CMYK
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020 I 10 Jamadi-ul-Sani, 1441 I Rs 19.00 I Vol X No 217 I 16 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Imran regrets skIppIng kL summIt over others’ ‘mIsconceptIons’ g
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g Imran THanKS maHaTHIr For HIS PrEmIEr TELLS maLaySIan CoUnTErParT HE’LL aTTEnD ConSTanT SUPPorT ovEr nExT SUmmIT aS HE KnoWS IT KaSHmIr ISSUE, PLEDGES To BUy Won’T CrEaTE DIvISIonS morE PaLm oIL To ComPEnSaTE WITHIn mUSLIm WorLD For InDIa’S WITHDraWaL PaKISTan anD maLaySIa aGrEE To STrEnGTHEn TraDE anD InvESTmEnT rELaTIonS By rEmovInG BarrIErS In KEy arEaS
KUALA LUMPUR agencies
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rImE minister Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed regret for missing the Kuala Lumpur Summit in December last year, saying there was a misconception among some countries that the conference would divide the muslim Ummah. addressing a joint press conference with his malaysian counterpart Dr mahathir mohamad, Pm Imran said, “I want to say how sad I was that I couldn’t attend the conference in Kuala Lumpur in the middle of December. “Unfortunately, our friends, who are very close to Pakistan as well, felt that somehow the conference was going to divide the Ummah. It was clearly a misconception because that was not the purpose of the conference as evident from when the conference took place.” Imran had pulled out of the Kuala Lumpur Summit of some 20 muslim countries reportedly due to pressure exerted by Saudi arabia. at the time, Foreign minister Shah mehmood Qureshi had confirmed that riyadh and the UaE had concerns about the summit. addressing reporters, the premier said that he was “looking forward” to attending the conference because he felt that it is important that muslim countries educate the West and other non-muslim countries about Islam. “all these misunderstandings, whether they are deliberate or whether they are by ignorance, […] it is important that we the muslim countries, educate them about the real message of our Prophet muhammad (PBUH). “I also felt that we need a media, which we are working on, some sort of a joint effort that not only projects this […] but also develop content for our young people about
Parliament expresses unflinching support for Kashmiris g
SEnaTE anD naTIonaL aSSEmBLy PaSS rESoLUTIonS PayInG TrIBUTE To THE HEroISm oF KaSHmIrIS
Four civilians, including child, injured in cross-LoC firing STORIES ON PAGE 03
what really Islam is.” responding to a question about whether he would attend the KL Summit next year, Prime minister Imran said: “of course I would because now it is evident that the KL Summit was not to divide the ummah […] If anything it was to unite the ummah, so of course I would love to come.” In response to another question, the premier said the decision not to attend the summit had not affected Pakistan’s relations with other muslim nations. LAUDS MALAYSIA FOR SUPPORT: Imran thanked the malaysian premier for standing by Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute and speaking against the injustices being perpetrated by the Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. He said, unfortunately, a very radical and extremist government has taken over India which has put the Kashmiri people in an open prison. He expressed disappoint-
ment over the fact that India had also threatened malaysia for supporting the Kashmir cause and had cut back on palm oil imports. He said that Pakistan will do its best to compensate for malaysia’s loss by importing palm oil. Talking about the trade relationship between the two countries, he said that given the close affinity between the people of Pakistan and malaysia, there is a great scope for further improvement in trade and economic relations.
Govt exempts export-oriented units from regulatory duty Government presents tax laws amendment bill in Senate STORIES ON PAGE 12 & 03
CONTINUED ON PAGE 02
Pakistan signs extradition treaty with Malaysia
PPP to launch anti-govt movement in March, says Bilawal
STORY ON PAGE 03
CPEC to remain unaffected by Coronavirus outbreak: Chinese envoy
STORY ON PAGE 02
India crush Pakistan to reach Under-19 World Cup final STORY ON PAGE 15 more inside stories on back pake
Taliban accuse US of delaying peace process after call for violence reduction EU rejects Trump Middle East peace plan, annexation CPEC phase-II to generate mass employment, says Gen (r) Bajwa STORIES ON PAGE 02 CMYK
Democrats, White House wrap up case at Trump Senate trial
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
02 NEWS
PPP To lAunCh AnTi-govT movemenT in mARCh: BilAwAl PPP CHAIRMAN SAYS PTI GOVT’S ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE NOT IN PUBLIC INTEREST KaraCHi
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STAFF REPORT
AKISTAN People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday announced that the party will launch a movement against the “anti-people” government’s economic policies. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of an urban forest in Lyari, Bilawal said that the current government’s economic policies are not in the people’s best interests and that the PPP would launch a protest movement against it next month. “Imran Khan had promised to give the youth of this country 10 billion jobs,
and had promised to construct five million houses. But in the duration this government has been in power, they have only taken from the people,” he said. Bilawal added that the PPP had warned against the government’s economic policies as early as when they had introduced the budget. “This was not Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) budget, it was the budget of the (PT)IMF [International Monetary
Another Peshawar BRT completion deadline PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has issued yet another deadline for completion of the muchdelayed Bus Rapid Transit project, saying that it will now be operational by April this year. KP Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai made the announcement on Tuesday in a television talk show. Yousafzai said the final phase of the BRT project will be completed by Feb 15, adding that 50 buses are available to start the service. The minister said training of the staff and drivers of the project is currently underway and the government would be able for a test run of the project in April. Replying to a query, Yousafzai said, the government assured Supreme Court (SC) for the timely completion of the project in June last year. The provincial government and the project’s executing agency, the PDA, had earlier promised to open the project, launched in Oct 2017, within six months on April 20, 2018. However, the deadline was missed. The project managers kept changing the launch dates from May 20 to June 30 to Dec 31 in 2018 to March 23, 2019. It merits a mention here that the project’s cost has also jumped to Rs68 billion from earlier Rs49 billion. STAFF REPORT
Fund],” he said. Ever since this budget has been imposed on us, there has been an increase in inflation, unemployment, and poverty. The PPP maintains that the government did not keep the country’s interests or its productivity in mind when negotiating with the IMF, he stated. “They did not negotiate the correct package for the country,” he reiterated, adding that the poor people in the
country now had to pay for the government’s incompetence. The PPP chairman urged the federal government to renegotiate their deal with the IMF so that a more peoplefriendly package can be introduced. “Deals shouldn’t be made on people’s rights, or on the country’s stance,” Bilawal said. He stated that the PPP government was the first to introduce the concept of safeguarding the economic interests of the people. “The revolutionary Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which was the country’s first social safety net, was initiated within a year to give money directly to the people. They [PTI] have been in power for more than a year, and have not managed to introduce people-friendly policies. Instead, they are involved in conspiracies to eradicate the BISP. “One day they remove her picture, the second day they remove one million women from the programme. Then they change the name of the initiative entirely. They [PTI] have only stolen [from the people,” he concluded.
Imran regrets skipping KL Summit over others’ ‘misconceptions’ Continued from page 01 “The idea is to develop a much closer relationship and also doing joint ventures in the defence sector,” he said. MAHATHIR ACKNOWLEDGES PAKISTAN’S SUPPORT: In his remarks, the Malaysian premier said that Pakistan and Malaysia have multifaceted relations and PM Imran’s visit reflects Pakistan’s commitment to enhance these relations. “We have set a stage for a new phase in this relationship and we will continue to foster and deepen relations with Pakistan,” he said. He said that during his meeting with PM Imran, he discussed the current situation of the Muslim Ummah, including the Palestine issue. “We have agreed to increase collaborative efforts to uphold the true value of Islam and promote solidarity of the Muslim Ummah,” he said. PM Mahathir said we also discussed the current situation in Muslim Ummah, including the Palestine situation. “We have agreed to increase the collaborative efforts to uphold the true values of Islam and promote the solidarity of Muslim Ummah,” he said. PAKISTAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIA: Earlier, PM Imran also addressed an event organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) of Malaysia. During his address, he reiterated that Pakistan was meant to emulate the Riasat-e-Madina, the model of statecraft introduced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but had lost its way. “We want far away from that ideal and if you ask me why Pakistan could not achieve its great God-given poten-
tial, it is because of this fact. “Nations without visions eventually die,” he said, adding, “My vision is to go back to the reason why Pakistan was made.” Responding to a question at the session, the prime minister recalled that one of his first actions after being elected into power was “extending a hand of friendship to India”. “I said this for one reason, and that one reason is that the greatest number of poor people live in the Indian subcontinent. The best way we can reduce poverty is when the two countries start having a good relationship and start trading with each other,” he said. “And I repeat, that the reason we kept getting rebuffed by India, again and again, was not for practical reasons. It was because India has been taken over by an extremist ideology and time will tell people who don’t understand. What is happening in India right now is terrible for Indians. It will divide India forever,” he added. PAKISTAN-MALAYSIA TRADE:: During PM Imran’s visit, delegation-level talks between Pakistan and Malaysia were held at Putrajaya. PM Imran led the Pakistani delegation while the Malaysian side was led by PM Mahathir. The two sides discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and ways and means to further expand their relations in different fields including trade, economy and tourism. They agreed to hold regular discussions to strengthen trade and investment relations by removing barriers in key areas and develop linkages between the private sectors of the two countries. They expressed commitment to build stronger ties in the areas of defence, law enforcement, tourism and education.
SC rejects plea challenging holding of dual offices by CJP ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday rejected a plea against holding of dual offices by the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP). The CJP is also chairman of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), constituted under Ordinance (LXXI) of 2002. The chief justices of all the high courts are members of that committee. The same committee had also introduced the National Judicial Policy during the tenure of former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. But the committee was not much active during the terms of his successors. However, the last CJP, Asif Saeed Khosa, made it effective by establishing model courts and district police complaints cell. The law, which allows the CJP to hold dual offices, was challenged by Advocate Riaz Hanif Rahi, who is known to challenge the appointments of top functionaries. Last year, the same petitioner had challenged the army chief’s extension. Later, his request to withdraw the petition was turned down by the SC. During the tenure of former CJP Mian Saqib Nisar, Rahi had approached the apex court against the appointment of Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Interestingly, Justice Nisar rejected the registrar office’s objections against that petition and fixed it before the bench. Later, when the lawyers raised their voice against entertaining the petition, Nisar rejected it. In the present case, Rahi had challenged the dual offices of CJP under the NJPMC Ordinance 2002 before the Islamabad High Court but his plea was rejected for lacking locus standi. The three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, on Tuesday took up the petition. Firstly, Rahi pointed out that when the case was fixed in 2018 before former CJP Nisar’s bench, he had recused himself from hearing it as the CJP office was being impleaded as a party. STAFF REPORT
CPEC phase-II to generate mass employment, says Gen (r) Bajwa CPEC Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa has said that after successful completion of phase one, the country is gearing up for the phase-II of the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, envisioned to generate massive employment opportunities for Pakistanis. Asim Bajwa, tweeting from his fresh Twitter handle for the first time on Tuesday, said the CPEC project with across the board acceptability, is already bringing relief in energy and infrastructure sectors. “Time to gear up for phase-II which is envisioned to generate mass employment through more projects, mass industrialisation, agricultural and socio-economic uplift,” he wrote. The statement comes a week after Prime Minister Imran Khan directed all concerned ministries to set goals for schemes and ensure inter-governmental coordination for early conclusion of phase two of the multibillion-dollar project. NEWS DESK
CPEC to remain unaffected by Coronavirus outbreak, says Chinese envoy REGIONAL MEMBERS OF UN URGED TO PLAY ROLE IN RESOLVING KASHMIR ISSUE iSLamaBad MIAN ABRAR
Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing on Tuesday said that the Coronavirus outbreak would have no impact on the implementation timelines of projects under both the China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today, Jing said that almost all projects under the early harvest phase of CPEC have been completed or are near completion. “However, there are a few negotiations on projects in the second phase, like the ML-1, that are currently in process. The government is very keen to get CPEC projects completed in time. We look towards the CPEC and BRI from a long term perspective so, there would be no impact on these projects,” he said, adding that the BRI would help drive the
POSITIVE CASES IN US, GERMANY AND RUSSIA ARE PEOPLE WHO WERE RECENTLY EVACUATED FROM CHINA
economy of China’s international allies. Welcoming the statement by Prime Minister’s Advisor on Commerce, Trade and Industry Abdul Razzak Dawood, the Chinese envoy said that China would continue economic cooperation with Pakistan. BATTLING OUT THE OUTBREAK: Briefing this scribe about the measures taken to contain the epidemic, Jing said that the Chinese government is taking all possible measures to counter coronavirus and prevent further spread. “The outbreak is a huge challenge for China as well as the rest of the world. It is a welcome sign that 500 people have been cured successfully. Our government is working hard to find proper medication for curing patients with the help of medical experts from all over the globe,” he said. EVACUATION OF PAKISTANIS IN CHINA NOT ENCOURAGED: Speaking about the Pakistani students living in
Wuhan city or elsewhere in China, the Chinese envoy said that China has put restrictions on evacuations from Wuhan city, the centre of the outbreak. “My job is to do my best to stop the virus from coming into and spreading in Pakistan. For this purpose, we don’t encourage the immediate evacuation of foreigners from China. The Chinese government has serious concerns for the Pakistani community,” he stated while emphasising that Chinese medics have better understanding and capacity to handle the disease. “Wuhan city has been declared a Red Zone and the city has been totally shut down with a travel ban imposed as well. Those who are in other regions may return to Pakistan but they would have to spend a 14 day incubation period in China before returning. After arriving in Pakistan, they would again have to spend the same incubation period here. Once
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screened out, they may move to their homes,” the ambassador explained. “I understand there is panic among Pakistani students. But they need to understand the gravity of the situation. We need to ensure that the disease does not spread to other countries and especially our neighbour. We have reports of positive cases in the US, Germany and Russia and all of those people were recently evacuated from China,” he warned. NO MAJOR IMPACT ON CHINESE ECONOMY: Asked whether the Chinese economic growth would suffer due to the epidemic, Jing said their economy has a huge size and would be able to manage the crisis. “We have a manufacturing economy which domestically would suffer in its first quarter this year as huge resources have been allocated to fight coronavirus. However, in the long term, there would be no major impact and we would also over-
come the immediate strain,” he added. UN REGIONAL MEMBERS URGED TO PLAY ROLE IN RESOLVING KASHMIR ISSUE: Responding to a query about Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK), Ambassador Yao Jing said that the Kashmir issue is directly related to international justice. “We are concerned about the situation in Kashmir. From China’s perspective, I think this relates to India, Pakistan relations. Both the countries are neighbours and this historical dispute and you have to find a justified solution.” He said that Kashmir problem also relates to the South Asia regional peace and stability. He said because of the Kashmir issue, regional tensions may rise which would be detrimental to the international community. “This is more important that it is related to international justice and one country’s unilateral action can’t be justified. I believe bilateral dialogue is a must for a peaceful solution of Kashmir issue. All the responsible members of the United Nations of the origin should play their constructive role to calm down the situation of unrest,” he maintained.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
NEWS
PARliAmenT exPReSSeS unFlinChing SuPPoRT FoR KAShmiRieS iSLamaBad
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HE Senate and National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday passed resolutions to express solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day. Leader of the House in the Senate Shibli Faraz moved the resolution paying tribute to the heroism and valour of the people of occupied Kashmir. The House resolutely rejected India’s illegal attempt to annex the territory and urged the international community to uphold the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) that guarantee the Kashmiris their inalienable right to selfdetermination. NA also unanimously passed a resolution expressing unflinching and unwavering support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination. The resolution moved by Kashmir Committee Fakhar Imam Chairman reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmir people until the realisation of their legitimate right to self-determination as
per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Condemning the illegal actions of India in occupied Kashmir, including the detention of Kashmir youth, political leaders and communication blockade, the resolution reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally-recognised dispute that continues to be on the agenda of the UNSC since 1948. The House also voiced concerns over the presence of 900,000 troops saying it has turned the valley into an open prison and made it the most militarised zone in the world. The resolution condemned the horrifying violence against women, especially the use of rape as a weapon of war against them. It deplored the continuing restrictions on freedom of expression in the occupied valley describing it as gross violations of fundamental rights. The resolution appreciated the role played by world leaders, parliamentarians, international media, human rights organisations, particularly China, Malaysia, Turkey and Iran, in raising their voice against the Indian atrocities in IOK. The resolution called upon the UNSC to enforce a peaceful settlement
govt presents tax laws amendment bill in Senate neWS deSK Amid opposition from the PPP and the PML-N, the PTI government presented draft regulations of money bill and Tax Laws Amendment Bill, 2020, in the Senate session on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati presented the bills in the session, drawing criticism from the opposition benches. PML-N’s Raja Zafarul Haq objected over the procedure for presenting bills in the upper house and said that his party was rejecting the bill. Responding to Haq’s comments, Swati said that the government had presented it before the lower house as well and it was necessary to pass it immediately. PPP’s Sherry Rehman questioned the presentation of the money bill and said that her party will not allow the government to bulldoze bills through the parliament. “The government is running both houses of the parliament as an ordinance factory,” she added.Swati replied that the government had issued the ordinance due to delay in the session of the NA. “However, the bill has already been presented in the lower house,” he added. Leader of the House in the Senate Shibli Faraz said that an ordinance produced in the parliament is considered as a bill. He urged the opposition to avoid creating an issue on the matter just because they are in a majority. He also suggested that the matter should be forwarded to the Standing Committee on Finance. Following Faraz’s comments, Swati said that it is useless to teach the “illiterate people” of the House, drawing the outrage of opposition members who stood up to protest his comments. Taking notice of the opposition’s protest, Senate Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla omitted Swati’s words. Later, Swati presented a copy of the bill before the Senate.
of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with its resolutions. It urged the Indian side to implement forthwith numerous pending UNSC resolutions that call for a free and impartial plebiscite to determine the will of the people for the final disposition of the outstanding dispute. The resolution demanded India to immediately reverse its illegal actions of August 5 and October 31, repeal the draconian laws, withdraw its occupation forces and immediately lift lockdown in the valley. The resolution expressed concerns at Indian tactics to alter the demography of occupied Jammu and Kashmir saying it is in violation of international laws. The resolution endorsed the call made by the high commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for a comprehensive international investigation into human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. It demanded that India immediately allows access to international organisations, parliamentarians and international media to the occupied Kashmir so that they are able to record the human rights situation there. The resolution also called upon the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to immediately convene a special summit on Kashmir. IT totally rejected the belligerence and warmongering of the BJP government saying it poses a threat to regional peace and stability. It expressed the unshakeable resolve of the Pakistani nation to thwart any Indian aggression. Participating in the debate, Sardar Nasrullah Khan Dreshek said that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. He said that time warrants unity in our ranks to effectively and forcefully raise the plight of Kashmiri people at the international level. Mufti Abdul Shakoor also regretted the silence of international human rights organisations on the situation in occupied Kashmir. He said that the blatant human rights violations there are not tolerable to us. He said that the entire nation is united on the issue of Kashmir. Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said that it is the first time that the world has accepted Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir dispute due to the effective diplomacy of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She said that the prime minister has exposed the Nazi-inspired ideology of RSS.
FouR CiviliAnS, inCluding Child, inJuRed in CRoSS-loC FiRing RAWALPINDI: Four civilians, including a child, were wounded after Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: “Indian troops resorted to unprovoked fire of heavy weapons including mortars along LOC in Lepa valley deliberately targeting civilian population. “4 innocent citizens including 2 women and a child got injured,” it added. Earlier this month, unprovoked shelling from the Indian side at Satwal sector at the LoC had injured one Pakistani. India’s unprovoked and indiscriminate firing at the LoC had left Muhammad Safeer, 45, seriously injured, according to the foreign office’s spokesperson. Last month, Indian border forces’ unprovoked shelling had injured a woman in Azad Kashmir, with the ISPR saying in a statement that India deliberately targeted the civilian population at the Chirikot sector. “A 21 year old woman resident of village Serian sustained serious injuries and evacuated to nearby medical facility,” read a statement from the ISPR. STAFF REPORT
Abbasi's judicial remand extended till Feb 21 iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT
An accountability court on Tuesday extended the judicial remand of former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi till February 21. Abbasi is being investigated for allegedly awarding a 15-year contract for a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminal to a Qatari company in violation of rules and of causing losses to the national exchequer during his tenure as the petroleum minister in the cabinet of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The case, closed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in 2016, was reopened in 2018. Last year, Bloomberg reported that Pakistan saved more than $600 million “over the first 10 years of a natural gas supply deal by pitting some of the world’s biggest sellers against each other”. “The maneuvering by Pakistan came after two years of negotiations hit an impasse as Qatar refused to lower its offer price for LNG. So Pakistan sought leverage on the open market in late 2015, publicly seeking 120 cargoes in two large tenders,” the business newspaper said of the deal negotiated by Abbasi. During the hearing on Tuesday, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Chairperson Uzma Adil Khan’s counsel moved a petition against surety bond of Rs10 million in her bail plea. The defence emphasised that she could not pay the amount and assured the court that she would not leave the country. Promising full cooperation, Uzma proposed placing property as surety. She was against the idea of
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borrowing money to pay for bail. The bench reserved verdict on the plea. Abbasi was joined by fellow parliamentarian Ahsan Iqbal for the court hearing. The two leaders later headed to the Parliament House for the ongoing National Assembly session. In post-hearing talk with the media, Abbasi criticised the incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the economic crisis. “This government has been a failure from day 1,” he said and accused them of corruption. “The government has ended. It is just the funeral prayers that have to be recited.” Abbasi underscored that the days for public to worry were over. “Everything will be fine now.”
Pakistan signs extradition treaty with malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Pakistan on Tuesday signed a treaty on extradition to reinforce the positive momentum in the bilateral relations by enhancing cooperation on security and combating transnational crimes. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Malaysian Law Minister Liew Vui Keong at a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Malaysian counterpart Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya. Prime Minister Mahathir said the treaty, which was signed in conjunction with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Malaysia, could be applied to terrorists and criminals. “If any criminal having committed some crime in Malaysia has to hide in other countries, through the extradition treaty, we can get the country concerned to help us arrest the person. It might be terrorists and criminals. Anybody who has done something wrong in Malaysia and seeks refuge,” Mahathir said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Imran after a meeting between the two leaders. Prime Minister Imran, meanwhile, said there was a wanted Pakistani criminal in Malaysia involved in murder who was extradited from Malaysia even before the treaty was established. Mahathir also said that as two peaceloving Islamic nations, Malaysia and Pakistan agreed to increase collaborative efforts to uphold the true values of Islam while strengthening the solidarity of Muslims. STAFF REPORT
Gen Bajwa lauds Rotary International’s efforts for polio eradication raWaLpindi STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday appreciated the contributions of Rotary International – a United States organisation with a goal of eradicating polio – in Pakistan’s health sector and hoped that with concerted efforts of all institutions, polio will
soon be completely eradicated from the country. He met a four-member delegation, led by Rotary International President Holger Knaack, at the GHQ, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) read. During the meeting, matters related to healthcare particularly Pakistan’s commitment for comprehensive polio eradi-
cation were discussed. Gen Bajwa appreciated contributions of the US organisation in Pakistan’s health sector and hoped that with concerted efforts of all institutions, polio will be completely eradicated from Pakistan. Meanwhile, addressing the veterans of the 1st Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course, Gen Bajwa said the institution had provided pioneer leader-
ship to Pakistan Army over the years. The army chief said this while attending the Platinum Jubilee Reunion of 1st PMA Long Course held in Rawalpindi, where he was invited as the chief guest. Gen Bajwa, addressing the ceremony, said Pakistan Army has established the Army Institute of Military History (AIMH), “where we are working to preserve our military history and veterans’
experiences which should be useful to younger generation of officers”. The Platinum Jubilee Reunion was attended by surviving members of 1st PMA Long Course and families. The officers of the 1st PMA Long Course had joined the academy in January 1948 and 62 officers were commissioned on February 4, 1950 including Major Aziz Bhatti, Nishan-e-Haider.
04 ISLAMABAD
Wednesday, 5 February 2020
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EMErgEncy dEclarEd in KP ovEr coronavirus PESHAWAR
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HE Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency in the province amid fears of the deadly coronavirus spreading from China into Pakistan. The KP ministry of relief, resettlement and rehabilitation on Tuesday released a statement saying that the state of emergency was declared in line with the directives of the federal health ministry. "Since we [Pakistan] are a neighbor of coronavirus-hit China, there is lots of foreign travel between the two countries. This is why
the relevant departments should ensure that safety precautions are in place," it said. "The relevant government departments should also take all the measures they can to control the spread of the virus in Pakistan. Initial measures to preempt the detection of the virus should also be in place," it added. The Director-General of Health
Services in KP on Tuesday also released a statement saying that the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Police Services Hospital (PSH) has been closed to cater to suspected cases of the virus in the province. "The hospital has been designated to serve patients suspected of having contracted the coronavirus," Deputy Medical Superintend of PSH, Aurangzeb Afridi, said. "The OPD services in the hospital have been shut. The hospital is now being prepared to cater to suspected cases of the coronavirus," he added. Initially, a five-bed isolation ward has been setup at the hospital and the virus detection kits are also being provided to the hospital.
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Case registered against Chitral man for spreading coronavirus rumours PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
A man who expressed fear that a Chinese man in Pakistan might have caught the novel coronavirus was booked by Chitral police in a case registered on Tuesday under Section 16 (dissemination of rumours) of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance and Section 25 (intentionally damaging or tampering with telegraphs) of the Telegraph Act. A first information report (FIR) was registered after the additional assistant commissioner (AAC) wrote a letter to the sub-divisional police officer, saying that "miscreants" had spread rumours of a"possible outbreak of coronavirus in Chitral Lower [...] which created huge panic and fear in general public". The letter explains that a Chinese national, Woo, who is working on the Lavi Hydro Power Project in Drosh, was admitted to a hospital after he experienced ab-
dominal pain. The patient was discharged after treatment and had "fully recovered". According to the AAC, the doctors at the hospital had declared the patient's condition to be normal and had said that he had arrived in Pakistan before the virus surfaced in China. However, the AAC said in his letter, a resident Irshad Mukarar took an "unauthorised picture" of Woo and uploaded it on Facebook, saying that there were suspicions that the patient had caught the coronavirus. The additional assistant commissioner said that the act was an "offence under relevant laws". The AAC urged the police to register a case against Mukarar so that other people can be "deterred and stopped [from] spreading rumours". The virus has killed more than 420 people and infected more than 20,000, nearly all inside China, although cases have been recorded in 23 other countries and regions, and there have been two deaths in Hong Kong and the Philippines. No case of the virus has emerged in Pakistan.
Federal govt employees to get 20pc pay raise ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday allowed an appeal of federal government employees seeking a 20 per cent increase in their salaries on account of secretariat allowance. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Maqbool Baqar, heard the appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Jun 14, 2018 verdict.
The bench set aside the high court’s verdict, allowing a 20 per cent increase in salaries of federal government employees on account of secretariat allowance. The court observed the federal government needs to stop meeting out unfair treatment to its employee. All employees are entitled to secretariat allowance, the bench ruled. Earlier, on Jun 14, 2018, a twojudge bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) had al-
Man accused of blackmailing ex-wife A man has been accused of threatening his ex-wife that he will post her pictures on social media if she refuses to pay him. Habib and his ex-wife had married in 2015 but got separated few months ago, according to the police. Even after the divorce, Habib kept contacting her and asked her for money, repeatedly. When she refused, he threatened to put her pictures up on social media, DSP Qasim Khan Niazi said. The woman’s brother
lowed the government’s appeal against the orders of a single bench that had allowed for increasing 20 per cent salaries of all federal government employees on account of special allowance. The federal government had challenged the orders of a single bench saying the allowance would cost Rs50 billion per annum to the national exchequer that the government could not afford.
has registered an FIR at the Aabpara police station. “The FIR also states that Habib threatened to kill the woman,” DSP Niazi said. “A search operation for the suspect has begun,” he added. The police have registered a case against Habib under the Telegraph Act, 1885. The law states that any person who uses any telephone, public or private, for causing annoyance or intimidation to any person, whether a subscriber or not, or for obnoxious calls shall, without prejudice be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. NEWS DESK
Govt to organise special programmes on Kashmir Day: Firdous ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, on Tuesday said that the federal government has arranged special programs to be held on Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5. Firdous, while addressing a press conference, said that Kashmiris could not be deprived of their right of selfdetermination by India. She said that innocent Kashmiris are facing atrocities of Indian troops. “Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and the nation will show its solidarity with Kashmiris tomorrow. The world must play its role in stopping atrocities against Kashmiris. A human chain will be formed outside the Foreign Office on Wednesday at 10:00
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am. We will become the voice of all Kashmiris like Prime Minister Imran Khan.” It is pertinent to mention here that PM Imran Khan visit Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) tomorrow (Wednesday) to express solidarity with Kashmiris. This was stated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mehmood. Barrister Sultan Mehmood said PM Khan will address joint session of the legislative assembly, tomorrow, while he will also address a public gathering on February 6. This will be the PM’s third visit to the region since India unilaterally changed the special status of the occupied Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August last year. APP
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
Call aTTeNTiON NOTiCe iN Pa seeks uPdaTe ON JeHluM raPe Case LAHORE
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HE Jehlum rape case, which came to light on Monday, prompted a member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) to submit on Tuesday a call attention notice, seeking an update on the matter after the arrest of a suspect. Call attention notices in the assembly are used by lawmakers to highlight a special question of public importance and can be directed at any concerned minister. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) MPA Sumera Komal submitted the notice, seeking answers and updates on the case from Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. The MPA inquired about the girl’s details, the madrassa she studied at, and the information in media reports — written on the basis of a first information report (FIR) after the survivor’s initial statement. She further asked whether any action was taken by the police and sought an update for the assembly to the investigation. Jhelum DPO Captain (r) Syed Hammad Abid confirmed on Monday that a man in Dina had sex-
ually abused the teenage girl, who was on her way home from a madrassa. However, he had refuted reports that it was a gang-rape case and noted that authorities were still searching for the suspect. The minor survivor made changes to her initial statement and, therefore, a rickshaw driver — and not the van driver or its conductor — had been identified as the one who sexually assaulted the girl, Capt (r) Abid had added. According to sources in the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital in Jhelum, an initial medical report of the survivor had confirmed the rape. It also indicated that there were multiple blood spots on the girl’s clothes and scratch marks — from nails — on both sides of her face and vari-
ous parts of her body. “We are carrying out further investigation and we have received some new evidences, so we are working on that,” he noted. “When she left the madrassa in Talagang and got into a rickshaw, the rickshaw driver took her to an abandoned place where he raped her. “It has been confirmed that there was no conductor on the van and there were passengers there as well,” he explained, adding that DNA swabs from the survivor were obtained and sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA). The DPO, when asked to explain what he meant when he said the teenage girl stepped off “happily”, had told a news channel that according to the FIR’s text, she had said all the passengers disembarked the van at Dina and she was left alone. The girl said that the bus conductor and driver both raped her before throwing her on a road in Dina and fleeing. “However, it was midday and at that time, there’s a lot of traffic on GT Road,” Capt Abid had said. “It’s premature to say anything until the DNA report is released. We have obtained numerous evidences and are working on those.
Inflation rate may reach 20pc, says Pasha LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Former finance minister Hafeez Pasha on Tuesday said that in view of the current economic indicators, inflation may reach 20 per cent soon. Speaking to Pakistan Today Editor Arif Nizami on Channel 92’s programme ‘Ho Kya Raha Hai?’, the economist said that Pakistan’s economy is in dire straits. He said that inflation has peaked and unemployment is growing by every passing day. “The income tax regime is only benefitting the rich segment of the society,” he said. He said that Pakistan’s total debt has increased a lot and the country is taking care of its expenses by taking loans. “Right now the interest rate in the
country is too much as well,” he said, adding that Pakistan needs to convey its issues to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The government tried to complete the threeyear IMF programme within a year,” he said. He also said that the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Chairman accepted a highly-ambitious target He further said that given how the economic situation is nowadays, he does not see the economy growing in 2020 either. “Industrial production has decreased by 6 per cent and no new factories are being set up,” he added. “If the economic situation stays this way, people will come out of the streets. Therefore, it is necessary for the government to consult expert economists to handle the situation,” he concluded.
AJK president urges UN to play role in stopping genocide of Kashmiris MUZAFFARABAD: Expressing deep concern over the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Masood Khan on Tuesday urged the United Nations to take practical steps to halt the massacre of Kashmiris in the held valley. In his message on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day, Khan said that inhuman curfew and communication blackout continued in the held valley on the 185th consecutive day. He said that Kashmir Solidarity Day has become an international movement against the Indian forces. The president said that the Indian troops, during curfew, were killing Muslim youth in occupied Kashmir, adding that the Indian army chief had confirmed that the troops were also involved in kidnapping people in the held valley. Underscoring the need of a corridor for the oppressed Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir, Masood Khan said that in principle, UN is responsible to stop massacre of Kashmiris. Last year on December 6, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet had appealed the United Nations and other international human rights organizations to take notice of humanitarian crisis and war crimes in occupied Kashmir. STAFF REPORT
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409 JPOs pass out from NHMP Training College SHEIKHUPURA STAFF REPORT
The state-of-the-art training is a key to success for any organization and the National Highways Motorway Police (NHMP) has always focused on training of its officers in a professional way. “The officers should feel pride that they are part of an organization that has earned worldwide fame as an honest and professional force,” said NHMP Inspector General A D Khawaja while addressing the passing out ceremony of 409 Junior Patrol Officers (JPOs) on Tuesday. As many as 409 JPOs including 36 female officers were passed out from the NHMP Training College Sheikhupura. Commandant Training College DIG Mehboob Aslam, DIG Central Ahmad Arslan Malik, DIG North Muhammad Alam Shinwari, and DIG Motorway Sultan Chaudhry were present.Addressing the gathering, the IG expressed hope that newly-inducted JPOs would uphold the core values- honesty, courtesy and help- of the patrolling force at all cost. “If we want to improve our department, we will have to make wise selection of the members on merit and improve the standards of professional training.” Later, JPOs marched pass before the IG. A tactical demonstration of weapons and fitness by a special commando squad of newly trained JPOs was also part of the event. IG AD Khawaja distributed rewards among All Round First JPO Danish Waheed, Best in Parade JPO Muhammad Umar, Best in Parade among female JPO Laila Jafar, Best in Discipline JPO Muhammad Junaid, Best in Academics JPO Umar Fiaz and Best in Firing JPO Mureed Abbas.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
06 WORLD VIEW
AmericA is mAking A bAd bet on indiA AMERICA IS DANGEROUSLY EMBOLDENING INDIA’S HINDU NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT AS IT NEARS THE POINT OF NO RETURN. MODI, WHOSE TERM ENDS IN 2024, COULD BE SUCCEEDED BY SOMEONE FAR MORE EXTREME
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He cultivation of India as a strategic bulwark against a rising China has been a core feature of the Asia policy of successive U.S. administrations. New Delhi, some believed, served as a natural counterweight to Beijing. Like China, it had a billion-plus population, a fast-growing economy, and a large military, but it was also regarded as a liberal democracy that respected religious and other basic freedoms. India was seen as not only matching China's key strengths but also sharing American values. That image of India, on all fronts, was undeserved and is now unraveling. India today is not only on a path toward becoming an authoritarian, Hindu majoritarian state, but its economic engine is also sputtering, and its military will remain ill-equipped to balance China. Rather than serving as an ally or vital strategic partner, India may end up becoming a liability for the United States. As India chooses the path of diversification, or “multi-alignment,” in Asia, so too must the United States—especially in South Asia. THE LAUNDERING OF MODI’S IMAGE: India’s rapid shift toward an overt Hindu majoritarian state was easily foreseeable, but many in Washington chose to ignore or obscure the obvious warning signs. When the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014, many advocates of the U.S.-India relationship argued that this was a kinder, gentler version of the party. The then-incoming prime minister, Narendra Modi, had been a pariah figure for a decade after presiding over an anti-Muslim pogrom in 2002 as chief minister of the Gujarat state. But Modi’s sympathizers in Washington argued that he was a changed man—a Reaganesque figure who had since focused on economic development and reform. They pointed to Modi’s supposed pro-business policies and his inclusive 2014 campaign theme of “development for all.” In reality, Modi never backtracked from his Hindu nationalist agenda in Gujarat, which he ruled from 2001 to 2014. Rather than apologize for the 2002 pogroms, which took the lives of over one thousand Muslims, he mocked the over a hundred thousand Muslims in displacement camps. Modi has targeted—and, indeed, continues to target—those who implicated him in the violence, including policemen and a human-rights lawyer, and rewarded figures who played an active role in the pogroms, including a Hindu woman accused of handing out swords used to massacre Muslims. Modi also did nothing to heal the Hindu-Muslim divide in the state. Muslims in urban Gujarat remain largely confined to ghettos to this day. He insisted on implementing Hindu majoritarian policies in the state, including a law that required governmental approval for religious conversions—as part of an attempt to dissuade low-caste Hindus from embracing other faiths. Modi’s Gujarat government later tried to explicitly exempt conversions to Hinduism but was unsuccessful. Modi has cynically appropriated the pacifist figure “Mahatma” Gandhi, but to project him as a distinctly Hindu icon—not as an advocate for amity between Hindus and Muslims. He has never wavered in his commitment to the ideology of the militant Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, also known RSS, the parent group of the BJP, which aims to remake India into an official Hindu “rashtra” or nation. Indeed, Modi has portrayed his own rise to power as marking the birth of a “New India” and the
end of twelve hundred years of slavery—referring not only to the roughly two hundred years of British colonial rule but also centuries of “Muslim” rule and even seven decades of independence. His supporters hail the fall of the ancien régime—whose Anglophile or “Lutyen’s Den” secular elite is reviled for “appeasing” Muslims—at the hands of their “pure” Hindu strongman. Now, in his second term as prime minister, with a commanding majority in the lower house of parliament and a feckless opposition, Modi is unsurprisingly going all-out to implement the RSS’s longstanding demands, revoking the nominal autonomy of the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir, stripping millions of Muslims of their citizenship, and coaxing a pliant Supreme Court to grant the entire site of a mosque destroyed by Hindu extremists to Hindu claimants. A nationwide ban on religious conversions and the abolishment of the separate Muslim personal law could come soon. INDIA IS NEARING THE POINT OF NO RETURN: These measures have led to growing criticism of Modi in the U.S. media and even in the halls of Congress. But the Trump administration has doubled down on its partnership with Modi, even as he accelerates the dismantling of India’s secular edifice and positions his party for a long-term rule. Not only has Alice Wells, the top U.S. official for South Asia, continued to emphasize the now-antiquated “shared values” narrative, she still deflects calls for U.S. action against New Delhi by arguing that democracies are “self-correcting”—even after India has imprisoned hundreds of politicians and thousands of civilians, killed dozens of protestors, and imposed communications bans across large swaths of the territory it controls. The reality is that India’s democratic institutions are unable to reverse the country’s authoritarian Hindu majoritarian trajectory. Modi has neutered the judiciary and corporate media. Civil society protests have dented Modi’s aura of invincibility, but they are unlikely to have an impact on the national electoral map. The protests have been brutally crushed with impunity by Indian police forces working in tandem with Hindu sectarian militias. And the lead opposition party, the once-dominant Indian National Congress, is a shell of its former self, having peaked in the 1990s. The odds of dislodging the BJP from power in the next elections are presently low. Instead of supporting India’s secular democrats and religious minorities, the Trump administration devotes its energy to deflecting pressure from Congress, chiding neighboring Pakistan, and even endorsing parts of India’s revisionist narrative on Kashmir. America is dangerously emboldening India’s Hindu nationalist government as it nears the point of no return. Modi, whose term ends in 2024, could be succeeded by someone far more extreme. Top candidates include Amit Shah, Modi’s consigliere and bag man, and Yogi Adityanath, the rabid vigilante group founder and Hindu priest who rules India’s largest state. Both Shah and Adityanath are adept at inciting and orchestrating mass violence. And they are America’s potential future partners in India. Regardless of who succeeds Modi, stoking antiMuslim sentiment will remain key to the BJP’s electoral strategy. The BJP’s proven path to victory is to get the Hindu majority to vote on the basis of religion instead of caste, class, or region. And to do so, it needs a non-Hindu bogeyman to not just unite against, but fight. Violence, or what political scientist Paul Brass calls India’s “ institutionalized riot systems,” is essential for the BJP to polarize the electorate along religious lines. The BJP’s grassroots machinery, including thugs, incite and engage in anti-Muslim violence, often colluding with local police and civil administration. The end result is a boost in the BJP’s electoral performance by upwards of 4.4 percent, according to one study. All politics is local. And in India, the BJP’s local politics is crude, bloody, and sectarian. THE HINDUTVA KAKISTOCRACY WILL
LIMIT INDIA’S RISE AS A GLOBAL POWER: The BJP’s reliance on Islamophobia will only grow amid India’s economic downturn. The Indian economy is projected to grow this fiscal year at its slowest pace in over a decade. Unemployment is at a fortyfive-year high. Much of this is due to Modi’s own disastrous economic policies, including his choice to suddenly take out 86 percent of the county’s currency out of circulation. The move, known as demonetization, was aimed at combating the illicit economy but hit India’s rural poor hard and has suppressed consumption since. The demonetization program was designed by a quack economist. And herein lies the unspoken truth about the regime running India today. It is run not by India’s best and brightest, but by revisionist fanatics who cite ancient Hindu epics to claim that their civilization built flying vehicles and engaged in plastic surgery some millennia ago. The party that rules India today is a cabal of pseudo-intellectuals and ruffians with laughable views on history and science and a dangerous vision for the future. Rather than make India into a superpower, they will ensure that India’s demographic boom becomes a liability. Indeed, India’s future is not as a great power but as a demographically enormous, middle-income country beset by social inequality and tumult. Its middle class, military power, and diplomatic stature will certainly grow—but not at a pace that is commensurate with that of neighboring China. India will continue to be outpaced by an already superior China on course to becoming an industrial and technology superpower. DIMINISHING AMBITIONS FOR THE USINDIA PARTNERSHIP: Now, as India’s structural challenges and pivot toward authoritarian majoritarianism become more obvious, advocates of the U.S.India relationship are likely to move the goalposts, arguing that even despite India’s clear illiberal trajectory, the strategic logic of the relationship—containing China—is there. even on this front, expectations of India have tempered. Ashley Tellis and Robert Blackwill, two prominent advocates of a U.S.-India strategic partnership, now call for a more modest relationship. Still, they continue to argue that India should continue to enjoy American “strategic altruism,” because a stronger India will, invariably, be more capable of countering China. Strategic altruism makes little sense as India continues to hedge and play the role of a geostrategic free-rider, pursuing a form of non-alignment it has rebranded as “multi-alignment.” Furthermore, India’s value in blunting China’s path toward becoming Asia’s hegemon is diminished by its sclerotic bureaucracy, patronage politics, and bloated military. As Beijing right-sizes its armed forces, focusing on quality rather than quantity, New Delhi continues to boost its personnel numbers, taking away precious funds from modernization. The net effect of our strategic altruism toward India is that it will embolden India’s hegemonic aspirations in its immediate neighborhood and force smaller South Asian countries to tighten their embrace of China to balance India. By propping up India as an Asian power, America is unwittingly hastening China’s rise in South Asia. U.S. policymakers see India as a benign power in South Asia and view its extraterritorial actions and unilateralism in recent decades as exceptions to a policy of restraint. But that view is not shared by many of India’s neighbors who have a historical memory of New Delhi behaving like a bully and fear it emerging as a regional hegemon. For Pakistan, India is a country whose military invasion resulted in the loss of half of its territory in the 1971 civil war. In the 1980s, India trained and armed the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers terrorist group. More recently, India blockaded Nepal after the country’s calamitous earthquake in 2015. Nepal, like political factions in Sri Lanka, has since courted China. even Bangladesh, whose pres-
The BJP, Delhi police must act Hindustan times Over the past week, there have been two, possibly three, incidents of shooting in Delhi’s Jamia area. A young gunman walked towards protesters and shot a bullet — injuring a student who was protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA — on Thursday. On Saturday, another man, Kapil Gujjar, fired bullets in the air in the Shaheen Bagh area — which has emerged as the hub of the antiCAA protests — and declared that only Hindus had a right to rule. And late on
Sunday night, two men on a moving vehicle allegedly fired shots near the gates of the Jamia Millia Islamia university. While the first two shooters have been arrested, the police are investigating the third case. It still isn’t certain whether shots were fired. The incidents merit the strongest condemnation. They also point to both a political and institutional failure. First, the violence cannot be divorced from the political rhetoric that has emanated from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership. From home minister Amit Shah down to
ent government is strongly allied with India, has been alarmed by New Delhi’s push to strip millions of Muslims of citizenship, fearing migrant inflows into their country. Washington’s amplification of New Delhi’s influence is causing anxiety among smaller South Asian states. For example, a U.S.-grant funded electric power line project in Nepal has become controversial because political forces there perceive to be tied to an American strategy to prop up India and contain China. Nepal is a tiny, poor, landlocked country sandwiched between Asia’s two giants. While Washington warns Kathmandu and others of Beijing’s alleged “debt-trap diplomacy,” it is New Delhi that treats the Himalayan country as a colony. Logically, Nepal has engaged China as an alternative source of energy and gateway to the sea. AMERICA NEEDS TO STAND ON ITS OWN TWO FEET IN SOUTH ASIA: China is, of course, a strategic competitor to the United States in Asia and beyond. And India will provide modest value in shaping a strategic architecture in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region that restrains Chinese ambitions and blunts its relative capabilities. But American strategic altruism toward India will have costs. And these costs will be multiplied by the negative externalities of a laissez-faire approach to human rights in India. The United States needs a non-India-centric way of competing with China in Asia. Instead of treating India as our default co-partner in South Asia and outsourcing much of our foreign policy to it, we should bolster bilateral relations with individual states in the region and position America as an alternative economic and security partner to both China and India. By promoting Indian as a “net security provider” in South Asia and the nucleus of regional trade, successive U.S. administrations have been pushing the region toward a bipolar order with the United States and India on one side and China and Pakistan on the other. Given India’s growing economic and military disparity vis-à-vis China, bipolarity in South Asia is to America’s disadvantage. America can retain an edge over China by cultivating meaningful economic and security partnerships with both India and Pakistan, as well as select regional states. To blunt Islamabad’s growing alignment with Beijing, Washington should expand bilateral trade and revive the subsidized sale of advanced military hardware. Over the past decade, the United States has helped widen the conventional military gap between India and Pakistan, making the latter more reliant on China as a source for advanced military hardware and contributing to Beijing’s rise in the international defense industry. Bolstering Pakistan’s conventional deterrence also strengthens strategic stability. In the immediate term, the United States must stop emboldening Modi in his push to make India a Hindu majoritarian state and regional hegemon. American diplomats should publicly engage Indian activists, intellectuals, and journalists who have been arrested and attacked by New Delhi and elements of the ruling party. And as India’s siege of India held Kashmir enters its sixth month, U.S. diplomats should press for permission to meet with Kashmiri leaders who have been detained without charge. Washington must use its leverage with New Delhi to get it to engage both Islamabad as well as local Kashmiri leaders on a solution to the dispute in India held Kashmir. America’s effective silence on India’s Hindu majoritarian shift will be seen as an endorsement by the country’s religious minorities and smaller neighbors. Indeed, countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are likely to turn even more toward China as a balancing force, eroding American influence in a region home to a quarter of the world’s population. Arif Rafiq (@arifcrafiq) is a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Institute and president of Vizier Consulting, LLC, a political risk advisory company focusing on the Middle East and South Asia.
THE SHOOTINGS REFLECT POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FAILURE
candidates in the Delhi assembly polls, the BJP has decided to contest the elections by demonising Shaheen Bagh as the citadel of “anti-nationals”. Irrespective of one’s view on the protests, this is undemocratic, for those protesting against CAA have grievances which they are expressing peacefully. To demonise it, instead of engaging with it, is flawed. The rhetoric has also taken violent overtones, especially in the openly provocative slogans chanted by minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur, statements by Delhi Member of Parliament Parvesh Verma and
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. All of this has contributed to extremism among a section of young Hindus — and is getting manifested in the violence targeted at Muslim-dominated protests in Muslim-dominated areas. The second responsibility is institutional. The State is tasked with the duty of maintaining law and order and preventing violence, while safeguarding democratic rights. In this case, it is clearly the responsibility of the Delhi Police — which reports directly to the ministry of home affairs — to ensure that no violence occurs. The fact
that there have been two (maybe three) shootings in the same, limited, geographical area points to an abysmal dereliction of duty. In recent months, the Delhi Police have either been excessive in their use of force (in Jamia on December 15), seemingly complicit in mob violence (in Jawaharlal Nehru University on January 5) or incompetent (in Jamia/Shaheen Bagh over the past week). It is time for the political leadership of the BJP, the leadership of the home ministry, as well as the top officials of the Delhi Police to meet their constitutional responsibilities.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
FOREIGN NEWS 07
europe to avoId taKIng Iran nuclear dIspute to un, eu's top dIplomat says BRUSSELS
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HE European Union will extend indefinitely the time limit to resolve disputes in the Iran 2015 nuclear accord to avoid having to go to the UN Security Council or triggering new sanctions, the EU’s top diplomat said during a visit to Tehran. Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran on Jan. 14 of violating the terms of the 2015 arms control agreement aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program. Violations could lead to the reimposing of UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 deal. “We are in agreement not to go directly to a strict time limit which would oblige (us) to go to the Security Council,” the EU’s Josep Borrell told reporters during a visit to Tehran on Monday. In his remarks, broadcast on Tuesday, he said: “The willingness is not to start a process that goes to the end of JCPOA, but to keep it alive,” referring
Iran to execute man for spyIng for cIa DUBAI: U A man sentenced to death in Iran for spying for the CIA and attempting to pass on information about Tehran’s nuclear programme will be executed soon, authorities said on Tuesday, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. In another case, two people working for a charity were sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying and five years in prison for acting against national security on similar charges, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said, according to Fars. “Amir Rahimpour who was a CIA spy and got big pay and tried to present part of Iran’s nuclear information to the American service had been tried and sentenced to death and recently the supreme court upheld his sentence and he will see the consequences of his action soon,” Esmaili said, referring to the individual facing capital punishment. Esmaili did not provide any additional information about the nationality of the convicted individuals working for a charity. Iran does not recognize dual nationality and the judiciary prosecutes dual nationals as Iranian citizens. Last summer, Iran announced it had broken up a CIA spy ring of 17 individuals and that some had been sentenced to death. AGENCIES
to the Iran deal by its formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. After months of gradual steps to reduce compliance, Iran said on Jan. 6 it would scrap limits on enriching uranium.
Borrell, who is chair of the Iran deal, was notified in January by Paris, London and Berlin that they had triggered the dispute mechanism, in theory starting a 15-day process to resolve issues with Iran.
However, there are some questions over when the 15-day period should start because Iran has not formally recognized the consultation process, officials have said. China and Russia are also signatories to the deal signed in Vienna in 2015 and have expressed misgivings about the Europeans’ decision to trigger the mechanism. All sides say they want to save the deal, which US President Donald Trump withdrew from in May 2018, reimposing economic sanctions on Iran. Borrell said he had agreed with Berlin, London and Paris to “continuously postpone” the 15-day limit. However, he said progress depended on maintaining the presence of the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Iran to monitor its nuclear activities. After meeting Borrell on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying that Iran is ready to cooperate with the EU on issues related to the nuclear deal.
UN Libya envoy says military rivals ready to negotiate in Geneva GENEVA AGENCIES
rushIng downstaIrs at end of school, 14 Kenyan chIldren KIlled In stampede NAIROBI: Fourteen children were killed in a stampede as they rushed down a staircase at the end of classes at a primary school in western Kenya on Monday, officials said. At least 39 more pupils were badly hurt in the incident at the Kakamega Primary School, the Daily Nation newspaper said, citing Western Region Police Commander Peris Kimani. “We lost 14 of them,” Education Minister George Magoha told Citizen TV. “One life (lost) is a life too many.” The Daily Nation said that some of the children fell from the third floor as they ran. “As kids were going home from school there was a stampede as they were going down the stairs,” said Peter Abwao, a spokesman for Red Cross Kenya. “It’s a three-storey building, it’s a classroom block.” Anxious parents waited outside the Kakamega hospital for news of their children, Daily Nation pictures showed. AGENCIES
The UN envoy to Libya said on Tuesday there was a “genuine will to start negotiating” between rival military factions as they planned to meet for the first time for talks in Geneva aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire. However, Ghassan Salame told reporters that an arms embargo was being violated by both sides and that new mercenaries and arms were still arriving “by air and by sea” in Libya, where forces loyal to eastern based commander Khalifa Haftar have been trying to take the capital, Tripoli, for the past 10 months. The talks bring together five senior military officers from Haftar’s Libyan National Army and five from forces aligned with the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. Fighting has continued on the ground despite a call for a truce by Russia and Turkey starting on Jan. 12 and an international summit on Libya in Berlin on Jan. 19 aimed at reducing international interference. Haftar has had material support from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Russia, UN experts and diplomats say, while the GNA is backed militarily by Turkey. Salame deplored the presence of more than “20 million pieces of weaponry” in the country and said that he had asked the UN Security
greek police fire teargas at protesting migrants, refugees on lesbos ATHENS: Greek police fired teargas to disperse migrants and refugees protesting on Monday about conditions in migrant camps on the island of Lesbos and the slow pace of processing asylum requests. Violence broke out near the Kara Tepe camp, a police official said, after hundreds of people marched from the island’s congested migrant camps to the city of Mytilene. Aid groups have described living conditions in some of Greece’s island camps as appalling. A Reuters witness said the protesters were mainly women and children. They held signs reading “Freedom”. Some evaded a police cordon and crossed a slope to reach Mytilene, where a group tried to set up tents. Lesbos has been one of the main gateways into Europe for migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond. Hundreds of thousands of people passed through Greece at the peak of Europe’s migrant crisis in 2015 and 2016. AGENCIES
erdogan says turkey will not allow syrian govt to advance in Idlib ANKARA: Turkey will not allow the Syrian government to gain territory in the northwestern region of Idlib, President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying on Tuesday, a day after eight Turkish personnel were killed in an attack Ankara blamed on Syrian troops. Earlier, Turkey urged Russia to rein in Syrian government forces in Idlib, after the attack rattled a fragile cooperation between the two countries, which back opposing sides in the war. Speaking on a flight back from Ukraine, Erdogan said there was no need to be in “serious contradiction” with Russia over developments in Syria for now, adding that Ankara and Moscow will sit down to talk about the issue “without anger”. He also said he may call Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. AGENCIES
sudan casts doubt on early normalisation of ties with Israel Council to pass a resolution to reaffirm an existing arms embargo and pass measures to ensure it is respected. Talks between the two sides, who did not meet face-to-face in Geneva on Monday, were aiming “to bridge the gaps in their views on how the lasting, sustainable ceasefire can be organized on the ground,” Salame said. “We started yesterday to discuss with them a long list of points on our agenda, starting on an attempt to transform the truce into a more solid one, less often violated by either side and also to transform that truce into a real agreement on a lasting ceasefire,” he said. Haftar’s offensive, which upended a previous UN peace plan, deepened the gulf between loose al-
liances that have competed for power from western and eastern Libya since 2014. The GNA was set up in 2016 from a previous UN peace push that Haftar and his backers spurned. The conflict that developed in Libya in the years since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011 has given space to militants and migrant smugglers and crippled Libya’s oil reliant economy. A blockade of oil ports and fields by groups loyal to Haftar that began just before the Berlin conference has reduced oil output by about one million barrels per day (bpd). Asked if he would press Haftar to end the blockade, Salame said it was mainly an issue being pursued on the ground, urging foreign powers to back a broader U.N. bid to resume production.
KHARTOUM: Sudan cast doubt on Tuesday on an early normalisation of historically hostile ties with Israel, a day after Israeli officials said the two countries’ leaders had met and were working towards that goal. Sudan’s cabinet on Tuesday discussed that meeting, which it said it had not yet been informed about. It also summoned leaders of the Forces for Freedom and Change, an alliance that fronted protests that toppled Omar al-Bashir last year, for consultations, FFC sources said. Bilateral relations have never been normalized, and doing so would likely raise hackles in Sudan and the wider Arab world, especially at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting a new US peace plan rejected by Palestinians. But Sudan is also anxious to rebuild link with the outside world after decades of isolation under Islamist Bashir, and to be removed from a US list of countries considered state sponsors of terrorism. AGENCIES
Sri Lanka scraps Tamil national anthem at Independence Day COLOMBO AGENCIES
Sri Lanka’s new government declined to sing the national anthem in Tamil, the country’s second national language, during the island’s Independence Day celebrations on Tuesday. This was a departure from the previous government which sang the anthem in the country’s two primary languages to promote ethnic harmony in the aftermath of a decades-long civil war. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected last year largely with votes of majority Buddhist Sinhalese. Minority Tamils overwhelmingly voted against him. Rajapaksa was a top defence official in the civil war and played a major role in defeating the rebel Tamil Tigers. Many ethnic Tamil civilians were
killed or went missing in the war. The country’s 72nd anniversary of independence from Britain was celebrated in Colombo with military parades and air shows. Rajapaksa said in his speech that he is the president of all communities, reiterating a sentiment he made in his elections speech. “I have the vision that I must serve as the leader of the country looking after all citizens rather than serve as a political leader concerned only about a particular community,” he said. “As the president […] I represent the entire nation irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party affiliation or other differences,” Rajapaksa said. Rajapaksa supporters opposed singing the national anthem in the Tamil language during the previous administration. Tamil politicians had requested Ra-
japaksa to continue the practice of singing the Tamil translation of the national anthem recognised by the constitution in order to give the Tamil community a sense of belonging to the country after decades of estrangement with the state. At a separate location a group of civil activists from both Sinhala and Tamil communities sang both versions of the anthem in a show of support of the Tamils. Tamil Tiger rebels fought a 26-year civil war to create an independent state for ethnic Tamils, complaining of systemic marginalisation by the Sinhalese majority-controlled state since independence. Sri Lankan troops defeated the rebels in 2009 with Rajapaksa playing a key role as a defence bureaucrat in the government led by his brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
According to conservative United Nations estimates, about 100,000 people were killed in the civil war.
Both the government and the rebels were accused of committing serious human rights violations.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
08 COMMENT Kashmir Solidarity Day Need to garner world support
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HiS year’s Kashmir Solidary Day comes in the wake of momentous developments in the region spread over the last few months. indian Prime minister Narendra modi forcibly annexed indian-Occupied Kashmir on August 5 by revoking Article 370 that ensured a special status for it, thus depriving 12 million Kashmiris of their own constitution, a separate flag and independence in internal matters. There were widespread protests followed by large-scale arrests and a lockdown of the entire region. Pakistan, with the help of China, tried to internationalise the Kashmir issue by bringing it up for discussion in the Security Council after decades. An undeterred BJP government meanwhile upped the ante against Pakistan, by launching two air force operations thatbrought the two countries to the brink of war. mr modi’s threats to Pakistan were followed by the indian Army Chief’s bragging about indian forces capability to take over AJK. Both geography and history have created close bonds between the people of Kashmir and Pakistan, leading Quaid-e-Azam muhammad Ali Jinnah to call Kashmir Pakistan’s jugular vein. ZAB called for a strike in February 1977 throughout Kashmir and Pakistan when Sh Abdullah accepted the special status for iOK under Article 370. Kashmir Day was first observed in 1990 on the call of Nawaz Sharif for a nation-wide strike as a protest against the indian occupation of Kashmir. The PPP government under Benzir Bhutto then declared February 5 as a public holiday. While Pakistan observes the Kashmir Solidarity Day, islamabad needs to expose the aggressive designs of the BJP government that can set the entire South Asia aflame. it appears that the PTi government lacks diplomatic skills. The way mr modi has made inroads in the Gulf region indicates that islamabad is losing its traditional leverage among its Arab allies. Then indian Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj’s presence as an observer at the OiC’s Fms’ summit is yet another example. While providing crucial help to the USA in its efforts to extricate its troops from Afghanistan, the government has got nothing solid in return vis-à-vis the resolution of the Kashmir issue. it’s time the government undertakes extra efforts to make the world realize the danger to the regional peace emanating from mr modi’s aggressive designs.
The West has encouraged the spread of the disease AjmAl KhAn YousAfzAi
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S the fight against Coronavirus revs up, the united Chinese nation continues to support its governmen’ts effective initiatives, which ultimately will bring positive results as early as this week in record time, with a project of a 1000bed hospital completed in just 10 days. Similarly, the government decision to restrict unnecessary traveling is also applauded in the fight against the coronavirus. Looking from a distance as a media researcher and professional, i am touched with reading, hearing and watching the stories of Chinese people, the foreigners that they claim to be very satisfied with the government steps to contain virus spread. Although i am looking at this crisis from far away, many like me are also elsewhere looking at the situation,n but unfortunately, reports presented in Western media outlets are somehow showing a negative angle of the ongoing Chinese fight against the epidemic. many countries have joined hands with the Chinese government in their struggle against this so far untreatable outbreak, such as Turkey, Pakistan, Australia, russia, and other countries. But the USA and Britain seem to be taking advantage of this unprecedented situation. They are using the media as a tool to show negative news related to China and their current struggle, thus turning the calamity to political point-scoring. The Western media, as well as social media, make fun of the Chinese food culture which, like any other cuisine, has a culinary distinctiveness. Such as that at some diners, there is an unorthodox dishes with recipes that include certain animals and plants, and in many cases are based on
the delusion that exotic creatures have nourishing and medicinal qualities. But like any other country, such culinary traditions are discouraged in China, and furthermore, the trading of endangered wildlife is a criminal offense. Though, the West ignored this fact, and started spreading misinformation about the crisis. As, they termed this epidemic to be caused by bat soup, seafood and many more, while, they didn’t stopped with this, they further continued to suggested in a racist way that Chinese people somehow eat ‘disgusting’ foods and meals. This linkage of the epidemic to such a narration shows that the West is consciously spreading misinformation to further worsen the crisis, while they ignore the persistent struggle of the Chinese government and the Chinese people in this fight against the coronavirus. The West continues to ignore the positive steps and adopts a narrated version to show a bad image of China, as the media spread video footage of a Chinese woman holding a bat with her chopsticks over a soup bowl which later was reported to be a clip from a travel promotional video filmed on the Pacific island of Palau, where bat stew is a local traditional delicacy. However, this is not the only clip that is used for a political agenda, and many other clips are spread online and even on mainstream media which display a negative picture with racists goals. Such discriminatory acts in a time of crisis is against morality and humanity at large, and should be immediately condemned and stopped. Such negative descriptions shows the insanity of Western views of other cultures, in this time of need as the Chinese government continue to fight the coronavirus at full pace for the sake of not just Chinese nation, but humanity as a whole. its effective measures show that it wants to contain the virus spread but unfortunately, countries like the USA, Japan and others, started evacuation of
their citizens which raised the risk of further virus spread. However, China is providing the best medical care to any patient with coronavirus symptoms. The government remains alert and all the people inside China’s borders are constantly kept under the health monitoring mechanism. Any person who leaves building, upon arrival back to the building is checked with the health monitoring mechanism, while food supplies and preventive aids are provided to all across China. Doctors, scientists, and experts are constantly working to come up with vaccine and soon they will find cure, and till then the fight against coronavirus will continue. Other nations must join hands with Chinese government, as this is not just the fight of China but is the fight of us all. Pakistan has applauded and firmly supports China’s efforts to combat the epidemic. Prime ministerimran Khan has also shown courage to mobilize all the country’s medical supplies and reserves to assist China, and will firmly stand alongside the brotherly Chinese nation in its time of need. Pakistan has shown the world that “a friend indeed is a friend in need.” Pakistan firmly stands with China at this critical moment of an epidemic outbreak. Pakistan has supplied medical equipment to China to support their fight against the coronavirus. Similarly, other countries and nations need to come forward in combating this crisis. Sense and partnership are essential for humanity to prevail and thus with cooperation and support, the epidemic’s outbreak can be defeated easily. Also, the West should show sense and avoid spreading misinformation and negative propaganda against China, all it needs to do is open its eyes towards the effective measures taken by the Chinese government in this fight against the coronavirus. Ajmal Khan Yousafzai has graduated from the Communication University of China in International Journalism.
The emerging South Asian hegemon
Smoothing things over After skipping the summit
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rime minister imran Khan has done the right thing by personally going to malaysia to smooth things over with his counterpart Prime minister mahathir mohamad. Had he attended the KL Summit as promised, perhaps this latest trip would not have been necessary. By first bowing out himself and agreeing to send the foreign minister, only to skip the moot altogether on Saudi Arabia’s insistence no less, Pm Khan made a spectacle of the country, displaying an embarrassing ineptness to execute basic diplomacy. The rationale being peddled is that Saudi Arabia had some ill-conceived ‘misconceptions’ about the intent behind the KL summit and that those reservations had now been removed, which is why Pm Khan has firmly committed to attending the event this year. This commitment was in response to a question from the media about his attendance, during a joint presser, not from the malaysian government, so perhaps it would have been better that a very public “of course i’ll attend” was not the response just yet. Who is to say that the Saudi’s will not throw a paranoia-induced fit over Pakistan’s presence at the next KL Summit and persuade Pm Khan to skip it yet again? There was also discussion over trade between the two countries, particularly with regards to palm oil that malaysia exports, which india has stopped importing since the former threw its support behind Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Pm Khan has, in some haste, verbally agreed to import more palm oil from malaysia to offset the effect of the indian embargo. The question of whether or not there is enough demand for palm oil in the country or the money to purchase it in the state’s coffers to be importing more of the product just to compensate malaysia for its diplomatic support seems to have been ignored. either the Pm is not briefed in detail prior to such bilateral visits or he is simply not receptive to the necessary input from more experienced professionals. One hopes that he becomes more amenable to the more constructive advice coming from his subordinates in the very near future.
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West blind to China’s effective anti-Coronavirus measures
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India is finding becoming a hegemon costly Amjed jAAved
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NDiA is emerging as the US proxy against rising China, which is determined to surpass the USA in GDP by 2027. india is opposed to China’s Belt and road initiative. Besides, it uses its aid, trade and border contiguity to obstruct Chinese influence in Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. At india’s bidding, those countries toe the indian line in SAArC and other international forums like G-20. in 2005, Washington expressed its intention to help india become a major world power in the 21st century (according to K. Alan Kronsstadt, Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, 13 February 2007). it was later re-affirmed by Ambassador David mulford in a US embassy press in 2005. The USA’s resolve later translated into modification of domestic laws to facilitate export of sensitive military technology to india. The Nuclear Supplier Group also relaxed its controls to begin exports to india’s civilian nuclear reactor (enabling india to divert resources to military use). raj mohan, Shyam Saran and several others point out that india follows Kautliya’s mandala (concentric, asymptotic and intersecting circles, inter-relationships) doctrine in foreign policy. it is akin to Henry Kissinger’s `spheres of influence’. According to this doctrine ‘all neighbouring countries are actual or potential enemies’. However, short-run policy should be based on common volatile, dynamic, mercurial interests, like the intersection of two sets. india’s current policy: Former indian foreign secretary, Shyam Saran in his book How India Sees the World says, ‘Kautliyan [Chanakyan] template would say the options for india are sandhi, conciliation; asana, neutrality; and yana, victory through war. One could add dana, buying allegiance through gifts; and bheda, sowing discord. The option of yana, of course would be the last in today’s world’ (p. 64, ibid.). it appears that Kautliya’s and Saran’s last-advised option is india’s first option, with regard to China and Pakistan, nowadays. raj mohan elucidates india’s ambition, in terms of Kauliya’s mandala, to emerge as South Asian hegemon in following words: ‘india’s grand strategy divides the world into three concentric circles. in the first, which encompasses the immediate neighbourhood, india
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has sought primacy and a veto over actions of outside powers. in the second which encompasses the so-called extended neighourhood, stretching across Asia and indian Ocean littoral, india has sought to balance of other powers and prevent them from undercutting its interests. in the third which includes the entire global stage, india has tried to take its place as one of the great power, a key player in international peace and security. (C. raja mohan, India and the Balance of Power, Foreign Affairs July-August 2006). Henry Kissinger views indian ambitions in the following words: ‘Just as the early American leaders developed in the monroe Doctrine concept for America’s special role in the Western Hemisphere, so india has established in practice a special positioning the indian Ocean region between east indies and the horn of Africa. Like Britain with respect to europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, india strives to prevent the emergence of a dominant power in this vast portion of the globe. Just as early American leaders did not seek approval of the countries of the Western Hemisphere with respect to the monroe Doctrine, so indian in the region of its special strategic interests conducts its policy on the basis of its own definition of a South Asian order’ (World Order, New York, Penguin Press, 2014). Zbigniew Brzeszinsky takes note of india’s ambition to rival China thus: ‘indian strategies speak openly of greater india exercising a dominant position in an area ranging from iran to Thailand. india is also position itself to control the indian Ocean militarily, its naval and air power programs point clearly in that direction as do politically guided efforts to establish for indi strong positions, with geostrategic implications in adjoining Bangladesh and Burma (Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power). robert Kaplan, in his book, Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and Future of American Power, argues that the geopolitics of the 21st century will hinge on the indian Ocean. USA’s new protégé is india. To woo india firmly into its fold, the USA offered to sell india Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD, for $3 billion per unit) and Patriot Advance Capability (PAC-3) missile defence systems as an alternative to the russian S-400 air defence system. india ditched russia from whom it had earlier decided to purchase five S-400s at a cost of $5.4 billion. With tacit US support, india is getting tougher
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with China. There was a 73-day standoff on the Doklam Plateau near the Nathula Pass on the Sikkim border last year. Being at a disavantage vis-à-vis india, China was compelled to resolve the stand-off through negotiations. China later developed high-altitude “electromagnetic catapult” rockets for its artillery units to liquidate the indian advantage there, as also in Tibet Autonomous region. China intends to mount a magnetically-propelled high-velocity rail-gun on its 055-class under-construction missile destroyer 055. india’s ambition to become the South Asian hegemon is reflected in its successive defence budgets. Aside from the showcased marginal increase in the defence budget, the three services have been asked to devise a five-year model plan for capital acquisitions. The indian navy wants a 200-ship strong fleet by 2027. Navy Chief Adm Karambir Singh had in December pointed out China added over 80 ships in the last five years. The Navy wants to procure six new conventional submarines and 111 Naval Utility Helicopters to replace the vintage fleet of Chetaks. The iAF wants to procure 114 new fighters besides the 36 rafales ordered in 2015, still in process. india deflates its defence expenditure through various stratagems. it publishes its ‘demands for grants for defence services’ separately from demands for grants of civil ministries that includes moD. it clubs military pensions in civil estimates, where it shows several other quasi-defence provisions. Such concealed defence provisions include public-sector undertakings under moD like dockyards, machine tool industries (mishra Dhatu Nigham), and Bharat Heavy electrical Limited, besides space-and-nuke-research projects, border and strategic roads and a host of paramilitary forces (Border Security Force, industrial reserve Force, etc). it does so to ‘lower’ its defence budget as a proportion of GNP. The real problem is that a hike in india’s defence outlays, at the cost of social sectors, ratchets up Pakistan’s defence expenditure. Spending spree for conventional weapons between nuclear peers is not understood. Let india lower her expenditure first! it should be a leader to compel Pakistan to follow suit. it must shun hegemonic designs, at least for the time being. Amjed Jaaved is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com.
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Wednesday, 5 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
Really, a race against time
Solidarity with Kashmiris Today is Kashmir Solidarity Day
mAliK muhAmmAd AshrAf
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He indian security forces have been using ruthless force to suppress the freedom struggle of the people of indian Occupied Kashmir, which they launched in 1989 after having been frustrated by the indian intransigence to grant them the right of self–determination. According to reports compiled by human rights organizations and other authentic sources since then more than 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed, 11,178 women have been gang-raped and more than 100,000 houses have been destroyed. The brutality and callousness of the indian security forces attained the ultimate bestiality on 21st January 1990 when they resorted to indiscriminate firing on the demonstrators in Srinagar, who were protesting the molesting and rape of Kashmiri women by indian security personnel, killing 55 people and injuring dozens of them. The incident revived the memories of the Jalianwala Bagh tragedy and caused severe outrage and resentment in the occupied Kashmir, throughout Pakistan and among the Kashmiri community the world over. A complete strike was observed in Pakistan on 5 February 1990 to protest against this dastardly act of the indian troops. Since then, 5 February is observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day in Pakistan and by the Kashmiri diaspora around the world. This year the Kashmir Solidarity Day comes amidst the complete lockdown of the 80 million people of indian-Occupied Kashmir since 5 August and in the backdrop of the indian move to change special status of the territory, bifurcating it into two regions and declaring them part of the indian Union; a unilateral indiscretion which is tantamount to nullifying the UN resolution on the Kashmir dispute. Therefore the Day has assumed greater significance with regard to reassuring the people of indian-Occupied Kashmir that Pakistan has an abiding and unswerving commitment to support their cause and stand by them under all circumstances; reminding the world community of its obligations towards the people of Kashmir and reiterating the fact that its apathy to the Kashmiris’ sufferings could have disastrous consequences for the regional and world peace, and sending a clear message to india that no amount of oppression and persecution could keep the people of Kashmir under subjugation for long and prevent the inevitable. india is in the grip of the proponents of su-
it would perhaps be pertinent here to reiterpremacist philosophy of Hindutva headed by indian Prime minister Narendra modi who, by ate that the freedom struggle in indian-Occurevoking the special status of indian-Occupied pied Kashmir is entirely an indigenous Kashmir and making it part of the indian Union, phenomenon. Gen Bipin rawat, the former inhas created a very dangerous situation posing a dian Chief of Army Staff and present Chief of grave threat to peace and security in the region. Defence Staff, admitted the indigenous characHe has not only ended the special status of in- ter of freedom struggle when in his “off-thedian-Occupied Kashmir, but has also adopted a cuff” remarks at the raisina Dialogue in the belligerent posture towards Pakistan which has presence of international dignitaries he admitted brought the two nuclear powers face to face that radicalized Kashmiri youth were fighting with each other. The threats by the indian Army in Kashmir and they must be brought to de-radChief, and the latest one by modi to make Pak- icalization camps to check militancy. His reistan bite the dust within seven to ten days in a marks have raised alarm as the Government of military confrontation, are dangerous portents. india has been denying this reality and instead The indian government is under tremendous putting the blame on Pakistan for initiating and stress over the situation within india because of promoting Kashmir’s struggle for freedom. A senior journalist and indo-Pak peace acthe protests over the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the continued resistance in indian-Oc- tivist, referring to General’s statement writes in cupied Kashmir. There is every likelihood of it a newspaper, “The General must understand that resorting to a false flag operation and starting a it is the apathetic approach of the successive governments, which has confrontation with Pakgiven a lease to radicalizaistan to divert attention tion in Kashmir Valley. from the real issues. The indian government, Any such eventuality could have disastrous The world and the UN need since the start of armed insurgency in 1990, has proconsequences for the ento take notice of the vided every possible tire region as any miscalopportunity to vulnerable culation on either side foregoing reality, and children in conflict to get could easily trigger nuinstead of showing criminal infected by the worms of clear war between the two countries. Pakistan indifference to the miseries radicalization. The government pursued wrong has shown tremendous of the people of Indianpolicies viz-a-viz mainrestraint over indian taining peace and calm in provocations notwithOccupied Kashmir should the Kashmir. Children standing the fact that it show solidarity with them by born in the past three was fully capable of givdecades have become nating a befitting response to facilitating the exercise of uralized to the conflict any act of aggression their right of selfand radicalization, intenagainst it, as it proved in tionally or unintentionlast February when indetermination. India also ally. The biggest factor for dian warplanes intruded needs to understand that which is that the governinto Pakistani territory and one of them was shot freedom movements cannot ment did not let them vent out frustration.” down and its pilot was be subdued through the “intermittent curfews, captured, who later was internet shutdown and released with a view to barrel of the gun even clampdown on avoid further escalation movement forced children in the tensions between to spend more time with the two countries. the people who had witPrime minister imran Khan in his address to the UN General assem- nessed atrocities in the early 1990s. When parbly had exhaustively dilated on the threats to ents at home talk about atrocities, the peace and security of the region from the phi- subconscious mind of children captures it and delosophy of Hindutva and pleaded to the world velops a negative image of the nation. in the last 30 years, children have been subjected to unwarcommunity to intervene before it was too late. The world community and the UN must ranted and unprecedented shutdowns. They have take notice of the supremacist ideology of in- become witnesses to a bloodbath and manipudian rulers which is akin to the one pro- lated narratives of Azadi, so their derailing from pounded by Hitler. The world has already seen the mainstream is natural. We have seen that in the cataclysmic consequences of that philoso- the recent past, children, including girls, are parphy and cannot afford yet another conflict of ticipating in stone-pelting.” The world and the UN need to take notice similar proportion. Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of the Par- of the foregoing reality, and instead of showing tition of the indian Subcontinent, awaiting com- criminal indifference to the miseries of the peopletion in conformity with UN resolutions on the ple of indian-Occupied Kashmir should show subject, calling for determining the question of solidarity with them by facilitating the exercise accession of Kashmir through a plebiscite under of their right of self-determination. india also the auspices of the UN. The only way to prevent needs to understand that freedom movements the re-enactment of a catastrophe over Kashmir cannot be subdued through the barrel of the gun. is to pressurize india to undo what it has done in Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. indian-Occupied Kashmir and resolve the dispute He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com. through implementation of the UN resolutions.
NATUre’S fury seems to have no end and natural disasters like floods, droughts, earthquakes have been playing havoc with countries and human race all along the line. Speaking of the earthquake aftermath, Turkey has become the latest victim, having been hit by a mighty earthquake measuring 6.8 on richter scale. As for casualties, so far over 29 people have been killed and many more, nearly 1,100 persons injured. As a matter of fact, my workstations like mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad have encountered a lot of floods and other natural disasters, whereas my native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, marthandam, Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu have been in the grip of weather vagaries – sometimes hit by floods and by droughtlike situations on various occasions. in all these cases/situations, all we are in need of is to be helped through rescue efforts and makeshift arrangements. Damage control has so far come to the rescue of the people be it in my workstations like mumbai or in my native areas like Tirunelveli, Korkai, all for the common good. right now, elazig province in Turkey is crying for help as this magnitude 6.8 earthquake was centred in that province. immediate help from neighbouring countries aside, the international community, world agencies and NGOs should send and transport relief material, rescue teams, urgent foodstuff and medical assistance/equipment to the affected and the needy in Turkey in this unfortunate time of a crisis of large size. SEnTHIL SARAVAnA DURAI Mumbai
A solution to Kashmir dispute? iS the Kashmir solution finally in sight? The BJP-led indian Government is planning on revoking the “special status” of Kashmir in india. This special status allowed Kashmir region to be an independent state within the indian state, with its own Prime minister and President. This status also stopped indians from purchasing property in Kashmir, which helped maintain the muslim majority in the region. But now the indian Government wants to end this special status, absorbing Kashmir into india, while allowing Hindus to purchase property and eventually become the majority in the region. And when india implements the end of special status, than Pakistan can also convert Kashmir into its province and request UN and the World to consider the current disputed border as a permanent border. And both countries can agree to develop their new provinces for tourism, while also plan on disarming the regions and increasing tourism cooperation among the two regions. Tourists and locals should be allowed to move across borders easily to ensure lasting peace. india can also be offered to be a part of CPeC to ensure trade and peace for a long time. Engr. Shahryar Khan Baseer Peshawar
Water tank mafia in Karachi ACUTe water shortage in the port city has forced Karachiites to buy water tankers on excessive rates as the major water supplying organization in the city – Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) – has failed to provide water tankers on official rates. The long-standing water shortage has managed to become worse. Citizens are forced to depend on private water tanker services. . The private water tanker proprietors, taking advantage of this situation, charge rs 5,000 for 1,000 gallons water, rs 7,000 for 2,000 gallons and rs 9,000 for 3,000 gallons despite the water rates fixed by the KW&SB as per the government’s official rates of rs 1,000 for 1,000 gallons, rs 1,300 for 2,000 gallons and rs 1,700 for 3,000 gallons for residential consumers. residents in every part of the city have complained that they are unable to obtain water through water supply and thus have been forced to purchase water from private tanker suppliers on high rates. TAHA KHAn Karachi
Defining Pakistan mArTiN Luther King Jr once said ‘almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world a better place’. Jinnah wanted the Pakistanis to respect our minorities. i want to reiterate that Prime minister imran Khan had promised to give minorities their due rights. He envisioned following the model of the state of medina. mr Khan’s zeal was witnessed when he proposed that Dr Atif mian was the panacea for the economic calamity of Pakistan. He desired to see Dr Atif as the Finance minister in his ‘Naya Pakistan’. The desire was a rhetorical. Nevertheless, mr Khan coerced Dr Atif to resign from the economic Advisory Council, owing to his faith; which is indifferent to our economy. Consequently, Dr imran rasul resigned in protest. This robbed our economic Council of competent members. However, Jinnah would have daunted the government’s decision because he guaranteed justice, equality, and opportunities for the minorities. Jinnah was a protagonist of minority rights. He stood for the muslims when they were a minority in the colonial india. Jinnah must have been disenchanted following this inauspicious decision. Barrister Arsalan Chaudhry narowal
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
10 FOREIGN NEWS
electrIc future: BrItaIn to Ban new petrol and hyBrId cars from 2035 LONDON
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AGENCIES
RITAIN will ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035, five years earlier than planned, in an attempt to reduce air pollution that could herald the end of over a century of reliance on the internal combustion engine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seeking to use the announcement to elevate the United Kingdom’s environmental credentials after he sacked the head of a Glasgow U.N. Climate Change Conference planned for November known as COP26. “We have to deal with our CO2 emissions, and that is why the UK is calling for us to get to net zero as soon as possible, to get every country to an-
nounce credible targets to get there – that’s what we want from Glasgow,” Johnson said on Tuesday at a launch event for COP26 at London’s Science Museum, alongside broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough. “We know as a country, as a society, as a planet, as a species, we must now act.” The two-week COP26 summit is seen as a moment of truth for the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat global warming with responsibility for persuading big polluting countries to agree more ambitious emissions cuts falling on the British hosts. Britain has pledged to reach net zero by 2050, but Greenpeace UK Head of Politics Rebecca Newsom said Johnson needed to take broader action than cleaning up transport. “We need a complete rethink of the way we power our economy,
build homes, move around and grow our food,” she said. Britain’s step amounts to a victory for electric cars that if copied globally could hit the wealth of oil producers, as well as transform the car industry and one of the icons of 20th Century capitalism: the automobile itself. Countries and cities around the world have announced plans to crack down on diesel vehicles following the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal and the EU is introducing tougher carbon dioxide rules. The mayors of Paris, Madrid, Mexico City and Athens have said they plan to ban diesel vehicles from city centers by 2025. France is preparing to ban the sale of fossil fuel-powered cars by 2040 and Norway’s parliament has set a non-binding goal that by 2025 all cars should be
Russia sends Lavrov to Venezuela to 'counteract' US sanctions MOSCOW AGENCIES
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Venezuela on Friday in a show of support for President Nicolas Maduro, a socialist who Washington wants out of power. Russia has helped Maduro weather a political crisis as the United States has targeted Caracas with sanctions and, like dozens of other countries, recognizes opposition politician Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate interim
leader. Moscow has denounced the US sanctions as illegal and damaging, while Venezuela’s opposition has urged Washington to step up pressure on Russia for its economic, diplomatic and military support of Maduro. Lavrov, foreign minister since 2004, flies to Latin America on Wednesday, stopping in Cuba before heading to Mexico on Thursday and Venezuela the next day. His trip follows a tour by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of four
manchester suicide bomber’s brother just as guilty as he was, uK court hears LONDON: The brother of the bomber who carried out a suicide attack on an Ariana Grande concert in the English city of Manchester three years ago was just as guilty of murdering the 22 victims as his sibling, prosecutors told London’s Old Bailey court on Tuesday. Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Briton born to Libyan parents, blew himself up at Manchester Arena at the close of a show by the Grammy-winning US pop singer. Among the dead were seven children, the youngest aged just eight. More than 500 people were injured. On Tuesday, his brother Hashem Abedi, 22, went on trial accused of helping his brother to carry out the bombing. He denies any involvement in the attack, including charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion. “Hashem Abedi is just as responsible for this atrocity and for the offences which are identified in the indictment … just as surely as if he had selected the target and detonated the bomb himself,” prosecutor Duncan Penny said. Penny said Hashem Abedi helped his brother to get the ingredients for making the homemade bomb and together they experimented with its construction, buying items such as screws and nails to be used as shrapnel. They stored and made the device at a separate address in Manchester and, shortly before they returned to Libya in mid-April 2017, they bought a car to be used to store the bomb-making equipment. “This explosion was the culmination of months of planning, experimentation and preparation by the two of them,” Penny said. “The bomb which was detonated was self-evidently designed to kill and to maim as many people as possible.” Hashem Abedi was extradited to Britain from Libya in July last year after the Libyan authorities agreed to hand him over. Islamic State said it was responsible for the attack in the immediate aftermath of the bombing, but security services have always treated that claim with scepticism. AGENCIES
former Soviet states – Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan – in a region that Moscow sees as its backyard. In Venezuela, Lavrov will meet Maduro as well as Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza for talks that will broach deeper cooperation on energy, mining, transport, agriculture and defense, Russia’s foreign ministry said. “The agenda includes a discussion of steps … to counteract illegal unilateral sanctions that worsen the socioeconomic situation in Venezuela,” ministry
zero emissions. ELECTRIC VEHICLES: While some automakers may find it hard to countenance the end of the combustion engine, others have embraced a future in which electric vehicles prevail. The ban poses a threat to German jobs as Britain is the biggest global export market for its car manufacturers, amounting to about 20% of global sales, and electric cars take less time to build than combustion-engined or hybrid variants. The government said that, subject to consultation, it planned to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel
spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. The United States last year ratcheted up diplomatic pressure on Venezuela and imposed sanctions on the OPEC member’s state oil company, PDVSA. Venezuela’s opposition disputed the legitimacy of Maduro’s reelection to a second term in 2018, and opposition leader Guaido proclaimed himself interim president in January last year, winning the backing of Washington and other countries. Maduro has remained in power though, backed by the military as well as Russia, China and Cuba In Mexico, Lavrov will meet Foreign Secretary Luis Ebrard Casaubon to discuss economic and trade ties as well as cooperation with the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC). In Cuba, Lavrov will meet his counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Zakharova said.
Burdened by sanctions, North Korea sees coronavirus threaten economic lifelines SEOUL AGENCIES
North Korea’s already tenuous economic lifelines to the outside world are now nearly severed as it seals its borders with China and Russia to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Already one of the most closedoff countries in the world, North Korea has stopped airline flights and train service with its neighbours, established weeks-long mandatory quarantines for recently arrived foreigners, suspended international tourism, and imposed a near-complete lockdown on cross-border travel. The shutdowns could hurt leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to make good on his promise to jumpstart North Korea’s economy. Those efforts have been undermined by a lack of progress in denuclearization talks with the United States, which has led the way in imposing international sanctions on North Korea. “They’re keeping the cargo out and they’re keeping the Chinese out; nobody can go in or out,” said one source with firsthand knowledge of the situation at the China-North Korea border. Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector in Seoul who reports for the Daily NK website, also confirmed that the border appears to have been almost entirely shut down since at least Jan. 30. “The Ministry of People’s Armed Forces ordered all guard posts to bar smuggling as well,” she said. “People, freight, nothing can come in or go out.”
Pyongyang has reportedly asked Beijing not to repatriate North Korean defectors detained in China, according to one South Korean pastor who works with refugees. According to the source with knowledge of the situation at the border, North Koreans who work in restaurants and elsewhere in China, violating United Nations sanctions, are in “virtual captivity” in their homes under instructions from authorities back in North Korea. North Korea is typically adept at implementing public health interventions and acted “swiftly and decisively” to try to stop the disease from entering the country, but sanctions restrictions could make it difficult for them to get medical supplies, said Harvard Medical School’s Kee Park, who has worked on health care projects in North Korea. CHINA LIFELINE: The efforts – which appear to have been success-
CMYK
ful in preventing any cases in North Korea so far – mean North Korea has severed or drastically restricted the economic ties it relies on. “There could be a huge impact not just on the North’s market economy, but also on the entire economy of the country,” Kang said. “North Korea promotes localization, but even for products – candies, crackers, or clothing – manufactured in the country, the raw materials come from China.” Upcoming North Korean political holidays, which usually include gifts of sweets and crackers for children, may be more less festive than usual if the country’s supplies of sugar, flour, and other ingredients are scarce, she said. There are already signs that prevention measures could lead to the cancellation of military parades and other mass celebrations at least through February, which includes a commemoration of the North Korean army and former leader Kim Jong Il’s birthday.
cars and vans to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition was possible. Diesel and petrol models still account for 90% of sales in Britain, and prospective buyers of greener models are worried about the limited availability of charging points, the range of certain models and the cost. The government said last year it was providing an extra 2.5 million pounds ($3.25 million) to fund the installation of more than 1,000 new charge points for electric vehicles on residential streets. It has also provided investment for the development of electric vehicle technology.
sanders claims lead as Iowa white house vote turns to fiasco IOWA CITY: Iowa’s vote kick-starting the 2020 US presidential contest degenerated into a fiasco marred by major delays on Monday, with Bernie Sanders claiming a slim lead in the Democratic caucus citing partial unofficial results. Figures released by the leftist senator’s campaign, five hours after the caucuses opened across Iowa, showed Pete Buttigieg in second spot, a strong showing for the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana who was a national unknown just one year ago. “Iowa you have shocked the nation,” the 38-year-old gay military reservist told loudly cheering supporters in what sounded very much like a victory speech. “Because tonight, an improbable hope became an undeniable reality.” With chaos on the ground as Democratic party officials reportedly told campaigns not to expect results before sometime Tuesday, Sanders, running as a democratic socialist, took to the microphones to proclaim he had “a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa.” “Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump,” said the 78-year-old. Iowa is a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will face the Republican president in November. Sanders later took the bold step of releasing internal, unpublished results from nearly 40 per cent of precincts, showing him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the all-important figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses. Buttigieg earned 25.71 per cent, followed by progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren on 18.42 per cent, the data indicated. FEELING GOOD: The Warren campaign pushed back at Sanders move, with her chief strategist Joe Rospars, tweeting: “Any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation.” But as the waiting dragged on, with zero results reported, other candidates also made claims to have beaten expectations. “I’m feeling good,” Biden said before Sanders released the internals. “So it’s on to New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, well beyond. We’re in this for the long haul.” New Hampshire votes second, on February 11, and tradition dictates that the top performers in Iowa board jets and race to The Granite State to capitalize on the momentum. MELTDOWN: The Iowa embarrassment is particularly bad timing, as US officials are under pressure to demonstrate the integrity of the voting system following 2016, when Russia stood accused of interfering in the presidential election in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. In a statement read on US networks, Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party, said further checks were ordered after “inconsistencies” were found in the reporting of three sets of results.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
BUSINESS 11 CORPORATE CORNER Bank AL Habib offers high returns on Mahana Munafa Account KARACHI: Bank AL Habib offers AL Habib Mahana Munafa Account - a Pak Rupee Term Deposit Account, featuring monthly payment of profits. The investment is available in five flexible schemes from one to five years term with profit rates up to 12.00pc per annum on a one-year deposit. The minimum deposit amount is Rs25,000 and financing facility up to 90pc against deposit is also offered. Bank AL Habib has a network of 760 branches & sub-branches in 292 cities including offshore branches in Bahrain, Malaysia, Seychelles and the Karachi Export Processing Zone. The bank also has Representative Offices in Dubai (UAE), Istanbul (Turkey), Beijing (China) & Nairobi (Kenya). p r E S S r E l E A S E
ISLAMABAD: EFU Life Insurance Limited has been conferred with ‘CSR Award 2020’ in the category of ‘Social Impact’ at the 9th Corporate Social Responsibility Awards, organized by The Professionals Network and Ethical Business Update (EBU). p r E S S r E l E A S E
LAHORE: A walk was organized at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre on Tuesday to mark World Cancer Day. The event was a part of international drive to raise awareness about cancer by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). prESS rElEASE
KARACHI: Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop hosted an introductory press conference with Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar to announce the 29th International Puppet Festival. prESS r E l E A S E
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to PM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amer Ali meet women entrepreneurs from Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explore collaborative options under Ehsaas Programme. prESS rElEASE
‘ImPOsItIOn Of Rs80bn aRREaRs unjustIfIEd’, ExPORtERs COmPlaIn tO na bOdy POWER DIVISION ASKED TO TAKE UP TARIFF ISSUE WITH ECC
TEXTILE MILLERS TO OBSERVE STRIKE ON FEB 10 IF ISSUES REMAIN UNRESOLVED
ISLAMABAD
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GHUlAM ABBAS
HE National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue was informed on Tuesday that the power division was planning to recover up to Rs80 billion arrears from the export sector despite serious reservations by the exporters. The power division last month had written a letter to export-oriented sector regarding the inclusion of taxes, surcharges and positive fuel adjustment in the industrial tariff. The committee, chaired by with MNA Faizullah, was further informed that the inclusion of surcharges was a violation of the Economic Coordination Committee’s decision. Speaking on the occasion, PML-N MNA Ali Parvez Malik alleged that the government wanted to improve its performance by withdrawing facilities already given to the export sector. “The export sector will be completely closed in case the taxes remain imposed on the sector,” he feared. The committee chairman showed his displeasure over the absence of officials from the power division and said the issue would be taken up with Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had wished for an increase in exports. Officials from the finance and commerce ministries claimed they had nothing to do with the gas and electricity tariff and that it was the domain of the power division and NEPRA. The textile industry had earlier informed the committee that it had urged the MoC to submit an urgent summary to ECC, requesting the im-
plementation of SRO 12 (of January 1, 2019) and withdrawal of the power division’s letter (January 13, 2020) that had asked for inclusion of taxes, surcharges and positive fuel adjustment in the industrial tariff. The letter stated that the export-oriented sector would be exposed to the inclusion of taxes, surcharges and increase in tariff because of fuel adjustment in the billing. The initiative could swell electricity price from Rs11.70 per unit to Rs20 per unit for industrial sector. Before the new initiative, the financial cost surcharge, Neelum-Jhelum surcharge, taxes, fixed charges and positive fuel adjustment were not part of the tariff set by the PTI government for export-oriented sectors. Acting FBR Chairman Nosheen Javed told the committee that levy of tariff on electricity fell under the purview of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division). After threadbare discussion, Power Purchase Agency Chief Executive Officer Abid Lodhi briefed the committee about the imposition of tariff charges. However, the parliamentary committee expressed its dissatisfaction over the MoE’s response, unanimously directing the ministry to take the matter of electricity tariff to ECC for future implementation. The stakeholders from export industry, local industry and traders had raised their concerns over imposition of electricity tariff. STRIKE ON FEB 10: A representative of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) told the committee that the textile sector would be observing strike on February 10 in case the issue remained unresolved.
MCB Bank’s profit before tax grows 25pc, crosses Rs40bn mark The Board of Directors of MCB Bank Limited met under the chairmanship of Mian Mohammad Mansha on Tuesday to review the bank’s performance and approve its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The board declared 4th cash dividend of Rs5 per share, i.e. 50pc, bringing the total cash dividend for the year ended 2019 to 170pc (highest dividend payout trend in commercial banks category). MCB’s profit before tax grew to Rs40.10 billion which reflects a tremendous growth of 25pc over 2018, despite the tough operating environment. The key highlights were impressive increase in net interest margins through gradual shift in the maturity profiling of investment base along with a more refined structure. The strategic profiling of the investments based on the interest rate calls resulted in a gradual shift from shorter to longer term investments, thereby capitalizing on the significant interest rate movement during the year. Net interest income rose to Rs59.62 billion, 30pc higher than the last year on account of effective asset deployment of the low-cost deposits. Analysis of the interest earning assets highlights that income on advances in-
creased by Rs20.37 billion, primarily on account of increase in yield of 398bps. On the investment side, gross markup income increased by Rs30.76 billion, due to increased average volume by Rs66.61 billion and yield of 391bps. On the interest-bearing liabilities side, the cost of deposits increased by 278bps over last year. The non-markup income block of the bank was reported at Rs16.68 billion with major contributions coming in from fee commission and foreign exchange income. Despite inflationary surge during the year, growth in the operational network and constant investment in digital, cyber security and information technology related platforms, the operating expense growth was contained to an impressive 5pc, as efficient cost management remains one of the key strengths for MCB Bank Limited. On the provision side, the bank reversed provision amounting to Rs. 158 million on advances; whereas, the bank recorded net charge of Rs2.8 billion on equity portfolio in 2019. On the financial position side, the total asset base of the bank on unconsolidated basis was reported at Rs1.52 trillion depicting an increase of 1pc over December 2018. BUSINESS DESK
The NA’s committee also discussed the problems being faced by the exporters due to delay in release of income tax refunds by FBR. The FBR’s acting chairman informed that the bureau had frequently issued income tax refunds and there were no hurdles at all. However, she suggested that a committee of exporters might be constituted to discuss and resolve the technical issues of Form “H” with the bureau. The chair asked the exporters to give nominations in this regard following which the exporters and industrialists announced the names for the committee including Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) Chairman Sohail Pasha, Hafeez Pasha and Khurram Tariq. The Faisalabad-based traders informed the committee about the hurdles they were facing in obtaining CNIC copies from the buyer. They were of the view that the said condition had destroyed businesses throughout the country. The FBR chief clarified the traders about asking for CNIC. FBR’s Member Inland Revenue Hamid Atique Sarwar informed the committee that out of Rs8 trillion share of traders in the national economy, their share of taxes was mere Rs16 billion. “The objective of CNIC condition is to assess the value of sales as no trader wants to share his real sale value. There are only 350,000 traders in the tax net,” he said. The committee appreciated the FBR’s role and directed its chief to resolve the CNIC issue in consultation with the traders. On the direction of the parliamentary committee, the traders also constituted a committee for resolution of their issues with FBR.
Oil rebounds on potential for further OPEC+ supply cuts LONDON: Oil prices clawed background on Tuesday on hopes for additional production cuts from OPEC and its allies to offset any potential demand drop triggered by the coronavirus outbreak. Brent crude was up 28 cents, or 0.5pc, at $54.73 a barrel by 1442 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude stood at $50.64 after a 1.1pc rise of 53 cents. The gains marked a rebound after an extended slide over the past two weeks on concern over the global economic impact of China’s coronavirus, which pushed crude prices on Monday to their lowest in more than a year. Sources close to the matter told Reuters on Monday that OPEC+, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, was considering cutting crude output by a further 500,000 barrels per day (bpd). However, the producer group could yet face an uphill battle to rubber stamp more cuts so soon after the existing pact was agreed and because there remains a lack of clarity over how long the virus crisis will last. “Any changes in supply policy ... will be decided on the basis of their assessment of the duration of the impact of the coronavirus,” the global head of commodity strategy at BNP Paribas, Harry Tchilinguirian, told the Reuters Global Oil Forum. “If the producer group believes the outbreak to be contained, with effects tapering out after a short period, like SARS, they have the option to stand pat and weather the lower price environment until demand returns.” AGENCIES
LPG bowsers: OGRA refutes media report, ‘justifies’ actions of Member Gas ISLAMABAD STAFF rEpOrT
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has rejected a media report titled “OGRA Member Gas ‘delays’ bringing LPG bowsers to tax net”, terming the story “incorrect, malicious and misleading”. In response to the above-mentioned story Published in Pakistan Today on 3rd Feb 2020, the authority stated, “Although OGRA ordinance have been in force and affect since year 2002 which required regulation of midstream and downstream sectors, OGRA first time took the cognizance of license of LPG transportation activity in the year 201112 i.e. over nine years ago. However, due to cumbersome and costly licensing procedure and that too for individual LPG bowser, only three LPG bowers
could be granted license. The non-cooperation and lack of response from the LPG Marketing Companies and private LPG bowsers speak volumes about how difficult it was for the LPG bowser owners to seeking licenses for each individual bowser, even when OGRA reduced the license fee from Rs100,000 to Rs25,000 per bowser.” OGRA said the incumbent Member Gas, who is a qualified professional and has long extensive experience of oil and gas industry, reviewed the long outstanding LPG bowser licensing matter and identified loopholes in the lengthy procedure and mechanism for individual licensing of LPG bowsers by OGRA. “It may be borne in mind that three tier certification and licensing mechanism of each LPG bowser is already in place.
LPG Bower Manufacturers in Pakistan are already certified by OGRA. Once LPG Bowser is manufactured, it is subject to the license from the Chief Inspector of Explosives (CIE) and also relevant Road Transport Authority (TPA). After all the three-tier certification from different statutory departments in place, existing procedure also requires a certification from an independent third party appointed by OGRA. “The incumbent Member Gas advised streamlining the regulatory framework to pave the way for bringing all LPG bowsers into regulatory network, in total disregard thereof, LPG Department issued directions to the industry to get the bowsers licensed within 15 days after which companies may not be able to uplift/transport/decant LPG within the country, which may seemingly cause damage
to the country by bring the entire LPG logistics and supply operations to a standstill in severe weather condition when the demand for LPG was already at its peak and supply too short. This would have caused strikes, riots and road blockages throughout the country. The matter is being investigated by the Authority to fix responsibility on the responsible officials. REPORTER’S RESPONSE: According to Ahmad Ahmadani, the reporter who had filed the above-mentioned story, OGRA has rebutted the news item “in a generalized fashion”. The unilateral action of the Member Gas has in fact undermined the integrity and efficacy of the LPG department by holding back the departmental initiative. It is pertinent to mention that the authority can review, rescind, vary or alter its own decision only through section 13
of OGRA Ordinance, 2002. But, in this case one individual member on its own cannot and should not dislodge the valid and unanimous decision of its full authority, which was earlier taken in the regulatory meeting No. 19 of 2019 held on August 07, 2019. It is a matter of record that none of the stakeholders sought any review of this very decision. However, the incumbent Member Gas is welcome to furnish the review proceeding of the decision to this newspaper and which will be published likewise. Else, the impugned decision of the Member Gas shall otherwise be deemed as malafide, malicious, and non-est and will be considered as an attempt to thwart the relentless efforts of the present government to ensure the documentation of the economy in the country.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
12 BUSINESS MARket DAiLy
bulls stage comeback as KsE-100 gains 474 points KARACHI
GOvt ExEmPts ExPORt-ORIEntEd unIts fROm REGulatORy duty
STAFF rEpOrT
After yesterday's brutal sell-off, trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) began on a buoyant note on Tuesday, with the indices recovering some of the losses accumulated in the last session, closing in the green. Foreign investors ended the previous session (Monday) as net sellers, with a net outflow of $1.66 million. On the political front, Prime Minister Imran Khan has left for a two-day official visit to Malaysia. According to media reports, the PM would be meeting chairpersons or chief executive officers (CEOs) of wellknown Malaysian companies to discuss their future investment plans in Pakistan. Gaining 543.91 points, the benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded its intraday high at 40,953.29. After a few hiccups midday, the index managed to close higher by 474.87 points at 40,884.25. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index accumulated 780.33 points to end at 65,561.14, while the KSE All Shares Index gained 178.23 points, settling at 28,493.84. The advancers to decliners ratio stood at 224 to 87. The overall market volumes declined from the previous session and were recorded at 146.09 million. The Bank of Punjab (BOP +2.18pc), Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL +1.50pc) and Unity Foods Limited (UNITY 0.66 points) remained the volume leaders of the day, exchanging 16.35 million, 15.70 million and 8.32 million shares, respectively. Sectors that painted the KSE-100 Index green included banking (+216.57 points), power generation & distribution (+83.44 points) and fertilizer (+62.17 points). Among the companies, MCB Bank Limited (MCB +84.25 points), Hub Power Company Limited (HUBC +67.22 points) and Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO +46.77 points) remained the top positive contributors to the index. Trading at the exchange would remain suspended on Wednesday on account of Kashmir Day. Normal trading shall commence from Thursday (February 6, 2020).
CCoP allows open bidding for 27 state properties ISLAMABAD GHUlAM ABBAS
Almost a year after the federal cabinet’s decision to sell “unproductive properties”, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) has allowed open auction bidding for 27 lands and assets owned by government entities. The decision was taken at a CCoP meeting held with Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair. Earlier, the CCoP discussed the issue in detail and approved the recommendations of the Transaction Committee, InterMinisterial Committee and Privatisation Commission Board to start an open auction bidding procedure with a total reserve price of Rs6.62 billion for 27 properties belonging to different federal government divisions and entities. The Privatisation Commission informed the CCoP meeting that the bidding process was likely to be completed by the end of April 2020. According to sources, these properties were being sold to pay off the government’s ballooning debt. Earlier in March 2019, the cabinet had decided to sell these properties after completion of the selection process by a committee. An Asset Management Cell at the Privatisation Commission was then set up to fast-track the process in this regard. As per the cabinet’s decision, all ministries and divisions were directed to send a list of at least three properties, which were free of all encumbrances, to the Privatisation Commission. The commission had written to the government departments to share the details of their vacant properties. As a result, it received the details of more than 40,000 properties, of which 27 undisputed properties were selected.
ECC AGAIN DEFERS DECISION TO INCREASE GAS PRICE, DIRECTS PETROLEUM DIVISION TO COME UP WITH A BETTER ALTERNATIVE ISLAMABAD
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STAFF rEpOrT
HE federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which met with Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair on Tuesday, approved an amendment in SRO 192(1)/ 2019 (dated 11th Feb 2019) extending exemption from regulatory duty to export-oriented units. Meanwhile, the ECC again deferred the Petroleum Division’s proposal to increase in the prices of natural gas, stating that the decision would not be rushed into. The committee also suggested that the division’s recommendations regarding gas tariff hike should be improved. It was also decided that the measures to save
COMMITTEE APPROVES CREATION OF DIGITAL MEDIA WING IN MOIB TO HIGHLIGHT GOVT’S ACHIEVEMENTS
the public from the adverse effects of gas prices hike should also be put forth and an alternative be presented in this regard. The ECC also considered and approved the grant of Rs153.25 million from the budget of the Ministry of Finance, as a technical supplementary grant for the Ministry of Interior, for compensation to the victims of suicidal attack at District courts F-8, Islamabad, which took place on 3rd March 2014. The Finance Division supported the proposal in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. In order to register Postal Life Insurance as a public limited company, the committee approved an amount of Rs700 million as initial paid up capital. The amount shall be allocated by the Finance Division and transferred to the proposed Postal Life Insurance Company. Following the approval, Postal Life Insurance shall fall
Textile policy likely to be approved on 15th LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI
The country's much-awaited long-term textile policy is likely to be approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan on February 15th. According to sources in the commerce ministry, the policy was previously scheduled to be approved after the prime minister's return from Davos on January 24 but was delayed "due to the recent flour and sugar crises" in the country. "Now it will be presented to him on February 15 for approval," a commerce ministry official confirmed. "PM Imran on his return from Davos had
put all his attention on flour and sugar crises in the country, thus the textile policy for the exportoriented sector got delayed." Another important issue that diverted the PM's attention from the textile policy was the regular attacks of locusts damaging crops across Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. To tackle this issue, PM Imran had declared a 'national emergency' and had also approved a 'national action plan', besides allocating Rs7.3 billion, sources said. The PM on Monday had left for a two-day official visit to Malaysia. PM Imran, who earlier visited Malaysia in November last year, is accompa-
nied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior officials. Sources said the PM realized that the long-term textile policy could help the country achieve the target of $50 billion exports in the next 10 year. "The textile policy only got delayed because he had to deal with few other important issues which were affecting the life of a common man," an official at the PM's Office said. A senior APTMA official, who did not wish to be named, also confirmed this scribe that they have been assured by the commerce ministry and PM Office high ups that the textile policy would be approved by February 15th.
British investors invited to explore Pakistan's E&P sector ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar on Tuesday invited the British investors to tap opportunities in Pakistan's exploration and production (E&P) sector. He extended this invitation to a British delegation, led by Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner Simon Penny, on Tuesday. UK’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan Mike Nithavrianakis and British High Commission Deputy Director for Trade Ms Olivia Campbell were also the part of delegation. Babar drew the attention of Simon Penny towards the presence of about 40 British E&P companies in Pakistan a decade ago, telling him as to how those companies could again enter in Pakistan through an array of opportunities. He shared key areas of cooperation between the two countries in general trade of
commodities, cooperation in the energy sector, technological manufacturing, including manpower, skill, liquidity for small scale production and robust agricultural productivity. The SAPM informed the delegation about the incremental steps taken by the present government to encourage the use of renewable energy, including practical timelines for renewable energy's inclusion in the national grid. The SAPM hoped that British businessmen and investors' keen interest would be demonstrated through the E&P roadshow, which is scheduled to be held in London. Penny commended the improved business environment in Pakistan, saying improved British travel advisory, in his opinion, was a consequence of the impressive improvement in Pakistan's security and business climate. STAFF rEpOrT
under the regulatory framework of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Moreover, the ECC approved the creation of a Digital Media Wing in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The purpose of the wing shall be to effectively counter the fake/libelous news and highlight the development agenda of the government. The ECC directed the MoI&B to move ahead with the establishment of the wing by using its already available resources. The ECC also gave approval to the transfer of funds amounting to Rs31.5 million in equivalent foreign exchange from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Defence as technical supplementary grant for the maintenance of Cessna aircraft. The committee meeting was attended by federal ministers of national food security and research, railways, energy and privatization ministries.
IGxEP initiative to fix Pakistan's energy woes: minister ISLAMABAD STAFF rEpOrT
Power and Petroleum Minister Omar Ayub Khan said on Tuesday that the Power Division was in the process of finalising an Integrated Generation Expansion Plan (IGXEP) for national grid, which would regulate future demand and supply of energy with most affordable and feasible power projects. The minister disclosed this during a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour at his office on Tuesday. Power Division Secretary Irfan Ali was also present. Briefing the envoy about IGXEP initiative, the minister said the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), under the Power Division, was working on a plan that would ease out future energy generation with exact demand and supply forecast along with location. About renewable energy projects and investment potential of the power sector, the minister said the government was committed to increasing the dependence on indigenous energy resources by bringing it up to 80pc [of the total mix] by 2030. He said the share of renewable energy would be increased from current 2,500MW approximately to 8,000MW by 2025 and to 20,000MW by 2030. "Together with hydel resources, the share of renewable energy would become 60pc by 2030 that wouldn't only increase dependence on indigenous resources but would help the country save a huge amount of foreign exchange." Omar Ayub further informed the envoy that the government had for the first time introduced competitive bidding for new renewable energy projects that would contribute to bringing down the electricity prices in the country. Wendy Gilmour appreciated the government for pursuing utilization of indigenous resources for electricity generation. Terming the IGXEP plan as "excellent initiative", the envoy said that the Canadian investors were keenly following the Pakistani government's policies and considering various options to invest in the country.
Pakistan to buy more Malaysian palm oil after India's withdrawal KUALA LUMPUR AGENCIES
Pakistan will buy more palm oil from Malaysia, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday, to try and compensate after top buyer India put curbs on Malaysian imports last month amid a diplomatic row. India imposed general restrictions on refined palm oil imports, and informally asked traders specifically to stop buying from Malaysia, the world’s biggest producer of the edible oil. Sources said the move was in retaliation after Malaysia criticised India’s new religion-based citizenship law and its policy on Kashmir. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad said on Tuesday that he discussed palm oil with Khan who was on a visit to Malaysia and that Pakistan had indicated it would import more from Malaysia. “That’s right, especially since we noticed India threatened Malaysia for supporting the Kashmir cause, threatened to cut palm oil imports,” Khan told a joint news conference, referring to India’s Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. “Pakistan will do its best to compensate for that.” India is a Hindu-majority country while Malaysia and Pakistan are mainly Muslim. India and Pakistan have been mostly hostile to each other since the partition of British India in 1947, and have
fought two of their three wars over competing territorial claims in Kashmir. Pakistan may have bought around 135,000 tonnes of Malaysian palm oil last month, a record high, India-based dealers who track such shipments told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The figure is close to estimates of 141,500 tonnes from Refinitiv, which says sales to India in January may have plunged 80% from a year earlier to 40,400 tonnes. Malaysia will release official export data on Monday. Pakistan bought 1.1 million tonnes of palm oil from Malaysia last year, while India bought 4.4 million tonnes, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.
STRONG TIES: India has repeatedly objected to Mahathir speaking out against its move last year to strip Kashmir’s autonomy and make it easier for non-Muslims from neighbouring Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to gain citizenship. At the news conference, Mahathir did not refer to Kashmir but Khan did. “The way you, PM, have stood with us and spoken about this injustice going on, on behalf of Pakistan I really want to thank you,” Khan said. He also said he was sad he could not attend a summit of Muslim leaders in Malaysia in December. Saudi Arabia did not attend the summit, saying it was the wrong forum to discuss matters affecting
the world’s Muslims and Khan belatedly pulled out from attending. Some Pakistani officials, unnamed because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said at the time that Khan pulled out under pressure from Saudi Arabia, a close ally of Pakistan, though local media reported his officials denied that was the reason for his absence. “Unfortunately our friends, who are very close to Pakistan as well, felt that somehow the conference was going to divide the ummah,” Khan said, using the Arabic word for the Muslim community but not mentioning Saudi Arabia by name. “It is clearly a misconception, as that was not the purpose of the conference.”
Lahore Music Meet 2020 [#LMM5] took the city by storm with over 20,000 music enthusiasts in attendance!
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usic Meet, the powerhouse team behind Pakistan’s biggest music festival, staged the fifth edition of ‘LAHORE MUSIC MEET – presented by Pepsi’ at Alhamra Art Center in Lahore on the 1st and 2nd of February 2020 taking the city by storm with over 20,000 music enthusiasts in attendance. The two-day event was open to the general public with no cost of admission [Entry is free with NIC or Student ID]. Heating up all 4 stages
of Alhamra this weekend was a curated line-up of new artists and fresh sounds which encapsulated various musical spectrums of Pakistan along with interactive talks, panel discussions, masterclasses, story-telling sessions, and documentary/film screenings to jam packed audiences and standing ovations. #LMM5 featured mind expanding ‘Masterclasses’ by Haniya Aslam, Zeeshan Parwez and ProperGaanda; ‘Panel Discussions’ featuring Azeem Hamid, Mekaal Hasan, Mehreen Rana, Talha Humayun, Sehyr Mirza, Talha Ali Kushvaha, Dr. Fozia Saeed, Shoaib Iqbal, FouziaYounis Suleman, Sophiya Anjam, Ayesha Omar, Mustafa Zahid, Ali Aftab Saeed, Fasi Zaka and Dino Ali; ‘In Conversation’ sessions with LMM founders Natasha Noorani and Zahra Paracha, and Chairman IPO Mujeeb Ahmed Khan; storytelling sessions ‘Daastangoi’ featuring Zeeshan Parwez & Fasi Zaka, Hadiqa Kiani, Faris Shafi & Ahmer Naqvi, Tarannum Naaz and Zulfi; a music ‘Presentation’ by Rafay Mahmood; ‘Screenings’ of Indus Blues by Javed Sharif and Zeejah Fazli, Shehr e Tabassum by Shehri Pak-
Hareem Farooq Ready to Take Over the first PISA Awards
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istan, and the ‘Story Share Initiative’ by The Citizens Archive of Pakistan; ‘Khayal Gayaki’ - a performance by Sur Mandal and Tehzeeb Foundation; and special sessions presented by Pepsi featuring ‘Daastangoi’ with Auj and Aarish, and an ‘Album Launch’ for Bayaan’s ‘SUNO’. Also in attendance were musicians, actors and media personalities such as Samiya Mumtaz, Faisal Rehman, Gumby, Xulfi, Zara Peerzada, Altamash, Rubab Ali, Danyal Zafar and Imran Qureshi, to name a few.
CTRESS and producer Hareem Farooq has been announced as the host, along with an exciting solo performance, for the first Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA) scheduled to be held in Dubai on Feb 7th, 2020. After becoming the first female celebrity to host Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2018, and having hosted the Hum Awards for two consecutive years, the talented star is not a new name in the hosting game, however this is the first time Hareem Farooq will be doing a solo performance on stage at an awards function. "I am really excited to be a part of this great platform, and I am sure it is going to be an amazing night for the Pakistani entertainment industry.," stated Hareem Farooq, who is also nominated in the best actress category for her role in the 2019 flick “Heer Maan Ja”. “I am also honoured by the recognition PISA has given to our film Heer Maan Ja, which is also nominated in 5 award categories.” she further added. The PISA awards are set to take place at the Coca Cola arena in Dubai on 7th February 2020.
Lahore: Saadia Asad of Noor by Saadia Asad hosted a winter lunch for her close friends which was well attended at the courtyard of PF Changs in Lahore aries: The first step p in obtaining more money, influence, or free time today is to p precisely define what it is that you want. taurus: Narrowed concentration focused like a laser beam makes some amazing things happen. pp Gemini: Big energy is generated when coworkers, teammates, or family members bounce ideas around today. cancer: Your creativity may be p put to the test and having an extra pair of eyes in the back of your head can come in handy today. Leo: Your moods may be changing so quickly today that it takes extra time to get your bearings.
aamir mazhar
aneeLa raShid
aniqa omer
aiSha imran
aLina Shahid
Virgo: You may be called in voices loud and clear today to p perform several duties simultaneously. Libra: Confidence surges when you are buoyed by the knowledge that many others believe in the same high ideals as you. Scorpio: The compulsion p to ferret out a guarantee can cause you to look long and hard at another’s motivations today. Sagittarius: Imagination thrives when you are free to mix and match ideas as you go along. If your creativity feels stifled now, it could be your thinking is too closely aligned with that of a corporation, p organization, or social body to which you belong. capricorn: Chasing your dreams requires a substantial amount of faith in your own abilities.
HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD
eraj, Saadia aSad and anam aniS
beeniSh Khan
nurzia
Shiza haSSan, zoona Saeed and amber Liaqat
aquarius: Expressing p yourself within the warm circle of a congenial group p is the most natural thing in the world today.
Sacha zaidi
Remove Amber Heard from Aquaman 2 Petition Launches
Wonder Woman 1984 Is A Game-Changer Says Gal Gadot; Talks Training
A petition to remove Amber Heard from Aquaman 2 has been launched which presently has over 125k signatures. The petition is up at Change.org and requests the removal of Amber Heard from Aquaman 2 due to Heard's alleged domestic abuse of former husband Johnny Depp. "Amber Heard has been exposed as a domestic abuser by Johnny Depp. In his $50 million lawsuit, Johnny Depp describes many incidents of domestic abuse that he suffered at the hands of his (then) wife Amber Heard, including one incident where she punched him twice in the face and another where she shattered his finger with a vodka bottle, and his finger had to be surgically reattached. He will bear the scar from that for the rest of his life," the petition states, which is being sent to Courtney Simmons, SVP of Publicity & Communications for DC Warner and DC Entertainment and Paul McGuire, SVP, Worldwide Corporate Communications at Warner Bros. Entertainment. Earlier also saw a recording surface from 2015 where Amber Heard and Johnny Depp can be heard discussing Heard's alleged physical abuse.
Wonder Woman 1984 is a game-changer says Gal Gadot who talks about the sequel in a new interview as well as mentioning how she likes to train. Gal Gadot fills in Extra with mention that some sort of crazy event happens that changes everything: Wonder Woman 1984 is a whole new chapter of it's own story of Wonder Woman. If in the first one we saw the coming of age type of story of how Diana Prince finds her powers and became Wonder Woman, in this one, it's a much more... she's been around, she's much wiser, and mature and lonely, and she's different, and we see her in a different time of her life that we've never experienced. And then something crazy happens that changes the whole game. Without spoiling anything, we can assume that crazy event has to do with Chris Pine returning as Steve Trevor who was seemingly killed at the end of the first film. It's very important for me to stay in shape and I think it should be important for all us to, just because this is our tool, this is our machine, our bodies, and we need it for a long period of time.
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Pisces: There are countless p paths leading to the same destination. It’s useful to study or observe the methods of others who are striving to reach a similar goal.
Ayushmann Khurrana says there is a logic behind his movie choices; he wants to affect change in the society Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana says he chooses to do films on taboo subjects to bring a change in the society. Ever since Ayushmann made his debut in Bollywood, he has always managed to push the envelope. Ayushmann has never shied away from experimenting. He played a sperm donor in Vicky Donor; a man dealing with erectile dysfunction in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan; a man prematurely balding in Bala; to now proudly playing a gay man in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. He said: "Cinema is a powerful tool that can influence people and affect positive social changes. One of my primary reasons to do films on taboo topics is to try and impact a change in society -- start a conversation in families and make people think of the realities that are around them and impacts them regularly. It is this strong urge to try and highlight the real, the important that I decided my brand of cinema will stand for taboo breaking subjects."
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
14 SPORTS
FRaNcE opENS pRobE iNto FiguRE SKatiNg uNDERagE SEx abuSE claimS paRis
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Agencies
RENCH prosecutors said Tuesday they had opened an investigation into claims of rape and sexual abuse of minors in figure skating following claims made by a former world championship medallist. The probe, hailed as a "strong signal" by French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu and in which "the words of the victims must be heard", will focus on allegations made by skater Sarah Abitbol last week in her autobiography that she was raped by coach Gilles Beyer between the ages of 15 and 17. "He (Beyer) started to do horrible things leading to sexual abuse and I was raped at 15," said Abitbol, now 44, in a video interview with L'Obs last week. The inquiry will also "attempt to identify all the other victims who suffered... offences of
South Korean court orders compensation for Ronaldo no-show
the same nature", Paris-based prosecutor Remy Heitz said in a statement. On the day that Abitbol's revelations emerged, sports daily L'Equipe published an investigation in which three other skaters accused Beyer and two other coaches, Jean-Roland Racle and Michel Lotz, of abuse and rape when they were minors. Further allegations of underage sexual abuse emerged from former swimmers and tennis players. On Friday, 62-year-old Beyer admitted to having had "intimate" and "inappropriate" relations, telling AFP he was "sincerely sorry" and apologising. "I acknowledge having had intimate relationships with her," Beyer said in a statement. "If my memories of the exact circumstances differ from hers, I am aware that, given my duties and her age at the time, these relationships were inappropriate." Racle has denied the accusations while Lotz has not commented.
WADA asks CAS for public hearing on Russia doping case Moscow Agencies
Seoul: A South Korean court ordered a local promoter Tuesday to compensate fans for Cristiano Ronaldo's no-show at a friendly match in Seoul last year. The Juventus star stayed on the bench throughout a 3-3 draw with a K-League all-stars team at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in July, despite rounds of appeals from a sell-out crowd of 65,000. Match promoter The Fasta had run adverts heavily featuring the Portuguese striker. Tickets -- priced from 30,000 won ($25) to 400,000 won -- sold out in less than three minutes, with many eager to see the 34-yearold superstar in action. Two fans sued The Fasta, accusing it of false advertising, and the Incheon District Court ruled the promoter should pay them 371,000 won each, the South's Yonhap news agency reported. No order was made against Ronaldo or his club. South Korean fans' frustration has led to the coining of an online phrase, "acting like Ronaldo", to criticise someone who only seeks benefits without fulfilling promised action. Agencies
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Monday it has asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a public hearing on its case for Russia's exclusion from international sporting competitions. At stake in the hearing will be the fate of Russian athletes hoping to compete in such events as this year's Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and 2022 football World Cup. WADA director general Olivier Niggli said his group made the formal request for a public forum to resolve the dispute would ensure the world hears the case from both sides and understands how punishment, if any, is administered. "WADA's investigations on Russia, and this latest case of non-compliance, have generated huge interest around the world," Niggli said. "It is WADA's view -– and that of many of our stakeholders –- that this dispute at CAS should be held in a public forum to ensure that everybody understands the process and hears the arguments." WADA sent its case against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to CAS, the world's highest sport court, last month. It will be a CAS panel that must decide whether to confirm the four-year ban WADA imposed on Russia last month after considering Russia's case against the epic sanction. In December, WADA imposed a four-year ban on Russia over what it considers a state-sponsored doping scheme -- prohibiting Russia from participating in such events as this year's Tokyo Olympics. WADA says Russia "manipulated" data from an anti-doping laboratory in Moscow in the latest move in a long-running scandal that began with the 2015 reve-
lation of long-term institutional doping involving senior Russian officials, secret agents and trafficked urine vials. Under the sanctions, Russians would be allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics only if they can demonstrate they were not part of the doping network -- the same situation Russian athletes faced at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. RUSADA disputed the WADA executive committee ban on December 27, setting the stage for WADA to send the case to CAS. WADA investigators retrieved data from the RUSADA Moscow laboratory last year, but in analyzing the data, WADA and independent investigators confirmed the data had been manipulated and some data had been deleted.
Demme and Elmas help resurgent Napoli beat Sampdoria Naples Agencies
Diego Demme and Eljif Elmas scored their first Serie A goals as Napoli followed up last weekend's win over champions Juventus with a 4-2 victory at Sampdoria on Monday. Gennaro Gattuso's side claimed back-to-back league wins for just the second time this season to move 10th, two points off the Europa League berths. But a return to the Champions League remains a distant hope as Napoli, who also dumped holders Lazio out of the Italian Cup last month, remain nine points behind fourth-placed Atalanta and Roma. "We're back," declared captain Lorenzo Insigne following a hard-fought game in which Sampdoria came from two goals down to level at 2-2. "We're giving continuity to the work we do during the week with the coach. This is a victory for the group. "The Champions League is feasible but we have to think game by game. We've done a lot of damage, but now we have to recover and get our season back on track." Arkadiusz Milik struck early for the visitors, nodding in the first after just three minutes off a cross from fellow Pole Piotr Zielinski, as a flare on the pitch in Genoa distracted the Sampdoria defenders. North Macedonia international Elmas tapped in a second after quarter of an hour for his first goal in Italy's top flight. But Sampdoria halved the deficit with Fabio Quagliarella's powerful volley on 26 minutes. Gaston Ramirez had the ball in the back of the net before the hour mark with a spectacular overhead kick, but VAR ruled that Manolo Gabbiadini's arm touched the ball in the build-up. Gabbiadini pulled Sampdoria level from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to go after Kostas Manolas tripped Quagliarella in the box. Demme, who arrived last month from RB Leipzig, restored Napoli's advantage seven minutes from time with Dries Mertens sweeping the fourth into an empty net deep into injury time. Claudio Ranieri's Sampdoria sit four points above the relegation zone. "We must continue to believe," said Ranieri. "Quagliarella is playing well. We hope to see other similar pearls to his goal today."
Saudi fans navigate Gulf rift to keep sport on screens Riyadh Agencies
Diehard Barcelona fan Abdulrahman had to find a creative way to keep watching football matches -- paying his subscription via Kuwait to dodge a diplomatic rift between Riyadh and Doha that separates Saudis from their favourite sports. Subscribing to Qatar's beIN Sports, the Arab world's leading sports channel which has exclusive rights to Spain's LaLiga and other key tournaments, has become extremely difficult for Saudi fans since the kingdom's 2017 boycott of Qatar. Just days after Riyadh and its allies cut ties, Saudi Arabia banned the sale and distribution of beIN receivers and blocked Qatari websites as well as all transactions with its former ally. For Abdulrahman, a young lawyer who preferred to use his first name due to the sensitivity of the issue, the diplomatic divide became a major inconvenience, forcing him to search for a solution. "I had to transfer money to a friend in Kuwait so he can renew my subscription from there," said Abdulrahman, who was fortunate enough to possess a receiver be-
fore the ban. Alongside LaLiga, the sports channel has exclusive football rights for the top English, Italian, German and French leagues, as well as the Champions League and World Cup. It also shows basketball's top flight, the US National Basketball Association, the EuroLeague and many other competitions across tennis, boxing, volleyball and more. "beIN Sports covers all tournaments and championships. It is everything... in sports," 25-year-old Abdulrahman told AFP. "I cannot forsake beIN Sports, which plays at home practically 24 hours a day." Others in the kingdom, such as Egyptian national Abdulmonem, use a virtual private network (VPN) to renew their subscription online. "I bypassed the block of the beIN website by using a VPN and bypassed the ban on transactions (to Qatar) by using PayPal to renew my subscription," he told AFP. DeVIl'S STReeT: Demand for beIN in Saudi Arabia, which itself is investing heavily in sports events to exert soft power and relay a more positive image abroad, remains high despite the boycott. To meet that demand, a black market
for subscriptions has emerged -- at inflated prices. Satellite services shops line Al-Hamdani Street in Riyadh, an area known for decades to conservative Saudis as "Devil's Street" due to its sale of equipment giving access to pornographic or other illicit content. Salesmen, mostly Asian expatriates, swarm the area, muttering discreetly the same question to passersby: "Want to renew your beIN subscription?" The shops carry no signs or logos of the Qatari broadcaster, and while the annual cost of the subscription should only be 1,125 riyals ($300), the best offer on Devil's Street was 1,400 riyals. "We cannot deal directly from Saudi Arabia with the network in Qatar, so we act as middle men," said one shopkeeper, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "But we can renew existing subscriptions through agents abroad or provide new 'smuggled' receivers," he told AFP. BooTleGGING: Saudi authorities did not reply to AFP's request for comment on the ban of beIN subscriptions and whether there was any plan to review it. beIN has alleged that since August 2017 a vast and sophisticated Saudi bootleg-
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ging network known as "beoutQ" has been illicitly transmitting programmes via Riyadh-based satellite provider Arabsat - a claim Saudi Arabia denies. BeoutQ stopped airing on television in August but is still available online. Many Riyadh cafes broadcast beoutQ to meet the demands of their customers. According to a beIN Sports spokesman, Saudi Arabia was the biggest
market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) "by a significant margin" before the blockade. "The real victims in all of this are the passionate Saudi sports fans," the spokesman told AFP. beIN launched an international investment arbitration for damages of over $1 billion against the Saudi kingdom in October 2018, but legal wrangling continues over where the case could be heard.
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
SPORTS 15
iNDia cRuSh paKiStaN to REach uNDER-19 WoRlD cup FiNal poTchefsTRooM
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Agencies
EFENDING champions India cruised to a 10-wicket win over neighbours and arch-rivals Pakistan in Potchefstroom on Tuesday to reach the Under-19 Cricket World Cup final for the seventh time. India, the record four-time winners of the underage competition, dismissed Pakistan for 172 in 43.1 overs before comfortably knocking off the runs with 88 balls to spare. India will play either New Zealand or Bangladesh, who meet in the second semi-final, for the title at the same venue on Sunday. Pakistan will contest the third-place play-off in Benoni on Saturday. Yashasvi Jaiswal struck an unbeaten 105 off 113 balls, completing his century and sealing the victory in style with a six over deep mid-wicket. "It's a dream come true for me. To be able to do this for my country is a great feeling. To score a hundred against Pakistan in a World cup semi-final is something I can't put into words," said Jaiswal. "They bowled well initially and we wanted to ride that out and we knew we
could dominate them after that." Left-hander Jaiswal, who was snapped up by the Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 IPL auction, smacked eight
fours and four sixes as he took over as the tournament's leading runscorer. He was ably supported in a leisurely chase by Divyaansh Saxena who finished
59 not out, his second fifty of the competition. Jaiswal earlier picked up the key wicket of Pakistan opener Haider Ali (56) with his part-time legspin as Pakistan col-
lapsed from 96 for two in an innings where just three players made double digits. Ali and captain Rohail Nazir (62) helped Pakistan recover after losing Mohammad Huraira and Fahad Munir cheaply, but only Mohammad Haris, who hit a brisk 21 off 15 balls, provided any additional contribution. Left-arm seamer Sushant Mishra took 3-28 while right-arm quick Kartik Tyagi and legspinner Ravi Bishnoi collected two wickets apiece. "The pitch was good, and we didn't put enough runs on the board," said Pakistan skipper Nazir. "I think Haider and I had a great partnership, we were at a good position at the 25-over mark, but Haider got out at a crucial point, and the rest of the batsmen weren't able to take enough responsibility." He added: "We learn from all our mistakes, and the boys are confident and happy that we played some good cricket in the tournament." Pakistan, who were back-to-back champions in 2004 and 2006, haven't beaten India at the U19 World Cup since 2010. With political relations on a knifeedge, there has been no Test series between the two countries at senior level since 2007-08 and no white ball series since 2012-13.
Joe Denly leads England to respectable total against South Africa cape TowN Agencies
An excellent knock from Joe Denly has dragged England out of trouble and lifted them to a respectable total in the first ODI against South Africa at Newlands. England doled out caps at opposite ends of the spectrum, handing debuts to Tom Banton and Matt Parkinson and marking Chris Woakes' 100th ODI. But it was their team-mate with a curious mix of age and ODI inexperience who played the innings England needed after falling to 83 for 4 and then 131 for 6 as they battled the spin of Tabraiz Shamsi. Denly scored his third ODI half-century and his first in the eight innings he has played since his previous fifty, against Australia in September 2009, bearing in mind that he played just four more ODIs - all in South Africa that month - before a hiatus lasting almost a decade, only returning to the scene against Ireland last May.
After being overlooked for the World Cup, Denly in vain trying to pull down a ball Roy struck just high was given the chance to establish himself as a limited- enough to clear short midwicket. After nine overs England reached 50 without loss overs player when he was awarded his first white-ball contract at the end of last summer. If his first innings off 54 balls via Roy and Jonny Bairstow. But it was ansince is any gauge, Denly has set himself on course to other spinner, the batting allrounder Jon-Jon Smuts on do so, with a fine 87 off 103 balls to help England set debut, who did for Roy, who lofted Smuts down the South Africa 259 to win, which would be a record ground but failed to clear long on, Reeza Hendricks takchase at Newlands, when a much smaller target had ing a straightforward catch to send him on his way for 32 off as many balls. looked likely earlier. Bairstow didn't hang around much After losing the toss, England were five longer. Having contributed 19 runs to balls into their innings when they INNINGS a 51-run stand with Roy, Bairstow recorded their first ODI run since their followed his opening partner back to World Cup triumph at Lord's on July ENGLAND 258 FOR 8 the pavilion after crashing a drive 14 with Jason Roy working Beuran (DENLY 87, WOAKES off Phehlukwayo straight to Lutho Hendricks towards short midwicket. Sipamla at mid-off. After facing five more deliveries, Roy 40, SHAMSI 3-38) V A brilliant piece of fielding from hit his stride, punishing Hendricks van der Dussen, who returned showSOUTH AFRICA with three consecutive fours through ing no ill effects from his earlier tumlong-on, long-off and extra cover. ble, broke a third-wicket stand worth 30 Having not played international cricket runs between Eoin Morgan and Joe Root. Morsince the World Cup final and no cricket at all since injuring his shoulder while playing in the Mzansi gan swept Tabraiz Shamsi but van der Dussen was Super League in late November, Roy received a life on sharp with so sharp with his diving intercept at back24 when he sent a Lungi Ngidi delivery to short mid- ward square he had all the time in the world to rise to his knees and take middle stump out of the ground with wicket where Andile Phehlukwayo grassed the catch. Another near-miss sent Rassie van der Dussen hob- a throw fired in from nearly 30 metres away, as a bling off the ground after landing awkwardly as he lept sprawling Root was found well short of his ground.
Ian Bishop and Tom Moody pick six U-19 World Cup stars for the future dubai Agencies
Between them, Ian Bishop and Tom Moody have watched many Under-19 World Cups, through their time as respected broadcasters. Moody is also a widely respected coach around the world, most recently on the franchise T20 circuit. They looked at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup so far, explained why only a few youth cricketers graduate to the senior level in international cricket, and the importance of the "eye test" - how talentspotting at this level goes beyond statistics, and is a craft perfected over years of experience. Here are Bishop and Moody's top three picks from the U-19 World Cup, who they predict will make the step up to the senior international level. BISHoP'S PICKS: It's important to stress that these are just three out of a whole number of kids that could go on and have successful careers. JaKe FRaSeR-mCGuRK, auSTRalIa: He hasn't had a great tournament in terms of numbers, but every time he has walked out to bat, you see a kid who has talent beyond many of his contemporaries. So once he gets into the right system, he has all the strokes, he has a good back-foot game, a good front-foot game. I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops from Australia's point of view. GeRalD CoeTzee, SouTH aFRICa: I have
to stick with fast bowling. Even from the 2018 World Cup, I've really thought he's a stand-out performer, that he will play international cricket at some point for South Africa, if he stays there. And I hope that he will stay there [and not go Kolpak or seek opportunities outside] and play for South Africa. HaIDeR alI, PaKISTaN: He played some cover drives yesterday [against Afghanistan] that reminded me of Babar Azam, simply because of the balance in his shots. He seems to have a good temperament as well, and unfortunately he got run-out. But I'm really looking forward to seeing how he progresses. Haider, just like the other two and some others in this tourna-
ment, should go on to have good international careers. mooDY'S PICKS: Yashasvi Jaiswal, India I think he's a very organized cricketer technically, and also I think he understands the nuances of the game, how to adapt his game according to the match situation. That's reflected by how he has held himself back to a certain degree [whenever his team has needed it], because he came here with a reputation of someone who was going to go at a run a ball. But he has been prepared to be restricted, to get the runs that are required. JaYDeN SealeS, WeST INDIeS: Really exciting to watch him bowl. He's got some terrific skill already to his armoury, and got genuine pace for an Under-19 kid. But he gathers pace off the wicket, which I like...which tells me he's got a very good wrist. He snaps through his wrist, which is a bit like Pat Cummins does very, very effectively. So, they are the type of bowlers that bother the batsmen, because they gather pace off the wicket, they [get the ball to] climb off the wicket into the bat. He's definitely one to look out for. BeN CHaRleSWoRTH, eNGlaND: Tall lefthander from Gloucester. Another opening bat. To me, he looked ready to play first-class cricket, and looked like he'd been playing it for two years. I'd be surprised if he's not playing at the highest level within a short period of time, just like the other two that I mentioned.
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punch-drunk New Zealand look to snap losing streak HamIlToN: November 25, 2019. The last time New Zealand actually won a game. They've been winless in nine matches across formats since, and injuries have weakened them further. Their captain and premier batsman Kane Williamson has now joined Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry on the injury list. Add to that, they will be without head coach Gary Stead, who has taken a break and has handed over the reins to bowling coach Shane Jurgensen for the three-match ODI series against India. Wednesday's match will be New Zealand first ODI since that Super Over against England last year. New Zealand have lost three more Super Overs since. Having hit rock bottom in the T20Is against India, the only way for them is up. They will welcome back Tom Latham, who has recovered from a finger fracture, and has proven his form and fitness in the 50-over Ford Trophy. In the injury-enforced absence of Williamson, Latham will also stand in as captain and will take back the gloves from Tim Seifert, who isn't part of the ODI side. Jimmy Neesham, fresh off winning the Super Smash with Wellington Firebirds and a List A best of 5 for 29, returns to the side, as does fellow allrounder Colin de Grandhomme. The comebacks of Latham, Neesham, and de Grandhomme spruces up the middle order that struggled to finish games in the shortest format. India, too, are missing some of their first-choice players, including white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who will miss the following Test series as well. However, unlike New Zealand, India have ready replacements who have had a taste of 50-over cricket in New Zealand, having been part of the shadow A tour. They will be buoyed by how they shook off the jet lag and bossed New Zealand in the T20Is, just days after their 21 come-from-behind ODI series win against Australia at home. Agencies
Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
NEWS
Taliban accUsE Us of dElaying pEacE procEss afTEr call for violEncE rEdUcTion KABUL
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AGENCIES
FGHANISTAN’S Taliban on Tuesday accused the United States of hampering peace negotiations in response to the top American diplomat’s comments that a reduction in violence was needed before a deal to end years of war could be struck. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said during a visit to Uzbekistan that “demonstrable evidence” of a reduction in Taliban violence was necessary for a peace agreement with the Islamist group. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said issues from the American end, including a tweet by US President Donald Trump halting the signing of an agreement last year, were the reason for challenges in the peace process. “Mr Pompeo should not shift the blame. Our stance is principled and united, and our policy is not shaky like the opposite side,” said Mujahid in a statement on messaging service Whatsapp. Trump abruptly called off the talks to end the 18-year war in a Tweet in September after a US soldier was killed in an attack by the militant group.
Talks have since resumed but have suffered setbacks due to multiple attacks, including a December suicide bombing of a US base outside Kabul that killed two civilians. Hostilities have surged in recent weeks, suggesting a deadlock in the peace talks between US and Taliban negotiators in Qatar’s capital, Doha. At least 29 members of the Afghan security forces were killed in Taliban attacks that followed air and ground assaults by government forces on the Islamist group in January. Afghan forces and the Taliban also clashed last week when security personnel tried to access the site of a crashed U.S. military plane in central Afghanistan. U.S. forces were later able to get to the site and recover the remains of two personnel and what is believed to be the flight data recorder. Trump was reported last year to be planning to withdraw around half of the 14,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, adding pressure to secure a peace agreement with the Taliban to prevent the country from collapsing. The Taliban have made increasing gains as moves towards a possible peace deal have continued, with expanding control over large parts of the war-torn country.
Three more Asian countries confirm coronavirus cases as death toll rises to 424
HONG KONG AGENCIES
Three more Asian countries confirmed coronavirus infections on Tuesday among citizens who had not travelled to China, as Hong Kong reported its first death from the disease and millions of more people in Chinese cities were ordered to stay indoors. The toll in mainland China soared to 425 after 64 more people died, the biggest single day tally since the first fatalities emerged last month. More than 20 countries have confirmed cases of the virus, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency, several governments to institute travel restrictions, and airlines to suspend flights to and from
China. But it has continued to spread with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand on Tuesday reporting new infections that were not imported from China. In a sign of growing concern about a spread to other densely-populated Chinese metropolitan areas, authorities in three cities in eastern Zhejiang province — including one near Shanghai — limited the number of people allowed to leave their homes. Three districts in Hangzhou — including the area where the main office of Chinese tech giant Alibaba is based — now allow only one person per household to go outside every two days to buy necessities, affecting some three million people. The city is only 175 kilometres (110 miles) southwest of the financial hub of Shanghai, which has reported more than 200 cases, including one death, so far. Similar measures were imposed in Taizhou and three districts in Ningbo, covering a total population of nine million people. Days before, similar restrictions were placed on Wenzhou, home to another nine million. Zhejiang province has confirmed 829 cases — the highest number outside the central region of Hubei, whose capital, Wuhan, is the epicentre of the outbreak. The disease is believed to have emerged in December in a Wuhan market that sold wild animals and spread
rapidly as people travelled for the Lunar New Year holiday in late January. China has struggled to contain the virus despite enacting unprecedented measures, including virtually locking down more than 50 million people in Hubei. On Sunday the Philippines reported the first death abroad: a Chinese man who had come from Wuhan. ECONOMIC WOES: Global fears about the virus have risen, with cruise lines worldwide expected to deny boarding to passengers and crew who have recently travelled to China. Japan has quarantined a cruise ship carrying 3,711 people and was testing those on board for the new coronavirus Tuesday after a former passenger was diagnosed with the illness in Hong Kong. The virus is also taking an increasing economic toll, shutting down businesses, curbing international travel and impacting production lines of major global brands. The government extended the Lunar New Year holiday by three days in an effort to keep people indoors. But many provinces and major cities — including Shanghai — have called on companies to remain closed for an extra week. Schools and universities have delayed the start of new terms. The Shanghai stock market plunged almost eight per cent on Monday on the first day of trading
since the holiday, but shares were on the rise by midday on Tuesday. LEAVE CHINA IF YOU CAN: Britain told its citizens on Tuesday to leave China if they could, saying the suspension of airline flights and restrictions on movement will make it harder to leave over coming weeks. “The safety and security of British people will always be our top priority,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. “As such, we now advise British nationals in China to leave the country if they can, to minimize their risk of exposure to the virus. Where there are still British nationals in Hubei Province who wish to be evacuated, we will continue to work around the clock to facilitate this.” British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have already canceled flights to and from China. In an update to its travel advice, the Foreign Office also said some staff and dependents from the British Embassy and consulates were being withdrawn from China. Essential staff, such as those providing consular assistance, would remain. “The ability of the British embassy and consulates to provide assistance to British nationals from within China is limited, and would be even more limited in the event that the situation deteriorates further,” the statement added.
EU rejects Trump Middle East peace plan, annexation BRUSSELS AGENCIES
The European Union rejected parts of the new US peace plan for the Middle East on Tuesday, saying the plan broke with “internationally agreed parameters”, and any Israeli annexation of Palestinian land would be subject to challenge. President Donald Trump’s plan, announced last week, was warmly welcomed by Israel and rejected outright by the Palestinians. It would give Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all Palestinian land on which it has built settlements. The EU, which often takes time to respond to international developments because of a need for unanimity among its 27 members, had said last week that it needed to study the Trump plan before it would give its verdict. It made its conclusions public on Tuesday in a statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. “To build a just and lasting peace, the unresolved final status issues must be decided through direct negotiations between both parties,” Borrell said, noting the issues of the borders of a Palestinian state and the final status of Jerusalem were among those still in dispute. “The U.S. initiative, as presented on 28 January, departs from these internationally agreed parameters,” Borrell said. Steps by Israel to annex Palestinian territory, “if implemented, could not pass unchallenged,” Borrell said.
Democrats, White House wrap up case at Trump Senate trial WASHINGTON AGENCIES
Democratic prosecutors declaring “no one is above the law” went head to head with White House lawyers as closing arguments wrapped up at President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, setting the stage for his likely acquittal on Wednesday. “You can’t trust this president to do the right thing,” chief House prosecutor Adam Schiff said in an emotional speech on the Senate floor on Monday at the end of the two-week trial. “Truth matters little to him,” the California lawmaker told the 100 members of the Senate who will decide Trump’s fate. “What’s right matters even less and de-
cency matters not at all. “He will not change and you know it,” Schiff said of the former New York real estate tycoon turned politician. “Now do impartial justice and convict him.” White House lawyers flatly rejected the arguments that Trump — just the third president in US history to be impeached by the House of Representatives — should be removed from office by the Senate for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. “The president has done nothing wrong,” White House counsel Pat Cipollone said, calling the impeachment by the Democratic-led House “purely partisan and political.” “We put our faith in the Senate,” he said. “End the era of impeachment once
and for all,” Cipollone said, arguing that the American people — not the Senate — should decide whether Trump remains in office. Jay Sekulow, another of Trump’s lawyers, said the House impeachment was “reckless” and urged the Senate to acquit. “The bottom line is that the president’s opponents don’t like the president and they don’t like his policies,” Sekulow said. CHEAT: The Senate is to vote at 4:00 pm (2100 GMT) on Wednesday and the Republican president is all but certain of being acquitted. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate to 47 for the Democrats, but a twothirds majority, or 67 senators, is needed to remove a president from office. Trump is scheduled to deliver his nationally televised “State of the Union”
speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday and has voiced no plans to delay until after the Senate vote. The House of Representatives impeached Trump on December 18 for withholding $391 million in military aid to Ukraine to demand that Kiev open an investigation into his potential November election rival, Democrat Joe Biden. Schiff urged senators to find “courage to stand up” to the president. “When the president tries to coerce an ally to try to help him cheat in our elections and covers it up we must say enough,” he said. “He has compromised our elections and he will do so again.” Colorado lawmaker Jason Crow, another House prosecutor, said impeachment was an “extraordinary remedy.”
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“It is in the Constitution for a reason,” he said. “In America, nobody is above the law, even those elected president of the United States.” Crow told the senators their votes would echo through history. “What you decide on these articles will have lasting implications for the future of the presidency, not only for this president, but for all future presidents,” he said. IOWA CAUCUSES: With the focus shifting to the final vote, all eyes will be on whether any Democrats facing potential tough re-election battles in November will vote to acquit the president. Democratic Senator Doug Jones, for example, is facing what is shaping up to be a tough re-election fight in Alabama, a state which voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2016.