act and the proposed amendments may be made in the language and implementation of that act instead of having to amend each and every law individually.”

Syed Fakhar Imam requested the reading of the said act, and afterward requested the committee to give him time so that he can consult with his legal advisers independently before filing the final recommendations to the Standing Committee on IT.

IHC QUESTIONS SCOPE OF PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE ORDINANCES ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday questioned the scope of the president’s authority to promulgate ordinances. During the hearing of a petition challenging the promulgation of eight ordinances by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that Article 89 of the Constitution empowered the president to promulgate an ordinance in times of war or national emergency. When Additional Attorney General Tariq Khokhar quoted colonial laws to defend the federal government’s move, the IHC top judge directed him to cite the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan in arguments to satisfy the high court. Noting that the high courts were constituted in the year 2010 through an act of the Parliament, Justice Minallah questioned whether the federal government could dissolve high courts through presidential ordinances. The bench has sought a statement on the matter from amicus curie Babar Awan, Raza Rabbani and Abid Manto. The hearing has been adjourned till March 12. STAFF REPORT

China allows two Pakistani officials in Wuhan as city remains in lockdown ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court (SC) against the bail granted to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Javed Latif by Lahore High Court (LHC) in an assets beyond means case. Latif’s mother, sons and four brothers have also been named as respondents in the petition filed by the NAB. The anti-corruption watchdog has taken the stance that the bureau is conducting an investigation against the PML-N leader and the Lahore High Court’s decision is interference in the interrogation. The anti-graft body requested the apex court to declare the LHC decision of December 26 as null and void. Latif and other suspects have been accused of making assets beyond means.

China has accepted a “special request” by Pakistan to allow a two-member special task force from the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing to enter the virus-hit Wuhan city and meet Pakistani students in different universities to get an update on their well-being and safety.

According to a press release from the Foreign Office (FO), the task force, which will remain in coordination with Chinese authorities, will be permanently deployed in Wuhan and “will return to Beijing once the lockdown in Wuhan is lifted in its entirety and the on-ground situation is completely stabilised”, the statement added. The two FO staffers visited Pakistani students in four universities and also met administrative staff in each university “to get first-hand information on the health and safety needs of the students”.

“In the coming days, the officers will visit students in three other universities as well as the administrative staff in those universities to ensure the welfare of Pakistani students in Wuhan,” the press release said. It added that all Pakistani students in the universities that the officers have thus far visited were “safe, healthy, and well looked after”.

The FO statement said since the lockdown

began in Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, the embassy has maintained “a close liaison with Pakistani students and the Chinese government at various tiers to provide assistance to Pakistani students”.

“Under the supervision of Ambassador of

Pakistan, an 11-member core group was constituted to daily monitor the evolving situation and respond to queries/requests of Pakistani students.” The embassy has also set up two 24/7 hotlines for the facilitation of students in China, the press release said.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

06 WORLD VIEW

The inside sTory of The nuclear deal THESE ARE EDITED EXCERPTS FROM MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA’S RECENT BOOK ‘BACKSTAGE: THE STORY BEHIND INDIA’S HIGH GROWTH YEARS’ Hindustan times

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Montek singh ahluwalia

Ne of the most significant achievements of Manmohan Singh was the conclusion of the Indo-US (United States) nuclear agreement in UPA (United Progressive Alliance) 1. PM Manmohan Singh rightly believed that the non-proliferation regime had imposed a ‘nuclear apartheid’ on India and it would be a major long-term gain for our economy if we could get these restrictions lifted...

We knew the agreement would be criticized at home. The Left parties were opposed to any closeness to the US and would oppose the agreement on principle. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) would criticize the Government for accepting too many conditions...

In October 2007, Sonia Gandhi asked me to come and see her. She had never done this before, so I was naturally curious. She said Prakash Karat had told her categorically that if we proceeded with the deal, the Left would withdraw support. She also said the PM had told her that the Left would keep badgering the Government and if we were to be pushed to the polls in any case, it was better if it happened earlier rather than later. The PM was concerned that if we had a bad monsoon next year, the economic situation could deteriorate, reducing the scope for manoeuvre, and it was best to move quickly. She also told me that he had offered to resign and let her reshuffle the leadership at the top if she wanted. She wanted me to urge the PM not to resign. he had the full weight of her support and that of the party, but neither the party nor the allies wanted an early election.

Sonia Gandhi said she did not think the nuclear deal was an issue on which to risk an early election.

I agreed with her that this was not the time for the PM to force an election. In fact, I pointed out that in the course of the hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi a few weeks earlier, an aggressive questioner, referring to the opposition to the nuclear deal, asked whether the deal was being abandoned. The PM himself had responded by saying we were not a ‘one-issue’ government. She asked me to brief the PM on our conversation and convey to him that this was not the time to resign.

I reported the conversation to the PM, including my view, and pointed out that the public did not fully understand the benefits of the nuclear deal and a much stronger effort was needed to educate public opinion. I felt we had not adequately emphasized that the waiver from the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group), which prohibited members from engaging in nuclear trade with any country that was not a signatory of the NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty), would not just open the door for the US to collaborate with India but allow such collaboration with other countries. In effect, by helping us obtain an NSG waiver, the US would be opening many doors for us that would otherwise remain completely closed. he did not reveal his mind in our conversation but I was happy to find that he did not resign at that time.

Meanwhile, the Left hardened its position...By February, the Left parties said the Government would have to choose between the nuclear deal and its own stability, setting a deadline of 15 March for the Government to indicate its intentions. The Left knew the IAeA (International Atomic energy Agency) safeguards agreement was an essential step before the US Congress could approve the 123 Agreement, so it concentrated its efforts on preventing the Government from going to the IAeA. On 25 June 2008, Sonia Gandhi again asked me

to come and see her. She said she had been told by many people that the PM was thinking of resigning and it would be a disaster for the party if he did, as none of the allies were keen on an early election. My response on this occasion was different from a year earlier. I had agreed then that it was premature to risk an election on this issue but now felt the situation had changed. The issues involved had been adequately explained in public and we had reached a point where the credibility of the Government would be affected if we appeared paralysed by a Left veto. I informed her that I had already told the PM that the right course, in my view, was to go to the IAeA and take the risk of the Left pulling out. She heard me out and asked me to convey the gist of our conversation and her views to the PM, which I did that very day.

I have no idea whether they discussed the issue further but we know that the PM stood firm and sent the draft agreement to the IAeA shortly before leaving for a G8 meeting in Japan in early July.

True to its word, the Left withdrew support on 8 July. The PM sought a vote of confidence in the

house on 10 July. It was tense as both the Left and the BJP were on the same side. The opposition from the Left was not a surprise but the opposition from the BJP was mystifying. Brajesh Mishra, former principal secretary and national security advisor to PM Vajpayee, had supported the deal. The PM told me that he had also spoken to former PM (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee explaining that what the Government had done was the logical culmination of the efforts at rapprochement begun by him. he said Vajpayee seemed to agree but expressed helplessness...

Fortunately, the Samajwadi Party, led by Mulayam Singh, came to the rescue. Manmohan Singh told me later that he had asked former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, one of the team of scientists that had supervised the nuclear test in 1998, to speak to Mulayam and persuade him of the merits of the nuclear deal. Kalam’s support was critical in getting the Samajwadi Party to support the Government on this occasion...

Manmohan Singh’s quiet leadership was the critical driving force that made the nuclear agreement a success. he put together a team of key players and got them to cooperate and be part of the consensus that evolved. Leading from the front was particularly important because many in the Congress party were ambivalent about the deal. They worried about the political consequences of seeming to get too close to the US, because they feared loss of support from the Left and were also concerned that closeness to the US would alienate Muslim voters. At critical points, the PM had to mobilize political support from outside the party, such as from Dr Kalam who spoke to Mulayam to support the Government. The PM was able to navigate the choppy political waters with skill and patience and keep his party on board. he certainly could not have achieved this without the support of Sonia Gandhi who was fully aware of the party’s ambivalence.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia is former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India.

Massive Israeli data leak is treasure trove for Iran intelligence IT CAN JEOPARDISE MOSSAD AND SPECIAL OPS

Haaretz

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Yossi MelMan

he leaks of personal information of 6.5 million Israelis three weeks before the election is one of the worst security screw-ups in the country in the last few years. Both the first breach, which was reported about a week ago, and the more serious second one, reported Sunday, stem from criminal negligence by elector Software – a small and hitherto barely known company that developed the mobile election software being used by Likud and other parties.

This app, which enables access to the country’s entire voter registry, is used “to run elections and make contact with voters,” according to the company. It includes voters’ full names, ID numbers, gender, telephone numbers and current addresses. In addition, there is information entered by party campaign staff about whether or not the individual in question supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Beyond the severe violation of Israelis’ privacy, the hacking of the voter rolls has unprecedented implications for tens of thousands of employees of the Mossad, the Shin Bet security service, the Israel Atomic energy Commission, the Israel Institute for Biological Research and the Israel Defense Forces – especially for pilots, intelligence personnel, special forces and nuclear scientists. The damage caused by the breaches doesn’t end with exposure of information: exposure of such data also enables potentially hostile elements to access additional sources of information, and to cross-check sensitive details including license plate numbers, personal and corporate assets and confidential medical information.

The potential damage is enormous. This is a gold mine for enemies like hezbollah and Iranian intelligence, as well as for intelligence agencies that are more or less friendly to Israel.

It’s no secret that the Mossad and other Israeli intelligence and security organizations make use of the data in the Interior Ministry’s Population Registry. This information enables them to recruit em-

ployees both in Israel and abroad.

It’s also well known that such espionage bodies, especially the Mossad, use fake or borrowed identities for their operations. According to foreign reports, these operations have in the past been aimed mainly at monitoring, information-gathering, infiltrating buildings, buying sensitive equipment and so forth.

In the past three decades, Mossad agents have been exposed while carrying forged passports of Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Bosnia, Georgia and more. Some operatives were arrested. Some were exposed during or after operations in countries such as Jordan, Britain, Sudan, Cyprus, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia and, according to foreign media, Dubai and Tunisia.

The leak of such information about Israeli citizens and the possibility of connecting it to activities conducted overseas under an Israeli or foreign identity is disastrous for the intelligence community. Thanks to this information, foreign intelligence agencies can thwart operations abroad and/or catch the agents involved.

Moreover, cross-checking the leaked information with documents published or stolen in the past can enable hostile agencies to identify not just living people, but also dead people whose identities are being used in secret missions to conceal or verify cover stories.

That, for instance, is what Refaat el-Gammal, an egyptian intelligence agent, did when he posed as a Jew named Jack Beaton who emigrated to Israel in the 1950s. Fortunately, the Shin Bet discovered him and turned him into a double agent who worked for Israel against his egyptian handlers.

And when the Mossad assassinated senior hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai in 2010, it was reported that one of the operatives had assumed the identity of an Israeli who had been killed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The “soft underbelly” of national security that this latest breach has potentially exposed can be demonstrated by the case of the 2015 leak from a major human resources company that recruited personnel for U.S. intelligence and defense agencies.

It was suspected that the information reached Chinese intelligence; as a result, the CIA had to recall some of its agents.

The principle underlying the intelligence community anywhere, including in Israel, is that as soon as there’s a fear that hacked information has reached hostile or any foreign parties, extra precautions must be employed so as not to endanger its personnel. For this reason, in numerous cases in the past where there was the suspected exposure of networks of agents run by Israel in foreign countries, especially

hostile ones – not only was the affected network shut down, but also any others with contacts to it.

Who’s meddling here?

In the course of the groundhog day 2019-20 election campaigns in Israel, there have been several incidents emitting a nasty stench of political espionage. even before this, then-Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich had charged in a television interview that an unidentified person had hired private detectives to keep tabs on the investigations into suspected crimes committed by Prime Minister Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who has now been indicted for the crimes, and his Likud party, vehemently denied the accusations.

In November 2018, a hastily constructed website in Panama published a false report that former Mossad director Tamir Pardo had claimed in a lecture at harvard that former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman had resigned because he was suspected of being a Russian spy.

Thereafter, Lieberman, who is proud of having an ancient cellphone rather than a smartphone, claimed that this wasn’t an isolated incident; unknown individuals had also tried to hack into his Yisrael Beiteinu party’s computers to disrupt its April 2019 election campaign.

Then came the bizarre hacking of Kahol Lavan Chairman Benny Gantz’s cellphone before the April 2019 election and its exposure in the media. even today, it’s still not clear whether Iran was really behind that act, or whether someone had leaked the information to Tehran to cover his tracks.

Israel likes to boast of its cybersecurity industry and of being at the forefront of global technology. Moreover, at least seven public agencies are engaged in cyberwarfare and information security for both defensive and offensive purposes: the National Cyber Directorate, the Mossad and the Shin Bet (these three are all under the prime minister’s auspices); Military Intelligence (under the IDF’s responsibility); and the Defense Ministry’s department of field security. In addition, there are the Atomic energy Commission, the Justice Ministry’s Privacy Protection Authority and the Central elections Commission.

Once the incidents mentioned above became known, all the relevant agencies should have conducted a thorough investigation. After all, the victims – whom someone evidently wanted to smear – were a former defense minister, a former Mossad director and a former IDF chief who is now running for prime minister, as well as the Israeli electoral system as a whole. however, the recent breaches involving the elector app, despite attempts to downplay the damage, are on a completely different scale: They affect every Israeli citizen. From this standpoint, they re-

call the Cambridge Analytica scandal. This British company, which engaged in data mining, data analysis, data brokerage and communications strategies, used personal information purchased or leaked from Facebook to impact elections around the world.

Cambridge Analytica was founded in late 2013. It is partially owned by Robert Mercer and his family, which also owns Renaissance Technologies, one of the world’s most profitable hedge funds. The family’s political leanings are extremely conservative; in 2016, it helped Donald Trump’s election campaign, mainly regarding identification of potential voters. elector Software is a small, obscure firm formed just before the first Israeli election 15 months ago. Its three registered directors are completely unknown to the public. Another former manager worked in the past for Likud. The company is registered in a small european city, and now its three directors have either disappeared or refuse to talk to the media.

When you combine all these facts, and others that haven’t been publicized – there’s almost no doubt that over the last year, a hidden hand has been meddling in Israel’s election campaigns.

In any self-respecting democracy, the very day a leak such as that involving the elector app became known, all the relevant agencies mentioned here should have called emergency meetings to determine how and why a failure of such a magnitude occurred and what its implications are. Moreover, the heads of the intelligence community, led by Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, should have convened to consider the severity of the potential harm caused to defense and security agencies both in the present and in the future.

But Israel with its superfluous and unnecessary number of agencies dealing with information security, and embroiled in ego and turf wars, seems to be unmoved. Not to mention the fact that the government has abdicated its responsibilities in this arena – and not for the first time. Thus, no such meetings or assessment were ever carried out, and it’s doubtful that they will be now, either.

In response, Likud said that “elector is an outside supplier that provides services to many parties, including Likud. All professional and legal responsibility devolves upon it. Likud is making every effort, regarding data related to it and to its voters, to secure the information and ensure its complete protection in accordance with the law and accepted standards.”

The Mossad, the Atomic energy Commission, the Shin Bet, the IDF, Military Intelligence and the Ministry of Defense refused to comment. The National Cyber Directorate did not respond to questions from haaretz. Only the Central electoral Commission said that the matter is not within their realm of responsibility. For its part, the Private Protection Authority said that any breach of privacy and leak of personal details is a serious matter.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

turkey reStartS joint Syria patrolS with ruSSia amid idlib tenSionS

MOSCOW

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AGENCIES

URKEy has restarted joint patrols with the Russian military in northeast Syria after a two-week hiatus, Russia said late on Monday, as a Syrian government offensive in the Idlib region continued to strain Moscow’s ties with Ankara.

Turkey and Russia have

jointly patrolled Syrian territory near the Turkish border since October. But Turkish forces had not shown up since Feb 3, the Interfax news agency cited a Russian defense ministry official as saying.

A Turkish security source said on Feb. 7 that Ankara’s joint patrols with Moscow had been postponed because of weather conditions. Their suspension coincided with rising ten-

sions between the two countries over Idlib.

Moscow last week accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Russia on Syria’s nine-year-old war and of failing to rein in militants in Idlib it said were mounting attacks on Syrian and Russian forces.

Russia-backed Syrian government forces have mounted an offensive on Syria’s last militant stronghold in Idlib near the Turkish border, forcing thousands of civilians to flee.

“The latest joint Russian-Turkish patrol took place…”, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement without elaborating.

A Turkish delegation was in Moscow on Tuesday for a second day of talks as the two countries tried to reconcile their differences over Idlib.

Coronavirus cases top 500 on cruise ship off Japan as Americans evacuated TOKYO: Another 88 people aboard a cruise ship off Japan have tested positive for the coronavirus, authorities said Tuesday, as those free of the disease hoped they were spending their last night on board before disembarking. The new cases take the total from the Diamond Princess to 542 — easily the biggest cluster outside the epicentre in China — as the cruise ship has proved an especially virulent breeding ground for the virus despite quarantine. The new cases will be sent to specialised hospitals, the ministry said in a statement, without giving further details such as their nationalities. Sixty-five of those who tested positive were not yet showing symptoms. Britain became the latest country to offer its citizens a way off the boat, saying it was “working to organise a flight back to the UK” as doubts grow over the effectiveness of the quarantine measures with every spike in positive cases. Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and South Korea have already said they will evacuate their citizens from the ship, following the lead from the United States, which flew home around 300 Americans on Monday — including more than a dozen who had tested positive.

The rescued Americans are being quarantined off for two more weeks of medical seclusion. The first US flight touched down at Travis Air Force Base in California shortly before midnight Sunday, followed by the second early Monday at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. AGENCIES

FOREIGN NEWS 07 Seven killed aS military vehicle explodeS in SoutheaSt colombia BOGOTA: Seven people were killed and 11 more injured when a military vehicle exploded while travelling down a highway in southeast Colombia, in a key drug-trafficking region where illegal armed groups vie for control, a high-ranking military official said on Tuesday. The explosion, which is being investigated by authorities, happened late on Monday in a rural region of Colombia’s Cauca province, some 500 kilometers (300 miles) southeast of capital city Bogota. “This is no random attack. This was a military vehicle moving from Pasto toward Cali. It was moving when it exploded,” General Jorge Isaacs Hoyos, commander of the Colombian army’s third division, told journalists. Those who died were thrown from the vehicle when it exploded, the general said. The explosion hit two other vehicles and forced them from the road, injuring those inside, Hoyos said. The region where the explosion happened is contested by guerillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN), dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – who returned to arms citing a breakdown of the 2016 peace deal – and criminal groups connected to drug trafficking, according to security sources. AGENCIES

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

08 COMMENT Resurgence of polio Vaccination drives under security threat

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S if the continuing rise of confirmed polio cases across the country was not enough, vaccination drives to protect against the crippling virus have once again come under threat. An IeD blast that killed one policeman and injured two others in Dera Ismail Khan adds to the serious challenges faced by the country in its fight against polio. 2019 saw an astronomical rise in polio cases; 144 as compared to just 12 in 2018 and 8 in 2017. Almost two months into 2020 and already there are 17 confirmed cases, that’s almost three cases a week.

What is more worrisome than the strong resurgence of the virus that was on the verge of being completely eradicated from Pakistan, is the fact that no sound scientific rationale is available to explain it. Prime Minister Imran Khan has said many times that polio is Pakistan’s biggest priority, yet the spread of the virus is out of control and the best explanation he has come up with is that it is coming into the country through neighboring Afghanistan. This notion would have been plausible had there been a significant increase in crossborder movement of people between the two countries to explain 132 new cases reported in 2019. Perhaps an investigation into PM’s focal person on polio eradication, Babar Bin Atta, would provide better answers explaining how and why the polio outbreak occurred. his abrupt resignation that came after a growing number of complaints against him have been conveniently ignored by the government and no replacement has been hired so far.

There is a false narrative peddled by uneducated extremists that the polio vaccination harms children as part of some grand Western conspiracy to destroy Pakistan’s next generation. It is up to the government to invest in outreach programs that provide a robust counternarrative to educate and help misunderstood parents who are putting their children’s future in danger by avoiding the necessary vaccination. Pakistan’s polio eradication programme is well-funded with partners such as the World health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. If indeed the PTI government is serious about polio eradication it should hire competent experienced professionals who can use the available resources responsibly, raise awareness about the virus and provide foolproof security to polio workers. Short of this, the virus will continue to spread, becoming increasingly difficult to control, making its eradication a near impossibility.

Karachi gas leak With the cause unknown, ICU patients need the most attention

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he gas leak in Kemari presented the scene of a gas attack, except that the source of gas attacks is usually known. The source of the fatal gas in Kemari is not known, though investigations are said to be proceeding apace. What is known generally could not very well have been hidden, not after a death toll of at least 17. There are about half a dozen patients scattered across four hospitals’ ICUs who needed proper treatments.

Patients started arriving on Sunday night complaining of breathing difficulties and nausea. They all belonged to the same locality in Kemari, behind the railway station.

The prevention of repetition requires that the cause be identified. One of the suspects is the unloading of a container of soybeans. Another is the result of cleaning of storage terminals for oil and petrochemicals. The possibility of terrorist action has not been ruled out publicly, with the gas having produced symptoms similar to those reported from both Iran after Iraqi attacks, and by Syrian rebels after alleged regime attacks. At the moment, doctors are treating only symptoms, not administering an antidote, because they do not know what poison they have to treat. Preventing another episode requires a review of the events that led to this shocking occurrence, so that preventive measures could be taken. If there was deliberation, there must be ways of placing obstacles in the way of the criminals. If there was an accident or neglect, procedures will have to be revised to ensure that there is no repetition.

There is the danger of the provincial government attempting to handle the crisis on its own, not so much because provincial matters are involved, as because it is opposed to the federal government politically. If the federal government can be of any use in either the treatment of the victims or in the investigation (especially since a port facility may be involved), neither should the provincial government hesitate to call on it to help, nor should the federal government hesitate to provide any resources it can. This is not the time to play politics, but to help the victims still fighting for their lives.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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Reviewing the anti-corruption laws The country needs new accountability laws FizzA Ali

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URING his address to the Constituent Assembly on 11 August 1947, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said: “One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering— I do not say that other countries are free from it, but I think our condition is much worse— is bribery and corruption.

That really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand and I hope that you will take adequate measures as soon as it is possible for this Assembly to do so.” When we trace the roots of corruption here, they go back to the colonial period when the British awarded lands and titles to their loyalists.

This led to nepotism and corruption in the region.

According to the World economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report (2007-08), corruption is identified as the third largest problem for companies doing business in Pakistan. Corruption has been consuming urban Pakistanis more than perhaps any other national issue in the recent past. The general perception is that despite the multitude of laws and bodies actively investigating corruption in the region, white collar crime has increased over the years. This is alarming for those in power.

Apart from parliamentary oversight, there are several legal anti-corruption instruments including the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, Prevention of Corruption Act 1947, Public Representatives (Disqualification) Act 1949, elected Bodies (Disqualification) Ordinance, 1959, Anti-Corruption establishment Act, Federal Investigation Agency Act, ehtesab Act and the National Accountability Ordinance of 1999. Moreover, to successfully expose Benami transactions and to deal with individuals arrested under the NAO, the Law and Justice Ministry also recently prepared two bills, ‘The Benami Transaction (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill 2019 and the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2019, which will be presented before the Cabinet for approval. however, many analysts believe that these anti-corruption mechanisms have not achieved the desired outcome. And, when corruption affects the institution of the last resort, the judiciary, the nation really loses hope. This is when we observe an unfair judicial system, which not only affects the individual litigant, but the whole economy. As a result, domestic and foreign investment shies away in fear. The influential and powerful

have a greater chance of easily getting away with anything if they pay the right price.

Only hong Kong and Singapore among Asian countries, have been comparatively successful in reducing corruption due to the political commitment of their leaders, along with impartial implementation of many of anti-corruption measures. This shows the importance of political will in successful implementation of anti-corruption reforms. On the other hand, Susan Rose-Ackerman in her book, Corruption and Government, argues that one must understand that corruption is not a problem which can be attacked in isolation. Indeed, the government may need to establish a strong credibility mechanism by punishing the highly visible corrupt officials. however, the writer argues that the main aim of such prosecutions should be to attract notice and public support, and not solve the underlying problem, and anticorruption laws can only provide a background for more important structural reforms.

In Pakistan, the NRO was perhaps the worst law ever made to legalize mega-corruption in the country. In fact, we saw significant back sliding in the accountability effort after the announcement of this ordinance. Practices of good governance flourish in a necessarily corruption-free situation. Pakistan, unfortunately, is way down the ladder.

Corruption is highest in development projects and procurement (including defense and public sector corporations) and bank loan write-offs. Legally, the civil and criminal codes, legislation and administrative procedural regulations, should clearly specify what constitutes corruption and associated penalties.

The NAB law requires a wholesale review by Parliament to restrain it from opening an investigation without proper inquiry and evidence. Amendments are required with reference to physical remand in NAB cases. For instance, Section 24 of NAO 1999 grants the NAB chairman absolute powers of arrest to investigate an accused for 90 days. Whereas, under the CrPC, physical remand cannot exceed 15 days. This is an area which also needs to be fixed as many persons released after remand were considered not guilty, as in the Aleem Khan case.

The law is meant to benefit the public by recovering their looted money. Imprisoning corrupt politicians without any successful recovery will not benefit anyone. It will only be an additional cost on the state. If the condition of imprisonment is attached to a plea bargain, no corrupt person will ever return the amount. In fact, it will only re-

Torture in India How India avoids ending torture Amjed jAAved

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INCe 14 October 1997, India has been a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Yet it has not yet ratified the convention.

India’s Law Commission has observed that India faced problems extraditng criminals from foreign countries because the Convention prevents extradition to a country where there is danger of torture. Many financial absconders (Mahul Choksy, Vijay Modi, Nirav Mallya and 36 other absconding businessmen) pleaded in foreign courts that they should be tried abroad for fear of torture in India.

India’s Law Commission’s had recommended stringent punishment for individuals committing torture. The draft Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017, was never enacted. It provides for up to 10 years imprisonment and fine for torture. If torture results in death, the punishment includes death or life imprisonment in addition to fine. The existing law against torture falls short on several accounts, both procedurally and substantively, from the U.N. Convention. There is an urgent need for an enactment based on the UN Convention.

At international forums India has consistently and unequivocally condemned and deprecated custodial torture and has signed the UN Convention. But the Centre’s reluctance to ratify the Convention stems from the fact that it envisages comprehensive and standalone legislation, which India presently lacks. The existing law against torture falls short on several accounts, both procedurally and substantively, from the Convention and thus there is an urgent need for an all-embracing, standalone enactment based on it. Articles 51(c) and 253 of the Indian Constitution underscore the “constitutional imperative” of aligning domestic laws with international law and obligations.

Victoria Shofield graphically depicts the behaviour of Indian forces in Kashmir in Chapter 15: Hearts and minds of her 1996 book, Kashmir in the Crossfire. her observations are still releKarachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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vant today. A few extracts are in order. “…Initially there was tremendous reluctance to acknowledge or publicise any of the alleged excesses, indiscriminate killing or arbitrary disappearances noted by the human rights groups for fear of humiliating and hence possibly demoralising the soldiers. …As noted by the Report of the International Commission of Jurists after their visit in August1993…`The jurists, however, also noted that the authorities had been ‘tardy in instituting proceedings against governmental personnel who commit abuses against the people and have created an aura of impunity surrounding officials who violate human rights.’ In conclusion, they stated: ‘…There is however a long way to go, to overcome indiscipline and misconduct of the security forces, particularly the BSF, the persistent and regular use of torture in interrogation and the practice of extra–judicial execution’. (human Rights in Kashmir, Report of a Mission, International Commission of Jurists, 1994).

‘Since the insurgency began, torture of the militants and suspected militants had been a feature of Indian counter-insurgency tactics as a means of extracting information, coercintg confessions and punishment. According to Amnesty international, ‘the brutality of torture in Jammu and Kashmir defies belief. It has left people mutilated and disabled for life. The severity of torture meted out by the Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir is the main reason for the appalling number of deaths in custody (Amnesty, Torture and Deaths in Custody in Jammu and Kashmir, March 1995, p. 2).

The torture generally includes electric shocks, beatings, and the use of a heavy roller on leg muscles, which can result in extensive muscles damage, leading to acute renal failure. Other forms of inhuman treatment on various parts of the body, including sexual molestation also have been reported. According to one victim, quoted

by Amnesty,” You always know in advance about the “current” because they send in the barber to shave you from head to foot. This is supposed to facilitate the flow of electricity. After he finishes shaving you, he hands you a cup of water to drink and then they attach the electrodes (The Observer London 13 November 1994, as quoted in Amnesty, Torture and Death in Custody January 1995, p. 19).Other common meth-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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sult in increased abscondence by sending the looted amount abroad from where it is impossible to recover. hence, the plea bargain provision should remain; but should be made easier. The plea bargain law has already received significant criticism as many view it as relief for the accused.

The State has made recommendations for change.

NAB should improve the law with better SOP’s.

This will empower the courts to intervene rather than only leaving it to the NAB Chairman.

The law requires reform. Fixing the anti-corruption legal system is the only way for the government to save the declining economy. The PTI government took collective action and made some recommendations for amending the antigraft law. This was viewed as a welcome step, but still there is a long way to go. While we look back at history, there is plenty of evidence suggesting how the struggle for power has often provoked the government to misuse the law for its own interests. And, this ultimately results in a misuse of state institutions. Under these situations, anti-corruption institutions are frequently abused by the people in power to persecute opposition parties.

There is no doubt that, Pakistan’s anti-corruption institutions have largely been used by those in power for many years to use the strategy of weakening their opponents. Institutions, including the eC and NAB were established in the wake of overthrowing democratically elected governments by non-elected actors. The military, the government nor the judiciary has ever earnestly intended to grant full autonomy to any accountability organization. This is a matter of serious concern. And, every office has originally sought to bring the operation of the given organizations in line with their own set version of accountability and institutional interests. But, through the emergence of a strong civil society, vociferous media and a newly independent judiciary, there exists a stronger guarantee for any future programme of accountability.

One cannot overstate the importance of whistle-blowers . They are the main force behind unearthing mega corruption scandals. And we have seen how previously the UNCAC 2005, calls upon states to provide adequate protection and incentives to all whistle-blowers. Similarly, international research shows the impact on corruption is strongest if we strengthen supreme audit institutions. In such crucial times, when the country is economically struggling and is overburdened with external debt, there is an urgent need for new laws to be legislated in order to create a businessfriendly environment in the region. ods described by the U.S. human Rights Agency, Asia Watch, include suspension by the hands or feet, stretching the legs apart and burning the skin with a clothes iron or other heated object.

Victims have also been kicked and stamped on security forces wearing spiked boots.’ (Asia Watch, The human Rights in Kashmir: A Pattern of Impunity’, Rawalpindi, June 1993, p. 58).”

“Sixty-three interrogation centres where torture is routinely carried out are believed to exist in Jammu and Kashmir, mostly run by the BSF and the CRPF. …In its December 1993 report Amnesty produced information about the appearance in Kashmir. In its response, the Indian government answered many of the allegations contained in Amnesty’s report and supplied details on some of those listed as missing… Another report by Amnesty in January 1995 regarding 705 people who, since 1990, had died in custody as a result of torture, shooting, or medical neglect, produced yet another rebuttal from the Indian government.

Amnesty however, described their response as `evasive and misleading’. (Analysis of the Government of India’s Response to Amnesty International’s Report on Torture and Deaths in Custody in Jammu and Kashmir, March 1995).

Several other reports document torture, custodial killings, and molestation in India. One such report is the United Nations high Commissioner for human Rights, June 14 “Report on the Situation of human Rights in Kashmir: Developments in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir from June 2016 to April 2018, and General human Rights Concerns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan” by the Office of the United Nations high Commissioner for human Rights (OhChR). Its 49 pages have 388 footnotes, citing, mostly, Indian records such as official statements in Parliament, while refusing the U.N’s repeated requests for on-site inspection.

India’s draconian laws, including Section 4 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1990, as pointed out in international reports, allows any personnel operating under the law to use lethal force not only in cases of self-defence but also against any person contravening laws or orders “prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons”. In India, torture is legal.

Amjed Jaaved is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

COMMENT 09 Editor’s mail

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

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

Literature: An invaluable asset for the youth

Kashmir needs un intervention Who is supposed to enforce UNSC resolutions if not the UN secretary general?

Malik MuhaMMad ashraf

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N Secretary General Antonio Guterres, while addressing a joint press conference with foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said, “Diplomacy and dialogue remain the only tools that guarantee peace and stability with solutions in accordance with the Charter of United Nations and resolutions of the Security Council.” That was also the message transmitted through two UNSC meetings in the backdrop of the Indian action to end the special status of the state. Nobody can take an issue with those contentions but one tends to ask the Secretary General, whose responsibility is it to ensure that the UNSC resolutions were implemented in letter and spirit by all the parties to a dispute? Is he, as a custodian of the UN Charter, not under obligation to encourage the member states to show unqualified adherence to its objectives and principles? Why is he not initiating the move to have the Kashmir dispute resolved in conformity with the UNSC resolutions?

The UNSC resolutions make it obligatory for the UN and the disputing parties to ensure the exercise of the right of self-determination by the people of Kashmir to decide the question of its accession to either of the states. Unfortunately India has shown no respect for the UNSC resolutions and rather has defied them at will.

The Modi government by scrapping Article 370 of the Indian Constitution has practically nullified the UNSC resolutions, which constitutes an affront to the conscience of the world community and a well calculated rebuke to the UN. But it is regrettable that the Secretary General, in spite of acknowledging the imperative of resolving disputes through adherence to the UN charter and UNSC resolutions, is only talking about making available his good offices for mediation provided both sides asked him to do so. The UNSC has already decided on how Kashmir dispute is to be resolved. In the face of the Indian defiance, it needs to take appropriate actions under the provisions of the UN Charter.

Mere expression of concern on the human rights situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir and calling upon India to ease the situation is not going to end the dispute. There is a need to remove the root-cause for the human rights abuses in

edly warned the world community about the Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi dangers lurking on the horizon and sought inwas right on the money while urging the UN tervention by the UN and the world community Secretary General to ensure that the UNSC res- before the proponents of the hate philosophy olutions on Kashmir were binding to allow peo- push the world towards yet another catastrophe, ple of Kashmir to exercise their right of as was done by the similar creed of Hitler.

The Indian rulers also need to understand self-determination. He justifiably said, “We support multilateralism instead of unilateralism. that they were also jeopardizing Indian secuWe saw one example of unilateralism on August rity and economic well-being through the decisions made by them.

5 last year. We have exThe issue of Kashmir is pectation from the Secrenot to be decided by the tary General as he is the people of India or the custodian of UN Charter, The secretary general also government of India in and for this responsibility their national interest, as we have some expectation appreciated Pakistan’s observed by Modi. The from him”. dispute is about the exerIt is noteworthy that efforts to fight terrorism cise of the right of selfwhile the UN Secretary and termed the Kartarpur determination by the General was expounding people of Kashmir, and his view of the situation, Corridor initiative as a only they can decide Indian Prime Minister symbol of interfaith about their future. India Narendra Modi was adhas given a commitment dressing a public rally in harmony. He said that one to them, the UN and the Varanasi, Uttar Pardesh, world community in that where he ruled out revisof his main purposes in regard. Their freedom iting the decisions on the visiting the country was to movement cannot be Citizenship Amendment by the barrel of Act and Article 370, asspotlight the real Pakistan subdued the gun, as is corroboserting that his governwith all its possibilities and rated by the history of ment remained and would the world. The continuaremain firm on those potentials. That is a very tion of the killing spree steps taken in the national interest, despite internaencouraging narrative by in Indian-Occupied Kashmir by the Indian tional pressure. What the secretary general and security forces, the blaModi is telling the world tant violation of human is that he does not care the Pakistani nation is rights and the hostile about UNSC resolutions thankful to him for posture against Pakistan and their concern and exhibited through conpressure with regard to acknowledging the tinuous violations of the the decisions made by his Line of Control and the government. Under the contribution made by threats hurled by the Incircumstances how can Pakistan in fighting dian Army Chief are exthe UN Secretary General acerbating situation expect India to even agree terrorism and her role in the with every the passing day. to his non-starting offer of peace missions. But he The UN must intervene mediation? The Secretary before it is too late.

General needs to underneeds to be reminded that The Secretary Genstand that mere rhetoric eral in his press conferand sermons are not going his real role is to ensure ence also appreciated to end the sufferings of settlement of the Kashmir Pakistan’s efforts to fight the people of Indian-Octerrorism and termed the cupied Kashmir who have conundrum in consonance Kartarpur corridor initiabeen under siege for well with UNSC resolutions tive as a symbol of interover 200 days now. Their faith harmony. He said plight and miseries have that one of his main purbeen extensively reported poses in visiting the by the international media country was to spotlight as well as in the reports of the UN Human Rights Council. What else is re- the real Pakistan with all its possibilities and poquired to nudge the UN to get its act together tentials. That is a very encouraging narrative by and fulfill its obligations towards the people of the Secretary General and the Pakistani nation is thankful to him for acknowledging the conKashmir?

The Indian refusal to honour the UNSC res- tribution made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism olutions and its changing the special status of and her role in the peace missions. But he needs Indian-Occupied Kashmir have endangered to be reminded that his real role is to ensure setpeace and security in the region. The two nu- tlement of the Kashmir conundrum in consoclear powers stand face to face with each other. nance with UNSC resolutions.

Any miscalculation on either side could lead to Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. disastrous consequences for the region and beyond. Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeat- He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.

"THeRe are daggers in men's smiles." This quote was written by William Shakespeare in the 16th century but it is perhaps even more applicable in the modern 21st century, with deceit and treachery spreading through society like wildfire. In such and advancement and complex time, ignorance can become a grave problem for the youth. This ignorance, however, can quickly be turned to intellect and awareness with the help of one readily available, yet readily forgotten asset – literature.

There is great power in the written word. Unfortunately, literature has taken a back foot in society, being neglected in particular by the youth. It seems we have forgotten that the foundations of the philosophy of our very own country were greatly backed by the lessons conversed through literature, by great poets like Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Similarly, classic literature serves as a powerful means of character development, be it stories such as H G Wells’ "The Door in the Wall", which teaches one the attraction and drive for one's ambitions or the difficulty in finding oneself highlighted by Constantine in "Watching for Dolphins".

Simple antagonism of ill virtues of greed, lust and pride in literature serves as a subtle yet powerful means of righting the wrong in the growing generations.

On the contrary what happens when you are detached from literature? The perspective of the youth remains shallow and their mindsets narrow. Children from Pakistan need to be able to face competition in the international market as they grow, and they cannot do so if they cannot read into people or think beyond the box, something which a love for literature undoubtedly makes easier. In addition to this, a growing fear is that the youth has become to materialistic, too caught up in monetary possessions. In literature we have Dickens, Alex Le Guma and other renowned authors writing about thinking beyond the restrictions of money and possessions. Such wisdom is required for our youth to have a productive mindset. The intricate details of morals and human behaviour is something which is very difficult to grasp, but authors of old took it upon themselves to make their work universal. In his poem, "The Poplar Field", William Cowper alludes to human life being comprised of "fugitive years" which are readily "hastening away". This sometimes sour reality of the brevity of human life is truly difficult to relate through word, but one reads it as if etched in stone, the youth realised the importance of taking advantage of the little time they have. After all, in light of Shakespeare’s wisdom, “life is a stage" and we "players" must do our best to leave our mark on this platform, otherwise we can at least take solace in the fact that "all is well that ends well".

ALY RASHID Lahore

unjustified cuts in workers’ salaries IT is seriously astonishing me that the salary of government workers must be cut. I have read in the newspaper that those employees who are the sweepers, their monthly salary must be decreased. It hurts me to see the condition of these sweepers who are compelled to clean the garbage from the roadside. The government’s behaviour is totally unjustified. We all know that eid is so near and they want to fulfil their children necessities.

If government reduces their salary, their children will be deprived from clothes, shoes, food and needed things.

YAHYA IJAz KHoSA Turbat

Energy crisis I seek to express my concern on the difficulties faced by us on a daily basis with the regards to the prevailing energy crisis in our country. The energy crisis has caused various problems for us. There is no gas or electricity in numerous majorities of area. electricity, gas, water, fuel is an essential part of one’s life and its outrage has severely affected the economy and overall living of ours. Pakistan is currently facing up to 18 hours of electricity outage a day. The system of energy supply needs, complete over haunting. Thousands have lost their jobs, businesses, and our daily life has become miserable. The technical issues. If there will be addressed on the the drawing board rather In procession. More importantly decisions on energy projects should revolve around national interest rather than naive political and personal gains.

SAMMI HASHIM Turbat

Tackling poverty POVeRTy in Pakistan is considered an unresolved riddle in almost all parts of the world from Global North to Global South.It is a dangerous insect like termite which has eaten the system gradually.Majority of People are living below poverty line. Actually Pakistan is faced with acute affliction of poverty which made the days restless and nights sleepless.

Undoubtedly,poverty generated child labor which have added salt to injuries.Poverty compels a man to commit crime by taking up guns or use unaccecptable means to have their both ends meet.Hopelessness and helplessness destroyed not only thier lives ,but also it compelled them to be involved in illicit activities.Simultaneously,democracy should be beefed up to bring common man to parliment.

SAHIL UMRAnI Lahore

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Bezos launChes $10Bn fund to ComBat Climate Change SEATTLE

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AGENCIES

IS company is often criticized for its environmental record, but Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and the world’s richest man, said Monday that he was committing $10 billion to a new fund to tackle climate change.

In a post to his 1.4 million followers on Instagram, the e-commerce tycoon said the Bezos Earth Fund would “fund scientists, activists, NGOs — any effort that offers a real possibility to help preserve and protect the natural world.”

“Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet,” said Bezos, whose net worth is estimated to be around $130 billion. Hundreds of Amazon employees last month signed a blog criticizing the online retail giant’s climate policies and demanding it do more to tackle climate change.

Amazon has been accused of creating

vast amounts of waste from the packaging it uses for doorstep deliveries, as well as for the greenhouse gas emissions from huge fleets of vehicles.

The company, which in December said its workforce had hit 750,000, has also been denounced over its carbon footprint because of the high energy con-

Apple to miss revenue forecast as iPhone supply hit by coronavirus NEW YORK AGENCIES

Apple announced Monday it would miss its March quarter revenue forecast and global iPhone supplies would fall because of the deadly coronavirus epidemic, triggering a fall in Asian stock markets.

The COVID-19 death toll now exceeds 1,800 in China, where it has infected more than 72,000 after emerging in the central province of Hubei in December. The virus has sparked global economic jitters, with travel bans and mass quarantines inside China forcing factories to suspend operations and shops to close. Apple, which depends on components from Chinese suppliers and has a big market in China, has been hammered on both fronts.

“We are experiencing a slower return to normal conditions than we had anticipated,” Apple said in a statement.

“As a result, we do not expect to meet the revenue guidance we provided for the March quarter.” Apple had forecast revenue of $63 billion to $67 billion for the second quarter to March.

The US tech giant did not disclose how much it expected the outbreak to shave off its revenues.

But it said that worldwide iPhone supply would be “temporarily constrained” as its manufacturing partners

in China were only slowly ramping up work after being closed because of the travel restrictions. Consumer demand in the crucial Chinese market had also been dampened after all Apple stores were shut. “Stores that are (now) open have been operating at reduced hours and with very low customer traffic,” the company said. “We are gradually reopening our retail stores and will continue to do so as steadily and safely as we can.”

Apple analyst and Loup Ventures co-founder Gene Munster told Bloomberg that the company was feeling the hit from its dependence on Chinese consumers. “This is the double-edged sword of being in China,”

he said. “They’re the only big (US tech) company with China exposure, so they are working through the pain of what has largely been a success for the company over the past decade.”

Other Silicon Valley behemoths — such as Facebook, Amazon and Google parent company Alphabet — either have limited access to the market or are blocked outright by China’s internet firewall. However supply chains of global firms such as Apple supplier Foxconn and auto giant Toyota have also been disrupted with production facilities in China temporarily closed.

Sportswear giants Nike and Adidas also shuttered hundreds of stores in the

sumption of its server farms for its lucrative cloud computing activities.

“I want to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change on this planet we all share,” Bezos said in his announcement on Monday.

AMAZON’S CARBON TARGETS: Bezos, who maintained his status as the world’s richest person despite an expensive divorce last year, said his new foundation would begin issuing grants later this year.

Last September, he said Amazon would pledge to become carbon neutral by 2040 and vowed that the company would order 100,000 electric delivery trucks.

Rather than make investments that the business guru might profit from, the fund would allocate grant money to projects, The New York Times said, quoting unnamed sources familiar with the initiative. Bezos divulged few de-

country this month and warned of a negative impact on their earnings.

STOCK MARGET CONTAGION: Apple suppliers suffered in Tuesday trade after the forecast.

Sony, which provides Apple with key imaging components, lost 2.5 percent, while electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing plunged more than three percent on the Tokyo bourse.

“Traders were downhearted about Apple’s announcement,” Chibagin Asset Management’s Yoshihiro Okumura told AFP. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 1.4 percent — its fourth straight session in the red, while Hong Kong’s main market was down 1.3 percent. Monday marked the second time in as many years that Apple cut earnings forecasts due to setbacks in the Chinese market.

It followed a downgrade for the 2019-20 financial year due to a lag in iPhone sales, which the company blamed on the US-China trade war. International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva has said there could be a cut of up to 0.2 percentage points to global growth because of the virus.

Outside of hardest-hit Hubei, which has been effectively locked down to try to contain the virus, the number of new cases has been slowing and China’s national health authority has said the outbreak is under control.

However, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the trend “must be interpreted very cautiously”.

Further moves by China’s central bank on Monday to cushion the world’s second-largest economy against the health crisis appear to have done little to allay concerns.

Turkey and Pakistan — a democratic comparison MUHAMMAD ALI EHSAN The history of political similarity between Turkey and Pakistan is hard to miss. Both countries have experienced military rule, and military coups have come and gone with almost equal intervals. Military coups took place in Turkey in 1960, 1971, 1980, 1997 and 2016. Whereas Pakistan experienced military interference in politics and resultant military rule in 1963, 1971, 1979 and 1999. Politics under the civilian rule in Pakistan in the last decade plus has brought about little change in the lives of the common people but the story of politics in Turkey, under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has altogether been different.

He has been elected and re-elected by the Turkish people, so much so that the results of the April 16, 2017 referendum in Turkey now puts him in almost another political league. He now exercises an absolute (authoritarian) power by becoming both the head of the government as well as the head of state. Re-

cently in Pakistan on a two-day visit, the Turkish President, like always, brought with him his good wishes and an unfaltering support on all the issues facing Islamabad, including the issue of Kashmir.

Confronted with many challenges, including a strong military, the Turkish President managed them all and successfully carried forward Turkey on its democratic journey.

Why then the political leadership of Pakistan could not achieve similar democratic success when it had its chance from 2008 to 2018?

Political narratives matter and President Erdogan’s political narrative has been unfailing and consistent for a very long time now and has served him and his political career well. It can be summed up in one line: “only a strong leader with public support can generate political stability, and can then galvanise the state to see off its enemies.”

The April 2017 Turkish referendum was a consequence of a belief in this narrative. Succeeding in obtaining a yes vote

by only 51%, President Erdogan not only successfully abolished the Turkish parliamentary system of government but replaced it with a better functioning presidential system. Erdogan’s political narrative was bought by the people who believed in him and enabled him to accumulate power entirely in his person as the president of Turkey. Were the people of Pakistan also as welcoming to purchase the political narratives of their political parties?

The 18th Amendment in the Constitution introduced by the PPP paved the way for Nawaz Sharif to become a thirdtime prime minister of our country.

While the Turkish President’s political narrative was a consequence of his ideological belief, Sharif’s only came to limelight after the historic decision by the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan to remove him from power and bar him from politics for life.

Sharif’s political narrative based on his slogan of “vote ko izzat douu” (give respect to the vote) was an anti-military and anti-judiciary narrative aimed only at

maligning the country’s premier institutions. His hostility towards them became very apparent through his speeches only after his dismissal from the office of prime minister. While seeking sympathy votes and portraying the judicial verdict as controversial and politically motivated, Sharif openly targeted Pakistan’s military and judiciary which was not well received by the majority of the people of the country. Sensing the damage his political rhetoric was causing to the country, even the Lahore High Court (LHC) barred all Pakistani television channels from airing the speeches of the PML- N leadership in the country.

The political narrative of Sharif was not about reforms but his political restoration. There was nothing in it to guarantee access to better jobs, security, education, health or better living standards. While in power, unlike Erdogan, Sharif failed to bring about any meaningful difference in the lives of the people. As a result, the majority of the people in Pakistan did not fall for his narrative as was evident in the

tails on his social media post, which attracted overwhelmingly positive responses from his followers.

Bezos has often clashed with US President Donald Trump, who regularly attacks climate change activists, recently calling them “perennial prophets of doom.”

The fund was described as Bezos’s biggest philanthropic commitment.

Fellow billionaire Bill Gates, cofounder of Microsoft, now devotes much of his time to his charity foundation and a venture fund that makes investments aimed at helping curb emissions and reverse climate change.

The New York Times said that even if Bezos spent the full $10 billion immediately, he would still be the world’s richest person.

Last week, he reportedly agreed to buy a Beverly Hills mansion built in the 1930s by Hollywood movie mogul Jack Warner for $165 million, a record price for a California home.

China-led $280 million Kyrgyzstan project abandoned after protests BISHKEK AGENCIES

A Chinese company has pulled out of a $280 million project to build a logistics center in Kyrgyzstan after protests by hundreds of locals in a fresh display of antiBeijing sentiment in Central Asia. The deal signed during Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to the former Soviet republic last year envisaged construction of warehouses, transport terminals, hotels and other facilities in a free-trade zone near Kyrgyzstan’s border with China. However, hundreds of locals saw it as a land grab by Kyrgyzstan’s giant neighbour and held a series of protests demanding that the project be cancelled.

The joint venture set up by China’s One Lead One (HK) Trading Limited and a Kyrgyzstan partner issued a statement late on Monday, saying that it was impossible to work on a large, long-term project when a part of local population opposes it. “They have assessed the risks and made a decision,” a spokesman for Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abilgaziyev said.

Last year hundreds of locals clashed with workers of a Chinese mining company in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn province – the same region that had been earmarked for the abandoned logistics project – after accusing the miner of poisoning local water supply.

Similar clashes have happened in other parts of Kyrgyzstan.

2018 elections which the PML-N lost.

Unlike Sharif, President Erdogan made the best use of his popular support when in power. The reforms he initiated in public transportation, healthcare and other civic services added to his popularity. He also gained the support of the masses when he initiated serious steps towards attaining membership of the European Union. As a political leader, he demonstrated a resolve to continue to stick to the roadmap that he laid for his country. His political narrative was not only more people-oriented and beneficial, but also politically rewarding and sustainable.

In retrospect, in Pakistan, the lack of political reforms and the judicial verdict on the Panama scandal undermined the moral standing of the politicians. The anti-military and anti-judiciary narrative Sharif tried to utilise to revive his lost political standing failed to inspire the people. Had the two governments, of the PPP and the PML-N, utilised almost a decade available to them (from 2008 to 2018) to introduce political reforms, democracy in Pakistan may also have gained political mileage like it did in Turkey under President Erdogan.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

buSIneSS 11

CORPORATE CORNER

PTCL-Ufone C C CEO and President Rashid Khan along with senior members of the management cuts cake in connection with the 19th anniversary celebrations. PrESS rElEaSE

BureAucrAcy not following PM’S directiveS on BuSineSS fAcilitAtion: fPcci ISLAMABAD GHulaM aBBaS

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Board of Investment Executive Director General Fareena Mazhar briefs a high-level delegation of 33 mid-career foreign diplomats from 25 countries during a meeting. P r E S S r E l E a S E

Participants of a road show arranged by the National Highway Authority stand in a group photo. PrESS rElEaSE

HE Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has claimed that the bureaucracy was not following the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding facilitation of businesses across the country.

Talking to a group of journalists on Tuesday, FPCCI Vice President Qaiser Khan Daudzai said PM Imran Khan was requested in a recent meeting to intervene in the economic policies, as the existing exchange rate was destroying the industry.

“Unfortunately, it seems that the government is helpless after signing the loan agreement with International Monetary Fund (IMF), as decisions are ultimately taken on the directions of the international lender,” Daudzai deplored. “Everyone at the helm of affairs gives the excuse of ‘IMF condition’ whenever the unjustified interest rate (13.5pc) is questioned.” He said until the exchange rate was back below 10pc, economic ac-

Australia reveals new agri projects for Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Australia on Tuesday announced new agricultural research projects for Pakistan in certain areas including salinity management and pulses production. The projects were announced by Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR), Professor Andrew Campbell during his recent visit to Pakistan, the Australian High Commission in Islamabad said in a press release. The new projects continue with the ACIAR’s 35-year history of research and development activity to improve the livelihoods of rural communities in Pakistan. The initiatives include a 10-year programme on salinity management; a research project to deepen understanding of rural transformation in China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Pakistan; and a project on competitive and socially inclusive value chains for the development of pulses production in Pakistan. Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Geoffrey Shaw said the ACIAR’s work in the agriculture sector was a key component of Australia’s engagement with Pakistan. “As a leading agriculture exporter and with the world-class expertise in agricultural research, Australia sees great scope to cooperate in building Pakistan’s agricultural capacity,” Dr Shaw said. Professor Cambell said the ACIAR projects could change the lives of farmers across Pakistan. aPP

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Imran Khan has shown annoyance over a delay in the uniform reduction in urea prices by the fertilizer industry despite a waiver of the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC).

According to sources, the premier, who is perturbed over the delay, is likely to take strict action against the fertilizer industry, which has not reduced the urea prices despite getting relief in the cess.

They said the PM had directed Adviser to the Prime Minister on

Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production Abdul Razak Dawood to invite the management of fertilizer plants and discuss with them the issue of differential of reduction in the retail price of a fertilizer bag following a reduction in GIDC. PM Imran had made it clear to the Adviser that if the fertilizer industry was not ready to reduce the urea price the gas supply on subsidized rates would be stopped, sources added. A uniform reduction in urea prices would be ensured so that the entire benefit of GIDC waiver reaches the common man, sources quoted Razak Dawood as

having said.

Sources further said the next cabinet meeting would take up the matter as the cabinet’s members had already expressed reservations over not providing relief to the farmers by few fertilizer plants despite GIDC waiver.

Following a reduction in the GIDC, the two largest fertilizer companies of the country- Fauji Fertilizer and Engro Fertilizer- have reduced their prices for urea fertilizer by Rs300 and Rs160 per 50kg bag respectively.

Under the new GIDC amendments introduced by the govern-

PSO’s gross profit surged by 25pc to Rs20,058m in IHFY20 ISLAMABAD: While an increase in the oil prices in the domestic market has hit the masses hard, the first half of the current fiscal year has proved to be a good one for the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) in terms of overall growth.

The PSO, being the largest player in the local oil market, has seen a substantial increase in its bottom line (profit after tax) over 1HFY20.

The company’s half yearly results were announced on Tuesday.

The Arif Habib Limited (AHL) estimates that the profit after tax of the company has increased to Rs6.1 billion in 1HFY20, up from Rs4.2bn in 1HFY19.

The increase in the company’s bottomline is attributable to a top line growth in the revenues that had gone from Rs571,853m in 1HFY19 to Rs644,615m in 1HFY20.

According to the AHL analysis, the increase in revenue is owing to a surge in the sales of MS (petrol), HSD (diesel) and FO (furnace oil) that have grown each by 13pc, 7pc, and 4pc respectively over the said period.

The gross profits have increased by 25pc as it jumped from Rs15,996m in 1HFY19 to Rs20,058m in 1HFY20.

Arsalan Hanif, an investment analyst at AHL, explains that last year the PSO had suffered massive inventory losses, which led to an increased cost of goods sold and kept gross profits low. This year inventory losses have been minimal which largely explains 25pc increase in gross profits, he says and adds with all this, the earnings per share (EPS) are expected to go up too.

The AHL estimates that the earning per share will be Rs13.01 for the 1HFY20, up from Rs9.01 for the 1HFY19. Furqan Malik

OMCs stop operations at Keamari due to toxic gas leakage ISLAMABAD aHMaD aHMaDani

Following toxic gas leakage in Keamari which led to the death of almost 14 persons, oil marketing companies (OMCs) have temporarily suspended their onsite operations.

Sources said that OMCs, including state-owned Pakistan State Oil (PSO) have closed their operations due to health and safety reasons. They said that suspension of operations by OMCs might cause fuel shortage and a panic-like situation in fuel buying in the country, especially in Karachi, in the near

even the provincial environment departments and health departments pressurise the industrial units.”

Daudzai demanded a clear government policy regarding environment, labour, health etc. which should be available at the industries departments of all provinces, adding that most departments raid industrial units by taking advantage of the fact that no one knows their policies.

To a query, he said several small and medium size industrial units have closed their operations or reduced their output.

“The reduction in industrial production will eventually lead to higher imports and smuggling, which will enhance grey economy in the country, as neither all the imports nor the retail sector is documented.”

Daudzai also criticized the government for not implementing the agreed economic revival plan for federally administered tribal areas (FATA) and provincially administered tribal areas (PATA).

Fertilizer industry may face PM’s wrath over urea prices aHMaD aHMaDani

BankIslami bags three accolades at the 9th CST C Summit and Awards 2020. PrESS rElEaSE

tivities would remain stagnant.

“However, the most serious thing we observed [during the meeting] was that the bureaucracy was not even listening to the PM’s directives,” the newly-elected official said, referring to the recent meeting of the FPCCI delegation with the premier.

He said several issues were highlighted to the PM and his economic managers, including reduction of interest rates, uniform energy prices and FBR’s responsibilities.

“But nothing has happened so far despite assurances by the premier.”

According to the FPCCI official, economic revival was being delayed in the country owing to undue “harassment” by various federal and provincial departments.

“We support the government’s decision to document the economy, but putting most of the tax burden [from the entire distribution chain] on industrialists and manufacturers is highly unrealistic and unfair,” he stated. “People think that the tax collecting body is the only trouble maker but

'UNLESS THE EXCHANGE RATE IS BACK BELOW 10PC, ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES WILL REMAIN STAGNANT'

future. They said that the decision of closing operations by OMCs was taken after two employees of a contractor fell ill on Tuesday and felt difficulty in breathing, and were subsequently shifted to a private hospital for treatment.

OMCs, including SPL, Total Parco, Al-Noor, Byco, Zyco with HASCO and PSO have established their oil terminals and storages in the Keamari area, and their total oil storage capacity is around 0.5 million metric tonnes.

When contacted, Shell Pakistan spokesperson said that the company stopped its operation on Tuesday

around 2PM as a precautionary measure for the safety of staff. “We are following the news closely and hope to resume normal operations by tomorrow. This will not impact our customers,” the spokesperson said.

PSO spokesperson said that the company has temporarily closed its storage terminals in Keamari due to the same reasons. “The operations on this location will resume as soon as the area is deemed safe for the company’s staff and contractors to operate,” the spokesperson said.

“There will be as such no impact of this temporary closure on supply of POL products within Karachi, and

in upcountry locations. PSO has sufficient stock available, with backup supply arrangements already in place to ensure an uninterrupted supply of the POL products,” the spokesperson added.

Sources said that PSO stopped its operation when the daily load was completed. They said that PSO has started oil supply to Karachi and other parts of the country from its Zulfiqarabad storage which is comparatively big compared with Keamri storage. They added that OMCs except PSO might face difficulty in oil supply if the situation persists for more few days.

ment late last month, fertilizers feed and fuel gas were reduced to Rs5 per bag from the original price of Rs400 per bag. The GIDC was initially imposed as a levy by the PPP government in 2011 on gas consumers in the industrial sector.

The money collected under the head GIDC was to be used for the construction of gas infrastructure projects like the Iran-Pakistan Pipeline, and TAPI etc.

However, in December 2013 the GIDC was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, but in 2015 the government had re-imposed the cess.

Saudi company mulls investing $5m in Punjab's packaging sector LAHORE SHaHaB OMEr

A Saudi Arabia-based company has shown interest in investing almost $5 million in the packaging sector in Punjab, Pakistan Today has learnt. The investment plan was revealed at a meeting between the representatives of the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) and the K-2 Valley held here on Tuesday.

According to a PBIT official, the company had approached the PBIT to discuss business prospects in several sectors of Punjab and as a part of its outreach program, the board was now facilitating the company to explore investment opportunities as per their requirements. He further informed the company was already engaged in different investment ventures in the countries like KSA, Bahrain and Turkey and it would now share its business proposals for investment in Punjab. PBIT Director Facilitation Suhail Saleem informed this scribe that the company’s prominent representatives had visited their office on the PBIT’s invitation. “The company has its offices in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and is working with some local companies. We had a detailed meeting with the K-2 Valley officials to discuss potential areas for investment in Punjab.” “The company is very much interested in starting a packaging business and we have shared the PBIT’s proposals with them. The board will take the company to the special economic zones (SEZs) where the government is providing tax holiday,” Saleem said. He said currently the company is importing animal food from Pakistan and would also start exporting packaging material from Pakistan after establishing business here. By using name ‘MSN’ for its business in Punjab, the company would start manufacturing of packaging material with $5 million investment, the official added.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

12 BUSINESS

In a fIrST, Mof SeT To brInG ‘MId-year budGeT revIew rePorT’ before cabIneT

MARKET DAILY

ISLAMABAD

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Stocks lose 101 points in lacklustre trading KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed another lacklustre session on Tuesday, with the indices settling in the red amid low market volume. On the economic front, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by Pakistan to curb terror financing and has demanded the country to further tightens its laws so as to bring individuals involved in money laundering and terror financing to task. Gaining 323.87 points, the benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded its intraday high at 40,600.80. However, failing to sustain the positive momentum, the index glided to its intraday low at 40,065.86 after losing 211.07 points. It finally closed lower by 101.58 points at 40,175.35. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index dropped 137.45 points to end at 63,579.95, while the KSE All Share Index lost 195.59 points, settling at 27,807.10. Out of the total traded shares, 109 advanced and 176 declined. Sectors responsible for KSE-100’s fall included oil & gas marketing (-47.35 points), tobacco (-37.83 points) and technology & communication (-16.93 points). Among the companies, Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO 43.53 points), Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PAKT -37.83 points) and Pak Petroleum Limited (PPL 22.58 points) dented the index the most. The overall market volumes slipped from 99.97 million in the previous session to 91.64 million. Unity Foods Limited (UNITY +0.58pc), Habib Bank Limited (HBL +1.64pc) and Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO -4.91pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 13.38 million, 5.38 million and 4.61 million shares, respectively. On the market front, PSO announced its financial results for the second quarter of FY20. The company’s gross profit improved by 37pc YoY, following a 7.10pc increase in its revenue. PSO posted earnings per share of Rs6.19 for 2QFY20 (Rs0.15 in 2QFY19).

Land allocation process for $10bn Gwadar refinery underway BUSINESS DESK Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Director-General Shahzeb Khan Kakar has said that upcoming oil city project in Gwadar will host a multibillion-dollar Saudi Aramco refinery, Arab News reported. He hoped that the process of land allocation for the $10 billion Saudi oil refinery project and a $1-billion petrochemical complex would be completed within a couple of months. Kakar told Arab News: “The land allocation process for the oil refinery is underway with the provincial government’s revenue department in Quetta.” Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed seven investment deals worth $21 billion during visit of last year which included the Aramco refinery. The oil refinery has a expected refining capacity of between 250,000 bpd to 300,000 bpd. Gwadar is at the heart of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Beijing is investing $60 billion in energy and infrastructure sectors of Pakistan.

SHAHZAD PARACHA

HE Ministry of Finance will present the country’s first-ever ‘mid-year budget review report’ during the upcoming meeting of the federal cabinet. According to sources privy to this development, the PM on Thursday would chair the cabinet meeting to deliberate upon a 16-point agenda, which included the mid-year budget review report of the fiscal year 2019-20.

The parliament had, for the first time, made mandatory “mid-year reporting of the budget developments in Pakistan through enactment of the Public Finance Management Act, 2019,” in June last year.

The National Assembly, while passing the finance bill for FY20, had made applicable the Public Finance Management Act 2019, as per the requirement of article 79 of the constitution. This was done to strengthen the management of public finances and to improve the implementation of fiscal policies for better macroeconomic and

budgetary management.

Sources said in the upcoming meeting, the cabinet members would be briefed about government expenditures, revenue collection, development expenses, austerity measures and reforms under the IMF programme.

The said mid-year report would be shared with parliament after approval from the cabinet.

Besides discussing a summary by the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan, sources said the cabinet would also shed light on the education ministry’s proposals regarding ‘Pakistan National Education Plan 2020’.

Other issues that would that would be discussed during the meeting include the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ proposal in favour of ‘Zaireen Management Policy’, health ministry’s summary regarding a notification for Pakistan Nursing Council’s member, Inter-Provincial Coordination Division’s summary for the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the Council of Common Interest, Human Rights Division’s summary for the establishment of National Commission on Child Rights, and Commerce Divi-

FDI surges 66pc in seven months KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan rose 65.7pc to $1.564 billion during the first seven months (July-January) of the current fiscal year (FY20), according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

During the same sevenmonth period a year ago, FDI in the country stood at $943.6 million.

On a year-on-year basis, FDI increased to $223.1 million in January 2020, as against $146.8 million recorded during the same month of 2019.

The total foreign investment in Pakistan, including FDI, portfolio investment and foreign public investment,

stood at $3.425 billion during the seven-month period, compared to $534.7 million during the same period last year, an increase of 540pc.

The foreign portfolio investment for the period under review amounted to $21.5 million.

Much of the surge can be attributed to an increase in FDI in communications and the power sector. The highest amount of FDI was in telecommunications, at $433 million, followed by power at $404 million. Financial business witnessed an FDI of $179 million, while FDI in oil and gas stood at $158 million.

Umer Farooq, investment analyst at AKD Securities, said that while overall growth in FDI is positive, the quality is “not-so-good”.

“The majority of the increase in FDI came from a large one-off fee received on account of cellular licence renewal,” according to Farooq.

He also criticized the lack of diversity in investment flows, saying that FDI was centric only to a few sectors like power and telecom.

Country-wide data released by the central bank shows that China remained the largest investor, with net FDI of $533 million during the seven-month period, compared with net investment of $283 million during the same period last year.

The second-largest investor was Norway, with a net FDI of $289 million, compared with $4 million during the same period the year before.

Cotton arrivals fall 20pc to 8.54m bales LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI

As many as 8.547 million cotton bales reached the ginning industries across the country from February 1 till February 15, as compared to 10.7 million bales reaching the industries during the same period last year.

According to figures shared by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA), a shortfall of 2.153 million cotton bales was recorded during the period under review, which was equivalent to a decrease of 20.12pc.

In Punjab, 5.73 million bales reached the ginning industries as of February 15, which was 22.56pc less than last year (6.55 million bales).

Similarly, during the period under review,

as many as 3.473 million bales reached the ginning industries of Sindh, as against 4.148 million bales reaching the same during last year, registering a decline of 16.26pc.

“A total of 8.520 million knots of cotton (produced from bales) reached the ginning industries across the country as of February 15,” a PCGA official told this scribe.According to figures, out of 8.520 million cotton knots, the textile sector purchased 7.795 million knots, while exporters purchased 0.059 million of the same.

Trading Corporation (TCP) did not purchase cotton knots during the cotton season 2019-20.

Around 71 ginning industries remained operational during the period under review. Of the total, 62 ginning industries belonged to Punjab, producing 5.49 million cotton knots.

sion’s summary regarding one-time permission for import of insecticides from India.

Furthermore, sources said the Ministry for Maritime Affairs would brief the cabinet on issues related to Pakistan Steel Mills. Similarly, the PM’s finance adviser would also brief the forum about the regulatory duties on pulses. The power minister would explain issues regarding gas pricing and power bills while Dr Sania Nisthar would also give a presentation on the Ehsaas Programme.

In addition, the cabinet would discuss the Petroleum Division’s summary to appoint the Pakistan Mineral Development Cooperation (PMDC) managing director and Revenue Division summary for proportionate adjustment of input tax by exploration and production companies operating as joint ventures.

The cabinet would also consider the planning ministry’s summary regarding the vacant post of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ chief statistician, besides discussing the overseas ministry’s summary seeking approval of the federal government to grant fresh overseas employment promoter licenses as per the relevant law.

KP govt looks to revive 300 industrial units under 10-year plan PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formulated a 10-year plan to revive nonfunctional industrial units in the province, Pakistan Today has learnt. According to official data, there are more than 1,286 industrial units in KP of which 300 are not functioning. The closed units include 34 steel manufacturing plants, 26 plastic producers, 16 pharmaceutical factories, 13 textile mills, 13 food factories and 80 marble units.

Talking to Pakistan Today, CM’s Adviser on Industries Abdul Kareem said that new policy aims to revive the 300 closed units phasewise in the next five years with a Rs500 million investment. He said that the marble industry is the most affected sector in the province, adding that higher tariff rates for the industrial sector was a major factor for its downfall. “The KP government is considering lowering the power tariff for the industrial sector to boost its production,” he said. Kareem said that the Cherat Group had won the bidding of Pahor Hydropower Project which will generate 12 to 18 megawatts of electricity. Electricity from this project will be directly provided to the industrial units instead of routing it through the national grid, he added. Under the new policy, the government plans to establish 10 new special economic zones in different areas of the province to create new jobs and boost provincial economy. A 14-member committee has been formed for the implementation of the new industrial revival policy, which will start from 2020 and complete in 2030. Commenting on the issue, Senator Haji Ghulam Ali said that several businesspersons had shifted their factories to Punjab due to lack of facilities in the province. He added that high power rates were a major reason for the migration of businesses from the province.

PSX announces 14 market participants for Exchange-Traded Funds KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has announced 14 market participants for the upcoming Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF).

These include Bank Alfalah, Bank Al-Habib, Engro Fertilizers, Engro Corporation, Fauji Fertilizers, Habib Bank, Hub Power, Lucky Cement, MCB Bank, Oil & Gas Development Company, Pakistan Oilfields, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Pakistan State Oil, and United Bank Limited, according to a notification (N211) released on Tuesday.

This means the above 14 companies and banks will become part of the

ETF basket.

“The above mentioned symbols shall be traded in a lot of one share, and there shall be no Odd Lot market for these symbols,” the PSX clarified.

An odd lot refers to any order for a security which is less than the normal unit of trading. Usually, this is anything less than the standard 100 shares. According to Hassan Raza, the Head of Product Management and research at the PSX, in the current system, an investor has to go to the Odd Lot market to buy any number of shares that are less than 100.

But when the ETFs are launched, if someone would like to buy one or five shares of any one of the above symbols

(or any number of shares less than 100), they will be able to do so.

The launch date of the ETFs is still to be decided, according to the exchange.

Earlier in January, the PSX said it will begin to offer ETF for the very first time in 2020. At the time, PSX had said the ETFs would be available anywhere between two weeks to one-and-half month’s time. However, no tentative date was set by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

Two asset management companies (AMCs) in Pakistan, National Investment Trust Fund and UBL Funds, will offer the ETFs. Alongside the two authorized companies, JS Global will be the authorized

market maker. Market makers are typically large banks or financial institutions which help create a market for investors to buy or sell securities.

The process is in its final stages, as the AMCs have obtained approval for the ETFs from the SECP. The final date of the ETF launch rests with the AMCs, and is estimated in a few weeks.

When reached for comment, NIT representatives said the launch date had not been finalized, but could potentially be in the first week of March. This recent update follows an earlier notification (N1620) released by the PSX on December 18, which described a revision of the marketable lot of ETF constituents.

In that notification, the PSX laid down the above mentioned rules of the ETF basket, such as that the marketable lot for those securities will be at one share, and that there will be no Odd Lot market for those symbols.

However, it did not say which participants were included in the ETF, saying that would instead be issued before the formal listing and trading of the ETF on the exchange, and after AMCs obtain SECP approval for ETFs. The PSX had been testing operational readiness for ETFs in December 2019, and also been conducting mock sessions in the after-hours with around 15 brokers, to familiarize people with the new product.

LightingALe RecoRds: ALi ZAfAR LAunches RecoRd LAbeL foR YoungsteRs Faysal Quraishi makes a TV comeback with 7th Sky Entertainment’s Exciting New Project Muqaddar

A

By Hasan Kazmi

HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

li Zafar needs no introduction when it comes to performing arts in sub continent. Started his career as sketch artist in late 90s and then came as an actor and finally a vocalist with outstanding skills, releasing numerous hit singles and albums Ali has always managed to keep his job stable and thriving even during the most difficult times of his life.

Considering music is his first love, Ali Zafar has recently announced his record label, lightingale Records, under which he aims to promote new musicians and artists. in his recent instagram post, Ali explaining the reason of starting this label, said, “Our land is ripe with talent waiting for the slightest of opportunity to flourish. However, due to lack of understanding of the importance of the Arts and Humanities in our society, we have been unable to develop a culture where talent can be nurtured, groomed and guided to reach its true potential, nor build an industry.”

He further said, “During all these years as a performing artist, i have had the great fortune of learning about different aspects of the music industry. As artists or human

beings in general, we are intrinsically prone to become self-indulgent or internally focused, but that is the mistake that most of us make. i feel the only thing that carries on beyond our existence, is the honesty in our work and the sincerity of our intentions.

An artist leaves a legacy, and surely that should not just be about him or her. in an era where we are bombarded with tools that bring out the vanity in us, i think it’s important to see the beauty and talent in others and help them achieve their goals and dreams also. Become a part of their struggle and journey and help them in any way you can. As i said before – “you are not a star if you can’t shine for others.” let’s shine for each other and share the light.”

At the end of the post, Ali announced the launching “lightingale records” and said that through this endeavour; he would personally mentor, produce, record and showcase talent of young and upcoming artists.

He further explained that their goal is to bring to light at least 10 new artists this year and give people some great songs to cherish.

He also asked his fans and followers to share more ideas for his initiative, “if you have any ideas that can augment this venture, do share. Stay tuned.”

Nikita Pearl Waligwa, 15-year-old actor of Mira Nair’s Queen of Katwe, dies of brain tumour A Ugandan student who played a memorable role in a 2016 Disney film about a local chess prodigy, Queen of Katwe, has died at the age of 15. Nikita Pearl Waligwa died on Saturday at a hospital near the Ugandan capital, Kampala. The cause was a brain tumour, according to the girls’ secondary school she had attended since 2018.

She was “a darling to many,” Gayaza High School said on Twitter. local media reported that Waligwa had been in and out of hospital with a recurring brain tumour and had previously received treatment, including surgery, in india.

Tributes were coming in for her on social media as Ugandans expressed sadness and recalled her role in the 2016 movie directed

by Mira Nair and filmed in Kampala. Queen of Katwe follows the rise of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi as a chess player amid grinding poverty in the Kampala slum of Katwe, with her single mother barely able to support her and her two siblings.

Heralding Pakistan’s entertainment landscape for the past decade, 7th Sky Entertainment, has been consistently producing stellar content for the screen. The eminent producers Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi are back with another mega-production “Muqaddar.”

Starring in the lead are Faysal Qureshi and Madiha imam in this unconventional story of power games, ethics, and love. it centers on a story of a feudal lord Saif, played by Faysal Qureshi, who falls for the RJ Raima, played by Madiha imam after meeting her at a radio show. Raima is an independent and ambitious girl, whereas Saif is a stereotypical influential man who uses his power to get what he wants.

Written by iqbal Bano and directed by Shehrazade Sheikh, it stars an ensemble cast, including Ayesha Gul, Ali Ansari, Haroon Shahid, Shameen, Fazila Qazi, Saif-e-Hassan, Berjees Farooqui, and Shahzad Mukhtar. it is produced under the banner of 7th Sky Productions who are currently garnering excellent reviews for Kahin Deep Jalay, Deewangi, Munafiq, and Darr Khuda Se. 7th Sky Entertainment is all set to show another brilliant story with this much-anticipated project. The new drama Muqaddar is set to go on-air from 17th February on Geo TV.

A GROUP OF JELLYFISH IS NOT A HERD, OR A SCHOOL, OR A FLOCK; IT'S CALLED A SMACK.

LESS THAN 1 PERCENT OF ANTARCTICA IS ICE-FREE.

THE HIGHEST WAVE EVER SURFED WAS AS TALL AS A 10-STORY BUILDING.

Bunty Aur Babli 2 to release on June 26, sequel to feature two pairs of the con duo

Madhuri Dixit’s manager Rikku Rakesh Nath’s daughter gets married

Bunty Aur Babli 2 will hit the theatres countrywide on June 26, the makers announced on Tuesday. The film, being touted as a “rebooted sequel”, reunites Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan after 11 years. Rani, who featured opposite Abhishek Bachchan in the original 2005 crime comedy, will reprise her role in the new movie.

Saif replaces Abhishek as the titular Bunty in the project, which will also feature Gully Boy star Siddhant Chaturvedi and The Forgotten Army actor Sharvari.

Produced by Yash Raj Films, the film will be directed by Varun Sharma, who has previously worked as an assistant director on YRF blockbusters Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai. “For whole of india, Bunty Aur Babli is and will always be part of cinema that we watched while growing up. it is truly a much loved film and has huge nostalgia value attached to it.

Rani and Saif last starred together on 2008’s Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. Before that, they gave blockbuster Hum Tum and also featured in Ta Ra Rum Pum.

Actor Madhuri Dixit’s former manager Rikku Rakesh Nath’s daughter got married recently and the actor attended the wedding reception. Also joined her were veteran actors Rekha, Jitendra and Rakesh Roshan.

Pictures from the reception were shared online and show Rekha dressed in a bright red, orange and gold zari silk sari.

She also wore heavy indian jewellery including a mang tikka and flowers. Madhuri, too, came dressed for the occasion in a beautiful embellished Anarkali. She attended the reception with her husband, Dr Sriram Nene. Also seen was comedy man Satish Shah, who came with his wife. Actor Urvashi Rautela, too, was spotted at the reception. South actor Vedhika was also present at the function.

Rikku Rakesh Nath’s daughter Dakshina got married at a Gurudwara in Mumbai and her producer-celebrity manager father threw a bash at an Andheri hotel, according to a report in Mid Day. Also seen in the pictures are Rikku’s other children - daughter Shaina Nath Taldar and Karann Nath.

CMYK

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

14 SPORTS

HAmiLton, messi sHAre men's LAureus AwArd BERLIN

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ORMULA One champion Lewis Hamilton and football superstar Lionel Messi shared the Laureus sportsman of the year award at Monday's ceremony in Berlin.

Hamilton, 35, a six-time world champion and Barcelona star Messi, 32, share the award for their achievements in 2019. This is the first time a footballer has won the award and also the first occasion in the event's 20-year history when the jury reached a tied decision.

"I am honoured to be the first to win this award being a sportsperson coming from a team sport," Messi said

from Barcelona via a video message.

US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles, who won five titles at the 2019 world championships in Stuttgart to leave her with a record 25 world gold medals, took the Laureus sportswoman of the year award for the third time.

"It means the world to me, this is my third Laureus award and I'm really grateful," said Biles in a video message.

South Africa, who won the 2019 World Cup, were named team of the year, beating Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and the US women's football team.

German F3 driver Sophia Floersch scooped the comeback of the year award for racing once again at the Macau Grand Prix last November, a year after a crash on the same circuit

HANOI Vietnam's inaugural Formula One Grand Prix will take place in Hanoi in April as planned, organisers told AFP on Tuesday, avoiding the fate of the Chinese Grand Prix which was postponed over the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

The virus, which has killed more than 1,800 people in China, has trashed Asia's sporting calendar, forcing the postponement of top events including the Hong Kong Sevens rugby. But Vietnamese authorities said the country's inaugural F1 race would go ahead as "scheduled" on April 5, Le Ngoc Chi, CEO of Vietnam Grand Prix told AFP. That flies in the face of mounting fears over the spread of the virus from neighbouring China and the risk of transmission among the crowds expected to make the journey to the Vietnamese capital.

"The time for the... F1 race will not be postponed or delayed," Tran Trung Hieu, deputy director of Hanoi's tourism department was quoted as saying by state media Tuesday.

ROME AGENCIES

left her with a spinal fracture.

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar won the public vote for the top sporting

Vietnam F1 Grand Prix gets go-ahead despite virus fears AGENCIES

Atalanta ride wave of remarkable run in Champions League

"Although this is a sports event, it has a very huge impact on Vietnam and Hanoi's tourism," he said, adding all measures will be taken to ensure safety.

AFP reporters saw workers building stands at the racetrack as construction continued this week.

The communist country will get its first taste of the glitz and glamour of Formula One with the

moment over the last 20 years for leading his country to victory at the 2011 World Cup at the sixth attempt.

Hanoi race, as the sport attempts to reach new markets in Southeast Asia.

Hanoi has bet big on the event's popularity, signing a 10-year, multi-million-dollar deal with Formula One last year which state media said would cost Vietnam $60 million per year. The fee has been picked up in full by the country's largest private conglomerate, VinGroup, which is hoping to dazzle with a night race on a street track. The commitment to hold the race will likely be welcomed by Formula One chiefs who are scrambling to fit the postponed Shanghai race into this season's schedule.

The Chinese GP, scheduled for April 19, last week joined the World Athletics Indoor Championships and European Tour and LPGA golf tournaments in being shelved because of the deadly outbreak.

HORROR CRASH MARS END OF DAYTONA 500 DAYTONA: Denny Hamlin sealed back-to-back victories in an incident-packed Daytona 500 on Monday, winning a photo finish in a race marred by a horrific crash that left veteran driver Ryan Newman seriously injured. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Hamlin followed up his victory in 2019 with his third career win at Daytona, becoming the first racer to win the opening leg of the NASCAR season since Sterling Marlin in 1995. However, Hamlin's celebrations were muted by a last-lap crash that left Roush Fenway Racing's Newman hospitalized. The 42-year-old Newman's Ford Mustang had led on the final lap but spun out of control, hit the wall and flipped onto its roof before bursting into flames at the Daytona International Speedway. Newman's car was also sent flying into the air after being struck by Go Fas Racing's Corey LaJoie. Several ambulances sped onto the circuit to attend to Newman's stricken vehicle following the crash. Black screens were erected around the site of Newman's car as workers extracted the driver from the wreck. NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell later told reporters that Newman was in serious condition at a local area hospital, but his injuries were deemed non-life-threatening. AGENCIES

Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta are counting on the wave of enthusiasm generated by the Italian outsiders remarkable run in their Champions League debut season to surge past Spanish club Valencia in the knockout rounds. The team from Bergamo in the foothills of the Italian Alps take on Valencia on Wednesday in the last 16, first leg, at the 80,000-seater San Siro, which has nearly four times the capacity of their home stadium, 55 kilometres away. "This is a game that we have been waiting months for," said Gasperini. "Being able to play on front of so many of our fans at a venue like San Siro is a beautiful achievement that we have been waiting a long time for. "The Champions League is a dream which we'll try to carry forward as much as possible. "The whole city of Bergamo is practically travelling to Milan." The team's stunning run comes despite losing their opening three Champions League group games, including 4-0 away to Dinamo Zagreb before a 5-1 loss at Manchester City. But a 1-1 draw against Man City in the San Siro sparked the revival of 'La Dea' (The Goddess) who finished seven points behind the Premier League side in second to reach the knockout stage. Atalanta's confidence has been further boosted after seeing off AS Roma 2-1 in a cauldron atmosphere on front of their home crowd at their Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium on Saturday. The victory consolidated fourth place in Serie A, six points ahead of the side from the capital and bolstered their hopes of Champions League next season. "This victory gives us confidence for the next games, it was a fundamental clash to be won," said Mario Pasalic who came off the bench and hit the match winner 19 seconds later. Their current form is a remarkable achievement for a club with a modest budget compared to rivals Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Their transformation follows the arrival of Gasperini in the summer of 2016 from Genoa.

Maybe we could surprise them: Leipzig 'keeper Gulacsi relishes Tottenham test BUDAPEST

Gary Neville expects Manchester City to win appeal against 'hopeless' UEFA MANCHESTER AGENCIES

Gary Neville has backed Manchester City to win an appeal against a two-season ban from European competition imposed by a "hopeless" UEFA. European football's governing body announced on Friday that City has been banned from continental competition for two seasons for what UEFA said were "serious" financial fair-play breaches between 2012 and 2016. English Premier League champions City, who were also fined 30 million euros ($32.5 million), responded quickly to say they would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

And former Manchester United defender Neville believes City's legal challenge will prove successful.

"I think City will beat UEFA. UEFA, I have no faith

in them whatsoever," Sky Sports pundit Neville told the broadcaster on Monday. "I think essentially they are a hopeless organisation who will just apply what would be erratic disciplinary sanctions for different things and I think City will beat them in the courts." Neville added: "I think it will get stuck in the courts for some time, but I think City will win in the end."

Jamie Carragher, a fellow Sky broadcaster, questioned the timing of UEFA's decision given Pep Guardiola's City face Spanish giants Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League later this month. "I can't believe they are in the competition now. What would happen if City win this competition this season?," said the former Liverpool defender. "They are the favourites for it, one of the best teams in Europe and it would make a mockery of the competition."

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Having joined RB Leipzig when they were still in Germany's second division, Peter Gulacsi has seen the club grow from Bundesliga new boys and on to a first appearance in the Champions League knock-out stage. The Hungarian goalkeeper is relishing Wednesday's last 16, first leg when the ambitious eastern German club, bankrolled by energy drinks giants Red Bull, face last season's beaten finalists Tottenham Hotspur in London. "It's a new experience to play against an English side. It's a big opportunity and a big test," Gulacsi told AFP. "If we have a good day, maybe we could surprise them." While Jose Mourinho's Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League, Leipzig head to London in the midst of a battle at the top of the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, with whom they drew 0-0 earlier this month.

Lampard asks for Chelsea fight after smash and grab United defeat LONDON AGENCIES

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard told his side the "fight starts now" for a place in the Champions League next season after suffering a 2-0 smash and grab defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Monday.

The Blues had two goals disallowed by VAR reviews and were furious Harry Maguire was not sent-off for an off-the-ball kick out at Michy Batshuayi before he headed in United's second goal after Anthony Martial's opener. Lampard cut a frustrated figure as the flaws in both boxes which have seen his side win just four of their last 14 league games were exposed once more against ordinary opposition. "The fight starts now," said Lampard. "It's not worth

CMYK

me going on about it now but the reality was there for us to see.

"If we're not going to take chances then we're not going to win games. When you dominate large periods you have to take your chances."

Victory lifts United up to seventh and within three points of Chelsea in fourth, while fifth could now even be good enough to qualify for the Champions League next season pending Manchester City's appeal again a two-season ban from European competition.

However, even United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he had not been impressed by the visitors' performance. "When you win 2-0 here you are delighted," said Solskjaer. "Then again I didn't think we played well, particularly with the ball in the first half. We were cumber-

some, slow, passing wasn't great but we got the first goal then we hung in there." Lampard made a bold call before kick-off by again dropping the most expensive goalkeeper in football history, Kepa Arrizabalaga, to the bench in favour of the 38-yearold Willy Caballero.

Batshuayi also started with Tammy Abraham ruled out by injury and Lampard's anger at missing out on a striker in the January window was borne out by a poor night for the misfiring Belgium forward. But the course of the game could have been very different had Maguire not escaped unpunished for kicking Batshuayi after the two collided in front of the dugouts. "I know I caught him and I felt he was going to fall on me and my natural reaction was to straighten my leg to stop him," said Maguire.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

LAHORE

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AGENCIES

VER the years Pakistan have not quite managed to reach a level that would see them rank among the favourites.

However, several individual players have forged their reputations, and each World Cup, Pakistan have gone in aiming to be a better side than they were last time. It hasn't always worked out that way, and there remains plenty of distance to travel before they can legitimately call themselves a world-class side.

This year, for the first time since 2009, Pakistan will play a World Cup without Sana Mir. She was left out on the basis of her form over the past two years with the ball. In the recent domestic T20 Women's Championship, Anam Amin was the leading wicket-taker with seven strikes at 13.71, while Mir managed four wickets at 30.25.

Mir's omission means Bismah Maroof will take charge of this side for the first time at a global event. Experience as captain should be no problem at this level for the veteran, who has already led her country in 36 T20Is. The core of the side is much the same as it was at the last World Cup for Pakistan, with the recall of Muneeba Ali's and Aiman Anwer after absences of longer than a year a couple of the more notable changes.

It's tough to make predictions about where Pakistan might end up this time around, but there is no doubt they have individual players coming into

PakiStan target growth and maybe an uPSet

PSL winners to get $500k, runners up $200k SpORtS DESk

form at the right time. The side still relies heavily on the experienced hands of campaigners who have been on this journey a number of years, with famil-

iar names such as Javeria Khan, Nida Dar, and Maroof herself among the key players for the side. Youngsters like leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah and left-

PSL PREVIEW:

Sultans arrive with new buzz; Qalandars’ heavyweights bring new hopes

arm orthodox Sadia Iqbal are exciting additions, while Dar, Aliya Riaz and Diana Baig combine to form a formidable bowling line up.

LAHORE MULTAN SULTANS: Is the general optimistic goodwill the Multan Sultans appear to generate justified by their performances thus far? After all, the Sultans have been as unsuccessful as the Lahore Qalandars in breaching the top four in the short while they've been around, finishing below the playoff cutoff line each time around. And not finishing last simply because the Qalandars exist to prop everyone up is hardly a vindication of anything. Their inaugural season saw the Sultans start brightly before fading away towards the end, while under new owners, they were more disappointing in 2019, winning just three of their ten matches.

And yet, the Sultans carry with them a particular buzz that hasn't shrunk to irrelevance. The current owner Ali Khan Tareen has this year thrown his lot behind hard analytics, inspired by the success Islamabad United have enjoyed using a similar strategy.

Andy Flower has been roped in as head coach, and perhaps even more significantly, the services of Nathan Leamon were acquired as Director of Strategy.

Most of the hype around the side doesn't emanate from the personnel they'll have out on the field but the metrics that selected them. And if that was the

way the Sultans wished to go, they couldn't have asked for better people than the ones they brought in ahead of the draft. The homework has been done brilliantly, and as such, there is no reason not to feel confident ahead of the big examination.

LAHORE QALANDARS: A team with heavyweights on their roster but seemingly facing a perennial struggle on the field - they have sat at the bottom of the table in all four seasons so far. So far in the PSL, they have played 39 matches and won only 13, never coming close to fulfilling the expectations fans have had of them. They have had some bad luck over the seasons, losing out on key players, but they have also not been able to get their act together as a team. The position of Aaqib Javed as the long-standing head coach has always been a point of debate among fans, but his bond with the franchise has only got stronger.

This season, they'll start with renewed hopes yet again, but they have toned those down from previous seasons. They didn't go for big purchases and will mainly build around the core of the players they had identified through their nationwide player development programme.

They have had big names aplenty, but these players have not always been available to them. In the first season,

they had Chris Gayle, but he reached Dubai with an injury. He could play only five games, averaged just 20.60, and was offloaded the next season. That same season, the Qalandars also lost the in-form Mustafizur Rahman to injury.

Then, before the second season began, they lost Shaun Tait, Dwayne Bravo and Anton Devcich to injuries.Their hottest pick, Chris Lynn, dislocated his shoulder in Australia's Big Bash League only days before the start of the third season.

However, he is now finally back in the squad, fully fit and firing.

Qalandars had also bought in Brendon McCullum, who went two seasons without a fifty, scoring his runs at an underwhelming strike rate of 114. Later, AB de Villiers was also unable to change their fortunes. Finally, last year, Mohammad Hafeez - their platinum pick and captain - got injured in his very first game to miss the entire season.

The firepower at the top in this season will be provided by Lynn and Fakhar Zaman, while Hafeez will be eyeing a revival of his career and a possible T20 World Cup spot via a good PSL. Their captain Sohail Akhtar is among the more inexperienced skippers, but he has been a solid player for Qalandars. Across two PSL seasons and a winning stint with Qalandars in the Abu Dhabi T20 Cup, he has scored 556 runs, including a hundred, at a strike rate of 132.38.

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This year's winner of Pakistan Super League will take home the $500,000 cash prize while the runners up will receive a cheque of $200,000. The league in a press release shared that the tournament will carry total prize money of US$1 million, with $4,500 set aside for each player of the match award given at the end of each match. According to the statement, $80,000 will also be equally distributed to player of the tournament, best batsman, best bowler and for the spirit of cricket award. “The remaining amount will be distributed for other matchrelated awards like best catch, best run-out and most sixes,” said the press release. The fifth edition of PSL is set to kick off from February 20 in Karachi. The 34-match tournament will be the biggest cricket tournament to take place in Pakistan after the Asia Cup in 2008.

Trump set to open world's biggest cricket stadium AHMEDABAD AGENCIES

AGENCIES

SPORTS 15

.US President Donald Trump will inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium when he arrives in Ahmedabad, the home base of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday at the start of a two-day visit aimed at smoothing ties strained by trade disputes. Making his first official trip to the world’s largest democracy, Trump is also expected to visit the humble abode of India’s independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad.

The leaders of China, Japan and Israel have all visited Ahmedabad since Modi became prime minister. It is the biggest city in Gujarat, the western state where Modi made his mark as chief minister before his Hindu nationalist party swept to power in 2014. If his Indian hosts can help it, Trump probably won’t see a slum as they’ve ordered for a 400-metre wall to be built along his route to block the view of where poor people live.

Authorities in Ahmedabad expect to spend around 800 million to 850 million Indian rupees ($11-12 million) on preparations for the visit by the American president that is likely to last around three hours, two government officials with direct knowledge of the plans told Reuters.

The sum is equivalent to equivalent to about 1.5% of the annual budget for the home ministry in Gujarat.

Security-related costs, with more than 12,000 police officers expected to be deployed, will account for almost half the expense, said the officials, who declined to

be named as they are not authorized to speak publicly about the visit.

Ahmedabad municipal commissioner Vijay Nehra, the city’s top civic official, told Reuters that authorities had already spent around 300 million rupees ($4.2 million) on widening roads and improving infrastructure around the new cricket stadium.

With capacity for 110,000 spectators, the Motera Stadium will dislodge the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the world’s largest cricket stadium.

“Eighteen roads of about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in length from Ahmedabad Airport to Motera Stadium have been widened or re-laid,” Nehra said, adding that the improvements had been planned before Trump’s visit was confirmed.

A further 60 million Indian rupees ($840,000) will go on “beautification” of the city, said Nehra, including erecting the wall to spare Trump’s view.

Ashok Brahmbhatt, secretary of Gujarat Cricket Association, which owns the Motera Stadium set to be opened by Trump, said it would also spend tens of millions of rupees during the event.

Nehra tweeted on Sunday that more than 100,000 participants had registered so far to greet Trump as he heads from the airport to the city center. Trump said last week Modi had promised “millions and millions” of people would line his route.

Trump may also visit the famous Taj Mahal monument in the city of Agra, and all leave for police officers in that city has been cancelled, according to a document seen by Reuters.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020

NEWS

KaRTaRpUR opEnInG ShowS paKISTan SEEKS pEacE, SayS Un chIEF GUTERRES DRAWS ATTENTION TO INCREASING THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, IMPORTANCE OF CONTROLLING POPULATION GROWTH KARTARPUR

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STAFF REPORT

NITED Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor was “a practical proof” of Pakistan’s desire for peace and interfaith harmony while his visit to the sacred site of Sikhism in Narowal.

Upon his arrival, Guterres was welcomed by a delegation led by Minister of Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri and briefed on the steps taken by the government to facilitate the Sikh community.

Terming the opening of the corridor a “good step”, the UN chief said that it would promote interfaith harmony.

During his visit, the UN chief was given a special briefing on the development of the Kartarpur corridor and a

guided tour of the gurdwara. Inside the temple, Guterres met various Sikh religious leaders and was presented with mementos to commemorate his visit.

Guterres also visited the on-site soup kitchen at the gurdwara, where he was served a traditional meal of rice and lentils. The kitchen caters to all Sikh pilgrims visiting the gurdwara, providing them free meals as is traditional at all Sikh temples.

The four-kilometre-long corridor, which was inaugurated on November 9, provides pilgrims a visa-free link between Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and

the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Indian Punjab. Up to 5,000 Indian Sikhs have been allowed access daily, with plans to eventually double the capacity.

Earlier in the day, the UN chief spoke at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, where he stressed the importance of using modern technology and updating the curriculum. He also spoke about the increasing threat of climate change and the importance of taking measures to control population growth.

“We still live in a male-dominated world with male-dominated culture and

we still have enormous difficulties with women to be able to play the role that they must play for our world to be fairer and more compassionate and more able to avoid permanent cycles of conflict we live,” UNSG said.

He underscored that conflict arises mostly because of the aggressiveness of the male-dominated societies but we must strive for the world where there is gender parity. The UNSG further said that we have to make sure that we have the full use of the enormous potential that various technologies have to offer.

“Digital economy, digital society, artificial intelligence (AI), genetic engineering all have enormous potential,” he said also warning that if not used wisely technologies can become a nightmare. Guterres stressed that technology will be a massive creator for jobs and will simultaneously be the reason for unemployment.

“However, it will not be the same as they [companies] would need different capacity and different skills. For which education must be an absolute priority,” he said stressing upon the need for education.

Guterres had also visited a school in Lahore where he administered polio drops to children. He admired the efforts being made by the state to eradicate the crippling disease from the country.

Govt determined to regulate social media, says Imran Flight test of air launched cruise missile Ra'ad-II successful RAWALPINDI: Pakistan successfully conducted a flight test of air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday. According to a press release issued by the ISPR, the cruise missile, which has a range of 600 kilometers, is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems ensuring the engagement of targets with high precision.

Lieutenant General Nadeem Zaki Manj, Strategic Plans Division (SPD) Director General Dr Nabeel Hayat Malik, the National Engineering and Scientific Commission chairman, and senior officers from the SPD, Strategic Forces and Strategic Organisations were also present on the occasion, the statement said. The SPD director general appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of the scientists and engineers who contributed towards developing the weapons system and [for] making the launch a success. He termed it “a major step towards complementing Pakistan’s deterrence capability”, the statement read. According to the statement, the president and the prime minister congratulated the team of scientists and engineers for successfully conducting the missile test. On Jan 23, Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of surfaceto-surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi. STAFF REPORT

US-Taliban agreement to cut violence to start in next five days KABUL: An agreement between the Taliban and US forces to reduce violence will come into force within the next five days, Afghanistan’s acting interior minister said on Tuesday. “The RIV (reduction in violence) period will begin in the next five days, which will be based on the negotiations between the US and the Taliban,” Masoud Andarabi, Afghanistan’s acting minister of interior, told a gathering of provincial police commanders in Kabul. Last week, a senior US administration official said negotiations with Taliban representatives in Qatar had resulted in an agreement in principle for a week-long reduction of violence, but the seven-day period had not yet commenced. AGENCIES

ISLAMABAD

IMRAN PRESIDES OVER REVIEW MEETING, SAYS RULES NOT MADE TO VICTIMISE ANYONE

STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that new rules are being introduced only to protect citizens and regulate social media in the country days after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government led by him decided to impose restrictions in the name of citizens’ protection and national interest.

Presiding over a meeting to review the social media rules, PM Imran said that the new rules were not prepared to curb freedom of expression or victimize political opponents. He claimed that the United Kingdom, Singapore and other countries were also introducing such laws to protect their citizens.

On the occasion, PM Imran Khan directed the authorities concerned to take all stakeholders on board ahead of implementing the rules.

The meeting also reviewed a response and feedback on the regulations and its impact on freedom of expression. Officials from the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Interior, the

Ministry of Law, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other relevant authorities were present in the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the federal government had decided to review the newly formulated laws aimed at regulating social media platforms. Sources privy to the development relayed Prime Minister Imran Khan had summoned a meeting to discuss the matter.

According to the newly-approved rules that aim at regulating cyberspace, social media companies will be obliged to help law enforcement agencies access data and to remove online content deemed unlawful. Companies that do not comply with the rules risk being blocked online.

The approval of the new rules follows accusations by opposition parties that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has sought to intimidate and si-

lence its opponents and allegations of media censorship.

The new rules on social media are described by the authors as intended to prevent live streaming of online content relating to “terrorism, extremism, hate speech, defamation, fake news, incitement to violence and national security.”

Social media companies will be obliged within 24 hours to respond to a request to remove “unlawful” material, or six hours in emergency cases.

They will have three months to register with authorities in Pakistan and must have a physical presence in Pakistan.

When required, the companies will be required to provide subscriber information, traffic data, content data and any other information or data that is sought, the regulations stipulate.

The rules also state that interpretations of the regulations by the authorities in Pakistan “shall take precedence over any community standards or rules or community guidelines or policies or any other instruments devised by a social media company.”

Qureshi condemns India's snub to Guterres' Kashmir mediation offer ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that Pakistan welcomes United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ offer of mediation to resolve outstanding issues between Pakistan and India. Speaking to reporters, Qureshi said that the Indian reaction to the UN chief’s offer shows that India is avoiding resolution of outstanding issues. On Sunday, the UN chief had offered his role as a mediator for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and said that his good offices could be used for this purpose. Talking about Pakistan-India relations, Guterres had stressed the need for de-escalation, both militarily and verbally.

Guterres had said that good offices only work when accepted by both sides. “Diplomacy and dialogue remain the only tools that guarantee peace and stability with solutions in accordance with the Charter of United Nations and resolutions of the Security Council,” he had said, adding that he had repeatedly “reiterated my offer to exercise my good offices should both sides ask”.

However, India had on Monday rejected the UN chief’s offer for mediation, with the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs saying that, “The issue of [Jammu and Kashmir] that needs to be addressed is that of vacation of the territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan.” He added that “further issues, if any, would be discussed bilaterally. There is no role or scope for third party mediation.” Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan in a press conference highlighted the disparity in the ways in which Pakistan and India treat their minority populations. The SAPM spoke of the way “people stood for justice against India’s Citizenship Amendment Act throughout the country” and “the way their goli-lathi (bullets-baton) government is trying to crush their stance”. She said that the UN secretary general had surely “analysed the steps of both states and governments. It is an eye-opener for him and his delegation … the way the Pakistani government has kept its minorities close to its heart and become the guarantor of their rights, ensuring their religious, constitutional and legal freedoms.” STAFF REPORT

India summons Turkish envoy over Erdogan's remarks on held Kashmir India summoned the Turkish ambassador late Monday evening to lodge a diplomatic protest over President Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on occupied Kashmir, warning “unacceptable” statements have “strong implications” on the bilateral relationship, reported The Wire. During his official visit to Pakistan last week, President Erdogan said the situation in occupied Kashmir was worsening because of sweeping changes New Delhi introduced in the Muslimmajority region and that Turkey stood in solidarity with the people of Kashmir. New Delhi told Turkish Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar that Erdogan’s comments lacked any understanding of the history of the Kashmir dispute, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. NEWS DESK

Ashraf Ghani declared winner of Afghan presidential poll KABUL AGENCIES

Ashraf Ghani has secured a second term as president of Afghanistan, according to final results of the September 28, 2019 poll released on Tuesday by the country’s election commission.

“The election commission […] declares Mr Ashraf Ghani, who has won 50.64 per cent of the votes, as the president of Afghanistan,” election commission chief Hawa Alam Nuristani told a press conference in Kabul.

“May God help him in serving the people of Afghanistan […] I also pray that peace comes to our country,” she

added.

The results had been delayed for nearly five months after allegations of vote rigging from Ghani’s main rival, Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, forced a recount.

The delay left Afghanistan facing a political crisis just as the US seeks a deal with the Taliban which would allow it to withdraw troops in return for various security guarantees and a promise that the

militants would hold peace talks with the Afghan government.

If all goes well, then Ghani is likely to be the man sitting across from the Taliban at the negotiating table in a bid to chart Afghanistan’s future.

Earlier this week, Abdullah’s team said they would not accept fraudulent results.

Current Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, a powerful Uzbek former warlord and Abdul-

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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lah’s ally, has also threatened to form a parallel government if fraudulent election results are announced.

Abdullah lost to Ghani in 2014 in a divisive election that saw the US intervene to broker an awkward powersharing deal between the two rivals.

Nearly one million of the initial 2.7 million votes were purged owing to irregularities, meaning the election saw by far the lowest turnout of any Afghan poll.

Ultimately, only 1.8 million votes were counted — a tiny number given Afghanistan’s estimated population of 35 million and 9.6 million registered voters.