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Wednesday, 22 January, 2020 I 26 Jamadi-ul-Awwal, 1441 I Rs 19.00 I Vol X No 203 I 16 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Trump says following Kashmir issue ‘closely’ as imran seeKs us mediaTion g
uS pReSIDeNT SayS ‘we Have NeveR BeeN CloSeR wITH paKISTaN THaN we aRe RIgHT Now’
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rime minister imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated his desire for mediation by the United States on the Kashmir issue between Pakistan and india. “The Pakistan-india conflict is a very big issue for us in Pakistan and we expect the US to play its part in de-escalating the tensions, because no other country can,” Pm imran said at the start of his meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of World economic Forum (WeF) in Davos. This is the third meeting of the two leaders in less than a year amid reports that the US and Afghan Taliban are close to striking a peace deal after over yearlong painstaking process. “i would say we’ve never been closer than we are right now,” Trump said at the start of meeting with Pm imran. He said the two sides will discuss trade, but also the border issues, Kashmir and india. “We’re talking about Kashmir […
] if we can help, we certainly will be helping. We’ve been watching that and following it very, very closely,” said Trump. The premier, in turn, said: “mr President, it is good to see you again. Yes, there are issues we want to talk about. The main issue is Afghanistan because it concerns the US and Pakistan. “Fortunately we are on the same page. Both of us are interested in peace there and an orderly transition in Afghanistan with talks with Taliban and the government.” The US president avoided responding concretely to a question by a reporter whether he will “also visit Pakistan” when he makes a trip to india, instead saying, “Well, we are meeting right now. i wanted to say hello.” Trump said that from a relationship standpoint, the US and Pakistan “are getting along very well.” “We have never been closer with Pakistan than we are right now.” On August 5 last year, india had stripped Occupied Kashmir of the special autonomy it had for seven decades through a rushed presidential order. Kashmiris see the move as an at-
tempt to dilute the demographics of muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers. Pakistan had strongly condemned the move and vowed to “exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps” taken by New Delhi. The imran-Trump meeting comes against the backdrop of Foreign minister Shah mehmood Qureshi’s trip to the United States, where he met with his counterpart to defuse regional tensions. Prime minister imran left for Davos early on Tuesday to attend the annual meeting. He is accompanied by Shah mahmood Qureshi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul razaq Dawood, Special Assistant on National Security mooed Yusuf and Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, while Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Ambassador at large for investments Ali Jehangir Siddiqui will join the delegation in Davos. The prime minister will deliver a keynote address at the WeF special session and also interact with corporate leaders at the Pakistan Strategy Dialogue.
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alice wells calls for 'trade-based' ties between pakistan and uS EDITORIAL: Seeking Uncle Sam’s help STORIES ON PAGES 03 & 08
Sikandar Sultan Raja to take reins at election Commission g
MaZaRI SayS NISaR DuRRaNI aND SHaH MoHaMMaD JaToI wIll Be appoINTeD aS MeMBeRS FRoM SINDH aND BaloCHISTaN, ReSpeCTIvely STORY ON PAGE 03
SC rejects PIA CEO Arshad Malik's appeal to remain on post STORY ON BACK PAGE
FBR chief says has ‘no differences’ with Hafeez Shaikh STORY ON PAGE 11
Influential millers, hoarders behind surge in sugar price STORY ON PAGE 12
CII to 'review' Zindagi Tamasha, Khoosat asked to postpone release STORY ON BACK PAGE
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
02 NEWS
FAwAd HAssAN FAwAd GETs BAIL IN ILLEGAL AssETs cAsE NAB SAYS WILL CHALLENGE LHC’S GRANT OF BAIL TO FORMER SENIOR BUREAUCRAT IN APEX COURT LAHORE
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He Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday granted bail to former principal secretary to the prime minister, Fawad Hassan Fawad in a case pertaining to accumulation of assets beyond known
sources of income, and directed him to submit surety bonds worth Rs1 million. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to challenge the LHC’s decision in the Supreme Court (SC). NAB sources said that the anti-graft watchdog will immediately appeal for the cancellation of Fawad’s bail following the approval of NAB Chairman Justice (r)
Javed Iqbal. During the proceedings, the court asked the NAB prosecutor about the number of shares the ex-principal secretary held in the Motorway City and Kashmir Road Plaza projects. Responding to the court’s query, the prosecutor said that he was not aware of this and the court should seek this information from the suspect. To this, the court responded angrily and asked the prosecutor why the suspect would share this information. The court further said that the anti-graft body’s lawyer should have done his homework. Commenting on the de-
velopment, former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif termed Fawad an honest, competent and intelligent bureaucrat and said the former senior officer is an asset of the country. In December last year, Fawad had submitted his second bail plea in the LHC, arguing that he had been behind bars for 15 months and his health had also deteriorated during the detention. He had asked the court to release him on bail as the trial had not been completed since over 15 months of his arrest and detention in jail on judicial remand.
Inquiry against Justice Isa ‘malicious’, court told ISLAMABAD APP
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s petition challenging the presidential reference filed against him over alleged non-disclosure of assets in his wealth statement till Wednesday. A 10-member larger bench of the court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Maqbool Baqar, Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Justice Faisal Arab, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi
and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed heard the case regarding proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The reference filed against Justice Isa alleges that he acquired three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015, but did not disclose them in wealth returns. During the course of proceedings, counsel for Sindh High Court Bar Association Raza Rabbani while continuing his arguments said that the Supreme Judicial Council could not review about dishonesty in the reference. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked could departments collect ma-
terial for filing a reference? Raza Rabbani responded that Asset Recovery Unit collected material against the judges. The departments could not collect material on their own, he added. He said that the Asset Recovery Unit could only send Waheed Dogar’s request to the President. Rabbani said that the Asset Recovery Unit collected material after mobilising Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Inter-Services Intelligence. If this was allowed, flood gates would open, he added. Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that only the executive could verify the contents of the reference. Justice Yahya Afridi asked could the prime
minister be a source for collecting material against the judges. Raza Rabbani said that the prime minister could also be the source of complaints against the judges. Justice Yahya Afridi said that this acknowledgment was the opposite of his own arguments. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked could the prime minister collect material for filing a reference based on information? Raza Rabbani said that the prime minister could not collect the material by itself. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that the prime minister would place the information before the President. Raza Rabbani said that the Judicial Council had the power to initiate an inquiry. Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that witnesses were to appear in the Judicial Council following the show cause notice. Justice Maqbool Baqar asked could government machinery be used to prosecute a judge?
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Ex-PM Abbasi’s remand extended in LNG scam ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Tuesday extended the judicial remand of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) contract scam. All accused, excluding former finance minister Miftah Ismail, appeared before the accountability court. Miftah has been granted an exemption from appearance by the court. The judge summoned report about arrest warrant of absconding accused Shahid Islam from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), who had also skipped the previous court proceedings of the case. Charges could not be framed in the case due to the absence of an accused, the judge said. The case proceedings will move ahead after the report about arrest warrant of absconding accused will be submitted, the court said. STAFF REPORT
FIA seeks more time to probe Peshawar BRT PESHAWAR: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday decided to seek more time from the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to complete its probe into the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The 45-day deadline set by the PHC for the completion of the inquiry expired on Tuesday. In its investigation done so far, the FIA has recorded statements of officials of the PDA, local bodies and others. However, some of the departments refrained from offering technical support in the probe, sources said. INP
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
NEWS Alice wells calls for ‘trade-based’ ties between Pakistan and Us ISLAMABAD: Acting US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Alice Wells on Tuesday called on Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood at the Foreign Office during which she emphasised that a strong trade and investment relationship was key to advancing the shared vision of the leadership of both countries for a long term, broad-based and enduring partnership. The foreign secretary, for his part, highlighted the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in India-Occupied Kashmir (IOK), “intensified ceasefire violations from the Indian side, belligerent rhetoric of the Indian civil and military figures, and India’s aggressive measures along the Line of Control”. He further stressed the need for the international community to play its role in the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, said the FO spokesperson. The two sides also discussed recent developments regarding the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. The foreign secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to continue to support the peace process and pursue positive development of PakistanAfghanistan relations. STAFF REPORT
centre treating sindh like a colony, claims Bilawal KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday lashed out at the federal government over its reluctance to replace Sindh IGP Kaleem Imam, saying that centre was treating the province like a colony. Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the new 100MGD pumping station at Dhabeji, the PPP chief said that in other provinces, the police chiefs are changed in the blink of an eye but the process was being made unnecessarily complicated for Sindh. STAFF REPORT
sIkANdAR sULTAN RAjA To TAkE REINs AT ELEcTIoN coMMIssIoN MAZARI SAYS NISAR DURRANI AND SHAH MOHAMMAD JATOI WILL BE APPOINTED AS MEMBERS FROM SINDH AND BALOCHISTAN, RESPECTIVELY ISLAMABAD
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He federal government on Tuesday nominated Sikandar Sultan Raja as the new chief election commissioner (CeC) after the opposition agreed on his name on Monday following a prolonged deadlock over the issue. Announcing the decision, Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari said that the consensus between the government and opposition is a positive development and both sides should aim to work in this manner in the future. “Parliamentary matters should be decided by the parliament,” she added. She also said that the parliamentary committee has also reached consensus
PM to expose India at world Economic Forum: Firdous ISLAMABAD: Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will expose the true face of India before the international community during his visit to Switzerland to attend the World economic Forum. Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, she said the prime minister, in his interaction with world leaders, will apprise them of the prevalent situation in IOK and the worst human rights atrocities being committed by India. STAFF REPORT
SAPM Shahzad Akbar’s brother accused of land grab NEWS DESK At least three senior officers of the revenue and police departments have been transferred due to an ongoing land dispute between relatives of two senior members of the federal cabinet, according to reports. A private news channel reported that the rift stems from claims made by Jawad Malik, the nephew of Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro, that Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar’s brother, Murad Akbar, has been making efforts to illegally occupy his land in Rawalpindi’s Mandra area near the GT Road. Official notifications show that at least two top civil officers of the revenue department have so far been shuffled due to the alleged misuse of authority in the high-level power struggle between the two top cabinet members. The civil servants include former Rawalpindi deputy commissioner Sardar Saifullah Khan Dogar and ex-additional deputy commissioner for revenue Rizwan Qadeer. Saifullah was transferred on January 20 and replaced with Capt (r) Muhammad Anwarul Haq, while Rizwan Qadeer was transferred two days earlier. An assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Gujjar Khan has also been transferred due to the dispute. According to media reports, Shahzad Akbar had summoned the Rawalpindi commissioner and deputy commissioner to the
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Prime Minister’s Office and severely reprimanded both officers before they were transferred. Soomro’s nephew Jawad Malik claims that Murad Akbar had brought 30 personnel as well as construction equipment on Jan 17, to erect boundary walls on the flour mill land owned by him in a bid to illegally occupy it. He added that his security guards and employees immediately called police, who reached the site and stopped the trespassers from constructing boundary walls and occupying the land. A news channel reported that ADC Revenue Rizwan Qadeer had inspected the land after the incident, reviewed the relevant documents, and ruled against Murad Akbar. The channel claimed that Qadeer’s report had angered Shahzad Akbar, who then misused his authority to pressurise the Punjab Revenue Authority’s Rawalpindi office, Punjab police, and other institutions. The channel said that a few years ago, Murad Akbar had submitted a request to distribute the land according to a division claim; however, that request was denied by the then Rawalpindi revenue office team. Murad had submitted the request again a year ago and pressurised the team to rule in his favour. Malik claims that his grandfather Malik Munir had bought the land 23 years ago, adding that his family has owned the property since 1986 and that a flour mill has been constructed at the site since 1987.
on the remaining appointments in the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) and had agreed on the names of Nisar Durrani and Shah Mohammad Jatoi as members from Sindh and Balochistan, respectively. On Monday, the government and opposition reached consensus on Raja’s appointment as the new CeC after Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif agreed on his name from the three names proposed by Prime Minister Imran Khan a few days ago. Raja Sultan Sikandar will replace Sardar Raza Khan, who retired as the CeC after completing his term on December 6, 2019. He recently retired as a 22-grade officer after holding the post of chief secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He also served as a
secretary in various federal ministries and was once the director of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Reportedly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) had also endorsed the name of the former bureaucrat as the CeC while Raja Pervez Ashraf of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had proposed the name of the former Attorney General Irfan Qadir but his name did not get the approval of Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. On January 15, the premier had written a letter to the opposition leader to draw his attention to his previous letter written on December 4, for consultation on appointment of the CeC as required under clause (2-A) of Article
213 of the constitution. “In order to have meaningful and result-oriented consultations and as another attempt to resolve this longstanding issue, I hereby propose the revised panel, comprising of following, for the appointment of the chief election commissioner of Pakistan,” the letter had stated. The nominees included former federal secretaries Jamil Ahmed, Fazal Abbas Mekan and Sikandar Sultan Raja.
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Wednesday, 22 January 2020
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KP govt ANNoUNCEs JUNE 30 As dEAdlINE foR CoMPlEtIoN of gIgANtIC BRt PRoJECt PESHAWAR
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HyBER Pakhtunkhwa government Tuesday announced June 30 as deadline for completion of ongoing gigantic Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project in Peshawar. The announcement was made by Provincial Minister for Transport, Shah Muhammad and Spokesman of KP government, Ajmal Wazir while addressing a joint press conference here at Civil Secretariat.
Addressing the conference, Shah Muhammad said BRT project will complete in June 2020, six months before the stipulated period of 2021. In the agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) the completion period of BRT was agreed as 2021, but we are competing it around six months earlier, they added. Transport Port Minister said the project was launched for the benefit of masses, but was politicized by opposition parties. He also urged media to extend support to provincial government in
completion of this mega project of public interest. In response to a question about early completion of deadlines, Shah Muhammad said if the project was completed in haste, it would not have achieved international standards. He said the project was launched in the wake of traffic problems being faced by dwellers of Peshawar. The objective of BRT was to provide a modern and well equipped transport facility to the travelers, he added. Shah Muhammad said government was trying to complete before the an-
nounced deadline and may succeed in inaugurating the project before the given time. He said delay in project completion was also caused due to change in government including three months interim period. To a question about any further delay in project completion after the new announcement, Transport Minister said agreement has been signed with the contractor after which the June deadline was given. If he (contractor) failed to meet the deadline, he will be fined heavily for delay, Shah Muhammad warned.
Implementing EV policy to usher in new era of environmental benefits: PM's adviser ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
NIHCR, QAU launch book on Punjab: History & Culture ISLAMABAD APP
Vice-Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University Dr Muhammad Ali Tuesday said history defines and refines knowledge and correlates study of past with present. He was speaking as chief guest at the launch of a book i.e. third volume of the papers presented at the international conference on Punjab: History & Culture organized by the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR), QAU, here. He said Punjab is replete with volumes of historical events like communal harmony existed before partition and ironically communal riots broke out at the time of independence in 1947; all such events are needed to be explored and recorded. Dr Muhammad Ali urged the NIHCR management to organize international conferences on the history and culture of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. He lauded the role of the NIHCR faculty and staff in organizing the international conference on Punjab and distributed shields and certificates among them for making the conference a success. The NIHCR Acting Director, Dr Sajid Mehmood Awan, in his vote of thanks, underscored the role of the QAU VC for his overall supervision in holding the international conference on Punjab. He presented a copy of the third volume of the book to the QAU VC. In his welcome address, Dr Altafullah, Senior Research Fellow of the NHICR, informed that overall 200 articles were received to be presented at the three-day international conference on Punjab which have been published in three volumes as the proceedings of the conference.
Prime Minister’s Advisor on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said that efforts are being paced up to implement the country’s electric vehicle policy, because it aims to open up new vistas of economic, employment and environmental opportunities as well as benefits. Addressing a high-level InterMinisterial Meeting on Electric Vehicle Policy, he said policy and economic incentives will also be extended to the auto manufacturing sector to produce electric vehicles locally. Held here at the Ministry of Climate Change on Tuesday, the high-level intern-ministerial meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Finance, Auto Industry Development Committee (AIDC), Pakistan Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (Papaam) and Engineering Development Board (EDB). The meeting’s agenda included discussing and finalising the modalities regarding 2-3 wheelers, its im-
port, manufacturing infrastructure and parts with all relevant stakeholders including AIDC and Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAPAAM) and send them to Economic Coordinating Committee (ECC) for approval. Listing benefits, the prime minister's advisor said that possible benefits of EV penetration include decrease in emissions from transport sector, reduction in fuel import bill, saving of exchequer and enabling the localisation of EV manufacturing, enabling Pakistan to become part of the global value chain of EV manufacturing. It was unanimously agreed upon at the meeting that for two and three wheelers and buses incentive package was in order and suggested by the meeting participants the same may be submitted to ECC for approval. The meeting participants called for further stakeholder consultations, for four wheeler electric vehicles. The participants said that standardisation was an area, where parameters needed to be chalked out. It was also decided by the meeting that a sub-committee will be estab-
Speaker directs resolution of land dispute between NHA, UST Abbotabad PESHAWAR APP
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani here Tuesday convened a meeting relating to land dispute between National Highways Authority (NHA) and University of Science and Technology (UST) Abottabad. The meeting among others was attended by Vice Chancellor of the varsity, Dr. Amjad, Deputy Commis-
lished to chalk out parameters for standardization and finalization of recommendations for the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for two and three wheeler electric vehicles. However, the Ministry of Industries and Production was requested to discuss the proposed incentives structure with AIDC and PAPAAM etc. and convey their suggestions/ input for 2-3 wheelers within a week’s time and for four wheelers within 15 days. Meanwhile, Malik Amin Aslam, who chaired the meeting, said, policy will focus on encourage manufacturing of electric vehicles locally and we will promote madein-Pakistan tagline in this regard," the prime minister's advisor on climate change said. He, thus, invited the AIDC and PAPAAM through Ministry of Industries for consultative meetings with the existing automobile manufacturers to address their concerns, if any and, to finalise further details including the phasing/ time frame for various actions and to submit incentive structure proposed in the policy for consideration of ECC.
sioner, Aamir Afaq and officials of NHA. On the occasion, meeting was told that 125 kanal land of the varsity has been made part of the CPEC. It was said that varsity has not received the payment of the land promised by NHA. Chairing the meeting Speaker directed district administration Abottabad, National Highways Authority (NH) and Abottabad University of Science and Technology to settle the issue with mutual consultation inviting suggestions of the stakeholders. He also directed to submit a detailed report of the meeting to Chairman NHA assuring that matter would be taken up with higher authorities to safeguard right of the varsity relating to land. He said that a understanding was reached between NHA and the varsity in 2017 under which it is binding on NHA to arrange land or pay an appropriate amount to varsity according to market rate.
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Interior minister, Hungarian envoy discuss matters of mutual cooperation ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Brig (r) Ijaz Ahmad Shah Tuesday met with Hungarian Ambassador Istvan Szabo and discussed matters of mutual cooperation. Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah briefed the ambassador about the systematic process of visa related matters for foreigners and diplomatic community. "The primary purpose of introducing the process is to facilitate maximum people" he added. The minister thanked the ambassador and said that facilitating the diplomatic community in every possible way is one of our top priorities. He further added that working for the betterment of bilateral relations is always a pleasure. While discussing the security related matters, Ambassador Szabo was of the view that security situation in Pakistan has greatly improved. "I have been here for eight years and I can confidently say that things are much better now" he said. He appreciated the efforts of the interior minister and congratulated him on getting Islamabad approved as a family station internationally after a long time. Istan Szabo appreciated the timely and positive response from Ministry of Interior regarding the discussed matters and thanked the minister for his cooperation. The meeting concluded with a promise that both the countries will work together to enhance mutual cooperation. APP
Italian envoy lauds Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace, stability ISLAMABAD: Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo Tuesday paid a farewell call on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and appreciated Pakistan’s role for ensuring peace and stability in the region. The COAS thanked the Ambassador for his services in Pakistan and acknowledged his contributions towards strengthening Pakistan -Italy relations, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The COAS also congratulated the ambassador on his appointment as Civil Senior Representative of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan. The ambassador also pledged to contribute positively towards Afghan peace. APP
Potohari stage play ‘Meki Kharo England’ presented at PUCAR RAWALPINDI; A Potohari stage play ‘Meki Kharo England’ based on social issues was presented under auspices of Punjab Council of the Arts in its auditorium. The play was written by senior artist Anjum Malik and directed by Khawar Ayub. The cast of the play was Hameed Babar, Shagufta Khan, Noor Ali, Imran Rushdi, Naeem Bubba, Sobia Saleem, Naeem Tota, Babar Abbas, Ayub Khawar, and Anjum Malik. Addressing at the occasion, Director Punjab Council of the Arts Waqar Ahmed said that the writer tried to explain the current issues of the society in a lighter mode and the purpose of the play was to educate the people about social issues. APP
Hazara nanbais end strike, agree to sell 100gm roti for Rs10 ABBOTTABAD APP
The Nanbai Association of Hazara division on Tuesday ended their strike after successful negotiation with Secretary Food Imtiaz Ali Khan and administrative officers of the Hazara region. According to the details, a meeting of Secretary Food with Nanbai Association of Hazara division was held here to decide the price and weight of the roti and after successful negotiations nanbai association agreed to end the strike and not to increase the price from Rs10 while the weight would remain 100 grams. The representatives of nanbai association Hasrat Shah from Haripur,
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Basheer Butt Abbottabad, Zaheer Hussain Manshera participated in the negotiation. Nanbai association Mansehra representative told the media that they have started the strike owing to the increased price of the fine wheat flour and also negotiated with the food department and district administration. Assistant Food Controller Shaukat Sultan after the meeting informed media that the nanbai association has ended the strike and opened Tandoors in the Hazara division. Earlier, Nanbai Association Abbottabad also negotiated with deputy commissioner Abbottabad Amir Afaq where the representatives of the associations were also present.
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
NEWS
no polItICal IntErfErEnCE In polICE affaIrs: punjab IGp
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NSPeCTOR General of Police (IGP) Punjab Shoaib Dastgir on Tuesday said there was no political interference in police affairs and working in its ambit. Addressing a press conference here
at Police Lines, he said there was no political pressure particularly about the transfer and posting of police officers and the department was ensuring merit at all levels. He said the police officers had been directed to make patrolling more effective to control crime rate in the society. Maximum available resources were being utilized to net the
criminals particularly those involved in heinous crimes, he added. The IGP said, special search operations were being conducted in different areas of the province to arrest anti-social elements to maintain law and order and keep a vigil on criminal elements. He said the police officers had been instructed to deal with the citizens politely and make all out efforts for redressal of their complaints. To a question he said, all available resources were being utilized to improve performance of police personnel and upgrade their social status. Replying to another question, the IGP said due to work load, several police officials were under pressure, adding, the department had decided to hire services of 30 psychiatrists. He said, “Our efforts are to create best working relationship with media and it is my personal desire that details of an incident should be provided forthwith to media.”
IndIan troops martyr two KashmIrI youth In pulwama
lhC adjourns hearing of maryam nawaz’s ECl plea LAHORE STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of a plea submitted by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, seeking permission to travel abroad. At the outset of the hearing, the court questioned the reason for which Maryam Nawaz is insisting to travel abroad. The lawyer replied that her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was ill. The judge questioned whether her father is alone and nobody is there to take care of him. To which, the counsel replied that it is Maryam’s right to look after her father. The lawyers sought more time for the preparation in the case. Later, the court accepted the plea of the lawyers and adjourned the hearing till the first week of February.
sC seeks experts’ recommendations on allowing bikes on motorways ISLAMABAD APP
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday sought experts’ recommendations regarding plying of motorbikes on motorways. A threemember SC bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam heard the case against the Lahore High Court’s verdict regarding allowing motorcycle driving on the motorways. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked the authorities concerned not to submit any recommendations from the government experts on the matter. The Additional Attorney General said bikes were banned on the motorways for public safety. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that the protection of people’s lives was the government’s responsibility. Advocate Babar Sattar said according to the motorway rules, the maximum speed for the bikes was 120 kilometer and minimum 65 km per hour. To which Justice Mushir Alam observed that the motorway authorities did not know about the rules. Bikes were allowed to run on the motorways from 2010 to 2013 during which no damage was done, he added. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that even unfit cars were allowed to run on the motorway, but only bikes were banned. Later, the court sought recommendations from the experts and adjourned the case for two weeks.
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SRINAGAR: Indian troops on Tuesday martyred two Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district of occupied Kashmir. The youth were killed during a cordon and search operation led by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operation Group of Indian army in Awanitpora area of the district. With the latest killing, the number of martyred youth during the past 48 eight hours has risen to 5. The troops had killed three youth in Shopian district on Monday. INP
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
06 WORLD VIEW
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HEN Jawaharlal Nehru became the prime minister of India at independence in 1947, one of his first acts was to evict the country’s commander-in-chief, General Sir Rob Lockhart, from Flagstaff House, among the grandest mansions in Delhi. In a pointed gesture of civilian supremacy, Mr Nehru then moved in himself. A few years later he abolished the post of commander-in-chief entirely. The three coequal chiefs of the army, navy and air force have battled it out ever since, often quite heatedly. That changed on January 1st when Bipin Rawat, the army chief, was handed a new uniform, a plush house and a newly minted job: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The creation of such a post had been mooted for decades, especially after the army and air force squabbled during a war against Pakistan in 1999. But there was resistance from civilians, who feared that a CDS might accrue too much authority, and from the air force, which saw it as a power grab by the already-dominant army. Narendra Modi, the prime minister, swept those concerns aside. He has the largest parliamentary majority since 1984, a taste for grand gestures, and mil-
IndIa’s armed forces get theIr bIggest shake-up In decades FOR THE FIRST TIME A SINGLE OFFICER WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THEM ALL itary threats on two fronts. Last year a terrorist attack in Kashmir resulted in an exchange of air strikes with Pakistan; relations have been fraught since. To the east, China’s defence budget is now triple India’s. New roads and railways into Tibet allow the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to move troops to its disputed border with India quickly, while Indian forces are trapped in narrow valleys below. And reforms to the PLA mean that a single general would be in charge of all Chinese forces at the border, whereas the Indian command would be split between officers from different services. The new CDS will not solve all these problems. Unlike his British counterpart, General Rawat will not in fact exercise any military command at all. He instead chairs a committee of the three service
chiefs, who will still be able to go over his head to the defence minister. But he will have an office of over 60 people and influence over promotions and postings, giving him powerful levers to force the services to work together on everything from logistics to training—improving what military types call “jointness”. More important, he has also been told to prepare the armed forces for theatre commands on the American or Chinese model. Under such a system, all forces in a given area, whatever their service, are under the command of a single officer. That idea has previously been anathema to the air force, in particular, which recoils from the idea that an army general might dictate how warplanes should be used. The Indian armed forces are “at the cusp of a transformation”, says Anit
Mukherjee, author of “The Absent Dialogue: Politicians, Bureaucrats and the Military in India”. But he warns that bureaucratic skirmishing from civilians and the services has neutered such efforts in the past. India’s lone joint command, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is a largely failed experiment in inter-service harmony. General Rawat’s promotion also raises questions about civil-military relations. Mr Modi has been accused of politicising the armed forces. In 2014, when he first became prime minister, he gave a ministerial post to V.K. Singh, a former army chief who had clashed with the previous government. During last year’s election campaign, Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) displayed military images on campaign posters and
publicised an event at which seven army veterans, including five retired generals, joined the party as the defence minister looked on approvingly. Another BJP leader, Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, described the Indian armed forces as “Modi’s army”. These episodes prompted over 150 senior veterans, including three former army chiefs, to write to the president to express their “alarm and disquiet”. As army chief, General Rawat did little to allay these concerns. He “has often ventured into political and foreign-policy territory with his media statements, making many observers uncomfortable”, notes Sushant Singh, a former army officer who is now deputy editor of the Indian Express. In December, just days before becoming CDS, General Rawat provoked anger by criticising students protesting against a controversial citizenship bill. His successor as army chief, General M.M. Naravane, struck a very different note in his first public remarks on January 12th. “As the army, we swear allegiance to the constitution of India,” he said. “Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity...should guide us.” The fact that those values were drawn from the constitution’s preamble, which has been read aloud at protests across the country, was not lost on anyone.
Time to rethink the role of Congress in war
The suffering I’ve seen in Syria is unprecedented
CONGRESS HAS THE SACRED DUTY TO SANCTION MILITARY FORCE. IT’S TIME LAWMAKERS TAKE THAT DUTY BACK AND TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
ON AVERAGE, A SYRIAN CHILD HAS BEEN KILLED BY RUSSIAN/SYRIAN BOMBINGS EVERY DAY OVER THE PAST YEAR
USA TodAy Amy mcGrAth
Our Founding Fathers gave Congress the sole power to declare war in Article 1 of the Constitution. They made the president “commander in chief” in Article 2. That was no accident. After winning their independence over a monarch, the Founders were intent on making sure that no future American leader would ever have too much power — especially on crucial matters of war and peace. Today, nearly 19 years after Congress passed the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force within days of the tragic attacks of Sept. 11, we are running on legislative fumes. In our system of divided powers and checks and balances, Congress must act to revise the AUMF, as well as the War Powers Act of 1973. Legislators continue to fail to fulfill their duty of operating as the only branch of our government with constitutional authority for war-making. While this month’s House resolution was a small step in the right direction, it woefully lacked what is necessary. Meanwhile, the Republican-led Senate may follow suit with its own vote for an inadequate resolution. As somebody who served in the military for 24 years, including a number of combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, having Congress step up to reauthorize the use of military force is personal to me, especially considering that we’ve been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan for nearly two decades. In a democracy like ours, there is nothing more important for our men and women in uniform than knowing that the country has their back in battle. And while no war is ever perfectly planned in advance, they must have the confidence that policymakers have fully assessed the dangers and downsides of any mission before asking our warriors to risk their lives to carry it out. The 2001 AUMF is all we have to legitimize military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and beyond. Because that law targeted the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks — Sunni/Salafist extremists under the al-Qaida banner and their close associates — it does not even attempt to speak to the current situation with Shiite-led Iran. It is imperative that we fix this. The American public has become more and more disconnected with the conflicts and places in which we are fighting. As
someone who fought — and lost friends — in these wars, it is wrong to continue asking Americans to fight them if Congress is not willing to even debate them and take an upor-down vote. We all want to keep America safe, and we should maintain and equip a strong, capable military to do that. Additionally, we cannot tie the hands of this or any future commander in chief in a way that could leave the nation even temporarily defenseless. But that does not mean that this or any president gets a blank check. A new AUMF would have a fixed end date (five years for example), after which another new AUMF would be required. However, if Congress failed to replace it, the previous authorities could remain in effect temporarily so as not to leave the country defenseless in the event of the always present threat of Washington gridlock. We should also require the director of national intelligence to certify that any new extremist group has ideology and goals related to al-Qaida, or broader violent extremism/Salafism, before a president is permitted to strike it. That would prevent a president from using the AUMF for entirely different purposes than its original intent, while allowing flexibility if new terrorist groups splinter off from old ones or simply change their names to avoid being targeted. Additionally, we should add more checks and balances to any employment of nuclear weapons, except in the event of immediate peril to the nation when an enemy nuclear attack is imminent or underway. None of these reforms would substitute for Congress’ other traditional oversight obligations. It is imperative that Congress get involved in the Iran debate — demand more in-depth intelligence briefings, conduct hearings on potential developments, debate longterm Iran strategies publicly and be forced to cast tough votes — which is why they were elected in the first place. Sadly, our Congress is no longer made up of revered leaders like Sens. Sam Nunn, DGa., Richard Lugar, R-Ind., or John McCain, R-Ariz. — all heroes of mine who deeply understood their sacred constitutional responsibility to challenge all presidents, even of their own party, in service of the nation. Today, we get little more than an unacceptable rubberstamping by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell when it comes to the actions of an impulsive administration without any clear plan or strategy. With the nation again potentially at the cusp of war, there is no more important debate than this one. America deserves leaders who take this responsibility seriously, regardless of political party and regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Amy McGrath is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps and is running for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
IndependenT ZAher SAhloul
I stood in the muddy field of one of the 1,150 camps for the internally displaced people in Idlib. It was raining and the mud was a couple of feet deep. It’s very cold here in January, but children were walking in light shoes and slippers. Just three weeks before my medical mission, there was another large displacement of Syrian civilians. I wondered how would people live inside these tents in the blistering weather. Ali, a 10-year-old boy, told me he dreams of living in a warm house once again, that prospect remains a distant possibility. After nine years of suffering, it looks as if the international community and the United Nations have left the Syrian people on their own. Even proper tents to give some warmth, usually provided by UNHCR, were not available when I was there. In the last month, 359,000 civilians, including 165,000 children, have been displaced and more than 60 hospitals have been bombed since May 2019. Idlib, which is land-locked, has around 4 million civilians and over 1,150 refugee camps for the displaced. Half of them have had to flee other regions in Syria. Turkey, which is already hosting 3.9 million refugees, has sealed the border. There is no place to flee the bombing and violence. Idlib has been transformed into something like a large concentration camp. I travelled from Chicago to Idlib to stand in solidarity with the people and convey the support of the American public. I have been in many disaster zones with my organization MedGlobal. We provide free medical care to the displaced and the refugees. I have participated in medical missions from Yemen, Colombia, Gaza, Greece, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh. What is happening in Idlib is, by far, the worst. And still the international humanitarian law that guarantees the protection of civilians, hospitals and children is being violated every day – unfortunately by a member of the UNSC. This should not be allowed to be the new normal, even in war situations. The children of Idlib are suffering. They are being targeted by the Russian and Syrian regime bombs and missiles. In a recent report on the impact of the crisis in Idlib on children, Save the Children highlighted very alarming statistics: On average, a Syrian child has been killed by Russian/Syrian bombings every day over the past year. In one month (July 2019 specifically), more children were killed in the whole of 2018. The humanitarian situation is overwhelming to local Syrian NGOs, particularly since the absence of UN agencies during a pause in its operation to provide aid to civilians. Cross-border aid may well have resumed as of 10 January 2020, but the Security Council’s reduction of the number of access points it provides has created issues. From my perspective, it still doesn’t look like the UN has a workable plan. There should have been accessible emergency fund that could have been deployed in the event of
issues like these. Instead, UN officials have largely failed to meet with the majority of the very people they are supposed to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to. As part of global solidarity with the children of Idlib, MedGlobal, in collaboration with a group of humanitarian organisations, have stood by the 1.2 million Syrian civilians displaced in Idlib to highlight the catastrophic conditions. We’ve also called on Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, to visit the 359,000 newly displaced. So far, we’ve heard nothing. The UN and Guterres have been slow in their response to the catastrophic situation. Voicing “deep concerns” in his UN office in NYC is not enough – he should visit Idlib like he has visited other disaster areas. It is his duty. What is happening in Syria, in Idlib, is a stain on the UN record and an utter failure of their rigid and outdated system. Dr. Loubna Saad, a local paediatrician who was displaced with her family from Maarat al-Numan three weeks ago, described the horrifying conditions of evacuating her own city. Most people live in temporary shelters where basic necessities are not available. Diesel fuel for heating is scarce and expensive. Families are burning plastic bags and all kinds of appliances to warm their families. “Children are traumatized,” Dr. Loubna said. “I have treated children with severe malnutrition. [I am] Nursing women who can’t nurse their children due to psychological trauma and lack of good nutrition. It will be very difficult [for] the displaced children to survive the harsh winter.” In spite of this, people are very resilient. They are dealing with the catastrophe the best way they know how to. Methods of survival include using compressed olive pits and nut shells to heat their stoves instead of diesel fuel, or even using plastic bags, old shoes and slippers. As a doctor, it’s worrying – I know the long term consequences of inhaling plastic fumes. In a bid to assess the medical situation recently, I went on a visit to the Bab Alhawa hospital, the largest in Idlib, and met with its administration and medical staff. It is reasonably protected as it is close to the Turkish border, with many of the surgeries confined specifically to the hospital because of its relative safety. It serves 240,000 surgical and medical patients a year, but that’s not to say it doesn’t need resources and protection. Doctors and nurses are targeted in Syria if they work in non-government controlled areas. Around 589 hospitals have been bombed since 2016, and at least 914 medical workers have been killed according to Physicians for Human Rights. These heroes are harassed, targeted and forgotten but they deserve our support, respect, and solidarity, staring with world leaders. Donald Trump should observe UNSC resolution 2254, make Syria a priority, apply all diplomatic pressure to end the crisis once and for all and increase humanitarian assistance to Syrian children through local Syrian NGOs. Syrian children have suffered enough. Responsible countries should increase humanitarian assistance to these displaced people and apply all diplomatic pressure on Russia to stop the bombing in Idlib. I asked the children of a camp I visited on the side of the highway from Idlib city to Turkey what they dream to be in the future. Some wanted to be engineers, some teachers and some wanted even wanted to be president. But more than half of the children in the camp wanted to be doctors. I hope that the international community gives them the chance to be a source of healing to the whole region, instead of experiencing yet more hopelessness. Zaher Sahloul is a US-based doctor and president of MedGlobal.
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
FOREIGN NEWS 07
US decRIeS IRan thReat to wIthdRaw fRoM global nUcleaR tReaty GENEVA
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AGENCIES
US envoy said on Tuesday that Iran’s threat to quit the global nuclear treaty if European countries refer Tehran to the U.N. Security Council after declaring it in violation of a 2015 pact would send a “very, very negative message”. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in remarks carried by IRNA and other Iranian news agencies on Monday, said: “If the Europeans continue their improper behaviour or send Iran’s file to the Security Council, we will withdraw from the NPT.” Robert Wood, U.S. disarmament ambassador, noting talks set for April on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), told reporters in Geneva: “Here we are on the eve of a review conference that Iran is threatening to walk away from. “We think that Iran needs to end its malign behaviour and sit down with the United States and negotiate an agreement that deals not only with the nuclear issue but also with the other issues that concern us like the ballistic missile proliferation and development and the malign activities around the world,” he said. REWARD FOR ‘WHOEVER KILLS TRUMP’: An Iranian lawmaker offered a $3 million reward to anyone who killed U.S. President Donald Trump and said Iran could avoid threats if it had nuclear arms, ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday amid Tehran’s latest standoff with Washington. “On behalf of the people of Ker-
man province, we will pay a $3 mil-
lion reward in cash to whoever kills
Trump,” lawmaker Ahmad Hamzeh told the 290-seat parliament, ISNA reported. He did not say if the idea of a reward had any official backing from Iran’s clerical rulers. The city of Kerman, in the province south of the capital, is the hometown of Qassem Soleimani, a prominent Iranian commander whose killing in a drone strike ordered by Trump on Jan 3 in Baghdad prompted Iran to fire missiles at US targets in Iraq. “If we had nuclear weapons today, we would be protected from threats … We should put the production of long-range missiles capable of carrying unconventional warheads on our agenda. This is our natural right,” he was quoted as saying by ISNA.
North Korea may seek 'new path' after US fails to meet deadline GENEVA: North Korea on Tuesday said as the United States had ignored a year-end deadline for nuclear talks, it no longer felt bound by its commitments, which included a halt to its nuclear testing, and may “seek a new path”. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un set a Dec 31 deadline for denuclearisation talks with the United States and White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said at the time the United States had opened channels of communication. O’Brien said he hoped Kim would follow through on denuclearization commitments he made at summits with U.S. President Donald Trump. “We found no reason to be unilaterally bound any longer by the commitment that the other party fails to honour,” Ju Yong Chol, a counsellor at North Korea’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva, told the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament. Speaking as the envoy from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), he accused the United States of applying “the most brutal and inhuman sanctions”. “If the US persists in such hostile policy toward the DPRK there will never be the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” he said. “If the United States tries to enforce unilateral demands and persists in imposing sanctions, North Korea may be compelled to seek a new path,” Ju added. North Korea warned in December that it may take an unspecified “new path” if the United States failed to meet its expectations with a new approach to negotiations. US military commanders said the move could include the testing of a long-range missile, which North Korea has suspended since 2017, along with nuclear warhead tests. Pyongyang has rejected unilateral disarmament and given no indication that it is willing to go beyond statements of broad support for the concept of universal denuclearization. It has said in previous, failed talks, that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrew its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan. AGENCIES
Protester killed as Iraq police struggle to stem unrest BAGHDAD: Iraqi police fought running street battles with anti-government demonstrators on Tuesday, firing tear and rubber bullets to try to disperse stone-throwing youths pressing for an overhaul of a political system they see as deeply corrupt. One protester was killed in Baghdad while another succumbed to a bullet wound sustained on Monday in Baquba city, medical sources said, adding at least 50 demonstrators were wounded. Violent clashes erupted for a third straight day in Baghdad’s Tayaran Square and in other southern cities including Basra and the holy Shi’ite cities of Kerbala and Najaf, with protesters hurling stones and petrol bombs at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. “Our protests is peaceful. We call for the resignation of the government and an independent prime minister who does not belong to any party,” said a hooded protester in Baghdad, who declined to give his name. AGENCIES
Political row flares as Lebanon struggles to form government BEIRUT AGENCIES
Tensions between Hezbollah’s two main Christian allies flared on Tuesday when one said the other’s “greed” was to blame for holding up the formation of a new Lebanese government that is urgently needed to address a major economic crisis. The comments by Suleiman Frangieh about Gebran Bassil, head of the political party founded by President Michel Aoun, point to deepening complications in the drive to form the government even as Lebanon’s financial emergency deepens. The heavily indebted country has been without effective government since Saad al-Hariri quit as premier in October due to protests against state corruption and poor governance – the root causes of Lebanon’s worst crisis
since a 1975-90 civil war. The issue has become increasingly pressing as largely peaceful protests took a violent turn over the weekend, when hundreds were injured in clashes with security forces. Ordinary Lebanese have been hit hard by banks’ restrictions on access to cash, a slump in the Lebanese pound, job losses and inflation. The heavily armed Shi’ite group Hezbollah and its political allies have been unable to agree the make-up of the cabinet since designating former government minister Hassan Diab as prime minister more than a month ago. Political sources say the main sticking point has been over the number of seats sought by Bassil, who heads the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and is the son-in-law of President Aoun. Bassil has been at the heart of efforts to broker the formation of a new government.
FPM, the largest Christian party, has been seeking a third of the cabinet’s expected seats, according to political sources, a share that would effectively afford it a veto power which it also enjoyed under the previous government. At a news conference on Tuesday Frangieh, leader of the Christian party Marada, cast blame for the delay squarely on Bassil and the FPM. “His (Bassil’s) greed and ambition are obstructing the government … Let Gebran Bassil form the entire government and may God bless him,” said Frangieh, who had sought to nominate two cabinet members but was restricted to one. Lebanon’s government is expected to be comprised of specialists rather than politicians, a demand of protesters, but political parties have sought to put forward the names of the specialists themselves in order to maintain cabinet influence.
Myanmar govt-appointed panel finds 'war crimes' but no 'genocide' against Rohingya YANGON AGENCIES
A government-appointed panel established in Myanmar to probe allegations of abuses in Rakhine state in 2017 that drew global outrage, said on Monday they have found no evidence of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine state during weeks of brutal violence, which the United Nations says gang rapes and mass killings were carried out with “genocidal intent”. Hundreds of villages were burned to the ground and later razed and scraped. Although the panel acknowledged “war crimes” had taken place, rights groups and Rohingya leaders dismissed the report as a “whitewash” days ahead of an expected ruling by the UN’s highest court on a genocide case against the country. The commission of inquiry said there were “reasonable grounds” to conclude members of the security forces among “multiple actors” were responsible for possible war crimes and serious human rights violations during a militaryled crackdown against the group in 2017. These included the “killing of innocent villagers and destruction of their homes”, it said. But in its statement, issued to mark the finalisation of a full report based on interviews with villagers and members of the security forces, the panel blamed Rohingya militants for attacking 30 police posts and “provoking” the crackdown and described the situation as “internal armed conflict”. “The Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) has not found any evidence suggesting that these killings or acts of displacement were committed pursuant to an intent or plan to destroy the Muslim or any other community in northern Rakhine State,” the panel’s statement read. “There is insufficient evidence to argue, much less conclude, that the crimes committed were undertaken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, or with any other requisite mental state for the international crime of genocide.”
Iran confirms two missiles fired at Ukraine airliner ISFAHAN AGENCIES
Iran has confirmed two missiles were fired at a Ukrainian airliner brought down this month, in a catastrophic error that killed all 176 people on board and sparked angry protests. The country’s civil aviation authority said it has yet to receive a positive response after requesting technical assistance from France and the United States to decode black boxes from the downed airliner. The Kiev-bound Ukraine International Airlines plane was accidentally shot down shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on January 8. Iran has come under mounting international pressure to carry out a full and transparent investigation into the air disaster. “Investigators… discovered that two Tor-M1 missiles… were fired at the aircraft,” Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation said in a preliminary report posted on its website late Monday. It said an investigation was ongoing to assess the bearing their impact had on the accident. The statement confirms a report in The New York Times which included video footage appearing to show two projectiles being fired at the airliner.
China confirms human-to-human transmission as SARS-like virus spreads BEIJING AGENCIES
A SARS-like virus that has spread across China and reached three other Asian nations is contagious between humans, a government expert said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions travel for the Lunar New Year holiday. The new coronavirus strain, first discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. The total number of people diagnosed with the virus rose to 218, as Beijing and Shanghai confirmed their first cases on Monday while more than a dozen more emerged in southern Guangdong province and and 136 new ones were found over the weekend in Wuhan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. A third person died in Wuhan, the local health commission said. Scientists have scrambled to determine the mode of transmission, with a seafood market in Wuhan be-
lieved to be the centre of the outbreak. But Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at the National Health Commission who helped expose the scale of the SARS outbreak, said patients could contract the new virus without having visited the city. “Currently, it can be said it is affirmative that there is the phenomenon of human-to-human transmission,” he said in an interview with CCTV. In Guangdong, two patients were infected by family members who visited Wuhan, Zhong explained. Fourteen medical personnel helping with coronavirus patients have also been infected, he said, though he added that more than 95 of the total cases were related to Wuhan. The World Health Organization said earlier an animal source seemed to be “the most likely primary source” with “some limited human-to-human transmission occurring between close contacts”. Wuhan has 11 million inhabitants and serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday which begins later this week and sees hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.
Weighing in on the matter for the first time, President Xi Jinping said Monday that safeguarding people’s lives should be given “top priority” and that the spread of the epidemic “should be resolutely contained”, according to CCTV. Xi said it was necessary to “release information on the epidemic in a timely manner and deepen international cooperation,” and ensure people have a “stable and peaceful Spring Festival”, the broadcaster said. Five cases were reported in Beijing while in Shanghai a 56-year-old woman who had come from Wuhan was hospitalised and in stable condition, local health authorities said. South Korea on Monday also reported its first case — a 35-year-old woman who flew in from Wuhan. Thailand and Japan have previously confirmed a total of three cases — all of whom had visited the Chinese city. There are also six suspected cases in Shanghai and four provinces and regions in the east, south and southwest of the country. The National Health Commission said Sunday that experts believe the epidemic “can still be controlled”.
The virus did not slow down the annual holiday travel rush, though some travellers wore masks at crowded railway stations in Beijing and Shanghai. “Watching the news, I do feel a little worried. But I haven’t taken precautionary measures beyond wearing regular masks,” said Li Yang, a 28-year-old account manager who was heading home to the northern region of Inner Mongolia for the Lunar New Year. DETECTION MEASURES: The WHO said the new cases in China were the result of “increased searching and testing for (the virus) among people sick with respiratory illness”. Scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in London warned in a paper published Friday that the number of cases in Wuhan was likely to be closer to 1,700, much higher than the official figure. Wuhan authorities said they have installed infrared thermometers at airports and railway and coach stations across the city. Passengers with fever were being registered, given masks and taken to medical institutions.
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
08 COMMENT Ending a deadlock Has PM finally come down his high horse?
A
FTeR trying all other options, the PTI leadership seems to have finally concluded that consensus is the only way for parliamentary legislation. Last year Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected as infra dig the idea of holding consultation with the Leader of the Opposition for filling the vacant posts of the Chairman eCP and two of its members. Later the government tried to circumvent parliamentary consultation by trying to fill the vacant posts through Presidential orders. It faced humiliation when the Chief election Commissioner refused to administer oath to the President’s nominees on the ground that the appointments violated constitutional provisions. The accord reached on the issue in the bipartisan parliamentary committee is a welcome development. By taking a decision that falls strictly under their own purview instead of knocking at the judiciary’s door, parliamentarians have shown a modicum of maturity. Hopefully, this will prevail when changes in the NAB law come under discussion in days to come. Under the amended NAB law the cases of procedural lapses, advice or opinion rendered and misuse of authority in good faith on the part of ministers and bureaucrats can be questioned only when there is direct or corroborative evidence of material benefit accrued by the accused. Unless the law is made operative with retrospective effect it will benefit the PTI leaders and officials only and would be considered discriminatory. There is thus a need to make amendments in the NAB law through consensus. After 16 months in power there is still little peace for Imran Khan. In view of the current economic situation described as stabilisation without growth, there is no hope of new jobs or reduction in poverty in months to come. Despite the FBR’s efforts, the trading community continues to resist attempts to bring it under the tax net. The government’s incompetence has created a sugar crisis while the country already facing a wheat flour crisis. After allies, PTl legislators too are putting up demands difficult to fullfill. It is time the PTI leadership calls off its vengeful rhetoric, reins in its loose cannon, and opens talks with the opposition, as envisaged by Prime Minister’s alter ego Naeem-ul-Haq.
Seeking Uncle Sam’s help Big difference between US promises and delivery
U
S Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Alice Wells is in Pakistan on a four-day visit to discuss bilateral ties. So far, much of the focus has been on the FATF that has greylisted Pakistan, pending a review next month to re-assess how satisfactorily we have improved our counter-terror financing and antimoneylaundering measures. The greylisting and the increasing likelihood of being placed on the dreaded black list in the upcoming review has forced Pakistan to take some aggressive actions recently. This includes the central bank heavily fining commercial banks for non-compliance of necessary KYC (know your customer); government saving schemes are being reviewed to identify unauthentic investors looking to park their ill-gotten money; and prosecution of leaders of proscribed organizations like Hafiz Saeed of the JuD . According to the Foreign Office, Ms Wells is quite pleased with this progress but US support alone might not cut it as there are 36 other voting members of the FATF, all of whom cannot be wooed by the USA on Pakistan’s behalf. Although Ms Wells emphasized that Pakistan’s case would be ‘decided on merit’, geo-politics will still play a central role in influencing how the FATF votes, therefore it will require some smart, nuanced and effective diplomacy along with a better progress report to make our case. Ms. Wells also met with high ranking members of the cabinet to discuss pending issues. This included a meeting with Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah who claimed that the issue of illegal stay of Pakistani expatriates in the USA had been ‘resolved satisfactorily’. She also met with PM’ Commerce Advisor Razzak Dawood to discuss trade between the two countries, and according to Mr Dawood, showed interest in more US companies entering the Pakistani market while ‘immediate progress’ in the agriculture sector could be made. Prime Minister Imran Khan in July of last year, during his maiden visit to the USA, had received a verbal assurance from President Donald Trump that the US-Pak trade would increase noticeably. Six months on, there has been neither a significant uptick in trade nor any long-term sustainable US investment in the country. Ms. Wells’ comments on trade, therefore, have to be taken with a pinch of salt. The US’ travel advisory to its nationals for Pakistan remains intact. It would be foolish to expect any large sums of investment dollars making their way to Pakistan in such conditions.
Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
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Asher John
Joint Editor
Executive Editor
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Politicisation of Indian Ocean India is making it a dangerous place Amjed jAAved
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ORMeR Indian COAS Gen Bipin Rawat, now Chief of Defence Staff, had a penchant for making gung-ho antiPakistan statements. Now even India’s new army and navy chiefs have joined the chorus in echoing His Master’s (Modi’s) Voice. COAS Gen M. M. Naravane intends to `reclaim’ Azad Kashmir if the government orders it to do so, He pointed out “A resolution by Parliament in February 1994 stated that Pakistan must vacate the areas of Jammu and Kashmir, which it has occupied through aggression”. Indian CNS Adm Karambir Singh’s statements reflect that he thinks Chinese ships are barred from entering the Indian Ocean or Gwadar Sea. He expressed ennui at “increasing presence in Indian Ocean of seven to eight PLA warships in that area (Djibouti, Gwadar, etc.) at any given time”. Chinese Ambassador to New Delhi Luo Zhaohui has dispelled India’s fears. He clarified “ChinaPakistan economic Corridor (CPeC) would not impinge on anyone’s sovereign rights.” And, ‘Dragon’ and the ‘elephant’ (Ganesh) were no rivals. He even invited India to join its One-BeltOne-Road project. Indian High Commissioner TCA Raghavan uncannily admitted “India has no worry over the construction of Pakistan-China economic Corridor as an economically strong Pakistan would bring stability in the region.” Indian Ocean and Pax Indica: Forty seven countries have the Indian Ocean on their shores. The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world. It occupies 20 per cent of the world’s ocean surface– it is nearly 10,000 kilometers wide at the southern tips of Africa and Australia and its area is 68.556 million square kilometers, about 5.5 times the size of the USA. India’s motto is ‘whoever controls the Indian Ocean dominates Asia’. US Rear Admiral Alfred T. Mahan (1840-1914), an influential naval atrategist, wrote that ‘this ocean is the key to the seven seas in the 21st century; the destiny of the world will be decided in these waters’. This Ocean includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Red
Sea, Flores Sea, Java Sea, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Savu Sea, Timor Sea, Strait of Malacca, Bay of Bengal, Mozambique Channel, and Persian Gulf. The Indian Ocean is rich with living and nonliving resources, from marine life to oil and natural gas. Its beach sands are rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits. India is actively exploiting them to its economic advantage. It is a major sea lane providing shipping to 90 percent of world trade. It provides a waterway for heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia, and contains an estimated 40 percent of the world’s offshore oil production. The Indian peninsula (i.e. the Deccan and below) juts 1,240 miles into the Indian Ocean. 50percent of the Indian Ocean basin lies within a 1,000 mile radius of India, a reality that has strategic implications. India possesses the technology to extract minerals from the deep sea bed. Under the law of the sea, it has an exclusive economic zone of 772,000 square miles. Chennai is a mere 3,400 miles away from Perth in Australia, slightly more than the distance between New York and Los Angeles. The Ocean is a major sea lane connecting Middle east, east Asia and Africa with europe and the Americas. It has four crucial access waterways facilitating international maritime trade, that is the Suez Canal in egypt, Bab-el-Mandeb (bordering Djibouti and Yemen), Straits of Hormuz (bordering Iran and Oman), and Straits of Malacca (bordering Indonesia and Malaysia). These ‘chokepoints’ are critical to the world oil trade as huge amounts of oil pass through them. Any disruption in traffic flow through these chokepoints can have disastrous consequences. The disruption of energy flows in particular is a considerable security concern for littoral states, as a majority of their energy lifelines are seabased. Since energy is critical in influencing the geo-political strategies of a nation, any turbulence in its supply has serious security consequences. Most of the ships approach the straits through the 10-degree channel between the Andaman and Nicobar islands. To dominate these straits, India established its Far eastern Marine Command at Port Blair in the Andamans. It has developed Port
Blair as a strategic international trade centre and built an oil terminal and trans-shipment port in Campal Bay in the Nicobar islands. China’s interest: In view of the spiraling demand for energy, China is sensitive to the security of the sea lines of communication and chokepoints of the region. Sixty per cent of China’s oil supplies are shipped through the Straits of Malacca. India and China: eyeball to eyeball: The Indian Ocean is fast emerging as the new hot-spot of Sino-Indian rivalry. Indian desire to expand its navy manifold to dominate the Indian Ocean has triggered shockwaves in China and other littoral states. Whether it is controlling piracy or use of sea resources, boats of the two countries face each other eyeball-to-eyeball. As is obvious from capital outlays in India’s defence budget, India wants to convert its navy into a blue-water navy as early as possible. The first item on IndianNavy agenda is getting new aircraft carriers. Barry Desker, Director Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore, says, `The emergence of new powers like China and India is expected to transform the regional strategic landscape in a fashion that could be as dramatic as the rise of Germany in the 19th century and the United States in the 20th century’. To counter Indian hegemony, China is intends to have six aircraft carriers. When New Delhi deployed one ship in the Gulf of Aden in October last year with great fanfare, China deployed two warships to the same area. The presence of the Chinese and Indian warships underlines Beijing’s and New Delhi’s intense economic and strategic interests in the world’s third largest ocean. Conclusion: India’s ambition to dominate the Indian Ocean does not augur well for the region. It should let the Indian Ocean remain a zone of peace. The other powers including the USA also are unwilling to part with the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Despite adverse advisory opinion on Chagos Island, including Diego Garcia atoll, by International Court of Justice, United States’ forces are still entrenched there. Besides, France maintains naval bases in the Indian Ocean and stations frigates off its Reunion islands. China has a string of naval assets in the region from Gwadar to Djibouti. Amjed Jaaved is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com.
US-Iran conflict: Past and present The stand-off goes back to the Iranian revolution Abdur rAhmAn mAlik
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He US-Iran conflict had become critical agter the US drone strike that assassinated Iranian top general Qassem Suleimani who the USA considered an imminent threat to the USA, but for which the Trump Administration was heavily criticized. Foreign policy experts felt that Trump had committed an extrajudicial killing and deliberately escalated the situation with Iran to escape impeachment which has already begun. The USA has always meddled in Iran. The seeds of the 45 years of hostility were sowed when US and UK agencies orchestrated a plan to overthrow a democratically elected secular Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadeq, when he nationalized Iran’s oil industry. The oil industry has always attracted the USA cost him his Premiership in 1953. Analysts call it a historic blunder to meddle in Iran’s affairs. Later, the USA the dictatorial Shah of Iran despite being aware that his regime was incompetent and the autocratic governance model was weakening. The streets started flooding with protesters against the Shah’s regime and he was forcibly ousted by secular and religious forces in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This turmoil paved the way for the return of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini. Iran was formally proclaimed as the Islamic Republic of Iran on 1 April 1981. US backing for the Shah resulted in growing hatred of the USA. Protesters ransacked its embassy in Tehran and took the staff hostage in 1979. The 52 hostages were released after 444 days in 1981. US-Iran relations witnessed another setback when the USA secretly shipped arms in exchange for Iran’s help in the release of US hostages held by the Hezbollah in Lebanon. This Iran-contra scandal hit the USA hard when the benefit such as arms supply to Nicaraguan rebels caused a severe political crisis for US President Ronald Reagan. Similarly, just as Iran mistakenly downed Ukrainian passenger jetliner, a US
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warship had also shot down an Iranian passenger plane. Most of the 290 victims were Iranian pilgrims bound for Makkah. Unlike Iran, the USA had said that the Airbus A300 was downed by mistake for a fighter Jet. This incident had also increased hatred of the USA in Iran. In the aftermath of the 9/11 incident, in 2001, the US carried out strikes against Taliban in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, an Iranian opposition group revealed that Iran was engaged in a nuclear programme, having set up a uranium enrichment plant. However, the Iranian Government denied the charges. US President George W Bush during a State of the Union address denounced Iran as part of an “Axis of evil” along with Iraq and North Korea. UN Watchdog IAeA inspected Iran’s nuclear programme. Consequently, tough sanctions were imposed on Iran by the USA, eU and UN that crippled its economy during the tenure of President Mehmood Ahmedinejad. US-Iran relations grew closer as the moderate Hassan Rouhani took office as President and after decades of stiff relations, the ice started melting when US president Barak Obama phoned President Rouhani after three decades. Following this gesture, the diplomatic channels worked leading to Iran signing a nuclear deal in 2015 with the great power group of the USA, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme, allowing international inspectors. In return, the crippling economic sanctions were lifted, especially on its oil exports. The Trump Administration became a headache for Iran since Iran’s nuclear deal was abandoned by President Donald Trump who imposed economic sanctions on Iran and those who bought its oil. Such a hard attitude exacerbated the conflict. Trump re-imposed economic sanctions on Iranian Oil last May while Iran started a pressure campaign against the USA. A series of Incidents happened thereafter, such as missiles hitting tankers in the Gulf of Oman and Iran’s shooting down a US drone hovering over the Strait of Hormuz. The US claimed the drone was over International waters whereas Iran said that it was over its territory.
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Given the US sanctions and blame game, Iran started rolling back from its commitments as reflected in the nuclear deal, and started uranium enrichment. Finally, when the US drone strike assassinated top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in Iraq, the Iranian people became united. Millions of people attended his funeral prayers and protested against the USA in Iraq and Iran. Analysts said that it was the biggest protest after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. Iran pledged to take revenge. Under-pressure Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei approved targeting US military bases in Iraq, firing a dozen missiles, but causing no casualties. Since then, Trump has been criticized for the killing. The Middle east crisis worsened following an Iraqi Parliament resolution demanding US Troops and Allies leave Iraq. The Iranian proxies may attack US military bases. Will there be a World War III? No, since after strikes, both countries have shown restraint Iranian Revolutionary Guards took responsibility for mistakenly downing a passenger Jet carrying 174 passengers. Iran first denied responsibility, but after international pressure accepted it. Iran has publicly apologized for the mistake and announced compensation for the bereaved families but the Ukrainian and Canadian Governments have demanded a thorough investigation and apology. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also sought help from Pakistan for de-escalation as both countries do not want war. All the world powers have urged both the USA and Iran to deescalate tensions and resolve the conflict through negotiations. The european Union, UK, Russia, China and other NATO members have started diplomatic efforts to prevent both countries going to all-out war which would bring misery for humanity since both nations are nuclear capable though Iran has not announced its capability. The UN and the european Union must play their role to engage both parties in negotiation so that World War-III may be averted. Negotiations will also help lift the tough economic sanctions against Iran that have crippled its fragile economy. Moreover, a US-Iran conflict may jeopardize USTaliban talks for which Pakistan has played a key role, as Afghan peace will benefit the whole region including Pakistan. Terrorism from Afghanistan has affected Pakistan very badly.
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Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
COMMENT 09 Editor’s mail
Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
Social Media, a blessing in disguise
BISP fraud Not only must the fraudulent be punished, but also their ill-gotten gain recovered
mAlik muhAmmAd AshrAf
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He Benazir Income Support Programme started by the PPP regime in 2008, with the support of the Department of International Development of the United Kingdom, was the first ever single social safety initiative in the country envisaging unconditional cash transfer to the poor families. The programme was meant to provide financial support to widows and divorced women heading a family without a male earning member, whose income was less than Rs 6000 per month. The programme was widely appreciated as a credible step towards poverty alleviation. That is why the PML(N) and the present PTI government not only owned it, but also made enhanced financial allocations for the programme. Conceptually indeed it was an irreproachable undertaking. However it is regrettable to note that the programme has been extensively misused. Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation and BISP Chairman, undertook an appraisal of the programme and unearthed a massive misuse of the initiative. According to her, out of 4.3 million current beneficiaries 820,165 had been disqualified for being ineligible and fraudulently claiming cash handouts from the scheme. They also included 14,730 government employees. Among them are 5423 officers of grades 17 to 22 who got their spouses included in the list of BISP beneficiaries. The Cabinet approved the delisting in December 2019. Nevertheless, it is satisfying to note that the BISP Chairman is not only dedicatedly engaged to purge the fraudulent elements from the list, but also is trying to make sure that punitive actions is taken against those who misused the system besides recovering the money that was fraudulently received by them. She revealed that four Grade-17 officers of BISP who had got their wives fraudulently enrolled as beneficiaries, using their position in the organization, had been dismissed from service and an amount of Rs.440,196 recovered from them. Show cause notices have also been issued to officers and employees of the federal and provincial governments involved in the scam. The fraud was detected during a reexamination of the survey with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA. The disqualification criteria included the travel history of the member, vehicle ownership, the availing facility of executive services for passport or National Identity Card (NIC), and service in government sectors.
Perhaps it would be pertinent to have an in- corruption and political favouritism in the socicisive look into how the lists of the beneficiaries ety. The government must take punitive action were finalized. During the first year the recipients against all those who fraudulently received payof BISP cash transfer were identified and selected ments from BISP and also recover the filched by parliamentarians through a process of recom- money from them. Recently, BISP has expanded to include mendation. Reportedly each parliamentarian received 8000 forms to distribute in his or her several special initiatives. The Waseela-e-Haq program empowers constituency. Selected inwomen through the prodividuals underwent an elvision of small loans. A igibility verification vocation training proprocess through the Nagramme, Waseela-e-Roztional Database and RegThe PTI government has gar, offers members of istration Authority. A final eligible families up to one list of eligible families was raised the quarterly grant year of professional traingenerated and sent to the from Rs5,000 to Rs5,500 for ing. The Waseela-e-Sehat postal service. Funds were programme provides fidisbursed from the Treasthe beneficiaries under the nancial assistance specifury directly to the postal Ehsas Kifalat Programme of ically for obtaining basic service and then delivered health care. BISP will to the female head of elithe BISP and also taken launch its first progible households. Howmeasures to secure due gramme that conditions ever in April 2009, the cash payments on schoolprocess for identifying and rights for the deserving ing. The Waseela-eselecting eligible families people only and making the Taleem initiative will through recommendations families receiving of the Parliamentarians whole procedure for inclusion require cash payments to enroll was discarded. It was rein BISP apolitical. According children between the ages placed with a World Bankof five to 12 to enroll in approved Poverty to Dr Sania Nishtar, the primary education. BISP Scorecard criterion. Under government would now also provides cash paythis, the families were ments for emergency reidentified through a proxy additionally provide Rs 8.6 lief efforts. These means test in which famibillion for the poverty-stricken payments are similar to lies are required to answer payments received by 13 questions regarding asindividuals. The government the low-income families, but sets and expenses in a surhas also decided to include are distributed to families vey. Ostensibly the by terrorism, inclusion of the ineligible 216 villages located alongside affected war, and natural disasters persons occurred during the restive Line of Control in such as earthquakes. the time when the recipiThe PTI government ents were selected on the the Kifalat Programme, has raised the quarterly basis of the recommendaanother milestone of the grant from Rs5,000 to tions of the parliamentariRs5,500 for the beneficiarans, which indicates that Ehsaas Programme. The ies under the ehsas Kifalat they mostly benefitted people of these villages were Programme of the BISP their own voters and famand also taken measures to ily friends. the most deserving due to secure due rights for the In this regard, it has their frequent economic deserving people only and been pointed out that the whole procethere was a disproporlosses suffered due to cross making dure for inclusion in BISP tionate number of famiborder firing from the Indian apolitical. According to Dr lies were receiving BISP Nishtar, the governaid in geographic areas side of the border. The efforts Sania ment would now additionwhere the ruling Pakistan by Dr Sania to ensure cash ally provide Rs 8.6 billion People’s Party domithe poverty-stricken innated. For example, in payments under BISP only go for dividuals. The government the home town of former to the deserving families and has also decided to include Prime Minister Yousaf villages located alongRaza Gilani in Multan, the expansion of the scheme 216 side the restive Line of the number of people reto other domains deserves Control in the Kifalat Proceiving BISP payments gramme, another milewas double than in Laappreciation stone of the ehsaas hore which was a strongProgramme. The people of hold of an opposition these villages were the party. In other areas of most deserving due to their Punjab where also opposition parties dominated, had the lowest ratio of frequent economic losses suffered due to cross eligible families— 1974 for every 100,000 peo- border firing from the Indian side of the border. ple; versus 6829 families for every 100,000 The efforts by Dr Sania to ensure cash payments people in Sindh, the then ruling party’s strong- under BISP only go to the deserving families and hold. Beneficiaries also complained that the the expansion of the scheme to other domains depostal service charged an additional Rs. 100 to serves appreciation. RS 200 for each delivery of payment before the Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. introduction of the smart card. The foregoing facts indicate the extent of moral degradation, He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.
IN the Pakistani society it isn’t unprecedented to feel that internet based life is a threat which has spread especially among youths to destroy their lives. Frequently seen as the best issue of our age, web based life is intensely scrutinized. However, there are sure benefits of online networking which can refute this manner of thinking. This conviction springs from what online life sites have been named as. Destinations, for example, Facebook and Twitter have gotten incredible analysis starting late normally being seen as a path for youngsters to squander their days on their electronic gadgets. This to a degree can even be viewed as obvious yet just in the event that one contemplates over the outside of the ocean that is present day media. While indeed, web based life may have expanded the utilization of electronic gadgets, the benefits accompanying it are much more than that of a silver coating. In the electronic age of the 21st century, online life is the best stage to make mindfulness. We would now be able to see works pioneers, scandalously Donald Trump, running their administration of web based life locales, for example, Twitter. This mass mindfulness has demonstrated to really be a gift. The #BlackLivesMatter and #WeAreThe1% for the Fergeunson and Occupy Wall Street Movement individually have been more prominent occasions of social developments which did make mindfulness about critical issues as well as tackled these issues. All however the two issues conflicted with the standards which had been set a state as incredible as the United States of America, when mass familiarity with an issue becomes even the best countries need to pay regard. Along these lines, internet based life costs to be a crucial resource. Internet based life has additionally allowed each person to voice their conclusion. The #MeToo is the best case of this where not just have ladies at long last had the capacity to talk about a predominant issue in the public arena yet have had the capacity to join to neutralize it. Through thusly a solitary post via web-based networking media makes numerous ladies feel less alone. Thus, the ongoing down disorder displaying program on Facebook have made it conceivable to maintain kids with the affliction and not make them feel segregated. Obviously the best course to embrace, as in each part of life, is balance. A reasonable utilization of media, in the correct ways will permit to utilize it appropriately as an extraordinary stage. Issues emerge regular. AbbAS FAtEH-ud-dIn ASIM Lahore
Jinnah’s ‘Purana Pakistan’ MARTIN Luther King Jr once said ‘almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world a better place’. Jinnah wanted the Pakistanis to respect our minorities. I want to reiterate that Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to give minorities their due rights. He envisioned following the model of the state of Medina. Mr Khan’s zeal was witnessed when he proposed that Dr Atif Mian was the panacea for the economic calamity of Pakistan. He desired to see Dr Atif as the Finance Minister in his ‘Naya Pakistan’. The desire was a rhetorical. Nevertheless, Mr Khan coerced Dr Atif to resign from the economic Advisory Council, owing to his faith; which is indifferent to our economy. Consequently, Dr Imran Rasul resigned in protest. This robbed our economic Council of competent members. However, Jinnah would have daunted the government’s decision because he guaranteed justice, equality, and opportunities for the minorities. Jinnah was a protagonist of minority rights. He stood for the Muslims when they were a minority in the colonial India. Jinnah must have been disenchanted following this inauspicious decision. The premier idealises Jinnah and pledged to withhold the values of the father of our nation. The white part of our flag denotes Pakistan’s minority. One need not be a Muslim to serve this country. Any person regardless of their religion is capable of serving his/her state without prejudice. Unfortunately, our government has unceasingly disdained almost every other Pakistani, who had the audacity to choose a dissimilar trajectory since the demise of Mr Jinnah. Pakistan loses her chance to prosper when every Joginder Nath Mandal, Sir Zafarullah Khan, Abdul Salam and in this case Dr Atif is left to the mercy of the bigots in the country. bArrIStEr ArSALAn CHAudHry narowal
Banning plastic bags PLASTIC bags had been a huge indication of apocalypses since 1950s and it is very much notorious of being the fountainhead of enhancing the mortality rate of people in Pakistan. Plastic bags are being manufactured with various hazardous chemicals which are very much dangerous for every individual surviving in Pakistan, because in every corner of Pakistan plastic bags are being used to carry out the eatable goods without being aware the causes and health risk and sometimes it is very much spoiler for the lands because the plastics would make a timber land into a barren land. According to the expert scientists that plastic takes more than 500 years to break down in a landfill. Moreover, the scientists have claimed that the plastic bags have been the source of numerous deadliest diseases such as cancer endometriosis, neurological damage, endocrine disruption, birth effects and developmental disorders, immune damage, asthma, and cause multiple organ damages. Furthermore, the Minister of Climate Change Senator had evaluated that more than 55 billion plastic shopping bags are being used in Pakistan where the utilisation had been increased to 15 per cent per annum. MEHrAJ ALtAF turbat
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
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SPECIAL
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
the davoS cheat Sheet foR PakIStanIS
e
MEIRYUM AlI
VERY year, almost 3000 people descend upon the sleepy town of Davos in Switzerland to attend one of the most exclusive events of the year: World Economic Forum, which will be held from January 21 to 23. But while the event itself is well documented, what is less well known is Pakistan’s involvement in the event. Which Pakistanis get to go, and what do they talk about? How important is the WEF for Pakistan? Profit provides a guide to all your questions: WHAT IS DAVOS? Davos is the name of the tiny Swiss village, with a population of only 11,000 people where the World Economic Forum, (WEF) holds its annual meeting. The WEF’s genesis was in 1971, when German economist Klaus Schwab decided he wanted to create a conference for European businesses, primarily to meet each other and expose them to American management methods. With the funds from the first meeting, he created the European Management Forum. This was renamed World Economic Forum in 1987, and essentially morphed into a platform for dialogue between world and business leaders. The WEF was recognized as an international institution in 2015, and this year marks the event’s 50th anniversary. WHAT IS THIS YEAR’S EVENT ABOUT? This year’s slogan is “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World”, and the overall theme is regarding sustainability. Within that overarching umbrella of sustainability, there are a further seven themes: healthy futures, how to save the planet, better businesses, beyond geopolitics, tech for good, society and future for work, and fairer economics. WHO GETS TO GO? The WEF features a mix of company leaders, business heads, political leaders, civil society members, and members of the media. This year, there are almost 2782 registered participants. Delegates include representatives from 117 countries, and 121 nationalities. In particular, 91 countries from around the world are sending representatives from their governments, with about 53 heads of state attending. In addition, about 600 public speakers will be presenting at the event this year. The WEF will also feature at least 17 banking and investment companies, including Bank of America, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Bridgewater Associates, JPMorgan Chase, and Lazard. As evidenced above, Davos is often branded as an ‘elite’ event, due to its heavy skew towards large corporations and extremely rich businessmen. Famously, Jamie Dimon, the head of investment bank JP Morgan, said Davos was best summed up as: “It is where billionaires tell millionaires what the middle class feels.” Recently though, the WEF has made attempts to include more ‘regular’ people, with this year more than one-third of the participants hailing from civil society, academia and media. WHO GETS TO GO FROM PAKISTAN? The breakdown of participants from Pakistan is similar to the global breakdown, with the same mix of heads of government, businesses and companies, and people deemed ‘important’ by the WEF. From the government’s side, this year Prime Minister Imran Khan will be attending, as well as Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari and Special Assistant National Security Division Mooed Yusuf. Tania Aidrus, the PM’s point person for Digital Pakistan, will also be attending to discuss digitization in the country. The State Bank Governor, Dr Reza Baqir, and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Hafeez Shaikh will also be attending, to discuss CPEC. The WEF also extends invitations to large companies in Pakistan. Historically, invitations have been handed out to the heads of five corporations: the Dawood Hercules Group, Martin Dow Ltd, Pathfinder Group, Habib Bank Ltd, and
JS Group. In particular, the chairman of Pathfinder Group, Ikram Sehgal, and the chairman of the Dawood Hercules Group, Hussain Dawood, have been consistently and actively participating at Davos since at least 1992. In addition to the heads of state and business in Pakistan, the WEF also extends invitations to Young Global Leaders, or around 800 people each year chosen by the WEF that represent ‘contemporary leadership’. Pakistanis chosen as YGLs in the previous years have included: writer Fatima Bhutto, filmmaker and director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, political commentator Fasi Zaka, columnist Mosharraf Zaidi, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar, CEO of Khaadi Shamoon Sultan, and Ambassador for Foreign Investment Ali Jehangir Siddiqui. WHO PAYS WHAT (AND GETS ACCESS TO WHAT)? Good question. The fees depend on what capacity the individual is attending the event in: via the government, civil society or through a company. Typically, companies often pay annual fees to be members with the WEF. Membership is stratified by level of access and engagement with the forum’s events and projects. The higher the fee, the more the access. Membership and partnership fees range from CHF60,000 to CHF600,000, or Rs9.6 million to Rs96 million. The event itself is sponsored by the fees of the top member companies. There are four different types of membership possible: Strategic Partners, which are around 100 ‘top tier’ global companies. As per the WEF, these are “only the most recognized corporations with demonstrated track records of good governance and alignment with Forum value”. Strategic Partners get to participate in a minimum of five different platforms at the forum. This year, there are only 120 Strategic Partners. Examples of strategic partners include Facebook, Goldman Sachs, Nestle, and Uber. Strategic Partner Associates, which are the world’s ‘leading’ businesses. Strategic Partner Associates can engage with up to four platforms at the forum. This year, there are around 57 Strategic Partner Associates. Examples include Google, Bloomberg, and Softbank. Partners, which are ‘world-class’ companies. Partners may engage in up to
three platforms. This year, there are around 320 Partners. Only one Pakistani company, Dawood Hercules Group, is listed as a ‘Partner’. Dawood Hercules is the parent company that owns Engro Corporation. [When contacted for comment, DH Group said they could not provide comment on when this membership was bought, or the total amount of money that DH Group spends on the event.] Associate Partners, which are companies that are ‘active participants’ in Forum communities. Associate Partners are entitled to engage in one platform. This year, there are around 211 Associate Partners. Membership of companies includes the opportunity to participate in the annual meeting for the CEO of the company. However, Davos participation itself has a fee separate from membership or partnership fees. For this year, according to sources, the fee for the invitation is CHF 27,000, or Rs4.3 million. Typically, the invitation to the main hall of the forum is for the chairman or CEO of the company (the invitation also includes another invitation for a spouse as well). The chairman is often accompanied by a delegation of 6-10 senior executives, depending on the company. However, the delegation does not have access to the main hall: instead, members of the delegation are often mingling and busy meeting other members from around the world, at panels or meetups in the town itself. This extra eco-system created on the side of the main conference is often referred to as the ‘fringe’, and is often extremely useful for exchange of ideas. Non-business participants, such as civil society, the arts, young global leaders, and heads of state do not pay to participate. However, governments do have to end up paying hefty amounts to cover for the accompanying delegations. For example: Prime Minister Imran Khan’s upcoming three-day visit to Davos is expected to cost $68,000, or Rs10.5 million to the national exchequer. According to sources, the original cost was close to $250,000, or Rs38.7 million, and was only brought down after the prime minister was reportedly unhappy, and refused to go. WHAT IS THE PAKISTAN PAVILION, AND THE PAKISTAN BREAKFAST? As mentioned before, the World Economic Forum is just one aspect of Davos. During the forum’s run, Davos is also host to different panels and meetups on the side of the conference.
The Pakistan Pavilion, and the Pakistan Breakfast are two such events. For the last 19 years, both Martin Dow Ltd. and Pathfinder Group have jointly hosted these events. Previously, it was actively promoted by those two groups chairmen, Ikram Sehgal and the (late) Javed Akhai. Recently, their respective sons, Zarrar Sehgal and Ali Akhai have also been active. The two events are private affairs and are not related to the WEF; however, since it has been hosted for so many years, Ikram Sehgal has almost become synonymous in Pakistani business circles with the WEF itself. Often, Martin Dow Ltd. and Pathfinder Group send invitations on their own to relevant Pakistani business leaders and chairmen to attend the breakfast and pavilion. For some, the costs to travel to Switzerland are covered; others have to pay out of their own pocket. This pavilion itself is a walk-in affair, where there are several stalls hosted by Pakistani professionals. These include entrepreneurs, government officials, Pakistanis who work in financial services, and philanthropists. The pavilion is generally seen as a way for Pakistanis to interact with international investors and experts. But an equally important, if not more important event, is the tradition of the Pakistani Breakfast. This is a breakfast typically held on the third day of the event, and usually has either the president or the prime minister of Pakistan as the chief guest. The Pakistan Breakfast is usually the ‘highlight’ of the Pakistani experience at Davos. Anywhere between 60 to 300 people often attend the breakfast, and discuss Pakistani policy-related topics. This is also often a showcase for Pakistani ‘food and culture’. This year, in an unexpected move, Prime Minister Imran Khan will be the first person from a developing country to be a keynote speaker at a ‘plenary session’. The session is WEF’s Special Session ‘Beyond Geopolitics’, along with President of the World Economic Forum Børge Brende, and will be held on Wednesday, January 22. WHAT’S THE VALUE OF GOING TO DAVOS? Since the inception of the WEF, critics have constantly called it nothing more than a ‘talking shop’, where leaders talk a fair bit, and accomplish little. As mentioned before, it is also seen as an ‘elite’ event, that mischaracterizes the real problems that most of the world faces.
However, there is still value in Pakistani officials, and Pakistani companies in general, attending the event. On a national level, both the pavilion and the breakfast are considered important in terms of branding, and in developing a positive image of Pakistan. Since government officials feel that Pakistan is often treated ‘unfairly’ by global media, Davos offers an opportunity to counter that narrative. The pavilion is a way to share information, and represent national opinions not often talked about the media to a global stage. The breakfast, in particular, is seen as an opportunity for the government to share its stories in a more informal way to tell people in the audience who they are. In particular, the mere presence of Pakistan is important, in that it is seen as a global player, or at least interested in global events. For Pakistani business, the event is economically significant, in that Davos offers access to new resources and ideas. In conversations with Profit, the companies said that those which are looking at ways to create a long-term vision, or greater societal impact, often look forward to Davos, since it is the best way to learn about the most recent developments and innovations happening globally. And despite the relatively high cost of the event, it would in fact be more costly to arrange for separate flights and meetings with individuals, companies and leaders around the world throughout the year. The forum is instead a convenient way to exchange ideas, and gain access to important people, all in the span of just three or four days. WHY DO SO FEW PAKISTANIS GO? Just as there are those who believe there is value in WEF, there are those who find the whole thing pointless. As this guide has revealed, very few Pakistani companies or businesses, or even CEOs of those companies attend the event. The first problem is capital – the cost of attending the event is quite high, and not all companies can afford the fees. However, in conversations with Profit, sources revealed that the problem isn’t necessarily capital. There are several midsize to large companies that could easily afford the fee. If they attended foreign events or made an effort on other regional or global stages, or expressed ‘global aspirations’, they could easily receive an invitation to the forum, and also be able to pay for it. Yet many companies simply do not bother. For a company to be able to receive value from the forum, the company has to have a set identity, a larger vision, or have ideas about the societal impact of their products and services. They have to be willing to engage with global ideas about the latest technology, for instance, or sustainability. Companies will also be interested in forums like the WEF if they are interested in investing abroad, and not simply getting foreign partners to invest in Pakistani projects. Not many in Pakistan have that sort of scale to invest. Unfortunately, Pakistan is a much more closed-off society, where businesses instead of looking towards frontier markets, look instead to foster close governmental ties. Energies are instead spent not on cultivating global contacts, but on forming government relationships for favourable subsidies and policies. Most companies in Pakistan are family companies, and while they often consider what would be good for business, they do not consider forging a brand narrative, or brand identity. Forums like Davos thrive very much on brand identity, and cultivating a more global outlook. This shortsightedness on the part of Pakistani businesses has meant that within South Asia, more companies and business leaders from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka attend, than from Pakistan. Ikram Sehgal himself alluded to this problem in his most recent op-ed, saying: “It is unfortunate that only a handful of Pakistani businessmen come to Davos, they can never shoulder the burden of projecting Pakistan. Davos is a unique opportunity to showcase Pakistan, it is imperative that those who matter in our business sector start using the Davos platform.”
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
BUSINESS 11
NA BOdy lAmeNtS imPOSitiON OF tAxeS, SuRcHARgeS ON exPORt SectOR
CORPORATE CORNER
ISLAMABAD
KARACHI: Imtiaz Supermarket has signed a contract to open its flagship and one-of-a-kind designer store, with area exceeding over 100,000sqft, in Bahria Town. prESS rElEASE
ISLAMABAD: Bahria University’s National Institute of Maritime Affairs organized a focused talk on ‘US–Iran Conflict Implications for Regional and Global Security’. Former chief of naval staff admiral (r) Muhammad Zakaulah graced the event as chief guest. p r E S S r E l E A S E
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Uber have entered a strategic partnership. PSO Cards and NFR Division Deputy GM Ghulam Murtaza Shaikh and Uber’s Head of Business Development Omar Askari signed the agreement for fuel management solution to Uber drivers. prESS rElEASE
A
GHUlAM ABBAS
parliamentary committee on Tuesday sought replies from the ministries of finance, power, petroleum and commerce against the government's move to include taxes, surcharges and positive fuel adjustment in the industrial tariff for export-oriented sectors. The committee was informed that the textile industry had earlier urged the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) to submit an urgent summary to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), requesting the implementation of SRO 12 (of January 1, 2019) and withdrawal of the Power Division’s letter (January 13, 2020) that asked for inclusion of taxes, surcharges and positive fuel adjustment in the industrial tariff. The letter stated that the export-oriented sector would be exposed to the inclusion of taxes, surcharges and increase in tariff because of fuel adjustment in the billing. The initiative could swell electricity price from Rs11.70 per unit to Rs20 per unit for industrial sector. Before the new initiative, the financial cost surcharge, Neelum-Jhelum surcharge, taxes, fixed charges and positive fuel adjustment were not part of the tariff set by the PTI government for export-oriented sectors. ‘SUSPICIOUS MOVE’: National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Commerce Chairman
MNA Syed Naveed Qamar termed the government's move as suspicious. He said the government couldn't do away with the ECC’s decision and instead constituted a three-member committee to probe the matter. Committee member Sheza Fatima said the inclusion of taxes in the industrial tariff would ultimately lead to the textile industry’s closure. Commerce Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera admitted that the Neelum-Jhelum surcharge, financial surcharge, quarterly surcharge and fuel adjustment had been restored. "But basic tariff structure of fuel for the export sector has not been changed. The exporters had already lost cases against taxes in the courts." Sukhera further informed that the MoC had completed its consultation with the stakeholders to formulate new textile policy and it would be introduced soon. “The policy is aimed at increasing cotton production and boosting exports in the textile sector.” The committee members wanted to know what the new policy had to offer for the textile sector. The commerce secretary told the committee that he would give a detailed briefing once the policy was approved by the competent authority. Sukhera admitted that cotton production has decreased to a historic mark of 9 million bales. “The country has an estimated annual consumption of 14-15 million bales against the total production of 9 million bales this year.” He informed the committee that for cotton
AirSial given another chance to fly CABINET WAIVES OFF NON-CONFORMANCE CHARGES LEVIED ON AIRLINE FOR FAILING TO OBTAIN LICENCE ON TIME ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI
KARACHI: In cooperation with UnionPay International and National Bank of Pakistan, Huawei has launched its mobile wallet service ‘Huawei Pay’ in Pakistan, making it the 4th market where Huawei Pay has been made available. prESS rElEAS E
KARACHI: BankIslami Pakistan Limited and Indus Motor Company (IMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enable smooth auto financing for their residual value customers. p r E S S r E l E A S E
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Management Excellence Award (PMEA) Governing Body Chairman Aamer Niazi and Pakistan Institute of Management (PIM) Executive Director Abid Hussain unveil the awards during a launching event. prESS r E l E A S E
The federal cabinet has waived off non-conformance charges that were levied on Air Sial –a Sialkot-based airline– after it failed to acquire the Air Operation Certificate (AOC) within the stipulated time of two years and gave a go-ahead to the newlylaunched airline to start operations. The approval was given in a cabinet meeting that was held last Tuesday after it was requested by the Aviation Division. According to documents, under para 4.3.1 of the National Aviation Policy (NAP) 2019,” If an operator (RPT/Non-RPT) fails to obtain AOC within a maximum of two years’ time-frame from the date of issuance of its respective licence, then a 10 per cent of the total security deposit will be levied as non-conformance charge. The deposit will be refunded and the company will have to apply again for the new licence again. However, the Aviation Division through a summary dated January 6, 2020, sought from the federal cabinet to grant approval for relaxation in policy for not forfeiting the security deposit of the Air Sial, which was subsequently approved. The Aviation Division had informed the cabinet that the Civil Avi-
ation Authority (CAA) has forwarded the request of M/s Air Sial for renewal of its Regular Public Transport (RPT) License with effect from September 5, 2019. It was further informed that Air Sial was issued an RPT License in 2017, but the company could not obtain the AOC within two years. As per the documents, the CAA provided details of efforts made by the company to complete regulatory requirements and obtain aircraft by finalising Letter of Intent (LoI) with M/s AerCap based in Ireland. The company has also affixed a copy of the confirmation letter for the lease of three Airbus A320 aircraft and expected deliveries by May 2020. The company paid Rs2.2 billion in the paid up capital against the requirement of Rs 300m and wanted to increase it to Rs 2.8bn in the near future, it added. The airline has employed 46 people so far and the recruitment of 654 employees was in process, the Aviation Division said, adding that the board of directors belonged to the Sialkot business community. A spokesman of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) while talking to Pakistan Today said that Air Sial had deposited Rs 100m in security deposit to obtain the RPT License for the commencement of flight operations.
import, ECC had already allowed duty-free import from Afghanistan via Torkham border. Pakistan and China were in collaboration to introduce new seed technology in the country and China was likely to set up 10 cotton research centers in Pakistan, the the committee was told. The commerce secretary further appraised the committee of the steps taken to enable the textile sector to meet the challenges and attain global competitiveness. The committee constituted a sub-committee under convener ship of MNA Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh to consider the issue of concessions given to the textile sector and their sudden withdrawal by the various government departments. Four important amendments were approved during the meeting as the committee considered “The National Insurance Corporation (Reorganization) (Amendment) Bill, 2019”, “The AntiDumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2019”, “The Trade Organizations (Amendment) Bill, 2019”, and “The Export Development Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2019” and recommended to be passed by the House. The meeting was attended by MNAs Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh, Raza Nasrullah, Khurram Shahzad, Sajida Begum, Usman Ibrahim, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Tahira Aurangzeb, Shaista Pervaiz, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani and Syed Fakhar Imam besides senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Federal Board of Revenue.
FBR chief says has ‘no differences with Hafeez Shaikh’ Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi on Tuesday refuted the media reports that signalled towards his differences with Adviser to PM on Finance Hafeez Shaikh. “Hafeez is my friend and we don’t have any issues. I was admitted to the hospital and all the news regarding my ‘deteriorating relations’ with Hafeez Shaikh were mere rumours,” he maintained while addressing the All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conclave 2020. The FBR chief admitted that certain issues had emerged due to withdrawal of tax exemption to exporters. “We have to solve these issues through dialogue and discussions.” He said the department was working on reducing the sales tax as well as the federal excise duty. “The tax department will get the CNIC number from person as registered sales tax. Moreover, they would also be required to give CNIC number on making transactions of more than Rs50,000. In addition, he said that there was a drastic need to overhaul the tax system of the country, adding that tax should be equally divided among all the persons. Zaidi said that FBR remained unable to collect tax in the past, as the department was a shareholder of 25pc of the total business in the country. We are striving to simplify the registration system, besides reducing interactions between taxpayers and officers. BUSINESS DESK
Byco becomes first Pakistani company to export HSFO Byco Petroleum Pakistan Ltd has always been at the forefront of innovation in the refining and petroleum eco-system. Paving the way for modernization, Byco has become the first company in Pakistan to export High Sulfur Furnace Oil (HSFO). This is potentially a solution to the long-standing problem that Pakistan’s domestic refineries have faced since the country’s fuel mix has evolved. With dwindling local demand of HSFO within Pakistan and the passing of the IMO on 1st January 2020, furnace oil demand had dropped to almost nil. But Byco’s initiative of exporting HSFO could restore some hope for the industry. The first consignment of 25,000 metric tons is currently being loaded on to the Roy Maersk vessel at Keamari port. BUSINESS DESK
Is OLX planning a putsch against Zameen.com in online property classifieds? LAHORE TAIMOOr HASSAN
On January 18, OLX held its first property expo in Islamabad that the company claims attracted a footfall of over 25,000 visitors in two days. OLX says that the expo featured over 50 exhibitors, out of which there were a few international exhibitors from Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and Canada. The expo presented an opportunity for developers, real estate agents and allied industries such as furniture to showcase their products at the expo. Bank Alfalah was also a part of the expo to promote its home financing business. OLX is an online marketplace for the buying and selling of goods and services like electronic goods, furniture, cars, bikes and property among others. The company
claims that property has been a major chunk of their business and they have property expos planned for the future, with another one coming in the next 6 months in Lahore or Karachi. The dates and location of the event is yet to be finalised. Though OLX is an online marketplace for a smattering of other goods and services, in the real-estate vertical, it plans to compete head-on with Zameen.com, by far the market leader in classified property ads. Zameen.com has organised many property expos even in smaller cities of Pakistan. OLX has been in a revenue crunch of late and has been exploring avenues of revenue expansion. In an old interview with Profit, OLX Regional Head for Pakistan Bilal Bajwa had said that "our biggest areas of focus for the future are cars and real estate".
But OLX’s bid against its competitors in the car business, most notable among which is PakWheels, has apparently failed and there hasn't been much of a buzz surrounding OLX's car business, with PakWheels still retaining major share in the market. This time around, OLX seems to be trying its luck against Zameen. Zameen.com’s success is inevitable. Their business is concentrated only in the property segment, allowing them to grow their market share in the same vertical, whereas OLX follows a 'horizontal' model, dealing in a number of different categories rather than following a particular niche. After a successful property expo and more in the pipeline, it seems like OLX is ready to push into the property segment more aggressively.
At Zameen.com, advertisers can buy a package ranging from a few lakhs to over a million rupees for listing property on Zameen. Until a year ago, OLX was free, but they have also introduced a paid model with packages slightly cheaper than Zameen - another indication of OLX’s plan to compete with Zameen. The online ads generate leads in the form of potential customers looking to buy or rent properties. Leads that mature lead to conversions which generate revenue for advertisers. Profit spoke to real estate agents with listings on both OLX and Zameen.com to analyse which online platform was performing better. The response Profit received was that though OLX is caching up, Zameen.com gives real-estate agents a better conversion on their advertisements. A real-estate agent Profit spoke to,
who has listed properties on both OLX and Zameen.com, said the response he received was slightly better on Zameen.com than OLX. Another agent Profit spoke to, who had placed ads on OLX but later moved on Zameen.com, said that his conversions were far better on Zameen.com, prompting him to move on to OLX. That is not to say that advertisers don't get a good response on OLX. A few property agents, who had listed on both the portals, in fact said that their conversions were almost equal on Zameen.com and OLX, with one of them saying that he moved on to OLX only because he found OLX more convenient with easier processes in terms of payments for ads. "OLX is getting better. They have moved onto the paid model and are improving now," an agent said.
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
12 BUSINESS
iNFlueNtiAl milleRS, HOARdeRS BeHiNd SuRge iN SugAR PRice LAHORE
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N-S pipeline project to help enhance Pak-Russia ties: minister ISLAMABAD STAFF rEpOrT
A Russian delegation on Tuesday called on Energy Minister Omar Ayub Khan and Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Babar to discuss the North-South Gas Pipeline (NSGP) project. The delegation, led by Russia's Deputy Energy Minister Anatoli Tikhinov, is in Pakistan to attend the 7th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) session on the pipeline project, said a statement issued by the Petroleum Division. Welcoming the delegates, Omar Ayub emphasised making the project transparent, financially viable and mutual benefit of the two countries. He termed the pipeline 'a flagship project' of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, particularly in the commercial and energy sphere. Nadeem Babar on the occasion gave an overview of Pakistan's energy situation, highlighting the infrastructure projects which the government had planned to ensure uninterrupted supply and security of oil and gas in the country. He termed the NSGP 'a steppingstone' towards greater cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in the energy sector. The PM's special assistant also welcomed Russian interest in the exploration and production sector of Pakistan, including its planned auction of 18 blocks this month. Speaking on the occasion, Russian Deputy Minister Anatoli Tikhinov thanked the Pakistani side for extending a gracious welcome to the delegation, terming the project an important milestone in bilateral relations between both the countries. He conveyed Russia's desire to expand relations with Pakistan in all fields, including energy, and agreed that the project must be financially viable and to the benefit of both countries. It is pertinent to mention that the proposed N-S pipeline will be laid down with a diameter of 42 inches, having capacity to evacuate 1.2 bcfd gas. The pipeline, with estimated cost of $2.1 billion, has already witnessed a delay of four years.
dr Fakhara Rizwan joins PSx as company secretary KARACHI MEIrYUM AlI
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday appointed Dr Fakhara Rizwan as the new company secretary. In an official notice issued on Tuesday, the PSX said, "We would like to inform you that Mr Muhammad Rafique Umar has been relinquished from the position of company secretary of PSX, at the close of business on January 20, 2020, and Dr Fakhara Rizwan has been appointed in his place effective from today." Dr Fakhara Rizwan previously served as the company secretary and head of the legal department for Orix Leasing Pakistan Ltd. Before Orix, she also worked as the company secretary and head of the legal department at Al Baraka Bank from 2014 to 2017. Dr Rizwan is a visiting faculty member at the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law, and has also authored a book titled "Corporate Takeovers and Mergers – A Study on the Banks Role as Adviser". She has a bachelor's degree in law from Sindh Muslim Law College and a PhD in corporate law from the International Islamic University, Malaysia. Previously, the role of PSX company secretary and head of legal affairs was held by the Acting Managing Director Muhammad Rafique Umar. He will continue to hold his position as the acting MD.
HASSAN NAQVI
AKISTAN's influential sugar millers and hoarders are behind the recent surge in sugar price in retail markets, as they are selling it at a higher price than the open market, sources revealed on Tuesday. Sugar, which is now available in some retail markets at Rs85-90 per kg, was available in the retail markets of Lahore at Rs80 per kg a couple of days ago and at Rs70-72 per kg about a month ago. However, it is still available at Rs80 in some wholesale markets in Punjab. Sources in the Sugar Advisory Board (SAB) alleged that sugar millers had joined hands with hoarders to increase the price of sugar. They maintained that some influential people within the government circle, who have a stake in the sugar industry, were the ones setting/deciding sugar prices across the country. "Unfortunately, the sugar mafia has always been in power in Pakistan, whether it is PTI's govt or PML-N's govt. They are the ones who benefit the most from making the lives of the poor people miserable," said senior PPP leader Syed Hassan Murtaza while talking to this scribe via telephone. According to sources, the government must immediately impose a ban on the export of sugar to other countries otherwise the crisis may get worse in the coming days.
“The federal government decided not to place a ban on the export of sugar in June 2019 but now is the right time to put a ban on export or else its price might shoot up to Rs100 per kg,” sources feared. Pakistan produced 600,000 tonnes of sugar last year, of which about 150,000 tonnes of sugar went to China. Talking to this scribe, a senior Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) official rejected the notion that millers were behind the increase in sugar price or that they had formed a cartel to manipulate the prices in the country. "Sugar mills are producing the commodity and are sending it to the market without any delay. So how can we (sugar mills) be blamed for price increase?" he asked. "We are not exporting sugar to other countries at the moment." He said he was not aware of the reasons behind the recent surge in sugar price, whether it’s because of hoarders or shopkeepers. "Even after purchasing sugarcane at Rs190200 per mound, we didn't increase the ex-factory rate of sugar. We are selling it at the same price of around Rs3,600," said an accountant at a sugar mill in Muzaffargarh. Abdul Hafiz, a proprietor at a small general store on Mason Road in Lahore, asked as to how can he sell sugar at the government-fixed price of Rs70 when he himself purchased the 50kgs bag of sugar at Rs3,900-4,000 from the wholesale market.
textile manufacturers to tap Chinese market next month LAHORE SHAHAB OMEr
A textile manufacturers’ delegation would visit China by the end of February to explore investment opportunities. Pakistan’s top ten leading textile manufacturers will spend five days in China, where they would meet the local business community as well as China’s textile minister. An official of the PakChina Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industries (PCJCCI) informed this scribe that the chamber had arranged the visit of textile businessmen. He claimed Pakistan’s textile sector was not striving hard enough to increase its exports, whereas there were a lot of opportunities for textile exporters to exploit the Chinese market
during the upcoming visit. He said the Chinese industries were facing a higher labour cost owing to advanced skills and experience. “So they (industries) want to get rid of the primary and secondary manufacturing line and focus on tertiary products.” The PCJCCI official informed China has opened its doors for Pakistan, adding that a large number of textile companies in China wanted to shift their orders to Pakistan. On the other hand, PCJCCI Secretary-General Salahuddin Hanif told this scribe that the chamber’s mission was to adopt measures that could boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and China. “PCJCCI is endeavouring to identify and eradicate the potential deterrents in the ex-
pansion of trade and investment opportunities between two countries,” he maintained. Hanif said the purpose of the said visit to China was to explore the Chinese market. Although the visit is not formal in nature, we are expecting a huge volume of textile exports to China, he added. “We are also introducing our industry in China, besides trying to resolve issues that Pakistani textile exporters usually face.” Referring to the textile exports’ statistics issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the PCJCCI officebearer said that the textile sector exports stood at $5.76 billion in the first five months (July-November) of FY20, up 4.68 per cent compared with $5.5 billion in the corresponding period of last year.
BoI chief urges investors to explore opportunities in livestock sector ISLAMABAD App
Board of Investment (BoI) Chairman Zubair Gilani on Tuesday urged the local as well as foreign investors to exploit enormous investment opportunities in the livestock sector, particularly in the halal meat production and exports. In a tweet, he said the recent improvement of Pakistan in the World Bank's Doing Business rankings indicated that the various initiatives
taken by the government were focused on facilitating the domestic and foreign investors. "So, it's the right time for the local and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the livestock sector," Gilani said. He said the meat production was growing with an average of 3-4 per cent while poultry with 10-12pc per annum. "The country is surplus in the milk production, however, due to absence of proper value chains, almost 15 to 20pc of total milk production is lost every year," he added.
"I am selling sugar at Rs85 per kg; Rs5 per kg is a justified amount of profit margin keeping in mind the transportation and other costs," he added. Agreeing with him, another shopkeeper from Faisalabad said that about a month ago, 50kg bag of sugar was available in the market for Rs3,600. Batool Asad, a housewife in Lahore, said her family was part of the country’s middle class and was finding it difficult to make ends meet with the surge in prices of wheat and sugar in the past few weeks. Syed Muhammad Ali Zaidi, a resident of Nazimabad, Karachi, said that sugar price went up by Rs8-10 in few days. "I purchased it at Rs80 today from a retail market in Karachi." However, Haania Ali, a senior marketing manager at UCP in Lahore, asked, "If we start abandoning anything that is hiked undue, how will the millers and hoarders be able to take unnecessary advantage?.” She stressed that progressive nations with open-minded people do that. “We need to stop using sugar for some time until this fake shortage hype boils down. Talking to this scribe, officials of the city district government said that there was no shortage of sugar in the market and “we are carrying out raids to charge those who are behind this [artificial] surge”. “The govt’s price of sugar will be implemented by all means,” he asseted.
Pakistan Horti expo 2020 to commence today LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI
Pakistan Horti Expo 2020 will commence from Wednesday (today) at the Expo Centre, Lahore. The two-day event is being organised by the Establishment of Model Farms Project (EMFP), an initiative of the agriculture department. Talking to Profit, an agriculture department official said that more than 100 stalls of seasonal foods and vegetables would be displayed at the expo, adding that the exclusive event would help strengthen relations among domestic and international agriculture players. “We are expecting 15,000 or more visitors in two days, including more than 6,000 farmers,” he said. As per the official, the Horti Expo 2019 had attracted more than 150 international and national exhibitors, about 6,000 progressive farmers from across the country, and more than 15,000 visitors, generating a combined total of over 4,000 sales queries. “This year we will have more than 100 stalls comprising various species of citrus, potatoes and all seasonal vegetables and fruits,” he said, adding that around 30-40 international exhibitors and participants have already reached Pakistan. He explained that various sectors that will be highlighted in the expo include growers, processors, exporters, machinery manufactures, support services providers, financial institutions and allied stakeholders of the horticulture industry. Sabir Gondal, a citrus grower from Sargodha, said that he is participating in the expo for the second time. “It is an excellent opportunity for farmers to showcase agriculture products in a secure and peaceful environment to a large audience,” he said. Agreeing with him, Nasar Rizvi, a potato exporter from Okara, said that he aims to attract international customers at the expo to increase his exports this year.
MArket DAILy
KSE-100 loses 121 points in volatile session KARACHI STAFF rEpOrT
Bears continued to dominate the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday, as the indices, which started the day on a positive note, lost their way in the afternoon session and closed in the red. Foreign investors offloaded shares worth $1.53 million in the previous session (Monday). The benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded its intraday high at 42,965.41
after gaining 217.78 points. However, the rally was short-lived, as the index drove in reverse direction thereon, shedding 408.84 points to touch its day's low at 42,965.41. It finally settled lower by 121.15 points at 42,626.48. The KMI-30 Index fell by 0.42pc to end at 68,950.09, while the KSE All Share Index declined by 72.65 points, closing at 29,735.95. A total of 118 shares advanced while 189 declined. Sectors that painted the KSE-100 Index red included fertiliser (-139.37
points), cement (-14.55 points) and insurance (-7.40 points). Among the companies, Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO -88.01 points), Engro Fertilizer Limited (EFERT -35.50 points) and Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFC -18.20 points) dented the index the most. The overall market volumes contracted by 2.02pc and were recorded at 177.56 million. TRG Pakistan Limited (TRG +0.91pc), Byco Petroleum Pakistan Limited (BYCO +6.07pc) and Fauji Fer-
tilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL +3.46pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 17.46 million, 11.18 million and 9.82 million shares, respectively. National Refinery Limited (NRL 1.25pc) announced a loss for the second quarter of FY20. Although the company's sales increased by 5pc on a quarterly basis, its cost of sales jumped 11pc, resulting in a massive gross loss of Rs2.34 billion during the period under review. Even the 42.68pc reduction in financial cost and 238.84pc in-
flation in other income could not the earnings per share from falling to Rs-28.84. Meanwhile, Attock Cement (Pakistan) Limited (ACPL +1.69pc) posted an EPS of Rs2.95 in the second quarter of FY20 (Rs2.87 in 2QFY19); Attock Refinery Limited (ATRL -3.16pc) reported an EPS of Rs11.74 in 2QFY20 (Rs-27.25 in 2QFY19); while Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL +0.61pc) announced an EPS of Rs16.07 (Rs14.17 in 2QFY19) along with an interim cash dividend of Rs20.
The performance lineup for Lahore Music Meet 2020 revealed! Aamir Mazhar & Vibha
Mayyur with Anurradha the founder of Mosista Dubai
Modista Party Edit 2020 Dubai Modista Party Edit showcased the best of south asian designers at Shangrila l Hotell in Dubai for a day only l to the fashion lovers l of the city.
Atinirmall & Myra
Heena & Mayyur
Anurradha & Hina
Mayyur, Nisha & Aamir
HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD
Samiah & Anurradha
Nisha Pagaran
Aamir & Mehree
Sagrika & Meera
Risham & Romana
Sana
One April day in 1930, the BBC reported, "There is no news." Instead they played piano music.
Pakistan’s Leading Music Festival: The Lahore Music Meet [#LMM5] reveals the performance line-up their fifth edition scheduled to take place at Alhamra Art Center in Lahore on the 1st and 2nd of February 2020. “In curating Lahore Music Meet, we try to focus showcasing artists to new audiences such as introducing prog-metal band Takatak’s audience to Fareed Ayaz Qawwaal Group and Red Blood Cat opening for Mai Dhai. The festival has also allowed us to unearth some lovely musical gems like Abdullah Siddiqui, Kashmir and Wisdom Salad amongst many other acts in the past 5 years” said Natasha Noorani and Zahra Paracha. Keeping up with the tradition of curating a line-up of new artists and fresh sounds from around Pakistan, #LMM5 will be showcasing Punjabi folk legend Naseebo Lal, progressive folk-rock band, Saakin, electro-pop producer Talal Qureshi and Punjabi RnB star Shamoon Ismail as a part of the indoor showcase. The outdoor showcase, featuring a diversity of artists who encapsulate various musical spectrums of Pakistan, will present Haniya Aslam, Adil Omar, Mekaal Hassan Band, Ali Noor, Mughal-e-Funk, Natasha Humera Ejaz, Mehdi Maloof, Faris Shafi, IFRA, Gentle Robot, Madlock, Mahak Qayyum, Hassan Sheikh & Roshaan Sherwani, Towers, Maanu, Karakoram, Fake Shamans, Farheen Raza and Iqbal. The outdoor showcase will also feature Pepsi Battle of the Bands Season 4 winner Auj and finalist Aarish. For its fifth iteration, the Lahore Music Meet received over 300 applications from across the country for the live performance sessions which were then crafted into a carefully curated list by co-founders Natasha Noorani and Zahra Paracha representing an interesting blend of pop, rock, folk, RnB, electronic and rap music from around the country.
Joaquin Phoenix Pays Tribute To Heath First Wonder Woman 1984 Spot Is Here Ledger Joker At SAG Awards With Gal Gadot Sunday night saw Joaquin Phoenix take home the Best Actor award for Joker at the SAG Awards where he paid tribute to Heath Ledger. Following having paid tribute to his fellow actors nominated in the "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role" category, Phoenix made mention of Ledger. "Really I'm standing here on the shoulders of my favorite actor, Heath Ledger," Phoenix said in his acceptance speech. "So thank you and good night." Of course, Heath Ledger played the Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight movie, which saw Ledger, posthumously, win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, as Ledger passed in January of 2008. Joaquin Phoenix also paid tribute to the other nominees in the category which included Leonardo DiCaprio for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; Christian Bale, who played Batman opposite Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, for Ford v Ferrari; as well as Star Wars actor Adam Driver for the Neflix movie also starring Scarlett Johansson with Marriage Story, and Taron Egerton for Rocketman.
The first Wonder Woman 1984 spot featuring Gal Gadot is here, courtesy Sunday's NFL AFC Championship game pitting the Kansas City Chiefs against the Tennesee Titans. No new footage is shown, but it gives us a quick look at the latest Wonder Woman 1984 trailer, which can also be found below. I liked the first movie a lot, and I am hoping Wonder Woman 1984 isn't some wannabee Marvel movie with goofy jokes and music, as Gadot offering they ditched the sword and shield because it's "too aggressive" has me worried. The good news, at least, is that this flick isn't going to be about a feminist agenda, like what Disney did with its Star Wars movies and Captain Marvel, as Gal Gadot recently shut down a reporter who tried to bait her into pushing the flick as being all for girls. "But I got to tell you, it not just for the girls," Gal Gadot shot back. "It is for the girls, but we can't reach the place where we are going to stop talking about female, men, you know women empowerment, feminism and all that before we work on both female and male.”
CMYK
Continental plates drift as fast as fingernails grow.
Elvis Presley's manager sold "I Hate Elvis" badges as a way to make money off of people who weren't buying his merchandise.
Sara Ali Khan shares throwback pics from Love Aaj Kal 2 sets, asks fans to ‘fall in love with life’ Sara Ali Khan is easily one of the most interesting young stars of Bollywood today. A couple of days back, the first trailer of her upcoming film, Love Aaj Kal 2, was released online. The actor has now shared a bunch of throwback pictures from the sets of the film. Sharing them, she wrote: “Fall in love with life #mondaymotivation #bts #LoveAajKal.” Sara poses against a backdrop of colourful graffiti in the pictures. One of them says ‘real power is people’ while another says ‘I love life’. Sara looks casually glamorous in a green short skirt and a printed asymmetrical black t-shirt. The trailer of Sara and Kartik’s film showed two sets of lovers, across two generations — with one story set in 1990 while another set in 2020. Sara features in the recent one, much like Deepika Padukone did in the original, Love Aaj Kal. Despite featuring two popular stars, the trailer was heavily criticised with memes and jokes flooding Twitter.
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
14 SPORTS
Foul-MoutHed tirades Mar FoGnini’s epic coMeback at australian open MELBOURNE
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AGENCIES
TALIAN firebrand Fabio Fognini came through an intense five-set epic at the Australian Open Tuesday in a match overshadowed by expletive-laden rants at the umpire, who was slammed as “pathetic”. The 12th seed was two sets down when his first round clash against giant American Reilly Opelka was halted by rain on Monday. They returned under blue skies on Tuesday when Fognini emerged a 3-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) winner but with an injured hand after hitting his racquet in anger. The injury was testament to a niggly affair with no love lost between the players. When Opelka felt Fognini got away with time-wasting and not being penalised for throwing his racquet, he confronted umpire Carlos Bernardes. “Let me ask you something, real quick,” an incensed Opelka said, before
aiming a volley of swear words at the official. “You’re pathetic. You give me one warning after one throw. He’s thrown his three or four times, bro,” he added. Fognini, who lost his temper several times on Monday, also had strong words for the umpire, ranting in Italian and gesturing with his hands, apparently over a time violation. He reportedly told Bernardes:
“You’re not fit for this.” Asked about it later, Fognini, who had a nasty red mark across the knuckles on his racquet hand, did not want to dwell on the angry exchanges. “It was not my problem,” he said, preferring to focus on his comeback, which saw him withstand 35 aces from the 6ft 11ins (211cm) Opelka. “I was lucky that the rain came on
the right time. Yesterday he was playing better than me,” he added. “This kind of player is probably one of the worst first round matches. Really tough.” Asked whether the red mark was a burn, Fognini relied: “It’s okay, I hit the racquet. Yes (it hurt) a little bit. Especially this finger,” he added, pointing to his right index finger.Opelka admitted his rant at the umpire didn’t help his cause against the Italian hothead. “No, not at all. It hurts me,” he said. “It’s a negative emotion, especially against a guy like him. You want to keep him out of the match as much as possible.“You don’t want to engage with a guy like that. It’s definitely not a positive thing.”The ugly scenes came a day after feisty Canadian Denis Shapovalov verbally abused an umpire in his first round defeat by Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. The world number 13 turned on the official when he received a code violation for throwing his racquet. “I’m not breaking any rules,” he shouted. “It’s my racquet, I can do whatever the hell I want with it.”
Sharapova uncertain over Australian Open return after first-round loss MELBOURNE AGENCIES
Halep braves falls, sore wrist to make winning Melbourne start MELBOURNE: Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep survived a couple of tumbles and a sore wrist before surging into the Australian Open second round on Tuesday. The Romanian fourth seed recovered from a poor start to beat the American Jennifer Brady 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 and launch her title bid. The 2018 Roland Garros and 2019 Wimbledon champion faces British qualifier Harriet Dart or Japan’s Misaki Doi next in Melbourne. The 28-year-old Halep had her serve broken in the first game by the 49th-ranked Brady, who defeated world number one Ashleigh Barty in the build-up to the year’s first Grand Slam. Halep, the 2018 runner-up, was uncharacteristically flustered, taking a couple of tumbles, tossing her racquet and complaining to her coach. She appeared to hurt her right wrist in one fall in the first set, and had heavy strapping put on it. With both players relentlessly pummelling from the baseline, Halep finally put a punishing first set away in 69 tough minutes, having saved three set points to force the tie-break. The second set was far more straightforward as the 24-year-old Brady appeared to run out of gas and Halep made light of her painful wrist. AGENCIES
Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova admitted she does not know if she will be back at the Australian Open next year after suffering a first-round defeat in Melbourne on Tuesday. The former world number one, playing on a wildcard, is set to drop below 350 in the rankings following her 3-6, 4-6 defeat to Croatia’s 19thseeded Donna Vekic. It was the 32year-old Sharapova’s third first-round exit in a row at Grand Slam tournaments, and will increase speculation over her future. Sharapova, banned for 15 months for failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open, was unable to say whether she would return next year. “I don’t know, I don’t know,” said the Russian, already ranked a lowly 145th, when asked by AFP if
she would be back at Melbourne Park in 2021. “It’s tough for me to tell what’s going to happen in 12 months’ time.” Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in 2008, was similarly vague about the months or even
weeks ahead. “Honestly, I’d give you the answer, I just don’t know,” she said about what tournaments she will play in the near future. “I haven’t thought of my schedule moving forward from here yet.”
Guardiola hits out at ‘unsustainable’ schedule as injuries mount MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes some competitions in English football must be scrapped to protect the welfare of players and increase the quality of matches. City face Sheffield United away on Tuesday night in the Premier League in their 17th match in 59 days since the last international break in November. Serious injuries to Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford that could have an impact on England’s chances at Euro 2020 have highlighted the issue and Guardiola believes the status quo is “unsustainable”. “The players arrive at the Euros, trying their best with their national teams then they are back here after no more than 20 days’ rest because the show must go on. It’s unsustainable,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Monday. “I’m sorry for Kane and Rashford because they are good for the league, but we demand a lot from the players, it’s too much. “They (the Premier League) should reflect on it but all the managers complained about it and they don’t care.” The pressure is on England’s football authorities to at least remove replays from the third and fourth round of the FA Cup and scrap the two-legged format of the League Cup semi-finals. City are still involved in both domestic cup competitions, as well as the Champions League, and have a minimum of 19 games left this season. “You have to eliminate competitions. Take them out completely, so less games,” added Guardiola. “Less games, less competitions, less teams, less quantity and more quality.” Guardiola also joined Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in ridiculing the idea of expanding the Champions League from 2024 onwards. “The solution you have is to make a year of 400 days – then we can book in another competition,” he said sarcastically. For the first time this season, every club in the Premier League will have a two-week break in February, but Guardiola believes that comes too late after a gruelling festive period. “The big administration people cannot complain because it’s normal this happens,” he added. “Look at the injuries we have had, all the teams have had. That is normal. “With that number of games, players break down. I’m not surprised, I am so sorry for them.” AGENCIES
Sinner, 18, revels in Federer, Nadal praise after first Slam win MELBOURNE AGENCIES
The 18-year-old, a former champion skier before switching to tennis, swept past Australian Max Purcell 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-4 at the Australian Open. The win reinforced Sinner’s credentials after he won the NextGen ATP Finals in Milan last November — a tournament that features the eight best men’s players aged 21 or under. His progress has caught the eye of 20-time
Grand Slam champion Federer, who said: “I think we’ll see so much more from him. He’s an exciting guy and super-sweet kid, which I always love to see.” Rafael Nadal has also taken note. The Spanish world number one said he had seen a lot of promising teenagers fail to live up to their potential, but he felt Sinner was different. “Personally I think that this will not be the case because my feeling he’s a humble guy, he’s a hard worker. I practised with him the other day, he has a
good character on court, he’s positive,” he said. “I see him having a great tennis career. He has everything to achieve a great tennis career. The only thing that he needs to do, in my opinion, is have the right people around and work.” Sinner, the youngest player in the year-end top 80 last year since a 17-year-old Nadal in 2003, said he was honoured by the comments. “What he (Federer) said is nice for me. But, you know, we still have to work,” said Sinner, who was speaking before Nadal lavished praise.
Family to mark Sala’s anniversary in ‘quiet contemplation’ BEUNOS AIRES AGENCIES
The death of Cardiff forward Emiliano Sala in a plane crash a year ago will be marked by his family on Tuesday in “private, quiet contemplation of their loss”, their lawyer said. The 28-year-old striker was killed when the small plane taking him to join the then Premier League side after being bought from French side Nantes for £15 million ($19.5 million, 17.6 million euros) crashed off the Channel island of Guernsey. There are still unresolved issues surrounding the player’s death, such as who was responsible for the crash in which pilot David Ibottson also died, and, above all, the payment of the 17-million-
euro ($18.85 million, 17.6 million euros) fee agreed for his transfer. British aviation accident investigators said Tuesday they would release their final report into the crash by the end of March. In September, football’s world governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff, relegated last year to the Championship, to pay the first instalment of the transfer fee of six million euros. But the Welsh club has taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, whose decision is not expected until June.I The Sala family — who suffered another tragic loss when his father Horacio died of a heart attack three months after his son — said their priority was for a full inquest to take place so they could find out what happened on that fateful night. “The Sala family will mark the an-
niversary of the untimely death of Emiliano in private, quiet contemplation of their loss,” the family’s lawyer in Britain, Daniel Machover, said in a statement. “The family’s primary concern remains for the full inquest to take place as soon as possible, so that they can finally learn the truth about what happened and ensure that no family has to suffer a similar preventable loss of a loved one.” The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said its investigation “is now at an advanced stage and we intend to publish our final report by the end of March 2020.” Sala’s death will be commemorated by supporters in Cardiff on Tuesday and Nantes will remember their former player on Sunday when they play another of his former clubs, Bordeaux.
CMYK
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
SPORTS 15
kusal Mendis leads sri lanka’s steady proGress hARARE
s
AGENCIES
RI LANKA advanced unconvincingly in the first session of day three, routinely playing and missing, as well as providing Zimbabwe with several run-out opportunities. That they lost only the wicket of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, however, will have them hoping that a first-innings lead - still 235 runs away might still be established. At the break, they had Kusal Mendis batting on 43 off 103 deliveries, and Angelo Mathews on 14 off 44. Zimbabwe’s bowlers posed a challenge from the very first ball of the day, when Kyle Jarvis got Karunaratne to push and miss at a ball outside off stump. Sri
Lanka’s batsmen were quick to put away loose deliveries too - Karunaratne hitting an overpitched delivery down the ground for four that same over, but the hosts were mostly disciplined, and their quicks appeared to be finding more lateral movement off this surface than Sri Lanka’s seamers had managed. Although the experienced Jarvis and Donald Tiripano, who opened the bowling on Tuesday, set the tone for Zimbabwe’s bowling effort, it was debutant Victor Nyauchi that delivered the best spell of the morning, frequently moving the ball away from the right-hander. He had Karunaratne caught for 37, flicking uppishly to short midwicket, where another debutant Ainsley Ndlovu took an excellent low catch. Soon after, Nyauchi also raised a strong lbw appeal against
Qatar, FiFa publish World cup rights pledges SpORtS dESk Qatar and FIFA published Tuesday the first jointly issued legacy planning strategy ahead of a football World Cup, with pledges on labour and LGBT rights alongside protections for activists and journalists. Qatar has faced intense scrutiny from rights groups over its treatment of migrant labourers working on construction projects ahead of the 2022 tournament as well as its laws criminalising homosexual acts. The 112-page “Sustainability Strategy” also sets out commitments on making the tournament inclusive for groups including the disabled, boosting economic development, protecting the environment and promoting ethical business practices. “A total of 22 objectives have been described in detail, together with more than 70 concrete initiatives and programmes to deliver the strategy,” FIFA and the Qatari Supreme Committee organisers said in a statement. On workers’ rights, the document said Qatar would promote “decent working and living conditions and fair recruitment, including effective access” to remedial measures. “Efforts include measures to protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all the associated workers, especially migrant workers in Qatar, and to avoid any forced and child labour.” Gulf analyst James Dorsey said the strategy “puts pressure on Qatar by definition”. “Qatar may very well welcome this and they have been involved in drafting this document,” he said. “It helps them project themselves as standing up for human rights and values.” But Dorsey warned that while “FIFA has these lofty principles” it was unclear how their implementation would be monitored. The strategy also contains a pledge to certify all stadiums and permanent offices under rigorous Global Sustainability Assessment System criteria to minimise environmental impacts. Organisers will also improve “sustainable building standards and tools in Qatar” while seeking to use green building materials where possible, the document said.
Kusal Mendis, who was batting on 35 at the time. It certainly wasn’t a plumb lbw, but there could have been few complaints if Mendis had been given out. Mendis could also have been run out shortly before lunch, had Prince Masvaure collected cleanly and thrown down the stumps, after Angelo Mathews had called Mendis through for a quick single that the non-striker was not keen on. The penultimate over of the session also saw Mathews struggle against Jarvis. In the last over, Zimbabwe did sustain a worrying injury to Kevin Kasuza. Fielding at short leg, Kasuza copped a full-blooded pull shot from Mendis on the helmet. Although initially he seemed fine, he seemed groggy a few seconds after the blow was sustained, and exited the field with the physiotherapist.
LuNch SrI LANkA 124 FOr 2 (MeNDIS 43*, MATheWS 14*, NyAuchI 1-26) TrAIL ZIMbAbWe (ervINe 85, eMbuLDeNIyA 5-114) 358 by 234 ruNS
Shoulder injury rules Shikhar Dhawan out of New Zealand T20Is WELLINgtON AGENCIES
India opener has been ruled out of the upcoming five-T20I series in New Zealand because of the shoulder injury he picked up during the third ODI against Australia . Dhawan did not travel with the India squad that left for Auckland on Monday and the selectors have not named a replacement yet. Dhawan fell awkwardly on his left shoulder while diving to stop a drive from Aaron Finch at coverpoint in the fifth over of Australia’s innings in the series decider. He soon left the field clutching his shoulder, and in India’s chase as he was
rushed to a hospital during the match for X-rays. The Hindu reported that Dhawan had hurt the AC joint on the shoulder which is between the collar bone and shoulder blade. He was later spotted in the Indian dressing room with his arm in a sling as India won by seven wickets. The T20I series begins on January 24, and will be followed by a series of three ODIs from February 5. In case Dhawan doesn’t recover in time for those games, India have the option of picking up any of Sanju Samson, Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw, all of whom are already in New Zealand with the India A squad for a three-match one-day series that begins on Wednesday. Shub-
man Gill, who made his ODI debut in New Zealand last year, is also in in the country with the A squad. Of the four, Samson is the only one with a T20I cap (two of them), and even played a game against Sri Lanka earlier this month before being left out of the New Zealand series because of the return of Rohit Sharma, who was rested earlier. That should make Samson the frontrunner as replacement, but Shaw could also be in contention after his 100-ball 150 in a 50-over against a New Zealand XI on Sunday. Agarwal scored 32 and 8 in the two-warm-ups, Shaw played only the second one after recovering from an injury, while Gill scored 24 and 50, and Samson scored 4 in the first game.
LAHORE: Rangers all set for looking after security at Qaddafi Stadium for the upcoming Pakistan-Bangladesh T20. Photo by Zubair MehfooZ
Why was Sana Mir given the axe? LAhORE AGENCIES
You’d expect to be an automatic choice in most Pakistan women’s squads. But when the 15-member squad for the women’s T20 World Cup on Monday, there was no place in it for the former captain, and chief selector justified the decision by pointing to the 34-year-old’s loss of form. The numbers: Mir has averaged 27.81 with 22 wickets in 27 T20Is over the last two years. As a straight comparison, fellow spinner has had a much more productive time in this period, averaging 18.04 in 20 T20Is. In the recent domestic T20 Women’s Championship, Anam was the leading wicket-taker with seven strikes at 13.71, while Mir managed four wickets at 30.25. Anam also picked up five wickets at 9.40 against Bangladesh late last year. “Unfortunately, Sana’s present form in T20 cricket hasn’t been great and we have taken into consideration two internationals series and domestic tournaments,” Mumtaz said. “There can be no doubt about her achievements, and the fact that she has been an inspiration in the sport. Her experience is unmatched but now we have an expanding pool of players and we have to pick players who are per-
forming consistently. “We’ve never had such a rich pool, so we have to look towards younger players. The average age of this side is 24, and that’s very exciting. The team has been selected keeping in mind current form and performances along with the conditions in Australia. Women cricketers have limited opportunities as compared to men to exhibit their form and Sana in the last series against Bangladesh hasn’t done a great deal, and later missed the England series. All we had was the domestic tournament in which she almost had an economy of ten in the first two games.” Last year, Mir skipped a chunk of the home series against Bangladesh, instead going to America on a personal visit. She returned to play the second T20I, and conceded 35 runs in four overs, before being left
out of the last game. She played two ODIs against Bangladesh in Lahore and then took a surprise break from the all-important series against England in Malaysia, saying that she wanted to “reset her future objectives and targets”. Shortly before the squad was announced on Monday, Mir posted a cryptic tweet: “Don’t blame a clown for acting like a clown. Ask yourself why you keep going to the circus.” Make of that what you will. It’s true that while Mir’s exclusion might have been a surprise to casual followers of the game, relations between her and the Pakistan management haven’t been especially cordial of late. She was removed from the captaincy in 2017 and the then women’s general manger Shamsa Hashmi that she had been trying to control Mir’s “manoeuvring and hegemony by counselling”. Her captaincy was severely criticised by Shamsa, who accused her of taking “shocking on-field decisions”. Then, later, Pakistan’s winless 2017 World Cup campaign ended with head coach Sabih Azhar of adopting a “negative approach” and being “completely self-obsessed”. After this latest development, one wonders whether Mir, now 34, will be able to add to her 106 T20I and 120 ODI appearances.
CMYK
tendulkar, Walsh to coach aussie bushfire relief match
MELBOURNE: Sachin Tendulkar and will coach the Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne teams respectively in the Bushfire Cricket Bash on February 8. The bushfire relief match will take place ahead of the Big Bash final with the venue to be confirmed on January 31 after the Qualifier is played with the winning team hosting the final. Before that double-header, the Australia and India women’s teams will play their triseries match in Melbourne and it could be the city hosts the trio of matches if the Melbourne Stars secure the BBL final at the MCG. Alongside Ponting and Warner, Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke have confirmed they will take part in the match. “We are absolutely honoured to be welcoming Sachin and Courtney back to Australia where they both enjoyed a lot of success as players, and we can’t wait to have them involved in what is going to be a special day,” the Cricket Australia CEO, Kevin Roberts, said. AGENCIES
united charged by Fa over players’ misconduct in liverpool defeat SpORtS dESk Manchester United have been charged by the Football Association (FA) over misconduct of their players in the 2-0 defeat by runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool. United’s players surrounded referee Craig Pawson midway through the first-half on Sunday after Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk challenged goalkeeper David de Gea. Roberto Firmino subsequently scored, but his goal was ruled out following a VAR review of Van Dijk’s clash with the Spanish goalkeeper. De Gea dropped the ball which the defence failed to clear allowing Firmino to take advantage and score. “Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20(a),” read the FA statement. “It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 26th minute of the Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on Sunday (19/01/20).” A furious De Gea led United protests, rushing over to Pawson to vent his frustration. The Spaniard, who was booked for his actions, was joined by a number of his team-mates in surrounding Pawson. Van Dijk had already opened the scoring for Liverpool prior to the incident and Mohamed Salah added a second in time added on to extend Liverpool’s lead over Manchester City to 16 points — United trail by 30 points. United have until Thursday to respond to the charge.
Wednesday, 22 January, 2020
NEWS
SC rejeCtS PIA CeO ArShAd MAlIk'S APPeAl tO reMAIn On POSt ISLAmABAD
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Gen Bajwa assures Ajk president of army's commitment to kashmir cause RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday assured Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan of Pakistan Army’s full support and commitment to the Kashmir cause and its people. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the assurance was reiterated when Khan called on the COAS at General Headquarters (GHQ) here. During the meeting, matters pertaining to mutual interest, particularly the situation on the Line of Control (LOC) and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK), were discussed. “We will continue our struggle for the support of Kashmiri people,” the ISPR quoted the army chief as saying.
STAFF REPORT
HE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday rejected an appeal filed by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal Arshad Malik to remain on the post while raising suspicions on the appointment of 10 officers of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the national flag carrier. The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, called into question the appointments of four air vice marshals, two air commodores, three wing commanders and one flight lieutenant in the national airline. “How can Arshad Malik make such appointments when he himself is appointed on deputation?” questioned the top judge. The bench also noted that another case pertaining to the PIA chief’s ap-
COURT QUESTIONS APPOINTMENTS OF FOUR AVMS, TWO AIR COMMODORES, THREE WING COMMANDERS AND ONE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT IN NATIONAL CARRIER pointment was already being heard in the apex court. Malik had filed a petition in the SC, requesting a stay order against a Sindh High Court (SHC) order, which restrained him from working as PIA’s chief executive. During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who was part of the bench hearing the case, said: “We want to see if the advertisement of PIA CEO’s post was designed with Arshad Malik in mind as he does not have the pre-requisite qualification, education or the expertise required for the job.” Justice Shah also raised concerns over reports that a bid worth Rs70 million was awarded to a retired air com-
Food security minister says there's no shortage of wheat
trump says following kashmir issue ‘closely’ as Imran seeks US mediation coNtINuED fRom PAgE 01 On the sidelines, Prime Minister Imran will hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, the most significant of which is his meeting with President Trump. The premier will also hold meetings with a number of corporate, technology, finance and business representatives of international financial institutions. In addition, he will address senior international media persons and editors during a session with WEF’s International Media Council, say official sources. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the forum where political leaders, business executives, heads of international organisations and civil society representatives will “deliberate on contemporary economic, geopolitical, social and environmental issues.”
modore and said that the “fares of PIA had increased by 100 per cent” since Malik’s appointment. “You are running the national airline’s affairs like those of a family business […] How can you manage PIA when you failed Shaheen Airways miserably?” he remarked. The SC rejected Malik’s plea and handed the reins of PIA to the board of governors. The bench summoned the record of the case which is currently being heard in the SHC and adjourned the hearing until two weeks. THE CASE: Earlier on Jan 1, a petition challenging Malik’s appointment was filed in the SHC by Safdar Anjum, the general secretary of one of the asso-
ciations of PIA senior staff/employee. The petitioner stated that Air Marshal Malik was a senior serving officer of the PAF whose appointment as the PIA chief was made in utter disregard of rules laid down by the apex court in its August 3, 2018 judgment against the appointment of the then CEO. He maintained that the appointment was also made in violation of the Public Sector Companies (Corporate Governance) Rules of 2013 and Public Sector Companies (Appointment of Chief Executive) Guidelines of 2015 as both the laws were applicable to the PIA. He added that clearly Malik lacked any qualifications, experience in the commercial airline industry or operating a commercial fleet under the civil aviation rules and international treaties. Anjum insisted that he was filing the petition for the “enforcement of fundamental rights of all members of the association and the general public” since the PIA was a national asset.
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National Food Security and Research Minister Khusro Bakhtiar on Tuesday told the Senate that there was no shortage of wheat in the country as four million tonnes of the commodity were available in the public sector, as a flour crisis emerged a few days ago. Winding the debate on flour and wheat crises in Pakistan, the minister said that the artificial crisis came about as a result of a disturbance in the supply chain. Bakhtiar highlighted that a mechanism was evolved with the
collaboration of provincial governments to overcome the current artificial wheat and flour crisis in the country. He said that there was no shortage of wheat reserves in the country and that wheat supply had been increased to the provinces to cater to the existing crisis. “Wheat supply to Sindh had been enhanced to 10,000-12,000 tonnes daily from the stock of Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). “Similarly, around 5000 tonnes of wheat is also being supplied to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a daily basis from the government and pri-
vate sector stock,” the minister said. Bakhtiar added that the price of flour was gradually decreasing in Sindh, Punjab and KPK. He said the Sindh government’s failure to timely lift wheat from the PASSCO, and the recent goods transporters strike had caused the artificial crisis in the province. He said the Sindh government had failed to procure “even a single grain of wheat” this year even though its target was set at 700,000 tonnes. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was receiving 2,000 tonnes of wheat every day while Sindh was lifting only 150 tonnes, the minister added. He said the federal government had approved 400,000 tonnes of wheat for Sindh, but the province had only lifted around 100,000 tonnes. The minister also said that by the end of the season, 850,000 tonnes of wheat in stock will be available next year. The minister said the government had increased the wheat support price to Rs1,365 from Rs1,300 per 40 kilograms. He added that the government had set a target of eight million tonnes of wheat procurement for the next year.
lahore marts reject new govt rates NEWS DESK Lahore supermarkets have decided to go on a strike to protest a revision in the prices of essential food items, saying the marts cannot sell these products at a lower price when they have already paid higher prices for these items. The reaction came after the government issued a new pricelist that saw a downward trend in the prices of the essential food items, such as lentils, rice, flour, ghee, and sugar. According to an owner quoted by a local media outlet, these food items will not be available at these marts for the time being as “it was not possible for these stores to sell essential items at low prices” when they were being bought at much higher prices. Supermarket owners of the Superstore Grocery Association have said that they will only reduce their prices if the government provides them these essentials at subsidised rates. According to them, the strike will last till the government takes back its notification on the pricelist.
CII to 'review' Zindagi Tamasha, Sarmad Khoosat asked to postpone release ISLAmABAD STAFF REPORT
The federal government has decided to approach the Council of Islamic Ideology (CCI) to seek guidance after the Tehreeke-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) threatened countrywide protests against a Sarmad Khoosat film, Zindagi Tamasha. The film, approved by all three censor boards of the country, stirred a controversy after the radical Islamist party took an ‘offence’ to it, citing absurd reasons. The film director took them to the court, pleading the film was approved by the censor board, but the TLP was “trying to interfere with the smooth running, public screening/releasing” of the movie. Meanwhile, the Punjab and Sindh provincial governments blocked the release of Zindagi Tamasha in their respective provinces, citing potential public unrest. “If the film is released for public
KHOOSAT FILMMAKERS HAD MOVED COURT AGAINST TLP FOR MEDDLING WITH RELEASE OF MOVIE exhibition, it may create unrest within the religious segment of the society and may deteriorate and be detrimental to the peaceful circumstances in the country,” read a notice issued by the Sindh Board of Film Censors (SBFC). The board advised all cinema exhibitors and distributors to avoid the film’s exhibition “till further decision” by it. Hours after the notifications were reported, a pamphlet attributed to the TLP’s publications wing, announced the party’s decision to defer the protests in light of the government’s move to stop the film’s release. However, in an apparent capitulation to the TLP, again, the federal government
asked the filmmaker to halt the release of his movie. In a tweet, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the Central Board of Film Censors notified the filmmakers not to release the film and decided to approach the Council of Islamic Ideology to deliberate over the matter. KHOOSAT FILMS FILES PLEA AGAINST TLP: Earlier in the day, Khoosat Films Private Limited filed a petition in a Lahore civil court against the TLP for “trying to interfere with the smooth running, public screening/releasing” of the movie Zindagi Tamasha. In the petition, Irfan urged the court
to “[restrain] the defendant permanently from interfering into the peaceful releasing/public screening of above-named film on big screen/cinema in all over Pakistan illegally, unlawfully”. The petition says that by releasing Zindagi Tamasha, Khoosat Films aimed to “bring the soft image of the society among the public at large, to reduce the stress from the minds of peoples (sic) of the country and to promote the positivity in the society”. It further points out that the movie had been cleared for release by all censor boards in the country. “The defendant (TLP) who has no concern whatsoever with the above-said film is trying to interfere with the smooth running public screening/releasing of the above-mentioned film in cinema screen all around the country without any lawful justification,” the petition read. The petition has named Sindh Film Censor Board, Punjab Film Censor Board
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and Markazi Film Censor Board as respondents. It has been clarified, however, that the censor boards were “mere [proforma] defendants and the plaintiff has not claimed (sic) any relief against them”. Judge Ziaur Rehman later issued notices to all respondents to appear before the court on Wednesday to present their arguments. Last week, the filmmaker had addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, claiming — without taking names — that there were attempts to stop his film from releasing despite it being cleared by the central censor board. On Sunday, he posted another open letter, this time addressed to “my beloved Pakistan and Pakistanis”, questioning whether he should withdraw Zindagi Tamasha or not. He clarified in his letters that the film did not contain any objectionable content and had already been cleared by the censor boards.