E-PAPER PDF 29 FEBUARY 2020 (KHI)

CMYK

Saturday, 29 February, 2020 I 04 Rajab, 1441 I Rs 17.00 I Vol X No 241 I 16 Pages I Karachi Edition

Over 20 killed in Sukkur train-buS cOlliSiOn g

RaIlwayS MInIStRy BlaMeS BuS dRIveR FoR aCCIdent, SayS PaSSengeRS tRavellIng on tRaIn weRe unhaRMed lahore staff report

a

t least 20 people were killed and scores received injuries after a Rawalpindi-bound passenger train, Pakistan express, rammed into a bus at a railway crossing near Rohri in Sukkur division. according to Sukkur Commissioner Shafiq Mahesar, the injured, that included women and children, were shifted to taluka hospital Rohri and Civil hospital Sukkur.

“It is a huge tragedy and all administration and police officials are rushing to the site,” said the commissioner. “It was an unmanned railway crossing as nothing existed

US and Taliban set to sign deal to end Afghanistan war

STORY ON BACK PAGE

Pakistan will allow gradual return of pilgrims from Iran, says govt STORY ON PAGE 02

Facebook, Google, Twitter snub PTI govt over social media rules STORY ON PAGE 03

FBR shortfall reaches Rs208bn in eight months STORY ON PAGE 11

PM says masses won’t become victim of corruption, incompetence

STORY ON PAGE 03

CMYK

g

SIndh CM takeS notICe oF InCIdent, IMPoSeS MedICal eMeRgenCy In SukkuR

there to prevent any traffic,” he added, fearing that the death toll could rise. “the rescue operation is underway. we are searching roads till 1 kilometer from the accident site,” said the commissioner. the traffic on the Punjab-Sindh track has also been suspended till the track is cleared of the rubble.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed the Sukkur commissioner to dispatch rescue teams to the area. the CM also called for an emergency to be declared at all hospitals in khairpur, and directed the authorities concerned to ensure ample medicines and blood for those injured in the incident.

‘BUS DRIVER AT FAULT’: Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed blamed the bus driver for the accident as he expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. a railways ministry spokesperson said that the train’s engine was damaged in the collision, while the assistant driver sustained injuries, adding that the passengers on the train remained safe. he added that the federal government inspector of railways (FgIR) will investigate the incident. according to the spokesperson there are “2,470 unmanned crossings” in the country and the department has asked the provincial governments several times to depute personnel to avoid any untoward incident.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

CMYK Saturday, 29 February, 2020

02 NEWS

Pakistan will allow gradual return of Pilgrims from iran, says govt isLaMaBaD

s

Staff RepoRt

PECIAL Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Friday said that the government will gradually allow Pakistani zaireens [pilgrims] returning from Iran in batches after a full health screening.

The decision was made after reviewing the situation at the Taftan-Zahedan border, he said, adding the point of entry was being strengthened.

Meanwhile, Taftan Assistant Commissioner Najibullah Qambrani said that the border between Iran and Pakistan has been temporarily opened to allow for one-way traffic into the country. Around 250-300 Pakistanis stuck in Iran are being allowed to return, he said, adding that those returning include pilgrims among other Pakistani citizens, he said. He added that the citizens were stuck in Iran and their visas were expiring.

“Those entering Pakistan from Iran are being screened. The pilgrims will def-

IHC GRILLS PTI GOVT, ORDERS DR MIRZA, ZULFI BUKHARI TO MEET PARENTS OF STUDENTS STRANDED IN CHINA initely be kept under quarantine. They will be allowed to leave after proper screening has been done,” Qambrani said.

On Wednesday, Pakistan recorded its first two cases of coronavirus, with one each being in Karachi and Islamabad. The patients had returned recently from Iran.

Dr Mirza said that the two patients were stable and their condition was improving.

“Contacts traced until now and tested are all negative,” he added.

Separately, the Sindh health department cleared the family of Pakistan’s first confirmed coronavirus patient after screening. The 22-year-old had arrived in Karachi on February 20, indicating that there were chances that the thermal screening machines at the airports for those entering the country may not have worked after all. The machines are supposed to immediately detect higher-than-

usual body temperature.

‘MEET PARENTS OF STUDENTS’: Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed Dr Mirza and Zulfi Bukhari, special assistant to the prime minister on Overseas Pakistanis, to meet parents of the students stuck in China due to coronavirus outbreak.

Hearing the case pertaining to the return of the students quarantined in China, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed displeasure when the health ministry representative told it about the formation of a committee to assist the parents.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked, “Do not tell the court about the committee. Why is the government of Pakistan irresponsible? The affectees are complaining continuously. It is the duty of the federal cabinet to solve the matter, not the foreign ministry.

Why should not some federal ministers be sent to China on a visit?”

The foreign ministry representative maintained that the government is waiting for a fresh report from China and the cabinet will make a decision in the light of that report. The lawyer representing parents of the stranded students argued that there was a clear difference between the statements of the students and the government, and took the stance that the court should issue an order in this case

China will not send ducks to tackle locusts in Pakistan: expert

Govt ready to tackle coronavirus, Senate told PTI SENATOR SAYS NAP DEVELOPED TO PREVENT CORONAVIRUS FROM SPREADING IN PAKISTAN isLaMaBaD Staff RepoRt

Leader of the House in Senate Syed Shibli Faraz on Friday said that a National Action Plan for coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and management has been developed.

Responding to point raised by the opposition, the leader of the House said that one of the cases was reported from Karachi and other one from Islamabad but both the patients were in stable condition now. More than 120 samples have been tested since February 1, he added.

Faraz said that the government was on high alert over possible spread of novel coronavirus from China, Iran and other affected countries.

He said that a high-level multi-sectoral national task force of International Health Regulation (IHR) 2005 was convened on January 20 to review the state of preparedness and identify gaps in the country for different core capacities of IHR. Under the chairmanship of special assistant to prime minister, the National Core Committee was regularly monitoring the situation and preparedness measures, he added.

He also said that sporadic suspected cases, which were being identified by the airports, ground crossing and referred cases, were investigated by NIH

teams and Provincial Diseases Surveillance and Response Units (DSRUS).

He added that a total of 80,994 cases have been reported with a total of 2,762 deaths. More than 99 per cent of the cases were reported from the mainland China, he added.

He said that cases have been reported from a least 38 other countries.

Moreover, Faraz said that field epidemiologists have been deployed at Disease Surveillance Response Units for contact tracing.

He said that the mechanism for screening of all the passengers traveling at all the international airport, land crossings and seaport from other countries, especial those from China and Iran, has been reviewed and has been strengthened through provision of additional logistics i.e, equipment, human resource, PPE and trainings.

Standard guidelines and SOPs have been developed by the ministry for screening of the cases and has been shared with the all the stakeholders, he said. He also said that special counters have been established at all the major international airports of Pakistan at arrival terminals where health declaration forms with travel history to china, Iran or other affected countries and their contact details of all travelers, were being enforced for identification of the

Shehbaz seeks emergency CCI session to discuss anti-coronavirus measures News Desk Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that it was disappointing that the government did not prepare a clear strategy to tackle coronavirus in the country and called for an emergency session of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss measures to protect citizens from the virus.

He urged the government to initiate a campaign for the safety and security of the citizens. He also called on all parties to play a responsible role to ensure that the citizens of Pakistan remain protected from the virus.

Referring to the growing shortage of respiratory masks in the

country, the PML-N president said that companies who manufacture masks and make medicines should play a positive role in this crisis and should refrain from making profits at the cost of people’s lives. “To make a profit at the cost of human lives is the biggest injustice,” he said.

“The government should ensure masks are distributed for free or at a minimal cost,” he added.

Saying that no risks could be afforded when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus, he said that there was a growing concern that the crisis will not be dealt with as the government had proven to be negligent when dealing with polio and dengue viruses.

also if it can summon a prime minister.

Justice Athar Minallah said, “The situation is complicated and the decision is to be taken by the government. This is a court and there is no expert here who can solve this matter. The petition is only being heard to satisfy the parents.”

The IHC declared that a four-member team comprising the counsels of the parents will meet Dr Mirza, Zulfi Bukhari and cabinet secretary. The hearing was adjourned till March 6.

suspected passengers by health officials and providing risk communication.

He said that hospitals in all the major cities of Pakistan have been identified for isolation of suspected patients and isolation room/wards have been established.

Diagnostic facilities have been made available at NIH and at Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and Lahore, he said.

Public Health Emergency Operation Centre has been activated under the umbrella of Ministry of NHSRC for reviewing the situation on daily basis, risk assessment and follow-up of the case, he added. He said that public awareness messages have been developed and aired health helpline for COVID-19 was being established. Dedicated staff was following up with passengers through dedicated telephonic mechanism on regular basis, he added.

Regarding COVID-19 preparedness measures in Balochistan, Faraz said that for coordination, a high-level meeting was held on February 24 at NIH to discuss the preparedness measures for COVID-19 in the country.

The meeting was chaired by the SAPM/minister of state for health and attended by the provincial chief secretaries/ health secretaries besides representation from Pakistan Army.

In order to strengthen ground crossing at Taftan, Chaman and Torkham borders, the Balochistan Government has imposed emergency at bordering areas of Baluchistan with Iran, he said.

He said that the movement of all the incoming and outgoing passengers was being closely at Taftan border, while the border was being closed and school vacation have been extended Quarantine facility has been established with provision of additional staff at these borders.

A team of NIH has been deputed for quick assessment of Taftan, Chaman and Torkham borders, he added.

He also said that necessary kits have also been provided besides training of technical staff for provincial public health lab, Quetta. Provision of thermal scanners, if required for these areas was under consideration, he added.

Faraz said that mobile molecular and diagnostic lab was available at NIH to be deployed if required. Capacity building of the different cadres of staff on rapid response, contact tracing, risk communication, he, said.

Earlier speaking in the House, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan Swati urged the chair to convert the House into Committee of the Whole so that Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza could brief the senators.

Leader of the Opposition Raja Zafarul Haq said that there should be proper planning for meeting of the committee of the Whole.

Over 20 killed in Sukkur train-bus collision CoNtiNueD oN page 03 Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed grief over the loss of life and directed the Sindh government to provide medical treatment to the injured, said a spokesperson.

“Train accidents are a question mark over the federal government’s performance,” the PPP chief was quoted as saying.

“After how many accidents will Imran Khan, who used to talk about resignations after a single accident happened, go home?”

TIMELINE OF TRAIN ACCIDENTS: On Oct 31, seventy-four people were killed after the Tezgam Express caught fire near Rahim Yar Khan. The fire spread to three bogies of the moving train. It was heading to Rawalpindi from Karachi and was near the Tanwari Railway Station when the fire

CMYK

erupted. Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had claimed that the incident took place due to gas cylinders carried by tableeghi jamaat members.

Below are the train accidents to take place since Sept 2018: September 16, 2018: Nine bogies of the Peshawar-bound Khushal Khan Khattak Express from Karachi derailed near Attock.

20 passengers were injured.

September 27, 2018: Another Peshawar-bound train derailed in which 11 bogies overturned in Sehwan, Sindh.

December 18, 2018: 12 children were injured as a passenger train crashed into a school van near Narowal, Punjab. Local witnesses said the accident happened due to dense fog and because the gate at the crossing was left open.

June 9, 2019: Twenty-three bogies of a Karachi-bound freight train derailed in

BEIJING: China will not be sending ducks to Pakistan to chomp through a plague of locusts after all, an expert from Beijing’s troubleshooting team has said. A report in the Ningbo Evening News had said 100,000 ducks would be sent from Zhejiang province to Pakistan to deal with its worst locust invasion in two decades, generating 520m views on China’s Weibo social media platform on Thursday and thousands of comments. China deployed ducks, whose natural diet includes insects, to fight a similar infestation in the northwestern Xinjiang region two decades ago, reportedly with considerable effectiveness.

Despite the popular support for the idea in a country where cute duck memes have become hugely popular, Zhang Long, a professor from China Agricultural University told reporters in Pakistan the ducks would not be suited to the conditions there.

“Ducks rely on water, but in Pakistan’s desert areas, the temperature is very high,” Zhang said. Zhang, part of a delegation of Chinese experts sent to help the south Asian country combat the locusts, advised the use of chemical or biological pesticides instead. The locusts have already caused extensive damage in east Africa and India.

Locust swarms can fly up to 150km (90 miles) a day with the wind, and eat as much in one day as about 35,000 people.

The Ningbo Evening News had quoted Lu Lizhi, a researcher from the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Agricultural Technology, as saying the use of ducks was much less expensive and environmentally damaging than pesticides. agencieS

Sukkur. June 20, 2019: Three people were killed when a passenger train collided with a stationary cargo train at Makli Shah, near Hyderabad.

July 11, 2019: At least 24 people died when the Akbar Express had a parked cargo train at the Walhaar Station near Sadiqabad. August 30, 2019: At least 12 people were injured when three coaches of Karachi-bound Rehman Baba Express, along with their locomotive, derailed near Toba Tek Singh. October 4, 2019: At least two passengers were injured when two bogies of Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed at the Taxila railway station.

October 21, 2019: 73 killed in Tezgam train inferno near Rahim Yar Khan after a cylinder bursts.

It may be mentioned here that while negligence and incompetence of railways authorities are responsible for most major train accidents, violations of rules and regulations by passengers also become the reason behind accidents that affect both the perpetrators and other innocent lives.

CMYK Saturday, 29 February, 2020

NEWS

03

faCebook, google, twitter snub Pti govt over soCial media rules TECH GIANTS THREATEN TO LEAVE PAKISTAN ALTOGETHER IF IMRAN GOVT IMPOSES TIGHT CENSORSHIP DEMANDS News Desk Facebook, Google, and Twitter have mutinied over the strict censorship rules due to be implemented by Pakistan and are threatening to leave the country altogether. As reported by the New York Times, the tech giants’ anger is directed at Pakistan’s Citizens Protection Rules (Against Online Harm), a recently-revealed set of tight censorship demands.

The rules laid out by the government would give authorities the power to demand social media platforms remove any content they deem questionable within 24 hours. Pakistan has proposed the creation of a “National Coordinator” office to monitor these services.

In addition, social media platforms must provide a way to prevent the live streaming of “online content related to terrorism, extremism, hate speech,

defamation, fake news, incitement to violence and national security.”

Within three months of the new rules coming into play, companies such as Facebook and Twitter must also open up permanent offices in the country, establish one or more local servers to store data in Pakistan, and must also agree to “remove, suspend or disable access to such account, online content of citizens of Pakistan residing outside its territorial boundaries and posts on online content that are involved in spreading of fake news or defamation and violates or affects the religious, cultural, ethnic, or national security sensitivities of Pakistan.” The proposed rules also give the government the right to block a social network if they refuse to comply or impose fines of up to five hundred million rupees (approximately $6.9m).

Critics argue that such wide-reaching powers are designed to curb free speech

and impose censorship, and it seems that Facebook, Twitter, and Google agree.

The organizations are part of the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), a trade association discussing issues of internet innovation and regulation in the region. In response to Pakistan’s rules, the organization said, “the rules as currently written would make it extremely difficult for AIC Members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses.” In other words, upwards of 70 million residents could find themselves not only unable to access Facebook and Twitter, but also make use of Google’s range of services, widely used by businesses across the world.

“AIC members recognize Pakistan’s strong potential, but the sudden announcement of these rules belies the government of Pakistan’s claims that it is open for business and investment,” the complaint reads. “As no other country has announced such a sweeping set of rules, Pakistan risks becoming a global outlier, needlessly isolating and depriving Pakistani users and businesses of the growth potential of the Internet economy.”

The AIC added that it wished to work

PM says masses won't become victim of corruption, incompetence isLaMaBaD

P

Staff RepoRt

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Friday said the government would not allow anybody to put the burden of corruption and administrative mismanagement in institutions on the common man. The prime minister was chairing a meeting to review the impact of the subsidies in various sectors to provide relief to the low-income and downtrodden segments of the society.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Energy Omar Ayub, Minister for Planning Asad Omar,

Adviser on Commerce Abdur Razak Dawood, Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and high officials.

The meeting was briefed about the provision of subsidies by the government in energy, food and fertilizers sectors, besides the Ehsaas programme for social protection, provision of the amount and its usage to increase exports, and promotion of higher education.

The prime minister said apart from the provision of subsidy, it should be ensured that the amount provided should be utilized for the specific pur-

pose, and was fruitful for the people concerned. He also stressed the need to review the effects of the subsidies.

The PM expressed satisfaction over the success of the staff-level agreement with the International Monitory Fund (IMF), saying the IMF’s “trust in the government’s economic policies and its direction, with protection to the people in the current fiscal year was the success of government”.

He directed the Energy Division to fully concentrate on busting big power thieves, besides taking action against the people involved in illegal profiteering so that the people could be protected from electricity theft, flaws in the sys-

with the government of Pakistan to come up with more appropriate solutions to online data and content management, without risking the “crippling” of Pakistan’s emerging digital economy.

By threatening to leave altogether, the companies may be attempting to pile pressure on Pakistan’s government to

tem and exploitation.

The meeting was told that the basic purpose of providing subsidies by the government was to provide relief to the low-income segments of the society, promotion of industries, and to access to the higher education.

It was also informed that as a whole Rs 251bn subsidy was being provided to the energy sector. About Rs162bn had been allocated for the current fiscal year to provide subsidy to those domestic consumers who utilized up to 300 electricity units.

Similarly, Rs8.5bn was earmarked to provide subsidy for tube wells (agriculture) in Balochistan while Rs18bn was being provided to the people of merged tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs3bn to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Rs25bn to the K-Electric. To provide electricity and gas to the industrial sector at reasonable rates, Rs 10 billion and Rs 24 billion had been allocated.

Youth tortured to death for ‘polluting’ tube-well water SALEEM MASIH, 22, WAS BATHING IN A TUBE-WELL WHEN HE WAS ALLEGEDLY TORTURED BY LOCAL LANDOWNERS IN CHUNIAN VILLAGE ON FEB 25 LaHoRe Staff RepoRt

A Christian labourer, who was brutally tortured by local landowners in Kasur three days ago on accusations that he had ‘polluted’ their tube-well water by bathing in it, succumbed to his injuries on Friday, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Saleem Masih, 22, was brought to the General Hospital in a critical condition on Thursday from Chunian tehsil, his family said.

“On Feb 25, Saleem had finished unloading chaff in fields in Baguyana village and was rinsing himself off in the tubewell when a group of men, including Sher Dogar, Iqbal, Altaf, Jabbar and Haji Muhammad rushed over, yanked him out of the water and began beating him,” Saleem’s father Ghafoor Masih said.

“They cursed and abused Saleem for ‘polluting’ the water, calling him a ‘filthy Christian,’” Masih claimed, adding that the assailants then dragged the youth to their cattle farm, where they chained his hands and feet and continued to torture him with sticks and rods. “They also rolled a thick iron rod over Saleem’s entire body, causing multiple fractures and internal injuries.”

Ghafoor said that the family was informed about the incident by police officials four hours after his son was taken hostage and tortured.

“When we reached the cattle farm, we found Saleem lying unconscious on the ground, his face and body bloodied,” he said. He alleged that according to Dogar and the other men, Saleem had “committed a crime by dirtying” their well water and that his punishment was

“justified”. Masih said that after much pleading, the family was allowed to take Saleem to the hospital while the police acted like spectators.

Accusing the Ila Abad Police of favouring the accused, Pakistan Center for Law and Justice (PCLJ) Executive Director Napolean Qayyum said that police had helped the five men obtain bail after briefly holding them in custody. He said successive governments have failed to reform a deeply corrupt police system that often shows religious prejudice toward minority and marginalized communities. “The police’s attitude is often biased when they deal with matters relating to blasphemy, forced conversions and marriages of girls belonging to minority faiths, and even in minor disputes,” Qayyum said. “In this instance, for example, the police favored the ac-

CMYK

cused and helped them in getting bail even though a young man’s life was at serious risk.”

‘MINDSET RESPONSIBLE FOR FAITH-BASED CRIMES’: Commenting on the incident, Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Aijaz Alam Augustine said that the incident was in his knowledge and stern action would be taken against the perpetrators and the police officials concerned.

“Our first priority was to save the young man’s life and I had directed the hospital authorities to ensure best medical treatment to him. Now the nature of the case has changed and murder charge will be added to the FIR,” he said.

Regarding the family’s claim that their son’s killing was religiously motivated, Augustine said the incident was a result of the mindset that prevails in society. “No law can change such a mindset. The government is trying to promote tolerance for the other faiths but it is an uphill task that cannot be achieved overnight.”

quickly rethink the proposed rules or face protests from the country’s citizens and business owners.

Last year, India proposed a set of new rules in the same vein, prompting the same concerns over free speech. The country is expected to publish these guidelines soon.

federal cabinet okays mushtaq mahar as new sindh ig ISLAMABAD: After weeks-long deadlock with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government, the federal cabinet on Friday approved the appointment of Mushtaq Mahar as the provincial police chief, effectively replacing Dr Syed Kaleem Imam. In an official notification issued by the Establishment Division, Mahar, “a grade 22 officer serving as the inspector general of the Pakistan Railways police, has been transferred and posted as the provincial police officer, government of Sindh, with immediate effect”. In a tweet, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan stated: “The decision has been made after consulting with the Sindh governor and in line with the provincial government’s demands.” “We hope the new IGP will perform his duties keeping aside political affiliations and will ensure peace prevails in the province,” the PM’s aide added. Mahar has also served as Karachi’s police chief in the past. Meanwhile, according to a separate notification issued by the Establishment Division, Imam has been transferred and posted as the National Highways and Motorways Police inspector general with immediate effect. On January 27, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to replace Imam during a one-on-one meeting with the premier. The prime minister had given a “positive response” to the CM’s request. The shift in the federal government’s stance came after Islamabad had categorically told the Sindh government that it could not unilaterally repatriate or transfer IG Imam. The matter had been a bone of contention between the federal government and the PPP government in Sindh for months, with the provincial government earlier recommending Imam’s removal claiming he had failed to perform satisfactorily. Staff RepoRt

04 KARACHI

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

WEATHER UPDATES SATURDAY

300C 190C

SUNDAY

300C 180C

MONDAY

310C 180C

TUESDAY

310C 190C

Sindh govT faceS RS144bn ShoRTfall in fedeRal Revenue TRanSfeRS: cM KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the provincial government is facing a shortfall of Rs144 billion in the federal revenue transfers, therefore the development endeavors made all over Sindh have been affected badly.

This he said while presiding over three different meetings here at CM House on Friday to review ongoing district development portfolio of Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar.

There are 13 schemes of Rs166.5 million against which 96 percent of the funds have been released, therefore the chief minister directed the concerned department to complete them by the end of current financial year.

In Matiari district, the Auqaf Department has started three schemes Rs23.7 million, Culture one scheme of Rs42.7 million, school education five of Rs312.1 million, college education three schemes of Rs17 million, university and board one scheme worth Rs150 million, health one of Rs40 million, home one of Rs15 mil-

Murad Shah said that his government has received Rs378.3 billion against an its share of Rs522.1 billion which showed a shortfall of Rs143.8 billion this date. He added that even then his government was committed to complete the on-going development schemes and news schemes would be launched in the next financial year.

In Matiari district 48 schemes of Rs1.6 billion are in progress. The finance department has released Rs929.6 million means 58 percent of the total allocation and the utilization is Rs593.5 million which is 64 percent of the releases.

lion, Information one scheme of Rs3.43 million, Irrigation five schemes of worth Rs237.8 million, law two schemes of Rs27.64 million, lining of main canals one scheme of Rs134.1 million.

The local government has two schemes of Rs84.4 million and both are of roads, minorities one scheme of Rs2 million, PHE seven schemes of Rs184.1 million, rural development one scheme worth Rs10 million, Sports one scheme of Rs20.7 million and works & service dept 12 schemes of Rs290 million.

Tando Mohammad Khan district has

Over 16,000 inmates at risk of contracting coronavirus, govt told KARACHI INP

Over 16,000 inmates in the Sindh prisons are at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus as no efforts are underway to take preventive measures aimed at avoiding the outbreak of the virus in already overcrowded jails.

This was informed by the Inspector General (IG) Prisons Sindh Nusrat Mangan in a letter conveyed to the Sindh government on Friday.

“There is a need to take measures on war footing to ensure availability of facilities aimed at averting the spread of the virus among the inmates and prison officials,” he said and added that currently there are no facilities available to deal with the virus in any prison of the province. He asked the health authorities to send special teams to conduct screening of the inmates. “We are receiving many new inmates in our prison on a

daily basis and therefore a process to check the inmates should be devised to avoid any outbreak of the virus in the prisons,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the first case of the novel coronavirus is reported from Karachi on Wednesday night, where a 22-year-old student of the Karachi University (KU) tested positive for the disease.

However, family members of the student diagnosed with the disease tested negative on Thursday at a private hospital and were subsequently discharged.

The 22-year-old patient confirmed as infected with the coronavirus in Karachi had been taking his regular classes after returning to Pakistan from Iran, said Karachi University (KU) spokesperson today.

The spokesperson said the youngster is a student of International Relations evening programme from MA previous.

He said it was decided to conduct tests of the fellow classmates of the patient.

Panic being created in name of coronavirus: SHC KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday heard a plea related to shortage and inflated rates of surgical masks after reporting of two coronavirus cases in Pakistan.

A SHC bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, heard a plea against shortage of surgical masks and their inflated rates. During the hearing, the counsel of the applicant stated that prices of surgical masks have been increased in the province besides their acute shortage. At which, the bench remarked who said wearing mask is compulsory to get secure from coronavirus. After observing a girl, who was in court room wearing surgical mask, the bench remarked that masks are available in Karachi.

At which, the girl replied, she bought the mask from the city but after facing so many difficulties. The bench remarked panic has been created in the name of coronavirus in the city. It may be noted that after the two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan, the price of surgical mask have been increased and people also complain about an artificial shortage of surgical masks in country.

SHC orders Sindh govt to bear expenses of gutka-affected woman KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) summoned on Friday Home Secretary pertaining to the implementation of legislation to impose ban on consuming and selling gutka, mainpuri and other health hazardous materials.

A SHC bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, was hearing a petition filed by a woman Sanobar, who is affected by gutka, seeking ban on gutka and other hazardous materials.

The court sought explanation from respondents till 10th March. It also ordered the Sindh government to bear medical expenses of woman suffering from cancer due to consuming gutka.

The court also ordered government to pay expenses to woman from Zakat fund every month so as she could meet her expenses.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar re-

marked that dangerous cancer was spreading due to gutka.

“What steps are being taken by business community and factory owners to save their employees form this dangerous material,” the justice asked.

The secretary general of Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI) informed the bench that a circular has been issued to factories for imposing ban on gutka and other material.

The court also asked that why police was not arresting the gutka manufacturers and sellers? At which, the police official told the court that gutka mafia is very clever they change their places immediately to avoid arrest.

The applicant, Sanober, stated that she has worked four years in a factory and now is suffering of mouth cancer due to eating gutka.

Her council told the court that despite its orders for ban on gutka, it is being sold in various areas of Karachi.

CMYK

45 schemes of Rs1.1 billion against which the government has released Rs677.4 million which is 59 percent of the allocation while the utilization is Rs441.2 million which is 65 percent of the releases. In the districts 13 schemes of Rs134.4 million would be completed by the end of June 2020while seven others schemes of Rs209.1 million would be completed within next three months.

The school education dept has launched eight schemes, Home two, Irrigation four, Local government 11, PHE six and Works dept eight.

Two dead, eight injured in road mishap KARACHI: At least two people died and eight others injured when a mini-bus ran two motorcycles and hit a footpath here in the wee hours of Friday. The police said that the accident took place near Site Area Habib Chowrangi where reckless driven passenger mini-bus got out of control of driver, ran over two motorcycles and hit the footpath afterwards. STAFF REPORT

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

NEWS

05

World must stop Modi govt from Muslim pogrom: PM

ISLAMABAD

P

APP

RIMe Minister Imran Khan Friday said the world community must accept the brutal reality of the Modi fascist and racist regime and stop it from the ongoing pogrom of Muslims in New Delhi.

“Images coming out of Muslim homes & businesses being burnt, Muslims being beaten & killed,

mosques & graveyards being burnt & desecrated are similar to Jews fleeing the pogrom in Nazi Germany,” he remarked in a tweet.

He also shared a video clip of a Cambridge University Lecturer Priya Gopal, who likens attack on Muslims, their mosques, homes and businesses in New Delhi to the pogrom of Jews carried out by the Nazis, especially in 1938 - the Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) when Nazis attacked Jews, their synagogues,

homes and businesses.

“As I have stating repeatedly, Modi's Hindu Supremacist agenda is akin to the Nazi pogrom of Jews in the 1930s while the major powers appeased Hitler. Modi conducted pogrom against Muslims in Gujarat as CM & now we are seeing the same in New Delhi,” the prime minister remarked.

Speaking to Democracy Now, an independent, global weekday news hour anchored by award-winning

journalists Amy Goodman, Priya Gopal said, “We are witnessing a situation of very deep structural violence. There is a majoritarian supremacist party in power in India.

And mobs, directly incited by senior Indian politicians, are roaming around in Muslim-majority areas, identifying Muslim shops, businesses, homes, setting them on fire, identifying Muslims, beating them up. There is some pushback, certainly, as you might expect, but this is not a situation of equality. And I’ve said that any press outfit which refers to this as “clashes,” clashes between Hindus and Muslims, or even as kind of riots, is actually culpable of a dereliction of duty, and certainly of critical analysis.”

She said the parallels with 1930s Germany were extremely clear as what had taken place in Delhi in the last couple of days was comparable to the Reichskristallnacht, when Jewish businesses were attacked and set on fire.

“And I think that the world really needs to wake up to the gravity of the situation in India, because we are in a situation not unlike what was happening in Germany in the 1930s, in its 21st century variation.

But I think that to just play this out as conflicts and clashes and religious fights, I think, is deeply irresponsible,” she remarked.

Senate body reviews 'Torture and Custodial Death Prevention and Punishment Bill' ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Friday discussed in detail the Torture and Custodial Death Prevention and Punishment Bill, 2020, introduced in the Upper House of the Parliament by Senator Sherry Rehman.

The committee also reviewed in detail the government bill, The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2020, introduced and referred to the committee. The Maintenance and Welfare of Old Parents and Senior Citizen’s Bill, 2019, introduced by Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed was passed by the committee unanimously.

Chaired by Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar, the meeting was attended by Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Sen-

PML-N demands APC over coronavirus threat LAHORE

ator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed and senior officers from the Ministry of Human Rights, along with all concerned. Discussing the Torture and Custodial Death Prevention and Punishment Bill, 2020, introduced by Senator Sherry Rehman, the committee recommended some amendments and assured that after their incorporation, the bill would be passed in the next meeting.

While considering the ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2020, the committee in addition to the suggested amendments by the members of the committee invited a group of differentlyable people for their view and input on the bill and to suggest amendments. It was recommended that the jurisdiction of this bill must be extended to the whole of Pakistan and all federal government institutions working in provinces.

Khatam-e-Nabuwwat oath present in Hajj form, minister tells NA panel ISLAMABAD APP

APP

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday has demanded to immediately summon All Parties Conference (APC) in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. According to details, PML-N has submitted a resolution seeking awareness campaign on government level regarding coronavirus precautions in Punjab Assembly. The resolution further stated that the federal government has not taken any significant step in the prevention of this disease. It is to be mentioned here that Pakistan has confirmed two cases of coronavirus, one in Karachi and others in Islamabad. However, precautionary measures are being taken to prevent the outbreak of this disease. On the other hand, some 82,560 people have been infected worldwide by coronavirus and 2,813 have died, according to the latest toll from official sources.

It was also suggested implementation mechanism of the bill must be strengthened. Representation from the community of differently-able person must be ensured in the council to be constituted under the bill. Specific terminology for different disabilities must be used.

Further, it was suggested that all websites in Pakistan must ensure Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards are applied. Airlines should facilitate people with disabilities while traveling.

The committee decided to address all of their concerns of differently-able persons ad take the bill in the next meeting for further discussion.

The committee also decided to summon all relevant stakeholders, governor State Bank, PIA and other related organizations in the next meeting for their input on the bill.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sahibzada Noorul Haq on Friday denied that the government had omitted the oath regarding Khatam-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of Prophethood PBUH) from Hajj application form.

Briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony chaired by Maulana Asad Mehmood, he said he was not taken into confidence before removing the oath from page one of the hajj data form. However, the oath for finality of prophethood had been included in other page of the hajj application form, he said adding “no bad intention was involved in all episode”. He added that investigations would be carried out to ascertain real motive of omitting oath from page one.

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Secretary Mian Mushtaq Borana told the committee that the 14 page Hajj form had been simplified to only two pages. One page still contained

oath of the finality of the prophethood, he added.

The committee also contemplated the reasons of increase in hajj expenses.

The committee was told that Saudi government had imposed Riyal 300 as visa fee and Riyal 110 as insurance fee. Hajj package could be reduced by excluding these expenses.

The secretary said over 40,000 applications for securing a berth in Government Hajj Scheme had so far been received.

The minister told the committee that the government would follow Saudi instructions about coronavirus and Hajj would be followed in letter and spirit. The committee directed considering open sky policy and option of sending pilgrims to Hajj by sea.

Minister for Housing and Works Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema presented three books containing desecration material against holy prophet Hazrat Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH).

Committee Chairman Maulana Asad Mehmood said the desecration of the Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon Him was intolerable.

NAB given one month to file reference against Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD APP

An accountability court on Friday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file Narowal Sports Complex alleged corruption reference against former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal within a month.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader appeared before the court for the hearing.

Taking the rostrum, Iqbal alleged that he is being penalized for doing good deeds and added that the Sports Complex has been ruined in last 18 months.

He demanded to file reference against those who ruined the complex. After marking his attendance, the former minister left for NAB office to appear before it after being summoned in the same reference. The court after directing NAB to file reference against Iqbal within 30 days, adjourned the hearing till March 26. It is pertinent to mention here that Ahsan Iqbal had been released from Adiala Jail, after the Islamabad High Court had approved his bail. Ahsan Iqbal is accused of using funds of the federal government and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for a sports city in Narowal. NAB had announced to initiate a probe into alleged violation of rules in the construction of the National Sports City project – a day after its inauguration by the then President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.

President stresses for precautionary measures to contain outbreak of coronavirus PESHAWAR APP

President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday underlined the need to make collective efforts for taking precautionary measures to contain outbreak of coronavirus virus which had crept into more than 51 countries of the world. Addressing the 36th International Gastroenterology Conference organized by Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology KP Chapter, he said multiple segments including doctors, and media could raise awareness and educate masses about precautionary measures against the corona virus. He said prayer leaders could specifically use Minbars (pulpits) of mosques as social intervention in light of Islamic tenets which laid great emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness in the society. He said that there was no need to be panic since things were under control, adding the Ministry of Health had so far reported only two cases of coronavirus. He expressed the optimism that this particular crisis would subside with the passage of time as people would get educated and start adopting extra precautionary measures. He recalled that heatstroke in Karachi few years did claim several lives in the first very year and the issue became less severe after people took extra precautionary measures. He said that social etiquettes like covering mouth with hands or protective mask while coughing was already imbibed in the culture. He said the Last Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was a sublime role model for providing guidance to the entire humanity in multiple aspects of life.

"Being Muslim, we have ablution for five times a day, cleansing mouth and hands which is also a recommended practice among medical precautionary measures,” he added. He said one should not be shy of wearing protective mask for being termed timid, adding using protection was noble dead like Sadqa Jaria to protect other individuals from being infected with the corona virus. Similarly, he urged people to avoid social gathering with symptoms of cough, influenza or shortness of breath, adding such precedents could be traced in the Islamic history. He said several countries had already adopted strict precautionary measures like Iran imposing ban on Friday congregation and Saudi Arabia restricting entry of Zaireen of Umra.

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

06 WORLD VIEW

WhIle Trump Was praIsIng modI for relIgIous freedom, modI-supporTIng hIndus slaughTered muslIms In The sTreeTs rEason

p

ShIKha DaLMIa

RESidEnT donald Trump landed in india this week just as a new round of deadly violence erupted in delhi, the nation's capital. Hindu militants clashed with protesters agitating against Modi's "your papers please" Citizenship amendment act (Caa) whose aim is to strip an untold number of india's 140 million Muslims of their citizenship rights and perhaps throw them in detention camps that he is constructing around the country. The militants lobbed petrol bombs at Muslim homes in northeast delhi, set a mosque on fire before hoisting a Hindu flag on it, and looted Muslim-owned shops. a sickening video shows four men dragging a bloodied and pleading Muslim man on the concrete road. Even as these horrors were unfolding, Trump and indian Prime Minister narendra Modi were holding talks merely miles away.

The delhi police—under Modi's control—initially did little to stop the mayhem or help the injured, forcing a local hospital to make an emergency petition to the court at 1:42 a.m. to order authorities to stop vandals from attacking ambulances as they transferred the more seriously injured victims to a better-equipped hospital. anti-Muslim violence has become a depressingly regular fact of life in

Coronavirus Outbreak In Iran – USA has Second Thoughts About Invading nEws BIscuIt Wrenfoe

T

HE White House has gone strangely quiet over invasion plans for iran, claiming it was all a big misunderstanding and that there was no need for ‘face to face’ diplomatic meetings. iran has welcomed the news and was sure it had nothing to do with its citizens coughing into oil barrels, sneezing on their missile systems and licking all the uranium. iran is seen as coronavirus hotspot and subsequently the US had said they would prefer a long-distance relationship. a Pentagon Official said: ‘We need to respect their space – including their air space. and after due consideration, we’re happy to take their word about their nuclear programme. no need for us to poke our nose around in anything. Especially their handkerchiefs’.

‘We’re cool with the more fundamentalist aspects of islam, if you want to cover up your women, that’s fine by us. in fact, here, have some extra face masks. no extra cost.

Completely free. Here, take some hand gel, as well’. in fact, so magnanimous are the US, they have promised to focus future invasions on the Kerguelen islands – not because of oil but because they are 3,300km away from the nearest populated location.

‘These remote islands in the indian Ocean are of great strategic importance, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Which is precisely the point.’

The story above is a satire or parody. it is entirely fictitious.

TRUMP'S FAILURE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST MODI'S REIGN OF LAWLESSNESS AND TERROR IS AN EPIC ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

india since Modi was first elected in 2014 and his supporters started thrashing and lynching Muslims suspected of consuming beef. But Modi's landslide re-election last summer has made things much worse. Hardly a day goes by when either the police or Hindu vigilantes don't go on a violent spree against Muslims or their supporters. in recent months, they have been targeting college campuses and brutally beating up students agitating against the Modi regime.

The current round of violence occurred after a prominent leader of Modi's party issued a thinly veiled call advocating violence to evict protesters from a site where they have been holding a month-long 24/7 vigil to stop the Caa from going into effect. The same

man had earlier in the month called for bullets to rain on the "traitors" protesting Modi's actions. instead of disciplining him, the Modi government suspended the civil servant who complained against him.

President Barack Obama was no slouch when it came to serving as Modi's useful idiot. Far from speaking out against him, he feted and fawned over him. Still, the situation in india has become so dire that most U.S. presidents would not have picked this moment to make a state visit to india or, if they went, they would have at least made india's deteriorating law and order situation and the growing abuse of human rights a major focus of their talks. Trump did none of those things.

He landed in Gujarat, Modi's home state, where 1,000 men, women, and children (mostly Muslim) were slaughtered over the course of a few days on Modi's watch in 2002. Then Trump whisked Melania to the Taj Mahal that some Hindu militants want to tear down along with other monuments and mosques built by Muslim rulers on sites where Hindu temples allegedly once stood. His final stop was in new delhi where the duo, accompanied by Modi, made an obligatory pilgrimage to Mahatma Gandhi's shrine. Gandhi,

who was assassinated by a Hindu militant for advocating a tolerant india where Muslims and other religious minorities were safe to practice their faith, would have died a hundred times over by now at what Modi was doing to his country. But Trump gave a speech where, after mangling the name of the most revered Hindu theologian, he made comments praising Modi as a champion of religious liberty. "He wants people to have religious freedom, and very strongly," said Trump.

"They have really worked hard on religious freedom," Trump added. "We talked about it for a long time and i really believe that's what he wants."

Why would Trump make such a farcical statement?

Here are some possible explanations: n He's Trump. n He didn't want to be rude to Modi after Modi had arranged 700,000 indians to greet him (the biggest crowd Trump has ever witnessed in his honor, anywhere). n He was in india to prod Modi to relax its tariffs—especially on agricultural goods—and to sign a trade deal, and he didn't want pesky human rights concerns to get in the way. (He did not succeed in convincing Modi to open up

on trade, although Modi did buy $3 billion worth of U.S. weaponry as a consolation prize.) n if he had brought up Modi's human rights record and his Muslim bashing, Modi would have queried Trump about his Muslim travel ban, his detention camps, and his deportation squads and the bromance between the two would have been over. n We live in an age of "you ignore my atrocities and i'll ignore yours" diplomacy that the darling of national conservatism, Yoram Hazony, has advocated. Hazony believes that stable nation-states require "a majority nation whose cultural dominance is plain and unquestioned, and against which resistance appears to be futile." if this means that majority groups have to occasionally engage in massive repression against troublesome minorities, so be it. Raising concerns about their tactics is liberal imperialism and an affront to the principle of national sovereignty and the right to self-determination.

Whatever the reason, it is safe to say Trump's abdication did not make india a better place. as the president of a country founded by those escaping religious persecution, he should have shown solidarity with india's persecuted religious minorities and those dying in the streets for their rights. instead, he may have given Modi the green light for worse atrocities.

SHIKHA DALMIA is a senior analyst at Reason Foundation.

The rulers want an India that thrives on cruelty, fear, division, violence IndIan ExprEss

I

PrataP Bhanu Mehta

ndia is descending into a night of dread and despair. The ongoing riots in delhi are not a tactical aberration, some absent-minded lapse of attention. They have been in the making for a while, and represent the future that our ruling classes, with our aid and support, have imagined for us. The idea is to carpet bomb the indian republic as we know it, and replace it with a regime that thrives on cruelty, fear, division and violence. Even as the politics of revenge starts, it is important not to forget the dynamics that led up to this moment. as was clear from the start, the purpose of the Caa was not to solve the problem of non-Muslims refugees from our neighbouring states. That objective could have been achieved by a bill that did not discriminate on the basis of religion and did not align religious identity with the prospects of citizenship. The assurances of delinking the nRC, Caa and nPR processes were never credibly made. The result was a civic cruelty of the worst kind, where millions of ordinary indians, especially Muslims, were made uncertain about what this process meant for them. The spectre of camps is too hard to ignore. The protests and violence could have been easily stopped, and still can be halted, if the government commits to legislation that does not discriminate, and a process that does not put the civic standing of anyone living in india at risk. The effect of the government’s refusal to do this was to humiliate minorities, and keep the issue on the boil.

The Supreme Court gave the cruelest blow of all. By refusing to send a clear signal on basic rights of habeas corpus, the checks against preventive detention, the court decimated the Constitution that binds us together. By systematically appearing to side with government on practically every issue, by delaying hearings on something

INDIA IS DESCENDING INTO A NIGHT OF DREAD AND DESPAIR

as fundamental as discrimination, by genuflecting paeans to the Great Leader, it dashed all hopes of fair constitutional adjudication. Citizens had to turn to other non-violent means of civic protest.

These non-violent civic protests, spearheaded by women, minorities and students, resolutely stuck to a grammar of non-violence and constitutionalism.

This was despite repeated provocation and the fact that it is legally difficult to protest in india. There was some violence in states like UP. But that was used as a pretext to unleash an unprecedented reign of repression and cruelty by the government. There was always the danger that long and sustained protests with no attempt at a dialogue open the way for radical elements to take over. in fact, the government was waiting for even the slightest hint of that radicalisation which leaders like Waris Pathan, or a gun-brandishing hothead would obligingly provide. But it is important to remember: The government uses the fear of radicalism as a pretext, far in excess of the reality of the phenomenon.

The real cruelty was the government’s strategy. in delhi, the protests were allowed to continue in Shaheen Bagh, not because the government was soft. it thought it could use the protest as pretext to consolidate majoritarian senti-

ment: Look at these minorities blocking roads and standing against Hindu rights, went the refrain.

The BJP’s poisonous campaign during the delhi election was a classic Catch 22. First, we discriminate. Then we make sure there is no institutional redress. if there is protest, we use it as further proof of the perfidy of minorities, intellectuals and other so-called anti-nationals. BJP leaders then call for violence to be unleashed, and when violence is unleashed, we blame them for violence. never has a more diabolical moral circle been created.

Meanwhile, other institutions merrily failed us. So many brave reporters have put their lives on the line to bring us reports from the frontline. But the institution of the media failed to put the requisite pressure on the government.

They are too much in awe or too intimidated by the Home Minister to press basic questions of accountability. The Opposition parties have been like deer caught in a headlight at best, morally mendacious at worst. The delhi CM is reduced to staging photo-ops at Rajghat; the rest of the Opposition seems to muster about as much energy as it takes to put out a tweet. it has more consultants than convictions or courage. it is the first time in independent india that minorities cannot turn to any electoral formation or force to provide even basic protection. This is the depth of corrosion of normal politics. Such a deep political vacuum is bound to be filled by forces we cannot predict.

Meanwhile, so much of civil society resembles a scene of moral desolation.

The casual legitimisation of violence against minorities and the inversion of all moral values is at an unprecedented level. People cheer as “Jai Shri Ram” has moved from being a call to piety to almost a call for killing. Someday a soci-

ologist will have to decipher the phenomenon of hordes of young men now looking to feel alive, to get a sense of purpose, by participating in mayhem.

Even apart from the communal angle, the availability of this mass of young men on the streets betokens a society that increasingly has little sense of its own future.

The national anthem is sung while brutal assaults take place, mosques nonchalantly “conquered”. and we are back to a barbarism where crowds threaten to strip you to ascertain if you have a right to any civic standing. The purpose is to strip us of all the decencies of ordinary humanity; the only thing that matters will be the identity that can be inscribed on your body.

The moral resistance to this brutalisation is feeble. and then there is the abdication of the state. Even as policeman themselves become victim of the games their masters play, there is no doubt that the state could have stopped the violence more quickly if it had wanted.

The delhi violence will hopefully stop, but it is just an event in a larger chain. if the literature on riots is any guide, the delhi riots look more like a prelude to a possible pogrom, or at least ghettoisation. The state looks for a pretext to crack down; the crackdown is disproportionately targeted at particular communities, especially their businesses; the police and political establishment are bystanders or egging on the violence. The government can still do the right thing: Ensure fair law and order, and address the underlying anxiety it has itself produced. india will have to mobilise in full force to resist this brutalisation. Otherwise our republic will become what our rulers want it to be: a charnel house of rotted moralities, a nation that measures itself by the cruelties it can inflict.

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

FOREIGN NEWS 07

Turkey opens fronTier for syrian refugees To enTer europe afTer sTrike kills Troops PuTiN, eRdOgAN AgRee New MeASuReS Needed TO eASe SyRiA TeNSiONS

NATO cAllS ON RuSSiA, SyRiA TO hAlT idlib OffeNSive BRUSSELS AGENCIES

ANKARA/ISTANBUL AGENCIES

Refugees in Turkey headed towards European frontiers on Friday after an official declared that borders had been thrown open in response to the escalating war in Syria, a day after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops.

European officials rushed to respond to a direct threat to reverse an agreement with Turkey that halted the migration crisis of 2015-2016, when more than a million people arrived by sea in Greece and crossed the Balkans on foot.

Moscow and Ankara traded blame over the strike in northwest Syria, the deadliest attack suffered by the Turkish army in nearly 30 years. Turkish financial markets plunged over the prospect of the country being plunged far more deeply into a new escalation of the nine-year-old war across the border in Syria.

“We have decided, effectively immediately, not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or sea,” a senior Turkish official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. “All refugees, including Syrians, are now welcome to cross into the European Union,” the official said, adding that police and border guards had been stood down.

Within hours, a column of dozens of migrants was heading on foot towards the European frontier in the early morning light. A man carried a small child in his arms. Others rode in taxis.

“We heard about it on the television,” said Afghan migrant Sahin Nebizade, 16, in a group packed into one of three taxis

parked on a highway.

“We’ve been living in Istanbul. We want to go to Edirne and then on to Greece,” Nebizade said before the taxis headed for the northwestern province of Edirne and border crossings with Bulgaria and Greece, 200 km (124 miles) west of Istanbul.

Greece and Bulgaria said they were immediately reinforcing their frontiers.

Bulgaria’s prime minister said the prospect of a new migration crisis was even more of a threat when European countries were struggling to respond to the coronavirus.

However, both the EU and the United Nations refugee agency noted that reports of any change at the border were still unofficial and Ankara had not made any formal announcement.

A MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED: Syria’s civil war has worsened dramatically in recent months despite largely vanishing from the agenda of Western countries. A million civilians have been displaced since December inside Syria

near the Turkish border in desperate winter conditions, perhaps the worst humanitarian crisis of a war that has already made half the country homeless. Turkey, already home to 3.7 million Syrian refugees, says it cannot take more.

Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air power, have launched an assault to capture the northwest, the last remaining territory held by rebels who are backed by Turkey. With diplomacy sponsored by Ankara and Moscow in tatters, NATO-member Turkey has come closer than ever in the conflict to direct confrontation with Russia on the battlefield.

Presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone on Friday morning to head off further confrontation. The Kremlin said they agreed on the need for a new arrangement to avert clashes in Syria’s Idlib province.

Turkey said the leaders agreed to meet as soon as possible. Ankara’s fury over Thursday’s attack has raised the prospect that Erdogan would launch a full-scale operation against the Russian-backed

Somali military, militia clash as fight against al Qaeda-linked insurgents slows MOGADISHU AGENCIES

Somali government troops clashed with a regional militia on Friday, residents said, in one of the most serious outbreaks of fighting yet over political rivalries that Washington says are slowing the war against al Qaedalinked insurgents.

Tension spilled over on Thursday evening between the Somali National Army and the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) militia, a group of moderate Sufi Muslims which has played a key role in the fight against the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgency. Clashes began in Dhusamareb, administrative capital of central Somalia’s Galmudug state, and spread to Guriel town, 60 km (40 miles) away, on Friday, residents said.

A resident said government forces had attacked a house where prominent ASWJ leaders live, and the two sides were fighting with mortars and anti-aircraft guns in the city center.

“After 11 years of peace, Dhusamareb city today is hell,” Halima Farah, who told Reuters by phone that she and her four children were cowering inside their flimsy house.

“We are holding our children’s hands but we have no way out.” Al Shabaab has been fighting the internationally-recognized Somali government since 2008. The militants have also attacked American military bases as well as bars, hotels, a shopping mall and a university in Kenya and Uganda. Two years ago, an al Shabaab truck bomb in Mogadishu killed around 500 civilians. Somali government troops, supported by a 21,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force, launched a limited offensive against al Shabaab last year. But a top American diplomat said progress had petered out with the internal rivalries.

“The operation has stalled,” Rodney Hunter, the U.S. political coordinator to the

United Nations, told the Security Council this week. “It is imperative that federal government and federal member states’ security services focus on combating al-Shabaab, rather than engaging in armed conflict with each other to resolve political disputes.” Competition for political control and international security funds lie at the heart of the conflict. Some regional states accuse the government of meddling in local elections to entrench allies ahead of national elections scheduled for this year. They also want a larger slice of the hundreds of millions of dollars that foreign donors spend annually on Somali security forces.

The federal government wants to keep control of those funds, saying it fears the balkanization of the country, and accuses some state authorities of behaving like warlords.

Tensions were high between Mogadishu and regional authorities in Kismayo during elections in Jubbaland, along the Kenyan border, in August. There was a small clash in neighboring Gedo earlier this year, and what Hunter described as a “politically motivated offensive … that diverts resources” from fighting al Shabaab.

Galmudug, scene of the latest fighting, has three rival politicians all claiming to be its leader. Ahmed Abdi Kariye, who is backed by the federal government, said ASWJ forces had started the fighting by firing on a checkpoint.

There was no immediate word on casualties. ASWJ leaders said the first provocation came from the government.

“We sacrificed our wealth and lives to liberate these areas from the terrorist al Shabaab… (but) the Somali government forces openly attacked Inji house, which is a home for ASWJ leaders,” ASWJ leader Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali Hassan, who also says he is leader of the state, said late Thursday.

“We have one enemy and that is al Shabaab. Let’s jointly fight the terrorists.”

NATO head Jens Stoltenberg urged Russia and Syria on Friday to halt their Idlib offensive and said the military alliance stood in solidarity with member state Turkey, which lost 33 soldiers in an air strike by Syrian government forces. Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air power, have launched an assault to capture the northwest Idlib region, the last remaining territory held by rebels who are backed by Turkey against President Bashar al-Assad in the nine-year conflict.

“Allies condemn the continued and indiscriminate air strikes by the Syrian regime and Russia in Idlib,” Stoltenberg told journalists after an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors in Brussels, which was demanded by Turkey. “I call on them to stop their offensive, to respect international law and to back U.N. efforts for a peaceful solution,” Stoltenberg added, calling for a return to a 2018 ceasefire to provide humanitarian aid to Idlib. Syria’s civil war has worsened dramatically in recent months and following Thursday’s air strike a senior Turkish official said Ankara would no longer prevent refugees fleeing the conflict from embarking for Europe. The EU has relied on Turkey to keep a lid of migration since 2016 after chaotic arrivals of more than a people from the tumultuous Middle East caught the bloc by surprise, stretched social and security services and fueled support for right-wing, eurosceptic and anti-migration groups across the continent.

Syrian army. Since 2016, Europe has relied on Turkey to halt Syrian refugees, while the West has all but abandoned diplomacy to end the war to Moscow and Ankara. The prospect of a new migration crisis caused alarm in European countries already contemplating restrictions on internal borders and public gatherings to fight the coronavirus.

“At a time when we are imposing stricter border monitoring over the coronavirus, imagine if we have an inflow of hundreds of thousands of migrants,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said, announcing the mobilization of extra police on the border with Turkey.

“We cannot afford that.”

RETALIATION: Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to open the gates for migrants to travel to Europe, which would reverse a pledge Turkey made to the EU in 2016 to keep Syrian refugees in return

for funding. Turkey, for years the principal ally of rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware in recent weeks into Idlib, where Assad’s forces aim to recapture the country’s last rebel-held bastion and bring the war to a final end. Erdogan has warned that Turkey would repel Assad’s forces unless they pulled back from Turkish observation posts in the region. The United Nations and others have called for an immediate ceasefire, but three rounds of talks between Ankara and Moscow have failed to reach a deal.

The air strike on Thursday raised Turkey’s military death toll to 54 in February in Idlib. The governor in Turkey’s border province said 32 other troops were wounded. It was the worst losses suffered by the Turkish military since a 1993 attack by Kurdish separatist guerrillas.

Malaysian turmoil deepens with Mahathir's fate in doubt KUALA LUMPUR AGENCIES

Uncertainty grew over the political fate of Malaysia’s 94-year-old Mahathir Mohamad on Friday after the royal palace rejected a plan for selecting a new prime minister announced by the man who has dominated the country for decades.

Mahathir’s party dropped him as its candidate for the premiership, and chose his next-in-line Muhyiddin Yassin, four days after the world’s oldest head of government plunged Malaysia into turmoil by resigning unexpectedly.

Widely perceived as an attempt to consolidate power, Mahathir’s resignation on Monday tore apart an alliance with old rival Anwar Ibrahim, 72, that brought them surprise election victory on an anti-corruption platform in 2018.

Mahathir had said on Thursday that there would be a vote in parliament on March 2 for a new prime minister, but the palace announced after a meeting of the country’s nine sultans that there would be no such special sitting.

“The palace will continue to engage with leaders of political parties for their lawmakers to voice their preferred candidate for prime minister,” the palace said in a statement.

Mahathir, appointed as acting prime minister after his resignation, made no comment to reporters after a speech on Palestinian rights.

Mahathir had said on Thursday that parliament’s vote was needed after the king failed to find any candidate able to win majority support during two days of consultations with the

222 elected members of parliament.

But his announcement had angered Anwar, who said the king has the power to choose a prime minister based on whoever he thinks is most likely to be able to form a government.

POWER STRUGGLE: The crisis revived a power struggle between Mahathir and Anwar that has shaped Malaysian politics for two decades.

In an alliance with Anwar, Mahathir left retirement in 2018 to win back the post he held from 19812003. But tension had persisted between the two over Mahathir’s promise to one day hand him power.

No precise date for that was ever set.

Their victory in the 2018 election had ended six decades of rule by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) under then prime minister Najib Razak, who is currently on trial for corruption.

Anwar’s alliance said on Friday he should be given the chance to speak to the king to convince him that he had the numbers to win a majority in government.

But UMNO and Islamist party PAS swung support behind the candidate put forward by Mahathir’s Bersatu party for prime minister: 72year-old former interior minister Muhyiddin, identified by Mahathir as a potential successor.

“The nation’s fate hangs in the balance,” said Liew Chin Tong, a member of Anwar’s alliance. “All MPs and parties will have to ask the question, who do they want to work with.”

UMNO’s political fortunes have been on the rise since its 2018 election defeat with support from an ethnic Malay majority fearful it is losing out to minority ethnic groups such as Chinese and Indians.

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

08 COMMENT

The direction of modern Pakistan

Indian threats, Kashmir and Afghanistan

How conservative elements took over

DG ISPR draws a line in the sand

W

hILe BJP leaders and Indian generals continue to issue chauvinistic statements, what ISPR chief maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said in his maiden press conference on Thurdsay in Rawalpindi was reflective of Pakistan’s desire for peace. he maintained that there was no space for war between the two nuclear powers as it would lead to unintended and uncontrollable consequences. he however made clear that Pakistan was well-prepared to respond swiftly to any act of aggression by India.

India is ruled by a highly irresponsible and desperate leadership that can go to any extreme to implement its agenda, be it domestic or regional. There is a need for a consistent and innovative diplomacy to foil the BJP government’s nefarious plans. Pakistan’s embassies in important countries should be directed to expose India’s designs while the federal government has to use every international forum available to it, or even Western think tanks, to expose modi’s warlike policies. It should also send delegations of Pakistani parliamentarians to clarify Pakistan’s stand to their Indian counterparts. It should miss no opportunity to use informal channels to reduce the tensions.

Pakistan has highlighted the Kashmir issue, including the unprecedented repression in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The valiant struggle of the Kashmiri people over the last few years has attracted the attention of the world media as never before. With the help of China Pakistan managed to bring the issue to the UNSC after decades. as the ISPR chief put it, we stood with the Kashmiris in the past and will do so in the future.

The Taliban-US peace deal has not been reportedly shared with Pakistan. General Babar has however hoped that it would have a positive impact. While he maintains that Pakistan’s relations with afghanistan are cordial, this is not always reflected in the statements issued by afghan President ashraf Ghani or several opposition leaders. The frequent closure of borders too tells a different story. The incident last year in Leeds after the Pak-afghan World Cup cricket match was reflective of tensions at the public level also. There is a need for a policy review aimed at promoting better understanding. one would agree that Pakistan’s journey from terrorism to tourism is highly impressive. Unending terrorist incidents in Balochistan however should remind us of the dangers of complacency. Unless there is constant vigilance, the threat could re-emerge once again.

IMF deal What price this time?

T

heRe has been a staff-level agreement between the International monetary Fund (ImF) and the Pakistan government over the second review of the extended Fund Facility (eFF), which means that the ImF will issue the $450 million second tranche of the $6 billion eFF. The money has not yet been disbursed, which will happen only after the ImF executive Board gives its approval in april. however, it has not been made known what exactly are the additional requirements of the ImF, if any, that Pakistan has agreed to. Pakistan has already gone through considerable economic disturbance because it fulfilled the ImF’s requirements even before it agreed to the eFF a year ago.

The government seems to have succeeded in convincing the ImF that the original agreement went too far, but there has been no real indication that the ImF has budged any further on the revenue collection target, and it hopes that the easing in world oil prices will allow some room for adjustment, which will be reflected in the next budget. The ImF demand for further gas and electricity tariff increases was not accepted, because the government argues that it was not politically acceptable. an illustration of this political pressure may be seen in the National assembly Finance Committee’s summons to Pm’s Finance adviser dr abdul hafeez Sheikh to brief it on certain key finance bills, before it would approve them. The committee has already rejected one of the five bills, which the government wants passed because they meet either ImF conditionalities or Financial action Task Force requirements. The Committee, which is chaired by a PTI member, also wants to be in on the action on inflation, and has summoned State Bank Governor Baqir Raza so that it can be briefed on the issue. as the 2018 elections recede into the distance, and fresh ones loom increasingly larger, even Treasury members will feel the heat emanating from the government’s agreement with the ImF. It is no coincidence that dr Sheikh and dr Baqir are both nonelected, and thus do not have any fear from the next election, unlike the committee members they will meet.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

I

Dr rajkumar Singh

M

ohammad ali Jinnah, the chief mentor of Pakistan, and other Western-oriented professionals, envisioned a multi-ethnic, pluralistic and indubitably democratic country. he reminded the Constituent assembly of Pakistan ‘if we want to make this great state of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor.’ however it was too good to last. The death of Jinnah within a year of Independence and the sudden demise of his true successor, Liaquat ali Khan, in 1951, had created a void in the field of leadership which could not be filled until the first martial-law period began in 1958. There was a keen contest for political dominance between the fundamentalists with the archconservative orthodox outlook, and the secular, democratic, enlightened and liberal section of society with the modernist view of man and society.

From the start, in the background of this weak social and political atmosphere, the nexus between the bureaucrats and the army began to take definite shape. The first Constitution, which was promulgated on 23 march 1956, was abrogated in october 1958 and during this short period of time no elections took place. The second constitution was promulgated on 8 June 1962 and abrogated by Gen agha mohammed Yahya Khan on 29 march 1969. In this constitution only Basic democrats were given the franchise. another constitutional document, the Legal Framework order of 1969, was issued by General Yahya. It abolished the one-Unit Plan and provided the framework for the development of a new constitution. The Legal Framework order set the stage for the 1970 elections, the first direct elections based on universal suffrage in Pakistan’s history. It was a free election

but the result– an overwhelming victory in the east for Sheikh mujibur Rahman– resulted in the imposition of martial law followed by the brutal military crackdown, that culminated in the 1971 war with India and the independence of Bangladesh.

The constitution of 1973 proved to be the most durable. Though the country again witnessed a military coup by General Zia in 1977, the constitution was kept suspended. on 18 march 1985, President Zia promulgated the Revival of the Constitution order of 1985 that added new amendments to it. With the new provisions Pakistan experimented with a policy approach that promised Islamisation. his was a government dominated by the military and run by civilian bureaucrats. The governance of Zia seemed at times to be two steps backward, one step forward. at the political level, Zia’s supporters included fundamentalist and reactionary parties of Islamic attitude. a large section of people especially in Punjab felt more comfortable and preferred Zia’s Islamic status quo orientation as opposed to Bhutto’s socialist rhetoric. his attempt to Islamise and legitimize the rule for a new lease of life had further polarized the country’s social segments. once again the social composition and power structure in Pakistani society witnessed a sea change, when at the close of 1979 the USSR intervened in afghanistan and installed a puppet government of its own. The event paved the way for the intermingling of Pakistani and afghan society at more than one level. It affected Pakistani society qualitatively and quantitatively because there was a massive influx of arms, especially submachine guns and automatic rifles as weapons meant for afghan guerillas, which proliferated on the illegal arms market. Linkages between mujahideen groups and rightwing, religious parties of Pakistan began to spread Islamic calls and fervour. The then ruler of Pakistan failed to estimate the far-reaching damaging consequences and allowed everything to happen contrary to social progress and har-

Did Islamic philosophy die out in Medieval Islam?

Islamic philosophy lasts rehan khan

A

N outstanding scholar of India, mulla Nizamuddin, prepared an academic curriculum for the madrasai-i-Niamia, in Farangi mahal, Lucknow in the 18th century. This curriculum, famous as the dars-e-Nizami, was adopted by numerous other religious seminaries. Francis Robinson in his book Faranghi Mahal convincingly argued that the curriculum was deeply steeped in Islamic philosophy. most of the courses in the syllabus prepared by mulla Nizamuddin had a philosophical content. did mulla Nizamuddin want to revive Islamic philosophy in muslim India? an algerian philosopher, muhammad arkoun, in one of his famous articles held that Islamic philosophy had died out in the Islamic world by the 13th century. did Islamic philosophy really cease to exist after the 13th century? Is there no lively tradition of Islamic philosophy in the contemporary Islamic World?

Syed hussain Nasr, in his lectures at harvard University which were converted later into a book Three Muslim Sages, said that the first muslim philosopher was a Persian scholar named Iranshahri. Since all of his works are lost, we are left with nothing to discuss his ideas and his philosophical thoughts. The first systematic muslim philosopher, according to majid Fakhri in his A History of Islamic Philosophy was alKindi. he was an arab who sought to negotiate a settlement between religion and philosophy.

Kindi was followed by Farabi who laid down the foundations of Islamic political philosophy. abid al-Jabiri in his work Critique on Contemporary Islamic Philosophy maintained that Farabi was the “Rousseau of Islam” who strived to inject rationalism into Islamic scholasticism. Peter adamson, in his book Philosophy in the Islamic World. argued that after the departure of Farabi, a number of scholars in the likes of Rhazi, Baghdadi, Sijistani, Tawhidi, and amiri furthered the cause of Islamic Philosophy in the intellectual heartlands of Islam. In the 10th century, Ibn-eSina came to the forefront. he was, according to Roy Jackson in his book What is Islamic Philosophy, one of the greatest and most original Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

philosophers in the history of Islam. Ibn-e-Sina further refined Islamic Philosophy and gave it solid foundation.

Ibn-e-Sina by followed by Ibn-e-Bajja and Ibn-e-Rushd in Islamic Spain in the following years. Ibn-e-Rushd, as William Chittick argued, revived the works of aristotle, and hence was called the Commentator. Ibn-e-Rushd in many ways paved the way for numerous intellectual movements in the West. But what happened to Islamic philosophy after Ibn-e-Rushd? muhammad arkoun, as discussed, considered him the last great muslim philosopher. The great moroccan scholar abid al-Jabiri concurred with the assessment of muhammad arkoun and held that Ibn-eRushd was the last advocate of rationalism. So, did Islamic philosophy cease to exist after him?

The French scholar henry Corbin maintained that Islamic Philosophy was under severe attack from traditionalism and mysticism from the formative Islamic period. Traditionalism was born out of Islamic conceptions of pietism, and Islamic mysticism was transpired by the marriage of Iranian gnosis and spirituality. This traditionalism and spirituality gave birth to classic Islamic theology rooted in an Islamic conceptual framework. on the contrary, Islamic philosophy was Greek in its content and its orientation. The Islamic conceptual framework, buttressed by a rigorous system of theology, strangulated the growth of Islamic philosophy. In addition, the consistent intellectual attacks by Razi, Ghazali, Ibn-e-Jawzi, and Ibn-e-hazm on Islamic philosophy further shrank its constituency. The lastditch attempt to revive it was made by Ibn-e-Rushd in his work The Incoherence of the Incoherence. But it was already too late. dr Fazlur Rehman in his book Islam and Modernity convincingly argued that Islamic Philosophy ceased to exist as an independent strand of Islamic learning, but expressed itself either in mystical treatises or in theological tractates. In other words, Islamic gnosis and systematic theology absorbed Islamic Philosophy into their systems and robbed it of its own independent identity. even Ibn-e-Khaldun in his famous Muqaddimah, written in the 14th century, revealed that Islamic philosophy was replaced by systematic theology and it had lost its utility and

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

mony. Later on the over-mixing of Pakistani and afghan societies at various levels led to the formation of the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan, a homegrown Pakistani militia that admired thr afghan Taliban. The nexus formed in the period of Zia also disturbed the democratic regimes of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and ultimately opened the route for the latter’s replacement by Chief of army Staff Gen Pervez musharraf in october 1999 after the Kargil debacle. as an after-effect of Kargil, the government of Nawaz Sharif was overthrown in a military coup on 12 october 1999. General musharraf took over and again a new chapter of military rule was opened in Pakistan. The new ruler, in a televised announcement on 17 october 1999, as a gesture of goodwill towards India, declared a unilateral military de-escalation along the border. his address also included an offer to resume “result-oriented” talks with India on “all issues” but said, “Pakistan would continue its support to the Kashmiri people for their right to self determination” and added that India must honour all UN resolutions on Kashmir. at a later stage in July 2000 when Bharat Bhushan, a correspondent of The Hindustan Times, asked General musharraf about different aspects of terrorism, the latter had replied that as far as the hardware and the weapons of terror were concerned, “We certainly want to curb the uncontrolled display and holding of weapons and we are taking action in this direction. But this is easier said than done. To disarm and de-weaponise a region completely is next to impossible”. on the ideological front he presented his own definition of jehad and distinguished it from terrorism. he refused to equate these two perhaps in reference to Kashmir and said, “jehad means struggle in the path of God, opposing victimisation against muslims wherever it exists.

Dr Rajkumar Singh is head of the Political Science Department, B.N.Mandal University, Main Campus, Madhepura, Bihar, India. He can e rea ched at: rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

purpose as an independent strand of thought. The leading Scottish orientalist, William montgomery Watt, in his book Islamic Philosophy and Theology also maintained that muslim theologians and practitioners of mysticism replaced muslim philosophers after the classic period. he further stated that only commentaries and glosses on philosophical works were produced which lacked genuine creativity and originality. as we delve into Islamic intellectual history after the 12th century, we come across a number of muslim theologians and mystics, but do not find philosophers of high order. Nasir uddin Tusi was an acclaimed muslim scholar. his book Sharah-e-Ishraq was only a commentary. another work of his, Awsaf al-Ashraf, was a treatise on gnosis. another great scholar, Jalaluddin Suyuti, wrote an entire book to dissuade muslims from engaging in philosophical discourse. he abridged Ibn-e-Taymiyah’s book the Refutation of the Logicians to demonstrate the uselessness of employing logic as an epistemological tool in intellectual works. The famous school of Bahrain led by Jamaaluddin, Kamaaluddin and Baithamuddin was also a centre of mysticism and gnosis. Philosophy was mere a part of the mystical tradition that was revived by this prestigious centre of learning. Similarly, the school of Isfahan in the 17th century spearheaded by mir damad, mir Fendereski and mulla Sadra was also a major learning centre for acquiring knowledge of illuminative gnosis. mulla Sadra, arguably the greatest Iranian scholar, was steeped knee-deep in mysticism. his vision of Islam rested on theosophy. Islamic philosophy constituted only a part of his theosophic imagination. his most famous Four Journeys was actually a work on mysticism.

Similarly in muslim India, the famed maktubaat of mujaddid alif Sani was an excellent exposition of classic Islamic mysticism and theology. drawing heavily from Ghazali, Junayd Shibli, and abdul Qadir Gilani, mujaddid alif Sani developed a sophisticated vision of gnostic Islam. even the great revivalist Shah Waliullah had a background of theology with an emphasis on mystical ratiocination. his famous book The Conclusive Argument from God was a work of theology.

It becomes evident that Islamic philosophy lost its own separate identity, but was articulated by scholars in gnostic and theological treatises.

The philosophic content in these treatises was retained to give Islamic tradition a rationalist flavour. But unfortunately, this rationalist impulse did not develop into a school of philosophy and become a source of creative investigation for the exploration of innovative epistemological models of reasoning in the post-classic period.

Rahan Khan is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

COMMENT 09 Editor’s mail

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

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

Corona fever GLoBaLLY, more than 80,000 people in nearly 50 countries have been infected.Nearly 2,800 have died in the worldwide.The overall countries have closed their schools, colleges,universities to keep them safe from the most dangerous virus as well as all countries’ economies are going down due to the coronavirus. Painfully,Saudi arabia is stopping foreign pilgrims from entering the country.

It is well clear if the hajj pilgrimage begins in July or will be effected and australia is extending a ban on foreign visitors from mainland in China.

Furthermore, our country Pakistan has also been affected so for two causes founded in Pakistan one from Karachi and second in Islamabad actually a huge number of illegal roads exist for traveling to Iran. many people have been exporting and importing oil from those roads, therefore this reveals in all Pakistan.

Finally, it is a humble request to the Government of Pakistan to take serious actions to illegal roads of Iran.

Inayat Barkat turbat

Horror in Safari Park

Concluding Afghan peace process What is the price of peace?

Dr ZeeShan khan

O

NCe, the German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics, albert einstein, said that peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. The peace negotiations between the USa and the Taliban started in 2018, but the chances of their success were rated low perhaps by both the parties.

The deputy Leader of the Taliban, Sirajuddin haqqan,i wrote an important article for The New York Times about the afghan Peace Process agreement ,supporting the peace process. The article has many things to reflect on. The said agreement would most probably be concluded on February 29 (today). But this process was not easy, especially when there were disruptions in the peace process either by President Trump and his administration or because the Taliban’s uncompromising attitude on certain points. although, Pakistan made a remarkable mark by facilitating the process for the betterment of afghanistan, herself and particularly peace of the entire region. The exit of US troops from afghanistan after the loss of 3500 US and allied troops is good news for the USa, and particularly for all the inhabitants of this region and it also points towards a new situation in the region. Pakistan must be ready for this new situation. It would be more accurate to say that Pakistan must prepare herself for this new important revolution. afghanistan is a tough country and all its invaders now must understand that both the USSR and he USa were remained unable to achieve what they had intended with their respective interventions, or to use a common phrase, it can be said that afghanistan really proved herself the graveyard of empires. Pakistan plunged into the USa’s war but only gained an attitude of dissatisfaction from it. mistakes were made by the immature Pakistani political and administrative elite. moreover, Pakistan was made unable to realize the real consequences of nurturing unintellectual thoughts then. The so-called thought of jihad was not born in Pakistan. Pakistani governments were of the view that they were exploiting the USa but instead of this, Pakistan

was being exploited by the USa for its specific was started in FaTa which actually defeated motives. The USa wanted to humiliate and de- terrorism at large and the militants of the Tehrik feat the then Soviet Union, which suffered de- Taliban Pakistan had to flee to afghanistan. mise after it withdrew from afghanistan and Now, the USa is leaving afghanistan but a thus its purpose was achieved, but the USa also complete withdrawal of US forces will not involved herself in the fire of afghan war. how- occur, and it should not be done immediately ever, what did Pakistan achieve by getting into but a step-by-step withdrawal would be benefithe fire of afghanistan, only on the other’s say- cial for both the parties.

The Taliban and the USa both are on good so, other than the loss of 75,000 Pakistani lives and economic debacle? The Soviets already terms so far, which is very beneficial for the were very weak and their economy was also tot- peace and bright future of Pakistan. If there is tering at that time. The Soviets also made a mis- peace in afghanistan, Pakistan would prosper take by going into afghanistan and it proved a easily without any external threat from the afghan side. Pakistan quagmire for them. But, must establish good relathe 9/11 incident retions with afghanistan minded the USa that if and trade must be the prithings are made difficult A while ago there was a ority of Pakistan. Pakistan for others, most of the has already lifted a lot of time they blow back. perception that experts the burdens of Now, it is difficult to used to say that they did afghanistan, especially in imagine who is the winthe form of afghan ner or loser, but it is quite not know when this war refugees in Pakistan. Till clear that the USa did not would end, but now one date, 2.7 million afghan win the war. Pakistan refugees have been sustained the cost of thing is for sure, that hosted by Pakistan. managing the Taliban.

Barring a few exceptions, sooner or later Americans United Nations Secretary General antónio Guterres very few countries will are going back, leaving all also praised the hospitalopenly criticize the ity of Pakistan in hosting arrangement where the the débris of the war at the the refugees. IntraTaliban are participants door of Pakistan. Another afghan talks and negotiafter the settlement. The are important and Taliban are a tough nut to opinion is that everything ations peace settlements are escrack. It is only a marriage of convenience, will return to the status quo sential. Unless all stakeholders, including local each party has a separate once the US election is leaders and countries, are agenda, without any coninvolved, there can never vergence of import. Libover.

Sometimes it seems be any peace in erals vehemently think that peace in Afghanistan is afghanistan. that the Taliban are not This is an example in built for peace, that they a wild goose chase But, the realm of adjudication are religious dictators, of the tautological diand the enemies of peace now all must Keep chotomy of Isaac’s or Isand freedom. fingers crossed mail’s sacrificial While afghans are hypothesis in the continPukhtuns and are the uum. Fools are born largest ethnic group, it is every day to go to heaven highly unlikely that they represent a majority. They are brave and they after death to defend the myth as to who is right. proved it by the steadiness of their fight for 18 This makes cents for charlatans to lead and die years against the USa and a total of 41 years if last in luxury, but makes no sense whatsoever!

Keep hope alive! one includes the fighting against the USSR. a while ago there was a perception that exWhen the USa invaded afghanistan, the Taliban shifted to the tribal areas of Pakistan perts used to say that they did not know when this and made their hideouts in these areas, and war would end, but now one thing is for sure, that when the USa pressurized the musharraf gov- sooner or later americans are going back, leaving ernment, Pakistan had to start operations against all the débris of the war at the door of Pakistan. these militants in the tribal areas without any another opinion is that everything will return to specific preparation. So, Pakistan faced a wave the status quo once the US election is over.

Sometimes it seems that peace in of anger from these militants in the form of the worst incidents terrorism incidents, including afghanistan is a wild goose chase But, now all suicide bomb attacks all across the country. must Keep fingers crossed.

Both al-Qaeda and the Taliban targeted PakDr Zeeshan Khan is an analyst, political istan and hence, Pakistan was called the international centre of terrorism. The internal commentator and contributor to the Op-Ed security of Pakistan was so threatened that after pages of different newspapers in Pakistan.

Twitter: @DrZeeshanKhanA1 the 2014 Peshawar army Public School attack, E m a i l : the army and political leadership decided to fight back against this terrorism. The operation dr.zeeshan.alias.ghazikhan@gmail.com

IN absolutely terrifying news, the remains of a 17-year-old boy named Bilal were found in the fields of Lahore Safari Park.

The child was the nephew of an employee who lived within the park. Prior to the discovery, Bilal’s father, Sharif, told the park officials his son had been missing since monday after he was sent to cut grass to feed the cattle.

Chaudhry Shafqat, a Lahore Safari Park official in a statement said, “We recovered human remains in the park on Wednesday after Bilal’s father told us that his son had been missing since monday after he went to the Safari Park for collection of grass.” “We have sent the remains to a laboratory for a forensic examination and ordered an investigation into the incident.” according to park officials, the boy may have mistakenly entered the lion enclosure to cut grass, when he was attacked and killed by the lions kept there. however, the mysterious circumstances following the incident have led his family to believe there is more afoot. They alleged that the negligence of park administration resulted in the tragic incident. They also claim someone killed Bilal and dumped his body in the cage of lions. The CCTV cameras of the park have also been out of order so no footage was recorded. a police investigation is underway.

If the boy did climb over the fence of the lion enclosure, or any animal enclosure in the park, it just goes to show how inadequate the boundaries are and how much improvement is needed. Not only that, but the condition the animals are kept in are also disgusting and not how any living being should be treated. an entire overhaul is required to ensure such accidents are prevented in the future.

ShahzaIB ShaIkh Lahore

Climate woes CLImaTe change is now the most unpredictable threat to our planet. The earth’s climate has changed over the last century. There is stronger evidence that most of the warming observed in the last50 years is due to human activities.

Because of gas production, temperature’s should continue to rise over the 21century.it’s impact will be severely negative on both mankind and nature. human activities that contribute to climate change include in particular the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture and land use change like deforestation.

These cause the emission of carbon dioxide (Co2) the main gas responsible for climate change. and for this possibly many catastrophic changes will be inevitable. The more the greenhouse gases are emitted, the higher the tendency will be for the earth to warm. it will widespread the melting of snow and ice. Serious consequences will be a rise in sea levels that will endanger coastal areas and small islands. Therefore, only reducing emissions of greenhouse gases should reduce the risk of the adverse effects. many options for emission reduction are available but the whole world is concerned to remove this fatal threat.

MAHIKAN SARWAR Kech

Rarity of water supply I write to express my concern regarding helpless thinking you might assist me in waking up the sleeping municipal corporation authorities! our locality has been facing severe scarcity of water. The problem is quite complex. our area has not been receiving normal water supply for many months. It is owing to the ever increasing pressure of new colonies mushrooming in the outskirts. The water supply is being given to these new colonies by attaching them to a few water supply facilities. Seems a pity! fundamental amenities become scarce or then have been using it for their own purposes. hence, as a result the water does not come in taps.

We requested the municipal Commissioner to provide a new water facility in our locality but to no avail. The municipal authorities have a quite apathetic attitude towards providing public amenities to people.

Through the column of your reputed daily i wish to draw the attention of the concerned ministry and local authorities the severity of our plight. I also appeal to people to use water sagaciously.

MISBah JavaId karachi

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

pompeo: 'significanT reducTion' in afghanisTan Violence WASHINGTON

T

Vatican says pope 'slightly unwell', dismisses speculation

AGENCIES

HE United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a U.S.-Taliban deal on an American troop withdrawal.

Pompeo’s remark suggested that if the lull continues for a full week as intended, it will be possible to sign the pact as part of a wider effort to promote intra-Afghan reconciliation and to end the United States’ longest war.

The U.S.-Taliban agreement would begin a phased withdrawal of American and coalition forces. It would also require the Taliban to initiate a formal dialogue with the Afghan government and other political and civil society groups on a permanent nationwide ceasefire and power sharing in postwar Afghanistan.

There are major obstacles to bringing peace to Afghanistan. U.S. forces invaded the Southwest Asian country in 2001 to topple the Taliban rulers who provided a safe haven in which al Qaeda planned the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and the Pentagon that killed nearly 3,000 people. Among these are resolving an election feud between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his main political rival, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom have claimed victory in the disputed Sept. 28 contest.

Beyond that, there is the undecided question of who will form the Afghan team that would negotiate with the Taliban on how to bring the insurgents into the political process and, ultimately, how to share power with the movement.

Pompeo, testifying before the House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee, also said Washington is watching to see whether neighboring Iran may seek to play a spoiler role

VATICAN CITY AGENCIES

in Afghanistan, where the United States has roughly 13,000 service members stationed.

“We have seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan,” Pompeo said during a hearing that was to be devoted chiefly to Iran and Iraq but that touched on other topics, including the spread of the coronavirus.

He said there was a history of Iran

taking actions inside Afghanistan “to act as a spoiler.”

“We are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measures, that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and just as importantly put our American soldiers who are on the ground ... at risk as well,” Pompeo added.

President Donald Trump has made

the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan a major foreign policy objective. An agreement with the Taliban to end the 18-year-old war could boost Trump’s re-election prospects.

The American troops are part of a U.S-led NATO mission that trains and aids Afghan forces and carries out counterterrorism operations to prop up the Kabul government and prevent an al Qaeda resurgence.

The Vatican moved on Friday to dismiss speculation that Pope Francis was anything more than “slightly unwell” as the 83-year-old Roman Catholic leader canceled official audiences for the second day.The Vatican has not specified what the pope is suffering from. At his general audience on Wednesday he appeared to have a cold and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice, and he coughed during an afternoon Ash Wednesday service in a Rome church, his last appearance outside the Vatican. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement on Friday morning the pope had celebrated early morning Mass, as is customary, in the chapel of the Santa Marta guest house where he lives and greeted those who attended. “But he thought it was best to postpone today’s official audiences. The meetings scheduled to take place in Santa Marta will take place regularly,” Bruni said. On Friday afternoon, Bruni said: “There is no evidence that would lead to diagnosing anything but a mild indisposition. Even this afternoon, the Holy Father’s meetings continued in Santa Marta. Bruni added that the pope was still “slightly unwell”. On Friday morning, Francis was to have received executives from Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), International Business Machines Corp (IBM.N), and other technology companies. His speech to them from the Apostolic Palace was to have been streamed to participants of a conference in Rome on ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the conference, Microsoft, IBM, the Vatican and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), signed a memo of understanding on AI. The pope usually spends mornings making speeches to groups and meeting heads of state in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. But unlike previous popes, he chose not to live in its spacious papal apartments and opted for simple quarters in Santa Marta, where he

hong Kongers turn out for indie club's last indian police arrest over 500 performance as coronavirus forces closure for delhi communal violence

HONG KONG AGENCIES

Hundreds of Hong Kongers sporting face masks pulsated under strobe lights at a reknowned indie club for the last time on Thursday as cancellations by performers due to the coronavirus have forced the venue to close.

The music house known as Hidden Agenda: This Town Needs (TTN) opened its doors in 2009 and quickly attracted a loyal crowd of young Hong Kongers to one of few independent venues for live indie music in the city.

More recently the club in an industrial area on the Kowloon peninsula drew supporters of anti-government protests that have rocked the city. They would

often chant common protest slogans between song breaks at TTN. But in recent weeks international bands and artists such as H.J. Freaks, Nervosa and Crown The Empire canceled performances along with many others due to travel restrictions following the outbreak of the coronavirus in China, cofounder Joshua Chan said. “I think we put the safety of the artists and audience as our first priority,” Chan told Reuters.

TTN has made almost no income over the past two months but has still had to pay HK$320,000 ($41,000) in monthly rent and other expenses for the space, the other co-founder Hui Cheng Wo said.

At Thursday’s farewell event, over 600 people were temperature checked and forced to sanitize their hands before

being permitted entry to the club. All were wearing some form of face protection as were the band members who rocked on stage.

TTN’s closure marks the end of a troubled existence. The club moved location several times due to problems getting a license as a live music venue and was also beset by staff visa problems, leading to police raids at one point.

Now, TNN is among thousands of businesses including tourism and retail firms that are struggling to survive as locals stay at home and away from public areas. A partial closure of Hong Kong’s border with mainland China to prevent the spread of the virus has also reduced visitors to a trickle.

“We don’t really have a plan B how to cope… when something like coronavirus happened we had no choice but to shut down for now,” Chan said.

The former British colony has been in a recession for at least three quarters.

The fallout from the coronavirus, which has killed two people in Hong Kong and infected more than 90, comes after months of the often violent student protests that have further battered the city’s economy.

The Hong Kong government pledged cash handouts to residents and tax breaks for business in its annual budget on Wednesday to soften the blow, but that will also put added strain on weakening public finances.

The support measures are not expected to arrest the downturn in the Asian financial hub, analysts said, although they will provide households and companies with some relief.

CMYK

NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Indian police have arrested 514 people for deadly Hindu-Muslim violence that broke out in the capital, the government said, as it faced mounting international criticism for failing to protect minority Muslims.

Police said the toll from days of blood-letting stood at 35, but local media, citing unnamed sources, said it was likely to be more than 40 as the full extent of the violence that began on Sunday in a densely-packed locality in northeastern Delhi becomes clear.

Police are still searching drains and homes that were burnt down for bodies, officers said.

More forces had been deployed at mosques in the area for the weekly Friday prayers, the government said.

There had been no new violence since Wednesday morning, it said in a statement late on Thursday.

The violence began over a citizenship law that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government introduced in December providing a path to Indian citizenship for six religious groups from neighbouring countries, but not Muslims.

Critics say the law is discriminatory and comes on top of other measures such as withdrawal of autonomy for Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir that has deepened disquiet about the future of India’s 200 million Muslims.

Critics of the government however blamed this week’s violence on members of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was trounced in local Delhi elections at the beginning of the month. The BJP has denied the allegations.

Ultimately, the violence morphed into street battles between Hindu and Muslim groups with the police largely ineffective in controlling the situation.

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

BUSINESS 11

CORPORATE CORNER

FBR sHORtFall ReacHes Rs208Bn in eigHt MOntHs ISLAMABAD

KARACHI: Arçelik, the parent company of Dawlance, has appointed MEP Global Technologies (MGT) as the distributor for its commercial air-conditioner range.

Dawlance CEO Umar Ahsan Khan and MGT Managing Director Ijaz K Malick signed an agreement in this regard. P RE SS REL EA SE

LAHORE: OLX, along with CarFirst, has launched yet another initiative to provide convenience to its customers through its first offline facilitation centre at Packages Mall. P R E S S R E L E A S E

SHAHZAD PARACHA

t

HE Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s revenue shortfall has surged to Rs208 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year. Sources said the premier tax agency in the country had collected Rs2,718 billion in July-February FY20, as against the projected target of Rs2,926.

Originally, the tax department shortfall had increased to Rs400 billion, but due to downward revision in tax collection target from Rs5,550 billion to Rs5,238 billion by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month, the shortfall remained confined to Rs208 billion during the period under review.

Earlier, it was also reported that FBR had asked IMF to further revise the revenue target as the department could only collect up to Rs4,800

LAHORE

KARACHI: Indus Motor Company recently partnered with the Centre of Excellence in Responsible Business (CERB), an outreach initiative of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), to conduct workshops under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Leadership Programme. PRESS RELEASE

ISLAMABAD: Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) President Masood Hashmi presents a memento to ISPOS Pakistan MD Abdul Sattar Babar during an event titled ‘MAP Talk’. PR ESS RE LE AS E

billion during the ongoing fiscal year. However, the IMF mission chief’s statement on Thursday rejected this perception that the lending organization had agreed to further revise the revenue target.

Sources said FBR had collected around Rs1,000 billion as income tax, Rs1,180 billion as sales tax, Rs160 billion as federal excise duty and Rs430 billion as customs duty during the first eight months of the current fiscal year.

FBR had collected Rs310 billion in February 2020, they added.

Sources further said the department had also refunded Rs78 billion to the exporters and others

TDAP asked to assess coronavirus impact on Pakistani market SHAHAB OMER

ISLAMABAD: Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) on Friday held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially commence the construction of its 12-storey “FFC Tower”. PRESS RELEASE

Despite DownwaRD Revision bY iMF, FbR likelY to Miss annual taRget bY aRounD Rs400bn

The Ministry of Commerce has asked the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to submit daily reports regarding the impact of coronavirus outbreak on the Pakistani market.

According to a letter issued by the ministry, "TDAP and all its regional offices in the provincial capitals may furnish reports for the perusal of the Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Secretary Commerce at the end of every day."

As per the prescribed template, the TDAP headquarter and all the offices have been

asked to get in touch with private stakeholders and public departments on a daily basis to get information for any possible supply chain disruptions for export-oriented sectors (by phone/email etc).

Similarly, the TDAP has also been assigned to form a liaison with ports and border management authorities to get an update on delays in shipments to and from China and prepare data analysis of import and exports.

In addition, the authority has been asked to prepare a report on domestic production, supplyside issues, commercial intelligence and media concerns.

Earlier on Thursday, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood had said that the government had not yet firmed up the exact amount of losses expected to be incurred on account of coronavirus. However, he had stated the loses would be more on the imports from China.

A TDAP official from Lahore informed this scribe that most of the “petty items” were coming in Pakistan from China.

"Now we are all set to keep a check on daily trade activity. We are already in contact with private stakeholders and border management authorities in this regard."

APP

The United States of America (USA) remained the top export destination for Pakistani products during the first seven months of the current financial year F20, followed by China and the United Kingdom (UK).

Total exports to the USA during July-January (2019-20) were recorded at $2,440.411 million against the exports of $2,366.163 million during JulyJanuary FY19, showing an increase of 3.13 per cent, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

This was followed by China, wherein Pakistan exported goods worth

BOP earns Rs14bn before tax profit The Board of Directors of The Bank of Punjab (BOP) on Friday announced the bank’s annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The board appreciated the efforts of the management team for achieving remarkable financial results during the year 2019, as the bank posted the highest-ever annual profit in its history. The tremendous financial performance is a testimony to the great transformation the bank has undergone in the last few years. The board also announced and recommended a cash dividend of 7.5pc for shareholders for the year 2019. While the bank has achieved all business targets for the year 2019, its Net Interest Margin (NIM) improved significantly from Rs20.06 billion last year to Rs26.76 billion, thereby reflecting a spectacular growth of 33pc. The bank’s nonmarkup/interest income remained at the level of Rs3.94 billion. Accordingly, the bank earned before tax profit of Rs14.04 billion as against Rs12.21 billion last year.

Further, the bank’s earnings per share (EPS) improved to Rs3.12 per share. BUSINESS DESK

2020 declared 'Freight Year' to make Railways profitable: minister HabibMetro FAISALABAD: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said on Friday that Pakistan Railways had declared 2020 as the Freight Year to make the department profitable and play its role in making the national economy strong.

Inaugurating the Chishtian Logistic Coal Terminal at the Faisalabad Dry Port, he said the terminal would generate Rs10 million revenue in addition to helping smooth unloading of coal for the coal-fired powerhouses of the region.

Ahmad said under the new arrangement, 125 tonnes of coal would be unloaded within a period of only 25 minutes and time could further be reduced to 15 minutes at later stages.

The minister said five terminals would be set up in different parts of the country, which would also facilitate the availability of coal to the powerhouses in addition to catering to the needs of the private sector.

He said freight was the only unexploited sector, which could make Pakistan Railways a profit-earning entity.

He said a dedicated freight train had already been operating for Faisalabad, while its number could be increased keeping in view demand of the local industrialists and coal importers.

Expressing concerns over price-hike, the minister said the incumbent government was not responsible for it as the previous government put an unbearable burden on the national economy by acquiring huge loans, while the PTI-led coalition government had no other option but to repay those loans.

He promised that no increase in prices of flour and ghee would be allowed, though sugar rate might increase according to the market forces.

The minister said coronavirus was a reason behind sluggish global economic growth, but “we are trying to save Pakistan Railways from its ill impact.”

He promised to review the withdrawal of insurance fee recovered from each passenger at the time of sale of ticket. APP

USA, China remain top export destinations for Pakistan ISLAMABAD

during the period under review.

Separately, in a statement, FBR official Dr Hamid Attique said the bureau’s revenue collection had exceeded over 17 per cent in February this year as compared to the corresponding month of 2019.

Acting Chairperson Nosheen Javed Amjad congratulated the FBR officials over their performance with regard to revenue collection.

NO CHANGE IN DATE OF FILING: According to the FBR’s spokesperson, the department would not extend the date for filing of tax returns.

The Active Taxpayers List (ATL) would be changed from 2018 to 2019 from March 1, he said, adding all those persons, who didn’t file their returns, would be excluded from the list.

FBR had collected a record number of tax returns of 2.45 million on the last day of 2019 as compared to 1.68 million returns collected in 2018, showing an increase of 45 per cent, Attique added.

$1,056.773 million during 7MFY20 against the exports of $1038.023 million in the corresponding period of last year, showing a nominal increase of 1.80pc.

The UK remained third top export destination, where Pakistan exported products worth $1,004.520 million during the current financial year against the exports of $1,039.609 million during last fiscal year, showing a decrease of 3.37pc, the SBP data revealed.

Among other countries, Pakistani exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stood at $984.881 million against $743.474 million worth exports during last year, showing an increase of 32.47pc, while the exports to Germany were recorded at $799.324 million

against the exports of $ 767.483 million last year.

During the first seven months of FY20, the exports to Afghanistan were recorded at $633.121 million against the exports of $676.197 million of FY19, whereas the exports to Holland stood at $597.048 million against the exports of $546.690 million. Pakistan’s exports to Spain were recorded at $525.942 million against the exports of $533.148 million last year, while the exports to Italy stood at $463.043 million against $448.649 million.

Similarly, the exports to Bangladesh, during the first seven months of the current financial year, were recorded at $440.909 million

against the exports of $452.491 million in previous financial year, while the exports to France stood at $257.809 million against $ 268.514 million.

Pakistan’s exports to Singapore were recorded at $126.657 million during the current financial year compared to $158.880 million last year, whereas the exports to Canada stood at $168.951 million against $172.429 million.

The exports to Saudi Arabia were recorded at $278.966 million during 7MFY20 against the exports of $180.161 million during 7MFY19, whereas the exports to India stood at $17.672 million during the financial year against the exports of $250.167 million during last year.

underperforms, posts nominal growth for FY19

KARACHI: The Board of Directors of Habib Metropolitan Bank Ltd (HMB) met on Thursday and Friday to review the bank’s performance and announce its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. According to the financials, the bank’s profit after tax increased to Rs6.96 billion in the year ending December 31, 2019, as compared to Rs6.42 billion in the corresponding period last year, showing a growth of 8.42pc. The bank declared a final cash dividend of Rs2.50 per share, or 25pc.

The bank’s earnings per share (EPS) clocked in at Rs6.34, which is a small increase from Rs5.90 during the same period last year.

Despite the marginal increases, both the bank’s profit and EPS were below analysts’ expectations. The bank’s profits have been hovering around the Rs6 billion mark for the last four years, after crossing the Rs7 billion mark in 2015. The bank’s net interest income stood at Rs17.96 billion, or an increase of 7.88pc. According to Taurus Securities, this was due to a “significant surge in interest expenses which can be attributed to higher cost of funds, due to lower current accounts concentration.” The non-markup income rose 21.49pc to Rs7.41 billion. Though the bank’s non-markup income suffered heavy capital losses, the income was buoyed by the increase in fee income and foriegn exchange income. The fee and commission income, which is earned mainly through trade business and general banking services, rose by 27.78pc over 2018 to Rs5.29 billion; and the bank’s foreign exchange income increased to Rs3.12 billion this year, or a substantial increase of 108.02pc. MEIRYUM ALI

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

12 BUSINESS MARkeT DAily

Kse-100 loses 103 points amid volatile activity KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended the last session of the week on a negative note, with the indices failing to overturn the recent downward trend and closed in the red. The benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded its oneweek return at -5.62pc while its one-month return clocked in at -8.76pc. Foreign investors remained net sellers of $50.21 million during the month of February (highest since August 2017). On the economic front, the International Monetary Fund announced that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan after both sides "resolved all outstanding issues aimed at keeping the $6-billion programme on track". Moreover, according to latest data released by State Bank of Pakistan, the country's total foreign exchange reserves remained flat at $18,743 million for the week ended February 27, 2020. The reserves previously stood at $18,747 million (as on Feb 14). The KSE-100 Index gained 219.75 points to touch its intraday high at 38,307.07 during the initial trading hours. However, it went southwards thereon, shedding 328.75 points to mark its day's low at 37,758.57. The index finally settled lower by 103.70 points at 37,983.62. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index lost 110.77 points to settle at 59,433.31, while the KSE All Share Index declined by 107.58 points, ending at 26,289.38. Out of the total traded scrips, 158 advanced and 148 declined. The overall market volumes declined from 249.24 million in the previous session to 201.66 million, with Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL -3.41pc), Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF +2.40pc) and Unity Foods Limited (MLCF +0.39pc) topping the volume chart. The scrips had exchanged 18.51 million, 17.62 million and 14.03 million shares, respectively.

On the financial side, the Searle Company Limited (SEARL +4.82pc) declared its performance for the second quarter of FY20. The company's revenue increased by 16pc while its cost of sales fell by 12pc, resulting in 71pc YoY surge in gross profit. However, the company’s distribution cost inflated by 20pc, finance cost surged by 51pc while admin cost increased by 19pc. The company's earnings per share declined from Rs6.85 in 2QFY19 to Rs5.44 in 2QFY20. Moreover, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited (UPFL 0.00pc) announced its financial results for FY19. Revenue improved by 11.71pc YoY while the cost of sales increased by 20.03pc, pushing the gross profit margin from 44.96pc in FY18 to 40.86pc in FY19. The company posted an EPS of Rs385.08 for FY19 (Rs274.92 in FY18). STAFF REPORT

nBP reports 17pc fall in profit KARACHI: The Board of Directors of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) met on Friday to review the bank’s performance and announce its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. According to the financials, the bank reported that profit after tax of Rs16.64 billion for the year ending December 31, 2019, as compared to Rs20.03 billion for the corresponding period last year, showing a fall of 16.91pc. The bank’s earnings per share (EPS) clocked in at Rs7.79, a decrease from the previous Rs9.36 last year. The bank did not issue a cash dividend for the year. The bank’s profit before tax stood at Rs28.97 billion for the year ended December 31, or a fall of 3.02pc over 2018. However, its profit before provisions increased 3.53pc to Rs42.53 billion.

The bank’s net interest income, or income earned on bank's interest-bearing assets minus payments on interest-bearing liabilities, did grow 18.5pc to Rs72.15 billion. The nonmarkup income more or less stayed the same, with an increase of 0.23pc to Rs37.77 billion. While the fee and commission income, which is earned mainly through trade business and general banking services, rose 6.76pc over 2018 to Rs20.41 billion; the bank’s foreign exchange income witnessed a substantial drop of 35.50pc to Rs6.32 billion this year. The dividend income rose 23.79pc to Rs3.09 billion.

However, NBP’s earnings were affected by the rise in total non-mark-up and interest expenses, which increased 17.22pc to Rs67.37 billion. The bank also reported earnings of Rs10 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, which was a decrease of 99.7pc YoY. According to Hamza Kamal at AKD Securities, this was due to a flat net interest income (on account of certain markup suspension on loans classified), an exorbitant increase in administrative costs (due to provisions booked against employee related contingencies), and higher provisioning costs. The AKD report also noted that NBP’s management plans to optimize its overseas branch network this year, closing some of the branches in the process. MEIRYUM ALI

textile MilleRs Reject PROPOsed Ban On cOttOn iMPORt LAHORE

t

HASSAN NAQVI

EXTILE millers on Friday rejected recommendations made by the National Assembly's Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research to impose a ban on the import of cotton.

Talking to this scribe, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Group Leader Gohar Ijaz said, "By purposing the ban, it seems that the standing committee wants to halt the production of textile mills, layoff half the workforce and confine the country's exports to $8.5 billion only."

Ijaz said that around 10 million textile workers across the country were processing and converting cotton bales into textile exports worth $13.5 billion and that they were trying to increase the country's exports to $25 billion in the next five years.

"We need to import cotton if we want our textile industry to thrive, as we only produced around 8.5 million bales this year against the target of 15 million bales," he said.

Agreeing with him, APTMA Punjab ViceChairman Aamir Sheikh said against the consumption demand of 15 million bales, the country was expected to produce only 7 million bales in the next year. "We need to import longstaple cotton to produce fine counts, besides importing contamination-free cotton to make high-end fabric," Sheikh asserted.

Naveed Gulzar, a spinning miller from

Faisalabad, said that government's decision to place a ban on cotton import would prove to be ac "deathblow to the textile sector".

"Unfortunately, Pakistan’s cotton crop and production area has been declining for the last decade and no research is being carried out by research institutes regarding new cotton seeds and pesticides that are damaging our cotton crop," he added.

He said the textile sector should be given an opportunity to import better quality cotton at cheaper rates from abroad. “There is a shortage of cotton in the country and we need to import the commodity to run our industries.”

Gulzar said the quality of locally produced

cotton would improve only if the country competes with its regional competitors. Otherwise, he added, the production area, as well as the quality of the cotton crop, would continue to decline.

He maintained that the textile sector was ready to pay cotton cess [per bale] "but with a condition that it should be used only for research purposes".

It is pertinent to mention that in July 2012, the government had increased the rate of cotton cess from Rs20 per bale to Rs50 per bale. But APTMA had gotten stay orders against the decision after noting that the said amount was not being used on the research of cotton and rather it was being used to pay the salaries of officials at the research institutes.

Hong Kong-based company starts smartphone manufacturing in Pakistan ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

A Hong Kong-based smartphone manufacturer, Infinix, has become the first smartphone company to start manufacturing in Pakistan. Prior to this, only a certain amount of mobile phones were being assembled within the country, including Xiaomi Mi phones.

"Fully aligning with the country's initiative of 'Made in Pakistan', the company keeps growing its investment to contribute and help transform Pakistan into a regional tech hub. This is just one step further towards our mission and commitment to putting Pakistan on the road to

progress and prosperity," said a press release issued by Infinix Pakistan on Friday.

Located in Pakistan, the Chinese smartphone brand's manufacturing facility helps prevent the unnecessary worry of coronavirus and the inaccessibility of the newest Infinix products. With the launch of the facility, the company also fulfils its aim of playing its role in empowering the local labour, particularly women, as 60pc of the workforce working in the Infinix Pakistan factory comprised of women.

The manufacturing vicinity was also visited

by Chinese Consul General Li Bijian, who applauded Infinix’s contribution in promoting local employment in the country.

Talking about their company mission, Infinix Pakistan CEO Joe Hu said, "Infinix's vision as a company is to enrich our customers' experiences, whether it is through our products, or what goes in their manufacturing. To be able to play a small part in the empowerment of the labour force in Pakistan, particularly women, is an important step further towards our mission."

Infinix’s products in Pakistan are priced from approximately Rs11,000 to Rs40,000, catering to a broad range of customers. With the ongoing cricket tournament, Pakistan Super League, Infinix has also introduced promotional prices on their mobile phones while partnering with leading cricketers.

Standard Chartered profit jumps 43pc to record Rs16bn KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI

The Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Pakistan met on Thursday and Friday to review the bank's performance and announce its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

According to the financials, the bank reported a profit after tax increased to Rs16.01 billion for the year ending December 31, 2019, as compared to Rs11.23 billion for the corresponding period last year, showing an astounding growth of 42.51pc.

According to a statement by

the bank, this is the highest ever profit after tax recorded since its incorporation.

The bank's profit before tax stood at Rs27.19 billion for the year ended December 31, a growth of 47.45pc over 2018. Its profit before provisions increased 57.78pc to Rs27.18 billion.

The bank also declared a final cash dividend of Rs1.75 per share, or 17.5pc. This is in addition to the Rs1.25 interim dividend, or 12.5pc, already paid in 2019, bringing the cumulative dividend to Rs3, or 30pc. This is a record dividend payout for the bank.

Much of the growth can be at-

tributed to the surge in the bank’s net interest income, or income earned on bank's interest-bearing assets minus payments on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest income showed an astonishing growth of 49.69pc to Rs28.96 billion.

The bank’s earnings per share (EPS) clocked in at Rs4.14, a jump from the previous Rs2.90 last year.

The non-markup income, however, displayed less rapid growth in comparison, rising only 12.41pc to Rs10.88 billion.

In fact, the fee and commission income, which is earned mainly through trade business and general banking services, fell by 13.33pc

over 2018 to Rs3.6 billion; while the bank’s foreign exchange income witnessed a substantial drop of 23.41pc to Rs4.19 billion this year.

The ratio of deposits in current and savings accounts to total deposits stood at 93pc; total deposits grew 10pc, while current and savings accounts deposits grew 8pc.

The bank also said that net advances grew 29pc since the start of the year.

“This was the result of a targeted strategy to leverage our brand, client relationships and strong global network in building profitable and highquality portfolios,” the statement from the bank read.

FBR asked to mobilise resources to achieve revenue targets ISLAMABAD APP

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on Friday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to go for revenue generation and resource mobilization to achieve future revenue targets.

The committee emphasized on the bureau to enhance its staff capacity and implement the agenda of automation to introduce the optimum international practices in the institution.

The proposed development schemes of FBR for the Public Sector Develop-

ment Program (PSDP) 2020-21 were also discussed during the meeting of the committee that was convened by MNA Syed Naveed Qamar here in the Parliament House.

Briefing the meeting, TARG Procurement and Automation Director General Syed Adeela Bokhari said FBR had proposed total 26 projects for upcoming PSDP 2020-21, in which 12 on-going and 14 new schemes had been forwarded.

She informed that total estimated cost of all 26 development schemes was around Rs75.19 billion and that the projects were of different nature including construction and purchases for the department.

The committee members, however, expressed their concerns over the proposed schemes of FBR and said the proposed schemes were not supported by the bureau’s vision of broadening revenue system in the country.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue clarified that separate programmes for tax reforms had already been initiated by FBR to increase the revenue.

The committee directed the premier tax collection agency of the country to prioritize its schemes before making any request to include the same in the budget for financial year 2020-21.

Furthermore, the committee members discussed the agenda pertaining to the issues being faced by textile exporters.

They were of the view that a sub-committee already been constituted in this regard would give its recommendations.

The stakeholders linking to the textile industry were asked by the committee members to present their issues in the meeting of the sub-committee, which would be held shortly.

The MoF’s additional secretary briefed the committee about on-going and new PSDP projects that were under the purview of the Finance Division.

The committee deliberated on proj-

ect to project basis and approved PSDP for financial year 2020-21 of the Finance Division.

The committee recommended that State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) might be asked to provide their views about the future up-gradation of Pakistan Mint as per the SBP requirements.

However, it recommended that except those ongoing schemes- already been recommended by the Standing Committee on Commerce in its meeting held on February 25, 2020- all remaining schemes might be considered for allocation of funds in the next financial year FY21, as proposed by the ministry.

Ishqiya- A Typically Monotonous story SOC Films collaborated with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA)

T

By Rohama Riaz

HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

ODAY, we talk about the drama that is all over Hania Amir’s Instagram feed. Yes, you got it right. we are talking about “Ishqiya” But, in “Ishqiya”, the word “Qiya” makes us ask them that why these talented actors had to take such a bland script with a typical story having no thrill and elation for the viewers to look forward to.

Where on one side, we believe that there should be dramas on every topic, on the other side, we look forward to seeing good and meaningful content as well.

Feroze Khan’s powerful performance in Khaani set our expectation bar high and now we are utterly disappointed at his choice of role. Normalising possessiveness to such an extent, boy are you inspired by the movie “Kabir Singh”? Don’t even do that because Pakistani “awaam” is too sensitive about bullying a romantic relationship. And please let us know the name of the university where you can easily tell

your instructor “Aik second” because you gotta talk to your girlfriend.

We did see the teaser and spotted Rimsha Khan but it looks like she is only getting paid for soliloquy or playing basketball. Also, this beautifully talented girl needs to start doing roles that do not demand too much of glycerine for eyes.

Acting as a flat character while being in the main role is definitely not a good pattern to follow.

The reason why we still watch this drama is Hania Amir’s wild, energetic and funky acting skills and the personality she has portrayed. We were honestly done with her negative roles but who knows this shall also turn out to be her one of those typical antagonist drama characters?

And oh, Gohar, are you ready to be an untrusting, suspicious or a heartbroken husband like Danish from Merey pas tum ho?

We really can’t figure out right now.

Let’s see what the drama brings in the future. For now, this was our analysis, what is yours?

SOC Films, spearheaded by Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Idara-e-Taleem-oAagahi (ITA) collaborative flagship program, focusing on girls’ education titled ‘Advancing Action of Adolescent Girls’ [‘Siyani Sahelian’], culminates with a series of film screenings in South Punjab.

With ‘Siyani Sahelian’, SOC Films and ITA aimed to tackle gender inequality for disadvantaged out of school adolescent girls (aged 9-19) in three districts of South Punjab, including Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan [ITA hubs]. “It is extremely important to empower girls who are unable to complete their education with life skills so that they have the ability to stand on their own two feet.

With our collaboration with ITA we were able to reach more than fifteen hundred girls. Using films, we provided them critical information about nutrition, health and self awareness, teaching them how to be economically and socially responsible.

These girls are often forgotten but if educated and empowered they can be the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy about the collaboration with ITA. For this 6-month long collaborative program, SOC Films produced five short animated films targeting young adolescent girls highlighting the issue of hygiene during mensuration, financial literacy, nutrition, importance of education for girls and self-awareness. These five films were taken to over 60 towns and villages including ITA hubs on a fully equipped Mobile Cinema where films on child abuse, bonded labor, child marriage, diversity and tolerance and civic responsibility were also screened. During the program, SOC Films also conducted ‘Storytelling & Filming’ workshops with the students. The SOC Films team, spearheaded by Safyah Usmani, Murtaza Ali, Sidra Tul Muntaha and Mukarram Khan, spent time teaching the students how to create films on mobile phones. Many of the young women were able to, for the first time, articulate what their lives were like focusing on their hopes and dreams for their villages, towns and for Pakistan. Over thirty-five short films were created out of the workshops and later exhibited in Muzzaffargarh, Rahimyar Khan and Bhawalpur.

“Giving agency to adolescent girls through a powerful and contemporary medium of mobile cinema and animations is critical in the digital age.

This aspect was conceived at the very outset of the SS initiative embedded in the life skills strand of the program for all 22,000+ adolescent girls. We, at ITA, are delighted that SOC films became our learning solutions partner.

Everything you wanted to know about Raashi Khanna starts shooting for Sundar Ana de Armas, the No Time To Die actor C’s Aranmanai 3 Jamie Lee Curtis had no idea who Ana de Armas was when they first met on the sets of Knives Out. But she was impressed. So impressed, in fact, that she wrote an email to Steven Spielberg and demanded that he pay attention. Little did Curtis know that de Armas had already starred in films with Keanu Reeves (Knock Knock) and Ryan Gosling (Blade Runner 2049).

Her rise in the famously fickle world of Hollywood has been quite the fairytale itself. De Armas was on her way to the airport when she was spotted by a producer, who insisted that she meet with filmmaker, Eli Roth. The feminist exploitation picture, Knock Knock, would mark her Hollywood debut. In six years, she’s gone from being a non-English speaking immigrant to landing a role as Marilyn Monroe, perhaps one of the most enduring cultural icons for the US. De Armas said that the optics of “a Cuban playing Marilyn” weren’t lost on her. Titled Blonde, the film will be her third for the streaming giant, Netflix, following Sergio, a biographical drama film about United Nations diplomat.

Actor Raashi Khanna, who was last seen on screen in Vijay Deverakonda’s World Famous Lover, has started shooting for upcoming Tamil horror thriller Aranmanai 3. Raashi took to Twitter to share that she has commenced shooting for the project. She also shared a couple of pictures from the sets.

Raashi is the latest entrant to the Aranmanai franchise. The first part in the franchise released in 2014 and it starred Vinay, Hansika Motwani and Andrea Jeremiah in the lead roles. Sundar C roped in Siddharth and Trisha Krishnan for the sequel which went on to be mint big bucks despite mostly negative reviews.

Aranmanai 3, which went on the floors last week, also stars Arya, Andrea Jeremiah and Sakshi Aggarwal in key roles. According to a Cinema Express report, the shoot is currently underway in a palace in Rajkot.

If everything goes as planned, the film will hit the screens in August. Sundar C has pinned high hopes on this project after the back-to-back failures of his last two films Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven and Action.

CMYK

OPAL HAS BEEN DISCOVERED ON MARS.

GEORGE WASHINGTON LOVED EXPLORING CAVES.

IT TAKES A GALLON AND A HALF OF MILK TO MAKE A GALLON OF ICE CREAM.

Hrithik Roshan shares ‘enjoying the calm’ photo, Tiger Shroff says ‘you are the storm’ Actor Hrithik Roshan is enjoying a holiday. On Friday, the actor shared two pictures and it appears they are from his time in Dubai.

Sharing them, he wrote: “Looking for the storm. Meanwhile.

Enjoy the calm.” In the pictures, Hrithik, looking much leaner than his normal self, can be seen looking towards the open expanse of the sea. He is casually dressed -- a white track bottom with sleeveless hoodie jacket. He has a cap on and is wearing dark glasses.

The post got a lot of love from fans and his colleagues. Tiger Shroff wrote back: “You are the storm”.

Hrithik and Tiger starred in one of the biggest block busters of 2019, War. The film, which pitted the two against each other, starred Hrithik as a commando who goes rogue. Tiger is tasked with the job of bringing him back. Speaking about the success of his two films, War and Super 30, in 2019, Hrithik had told Hindustan Times, “The success of War, Super 30 or any other movie teaches you only one thing — following your heart.

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

14 SportS

CLiniCaL EngLand EasE past pakistan as HEatHEr knigHt, spinnErs star

E

NGLAND took a stride towards qualification from Group B of the Women's T20 World Cup by thrashing Pakistan in Canberra.

After surprisingly being inserted

by Pakistan's skipper Bismah Maroof, England overcame an early stutter thanks primarily to captain Heather Knight, who continued her fine form in this tournament and at Manuka Oval with a fluent, 47-ball 62, with Nat Sciver and Fran Wilson keeping things ticking over.

ENGLAND Pakistan were slip7 (KNIGHT FOR 158 shod in the field, dropping several chances, 62, AIMAN ANWER 3-30) and struggled to get BEAT PAKISTAN 116 going in reply, with pressure at the top of Anya Shrubsole and the order, having (SHRUBSOLE 3-25, Katherine Brunt promade a combined 25 GLENN 3-15) BY 42 viding early breakruns against South throughs before young Africa and then both regRUNS spinners Sarah Glenn and istering ducks against ThaiSophie Ecclestone strangled the land on Wednesday. chase in the middle overs.

Both players were successful in the Defeat leaves Pakistan needing to series between these teams in Malaysia win their last two group games to stand at the end of last year, with Jones fina realistic chance of qualification, while ishing as top run-scorer with 179 in England know that victory against West three games, but they failed to rekindle Indies in their final fixture should be that form in Canberra. Jones fell in the enough for them to get through. game's first over, trapped on the pad as ENGLAND'S OPENING MUDDLE: Diana Baig found a hint of seam moveDanni Wyatt and Amy Jones are under ment with the new ball, and a review

Lazio rEady to pounCE as JuvE, intEr CLasH bEHind CLosEd doors

confirmed that the ball would have clipped the bails.

Wyatt, meanwhile, enjoyed an early reprieve, spooning a chance up to Baig at point, who lost the ball in the low sun, but there was no mistake when she offered a similar opportunity to Muneeba Ali in that position at the start of the sixth over. While England's long batting line-up has bailed them out in their last two games, the openers' struggles will be a cause for concern.

KNIGHT'S CANBERRA LOVE AFFAIR: Knight's imperious hundred against Thailand on this ground made her the first English player - male or fe-

male - to score make a century in all three formats, and continued her incredible streak with the bat on this ground.

Coming into this game, she had 304 runs in her last four T20I innings at Manuka Oval, and that run continued against Pakistan.

Coming in at the end of the powerplay, Knight regularly found the boundary, using her feet well and adapting better than any batter on either side to a slow, used surface. She dumped Nida Dar - playing her 100th T20I - over long-on for England's only six of the innings, and while she holed out at the end of the 19th looking to repeat the trick, the damage had been done.

Pakistan were left to rue their poor performance in the outfield: Umaima Sohail had a straightforward chance underneath a high ball from Knight on 32, but it bursts through her hands for a one-bounce four after she misjudged the distance on it, striding in off the rope before backpedalling.

STUNNING SIDRA: While Pakistan outfielding left plenty to be desire, their wicketkeeper Sidra Nawaz was superb behind the stumps.

At the start of the 12th over, she pulled off perhaps the stumping of the tournament, as Aliya Riaz strayed down the leg side to Sciver. AGENCIES

Sweet 16 as Djokovic reaches Dubai semis

MILAN AGENCIES

Lazio are ready to pounce to hammer home their Serie A ambitions when they host Bologna on Saturday before title-rivals Juventus and Inter Milan clash behind closed doors in Turin because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Romans are one point behind leaders Juventus with Inter Milan six points adrift with a game in hand, after last weekend’s match against Sampdoria was postponed because of the virus epidemic in Italy. Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio are on a 20match unbeaten run in the league as they target their first Scudetto in two decades.

The Serie A calendar has been thrown into turmoil by the spread of coronavirus which has infected 650 people and killed 17 in Italy. Four matches last weekend were postponed, and five will be played behind closed doors this weekend. In addition to Juventus versus Inter Milan, the others are Udinese against Fiorentina; AC Milan at home to Genoa, Parma against SPAL and Sassuolo at home to Brescia. A decision has yet to be made on Monday’s game between Sampdoria and Hellas Verona. Lazio will be able to count on their home crowd at the Stadio Olimpico as they push to pull ahead of the leaders. But Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side have won four of their last five away matches and will be looking for their first win in Rome in eight years. Juventus are reeling after their Champions League last 16, first leg defeat in Lyon, and need a result against Inter to keep their bid for a ninth Serie A title firmly on track. “I am confident, because we are a united group,” said Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey. “Let’s focus on ourselves, and do better starting on Sunday with Inter. For the return leg we want to secure a result in front of the fans.”

It will also mark the return of Inter coach Antonio Conte to Turin where he played for 13 years and coached Juventus to three Serie A titles in their current run of eight. “We have started this cycle of demanding games,” said Conte.

DUBAI AGENCIES

Novak Djokovic won his 16th match of an undefeated season, hammering Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-2, 62 on Thursday for a place in the Dubai Championships semi-finals. The world number one, playing in the UAE for an 11th time, will face third seed Gael Monfils, who beat French compatriot Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-3.

It will be four-time champion Djokovic’s ninth appearance in the Dubai semi-finals.

Winning Thursday’s match assured him of keeping hold of the world number one ranking despite competition at this week’s Acapulco event from second-ranked rival Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic will be favourite to make the Dubai final

— he has defeated Monfils 16 times in 16 meetings.

“We will work out a strategy,” Monfils said after winning his 12th match in a row in 2020. “But I don’t exactly know what it will be!” Top seed Djokovic, who has yet to drop a set, needed just 68 minutes to beat Dubai-based Khachanov for the third time in four meetings.

“The wind was even stronger today on the court, changing directions all the time. It was really, really tough to get the rhythm for the serve,” Djokovic said.

“Karen made a lot of unforced errors, which obviously made my life easier especially in the first set to go up 5-1, two breaks.

“From my end it was a solid performance. I moved well in the defence. I was using the variety, the dropshots, always making him guess what is coming next.

That was the goal obviously.”

Liverpool eye record-breaking win as top-four battle heats up LONDON AGENCIES

Liverpool can make Premier League history at Watford on Saturday as the runaway leaders aim to move within three wins of clinching the title. While Jurgen Klopp’s side are racing towards the title, the battle to qualify for the Champions League and the struggle to avoid relegation look set to go down to the wire Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Wolves can all bolster their European hopes this weekend, with West Ham, Norwich, Bournemouth and Watford among those scrapping for survival. Liverpool’s historic charge towards a first English title since 1990 will reach another landmark moment if they beat Watford. The Reds equalled Manchester City’s English top-flight record of 18 consecutive league wins, set between August and December 2017, when they fought back from 2-1 down to beat West Ham 3-2 on Monday. Klopp’s men, who need four victories from their final 11 games to guarantee the title, can break City’s record with win number 19 at Vicarage Road. With second-placed Manchester City on League Cup final duty against Aston Villa on Sunday, a victory against the struggling Hornets would put Liverpool 25 points clear at the top. If they do win their next four games, they will lock up the title with seven matches to spare, beating the Premier League record of five, which is currently shared by Manchester City in 2017-18 and Manchester United in 2000-01. Undefeated in their past 44 league matches, Liverpool are also five games away from equalling Arsenal’s record of 49 unbeaten across 2003 and 2004. It would be a huge upset if second-bottom Watford stop Liverpool. They have lost the past four meetings, conceding 15 times and failing to score a single goal. Asked for the secret of Liverpool’s success, Reds defender Virgil van Dijk said: “Not being nervous, that is the main thing. “Keep playing and keep pressing. There will be moments when the opponent is going to have problems if we keep doing the same thing.” With only seven points separating troubled Chelsea in fourth place and resurgent Arsenal in ninth, reaching next season’s Champions League will be a tight squeeze for the six clubs in contention. Leicester, in third place, appear well set despite a recent wobble. Fifth spot could be enough to ensure qualification depending on the outcome of second-placed Manchester City’s appeal against their twoyear ban from European competition.

Tokyo has no 'Plan B' for Summer Olympics despite coronavirus TOKYO AGENCIES

Tokyo has no Plan B for this year’s Summer Olympics despite alarm over the spread of the coronavirus in Japan and elsewhere with under five months before the event, a senior official said on Friday.

“There will not be one bit of change in holding the Games as planned,” Katsura Enyo, deputy director general of the Tokyo 2020 Preparation Bureau at the city government, told Reuters.

Having prepared for years and invested some $12 billion, Japan is eager to quell fears the Games might be called off, postponed or moved to a different location due to the virus.

Though on the decline in China where it originated, the flu-like disease is moving fast around the world, including more than 200 cases and five deaths in Japan.

International Olympic Committee

(IOC) president and former fencing champion Thomas Bach bolstered Tokyo’s stance on Thursday, saying his organization was “fully committed” to holding the Olympics on schedule.

In a telephone interview, Enyo said organizers were “facing up to” the coronavirus - but it would not derail the July 24-Aug. 9 event. “We are not even thinking of when or in what contingency we might decide things. There is no thought of change at all in my mind,” she said.

POSTPONEMENT? Some Japanese media have reported organizers were considering postponing the Games for six months to a year, but Enyo denied that.

“No such debate is going on,” she said, adding that preparations were on track.

Japan is, however, considering scaling back the Olympic torch relay due to the coronavirus threat.

And despite its optimism over the Olympics, Japan has canceled numer-

CMYK

ous sporting events.

Tokyo’s Yomiuri Giants will play two pre-season baseball games in an empty stadium, while the Tokyo Marathon will take place on Sunday

with elite runners only.

The country has also had more than 700 coronavirus cases and four other deaths on a cruise liner quarantined off Yokohama.

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

HbL-psL 2020: QaLandars bitE tHE dust again, LosE to zaLmi by 16 runs

SportS 15

TODAY’S MATCHES VS 2:00 PM muLtan suLtan

MULTAN

QuEtta gLadiators

VS 7:00 PM isLamabad unitEd

RAWALPINDI

t

AGENCIES

HE Peshawar Zalmi on Friday defeated the Lahore Qalandars by 16 runs in a 12overs-a-side match after rain delayed the start of the match. Zalmi’s young talent Haider Ali stood out with his 34-run innings from 12 balls. He smashed four sixes during his innings.

Banton gave a good start to the Zalmi innings, smashing 34 runs from 15 balls. Kamran Akmal

started out dangerous but was dismissed for 14 runs off a Shaheen Afridi delivery.

The hapless Qalandars ended up losing their third straight match of the season and are now starting at the possibility of another year rooted to the bottom of the table.

Earlier, Zalmi finished with 132-7 courtesy Tom Banton and Haider Ali’s identical 34-run innings each.

PESHAwAR ZALMI: Darren Sammy (captain), Hasan Ali, Kieron Pollard (partial tournament), Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal,

Imam-ul-Haq, Umar Amin, Tom Banton, Shoaib Malik, Liam Dawson, Mohammad Mohsin, Rahat Ali, Lewis Gregory, Adil Amin, Amir Khan, Aamir Ali, Liam Livingstone, Haider Ali, Carlos Brathwaite (partial tournament) LAHORE QALANDARS: Sohail Akhtar (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Wiese, Usman Shinwari, Haris Rauf, Salman Butt, Chris Lynn, Samit Patel, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ben Dunk, Farzan Raja, Jaahid Ali, Muhammad Faizan, Dane Vilas, Dilbar Hussain.

Multan Sultans defeat Karachi Kings by 52 runs The Multan Sultans on Friday defeated the Karachi Kings emphatically by 52 runs, registering their second victory at home in three days.

Sohail Tanvir made short work of Mohammad Amir in the end, dismissing him for 2 runs from 2 balls to end the match and record a comprehensive victory by the Sultans.

In their quest to chase down the Sultans' 187-run target, Karachi Kings were 120/7 at the end of the 15th over. Their seasoned openers Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam were not able to come up with the goods as both were dismissed for 16 and 13 respectively.

Alex Hales chipped in with 29 runs off 21 balls before Shahid Afridi dismissed him with Shan Masood taking an exceptional catch. Delport and Walton were dismissed for 8 and 15 respectively by Imran Tahir to put the Kings on the back foot.

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim failed to play an impressive knock, scoring just 5 runs from 6 balls before Afridi sent him to the pavilion.

Sultans' skipper Shan Masood is still at the crease with pinch-hitter Riley Rossouw after 15 overs. However, Rossouw departed off a Mohammad Amir delivery, caught by

Babar Azam as he attempted to loft one out of the ground. He scored 8 runs from 6 balls.

After 10 overs, Multan Sultans displayed blistering form against Karachi Kings as Moeen Ali reached 50.

In the initial five overs, Multan Sultans scored 48 runs at the loss of one wicket.

This is the second match being played at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

The Sultans are playing their

fourth match in the tournament, they won two matches and earned four points while lost one.

On the other side, the Kings are playing their third match with one victory and one loss. They have earned two points.

This is for the first time in the current tournament that Karachi Kings are not playing at their home ground, while Multan Sultans are their hosts in today's match.

Multan Sultans are being cap-

tained by opening batsman Shan Masood, whereas Karachi Kings are playing under Imad Wasim.

The Sultans are an impressive team with talented and experienced allrounder Moeen Ali of England, and Pakistan's former allrounder Shahid Khan Afridi, batsman Rilee Rossouw of South Africa, batsmen Ravi Bopara and James Vince both from England, Pakistani batsmen Ali Shafiq and Khushdil Shah, young wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir, spinner Imran Tahir of South Africa, Pakistani fast bowlers Sohail Tanveer, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan, along with Bilawal Bhatti, spinners Usman Qadir and Zeeshan Ashraf and others.

Karachi Kings depends mainly on their most consistent batsman Babar Azam. Other batsmen are Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sharjeel Khan and Awais Zia, and fast bowler Mohammad Amir and allrounder Umaid Asif.

Among overseas players, there are batsmen Alex Hales of England and Cameron Delport of South Africa, bowlers Chris Jordan However, Karachi Kings are looking a better team, but being the hosts of the match, Multan Sultans may make an upset. AGENCIES

RAWALPINDI

pEsHaWar zaLmi

Lahore Qalandars lose Haris rauf to foot injury Lahore Qalandars on Friday suffered a massive setback after fast bowler Haris Rauf was sidelined for two to three games of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020. The Qalandars have added fast bowler Salman Irshad to their roster as a replacement for Haris. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Haris experienced pain on the inner side of his right heel after Lahore Qalandars match against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium last Sunday. “Though his scans ruled out any fracture, there certainly is a stress reaction.

Therefore, he has been advised rest,” the PCB said in a statement. Salman Irshad, a fast bowler from Azad Kashmir, had represented Qalandars in 2018 edition of PSL, and got the attention when he got the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq on debut. Salman, also a product of Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program, has been inducted as a Silver category player in the PSL. Meanwhile, Qalandars management has said that Haris Rauf is an asset of Pakistan Cricket and his fitness and rehabilitation is team’s top priority. AGENCIES

mark Wood ruled out of sri Lanka tour with side strain Mark Wood's injury-plagued career has suffered another massive setback, with the news that he will miss England's Test tour of Sri Lanka after the reoccurrence of a left side strain. Wood was England's stand-out seamer on the recent tour of South Africa, claiming 12 wickets in his two appearances at Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. He was named Man of the Match for his career-best haul of 9 for 100 in England's 191-run victory in the latter, which came in bursts of raw speed that consistently topped 90mph. However, Wood came into the tour having not played competitively since sustaining another side strain during England's World Cup final victory over New Zealand at Lord's in July, and he might not even have featured at the Wanderers had it not been for Jofra Archer pulling out on the morning of the fourth Test with what was later diagnosed as a fractured elbow. AGENCIES

Mushfiqur rahim 'won't change' his mind about pakistan tour Mushfiqur Rahim has stressed that he would not change his mind about skipping the tour of Pakistan, despite BCB president Nazmul Hassan's tough stance on the matter, where he said that Mushfiqur was "contract-bound" to tour with the rest of the team.

"I made my stance clear about Pakistan, and they [BCB] has also accepted it," Mushfiqur told NTV news channel. "They should have shown me respect for not putting my name in the PSL draft either. I think it is pretty clear. It won't change in the future. I wish well to those who are going to Pakistan."

Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan was split in three, and the last of these

is lined up for early April, when the two teams play a one-off ODI [April 3] and the second of two Tests [from April 5], all in Karachi. The two teams first played a three-T20I series in Lahore in January and then the first Test in Rawalpindi earlier this month. Mushfiqur, who scored his third double-hundred in Tests in Bangladesh's innings-and-106-run win over Zimbabwe in Dhaka earlier this week, had opted out of touring earlier, saying that his family was concerned for his safety.

He was the only Bangladeshi cricketer to refuse to travel.

Hassan, who had stated before announcing the tour dates in January that

every player had the right to choose whether he wanted to tour Pakistan or not, made a U-turn after Bangladesh's win over Zimbabwe, expressing his dismay at Mushfiqur's decision.

"We are expecting that he would go. Not only him, but every contracted player should go," he had said. "Players have to think about the country, and not just themselves. This is what I personally feel. The country comes before everything else.

"Everyone should keep it in mind. We will remind them that the contracted players must play as they are told, when selected. It never occurred to me that one has to tell them this, too." AGENCIES

CMYK

Saturday, 29 February, 2020

NEWS

US, TalibaN SeT To SigN deal To eNd afghaNiSTaN war the agreeMent, iF inked today, would begin a Phased withdrawal oF aMeriCan and Coalition ForCes FroM aFghanistan

taliban to initiate ForMal dialogue with aFghan govt and other PolitiCal grouPs on PerManent CeaseFire and Power-sharing

ISLAMABAD

over half the country, and are at their most powerful since the US invasion in 2001.

Senior Taliban commanders in Doha and Afghanistan said once the deal is signed the group will release 1,000 Afghan prisoners, mostly security personnel and government employees who are in their custody in different parts of the country.

In exchange, the Taliban expects the Afghan government to release their 5,000 fighters. “We will not join the intra-Afghan dialogue if the US and Afghan government did not honour their commitment to release our prisoners,” said a senior Taliban commander in Doha.

Afghan broadcaster Tolo News said US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg were expected in Kabul ahead of the announcement of the declaration in Doha.

‘PEACE dEAL TO BENEFIT REGION’: Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday that the signing of the US-Taliban agreement will mutually benefit the entire region, particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Qureshi has reached Doha to attend the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal on Saturday.

T

StAff rEPort

HE seven-day “Reduction in Violence” (RIV) pact that took effect in neighbouring Afghanistan on Feb 22, is set to culminate in the signing of an agreement between top US and Taliban negotiators on Saturday in Doha, the location of the political headquarters of the hardline insurgent group.

The RIV period has passed off largely successfully, and the United States and Taliban look set to sign the agreement to establish a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops in exchange for guarantees from the Taliban not to allow militant groups such as al-Qaeda to operate in Afghanistan.

The US-Taliban agreement, if inked on Saturday, would begin a phased withdrawal of American and coalition forces and would also require the Taliban to initiate a formal dialogue with the Afghan government and other political and civil society groups on a permanent nationwide ceasefire and power-sharing in post-war Afghanistan. The Taliban now hold sway

FM Qureshi says ‘those who Called Pakistan Centre oF terrorisM are now Calling it a Partner For PeaCe’ The foreign minister said that it is hoped that after a prolonged war, a peace agreement will be signed. He said that the agreement will benefit the entire region, with chances of a gas pipeline project being built in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

The foreign minister said that when peace will prevail then Pakistan and Afghanistan both will reap benefits and it will also mitigate the energy crisis.

He said that the Pakistani nation gave sacrifices for the sake of peace. “Those who called Pakistan the centre of terrorism are now calling it a partner for peace.”

Last week, Qatar had invited Pakistan to attend the deal signing ceremony between the United States and the Afghan Taliban. On behalf of the Qatari Foreign Minister, the invitation was extended by the Qatari Ambassador to Pakistan Saqr Bin Mubarak during a meeting with FM Qureshi in Islamabad on Tuesday.

In his remarks on the occasion, the foreign minister said Pakistan and Qatar have played a pivotal role in furthering the Afghan reconciliation process. He said it has always been the stance of Pakistan that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict. He said the world is now also accepting Pakistan’s stance.

Coronavirus crash wipes $5 trillion off world stocks Coronavirus panic sent world share markets skidding again on Friday, compounding their worst crash since the 2008 global financial crisis and pushing the week’s wipeout in value terms to $5 trillion.

The rout showed no signs of slowing as Europe’s main markets slumped 3-5 per cent and the ongoing dive for safety sent yields on US government bonds, seen as probably the securest asset in the world, to fresh record lows.

Hopes that the epidemic that started in China would be over in months and that economic activity would quickly return to normal have been shattered this week as the number of international cases spiralled. Bets are now that the Federal Reserve will cut US interest

rates as soon as next month and other major central banks will follow to try and nurse economies through the troubles and stave off a global recession.

“Investors are trying to price in the worst case scenario and the biggest risk is what happens now in the United States and other major countries outside of Asia,” said SEI Investments Head of Asian Equities John Lau. “These are highly uncertainty times, no one really knows the answer and the markets are really panicking.”

Disruptions to international travel and supply chains, school closures and cancellations of major events have all blackened the outlook for a world economy that was already struggling with

the US-China trade war fallout.

MSCI’s all country world index, which tracks almost 50 countries, was down more than 1pc ahead of US trading and almost 10pc for the week — the worst since October 2008. Wall Street shares plunged 4.4pc on Thursday alone, their largest fall since August 2011. Futures pointed to a modest 1pc drop later, but the S&P 500 has lost 12pc since hitting a record high just nine days ago, putting it in so-called correction territory.

Europe’s airlines and travel stocks have plunged 18pc in their worst week since the 2001 9/11 attacks in the United States. The CBOE volatility index, often called the “fear index”,

jumped as high as 47, its highest in about two years, well out of the 11-20 range of recent months.

The index, which measures expected swings in US shares in the next 30 days, typically shoots up to around 50 when bear market selling hits its heaviest and approached almost 90 during the 2008-09 financial crisis.

PANdEmIC wARNING: In Asia, MSCI’s regional index excluding Japan shed 2.6pc. Japan’s Nikkei slumped 3.7pc on rising fears the Olympics planned in July-August may be called off due to the coronavirus.

“The coronavirus now looks like a pandemic. Markets can cope even if there is big risk as long as we can see the end of the tunnel,” said chief investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Norihiro Fujito. AGENCIES

Nigeria reports first case as coronavirus continues to spread ABUJA AGENCIES

Nigeria reported its first coronavirus cases on Friday as the worldwide cases continue to soar in all continents except Antarctica prompting many governments and businesses to try to stop people travelling or gathering in crowded places.

Switzerland became the latest country to announce drastic measures on Friday, saying all events with more than 1,000 participants would be suspended until March 15. The ban forced the cancellation of the Geneva International Motor Show — a major item on the global auto industry calendar — that was due to start next week.

The virus has killed more than 2,800 people and infected over 83,000 worldwide — the vast majority in China — since it emerged apparently from an animal market in a central Chinese city in late December of last year. The number of deaths and new infections has been tapering off in China, following unprecedented quarantine efforts locking down tens of millions of people in the worst-hit cities. But infections elsewhere have started to surge, with Iran, Italy and South Korea becoming the major new hotspots and cases being confirmed in around 50 countries. World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday the world was at a “decisive point” and countries could still contain the epidemic if they “act aggressively now”. “No country should assume it won’t get cases; that could be a fatal mistake, quite literally. This virus does not respect borders,” Tedros said in Geneva. The WHO has voiced particular concern about Africa’s preparedness, warning that the continent’s health care systems were ill-equipped to respond to a COVID-19 epidemic. Cases had previously been reported in Egypt and Algeria, but not in the sub-Saharan region until Friday when Nigeria reported its first case: an Italian man who returned to densely populated Lagos this week.

SOUTH KOREA CORONAVIRUS CASES SURGE TO 2,337: South Korea reported 571 new coronavirus cases on Friday, its biggest daily increase in infections that takes its total to 2,337, the largest outbreak outside China where the epidemic began late last year. The coronavirus crisis has spooked South Korea’s financial markets, led Hyundai Motor to shut down one of its plants and prompted boy band BTS to cancel its April concert.

UN chief asks India to stop anti-Muslim violence, invoking ‘spirit of Gandhi’

UNITED NATIONS APP

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Indian leaders to invoke the “spirit of Gandhi” to bring about an end to the violence in New Delhi against Muslims protesting the new citizenship law so as to pave the way for communal harmony, according to his spokesman.

“Throughout his life, the secretary-general has been deeply inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and today the spirit of Gandhi is needed—more than ever and it is essential—to create conditions for true community reconciliation,” Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in response to a question at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

He said the UN chief had been following the situation and was “saddened by the reports of death that we have seen over the past few days in New Delhi.”

The secretary general “again reiterates, as he has done in other places, his calls for maximum restraint and violence to be

avoided,” Dujarric added.

According to the latest figures, at least 38 people have been killed as Hindu mobs attacked mosques, residences and businesses during demonstrations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which discriminates against Muslims.

An opinion piece published in The Guardian, London, said the organizers behind the attacks were local politicians affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India’s ruling party.

“They made the incendiary speeches that triggered the violence,” Mukul Kesavan, an author who teaches history at Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi, wrote.

“Their vigilante auxiliaries attacked Muslims with impunity, and the Delhi Police, which reports to the home minister (and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-hand man), Amit Shah, either looked on as goons rioted, arrived after Muslims had been attacked, or actually participated in the violence against people demonstrating against Modi’s discriminatory citizenship law.”

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

CMYK