E-Paper PDF 19th December (LHR)

CMYK

Thursday, 19 December, 2019 I 21 Rabi-ul-Sani, 1441 I Rs 20.00 I Vol X No 169 I 20 Pages I Lahore Edition

no compromise on country’s stAbility, sAys Gen bAjwA g

Imran lauds army, calls for unity among state institutions

ARmy ChIef vISItS SSG hQ tO expReSS SOlIdARIty wIth GeN (R) mUShARRAf

STORY ON BACK PAGE

musharraf says treason verdict based on ‘personal vendetta’

RAWALPINDI

A

staff report

day after former army chief General (r) Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death by a special court, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the Special Services Group (SSG) Headquarters and said that the military will not allow country’s hard-earned stability to be compromised.

Gen Bajwa’s visit appears to be a show of solidarity with the former army chief who was convicted on Tuesday for imposing a state of emergency on November 3, 2007 and abrogating the constitution. The former president himself belonged to the SSG. “We have brought stability by failing all inimical forces operating against Pakistan. We shall never let it go away at any cost,” the army chief said during the visit to the SSG Headquarters on Wednesday.

“SSG is our pride with myriad contributions towards defence of [the] country through its valiant officers and soldiers since the creation of Pakistan,” General Qamar was quoted as saying by the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a tweet.

Musharraf, 76, is currently in Dubai where he is seeking treatment of multiple diseases.

On Tuesday, hours after the verdict was announced, Pakistan Army reacted to the decision by saying that it was in “a lot of pain and anguish” over Musharraf’s conviction.

“An ex-army chief, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and president of Pakistan, who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence of the country can surely never be a traitor,” the military’s public relations wing said in a statement.

The SSG, colloquially known as the Maroon Berets due to their distinctive service headgear, or commandos, is the special operations force of the Pakistan Army mandated and tasked

with their five primary missions: foreign internal defence, reconnaissance, direct actions, counter-terrorism, and the unconventional warfare being their most important mission.

Musharraf had joined the SSG shortly after the end of the 1965 war. He had served the elite force from 1966 to 1972 – the period during which he was first promoted to captain and then to major rank. During the 1971 war, he was the company commander of an SSG commando battalion.

Reference against Justice Isa targets judiciary, SC told

India's SC refuses to stop implementation of citizenship law

STORY ON PAGE 05

STORY ON PAGE 03

NAB opposes removal of Maryam's name from ECL, cabinet reserves decision STORY ON PAGE 02

House votes on impeaching Trump for abuse of office

STORIES ON BACK PAGE & 02

China demands UN observers' report on worsening situation in IOK

STORY ON BACK PAGE

CMYK Thursday, 19 December, 2019

02 NEWS

nab opposes removal of maryam's name from eCl, CabInet reserves deCIsIon ISLAMABAD

a

IHC benCH sends nawaz's al-azIzIa plea to IHC CJ

STAFF REPORT

sub-committee of the federal cabinet reserved its decision on Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s plea for removal of her name from the Exit Control List (ECL) so she could go to London to visit her ailing father.

Reportedly, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has expressed its opposition to the removal of PML-N VP’s name from the no-fly list.

On December 9, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed the federal government’s review committee to decide Maryam’s application for removal of her name from ECL within seven days. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, had taken up the PML-N VP’s petition and had directed the review committee to issue its

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday referred former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s review plea against the accountability court verdict in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills to IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah. A two-member bench comprising Justice Amer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani recommended a division bench to hear Nawaz’s request to submit new evidence. The formal premier filed the appeal following the video scandal pertaining to accountability court judge Arshad Malik. The next hearing will be after courts resume in January. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo is currently in London receiving medical treatment for various ailments. He flew to the British capital after the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the federal government to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL) for four weeks. Prior to that, Nawaz was granted eight-week bail on medical grounds by the Islamabad High Court on October 27. Nawaz was sentenced seven-year imprisonment and fined Rs1.5billion and $25 million by accountability judge Arshad Malik in the Al-Azizia reference. He was also disqualified from holding public office for 10 years. He was, however, acquitted in the Flagship reference. STAFF REPORT decision as per the law.

During the proceedings, Maryam’s lawyer Azam Nazir Tarar had said that the court should change her petition’s status to “pending” and direct the government to decide on the review application. However, the court had said that they did not want to increase the pres-

Khawaja asif records statement in assets case RAWALPINDI: The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Rawalpindi office on Wednesday recorded the statement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Khawaja Asif in a case pertaining to accumulation of assets beyond means.

The NAB handed over a questionnaire to former foreign minister who appeared before the anti-graft body. It has been learnt that NAB asked Asif regarding his assets and sources of income. The PML-N leader has also been directed by the bureau to submit the assets record of his family. INP

former air chief zafar Chaudhry passes away

LAHORE: Former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief retired Air Marshal Zafar Ahmed Chaudhry passed away due to a cardiac arrest, the PAF announced on Wednesday. He had served as the 8th Air Force chief from March 3, 1972, to April 15, 1974. PAF Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan expressed profound grief over his demise.

Chaudhry was among the founding members of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. HRCP Chairperson Dr Mehdi Hasan in a statement on Wednesday announced a reference in his memory on December 30 in Lahore. “A committed human rights activist, he was instrumental in supporting HRCP as an independent human rights organisation in the mid-1980s, when no such body existed,” Hasan said. “The Commission is indebted to him for helping establish its secretariat in Lahore. The entire HRCP family will feel his loss keenly, in particular, the friends and comrades with whom he worked so closely,” it added. STAFF REPORT

sure on the government by doing so and disposed of the petition, and had directed the government to decide on the review application.

On December 7, Maryam had filed a petition in the LHC seeking the removal of her name from the ECL. The PML-N VP is currently on bail

in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case, in which she is a suspect, but her name remains on the no-fly list. Her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, travelled to London last month after the government and courts granted him permission to fly abroad on medical grounds.

China demands UN observers’ report on worsening situation in IOK UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT

China expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) as it raised the issue in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday and sought a detailed briefing by the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) on the disturbing developments there, diplomats said.

Deployed in Kashmir in 1949, UNMOGIP monitors the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed state.

Diplomats said that China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun told the 15member council, which met behind closed doors on Tuesday, that he would again request the meeting when UNMOGIP was ready with its report on the situation in Kashmir.

“I am not in a position to say anything more,” Ambassador Zhang told reporters when asked about his country move to seek a council meeting on Kashmir. “We all know that the Security Council has received a letter from the foreign minister of Pakistan. There have been Security Council discussions, and discussions are going on there,” he said. In his letter to the Security Council, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called upon the Security Council to take cognisance of the recent disturbing devel-

opments across LoC which constitute threat to peace and security.

These include: (i) more than 3000 ceasefire violations, targeting over 300 civilians, including women and children, (ii) partial removal of the fence on the LoC by India in five sectors, (iii) deployment of the Brahmos Missile, anti-tank guided missiles and Spike missiles for use across the LoC and (iv) conduct of numerous missile tests since August 2019. “The situation presents a present danger to peace and security in our region,” Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram said on Tuesday.

“We welcome the fact that the council remains actively seized of the matter,” he added.

He also said, “We expect the UNMOGIP to provide detailed briefing to the Council on the situation along the LoC as soon as possible.”

The council last met on August 5 on the situation in IOK, a meeting that was also called by China, after India abrogated the special status of Kashmir and placed the territory under a repressive lockdown with complete communications blackout followed by massive arrests of Kashmiris. Ambassador Akram called on India to immediately halt its unilateral and illegal actions in Kashmir and cease forthwith its draconian human rights violations. The illegal measures taken by India since August 5 were null and void, as they are

in violations of the relevant Security Council’s resolutions, he added. He pointed out that the so-called ‘political maps’ issued by the Indian Home Ministry recently have not been accepted by the UN, which clearly depict Kashmir as disputed territory. “Jammu and Kashmir is an international dispute which is on the agenda of the Security Council for the last seven decades,” he said.

“The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute on the basis of UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions, and in accordance with the wishes of the people of the Jammu and Kashmir, continues to be an important task for the Security Council,” he added.

Earlier in the day, FM Qureshi, in a statement to the media, said that UN observers would give a briefing to the Security Council on the grave situation of human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir.Qureshi said that four key points have been raised in a letter sent to UNSC. He said that Kashmir dispute will soon be taken to be discussed in UNSC again.

The foreign minister said that Hindutva theory has gripped whole India, whereas, protests and bloodshed are continued across the neighbouring country against the controversial citizenship bill. He added that different states have also rejected to follow the controversial law.

NAB challenges Khursheed Shah's release on bail KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday challenged the Sukkur accountability court’s verdict pertaining to granting of bail to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah in assets beyond income case.

The NAB stated that without hearing its prosecutor’s arguments, the accountability court acquitted Khursheed Shah which was against the law. The anti-graft watchdog stated that Shah was under remand and was being inves-

tigated. It asked SHC to declare the court’s verdict as null and void. The accountability court on Tuesday granted bail to Shah against a surety bond of Rs5 million. However, he was released from NAB detention after three months on Wednesday.

Shah could not be released yesterday as his release orders were not issued due to end of the working hours of the court. As Accountability Court Judge Ameer Ali Mahesar went on leave on Wednesday, Shah reached the District and Sessions Judge Sukkur’s court in an ambulance to submit the surety bond and subsequently the court issued his release order.

CMYK

Gunmen kill two policemen escorting polio vaccinators in dir PESHAWAR: Gunmen shot and killed two policemen escorting a polio vaccination team on Wednesday forcing a suspension of the immunization campaign in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the crippling disease is endemic. Previous attacks have been inspired by religious hardliners spreading false rumors, and the latest ambush of a vaccination team comes at a time when the polio cases in Pakistan have jumped from 12 to over 100 in the last one year, making it only one of three countries in the world where the disease is endemic. The gunmen opened fire at the officials when they were escorting the vaccination team in Lower Dir district, said police official Sultan Ghani. “The polio campaign has been suspended after the incident in the area,” he said. Of the 104 total polio cases in Pakistan, 75 has been reported from the northwest Pakistan, a region plagued by Islamist militancy. No one claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, though religious hardliners over the past year have raised a scare on social media that some children were being poisoned and dying from contaminated vaccines. In the past, militants have called vaccination teams foreign agents, and peddled conspiracy theories that their campaigns were a Western ploy to sterilize Muslims. Pakistan’s government has tried to counter those falsehoods with public education campaigns, recruiting Muslim religious leaders to reassure people that the vaccine only protects their children. The involvement of a Pakistani doctor in helping U.S. intelligence agents to locate the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden had fueled suspicion of the antipolio campaign, though attacks on vaccination teams pre-dated the 2011 killing of the al Qaeda leader in the northwestern town of Abbottabad. Afghanistan and Nigeria are the other countries where the polio virus, which can cause paralysis or death, remains endemic. AGENCIES

fIrs being used to ‘silence’ politicians, students and farmers: bilawal LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that FIRs are being used to ‘silence’ opposition parties, students and farmers.

“After every protest, an FIR is registered against us [PPP leaders] for chanting slogans,” he said, while addressing a rally here on Wednesday. “When students protest asking for the student union, then FIRs are registered against them too,” he remarked.

“If our farmers protest, then they are booked for terrorism. What type of freedom is this?”

The PPP has seen two of its leaders taken away from it: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, he added. “Today, Pakistan stands at crossroads. We can become Bhutto’s Pakistan, where the government is elected by the people’s choice. We have to decide if we want a democratic Pakistan or want a puppet to rule over us.” The PPP thinks that we did not take independence from the British so that we can become slaves of a puppet, he said. “Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto sacrificed for democracy and rights of the nation.” Today, neither the people are free nor the government, Bilawal remarked. People are scared of saying something and even tweeting their opinions, he said. “This is not a democracy, where a country can’t even hold fair elections”.

This democracy doesn’t have elections, but selections, he added. STAFF REPORT

CMYK Thursday, 19 December, 2019

NEWS

03

musHarraf says treason verdICt based on ‘personal vendetta’ FORMER MILITARY STRONGMAN SAYS ‘HOW CAN A JUDGE, WHO BENEFITTED DURING MY TENURE, GIVE A JUDGEMENT AGAINST ME?’ COUNTRYWIDE PROTESTS HELD AGAINST MUSHARRAF’S CONVICTION IN HIGH TREASON CASE

a

NEWS DESK

day after a special court awarded former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf death sentence for abrogating the constitution, the former military ruler has termed the decision “questionable”, saying it was based on “personal vendetta”.

In a video message late on Wednesday night, the former president said there

who is behind ‘abu bachao campaign’, bilawal asks pm Imran on twitter Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan by tagging him in a tweet that asks who was running the ‘Abu Bachao Muhim’ that translates to “Who is running a ‘Save the Dad’ campaign?” The tweet comes a day after the government announced to review the death sentence awarded to former president general (r) Pervez Musharraf. It may be noted here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ministers and the premier, in the past, have called out Bilawal and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz for launching “Save the Dad” campaigns. NEwS dESk

Kp bar protests Ispr dG’s statement on musharraf verdict, announces strike PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has announced that it would observe a province-wide strike on Thursday against the statement of the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on the special court’s verdict in a high treason case against former military strongman General Pervez Musharraf. According to a statement issued Wednesday, the council condemned Major General Asif Ghafoor’s “attitude and expressions”. A special court on Tuesday handed the former military dictator death sentence under Article 6 of the constitution in the high treason case. Following the court’s verdict, the ISPR DG released a statement saying that “due legal process” was not followed in the case against Musharraf. The military’s media wing said the special court decision was received “with lot of pain and anguish”. “An exArmy Chief, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and President of Pakistan, who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defense of the country can surely never be a traitor,” the ISPR statement said. “Armed Forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” STAFF REPORT

was no precedence of a verdict in which neither the defendant nor the counsel was allowed to present its case.

“I also offered to record a statement before a special commission but to no avail,” he said. “I term this decision questionable because the supremacy of law was not taken into consideration.”

The former president, who’s under treatment at a hospital in Dubai, UAE, said that according to the constitution, the case was not bound to be heard but was

taken up due to personal vengeance of some people against him.

“An individual was targeted by highups misusing their authority,” he said, adding, “I respect Pakistan’s judiciary…

I endorse Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa’s statement that everyone is equal before the law but I think he exposed himself when he said that he made sure the early disposal of this case…How can a judge, who benefited during my tenure, give a judgement against me?”

He thanked the people of Pakistan, and Pakistan’s armed forces “who recalled my services for the country… this is the biggest honour for me.”

Musharraf said he will decide the future course of action after consultation with his legal team. “I have faith in Pakistan’s judiciary and believe that it will provide me justice based on the supremacy of law,” he concluded.

PROTESTS HELD IN MUSHARRAF’S FAVOUR: Meanwhile, multiple

protests were staged in different cities of Pakistan against Gen (r) Musharraf’s conviction. In Karachi, protesters gathered at the Karachi Press Club where they raised slogans against the verdict. Musharraf’s supporters said that a man who had no record of corruption did not deserve such treatment while those who had looted the country continued to roam free.

In Dera Bugti district, a rally started from Pakistan House and culminated at Kalma Chowk after different routes. The participants chanted slogans in favour of Musharraf and held banners and placards.

“Musharraf is our hero”, read one banner. Another said, “We reject the verdict against Pervez Musharraf”.

Social activist Khan Bugti said that the people are angry because of the special court’s verdict in the Musharraf case.

“He served the nation for more than 40 years and fought wars for the country’s defence,” he remarked. “How can he be called a traitor?”

Musharraf must receive a fair trial: Amnesty International ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

A day after General (r) Pervez Musharraf was handed death sentence by a special court, Amnesty International has asked for a fair trial for the former president without recourse to the death penalty.

Responding to the conviction and sentencing to death of former Pakistani president for suspending the constitution when he imposed a state of emergency in November 2007, Amnesty International’s Deputy South Asia Director, Omar Waraich, said, “General Pervez Musharraf and the government he led must be held to account for all human rights violations committed during their time in office, not just a select few. This includes extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary detentions, deaths in custody, unlawful killings and other serious human rights violations committed against the political opposition, human rights defenders, members of civil society and suspected members of armed groups.”

“No one is above the law, and it is encouraging to see Pakistan break with a history of impunity for powerful generals. At the same time, it is crucial that he receives a fair trial without recourse to the death penalty. The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading pun-

ishment; it metes out vengeance, not justice,” he added.

General (r) Musharraf was convicted of high treason and sentenced to death for suspending the constitution when he imposed a state of emergency in November 2007. During his nearly nine-year rule, Amnesty International documented widespread human rights violations conducted by Pakistan’s security forces, including the killing, enforced disappearance and torture of members of armed groups, political activists and human rights defenders.

SC rejects media reports of CJP’s informal meeting with journalists ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday clarified a news item carried by a section of electronic and print media regarding an informal meeting of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) with the Press Association of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday.

A press release issued by the SC Public Relations Officer stated that some misleading and out of context news items were aired/published by different television channels and newspapers, without identifying any source. “It is hereby clarified that different benches of the Supreme Court of Pakistan had been hearing different aspects of the case of General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf and had passed various orders for early disposition of the said case. “For instance CP No.118/2016 (against the judgment dated 09.02.2015 passed by the Islamabad High Court, Islamabad in

WP No.3980/15) titled ‘Abdul Hameed Dogar Vs, Federal Govt. through Secretary Ministry of Interior and 02 others’ was heard and decided in the year 2016 by a three-member Bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and comprising of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Tariq Pervez. The bench had passed the following order: – “the Special Court is therefore expected to proceed with the trial of respondent No.2 with all convenient dispatch and without any unnecessary delay.”

“In another case, Civil Review Petition No.513/14 in Constitution Petition No.14/2013 ‘Lahore High Court Bar Association Vs General (R) Pervez Musharraf etc.’ a threemember bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and comprising of Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Muneeb Akhtar had passed the following order on 01.04.2019: “For the above reasons, the Special Court shall proceed with

CMYK

the trial on the next date of hearing.

In case, the accused surrenders and appears before the Court he would be entitled to record his statement under section 342 Cr. PC and lead any other defence under the law.

However, in case the accused fails to appear on the next date of hearing, being a proclaimed offender, the Special Court is empowered to proceed against the accused even in his absence under section 9 of the Act.” The statement stated that the Chief Justice had not issued any direction of any sort to the Special Court other than the judicial directions issued by the relevant benches of the Supreme Court in the above mentioned cases which already stood published in the law reports of the country.

“It is, therefore, clarified that the above mentioned news items aired/published by the media were baseless, concocted, false, stage managed, out of context and contrary to the facts,” it added.

Similarly in Lahore, Punjab University administration, teachers and students took out a rally at New Campus to express solidarity with the Pakistan Army.

The participants were carrying banners to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan Army.

Addressing the rally, PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad said that we were enjoying independence only due to the sacrifices of Pakistan Army.

He said that the Pakistan Army is the number 1 Army in the world which is not only protecting the borders of the country but had also established peace in Pakistan after giving great sacrifices in war on terror. He said that conspiracies were being hatched to weaken Pakistan. He said that some elements were fanning propaganda to weaken state institutions and PU through this rally wanted to give a clear message to those elements that the people of Pakistan stood along with Pakistan Army and pay tribute to their sacrifices.

mQm-p leaders meet musharraf, assure him of support DUBAI: A delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) which included Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar and former parliamentarian Haider Abbas Rizvi met former president Pervez Musharraf and inquired about his health at a private hospital in Dubai on Wednesday, party leader Faisal Sabzwari confirmed.

The former president was awarded death sentence by a special court under Article 6 of the constitution in the high treason case against him. In a statement, MQM-P termed the decision against Musharraf “regretful” and assured full support to the former army chief. Musharraf thanked MQM-P for its support, according to the statement. In a tweet, Sabzwari said MQM-P leaders inquired after Musharraf and appreciated his services for Karachi and Pakistan. STAFF REPORT

Coas can never compromise on national interest: pir pagara

KAR:ACHI Pakistan Muslim LeagueFunctional (PML-F) chief Pir Syed Shah Mardan Shah, while giving his reaction over the special court’s verdict to sentence former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf to death in treason case a day earlier, on Wednesday said that an army chief could never compromise on national interest. Pir Pagara expressed his disapproval of the judgement. He said it is quite possible that General Musharraf had made some mistakes in his tenure. “Our military is the symbol of national stability and dignity.”

He questioned how can one, who risks his life to serve the nation, be a traitor. A day earlier, in an unprecedented move, a special court hearing the high treason case against Musharraf sentenced him to death for holding the Constitution in abeyance by imposing a state of emergency on November 3, 2007. The former military chief is currently in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He is presently admitted at a hospital in Dubai in a serious condition. INP

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

04 COMMENT Bowing out of KL summit Another diplomatic faux pas

B

y first confirming to attend the Kuala Lumpur Summit in Malaysia, then deciding to send Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in his stead and eventually bowing out of the affair altogether, Prime Minister Imran Khan has yet again provided an excellent example of bad ineffective and embarrassing diplomacy. That Saudi Arabia and the UAe would not be happy with Pakistan’s attendance at the Summit, to which they aren’t invited, which is being dubbed a probable replacement to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference is not new information, and should have been anticipated and prepared for. The rationale being peddled for skipping the moot is to ‘avert division in Ummah’ and that there is not enough time now to smooth things out between the opposing sides. This is purely a result of Mr Khan jumping at any opportunity to adopt the role of a mediator and somehow resolve an international diplomatic crisis without giving it much thought or planning; and it is even more troubling when it is revealed that no such request had been made by either of the other countries involved in the crisis in the first place.

Then there is the involvement of financial assistance being provided to Pakistan by ‘friendly’ foreign allies that buys them considerable leverage to influence our foreign policy. But if Saudi Arabia is showering us with billions of dollars in loans then Pakistan too has dedicated a section of the Army to support the Saudis on their turf in their fight against terrorism. This is no small commitment considering our own security requirements at home. Why was Mr Khan or his team unable to take advantage of this position in their dialogue with their Saudi counterparts where we instead practically left everything on the table? Such incidents of bad diplomacy expose our weaknesses to other countries as well, especially those who have already or are planning on supporting our economy through generous loans.

Some serious introspection is required on the foreign policy front starting with the Prime Minister who should listen to and act on the advice and input of his more experienced advisors.

The Gender Gap Action is urgently needed to close it

T

hAT Pakistan has been ranked 151st out of 153 countries in the world on gender equality, by the Global Gender Gap Report, now in its 4th year, should not be taken to mean that Pakistan is being judged unfairly, excessively negatively, because of its cultural conservatism, by standards alien to our social values. Not only is Pakistan lower on the list than other Muslim countries, which share Pakistani cultural and social values, but the lowness of its ranking reflects a gap which is reflective of all that is misogynistic in our culture. It should not be forgotten that Muslim values are not misogynistic at all, and if they had been followed, the ranking would not have been so low.

One of the most glaring examples of this is that Pakistan ranks 150th on the count of economic participation, which includes the vexed question of equal pay for equal work. There is no way that Islamic values can be blamed for this, though untrammelled capitalistic impulses may be blamed for this. Similarly, coming in 143rd in educational attainment or 149th in health and survival reflect an essentially pagan misogyny, while the ranking of 93rd in political empowerment may show that a certain narrow slice of the population, the upper-class urban elite, may be better off. however, this last variable also shows that women in politics have not done much for their less fortunate sisters, and that the reservation system has permitted certain women to gain membership of every elected body from union council to the National Assembly, but it has not translated into greater opportunities in either health or education for women. health or education may remain problem areas as long as the situation is not improved for all, irrespective of gender. however, there has still to be concerted government action in other areas to ensure that progress is made. There may be some point in passing new laws, but it would be better if existing laws were operationalised first. There has been too much attention paid to taking measures only to satisfy one foreign lobby or another. The time has come for action to change the way that half the population lives out its life.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

I

Silence of the Lambs The federal government should act sheraZ Zaka

S

Ilence of the lambs was a blockbuster hollywood movie released in 1991. It brought us the character of FBI trainee Clarice Starling who was constantly haunted by the screaming of the lambs during a traumatic childhood in which she got terrified by the slaughtering of lambs on her relative’s farm in Montana.

She believed that by killing a serial killer nicknamed as Buffalo Bill and saving young women from his nefarious activities, she would be doing good for the society which would eventually help her to get rid of her nightmares.

The incident at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, where some lawyers ransacked it, resulted in the deaths of three innocent civilians, will be a nightmare for all those aspiring lawyers who believed in the rule of law. These young aspiring lawyers would have to show through their spirit, enthusiasm and discipline that earning money should not be the only goal to enter into this profession, and instead they should devote themselves selflessly towards the cause of helping people in their just causes. Only in this way can the lawyers transform their image in the public, so that people know that lawyers are agents of change rather goons.

A lawyer must understand that he is considered an officer of court and hence he has a duty to adhere to the standards and duties of a lawyer laid down in the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules and Acts. The lawyers’ conduct on December 11 at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore grossly infringed the code of ethics provided in the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act 1973 and constituted an offence punishable under the Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

I will not flinch to say that the entire responsibility for the disgraceful incident falls on the bar council involved— the Punjab Bar Council. By virtue of section 41 of the 1973 act, a provincial bar council can suspend or remove a lawyer from

practice or can order a lawyer to pay an amount ciations should hold peaceful rallies together in all as compensation, fine or penalty if a lawyer is cities, apart from Lahore, and show us that we found guilty of professional misconduct. Never- have professionals who think of humanity first. It theless, the so-called disciplinary committees of is time for the federal government to take this rethe provincial bar councils have never performed sponsibility to guide those who are on the wrong their duties nor exercised their powers in letter path and especially suspend the licenses of those and in spirit. In 2018, the higher education Com- lawyers involved in this rowdyism. Under the mission verifications showed that the LLB de- fourth schedule of the legislative list mentioned in the constitution 1973, the legal profession is a fedgrees of more than 205 lawyers were fake.

On 11 December, the lawyers did not even eral subject; hence one crucial step at this juncture the federal government can spare the provincial infortake is to make an amendmation minister or media ment in the Legal Practipersons, torched a police tioners and Bar Council van, fired gunshots and The sole responsibility is Act and confer the power pelted police with bricks of suspending a lawyer’s and stones. These disupon the young lawyers license on the federal govgraceful actions from a who, by their actions and ernment or law ministry, professional community rather than leaving it with which represents the law pro-bono litigation the provincial bar council. and constitution of a demIn my view this is a ocratic country has made services, can prove that perfect case for taking suo the nation hang its heads people belonging to this motu action by the Chief in shame and remorse; all Justice of Pakistan under and all it became a shamprofession are agents of Article 184(3) of the Conbolic affair. No one is change who think of stitution. The CJP must diabove law. It is time to rect the Punjab Bar have the rule of law and humanity first Council to suspend the linot tribalism. hence, no censes of these lawyers one should go scot-free. involved in this hooliganAll involved, who are easism. Last but not least, this ily identifiable including a nephew of the Prime Minister, alleged to have is a sheer failure of the Punjab government that been involved, should be barred from practising it could not prevent the ransacking of the hospital and be prosecuted. This tragic incident would go and the situation of this disorderliness and anardown in the history of Pakistan as a black day chy. however, now the sole responsibility is where people with black coats caused embarrass- upon the young lawyers who, by their actions ment and dismay to all Pakistanis. We know very and pro-bono litigation services, can prove that well about this ‘black coat group’, where they people belonging to this profession are agents of grouped and committed such unruly acts, and it is change who think of humanity first. Otherwise shocking that the elected representatives of bar the horrifying vandalism witnessed at PIC would councils are protecting the goons involved in this be constantly haunting us like akin to what we vandalism, just to secure their petty political gain saw in the movie Silence of the lambs. and patronage from these lawyers. We do not need Sheraz Zaka can be contacted at to name anybody or a group which backed them and for what purpose. Lawyers and doctors asso- sheraz.zaka@gmail.com

Overlooked congressional rebuke Trump’s Position on Israeli settlements does not go unchallenged

Washington Watch Dr James J Zogby

T

he most stunning rebuke to the Trump Administration’s unilateral effort to legitimize Israeli settlements didn’t come from Arab and european leaders. Over the years, their statements of condemnation have become so predictable that both Israel and the USA routinely shrug them off.

Instead, the most significant response came in the form of a letter sent by members of Congress to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Drafted by freshman Congressman Andy Levin of Michigan, the letter was co-signed by 106 other Representatives. While it’s true that the Levin letter isn’t a law and, therefore, will have no real impact on policy, there are several reasons why it is worthy of note.

Most important is fact that the letter strongly endorses the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands. The third and final paragraph of the letter to Secretary Pompeo reads: “This State Department decision blatantly disregards Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which affirms that any occupying power shall not ‘deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies’...If the US unilaterally abandons international and human rights law, we can expect a more chaotic and brutal twenty-first century for America and our allies...”

This is the first time that a substantial num-

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

ber of Members of Congress have embraced the annex parts of the West Bank. These Democrats applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention also link future US aid to Israel to Israeli policies to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. In fact, in toward the Palestinians. And last week, the 1999 and 2009 Congress passed resolutions de- house of Representatives passed a bill, that nouncing international efforts to hold Israel ac- among other things, did support Palestinian statehood and strongly opposed Israeli annexacountable for its violations of the Conventions.

The principal reason for this Congressional tion of any part of the West Bank.

But none of these efforts have gone as far as refusal to embrace the Conventions has been in deference to Israel’s insistence that its seizure of the Levin letter which in an unprecedented manPalestinian lands in 1967 was not an occupation. ner holds Israel accountable to international law.

While Democrats have been emboldened on Instead they refer to the territories as “disputed Israeli-Palestinian issues as areas.” That being the a result of their disgust case, Israel has long rewith the Trump/Netanyahu fused to accept that the marriage, what is impresConventions apply to The Levin letter was sive about the Levin letter Palestinian lands, since if that it isn’t tied to or fothey were to apply, then largely ignored by the US iscused on Democrats revulIsrael would be guilty of: sion with both men. “annexing” occupied media. Because it was a Rather, the letter focuses lands, demolishing Palesletter and not a law, some on the importance of the tinian properties and USA upholding internahomes, building settlemay have failed to grasp tional human rights law ments for their own citithe important shift it and demands that Israel zens on this land, stealing to its requirements– resources from this land, represents in the political adhere whoever is in office in Isthe expulsion of and denial of repatriation of landscape. These changes rael or the USA. A final point about the Palestinians who inhabhave been percolating importance of the Levin ited this land, and whole letter was the fact that it range of human rights under surface for years was signed 107 Members abuses committed against of Congress. There have the captive Palestinian been strong principled letpopulation including torters on Israeli-Palestinian ture, collective punishissues in the past, but never one that drew the supment, and illegal detention.

Israel has also used pressure from their Wash- port of so many. While they were all Democrats, ington lobbyists to ensure that not only would the diversity they represented was impressive.

Congress refrain from taking any measure against There were senior leaders in the party, as well as Israel, they would also avoid using the term “oc- freshman and there were African Americans, Laticupied” in reference to Palestinian lands. [In 2016, nos, Arab Americans and American Jews.

What was troubling was the fact that the I served as one of Bernie Sanders’ representatives on the Democratic Party’s platform drafting com- Levin letter was largely ignored by the US mittee. Our efforts to insert the words “occupa- media. Because it was a letter and not a law, tion” and “settlements” were met with stiff some may have failed to grasp the important shift it represents in the political landscape. These resistance. We ultimately failed in our efforts.]

In recent years we have witnessed some evo- changes have been percolating under surface for lution in the policy debate over the Israeli-Pales- years. Now they are breaking out into the open. tinian conflict. Three of the leading Democratic This story is still being written. candidates for the presidency have criticized IsDr James J Zogby is President, Arab raeli settlements, denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declared intention to American Institute.

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

COMMENT 05 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

Societal plague

Beginning of polarisation of Hindu votes The BJP built up slowly Dr raJkumar singh

T

he 1989 general elections took place in a religious environment. This time it was not the Congress but the Bharatiya Janata Party which was poised to do best on the issue of a hindu Rashtra.

On the eve of elections the BJP took part in the transportation of ‘holy bricks’ to Ayodhya and a foundation-laying ceremony for a temple to Ram was held near the Babri mosque. The Congress government, afraid of losing some hindu votes, did not stop the ceremony from taking place. There was a miracle victory and increase of seats for the BJP and it supported the Janata Dal led by V.P. Singh to form second non-Congress government at the centre. With the support from both the BJP and the Communists the electoral verdict spelled the beginning of the end of the Nehru Gandhi dynasty and represented the most decisive success of certain groups, influential at the regional level, in exercising state power directly from the centre.

Mandal-Mandir dispute: In less than a year the V.P. Singh government decided to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission to reserve jobs at the Centre for backward castes in August 1990. All political parties of the time, including the BJP, adopted that plank to seek the votes of this largest caste conglomerate.

The scheme appeared designed to divide the hindu community by caste and thereby undermine the BJP’s electoral project of mobilising support by playing the hindu majoritarian card.

In response, the hindu movement led by the BJP and others, such as the RSS, VhP and Bajrang Dal, became active and left a decisive effect on the party system. BJP leader L.K. Advani responded by undertaking a rath yatra and threatened to arrive in Ayodhya and start building the temple. It resulted in the polarisation of Indian politics on communal lines.

By doing this the BJP had taken on not only its political rivals but had also challenged one of the main ideological foundations of the Indian state. In coming years the dynamics of this trend has been fully played up in course of the fragmentation of the parties in the 1990s. It is in conjunction with other issues– economic, secular, federal– that these forces have played a substantial role in Indian politics. however, in this brief period the nature of the state and its dealing with issues remained unchanged. The Janata Dal had little option and it settled down to working within the established parameters of the compromise between formal democracy and covert authoritarianism. The incidents’ taking place severely damaged the secular façade of the Indian state. We do need religious values, but certainly not politicisation of religion.

Demolition of Babri Masjid: The campaign and blind wave of religion finally led to demolition of the Babri Masjid in the presence of the leaders of the BJP, the RSS and the VhP on 6 December 1992, setting off some of the worst

attacks on the Muslim community in many ‘hindu nationalist BJP had been regarded as poparts of India. The BJP from the 1970s onwards litically untouchable by regional parties, but the sincerely executed its two-pronged policy. es- further decline of the Congress Party in the genpecially after the dramatic success of the Rath eral elections of 1998 and 1999 created the conyatras, its own agenda was rewritten in a retro- ditions for the formation of BJP-led coalition grade direction but it also adhered to its more governments at the centre. In the 1999 elecsecular constituency. From the advertising tac- tions, it formed the National Democratic Altics it continued to appeal to the constituency of liance (NDA) with 22 parties in it and came to modernist groups but on the other it persisted power at the Centre. The NDA’s agenda of govwith its blatantly communal propaganda aimed ernance set aside such contentious issues as building Ram temple in Ayodhya, abrogating of at the more traditional hindu groups.

But once again the political economy of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which India took a turn when Congress Party formed gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the government with a working majority after framing of a uniform civil code for citizens the 1991 elections with P.V. Narasimha Rao as which would mean that the Muslim would not PM. The new regime began economic reforms: be governed by the Shariat law on civil matters.

Unfortunately, in privatisation of public India politics has not sector units, liberalising only been politicised of rules allowing freebut also commerdom for investors and cialised. Religious leadglobalisation of flow of Most religious leaders ers identity themselves capital and consumer oppose any change as a with one or the other goods and services. The politician or political initial impetus for the violation of religious party.

They have economic reforms came beliefs. This attitude does amassed wealth by exas a result of an acute ploiting people’s relibalance of payments crinot arise from religious gious beliefs and lead a sis in mid-1991, making life of luxury. They it necessary to seek a beliefs per se, but by the enter into profitable barloan from the Internainterest associated with gains with powerful tional Monetary Fund politicians and politi(IMF) and accept certain the status quo. Every cians go to them for terms of a stabilisation religion in the world money and votes. Both and structural adjustment they thus exprogramme. however, brought social change and together ploit the religious belief the economic reforms of common people. A pursued by the Congress a truly religious person should never prigovernment addressed would always fight against state oritise one religion over only the first part of a the other, particularly in two-pronged problem the status quo and try to a secular country like facing Indian economic change society to make it India. But most of our development. The rewhile paying forms concentrated on more just and meaningful politicians lip service to secularism addressing the negative grossly misuse religion effects of over-intervenfor political purposes. tion by the state in cerThe irony is that these tain sectors and removing the more stiff bureaucratic controls politicians take oath for secularism while filing on industry. They moved tardily to rectify state their nominations, but having filled that, beg negligence of critical social sectors, notably, for votes openly in the name of religion and health and education. The political costs of pur- caste. In addition, religion in our society has suing a lopsided reform process contributed to also become the greatest obstacle for any meaningful change. Religion, unfortunately, the defeat of Congress in the 1996 elections.

Integration of hindu votes: As a result of identified with the status quo. Most religious the 1996 elections, even though the anti- BJP leaders oppose any change as a violation of reforces acquired strength for some time, the BJP ligious beliefs. This attitude does not arise emerged as the largest political party. In this from religious beliefs per se, but by the interest election the BJP’s election manifesto clearly associated with the status quo. every religion adopted the theory of ‘cultural nationalism’ and in the world brought social change and a truly noted, ‘Our nationalist vision is not merely religious person would always fight against the bound by geographical or political identity of status quo and try to change society to make it India, but defined by one ancient cultural her- more just and meaningful. itage. From this belief flows our faith in cultural Dr rajkumar Singh is head of the political nationalism which is the core of hindutva’. But soon the BJP’s electoral politics and desire to science department at BnmU, Sirsa, Bihar, and can be reached at remain in power led it to forge alliances with India, other known secular parties. Till then the rajkumarsinghpg@yahoo.com

ChILD abuse has become one of the core issues of our country owing to the increased frequency of such cases which have set alarm bells ringing. It is now a daily occurrence to come across the news of children being physically abused and murdered cold-bloodedly. It is such a shame that despite being an Islamic country we are severely plagued by this daunting menace. Recent reports shockingly revealed the extent to which our society is being engulfed by paedophilia. As per reports, over 10 cases of child abuse were reported everyday in Pakistan in the past year. Child harassment cases increased by 11% in the year 2018 in Pakistan. Round about 3,832 cases were reported by newspapers in all provinces. Out of the total reported cases, 55% of the victims were girls while 45% were boys.

After infamous Zainab’s case, we are still witnessing more cases than ever before. Recently, another girl Farishta was attacked and killed by these monsters. There are many other cases of molestation which are not even reported or children who are victims are intimidated so much that they cannot share it with anyone. In most of the cases, perpetrators are close relatives or trusted family friends who can easily approach children time and again. hence, the victims of child abuse suffer a lifelong trauma. Consequently, parents and teachers should educate children about good and bad touch. Children must be properly taught and trained how to act when they encounter such a situation. Parents must be vagilant and remove the generation gap so that their children can share everything without hesitation. Strict law and punishment should be introduced to combat this grave issue.

SonA BAkhtAwAr BIJrAnI Shikarpur

Bigger than all of us FeW months ago earth Day was celebrated around the globe.

People came out on the streets holding placards and protesting about climatic change enthusiastically however in my opinion I don’t see that kind of enthusiasm in the people here in Pakistan and media, influencers, or everyone in general barely talk about global warming or climate change.

Climate change is soon going to destroy our mother earth if not controlled as soon as possible. Forests are burning, glaciers are melting, aquatic species are dying, animals are being extinct, acidic rains are destroying crops, increased number of droughts and the list goes on. the government and we as individuals should realize our roles and look after the mother earth. Many environmentalists emphasis on opting lifestyles like zero waste, however changing your lifestyles completely might not be that easy but at least we can bring small changes into our lives or opt for other alternatives , we can use reusable cloth bags instead of plastic bags, limit the use of plastic straws, instead of buying water bottles carry our own steel bottles etc reuse and recycle materials as much as you can, install solar panels if possible sure they are costly but are useful in longer term. This crisis is real and earth needs our help, I hope people grasp this as soon as possible and realize we are the only one who can stop it, it is up to us to preserve the world for the next generation. nIShA ZAhoor JAmAlI karachi

Parliamentary ruckus I happened to just switch on the TV at about 6 pm and was more than horrified to watch the opposition MNAs shouting at the encircled Speaker and not allowing one member to speak.

The Speaker kept on requesting the Parliamentarians to allow the Speaker just two minutes to explain his personal point.

But, Alas, rowdyism had taken over and the Speaker was not allowed his request. The chaotic and sycophantic crowd demanded that Bilawal must speak first....What a manifestation of egoism/ ill manners.

Thanks God! These gentlemen, did not manhandle the Speaker, who wisely closed the NA proceedings till tomorrow! rAShID mAqSooD lahore

A bleak picture of the country ACCORDING to the recent report of human Development Index (hDI) 2019, released by UNDP, Pakistan dropped more and stood at 152nd position out of the total 189 countries.

Most alarmingly, Pakistan's ranking is below vis-a-vis to other South Asian countries. Though the recent report paints a gloomy picture of the country's myriad development challenges, indicating that the Islamabad's poor score was due to its high infant mortality figures, a low rate of enrolment of children in schools and high gender inequality in households, schools and health sectors.

According to an index, out of 541 million poor people in whole of the South Asia, 75mn alone live in Pakistan. even the more flabbergasting fact is that out of these 75mn people, 40mn are children. Similarly, another report reveals that 11pc of girls in South Asia are out of school; in Pakistan's case, the number is as high as 27pc. Moreover, around 23pc of children aged up to 4 years experience intra-household inequality in terms of nutrition in the region; again, in the case of land of pure, the figure is more than 33pc. Though this perplexing report, in which a great many people are deprived from their basic rights, is an eye opener for the rulers and policy makers.

So, it's a dire need of hour for ruling government as well as policy makers to take pragmatic measures to overcome this menace for the betterment of the people of Pakistan. kAmleSh BAnSArI. Sujawal, Sindh.

06 LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

WEATHER UPDATES THURSDAY

180C

90C

FRIDAY

180C

80C

SATURDAY

LHC bars proseCuTion againsT ‘innoCenT’ Lawyers in piC aTTaCk Case LAHORE

T

INP

HE Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered to stop prosecuting what it dubbed as “innocent lawyers”, vowing to proceed further against “whoever has sinned” during the mob attack at the Pakistan Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore on December 11.

Meanwhile, a bench headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi sought personal appearance of the Punjab Chief Secretary Maj (retd) Azam Suleman, interior secretary and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgeer in today’s hearing on petitions against ‘reckless’ arrests of lawyers in the wake of the attack on the PIC. The petitions sought the release of lawyers, restraining police from torturing and implicating them in false cases.

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) member Ahsan Bhoon appeared to represent the legal fraternity of lawyers, and argued that the arrested lawyers were subjected to torture by police, and their faces were covered with black veils when they were produced in the court for remand.

Bhoon maintained that the lawyers were humiliated and some of the

lawyers sitting at Race Course Park, Lahore, were also arrested and tortured.

“An apology has been made to the general public [over the incident],” he added.

On Dec 16, Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta of anti-terrorism court (ATC) sent eight more lawyers to judicial remand in the same incident.

Speaking to media, Supreme Court Bar Council Vice President Ghulam Murtaza Chaudhry and lawyer Zaheer Anayat Malik said that police presented eight lawyers but failed to provide any investigation report.

The police sought physical remand of the accused lawyers. However, the court rejected the physical remand of lawyers, and instead granted judicial remand.

They further told the media that bail pleas were filed and the court after issuing notices to the parties adjourned the hearing till Tuesday.

‘INQUIRY COMMITTEE’: On the other hand, an inquiry committee, constituted by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to find out the culprits responsible for the violent clash and identify the roles of lawyers, doctors and police, has been carrying out investigation.

The findings by the inquiry committee in a form of a report will be made

a part of measures which will be devised and implemented to prevent occurrence of such incidents in the future.

Advocate Nadeem Sarwar had earlier filed a petition in the LHC against police raids on lawyers’ homes for their arrest.

IG Shoaib Dastgir, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed and PMERA were made respondents in the application.

The application had pleaded with the court to issue directives for the protection of lawyers and halt police from arresting them.

Later, Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa had termed that the incident “tragic and condemnable”, and stated those who belong to the respected profession would go through the process of self-accountability.

CJP Khosa had said that the attack at the PIC should not have occurred at the first place, and expressed sympathy towards the victims and affected families.

“Both, lawyers and doctors, belong to a respected profession and people should be mindful of the values attached to legal as well as medical profession,” he had added. He had expressed hope that “better sense will prevail” not just in this particular incident and its aftermath but in the future as well.

PU, GCU teachers take out rally against 50pc cut in budget LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab University Academic Staff Association and faculty members of Government College University Lahore on Wednesday organized a rally at PU Old Campus to protest against 50 percent cut in the budget of higher education.

PU teachers boycotted classes for one hour and wore black bands. The teachers, led by FAPUASA Punjab President Prof Dr Mumtaz Anwar Chaudhry and ASA Secretary Javed Sami, were holding placards and

banners in favor of their demands.

The teachers raised slogans demanding the government to allocate budget to higher education as per demand and restore income tax rebate to teachers to 75 percent.

The teachers took out rally in various departments of Old Campus and held a protest demonstration on the Mall near Istanbul Chowk. Addressing the participants, Prof Dr Mumtaz Anwar Chaudhry said that university teachers rejected model universities act and it must not be implemented. He said that no country could progress without spending money on higher education sector.

PKM leader accuses RYK admin of harassing sugarcane growers LAHORE: Pakistan Kissan Movement President Hanif Gujjar has said that Rahim Yar Khan mills have started to monopolise the purchase of sugarcane crop through district administration of Punjab govt. Gujjar claimed that the district administration has started arresting and harassing sugarcane buyers who are being given better rates to farmers so that they can get cane at minimum price below the Punjab govt’s fixed price of Rs190. The sugar mills which are running in Rahim Yar Khan district still want to buy cane at Rs180/- to Rs185/-.

District administration has ordered the people who had come from outside of district Rahim Yar Khan not to buy cane otherwise they would be arrested, he added. PRESS RELEASE

STEP Announces ‘High Achiever Scholarship 2019’ for ECAT, MDCAT top scorers LAHORE: STEP, keeping up with its tradition of acknowledging high achievers of ECAT and MDCAT, announces scholarships for them. Each year, 25 each of ECAT and MDCAT High Achievers get ‘High Achiever Scholarship’ under which STEP pays all their dues for their 4 years and 5 years’ education in medical colleges, engineering universities and institutes respectively. PRESS RELEASE

190C

70C

FRIDAY

200C 60C

LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December 2019

LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December 2019

LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December 2019

LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December 2019

LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December 2019

LAHORE

Thursday, 19 December 2019

Safai anThem- anoTher Bravura efforT To Spread awareneSS aBouT CleanlineSS!

T

By Rohama Riaz

here is an urgent need to spread awareness about cleanliness and hygiene in the country, and hoga Saaf Pakistan has been at the forefront with its nationwide initiative, working at various fronts for this cause. Taking the same spirit forward, they came out with their Safai Anthem that tells us how important it is to appoint the habit of cleanliness in our lives. It is after all the need of the hour to play our part in keeping our country clean and free of pollution.

The video for the anthem opens, and hopeful music begins playing on the screen as superstar Fahad Mustafa appears on the screen. he makes his way through a street that is scattered with trash. Just then, current music sensation and heartthrob Asim Azhar walks in from behind the sun and hits the first notes of the song in his melodious voice. he tells the people that once you choose to shine, everything else will shine with you. The lyrics are a motivation for the masses to stop waiting for things to happen and take the matter in their own hands to work towards the cause of cleanliness, which is the ultimate need of the hour.

The video shows people coming out of their houses and stepping onto the streets. hundreds of citizens, along with hoga Saaf Pakistan’s representatives, join hands and begin cleaning the streets. There are kids who aren’t shying away from getting their hands dirty because if that’s what it takes to live in a clean environment, they are more than prepared to do it. After all, it is a

moral imperative of the younger generation to keep their houses and their cities clean.

There’s a particular portion of the video where a man throws a plastic bottle out of his car on the road while he’s standing at a stop sign. Just then Fahad, who’s one of the people who are waiting for the signal to go green, gets off his bike and picks up the bottle. he throws it in a nearby trashcan and gives the man a disapproving look.

The anthem also features prominent journalist Iqrar-ul-hassan who joins Fahad Mustafa in cleaning a heavily polluted street. It’s not just the streets and localities that are in need of the cleaning. The video shows other public places such as parks, beaches that are polluted by us because of our ignorance.

Another top shot in the anthem’s video shows Shaniera Akram running on a beach

that’s littered as far as the eye can see. The beach is then cleaned by her and Fahad Mustafa along with other people. The video also shows teachers telling different ways to maintain cleanliness to their students.

Prominent cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and the Northern Areas are also showcased in the anthem’s video.

There are several sweeping shots of Karachi’s famous landmarks and rooftops where Asim Azhar is seen singing, overlooking the city. The anthem also features vocals by popular singer Aima Baig.

At its heart, the anthem is an effort to get the citizens of our country to keep their surroundings and environment clean and telling others to do the same. The anthem surely struck a chord with the audiences, inspiring them to take the matters of cleanliness in their own hands.

CMYK

Space has a distinct smell: a bouquet of diesel fumes, gunpowder, and barbecue. The aroma is mostly produced by dying stars.

Before settling on the Seven Dwarfs we know today, Disney considered Chesty, Tubby, Burpy, Deafy, Hickey, Wheezy, and Awful.

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

14 WORLD VIEW

independent

o

RanjOna BaneRjI

N Sunday night in Delhi, students protesting the newly-passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were brutalised by the police. The police attack was focused on one university, Jamia Millia. Similar scenes of teargas, arson and bloodshed were seen at the Aligarh Muslim University in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Both are seen as “Muslim” institutions, although students of all religions may study there. As news of police using disproportionate force against students spread across India via social media, students from other universities as well as concerned citizens joined them on the streets. Since then, the protests have not stopped; several more are planned over the coming week.

What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and why has it thrown India into turmoil? The act grants fast-tracked Indian citizenship to previously illegal immigrants who entered the country before 2015, and who are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi, as well as to Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Crucially, the act excludes Muslims.

The CAA comes hot on the heels of the disastrous National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state of Assam, which has been used to purge the region of illegal immigrants and sent 1.9 million now state-

IndIa’s latest IslamophobIc law has left my country’s democracy In tatters THE PROTESTS HAVE A LOT TO DO BEFORE INDIA’S HINDU-SUPREMACIST GOVERNMENT TAKES NOTICE

less people to detention centres.

The move is thus perhaps unsurprising, given that the goal of Narendra Modi’s Hindu-supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), re-elected with a massive majority in May, is that India is perceived as a safe haven for all religions – except Islam. Then again, it is somewhat ironic that for decades the northeast of India has claimed that migration from Bangladesh has diluted their tribal and ethnic identities, something that the CAA will potentially allow to continue.

The CAA attacks a central tenet of Indian Constitution. The country’s formation as a democratic republic in 1947 was grounded in secularism. Unlike Pakistan, which was formed as an expressly religious state, India was emphatically not. Narendra Modi’s government is not making any bones of its intention not to treat all Indians equally.

In a campaign speech this week in the state of Jharkhand, Modi said protesters against the CAA could be “recognized by their clothes” – a clear reference to

If France wants the Middle East, let them have it

Muslims. Home minister Amit Shah, who has referred to illegal immigrants as “termites”, mocked protesters: “Say you will allow all Muslims into India”. There is no hiding any more: the two most powerful men in India’s government have now made their Hindu-supremacist and Islamophobic agenda completely clear.

For India’s Muslims, the CAA stokes fears of becoming second-class citizens. Families have been torn apart by the NRC; soldiers who have won medals for their bravery are now in detention centres simply for being Muslim. If the NRC can do so much damage in one state, what horrors now lie in store for the rest of the country’s Muslim population?

Both the NRC and CAA have shaken India to its core. It is bad enough that the economy is in chaos; that Indian held Kashmir has been under lockdown since August; that all the promised development has not arrived. Now India itself, and the Constitution which sets us apart, has been compromised – though at last, the fightback has begun. The Supreme Court may have de-

In defence of Indian secularism WHEN IT IS THREATENED, MULTIPLE IDENTITIES ARE THREATENED. THAT IS THE LESSON FROM THE PROTESTS

THEIR DEFENCE MINISTER IS SLAMMING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT BEING MORE ‘ENGAGED.’ BE OUR GUEST

AmericAn conservAtive WILLIS KRUMHOLZ

Looming over this month’s big NATO confab was not only Donald Trump’s repeated insistence that its signatories contribute more to their own defense, but an ongoing discussion over America’s persistent role in the Middle East.

This was telegraphed recently at the Manama Dialogue confab in Bahrain—a get-together involving the Sunni powers in the Gulf region— where French Defense Minister Florence Parly slammed the Trump administration for moving troops out of northern Syria and for pulling out of the Iran deal. She said America wasn’t doing enough to stand up to Iran’s threats to Saudi Arabia, and that Barack Obama should have launched a military strike against the Assad regime after chemical weapons were used in 2013.

“We’ve seen deliberate, gradual U.S. disengagement,” said Parly. “The edifice [of American power] has started shaking and opportunists rush in.”

The French defense minister went on to decry that Turkish is being spoken in Syria, Russian is being spoken in Libya, and there is a heavy Chinese presence in Djibouti.

According to The Jerusalem Post, paraphrasing Parly, “this is important because France is the historical colonial power of Syria; French played a role in the 2011 revolution in Syria; and France has key relations with Djibouti, where it has a naval base.”

The subtext is that France is looking to get more involved in the Middle East, starting with a maritime effort geared towards surveillance.

Yet with all due respect to the French defense minister, her analysis is both backwards and tonedeaf. She rightly mentions France’s (and America’s) role in fueling the Syrian Civil War, but totally ignores the indescribable damage that has ensued. The human cost alone of that conflict has been staggering, yet nothing has been achieved aside from the rise of the Islamic State and other radical Sunni groups.

Parly also has the audacity to decry Iranian influence in the Middle East. Yet she glossed over the fact that that influence in Syria and Yemen, over its Shia Muslim friends, was directly proportional to the pressure being placed on those Shia groups by Sunni forces, which were backed by Western military might. In other words, Iran only became heavily involved in Syria after the West decided to foment a civil war and attempt to topple the Assad regime.

Likewise did the chaos in Syria resulted in Assad inviting Russia to enter the region.

It’s also silly for Parly to say America is pulling out of the Middle East. True, Trump has announced withdrawals—multiple times. But in practice, the U.S. has added thousands of troops in Saudi Arabia and only shuffled troops around in Syria. And despite expressing concerns over our continued footprint in Afghanistan, which remains a stalemate after nearly two decades, Trump has yet to significantly reduce troop levels in that country.

That being said, the Middle East really is more relevant to French security, so if they want to take the reins, America should be grateful. And if countries like Russia and China are dumb enough to get trapped in the region’s quicksand, not to mention a 1,400-year-old Shia-Sunni divide, we should start popping the champagne.

The biggest worry would be that those nations drag us into conflicts. Few remember that it was France, attempting to hold onto a last bastion of colonial power, that snared us into Vietnam. And the same thing happened to a degree in Libya: the U.S. and France toppled dictator Moammar Gaddafi, though President Obama thankfully balked at placing significant levels of U.S. troops on the ground.

Libya is a mess today, but not for want of American military occupation. If that had happened, America would be mired in yet another endless war, forced to pick between multiple unsavory sides that have no respect for our values or interests.

Letting France handle the Middle East would be dependent on the U.S. actually getting out of the Middle East, not just talking about it. Though France is a strong ally, it lacks the ability to project force without American help, so it’s likely that Paris would follow Washington’s lead should it wisely choose to avoid endless involvement in the region. The Middle East is a briar patch to be steered clear of, not some treasured place that we need to “lead.”

Willis L. Krumholz is a fellow at Defense Priorities. He holds a JD and MBA degree from the University of St. Thomas and works in the financial services industry.

ferred all petitions against the act to the end of January – yet public protests are sweeping the country.

Even the BJP’s political and ideological allies, people who supported the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament, have found themselves forced to backtrack in the face of public outrage. India’s enormous and popular film industry has been scrutinised for not speaking out on its injustice; Hollywood star John Cusack shamed his Indian colleagues by expressing solidarity with the student protesters.

It is all too easy, however, to be lulled into a false sense of security that the movement against Constitutional destruction is gaining momentum. These are early days. Given the power the BJP draws from its large parliamentary majority, it is unlikely that the government will change course yet, if at all. Unless India’s many opposition parties come together to speak in one voice, they pose no challenge right now.

Time is running out for the future of a democratic India. We teeter on the edge.

HindustAn times YaMInI aIYaR

The protests erupting across India since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are a testament to the centrality of secularism as the foundational principle that binds the country together and holds the key to India’s survival as a nation. The deathly blow that the CAA and its companion, the National Register of Citizens (NRC), have delivered to secularism threatens the foundations of India’s plural social fabric. When secularism is threatened, India is weakened. This is the lesson from the passage of the CAA, and the unrest it has unleashed.

Much has been written, including in this column, on the damage the CAA and NRC can do to India’s secular fabric. However, given its import, it bears repetition. The CAA offers fast-track citizenship to a specified list of non-Muslim migrants living in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, justified on grounds of experienced or fear of “religious persecution”. By introducing religion as a marker of citizenship, the CAA creates categories of citizens with differing pathways to citizenship based on religious identity. The amendment thus upends the constitutional promise of a universal, religion-neutral idea of citizenship. India belonged to all, irrespective of religion. It was this conception of citizenship that formed the foundation of our secular promise.

But the full import of the CAA can only be understood when viewed in conjunction with the promise of implementing a nationwide NRC. While the CAA deals specifically with the question of migrants and their claims to citizenship, the nationwide NRC will open up the issue of citizenship for all Indians.

Designed as an administrative tool to, quite literally, create a registry of all “citizens”, and through this, weed out “infiltrators” and “termites”, the NRC will effectively empower all arms of the administration to interrogate people and evaluate their claims to citizenship based on documents in their possession.

For those belonging to specific religious categories identified in the CAA, the Act will serve as a protection device. For others, read Muslim, their vulnerabilities will be further enhanced, condemning them to new, torturous paths of discrimination and dispossession. The political message is clear. Together the CAA and NRC amount to no less than a State-sponsored project of “othering” that strikes at the heart of India’s secular ethos.

In the days since the passage of the CAA, multi-

ple protests across north and Northeast India last week. Ironically, these protests are themselves expressions of India’s overlapping multi-religious, multi-ethnic character that the CAA seeks to undermine. The mobilisations in the Northeast are about anxieties of ethnicity, culture and language as much as religion while the protests in Delhi, Aligarh and Lucknow are chiefly about religious identity and discriminatory exclusion of Muslims from the CAA. It is the principle of secularism that has bound these multiple identities and sought forms of peaceful coexistence and tolerance. The resistance in the Northeast hasn’t been overtly framed in the grammar of secularism, nor are the protests seeking to defend it as a principle — the northeastern concerns are primarily linked to the historical in-migration of Bengali Hindus from colonial India, and East Pakistan/Bangladesh post-Partition and its impact on indigenous culture and identities. Yet, it is the constitutional ethos of secularism that provided the framework for these multiple identity claims to be articulated and negotiated in the political sphere, in the first place. Secularism allowed India to both celebrate its many identities and defend them, when threatened.

The ethos of secularism, as political scientist Neera Chandoke has argued, found expression in India’s freedom movement as a necessary antidote to the politicisation of religion that fuelled communal riots and the competitive nation-building project of Pakistan. Religion had been politicised, making society vulnerable to violence. Secularism offered a pathway to peace.

The secularism ethos — all religions are equal in the eyes of law and that the State shall not propagate one particular religion — provided the foundation for building a society that negotiated multiple identities and enabled them to coexist in security and harmony.

The current wave of protests has found voice precisely because when secularism is overtly threatened, so too are these multiple identities. This is the lesson that home minister Amit Shah and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ought to learn. India needs secularism to survive in peace and harmony.

Of course, India’s experiment with secularism has its flaws. Competitive party politics has sought to legitimise the blatant, entrenchment of religious politicisation in the name of “secularism”, rather than serve its cause. And it is in this abdication of the core principles of secularism that the BJP successfully appropriated the term, even defending the citizenship amendment as “secular” while accusing political opponents of being “pseudo secularist”.

The real challenge that protests and resistance to the CAA and NRC face today is that they are bereft of a vocabulary to defend secularism’s cause even though it is the threat to secularism that sparked these protests.

India urgently needs to wrest and reclaim secularism, anchoring it in a new vocabulary that redeems its credibility. Our collective ability to do so will determine whether India will reclaim itself or stay firm on its current path toward a re-imagination of its foundations.

Yamini Aiyar is president and chief executive, Centre for Policy Research.

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

AfghAn president protests tAlibAn violence with KhAlilzAd

KABUL

t

AGENCIES

HE US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Wednesday, an official said, amid a renewed push to reach

an accord with the insurgents.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Ghani discussed several topics including the need for a ceasefire, Ghani’s spokesman Sediq Seddiqi said.

“The president also expressed his concerns about the continued violence by the

Taliban,” Sediqqi said.

“The president reiterated that the government and people of Afghanistan want a sustainable peace.”

Khalilzad has spent more than a year leading a push for a deal with the Taliban that would see the US reduce its military footprint in Afghanistan in return for security guarantees from the insurgents.

While the US has kept Ghani apprised of developments, the Afghan president has been cut out of negotiations because the Taliban refuse to recognise his authority.

A US-Taliban deal had been all but signed in early September, but President Donald Trump scuttled the agreement at the last minute, citing concerns about ongoing Taliban violence including a Kabul bombing that killed an American soldier.

Talks resumed on December 7 amid a reduction in violence in Kabul but were paused following another Taliban attack, this time at Bagram airbase north of Kabul.

The US embassy in Kabul declined to comment immediately, but talks appear to have resumed again this week in Doha.

French strikers angry about pension reform cut power to homes, companies PARIS

Israeli electric company cuts power to West Bank over Palestinian debt JERUSALEM: Israel’s state-owned electric company on Wednesday said it was continuing power cuts to several cities in the occupied West Bank to press for payment of what it said was $519 million owed by a Palestinian electricity company. Israel Electric Corp (IEC) began daily, three-hour power cuts on Sunday, a spokeswoman said, adding that the company is “determined to collect the debt but disconnects the power in a reasonable and proportionate way”. The cuts have led to afternoon power outages in the cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem, affecting an estimated 130,000 people, said Hisham Omari, who heads the Palestinians’ main electric company in the West Bank. “When you have no electricity, there is no life. You stop life, you stop work, you feel the winter cold, for three hours,” added Omari, chairman of the Jerusalem District Electricity Company (JDECO). Palestinians in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War, are largely dependent on electricity supplied by Israel. JDECO buys electricity from IEC and then sells it to customers in the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority has limited self-rule under interim peace deals with Israel. JDECO does not have its own power stations and relies on Israel for 95 percent of its energy supply. It buys the remainder from neighboring Jordan.

Omari said the company was “trying to take a 150 million shekels ($43.25 million) loan from a Palestinian bank to help pay off the debt.” He added that the PA is negotiating with Israel to reschedule JDECO’s debt payments and end the power cuts. The Palestinians have tried to reduce what they call their dependence on Israel for energy, in part through state- and private sector-funded solar energy projects and plans to build their own power plants. AGENCIES

Facebook says it can locate users who opt out of tracking

AGENCIES

France’s warring trade unions on Wednesday defended their decision to cut power to thousands of homes, companies and even the Bank of France to force a weakened government to drop a wide-ranging pension reform.

The power cuts added to a sense of chaos in the second week of nationwide strikes that have crippled transport, shut schools and brought more than half a million people onto the street against President Emmanuel Macron’s reform.

Asked on French radio whether the power cuts, illegal under French law, weren’t a step too far, Philippe Martinez, the head of the hardline CGT union, said the cuts were necessary to force Macron to back down. “I understand these workers’ anger,” the mustachioed union leader said. “These are targeted cuts. You’ll understand that spitting on the public service can make some of us angry.”

His remarks coincided with comments

by Macron’s office saying the president ruled out abandoning his reform plans but was keen to make improvements in talks with unions, ahead of a new day of talks between his prime minister and union leaders.

The government is keen to reach a truce before Christmas, when millions of French people travel to their home place to spend the holiday with their families.

Macron’s transport minister condemned the power cuts, which hit at least 150,000

FOREIGN NEWS 15

homes on Tuesday according to the French power grid, and said the government would ask the grid company to file complaints.

“I hear they’re cutting power to CAC 40 companies, prefectures, shopping malls.

That’s already rather questionable,” Elisabeth Borne said, referring to an index of blue chip companies on the French stock market.

“But clinics, metro stations, fire brigades and thousands of French people also saw power cuts. This is far from normal ways of striking,” she said.

The hardening union tactics came just as Macron was forced to change the lead negotiator for the reform, naming a lawmaker from his party to replace pensions tsar Jean-

Paul Delevoye, who resigned following accusations of conflicts of interest.

Macron wants to turn the myriad of French pension systems into a single pointsbased one. That would force employees at state-backed companies such as the national railways company SNCF or power utility EDF, who currently enjoy more generous pension plans than private-sector workers, to work longer.

Train drivers at SNCF can retire at just over 50, for instance, against 62 for those in the private sector. That means French taxpayers have to plug in the deficit of the railway company’s pension system to the tune of 3 billion euros every year.

WASHINGTON: Facebook can determine where users are even if they opt out of having their whereabouts tracked, the company revealed in a letter sent to US senators. In the missive, which was widely shared on social media Tuesday, Facebook explained ways it can still figure out where people are after they have selected not to share precise location data with the company. The social network, which was responding to a request for information by two senators, contended that knowing a user’s whereabouts has benefits ranging from showing ads for nearby shops to fighting hackers and battling misinformation. “There is no opting out. No control over your personal information,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley said in a tweet. “That’s Big Tech. And that’s why Congress needs to take action.” Facebook said that clues for figuring out a user’s location include being tagged in a photo at a specific place or a check-in at a location such as at a restaurant during a dinner with friends. People may share an address for purchases at a shopping section at Facebook, or simply include it in their profile information. Along with location information shared in posts by users, devices connecting to the internet are given IP addresses and a user’s whereabouts can then be noted. Those addresses include locations, albeit a bit imprecise when it comes to mobile devices linking through telecom services that might only note a town or city. Facebook said knowing a user’s general location helps it and other internet firms protect accounts by detecting when suspicious login behavior occurs, such as by someone in South America when a user lives in Europe. IP addresses also help companies such as Facebook battle misinformation by showing the general origin of potentially nefarious activity, such as a stream of politically oriented posts which might be aimed at a particular country. AGENCIES

Japan journalist wins high-profile #MeToo case

TOKYO AGENCIES

A Tokyo court Wednesday awarded 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages to journalist Shiori Ito, who accused a former TV reporter of rape in one of the most high-profile cases of the #MeToo move-

ment in Japan.

The civil case made headlines in Japan and abroad, as it is rare for rape victims to report the crime to the police — according to a 2017 government survey, only four percent of women come forward.

Ito, 30, has become an outspoken symbol for #MeToo in Japan, where the

movement against sexual harassment and abuse has struggled to take hold. She had sought 11 million yen ($100,000) in compensation from Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former TV reporter with close links to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, alleging he raped her after inviting her to dinner to discuss a job opportunity in 2015.

Yamaguchi denies any wrongdoing and had filed a counter-suit against Ito, seeking 130 million yen in compensation.

“We won. The counter-suit was turned down,” said Ito outside the court, holding up a banner that read “victory” as supporters cheered and clapped. “Honestly I still don’t know how I feel,” she told reporters, struggling to hold back the tears. “However, winning this case doesn’t mean this (sexual assault) didn’t happen… This is not the end,” she added.

She said she hoped the case would change what she called the “under-devel-

oped” legal and social environment surrounding rape in Japan. Japan hiked minimum jail terms for rapists from three to five years and widened the definition of sexual assault victims to include men for the first time in 2017.

Lawmakers decided unanimously to update the 1907 statute to impose tougher penalties on sex attackers and make prosecutions easier, as they look to boost Japan’s low number of convictions.

The latest World Economic Forum report on the gender gap published on the eve of the case ranked Japan 121st out of 153 countries, slipping even further down the list from 110th the previous year.

Ahead of the ruling, Ito went before the cameras and said she had received widespread support.

“Since I woke up this morning, I have seen several messages from around the world that they are with me no matter

how this turns out because my action has been meaningful,” she told reporters.

‘IT WASN’T ONLY ME!’: Ito spoke out in 2017, shortly before the #MeToo movement, and this was “viewed as odd, especially in Japan”, she said.

When the #MeToo movement emerged, “I thought ‘It wasn’t only me!’ and I believe there were others who thought so too,” she said.

But things in Japan moved slowly.

“I saw women in Europe or the United States actively discussing it and standing up together but I didn’t think that happened in Japan at the same time,” she said. Ito said that a major problem in Japanese media is the high proportion of men in decision-making positions but she added that the situation has begun to change with overseas harassment stories appearing in Japan and her story being told overseas.

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

16 BUSINESS CORPORATE CORNER

PPL Coordinator DMD (E&BD) Syed Firasat Shah distributes fuel-efficient stoves to local communities belonging to Harboi and Sheikhari union councils of District Kalat as part of the company’s CSR initiatives around its Kalat and Margand blocks in Balochistan. press release

PML-N’s white PaPeR teRMs Pti govt a faiLuRe, a cheat ‘FINANCE MINISTRY, MINISTRY OF PLANNING PROJECTED GROWTH AND INFLATION FIGURES DID NOT MATCH BUT PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN STILL APPROVED IT’ ISLAMABAD

P

ISLAMABAD: S&P Global Managing Director Munjeeb Zahur, EdTechWorx CEO and LUMS Executive INResidence Dr Farrah Arif and Bioniks Founder and CTO Anas Niaz along with PTCL EVP Marketing and Corporate Communications Syed Shahzad Shah, EVP Talent Management and Culture Amjad Iqbal, GM Corporate Communication Fariha Tahir Shah at ‘Talks@PTCL held at PTCL headquarters in Islamabad. press release

ISLAMABAD: The Beaconhouse Group has introduced transnational education with the launch of Beaconhouse International Colleges (BIC) with a ground breaking ceremony in Islamabad. press release

KARACHI: The American Business Forum (ABF) welcomed State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza Baqir at a dinner meeting on Sunday. press release

Realme quad camera upgraded, 5s launch on Dec 23 LAHORE: Realme has confirmed the launch of realme 5s on December 23. realme will be sticking to its affordable roots and keeping prices within striking distance of each other. Realme Pakistan has already started teasing details about the Realme 5s’ display, battery and processor. According to the teaser page, the upcoming handset will sport a 6.5-inch HD display, a 5,000mAh battery, and a 48-megapixel quad camera. press release

aHMaD aHMaDaNI

akistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-n), in its white paper titled “Clarion Call, Rescue Economy”, accused that the first 16 months of the imran khan led government were the most calamitous for Pakistan’s national security in the last half-century.

Criticizing the economic policies of Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) government, PML-n’s white paper said that imran khan’s government’s ineptitude and policy bankruptcy has unravelled the precious consolidation in Pakistan’s economy, security, and foreign policy which was achieved under former prime minister nawaz sharif’s leadership during 2013-18. “imran khan government inflicted on 210 million Pakistanis the worst era of governance in Pakistan’s history; marked by catastrophic mismanagement in national security and economic policy; and by condemnable degradation in human development and in constitutional rights of Pakistani citizens,” said PML-n’s white paper, Clarion Call, Rescue Economy. the white paper added that imran’s first 16months in government were the most calamitous for Pakistan’s national security in the last halfcentury and brought fear to families living on the Line of Control (LoC) as well as in Balochistan besides hurting poor with extortionate 12.7 per cent inflation and destroying families through endemic unemployment. in its first ever comprehensive response to the Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf’s (Pti) economic policies, the white paper of Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-n) alleged that Pti rule has so far caused worst contraction of large-scale manufacturing in a decade, and wretched performance in agriculture, with farmers reeling from exorbitant prices of electricity, agrochemicals, and fertilisers, besides withholding of funds owed to provinces which ruined human development across the country. similarly, the government has been hurting citizens by making medicines extortionately expensive, and cancelling free medicines, free tests, and free surgeries offered in government hospitals by the PML-n government.

Likewise, drastic decline in development expenditure has unleashed a tsunami of unemployment that not only rendered more than a million Pakistanis jobless, but also forced approximately an additional 8 million Pakistanis into poverty.

More, in reprehensible contrast to its rhetoric, Pti government in its first year burdened Pakistan’s future generations with the highest debt and liabilities in a single fiscal year by any government in the nation’s 72 years - Rs10,335 billion in one year.

Furthermore, the government has rolled back China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), jeopardizing the nation’s economic future and the economic depth with Pakistan’s iron friend China achieved under nawaz sharif.

PML-n’s white paper has also alleged that imran khan’s irresolute foreign policy had comforted Pakistan’s enemies and dismayed our

‘PTI’S CLAIM OF REDUCING CIRCULAR DEBT TO RS10 BILLION A MONTH, A LIE, EXPOSED

BY ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’

friends while dithering foreign policy, catastrophic economic mismanagement, and repression-fractured domestic polity brought Pakistan to a ruinously unprepared condition that emboldened india to strike us twice within six months. also, by retreating from former prime minister nawaz sharif’s 2013-18 pivot towards China, Russia, and Central asia, imran khan’s pivot back to the Us and its allies in the Middle East has so far remained fruitless while muchtouted revival of Pakistan’s longstanding relations with brotherly countries in the Middle East proved an illusion as not only these countries refrained from condemning india, but also some of them actually rewarded india. “in its haste to conclude the international Monetary Fund (iMF) deal, imran khan’s government compromised on national security by agreeing to the formal mention of money laundering in the document, thus linking iMF tranches directly to Financial action task Force (FatF),” said PML-n’s white paper. terming imran khan’s government’s response to kashmir’s annexation as inept, infirm, and indecisive, PML-n accused that despite passing 130 days to the annexation of indian Occupied kashmir (iOk), Pti government had not only failed to launch any serious diplomatic initiative to counter india’s Hindu-extremist expansionism, it has still not finalized its demands from the international community beyond the immediate relief from curfew and communications lockdown in iOk “instead of a well-crafted road-map of diplomatic, communication, kinetic, and legal actions for Pakistan, PM khan built a war scenario, clumsily rattled the nuclear sabres, and concluded ineptly by asking the opposition what to do,” reads the PML-n white paper. it added that imran khan’s speech at the United nation (Un) General assembly on 27 september was only sound and mere fury, with no follow-up. Pakistan’s diplomacy has been paralysed since, while millions of kashmiris continue to bleed under indian annexation. the white paper also alleged that imran khan’s government has attacked all pillars of state during its first 16-months and the first victim was freedom of expression as journalists were thrown out of jobs, live shows with opposition leaders were forced off air during broadcast, talk shows were cancelled, tV channels were taken off air, and opposition rallies were blacked out, while the government jailed dozens of opposition leaders on bogus charges, denied the right of jailed parliamentarians to appear in the parliament; assaulted the judiciary through coercion; and despoiled parliament through mayhem led by federal ministers.

“Media in the first one year of imran khan’s government suffered near total censorship, acknowledged and documented around the world, and repeatedly protested against by all recognised journalists bodies,” said the white paper.

“PM khan has trampled freedom of expression, judicial independence, parliamentary sovereignty, democratic norms, and constitutional rights of all Pakistani citizens.” the white paper further said that federal min-

isters and treasury members in the national assembly have rioted on the floor of the national assembly; clashed physically with opposition members in the parliament premises; and constantly assault the opposition verbally on the floor. similarly, government’s constant attack on parliament has crippled legislation and impeded invaluable work of standing committees besides imran khan’s government’s horse-trading in the senate damaged gravely the public stature of Pakistan’s highest legislature.

Criticizing tall claims of Pti government for brining improvements in country’s economy through its initiatives, PML-n, in its white paper titled “Clarion Call, Rescue Economy” said that “from July through October 2019-20, the exports to China stood at $586.4 million, which were down by 1.5 per cent as compared to July-October 2018-19.” similarly, it said that the claim of reducing circular debt to Rs10 billion a month was a lie which was exposed by asian Development Bank (aDB). Likewise, government made wrong claims of zero borrowing from state Bank of Pakistan (sBP) for budget financing in fiscal year 2019-20 as it borrowed Rs1.2 trillion in advance before start of iMF programme and placed the money with sBP. Moreover, asad Umar’s claim of higher spending of PsDP than to the last year of PMLn was proved wrong as PsDP spending went down by 13 per cent to Rs502 billion by June 2019. Furthermore, contrary to the claim of imran khan that overseas Pakistanis will trust his honest government and bring their money back, only $27 million money was invested in imran khan’s overseas investment certificates despite offering very high profit rates. also, though imran khan made claims that bureaucracy will be free from political pressure, however, it also proved wrong as former secretary finance Younus Dagha was unceremoniously removed after he opposed anti-Pakistan iMF programme.

First supplementary budget was presented in september 2018. Revenue forecast was changed to Rs4398 billion. By april 2019, the forecast was further brought down to Rs4150 billion. Even this number predicted just 2 months before the budget was missed by more than Rs200 billion.

Likewise fiscal deficit was projected at 7.1 per cent on June 10, 2019, but 20 days later, the actual result showed that fiscal deficit had reached 8.9 per cent. amount wise this represented a difference in expenditure of Rs800 billion.

Last but not the least, claims of Pti government not to take foreign loans proved wrong as it had obtained $16 billion worth of new foreign loans from august 2018 to september 2019, which is unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. it is pertinent to mention that white paper has also pointed out the difference in financial numbers presented by finance ministry and the ministry of planning as finance ministry projected growth rate of 2.4 per cent and inflation of 1315 per cent for fiscal year 2020, while the ministry of planning submitted growth of 3.5 per cent and inflation of 8 per cent for the same year. interestingly both were approved by Prime Minister imran khan.

China to invest in agriculture, livestock to boost exports, says Ambassador Yao Jing ISLAMABAD MIaN aBrar

Chinese ambassador Yao Jing thursday said that in the second phase of China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China would invest in development of agriculture and livestock sectors in Pakistan to help boost its exports.

He was speaking as a chief guest at a seminar on "Role of Parliaments in cementing regional integration" here at the Pakistan institute of Parliamentary services (PiPs). ambassador Yao Jing said that China would also help Pakistan develop special economic zones would be built in Pakistan.

He said China would now invest in building vocational and training centres and research in agriculture and livestock sectors.

Most of the CPEC projects were invest-

ment of Chinese companies and not loans to the Pakistan government, he clarified.

Yao Jing said CPEC was launched because of the friendship between Pakistan and China, adding that China wanted progress and development all across Pakistan. He said that China would succeed in eradicating poverty among its people in the next year. national assembly speaker asad Qaiser on Wednesday said Pakistan was ready to facilitate neighbouring countries so that they could benefit from projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said the economic, trade and cultural ties among the countries in the region were spread over centuries. immense opportunities are available for promoting cooperation among countries of the region in trade and other sectors, he added.

He said Pakistan wanted to increase

effectiveness of CPEC as a means to further progress and prosperity of the region. the na speaker said Pakistan was going through a war like situation in the last 30 years, adding that Pakistan's economy suffered a lot due to afghan war and the war against terrorism.

He said the regional economy could be improved with the completion of CPEC. "i wish that Central asian states should be included in the CPEC project." asad said CPEC project was the guarantee for the future generations.

He assured all kinds of cooperation to regional countries for success of CPEC and said the parliament would play a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties between the countries. Promotion of bilateral relations was important for protecting regional interests, he stressed.

He said CPEC could play a vital role

in bringing countries of the region together. He said, the economy of Pakistan was under stress and we have to take steps to make it stable. the na speaker said parliamentary diplomacy could play a critical role in enhancing regional cooperation and prosperity. Pakistan had an important geographical position and it was a connection between asia and the countries in the arab world and they could benefit from CPEC, he reminded. asad said Pakistan was determined to increase its share in the international trade. the seaports of Pakistan were the shortest route to provide access to the Central asian countries to the world markets, he added. the na speaker said parliamentary friendship groups were activated to boost regional cooperation and help the Pak-

istani state achieve its objectives, while adding that the goal of Pakistan was to increase its exports. Pakistani exports could make their mark in africa which should be explored for different products, he added.

Parliamentary Committee on CPEC Chairman sher ali arbab said the pakistani population was huge and it was a challenge as well as an opportunity.

"We have to take the lead for achieving prosperity for people of Pakistan and for the region." sher ali said, Pakistan could not develop without gender empowerment and equality. senator Mushahid Hussain sayed said the next phase of CPEC was relocation of Chinese industry to Pakistan.

"China has offered $1 billion for socioeconomic development in Balochistan, khyber Pakhtunkhwa and certain areas of sindh."

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

BUSINESS 17 CORPORATE CORNER Sarsabz Fertilizer marks Dec 18 as ‘Kissan Day’ in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Sarsabz Fertilizer, a flagship brand of Fatima Fertilizer under the Fatima Group, marked a special initiative to recognize December 18 as ‘Kissan Day’ in Pakistan. ‘Kissan Day’ was celebrated during a special event organized at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad on December 18, 2019 with a recommendation to the government to recognize and announce it officially as part of the country’s annual national calendar of special days to be celebrated. Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser, Member of National Assembly Syed Fakhar Imam along with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Ling and Srilankan High Commissioner to Pakistan Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid were also present at the event. Representing the agricultural sector were renowned agriculture entrepreneurs including Imdad Ali Nizamani, who is also a progressive farmer, as well as top management officials from Sarsabz including Ali Mukhtar, Director at Fatima Group, Khurram Javed Maqbool Director Marketing and Sales at Fatima Group and Rabel Sadozai, Head of Marketing at Fatima Group. press release

UET – LOTTE Scholarship Foundation hosts award ceremony LAHORE: LOTTE Scholarship Foundation hosted an Award Ceremony in collaboration with University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore held on November 21, 2019 at UET. The event had a great turn out where students were awarded scholarships from Lotte Scholarship Foundation of Lotte Corporation of South Korea. The occasion was graced by Chief Executive Lotte Kolson - Khayyam Rajpoot, Chief Financial Officer Jeung Hoon Lee, Al-Khwarizmi Institute of Computer Science Director Dr Waqar Mahmood, Financial Aid and Career Services Director Prof Dr Usman Ghani and numerous distinguished guests from UET and Lotte Kolson.The purpose of these scholarships was encouragement and appreciation of students for their efforts towards academic excellence. press release

PAF Air War College delegation briefed about water, hydropower sectors KARACHI: A delegation of the PAF Air War College, Karachi, headed by Air Vice Marshal Zulfiqar Ahmed Qureshi on Wednesday visited WAPDA House Lahore.

During the visit, the delegation was briefed about the water scenario, development plans and future challenges in water and hydropower sectors. Dilating upon the factors behind the dismal scenario of water sector, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (Retd) briefed the delegation that per capita water availability in the country has come down from 5650 cubic meter in 1951 to an alarming level of 908 cubic meters per annum, pushing Pakistan to the stage of water-scarce country. Pakistan can store only 10 per cent of its annual river flows against the world average of 40 per cent.

Ironically, instead of increasing water storage capacity, Pakistan has lost about one-fourth storage of the dams.

The live water storage capacity that used to be 16.26 million acre feet (MAF) in 1976 has reduced to 13.68 MAF, which equals to only 30 days carry over capacity.

India has carry over capacity of 170 days, Egypt 700 days and America 900 days. The carry over water storage capacity has to be increased from 30 days to 120 days. Likewise, the ratio of low-cost hydel electricity also requires to be drastically improved. The situation can be improved by putting a robust development mechanism in place, said the chairman. Elaborating the strategy for harnessing water and hydropower resources, the chairman said that WAPDA is committed to adding five MAF to water storage and 4600 MW hydropower generation by 2025 and another eight MAF water storage and 16000 MW power generation up to 2030 by completing various projects. STAFF REPORT

LaRge-scaLe MaNufactuRiNg shRiNks 6.48Pc iN fouR MoNths ISLAMABAD

P

GHUlaM aBBas

akistan’s large-scale manufacturing (LsM) output contracted for the 7th month in a row with no sign of revival in the immediate future. the overall output of LsM decreased by 6.48 per cent for July-Oct, 2019-20 compared to July-Oct, 2018-19. the LsM index shrank by almost 8 per cent (7.9 per cent) year-on-year in fourth month of 2019-20, the Pakistan Bureau of statistics (PBs) reported on Wednesday. Meanwhile, during the 4th month of financial year 2019-20, big industry fell by 5.8 per cent. in september the LsM index had decreased by 5.63 per cent year-on-year, while, during the third month of FY20, big industry fell by 5.91 per cent. as per the PBs data the LsMi output decreased by 7.97 per cent for October, 2019 compared to October, 2018 and increased by 4.01 per cent if compared to september 2019. in 2018-19, three LsM sectors recorded a decline of 3.64 per cent against the target growth of 8.1 per cent, which the government has set at 3.1 per cent for 2019-20. the production in Jul-Oct 2019-20 as compared to Jul-Oct 2018-19 has increased in fertilizers and leather products while it has significant decreased in food, beverages, tobacco, coke, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, iron and steel products, and electronics. the sector showing increase during the period from July-October, 2019 included textile by 0.18 per cent, leather products 7.74 per

LSMI OUTPUT DECREASED BY 7.97 PER CENT IN OCT 2019 cent, electronics 5.51 per cent, engineering products 8.3 per cent, rubber products1.5 per cent, wood products 60.14 per cent, nonmetallic products 0.38 per cent, and fertilizers 10.71 per cent respectively.

During July to October the decrease in LsM was mainly led by a dip of 36.07 per cent in automobiles followed by 14.97 per cent in iron and steel, 13.77 per cent in petroleum products, 8.85 per cent in electronic products, 10.28 per cent in pharmaceuticals, 8.40 per cent in food beverage and tobacco 8.3 per cent in chemicals, 6.19 per cent in petroleum products and 14.97 per cent in iron and steel products, respectively.

During the four months’ period sector wise, production data of 11 items under the oil companies advisory committee registered decrease of 0.77 per cent whereas 36 items under the Ministry of industries and Production shrank by 4.89 per cent and 65 items by 2.30 per cent. the lacklustre performance in the industrial sector reflects overall economic slowdown across various sectors in the on-going fiscal year.

LsM constitutes 80 per cent of manufacturing and 10.7 per cent of the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP). in comparison, small-scale manufacturing accounts for just 1.8 per cent of GDP and 13.7 per cent in manufacturing.

Data reveal various factors that led to the slowdown including lower Public sector Development Programme (PsDP) expenditures compared to last year, deceleration in the private

Bears gain control as indices sway both sides LAHORE s Ta F F r e p O rT

the Pakistan stock Exchange (PsX) witnessed a mixed session on Wednesday whereby indices swayed both ways. Market was pulled down by local investors who ended net sellers as $1.64 million. Local mutual funds resorted to net selling of $4.08 million while foreign investors closed as net buyers. the ksE 100 index swung between intraday high of 41,920.62 points and low of 41,389.60 points before it settled lower by 164.95 points at 41,603.71 points. Other indices followed a similar trend, kMi 30 ended down 521.49 points and ksE all share index dropped 284.42 points. Out of the total scripts 104 advanced at end of the session and 211 declined. the total market volumes fell significantly from the previous session and were recoded at 276.20 million. this was also below its 5-day average of 308.80 million. the chart was led by the Bank of Punjab (BOP +2.54 per cent), volume 15.98 million, Unity Foods Limited (UnitY 2.51 per cent), volume 14.27 million,

and Fauji Foods Limited (FFL -3.27 per cent), volume 13.28 million.

Major culprits for the decline in the ksE 100 index were the oil and gas sectors. oil and gas exploration sector with its 15.04 per cent weight in the index pulled it lower by 135.80 points and the oil and gas marketing sector with its 4.67 per cent weightage added a negative 31.09 points. Habib sugar Mills Limited (HaBsM -4.87 per cent) traded near to its floor price post announcement of financials for 2019 despite posting a 27 per cent growth in revenue. Earnings per share were reported at Rs8.02, up 33.40 per cent compared to sPLY. the board also approved a cash dividend of Rs2.75. On the economic front, Foreign Direct investment (FDi) increased to $850.1 million in first five months of FY2020 compared to $ 477.30 million in sPLY. in november 2019, the net FDi stood at $200.10 million down 30 per cent compared to $285.39 million in november 2018. the financial businesses segment along with power sector attracted the top investment.

Meanwhile, norway and Luxembourg made the highest investment in the month of november.

construction activities and consumer spending on durable goods. automobile prices witnessed multiple upward revisions due to currency depreciations, which kept potential buyers at bay. On a yearly basis, the sector registered sales decline in almost all variants during the second month of this fiscal year. according to sources in industry, the local investors are concerned on the inaction of the government in facilitating industries that are barely surviving, as the advantage of curb in imports is being offset by continued smuggling and under-invoicing.

Most of the local industries instead of creating new employment opportunities are downsizing their workforce. a proper evaluation of the situation would reveal that the industries are paying higher taxes on declining productivity. the sales are slowing down due to lack of demand. However, even then the industries are forced to increase rates due to cost-push inflation. the central bank is stubbornly keeping interest rates high to attract ‘hot money’ while the local businessmen cannot afford to operate on high mark-up loans. Most of the increase in revenues has come because of high inflation, high rupee depreciation and increase in tax rates on compliant sectors. according to Dr Hafiz a Pasha, presently overall, over 90 per cent of the large-scale manufacturing sector is showing either near zero or negative growth. some industries have seen big double-digit decreases in production. this includes a fall of 34 per cent in the automobile industry, 14 per cent in petroleum products, 17 per cent in iron and steel products and 12 per cent in pharmaceuticals.

Business community rejects proposed gas price hike ISLAMABAD: the business community rejects another gas price hike that is on the cards as it will make life difficult for the masses, a business leader said Wednesday. the decision to increase the gas price up to 214 per cent will open floodgates for inflation, which will take a toll on people, and the economy, therefore, Prime Minister imran khan should reject the decision, he added. settling gas sector circular debt of Rs181 billion by burdening the masses is unjustified and it can be termed as a mini-budget, said islamabad Chamber of Commerce and industry (iCCi) former president shahid Rasheed Butt. He said that gas tariff hike would trigger inflation and increase poverty in the country as it will also increase tariff of electricity, make production costly and hit exports. the business leader noted that gas is a very important part of Pakistan’s energy mix therefore; a hike in the tariff will hit almost everyone. the gas prices for tandoor will go up by 245 per cent while gas for the CnG sector is to get 31 per cent more expensive, the fertiliser sector will see by 153 per cent increase and iPPs, power stations and cement sector will face a 24 per cent hike. He said that losses of the gas companies are running into billions of rupees due to mismanagement, incompetence and corruption that is shielded through frequent tariff hikes, which is not a sustainable solution. the government should bring professional, able and honest management in the gas companies and start reforms in the gas sector so that masses can be shielded from a further hike, he demanded. INp

PetroChina offers lowest price for supply of LNG cargo to Pakistan in February 2020 ISLAMABAD aHMaD aHMaDaNI

PetroChina international singapore has offered the lowest commercial price in a Liquefied natural Gas (LnG) tender floated by Pakistan LnG Limited (PLL) for supply of LnG cargo to Pakistan in the month of February 2020, Pakistan today has learned reliably. according to an evaluation report issued by PLL on Wednesday, four international commodity supplier including Gunvor singapore, trafigura Pte Limited, sOCaR trading (Uk) Limited and PetroChina international singapore have offered their prices for supply of LnG

cargo to Pakistan in February 2020. and, out of four commodity supplier, PetroChina international singapore has offered the lowest price for a LnG cargo in a tender which was floated by PLL. as per details, the offer of PetroChina international singapore was at 8.59 per cent of Brent crude oil price, while Gunvor singapore offered 8.68 per cent of Brent crude oil price, trafigura Pte Limited offered 9.77 per cent of Brent crude oil price, and sOCaR trading (Uk) Limited offered 9.33 per cent of Brent crude oil price.

Earlier, PLL floated a spot tender for procurement of a cargo in February 2020 and invited bids from reputed international suppliers for the supply of LnG through a

master sale and purchase agreement (MsPa) and deadline for submissions of the bids was 17 December 2019, 1400 hours (Pst) while date of announcement of bid evaluation result was 18 December 2020. similarly, PLL was to evaluate each commercial offer based on the lowest percentage of Brent (as defined in section 4.7.1 of the bid document) offered by any compliant bidder for that LnG cargo.

Moreover, delivery of the first LnG cargo will be on 16-17 February, 2020. according to bid documents, PLL shall have the right at any time to cancel this tender process or to reject all bids in accordance with Rule 33 (1) of PPRa Rules. in case of cancellation of the tender

process in whole, the bid bond will be returned to the bidder within five business days of such cancellation without any interest or accrual thereon. similarly, the bidder was required to provide the expected identity of the relevant loading port along with seller’s facilities and the expected departure date of the LnG carrier from the loading port (as defined in the MsPa).

Likewise, it was necessary for the bidder to provide the name of the LnG carrier it proposes to use for the delivery of the LnG cargo, its dimensions and volumetric cargo capacity, the applicable boil-off rate and the heel the bidder is proposing to retain after unloading of the LnG cargo. “the Bidder shall confirm to PLL in

writing the final location of the loading port, identity of seller’s facilities and departure date from the loading port of the LnG carrier proposed to be used to transport that LnG cargo,” said the bid document.

Bid document further discloses that delivery of LnG cargo would be made at the PGPCL terminal (LnG) at Port Qasim, or on any other terminal as would be advised by PLL. Pakistan LnG Limited (PLL) is a subsidiary of Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) which is owned by the Government of Pakistan.

PLL has the mandate to procure Liquefied natural Gas (LnG) to meet the country’s gas requirements.

CMYK Thursday, 19 December, 2019

18

NEWS

RefeRence against Justice isa taRgets JudiciaRy, sc told ISLAMABAD

a

STAFF REPORT

DVOCATE Hamid Khan on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the president should have ensured the independence of the judiciary when accusing a judge of misconduct.

Khan said this while representing the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and other bar associations in a petition challenging a presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, “The right to file a reference should not be exercised to target the judiciary,”

lHc issues notice to naB as Hamza seeks bail

the senior lawyer told a 10-judge fullbench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

The lawyer further contended that the president had to make a decision on the reference and inquire into the matter first under Article 209 of the Constitution instead of merely forwarding it to Supreme Judicial Council.

He added that in the past, the president had to state his position when exercising his powers under Article 58 of the Constitution.

Justice Bandial remarked that the president had greater authority back then when martial law had just come

to an end. However, he added, now the president’s job was to simply follow advice.

The lawyer maintained that the contents of the reference indicated that the judge and his family had been spied upon.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Thursday.

In the reference that was moved in June this year, the government had accused that the judge had not declared his family members foreign assets in his wealth statement and thus committed misconduct.

The reference claimed that Justice Isa acquired three properties in London on

lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015.

The Supreme Judicial Council, the constitutional body that hears complaints against judges, started proceedings on basis of the reference. The proceeding was later challenged by a number of petitioners including Justice Isa. In an earlier hearing, Justice Isa’s counsel Muneer A Malik argued that the chairman of the Asset Recovery Unit and Law Minister Farogh Naseem did not have the authority to investigate a judge of higher judiciary. He said in his client’s case, material was collected through state detectives that could not

be considered acceptable.

“There are several instances in the Supreme Court where illegal collection of material had been set aside,” he added. The counsel reiterated that the reference was based on ill intention and filed due to Justice Isa’s verdict in the Faizabad sit-in case.

In the verdict, Justice Isa had questioned role of intelligence agencies in supporting political protests. Malik said the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf and its ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, were the parties that filed review petitions against Justice Isa’s verdict in the case.

MUZZAFARABAD: Tourists flock to northern areas of the country to experience the snowfall as soon as winter sets in. Pictured here is a vehicle passing through several inches of snow. ONLINE

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Hamza Shehbaz seeking bail in Ramzan Sugar Mills case till January 13. A twojudge bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi took up the petition in which the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal and Bureau’s Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem have been made respondents. The bench remarked that Hamza had expressed a lack of confidence in the bench for his pre-arrest bail. To this, defense counsel said that his client had full confidence in the bench. Yesterday, he had filed a petition in the court on behalf of Hamza, seeking his bail in the case. Hamza was arrested by the NAB Lahore on June 11 in Ramzan Sugar Mills, money laundering and assets beyond means cases after the LHC had turned down his applications for extension in interim bail. On Dec 10, an accountability court had allowed the accountability watchdog to interrogate Hamza in the money laundering charges against him in the jail. The accountability watchdog has been investigating money laundering accusations against Hamza, and new evidence was found in the case after the arrest of Nisar Gul. On Nov 28, the court had extended Hamza Shehbaz’s judicial remand for another 14 days. The court had ordered the NAB prosecutor to file reference of the money laundering case.

On April 9, the court had indicted Hamza and his father PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in the same case. However, both accused had denied the charges against them and maintained that they had saved Rs2,300 billion of the taxpayers’ money, assuring that the money was not misused. In the hearing on June 11, Salman Butt – the defense counsel for Hamza – had argued that according to the NAB Ordinance, 1999, the bureau could not issue arrest warrants unless an inquiry over the matter was completed. To which, Justice Naqvi had remarked that the judgment would be done according to the constitution, and justice would be ensured. Moreover, the prosecutor had submitted complete details of assets of Shehbaz Sharif’s family members in the court with an argument that their assets were beyond their known sources of income.

“Billions of rupees were added to the assets of Shehbaz’s family, whereas Hamza couldn’t provide details of the sources of his income,” he added. The bench was further told by the NAB that in the year 2018, his assets were found to be worth Rs410 million, whereas he could not account for assets worth Rs380 million. “The money was laundered to Dubai and England, and 40 individuals were involved in the money laundering,” he said.

Time to rethink strategy to curb militancy, terrorism: CJP Khosa ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa has said that a multi-pronged approach was needed to defeat the scourge of militancy and terrorism in the country.

“We must learn from others who have defeated the terrorists.

We need to rethink our strategies to deal with it in a more successful manner,” he said while speaking at the launch of a research study on “Impact of Militancy on Administration of justice in former FATA and PATA” held at the Federal Judicial Academy on Wednesday.

Enlightening the audience

with the history of militancy and terrorism in different countries around the globe, CJP Khosa said, “Militancy is a form of terrorism and since time immemorial it has existed one in form or another in various parts of the world and civilians have been victims of terror acts. But the question is: how it was tackled in those troubled spots? What steps were taken by those countries and nations?”

He also readout extracts from a judgment issued in a recently concluded case by the Supreme Court in order to tackle militancy and terrorism in an effective manner. He also quoted a few inspiring lessons from a book titled “21 Lessons for the 21st Century”, written

by a bestseller author, Yuval Noah Harari on the topic.

Commenting on importance and scope of the research culture, Pakistan’s top judge said, “Without research there is no progress, and with no progress there is no learning. It really augurs well that our judicial officers have undertaken research on a very important topic.

This research will make them more analytical in their approach”.

“Research should always be original. It should always be conducted on the area and also in close contact with the people who are subject matter of the research in question. It should not be academic and bookish,” the chief justice remarked.

Muzaffargarh cleric arrested over alleged sexual assault of minor boy MUZAFFARGARH: Punjab police have arrested a man for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor boy in Muzaffargarh. A First Information Report (FIR), dated Dec 17, was registered on the complaint of the victim’s father at Sethpur station under Section 377 (unnatural offence) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). As per the FIR, the complainant’s son went to a nearby mosque inside a shrine to study the Quran at around 6:30am. However, unusually, he returned early crying and told his father and others about the incident that had taken place.

The suspect visited the mosque daily to offer prayers and is also a cleric. The report said that the suspect took the boy outside of the room into the Darbar Sharif, where he allegedly assaulted him. The suspect also gave the victim Rs10 in an attempt to silence him but the boy refused and ran home. STAFF REPORT

PML-N dares PM Imran to respond to economic white paper ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb has challenged Prime Minister Imran Khan to respond to the economic white paper issued by the party with facts. In a statement, she said that PM Imran must respond and dismiss the facts and figures of the white paper with plausible evidence.

Marriyum said that the hue and cry of the government’s “contract spokespersons” is proof of the resounding success of PML-N’s economic con-

ference. She added that the fact sheet issued by the party has pressed the right buttons which has sent these spokespersons huffing, puffing and screaming because it defeated and exposed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) narrative of calling everyone else a thief. The former information minister asked PM Imran to tell the nation why they were punished for by reducing their country’s growth from 5.8 to 2.5 per cent and why was their country buried under Rs10,335 billion in loans and record tax debt.

“Why did the PTI reduce the vision of the fastest growing economy of South Asia to chicken, eggs and cakes?

CMYK

Why have you pushed over 8 million Pakistanis below the poverty line?

Where does the figure of 10 million jobs to be given stand? How many houses out of the 5 million promised, been built?” she asked.

She pointed out that under the leadership of former premier Nawaz Sharif, PML-N increased national assets, boosted the country’s economy and created an employment boom.

“Ahsan Iqbal, as the interior minister and planning and development minister, laid down the most comprehensive vision, while the vision of government spokespersons could not go beyond sale

and purchase of farm animals and eggs.

Shehbaz Sharif built four metro projects during the time but PTI could not complete even one. The PML-N president installed 5,500 megawatts electricity generation capacity, made motorways and roads while Imran only made a fool out of his supporters,” she said.

She further said that Ishaq Dar boosted the country’s growth rate to 5.8 per cent and shrunk inflation down to 3 per cent. “This is why the United Kingdom (UK) government has trashed the baseless accusations levelled against Dar by this inept and incompetent PTI regime,” she concluded.

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

Sharma, rahul tonS lead IndIa to 387-5 In Second odI Visakhapatnam

a

Agencies

ggrESSIvE centuries by openers rohit Sharma and KL rahul set the stage for India's 387 for five in the second one-day international against the West Indies on Wednesday.

The opening pair put on 227 runs as India piled up a formidable total after being put into bat in visakhapatnam.

Sharma led the onslaught with 159 off 138 balls, while rahul made 102 in a must-win game for the hosts who trail the three-match series 1-0 following their loss on Sunday.

Shreyas Iyer tore into the West Indies attack with a 32-ball 53 as he hit roston Chase for 31 runs -- including four sixes and one four -- in the 47th over. His partnerships including a 73run fourth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper-batsman rishabh Pant, who hit 39 off 16 deliveries. Sharma, who was

Farhan, tayyab cause upsets to clash in Pakistan Int’l Squash final Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman and Tayyab Aslam caused huge upsets in the semifinals of Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International Squash Tournament when they defeated event’s top seed and second seed respectively at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad on Wednesday. World No 91 Farhan Mehboob swatted aside World No 43 Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt 3-2 in the first semifinal. From two games down 8-11, 14-16, Farhan staged great fightback to take next three sets 11-2, 11-5, 12-10 in a grueling 50-minute battle.

In the 2nd semifinal, World No 60 Tayyab Aslam thrashed World No 51 Mohamed ElSherbini, another Egyptian 3-1 in a 46-minutue’s epic fight.

Tayyab looked focused and fresh to take the first set in style 11-6, but committed some errors to lose the second set 9-11. The third and fourth sets were closely fought wherein every point was battled out, however Tayyab showed great physical agility and mental strength to win these 11-9 and 11-9 and emerge victorious.Meanwhile, in the first women semifinal, World No 101 Hana Moataz of Egypt caused a huge upset when she eliminated compatriot World No 56 Farida Mohamed 3-2 with a game score of 117, 11-2, 9-11, 3-11, 14-12. The match lasted for 36 minutes. In the second semifinal World No 52 Sabrina Sobhy of USA edged passed World No 58 Meena Hamed of Egypt in straight sets with the game score of 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 in 23 minutes. The finals and closing ceremony would be held on Thursday.

The women final will commence at 3 pm, whereas men final will take place at 4 pm. pr

langeveldt quits as Bangladesh bowling coach, accepts Sa role Dhaka: The BCB has accepted Charl Langeveldt's resignation as the Bangladesh bowling coach after he emailed the board explaining that he has an offer from Cricket South Africa.

Akram Khan, the BCB's cricket operations committee chairman, confirmed Langeveldt's departure less than five months into his two-year contract. "Langeveldt said he has offer to work in South Africa's senior side, which is why he requested the BCB to let him go," Akram told the Bengali daily Prothom Alo on Tuesday. "We have decided to release him." Agencies

dropped on 70 when Shimron Hetmyer spilled a skier off Chase, was slow out

of the blocks but got into his stride after reaching 50 off 67 deliveries.

The attacking batsman soon overtook his partner, who had raised his fifty in 46 balls, and went on to complete his 28th ODI hundred amid loud cheers from a capacity crowd. rahul recorded his third ODI hundred with a boundary off Alzarri Joseph, but lost his wicket to the paceman four balls later when mistiming a shot to third man.

Skipper virat Kohli had a rare flop as he fell for a first-ball duck, giving away a simple catch to mid-wicket off his opposite number Kieron Pollard.

Sharma, the only ODI batsman to score three double centuries, was unstoppable as he took apart the West Indies bowling with 17 fours and five sixes. Nicknamed the Hitman, he Sharma registered his eighth score of 150 plus before edging an incoming delivery from paceman Sheldon Cottrell to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. Iyer and Pant then got going as India managed 79 runs from the final five overs.

Misbahul Haq slams Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz’s Test retirements Lahore Agencies

Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan's head coach and chief selector, has criticised fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab riaz for the timing of their retirements from Test cricket. He revealed that the PCB was mulling a policy to ensure that players remain available to play for Pakistan across formats.

Amir gave up Tests in July, in order to manage his workload and extend his white-ball career, for Pakistan as well as in T20 leagues around the world. Wahab followed suit in September, taking an "indefinite break" from red-ball cricket, including the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's domestic first-class tournament. While Wahab was 34 when he made his decision, Amir was only 27. The loss of the two experienced left-arm quicks has left Pakistan in a situation where they have been forced to rebuild their pace attack with young and inexperienced options including three teenagers in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Muhammad Musa.

"We are thinking deeply on these lines, and we will make a policy on this very soon," Misbah said, referring to the loss of experience from Pakistan's pace stocks. "going forward this might become a problem for Pakistan, because when you invest so much in the

players, on their development, and expect them to give back, they leave the game and it's not the right way to go about it. Your resources are consumed for their development and we need a certain policy to make sure players should be available for Pakistan first."

Amir's case stands out in particular, both for his age and the fact that he enjoyed immense support from the board and the team management during his reintegration following a fiveyear ban for spot-fixing. He ended his Test career with 119 wickets in 36 Tests at an average of 30.47. His Test career was split into two parts. From his debut as a 17-year-old in July 2009 to the start of his five-year ban, he played 14 Tests, picking up 51 wickets at 29.09. After his return in July 2016, he played 22 Tests, taking 68 wickets at 31.51.ESPNcricinfo understands that there were discussions

ahead of Pakistan's recent tour of Australia about asking Amir to reconsider his Test retirement, but the plan didn't go through.

Pakistan are currently sixth on the World Test Championship table with 20 points, earned from the drawn rawalpindi Test against Sri Lanka.

Before that, they lost 2-0 in Australia, in the first Test series under Misbah's management.It has not been the smoothest start to Misbah's time as coach-cum-selector, but he identified a few positives to have emerged nonetheless."The biggest plus for us is Babar Azam and our batting, the way we responded in Australia overall," Misbah said. "His hundred in rawalpindi and his overall shift from white-ball cricket to red is an important positive for Pakistan at this stage.

And at the same time we've got a younger bowling attack.

SPORTS 19

Sangakkara to lead mcc tour to PakIStan In 2020 Lahore Agencies

Marylebone Cricket Club confirmed on Wednesday they would send a touring squad to Pakistan next year under the captaincy of president Kumar Sangakkara after the recent return of Test cricket to the country.

Last week's drawn first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was the first played in Pakistan since 2009, when eight people were killed and several players and officials wounded after militants opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus on its way to Lahore's gadaffi Stadium. The attack plunged Pakistan into sporting isolation during its years-long battle with militancy, with "home" matches played in the United Arab Emirates.

The MCC said they had accepted an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board to send a team to Lahore in February 2020 and would play a number of matches in the city. "It is hugely important to support cricket in countries such as Pakistan," said the now retired Sangakkara, who was injured in the attack in 2009. "The PCB has done a tremendous job in rebuilding the international cricketing landscape since the tragic events of 2009." MCC chief executive and secretary guy Lavender said cricket fans in the country had been starved of seeing their team play at home for a decade. "Of course the predominant focus has been assessing the relative safety and security considerations, and we are working closely with the PCB to manage a robust security plan to ensure the tour can take place," he said. PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said the decision "is further testament that Pakistan is as safe and secure a country as any other cricketplaying nation in the world". All of MCC's matches will be played at Aitchison College in Lahore. The second Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka starts in Karachi on Thursday.

Big hitters and a magician: Five to watch in the IPL auction paris Agencies

Many of the world's top cricketers will be among 332 players going under the hammer when the Indian Premier League holds its auction on Thursday. Here are five players who could break the bank

when the eight teams in the Twenty20 tournament place their bids in Kolkata: GLENN MAXWELL (AUSTRALIA) Explosive hitter Maxwell surprised the cricketing world when he recently took a short break because of mental health issues. He returned to club cricket last month and put his name in the IPL auction having played previously for Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals). Maxwell has scored 1,397 runs in the IPL at an average of 22.9 at a rapid strike rate of 161.13. He is one of the five Australians to have their base price set at 20 million rupees ($282,000).

EOIN MORGAN (ENGLAND) Having led England to their first 50-over World Cup in July, fast-scoring Morgan will be a hot property again having set his base price at 15 million rupees ($212,000). Morgan last played for Kings XI Punjab in 2017 and went unsold last year, but that is unlikely to happen again given his exploits in the World Cup which included a world record 17 sixes in blast-

ing 148 off 71 balls against Afghanistan.

JASON ROY (ENGLAND) South African-born batsman roy was a key to England's World Cup success with a hundred and four half-centuries. rated as one of the game's most destructive limited-overs openers roy could trigger a bidding war given his rapid strike rate of more than 145 in Twenty20s and a base price of 15 million rupees ($212,000). He played previously for the now-defunct gujarat Lions and Delhi Capitals as well as enjoying successful stints in South Africa's Mzansi Super League and the Pakistan Super League.

TABRAIZ SHAMSI (SOUTH AFRICA) Shamsi has emerged as South Africa's first-choice limited-overs spinner since Imran Tahir's retirement from ODIs.The left-arm bowler's unusual wicket celebrations include the magician's trick of turning a handkerchief into a stick, with online footage of his exploits going viral. "The most important thing is still the bowling," he said. "If there are no

wickets, there are no celebrations."Playing for the Paarl rocks in the domestic Mzansi Super League, Shamsi has had many opportunities to perform the sleight of hand, taking 14 wickets in nine matches and he has set his base price at a modest five million rupees ($70,000).

SHIMRON HETMYER (WEST INDIES) Hetmyer is fast building a reputation as the new big-hitting weapon to take over from the now-retired Chris gayle and the 22-year-old would have done no harm to his auction price with a sparkling careerbest 139 in the West Indies' one-day international win against India on Sunday.The left-hander, whose release by the virat Kohli-led royal Challengers Bangalore may yet turn out to be a huge mistake, toyed with the Indian bowling. Hetmyer smashed 11 fours and seven sixes during his 106-ball blitz, but denied that he had an eye on the auction."I wasn't thinking about that too much, said Hetmeyer who should see plenty of interest at a base price of five million rupees ($70,000).

Thursday, 19 December, 2019

NEWS

Imran lauds army, calls for unIty among state InstItutIons

Muslim leaders gather in Malaysia for summit shunned by Saudi Arabia KUALA LAMPUR AGENCIES

Leaders and senior representatives from some 20 Muslim nations flocked to the Malaysian capital on Wednesday to discuss issues agitating Muslims globally at a summit Saudi Arabia decided to snub, forcing Pakistan to duck out after first agreeing to attend. Speaking to a group of journalists on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed that Pakistan would not participate in the event after concerns from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. No agenda for the Kuala Lumpur Summit has been released, but it could address age-old disputes in Kashmir and the Middle East, the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, the plight of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority as well as how to counter the spread of Islamophobia in the world. Two of the world’s most outspoken leaders, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan will be giving their views during the four-day summit, which begins with a welcome dinner on Wednesday and wraps up on Saturday. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al-Thani, whose countries have tense relations with Saudi Arabia, are also attending. Explaining its decision to stay away, Saudi Arabia said the summit was the wrong forum for matters of importance to the world’s 1.75 billion Muslims, though some analysts suspected the Kingdom feared being diplomatically isolated by regional rivals Iran, Qatar and Turkey.

Saudi state news agency SPA reported that on a call with Mahathir on Tuesday, Saudi King Salman reaffirmed that such issues should be discussed through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). A Saudi source said Saudi Arabia was invited but would only attend if the meeting was held under the auspices of the OIC. “They are very concerned about it,” the source said of the summit, declining to be named as he was not authorised to talk to media. The Saudi government’s centre for international communication did not respond to a request for comment. The absence of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, whose king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina, demonstrates some of the divisions in the Muslim world. “The issue is that you’ve got blocs,” said James Dorsey, a senior fellow at S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Middle East Institute in Singapore.

“You’ve got a Saudi-UAE bloc, TurkeyQatari bloc, and Pakistan in the middle trying to hedge their bets.” Indonesia, the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, would be represented by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, a cleric overseeing the country’s fight against radicalisation and terrorism. Even as delegations were arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian officials were unable to provide a final list of who would be attending. Mahathir’s office said that invitations had been sent to all 56 OIC member states, but officials said only about 20 were sending delegations, and fewer would be led by heads of state. Defending the summit, Mahathir’s office issued a statement saying there was no intention to create a “new bloc as alluded to by some of its critics”. “In addition, the Summit is not a platform to discuss religion or religious affairs but specifically to address the state of affairs of the Muslim Ummah,” it said.

GOVT TO TAKE FORMAL STANCE ON MUSHARRAF CASE VERDICT AFTER LEGAL CONSULTATIONS

FIRDOUS SAYS PM WANTS TO BOLSTER SUPPORT TO STATE INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE THEIR INDEPENDENCE

PM’S AIDE SAYS PAKISTAN NOT ON BACK FOOT, WANTS TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE FOR UNITY OF MUSLIM STATES

ISLAMABAD

P

STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that any confrontation between national institutions will be harmful for the country, as the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) core committee took stock of the situation emerging after the special court’s pronouncement of the death sentence to former military strongman General (r) Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case.

“The government firmly believes in the supremacy of the constitution and ensuring the rule of law,” PM Imran reportedly told his party’s senior leadership, adding that unity is needed in order to tackle national challenges and defeat external enemies of Pakistan.

The prime minister lauded the services of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism, saying the armed forces have rendered matchless sacrifices and restored peace in the country.

According to informed sources, the PM barred federal ministers and government spokespersons from issuing statements on the verdicts of the Supreme Court and special court.

Briefing the media about the discussions held during the core committee meeting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the government will take a formal stance on the high treason case verdict after holding in-depth consultations with the legal team.

Firdous said that Barrister Ali Zafar and Dr Babar Awan briefed the party about the verdict of the special court.

She added that it was decided that legal

team of the party would brief the cabinet about the specifics of the case.

“The prime minister told the core committee that the institutions of Pakistan are the pillars of the state and the state’s interest will always be supreme at any cost,” she said, adding that “we have to bolster our support to the state’s institutions and make them independent and stand by the rule of law”.

MALAYSIA SUMMIT: Speaking about the cancellation of Pakistan’s participation in a conference of Muslim countries in Malaysia, Firdous said that Pakistan wants to play a vital role for the unity, harmony, and cooperation among the Muslim countries.

“Pakistan’s relations with Muslim Ummah are beyond any doubt and its ties with Turkey and Malaysia are very strong and we are not on a back foot,” she said, adding that Saudi Arabia has always come forward in helped Pakistan generously to cope with economic challenges.

She said that PM Imran and For-

eign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi informed the core committee on the decision to not attend the Kuala Lumpur Summit. “The prime minister and the foreign minister spoke in detail about the backdrop in which the decision was made,” she said.

The PM’s aide said that Pakistan has strategic interest in the region, especially with regard to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“OIC is a platform which 57 countries of the Muslim Ummah are a part of and the Ummah’s unity is the need of the hour,” she said.

ECP ISSUE: The special assistant said that the core committee gave a task to the parliamentary committee to resolve the issue of appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) in consultation with National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser.

She said that the committee is expected to develop consensus on a candidate and “to fulfill its constitutional and legal responsibility to restore the

ECP’s functioning”.

She also termed the practice of two parties getting together to decide on the appointment of a regulator as “contrary to the parameters of democracy”.

“A regulator is never handpicked or appointed out of choice,” she added.

She recommended that the parliament review the criteria of appointment for the future because a regulator must be appointed “on merit, competency, qualifications, and overall with a fair and free mechanism”.

“It is important to empower an institution rather than parties or individuals,” she stressed.

The special assistant also said it was also decided that the party would be re-organise before the local bodies’ elections.

Regarding the controversial and discretionary citizenship act imposed by the Indian government to target Muslims, Firdous said that the core committee condemned this move. She also said the prime minister exposed the ugly face of India during his recent visit to Switzerland.

“Imran Khan, during his speech at the refugee conference in Geneva, showed the real face of India which is committing atrocities against innocent Kashmiris,” she added.

Firdous said that the core committee commended the efforts of the prime minister for highlighting Kashmir issue and gross human rights violations in the valley at the hands of Indian occupation forces.

Talking about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s plea for removal of name from the Exit Control List (ECL), she said that her request will be treated as per law.

India's SC refuses to stop implementation of citizenship law NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Indian Supreme Court turned down a plea on Wednesday to stop the implementation of a new citizenship law based on religion that has set off violent protests in the country, but said it would hold hearings next month on the sweeping measure.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) makes it easier for non-Muslims from the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who settled in India prior to 2015 to gain Indian citizenship.

Thousands of people have protested, saying the law is anti-Muslim and the latest in a series of measures by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government to marginalise the community.

“We want a stay order in the CAA case,” said Kapil Sibal, a lawyer for petitioners who challenged the law in court, adding it was in conflict with parts of the Indian constitution guaranteeing equality to all.

Supreme Court Chief Justice S.A. Bobde refused requests to hold off the implementation of the law, which came into effect last week. The court

will, however, hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the law on January 22.

Modi’s government says the law was intended to address the persecution of minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in the Muslimmajority countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Those groups, many of whom have been languishing in India for years without rights, will now get an automatic path to Indian nationality if they came from these three countries before 2015.

But protesters say the exclusion of Muslims shows a deep-seated bias

against the community, which makes up 14 per cent of India’s population, the third largest Muslim population in the world.

The new measure follows the revocation of the special status of occupied Kashmir, and a court ruling clearing the way for the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of a mosque razed by Hindu zealots.

On Wednesday, police fired shots in the air in a Muslim-dominated part of Delhi to push back thousands of demonstrators throwing stones and glass bottles demanding the law be withdrawn.

House votes on impeaching Trump for abuse of office WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US President Donald Trump faced his ultimate political crisis Wednesday in a historic congressional vote to impeach him for abuse of office, forever staining the billionaire’s record and supercharging the nation’s divides.

The House of Representatives opened its session with a prayer for “wisdom” by its chaplain, before debate on the resolution regarding “impeaching of Donald J. Trump” began soon after 10:00 am (1500 GMT).

The morning prayer was likely to be the last moment of calm on the momentous day Democrats and Trump’s Republicans go head to head over making the

convention-wrecking populist the third president ever charged with high crimes and misdemeanors.

The Democratic majority in the House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is expected to approve two articles of impeachment — abuse of office and obstruction of Congress — after debate running through much of the day.

The Republican-dominated Senate will then open a trial in January and is all but certain to acquit the president.

Trump, arguably the most polarizing US leader in living memory, was spending the day holed up at the White House, sending out streams of tweets reflecting his frustration, anger and predictions of revenge at next year’s election.

“Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG! A terrible Thing,” Trump said in his opening salvo.

Later he was to fly to the electoral swing state of Michigan for a rally with thousands of his most loyal supporters — possibly right around the time of the House vote.

Although impeachment will put an ugly asterisk by Trump’s name in the history books — alongside Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 — he predicts the scandal will galvanize his base in the 2020 presidential polls.

On the eve of impeachment, he wrote an extraordinary six-page letter to Pelosi

accusing her of an “attempted coup,” a “charade” and treating him less fairly than at a witch trial.

Republicans in Congress reject the impeachment unanimously. Democrats overwhelmingly support, but leaders are sweating over the possibility that several legislators may break ranks and vote no out of fear of retribution from pro-Trump voters in swing districts back home.

Trump is accused of using a delay in delivery of foreign aid money to Ukraine to try to force the country to open a deliberately embarrassing corruption probe into a main 2020 reelection rival, Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump is also accused of obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate with

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

CMYK

the impeachment investigation, barring staff from testifying and holding back documentary evidence.

“This is about protecting our democracy. These facts are beyond dispute. The only question now is whether we are willing to tolerate such conduct,” Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern told the House.

One Democratic legislator who was skeptical about supporting impeachment, Debbie Dingell from Michigan, wrote in The New York Times that she’d finally come around to backing the vote because Trump poses “a threat to our democracy.”

“If we don’t address this abuse of power, we abdicate our constitutional and moral responsibility,” she said.