Epaper_22-07-01 ISB

Friday, 1 July, 2022 I 1 Zil Hajj, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 362 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

LHC orders vote re-Count of Punjab CM eLeCtion g

25 dissident Pti mPas to be excluded from counting Process

LAHORE

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shahab omer

He lahore High court (lHc) on thursday ordered re-counting of votes for the election of Punjab’s chief minister held on april 16, instructing that the votes of 25 dissident Pti lawmakers be excluded from the counting process. a five-member bench comprising Justice sadaqat ali Khan, Justice shahid Jamil Khan, Justice shehram sarwar chaudhry, Justice sajid mahmood sethi and Justice tariq saleem sheikh announced the verdict with a 41 majority. the detailed order will be issued later in the day.

Hamza was elected as the Punjab cm on april 16 during a provincial assembly session that was marred by violence. He received a total of 197 votes — 11 more than the required 186 — including from 25 dissident Pti mPas that were crucial for his victory. on may 20, those lawmakers were de-seated by the ecP for defecting. since then, a series of petitions have

challenged Hamza’s election as the chief minister. all of them were, however, clubbed together after the court observed that they were identical.

THE PETITIONS: in his petition, elahi, who was also the Pti-Pml-Q’s candidate for the cm office, requested the court to declare that Hamza was not the chief minister since he had failed to secure the requisite number of votes in light of the sc’s interpretation stating the votes of defecting lawmakers would not be counted. therefore, the april 16 election, its results and the certificate issued by the Punjab assembly deputy speaker to Hamza declaring his victory had “no legal effect”, the petition stated. the petition requested the high court to declare “all consequential actions taken by [Hamza] in his purported capacity as the chief minister Punjab and all and any other communications made, orders passed and notifications issued etc., consequential upon the declaration of the afore-mentioned result and issuing the set certificate … to be null and void”. separately, Pti’s petition, which was filed by mPas mohammad sibtain

Khan, Zainab umair, mian mohammad aslam iqbal, syed abbas ali shah and ahsan saleem baryar, stated that the session held for conducting the election witnessed “immense chaos and most unfortunate events”. deputy speaker mazari took “unlawful” aid from the police and provincial officials for holding a “sham and fraudulent” election, following which he communicated that Hamza had won, the petition said. it noted that votes of 25 dissident Pti mPas were also counted in the final tally for Hamza. While the then governor cheema had refused to accept the election results, Hamza was administered the oath due to “judicial overreach”, it contended. “as per the investigation conducted by the [then] honourable governor of Punjab, the respondent secretary of the provincial assembly has tendered a report detailing the various dimensions of the election held on 16.04.2022 and has categorically informed the [then] honourable governor that the referred elections were/are unlawful; thus consequently the certificate issued by the respondent deputy speaker/acting speaker was/is without any lawful sanction/legal authority,” the petition reads. according to the petition, Hamza’s election was in violation of the constitution and the rules of business of the Punjab assembly. it recalled that Hamza had approached the lHc for holding the election, adding that he treated it as an urgent matter because he had the support of 25 dissident Pti mPas, which was a violation of article 63 of the constitution. an analysis of the supreme court’s interpretation would lead to the conclusion that the chief minister’s election was unlawful, it stated. “on this ground alone and keeping in view the scope and intent behind article 63-a of the constitution, the election held on 16.04.2022 [should] be declared as being without lawful authority and consequently be struck down.”

Pak-Qatar ties being transformed into enduring partnership: COAS ISLAMABAD staff report

chief of army staff (coas) general Qamar Javed bajwa on thursday met emir of the state of Qatar sheikh tamim bin Hamad al thani and deputy Prime minister and minister of state for defence affairs, state of Qatar, doctor Khalid bin mohammed al attiyah during his official tour to Qatar. both Qatar’s emir sheikh tamim bin Hamad al thani and deputy Pm dr Khalid bin mohammed al attiyah during welcomed gen bajwa. the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, defence and security cooperation and regional environment.

Qatari officials appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region. on the occasion, army chief gen Qamar Javed bajwa said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoying strong ties, which are based on the “deep spirit of brotherhood,” and are being transformed

Pakistan to work closely with China on shared vision of prosperity: PM Shehbaz ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime minister shehbaz sharif on thursday said Pakistan stood ready to work closely with china for realizing the shared vision of connectivity, prosperity and public well-being.

“Pakistan will continue to support chinese investors with competitive incentives, access to high-quality infrastructure and unwavering security arrangements,” he said in a meeting with Yang Jiechi, member of the Politburo of the communist Party of china (cPc) central committee and director of its foreign affairs commission. extending a warm welcome to director Yang, the prime minister conveyed the most cordial greetings and best wishes for President xi Jinping and Premier li Keqiang. the prime minister noted that director Yang’s visit marked the continuation of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and china, which are the hallmark of the time-tested all-Weather strategic cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

He recalled his extensive conversation with Premier li Keqiang in may 2022, during which both leaders had reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanged

views on the regional and international situation.

Pm sharif underscored the significance of director Yang’s visit for accelerating the implementation of the leaders’ consensus on further enhancing bilateral relations across all domains.

He highlighted that economic cooperation had become a mainstay of the wide-ranging Pakistanchina partnership.

He expressed satisfaction at growing bilateral trade and financial linkages, with china’s unstinting sup-

port playing an invaluable role in helping Pakistan offset external shocks to the global economy and demonstrating the continued resilience of Pakistan-china cooperation at a time of heightened uncertainty on the world stage. the Prime minister particularly thanked china for renewal of the rmb 15 billion (us $ 2.3 billion) syndicate facility.

He also thanked china for its support and assistance to Pakistan’s efforts towards preventing the spread of coVid-19 pandemic by

providing millions of vaccine doses as well as protective and medical equipment. the prime minister underlined that as a flagship of the visionary belt and road initiative (bri), cPec had transformed Pakistan’s economic base and strengthened capacity for self-development.

He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to accelerate the pace and complete cPec projects at the earliest. the prime minister also underscored the high importance Pakistan attached to the strategic ml-i and other key projects including Karachi circular railway (Kcr), babusar tunnel, and desalinization plant in Karachi. the cPec and growing economic linkages had deepened the roots of the abiding friendship between the peoples of both countries, the prime minister noted. atop this unshakeable foundation, the Pakistan-china partnership would continue to play its valuable role as a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond. the prime minister reiterated his strong condemnation of the Karachi terrorist attack and underscored Pakistan’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

into an enduring partnership. a statement issued by the inter-services Public relations (isPr) said that general bajwa met Qatar’s emir sheikh tamim bin Hamad al thani and deputy Prime minister and minister of state for defence affairs dr Khalid bin mohammed al attiyah during his official tour today. it said that matters of mutual interest, defence and security cooperation, and regional environment were discussed during the meeting. “both countries share a great history of cordial relations and a deep spirit of brotherhood, which are being transformed into an enduring partnership,” said gen bajwa. the isPr release said that both sides underscored the importance of further enhancing cooperation in all fields. the Qatari officials also appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to keep working for better relations between the two brotherly countries.

more inside

Govt raises Rs1.74tr in MTB, concentrated primarily in 3-Month Paper STORY ON PAGE 02

sbP pauses disbursements under mPmg, Kamyab Jawan Youth entreprenuership scheme STORY ON PAGE 03

Imran Khan can face trial under Article 6: Marriyum STORY ON BACK PAGE

Pti going to challenge lHc verdict in sc: imran STORY ON BACK PAGE

02-03 NEWS 1 JULY_Layout 1 7/1/2022 12:51 AM Page 1

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Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

Govt rAiSeS rS1.74tr iN MtB, coNceNtrAteD PriMArily iN 3-MoNtH PAPer

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ArIBA shAhID

HE State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on June 29, conducted a Market Treasury Bill (MTB) auction to raise debt for the federal government. The government was able to raise Rs1.74 trillion from primary dealers through the auction conducted through the sale of 3, 6, and 12 month government security papers.

What’s interesting about this auction is that the government set out with a target of Rs800 billion. However, it managed to raise Rs1.742 trillion against the target.

The primary dealers, in this case the domestic banking system participated enthusiastically, placing buts of Rs2.37 trillion cumulatively.

However, significant participation remained in the 3-month tenor MTBs, with bids of Rs1.9 trillion. The government accepted bids of Rs1.7 trillion. Due to the heavy participation, the cut off yield managed to decrease by 2 basis points (bps) to 15.23 percent compared to the previous auction.

176 bids in total were made in the 3month MTB, the lowest being 14.5449 percent, and the highest bid being 16.49

Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves rise above $16b KARACHI: Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves have risen up to $16.195 billion as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday received proceeds from the China Development Bank’s loan. In a statement issued here in this regard, the SBP stated that the total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at $16,195.6 million as of June 24, 2022. “SBP received proceeds of CDB loan amounting to RMB 15 billion and after accounting for external debt repayment, SBP’s reserves increased by US$2,071 million to US$10,309.0 million,” it said adding that net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at US$5,886.6 million. In the previous week ending June 17, total liquid foreign reserves hold by the country stood at US$14,210.4 million. Among these, foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan totaled $8,237.7 million while net foreign reserves held by commercial banks were $5,972.7 million. APP

ANF seizes over 7792kg drugs; arrests 68 accused Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan during 79 counter narcotics operations throughout the country seized 7792.468 kg drugs,1260 liters acetic anhydride chemical, 1000 kg sulphur powder & 22.820 kg aximax tabs worth US$ 357.996 million. Spokesman of ANF briefing media in Headquarters on Thursday said that ANF also arrested 68 persons including 3 women, 2 foreigners and impounded 32 vehicles. He informed that the seized drugs comprised 230.501 kg heroin, 7040.417 kg hashish, 262 kg opium, 2.150 kg amphetamine, 13.936 kg methamphetamine (Ice), 210 kg morphine, 27.800 kg ketamine, 0.048 kg weed, 0.616 kg ecstasy tablets, 5 kg xanax tablets, 1260 liters acetic anhydride chemical & 22.820 kg aximax tablets. ANF Balochistan recovered 1950.34 kg drugs, 1260 liters acetic anhydride chemical & 1000 kg sulphur powder in 15 operations while arrested 11 accused persons including a foreigner and seized nine vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 213 Kg Heroin, 1396 Kg Hashish, 100 Kg Opium, 3.540 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 210 Kg Morphine & 27.800 Kg Ketamine. ANF Punjab recovered 22.799 Kg drugs in 13 operations while arrested 11 accused persons in drug smuggling and seized four vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 5.499 kg Heroin, 15.95 kg Hashish & 1.350 kg Methamphetamine (Ice). ANF KPK recovered 418.869 kg drugs in 18 operations while arrested 16 persons including a foreigner in trafficking of narcotics and seized three vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 2 kg Heroin, 304.583 kg Hashish, 100.800 kg Opium, 6.056 kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 0.430 kg Ecstasy Tablets (714 x Tabs) & five kg Xanax Tablets (28100 Tabs). ANF Sindh recovered 5118.19 kg drugs in nine operations while arrested five accused persons in drug smuggling and seized four vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 2.450 kg heroin, 5114.200 kg hashish & 1.540 kg methamphetamine (Ice). ANF North recovered 282.27 kg drugs in 24 operations, arrested 25 accused persons including three women involved in drug smuggling while seized 12 vehicles. News Desk

percent. The government borrowed Rs 15 million through 6-month MTBs. Bids of a total Rs 279 billion were made. The cut off yield went down by 15 bps to 14.80 percent.

38 bids were made in the 6- month tenor, the lowest bid being 14.8001 percent, and the highest being 16.7400%.

Rs 4.5 billion was raised against the sale of 12- month MTBs. 35 bids were placed totaling Rs 190 billion. The lowest bid was at 14.9499 percent, the highest at 17.4999 percent. The cut off yield for the 12-month tenor remained unchanged compared to the previous auction at 14.9499%.

CAllIng In tHe motHeR of All omos – A 77 dAy InjeCtIon: On June 24, the SBP announced a 77-day Open Market Operation (OMO) injection into the interbank. This is the longest OMO injection made by the SBP. Previously, the longest OMO tenor was 63 days. Rs402 billion was injected through this OMO expected to mature on September 9, 2022.

This signifies that the monetary policy rate is likely to remain unchanged till the OMO matures in September.

The SBP has already locked-in 94% of outstanding OMOs worth Rs4.1 trillion in 63

AC puts off graft cases against Zardari, Ahsan Iqbal till Sep 5 IsLAMABAD News Desk

An Accountability Court (AC) on Thursday adjourned hearing till September 5, in a reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari pertaining suspicious transaction worth Rs8 billion.

AC-III Judge Syed Asghar Ali heard the reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the former president.

The court also granted one-day exemption from hearing to Asif Ali Zardari on the request of his lawyer.

The hearing was adjourned till September 5, as the

matter was already pending with the Islamabad High Court.

Meanwhile, The Accountability Court (AC) adjourned hearing till September 5, in Narowal Sports City Complex reference against Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.

AC-III Judge Syed Asghar Ali heard the reference filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The federal minister appeared before court along with his legal team.

Ahsan Iqbal prayed the court to adjourn the hearing till the decision of IHC on his acquittal’s plea as the arguments had been completed. The court accepted the

China helps Pakistan in earth sciences for sustainable development News Desk China is collaborating with Pakistan to establish a joint research centre on earth sciences at Quaid-eAzam University to work on climate change mitigation in the region and help steer sustainable and environment-friendly development under ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This, according to Gwadar Pro, was stated by Dr. Safdar Ali Shah, DG CPEC Cell at Higher Education Commission (HEC) while responding to a question at the first symposium of a series of seminars sponsored by the Embassy of People’s Republic of China at Comsats University.

He talked about the situation regarding environmental challenges in the wake of massive development under CPEC. Dr Shah said that China had already taken into account the environmental aspects of CPEC very carefully, which was evident from the relevant documents and development interventions under the

mega initiative.

As per reports, China will contribute Rs5.4 billion to the total project cost of Rs8.4 billion for the establishment of the center.

Dr. Shah further said that China-Pakistan collaboration in academic sphere was growing with each passing day. He said that the number of Chinese universities in CPEC Consortium of Universities had grown to 64 in 2022 compared with only 10 Chinese universities participating in the initiative in 2017. As many as 22 Pakistani universities are also part of the consortium. Moreover, a survey of 44 universities of Pakistan revealed that they have signed 325 MoUs on academic cooperation with Chinese universities which availed 63 trainings and won 506 scholarships offered by the Chinese universities.

Also, he said that these 44 universities have 612 faculty members who have obtained degrees in higher studies and research from China. The HEC DG said Chinese cooperation with Pakistan in academic sector has always been tremendous.

NCOC defines criteria for COVID-19 booster dose News Desk The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has set the criteria for COVID-19 booster dose as the cases once again rose in the country.

The NCOC stated that people aged above 12 years and health workers were eligible for COVID19 booster dose.

Those who have weak immunity were also

eligible for booster doses.

The centre further stated that a four-month gap was mandatory for the administration of first and second booster doses, whereas, all available vaccines could be used as a booster dose.

According to the NCOC statistics, 86 per cent eligible population has received COVID-19 jabs and booster doses were declared inevitable for curbing the spread of the virus.

President for expeditious signing of Pak-Switzerland FTA News Desk President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday stressed the need for expeditious signing of the mutually agreed upon Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Switzerland after taking all stakeholders on board.

The president, in a meeting with outgoing Ambassador of Switzerland in Pakistan Bénédict de Cerjat, who paid a farewell call on him, said the FTA would provide a formal framework for enhanced and speedy cooperation in the fields of trade, economy and commerce.

The president said that the world community should take serious notice of the rising Islamophobia and polarization in Indian society.

He called upon the international

day tenors. In the past, OMOs by nature were usually of shorter tenors. The SBP has been locking in longer tenor OMOs in order to calm the markets and provide practical forward guidance.

Following the OMO injection, the secondary market yields dropped by around 15-20 bps. It was expected that this OMO injection would bring down the yields further in the MTB as the market would believe there is no imminent rate hike.

“The OMO funds are for a short period, so it only makes sense to lock-in shorter tenors,” says Fahad Rauf, Head of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities.

He adds, “The Government pretty much swept everything available on the table for 3M tenor. Against a target of PKR800bn, Govt raised 1.7tr, effectively picking up high yield bids as well. Secondly, there was a news flow on the day of the auction that the IMF requires further monetary tightening, which made investors a bit cautious.”

community to take meaningful steps for curbing the incidents of intimidation and terrorization of minorities in India, and violence connected with Islamophobia to mitigate the sufferings of Indian

Muslims and other religious minorities.

President Alvi emphasized that refugees originating from any part of the world should be treated with equity and equality. They should also be extended with facilities and refuge without any discrimination on the basis of colour, creed, race, religion or region.

He further urged the need for taking practical steps by the international community to help defuse tensions and unrest in conflict-ridden countries, besides creating enabling conditions for peace to prevent their populations from turning into refugees to reduce the pressure on receiving countries.

The president said that Pakistan could benefit from the Swiss experience in technical education and training in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

He hoped that the outgoing ambassador would work toward realizing the full potential of tourismrelated cooperation between the two countries. The president said that Pakistan valued Switzerland’s long-term partnership with Pakistan in the economy, trade and commerce.

He appreciated Swiss contributions towards the socio-economic development of the country as well as the humanitarian assistance provided by Switzerland.

The president felicitated the outgoing ambassador on completing a successful tenure in Pakistan.

He appreciated his efforts for the promotion of bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in promoting a soft image of Pakistan through social media.

request and adjourned the case till September 5.

Meanwhile, talking to newsmen outside the court room, Ahsan Iqbal said that NAB had failed to tell the court about his crime since it filed case against him.

He challenged the anti-graft body to prove corruption even of one penny against him. Iqbal said that resources of the country and nation’s time had been wasted on the name of so called trial and the bureau had been telling only stories.

Hafiz Naeem demands suspension of power utility’s licence Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Thursday demanded an immediate end of power load shedding in Karachi.

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief also demanded suspension of power utility K-electric’s licence over rampant power outages in Karachi and handing over its charge to the federal government. “Despite getting massive subsidy from the government, it was not spending over the improvement of the power infrastructure,” Naeem said.

“They have soared their spendings by 1300 percent in the name of operation and maintenance but failing to enhance power generation capacity,” JI leader said. “They had to increase power generation by 70 pct within four years but the generation increased by 17 pct, as consumers grow by 78 per cent,” he said. “All political parties have become their facilitators”. “I don’t want to comment on energy minister Khurram Dastagir’s background, he used to be involved in animosity towards Karachi,” he said. “We don’t understand prioties of courts, some cases even heard at 12:00 in night, our case has been in pending in the Supreme Court for last five years,” Hafiz Naeem further said. JI leader alleged that the MQM has helped in selling of the national assets, “They have to become answerable to the people of Karachi,” he said. “They recover money from people in the name of fuel adjustment, all their deeds will be exposed, if this ‘adjustment’ being audited,” he said. “It is responsibility of the government and the NEPRA to provide relief, but they have become facilitators,” JI leader said.

“Whenever they are engaged in talks, they promise to bring a 900 megawatts projects,” he said Hafiz Naeem demanded an immediate suspension of the licence of K-electric and handing over it to the federal government. News Desk

Sindh police to bring Dua Zehra back to Karachi The Sindh home ministry has written to the Punjab government about Dua Zehra’s return to Karachi for her medical examination. According to details, the Sindh government has written a letter to the Punjab Interior Ministry for sending Sindh police officers to bring Dua Zehra to Karachi. Dua will be presented before the medical board, formed to determine her age. The letter informs the Punjab government’s orders to present the girl before the medical board. The Sindh government has asked the Punjab government to assist Karachi in policing the proceedings. A Sindh police party led by DSP Shoukat Shahani would arrive to take Dua Zehra back to Karachi. Woman police constable Sultana would accompany the police party, the letter said. A copy of the letter has been sent to all relevant departments.

Wednesday, the medical board, comprised of 10 members met to compile a report to determine the age of Dua Zehra. But the board decided to examine the girl in person before reaching a conclusion. According to the notification shared by activist and petitioner’s lawyer Jibran Nasir, Dow Medical College Principal Prof. Saba Sohail will head the medical board. The board also includes experts in radiology, gynaecology, dentistry and forensics. News Desk

02-03 NEWS 1 JULY_Layout 1 7/1/2022 12:51 AM Page 2

Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

SBP PAuSeS DiSBurSeMeNtS uNDer MPMG, KAMyAB JAwAN ScHeMe kArAChI

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GhulAm AbbAs

HE State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday instructed banks to put further disbursements under Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar (MPMG) on hold till August 31, 2022, as well as a hold on fresh disbursements under the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Youth Entreprenuership Scheme till July 15, 2022.

The SBP provides the same reason in both circulars stating that, “The government of Pakistan is considering a review/revision of features of subject scheme in light of recent developments in the macroeconomic scenario.”

The circular further clarified that in cases where partial disbursements have already been may till June 30, 2022; financial institutions may release the remaining disbursements under MPMG. PeRmAnent bReAK on meRA PAKIstAn meRA gHAR? As per sources at Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority (NAPHDA), the disbursement of subsidy under the announced house financing scheme has already been stopped by the banks as the government, through the budget 2022-23 has not allocated any fund for the same subsidy program.

Data released by the SBP shows that as of 31 May 2022, Rs473 billion had been requested, Rs212bn had been approved, and Rs85bn had been disbursed under MPMG while outstanding credit for housing and construction stood at Rs415 billion for the month ending May 2022.

The budget 2022-23 earmarks only Rs500 million for Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, which is hardly enough to cater to the subsidy demand of merely 16,000 to 17,000 housing units for one year.

Under the current situation, NAPHDA could only continue under construction housing units and that too

in limited numbers.

“The disbursement was stopped soon after the budget 2022-23 was announced,” said an official on condition of anonymity, adding that the issue with this program was also related to the rising volume of subsidy after a huge jump in the interest rate.

As per the program, the government was supposed to meet the remaining interest rate of what it had announced as subsidy under the low cost housing scheme. Borrowers were to be charged a financing rate of 3% for the first five years and 5% for the next five years.

Under the present interest rate of 13 percent, the government was to bear the

remaining interest financing as subsidy.

KIBOR + up to 250 bps was set for the remaining financing tenor.

Meanwhile, an official at the Ministry of Finance claimed that commercial banks have surprisingly crossed the set limit of loan disbursement under the house finance scheme. “When the banks started demanding funds under the announced scheme, it came to light that they have crossed the limit of disbursement set for the outgoing fiscal year,” he said.

“Apart from the huge claims of banks, there was a complete lack of coordination among the concerned departments including SBP, banks and ministry of finance, which ultimately resulted in the mess,” he informed. The official said that the issue is now being reviewed at various forums.

A promise made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to provide five million houses could not be materialized as data points out that only 21,980 low cost houses have so far been completed while 52,439 are under construction and 95,084 are in their planning phase.

The flagship program was initiated by the previous government led by Imran Khan under the banner of Naya Pakistan Housing Program (NPHP) for which a dedicated organization, NAPHDA, was established in January 2020 through an Act of Parliament.

MQM-P lawmaker says PPP not sincere in fulfilling promises News Desk MQM-P MNA Sabir Qaimkhani has said that the promises made to them before joining the coalition government are not being fulfilled and there is a possibility of secession from Sindh as well as the federation.

In a media interview, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan MNA Sabir

Qaimkhani said that PPP is neither sincere nor loyal in fulfilling its promises.

Qaimkhani said Pakistan People’s Party considers the MQM-P as a political threat to themselves. We are always open to reviewing the political alliance, he added.

MQM-P lawmaker said that it was a difficult step for the MQM to reach an agreement with the PPP. There was a lot

Punjab anti-corruption dept launches probe against Farah Gogi The anti-corruption department of the government of Punjab has started investigating the corruption charges against the friend of former first lady of Pakistan Bushra Bibi on Thursday. Sources told that the department was investigating the development of Mongolia Housing Society in Gujranwala by Ghausia Builders, the construction firm owned by Gogi, whose plots she had allegedly sold despite the fact that they never existed. For that, sources added, the department had sought record from the Gujranwala Development Authority as well. It was further informed that the inquiry had been launched against Gogi following complaints received from the people affected by the alleged scam. Ever since the PTI is out of power, Gogi has been under the PML-N-led coalition government’s scanner, which gives the impression that the new government wants to settle scores with the former prime minister, Imran Khan, whose wife Bushra is Gogi’s close friend. Initially, it was on April 28, 2022 it had reported that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had launched an inquiry against her. News Desk

Afghan cG thanks Pakistan for humanitarian assistance to quake-hit people Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah on Thursday appreciated generosity of Pakistani people and charity organizations for helping the people of Afghanistan hit by the recent deadly earthquake. He was speaking at the function held to handover donations and funds collected by businessmen for the quake victims of Afghanistan. Representatives of Sarafa and Jewelers Association, Currency Exchange Association and traders organizations were present on the occasion and assured all possible help to the Afghan people. He thanked Pakistan for offering its sincere sympathy over the loss of human lives, timely humanitarian assistance and support following the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan. The Afghan consul general also appreciated the businessmen and people of Peshawar for their support in collection of cash donations for the aid of brothers awaiting help in the neighboring country. News Desk

of opposition within the party ranks.

Regarding delimitation, he said that the delimitation of Sindh is inappropriate and politically motivated.

The defects are similar not only in local bodies but also in provincial constituencies.

The MQM-P leader further said that the first division in Sindh was made by Zulfiqar Bhutto, who brought the

language bill and quota system and in response to this MQM was founded, which he maintained.

Regarding Karachi’s problems, the MQM-P MNA Sabir Qaimkhani said that the country runs on Karachi’s resources but the PPP does not want its sovereignty. The former prime minister Benazir Bhutto also said that district governors should be appointed.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday reviewing the progress of Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV augmentation works Phase-I of 260 MGD set a timeline for starting the project in October 2022 and completing and commissioning of the project by January 2024.

The meeting was held here at CM House on Thursday and it was attended by Minister Local Government Nasir Shah, Advisor law Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Principal Secretary to CM Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Local Government Najam Shah, PD K-IV Salahuddin and others.

Minister Local Government Nasir Shah with the support of Secretary Local Government and PD

K-IV briefing the chief minister said that total cost of the project would come to around RsRs53 billion.

The first 72 inches dia pipeline of 28 km would be laid from the Reservoir to be constructed near Darsano Chano to Y-Junction Landhi Town via Gulshan-eHadeed, Quaid-e-Azam park, North-Western area, Bakra Mandi upto Landhi Town.

The pipeline would carry 65 MGD water for the locality living within the said 28 km area.

It would be constructed near Gadap from where a 96 and 72 inches dia pipeline would be laid upto COD (28 km and 96 inches dia) then from COD to Gulbai 14 kilometer and 72 inches dia. The pipeline would carry 130 MGD, meaning 65 MGA to COD and 65 MGD to Gul Bai.

AJK PM announces initiatives for uplift of neglected segments News Desk AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan Thursday expressed the optimism saying that the real change for which the PTI has been struggling since long would take place soon and Kashmiris would be able to materialize their dreams.

Addressing a budget session in the State metropolis on Thursday, the PM hailed the budget proposed for the next financial year and announced a host of new initiatives to improve lives of low income and underprivileged segments of the society. In view of the surging inflation and rising prices of essential commodities, the AJK PM also announced to increase refugee allowance, Zakat and dowry funds for the poor and needy in the State. “I announce an increase of Rs. 1500 per person in the Refugees’ Sustenance Allowance, 3000 rupees zakat per month for poor and needy”, the PM said adding that the dowry fund was also being increased to Rs. 75000. The PM also announced for the appointmentment of Muftis in 5 districts and 17 tehsils. He said that Quran academies would be set up in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Bhimber. For the homeless, the PM said that the government was planning to construct flats for the poor and deserving people in collaboration with Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT). “In the first phase, 900 flat-style houses will be constructed for the deserving in Mirpur”, he added. “The land will be provided by the Azad Kashmir government and the project will be extended to 3,000 to 4,000 houses”, he said adding that 500 houses would be constructed in Mirpur for police personnel and the families of those martyred in terrorist incidents in Pakistan. AJK government, he said, would pay 50 per cent of the loss of the Bakarwal tribe caused by the snowfall in Neelam on June 22. The prime minister said that the government would provide 1000 thousand scholarships to deserving students. In order to boost small industry, the PM said that 1200 people would be trained in Punjab for the promotion of cottage industry. He said that the government was also planning to restore the Numberdari and Panchayat system in the state.

SHc rejects Hascol ex ceo lawsuit AsAD ULLAh kAMrAN

Murad sets timeline for completion of Rs53 bn K-IV augmentation works News Desk

The pipeline would cover the areas parts of Gulzare Hijri, University Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Askari Amusement Park locality, SITE and Gulbai area.

A 28.5 km long 72 inch dia pipeline would be laid from a Reservoir to be constructed at around Taiser Town to Banaras via Surjani Town. The chief minister approved the plan and directed the PD to get NOCs for road crossing, railway crossings and existing utility crossing for the pipeline so that all these formalities could be completed.

The chief minister directed the Sindh Minister Local government to ensure that the construct be awarded in September and then the order for manufacturing the pipeline be made in October so that laying of pipeline could be started in November.

The Sindh High Court on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by the ex-CEO of Hascol, Saleem Butt, challenging proceedings against him in the Senate, media reports said. Senator Afnanullah Khan had written a letter to the senate standing committee seeking parliamentary proceedings against Butt during his time at Hascol and the allegations of corruption against the former CEO. The financial default of Hascol worth PKR 74 billion was brought to the chairman of the Senate panel’s attention by Khan, who said that these charges were serious and warranted further investigation by the committee because it affected public funds. In response to Khan’s letter, dated July 6, 2021, Butt went to court asking that the Senator be prevented from initiating or taking part in any disparaging and damaging meeting or investigation against him in the Senate committee. This is the latest development in what is the largest banking default case in Pakistan’s history which is currently being probed by the FIA. Butt is the main accused in the matter.

Khan’s letter, according to the ex-CEO’s counsel, was the result of a financial dispute between the involved parties and was not motivated by good faith. However, the court noted: “The first segment of the relief claimed is prima facie repugnant to Articles 66 and 69 of the Constitution while the second limb is contradicted by the plaintiff’s counter affidavit in which it was deposed that instant suit is neither based on defamation nor do the plaintiffs wish to restrain the defendant from performing his lawful parliamentary duties.”

President Alvi gives nod to Finance Bill 2022 IsLAMABAD stAff RePoRt

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday approved the Finance Bill 2022-23,of the Finance Bill, 2022, commonly known as the federal budget, under Articles 73 and 75 of the Constitution.

Earlier on Wednesday, the National Assembly had approved the bill no opposition, bringing it closer to the revival of the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

As per the details, the government has imposed more

than Rs900 billion in new taxes in the budget 2022-23 to meet a revenue target of Rs7.42 trillion.

Details show that under the Funds pressure, the government has agreed to enhance taxes on the salaried class.

According to the amended finance bill, there will be no tax on an annual income of Rs0.6 million, whereas the annual income of Rs0.6 to 1.2 million will be taxed at 2.5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs0.6 million.

Those earning Rs1.2 million to Rs2.4 million will have to pay a fixed tax of Rs15,000 plus 12.5 percent of the amount exceeding

Rs1.2 million. Where taxable income exceeds Rs2.4 million but does not exceed Rs3.6 million the tax rate is Rs165,000 plus 20 percent of the amount exceeding Rs2.4 million.

Those earning between Rs3.6 million to Rs6 million will have to pay Rs405,000 plus 25 percent of the amount exceeding Rs3.6 million. For income between Rs6 million to Rs12 million, the tax will be Rs10.05 million plus 32.5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs6 million.

Where taxable income exceeds Rs12 million, the tax is Rs2.955 million plus 35 percent

03

of the amount exceeding Rs12 million.

Moreover, the government has imposed a 10 percent ‘super tax’ for sectors including airlines, automobiles, beverages, cement, chemicals, cigarette and tobacco, fertilizer, iron and steel, LNG terminal, oil marketing, oil refining, petroleum and gas exploration and production, pharmaceuticals, sugar and textiles.

On the other hand, the rate of super tax will be 10 percent for tax year 2023 on banking companies earning income exceeding Rs300 million.

Meanwhile, there will be 1 percent tax on high earning persons where income exceeds Rs150 million but does not exceed Rs200. Similarly, there will be a 2 percent tax on income where income exceeds Rs200 million but does not exceed Rs250.

Meanwhile, there will be a 3 percent tax on income where income exceeds Rs250 million but does not exceed Rs300 and 4 percent tax on income where income exceeds Rs300 million.

The government in next year has also imposed a maximum Rs50 levy on petroleum products.

The NA had also passed an amendment in the Finance Bill to approve Rs50 per litre petroleum development levy on all POL products.

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Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

04 newS

PTA Asks TElcos To ExPlAin gEnuinE concERns

P

AhtAsAm AhmAd

AKISTAN Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has responded to the joint letter sent by the three CMOs; Ufone, Telenor & Jazz. The telco regulator, in the response, has asked for explanation regarding the difficulties that are likely to prevent CMO’s from achieving the rollout plan.

Last week, The three CMO’s wrote a joint letter to the PTA raising concerns about financial feasibility of operations due to degrading economic conditions and policy measures including the imposition of 100% cash margins (Read more: Will Cash Margins curtail imports at the cost of digitisation?) and prolonged power cuts. The letter stated,

“In the absence of immediate reversal of adverse directives and elimination of electricity load shedding,

the telecom operators would unfortunately be constrained to notify the Force Majeure situation under spe-

cial circumstances.”

As per the PTA’s regulation, ‘Service provider shall not be liable for any failure of performance hereunder due to causes beyond its reasonable control (‘‘Force Majeure’’) including without limitation, acts of God, fire, explosion, vandalism, cable cut, storm or other catastrophes, national emergency, insurrections, riots, wars or strikes, lockouts, work stoppages or other labour disputes, or any law, order, regulation, direction, action or request of any government or authority or instrumentality thereof. Service provider’s obligation to perform shall be suspended for the duration of period of Force Majeure and shall resume as soon as reasonably possible, upon the cessation of the event of force

majeure.”

However, in its response, the PTA has rejected financial constraints as a reason to enforce Force Majeure, but at the same time acknowledged the need for tariff revision on a case to case basis.

As per sources in the telecom industry, the letter was sent to highlight the weak financial condition of the sector. “When we started off as an industry the Average Revenue per User (ARPU) was $9 now it has reduced to only $1.” They added.

Those working in the sector are concerned about the operational losses incurred due to the surge in fuel prices, “There are around 40,000 towers in the country, majority of them are facing extended periods of load shedding and to keep

FBR increases Advance Tax on passenger vehicles plying for hire

KU, PMSA to collaborate on policy research in maritime affairs KArAChi staff RepoRt

The University of Karachi (KU) and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) have agreed to undertake integrated policy initiatives on various challenges along the 1046-kilometer coastline of the Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

It was decided during a meeting between PMSA Director General Rear Admiral Mirza Foad Amin Baig HI(M), and KU Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Nasira Khatoon held here at the KU VC Office,

said a statement released on Thursday.

The meeting further discussed collaborative efforts to identify and develop policy proposals and briefs for various stakeholders in maritime-related affairs.

It was decided that both the institutions would facilitate each other in research, focusing mainly on maritime law, maritime security, blue economy, social uplift of coastal communities, challenges to the national coastline and local communities, conservation, and protection of marine flora and fauna, oceanography and maritime tourism.

During the meeting, emphasis was

laid on initiating dialogues on diverse issues related to maritime affairs among scholars, experts, and policymakers to generate discussions on maritime awareness as well as socio-economic challenges faced by coastal communities for the benefit of policy circles and masses in general.

To achieve these objectives, both parties would jointly organize training, workshops, seminars, and similar events on maritime issues for capacity building of the students and researchers. Admiral Baig also offered internship opportunities for the students of KU at the PMSA.

them operational 24/7 would require a substantial amount of fuel to run the generators. This situation has brought us to a place where operating the sites on generators is actually loss making.” A source added.

The telecom sector is likely to respond to the regulator’s demand next week through a joint communication. The regulator has the prerogative to take actions against telecom operators if they fail to meet their Quality of Service obligations. Recently, the Telecom regulator in Bangladesh has suspended the issuance of new sims by Grameenphone, a subsidiary of Telenor international and the largest Telecom operator in the country, on failing to meet quality of service requirement even after multiple warnings.

Earlier, focal person of KU-PMSA Samina Qureshi briefed the members about the aims and objectives of the MoU signed between the varsity and the maritime security agency while Cdr M Faisal Sadiq COMOSRON23 from PMSA shared the progress already achieved since the MoU signing in April last year.

The DG PMSA and the acting KU VC also exchanged souvenirs and organizational crests on the occasion. The PMSA delegation included Cdr Muhammad Farooq, Director of Training, and Lt Taimur, Deputy Director of Coordination.

dAniyAl AhmAd The Finance Act 2022 has increased the advance tax on passenger transport vehicles plying for hire that the Federal Board of Revenue collects under Section 234 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Passenger transport vehicles plying for hire are now subjected to tax based on their seating capacity and whether or not the vehicle is air conditioned.

Exporters demand pragmatic steps to remove hurdles in honey export Aziz BUneri

Refinery taxes, another concern AsAd UllAh KAmrAn Refineries in Pakistan are worried after the government did not come good on an apparent verbal agreement to reduce turnover tax, according to a local media report.

The government on Wednesday, June 29, passed the finance bill 2022-23, but according to the media report, the oil industry sources felt there were no significant incentives given to the industry despite assurances by the government.

It has been reported that during a meeting between the Finance Minister

Miftah Ismail and representatives of the oil sector, Ismail had verbally “agreed” to reduce the turnover tax from 0.75% to 0.5% for oil marketing companies and refineries.

This was supported by a letter sent by the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) in the last week of May this year highlighting the fact that the government should revisit the turnover tax given the desperate situation.

The government, however, was reluctant to implement these changes completely given the ambitious revenue targets in the new budget. It has reduced the tax to the prescribed level for oil mar-

keting companies, however, refineries haven’t received a similar form of relief as the turnover tax remains at 0.5%. The proposal to incentivize local refineries comes amidst a time when the global energy situation is extremely volatile, and has caused the government to rack up a huge import bill for fuel.

According to a report published by AKD securities, around US$10.0 billion worth of refined goods were imported by Pakistan during 11M FY2021-22, a startling 126% increase from the same period as the previous year. Refined volumes increased by 26.3% for the same period, while most of the rise can

be linked to rising oil prices globally.

Contrarily, the value of crude imports was US$4.8 billion.

It should be noted that refined products inherently cost more than crude, or unrefined products. For example, the global prices of Mogas and diesel, which are refined products, are hovering around US$150 and US$170 per barrel respectively. Meanwhile, the price of crude (Arab Light) is around US$110 per barrel.

However, despite this disparity, the government only managed to increase the refinery utilization by 57% in 10M FY 2021-22. This means Pakistan is spending more money in the foreign energy markets on refined products instead of buying cheaper crude and refining it locally.

BHC seeks written reply on Balochistan govt air jet gift to AJK The Balochistan High Court on Thursday directed the Chief Secretary Balochistan and Secretary S&GAD to submit the government’s black and white reply about the matter of Air jet gift to the government of Azad Kashmir.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice High Court Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Rozi Khan Baraich issued the directives during a hearing of the petition against Balochistan government’s move of gifting the official air jet to the Azad Kashmir government Petitioner Bayazid Khan Kharoti challenged the move of Balochistan government in

the Balochistan High Court. On behalf of the Chief Secretary Balochistan, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister submitted the reply to the court contending that the government’s air Jet has not yet been handed over to AJK. “Only suggestions were sought from the Secretary Services and General Administration in this connection,” a written reply submitted by the principal secretary read. However, Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Naeem Akhtar Afghan termed the reply unsatisfactory, as saying “the case be disposed of if the aircraft is not gifted to the government of AJK,”. News Desk

Beekeepers, particularly exporters, urged the government and relevant authorities to take pragmatic steps to remove hurdles in honey export, bringing it up to global standard and eradication of export of substandard and adulterated honey. These remarks were made by beekeepers, exporters during an awareness session on ‘Certification Program, launched by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, which was held in collaboration with Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Standing Committee on Honey here at the chamber’s house on Thursday.

The session was presided over by Chairman, SCCI’s Standing Committee on Honey, Naeem Qasmi while secretary general of the chamber Sajjad Aziz also delivered a speech as key-note speaker on the occasion. Besides, the SCCI’s committee senior vice chairman, Nowroz Khan, vice chairmen Basit Ali Khan, Sheikh Gul Badshah, Zahoor ul Haq, along with Project Manager Certification, MoST Islamabad, Shaheen Raja, Director Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Peshawar, Jehangir Shah, SRO/Deputy Director Honey Production ARI Tarnab Farm Peshawar Muhammad Younas, a large number office bearers of beekeepers association, honey exporters were present during the awareness session. Shaheen Raja on the occasion through his multi-media presentation briefed the participants about the importance of ‘Certification Program of MOST, Government of Pakistan.

He stressed the need for certification of Pakistan’s honey and other food products for bringing them to up to mark and international standards. The senior official asked the traders and exporters attached with the honey sector to take full benefits from the certification program and improve the quality of their honey. He said the certification program would ensure quality assurance and production as well as eliminate sub-standard/adulterated honey production and its sale and buying, exports.

Wani writes to G20 countries about India’s intentions behind holding summit in IIOJK news desK The Chairman of Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Altaf Hussain Wani has urged G20 countries not to allow the Indian government to use them as its ‘brand ambassadors’ to project its normalcy narrative without giving an iota of importance to the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Altaf Hussain Wani in a communiqué addressed to heads of G20 countries said that the Indian government’s controversial decision to hold the high-profile sum-

mit in the IIOJK was based on mala-fide intentions aimed at deflecting the world attention away from the Kashmir dispute.

“India’s present-day government, which in brazen violation of the UNSC resolutions had unilaterally and unlawfully changed the special status of Kashmir in 2019, has since then been remorselessly peddling lies to promote so-called normalcy narrative on Kashmir”, the communiqué said.

Referring to the individual trips of the Members of the European Parliament to Kashmir last year, the letter said, “EU parlia-

mentarians’ individual visits were presented by the Indian government as official EU delegations”.

“Similarly, a trip of foreign envoys stationed at New Delhi to the disputed territory was arranged to keep the charade of normalcy alive”, he said, adding that nearly two-dozen diplomats, mostly from European and African countries, were invited for a visit to the region to give an impression that all is well in Kashmir and to ward off the growing calls for an independent probe into human rights violations in the region.

“The guided trip has been

more or less a replica of the past visit wherein the delegates were taken on a brief tour of “Naya (new) Kashmir”, which was skillfully carved out from the war-torn city overnight and decorated as per the visitors’ contentment by removing temporarily the barricades, barbed-wires, and bunkers that one can normally see dotted all around the city”, the letter said.

Underling the Indian government’s long history of using falsehood as a state policy to hoodwink the global community, the KIIR chief in his letter mentioned that the Modi government’s decision to hold the G20 Summit in Kashmir has triggered genuine concerns/apprehensions that the government would yet again use the high-profile meeting as a tool to achieve its strategic objectives.

Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS corporate corner Maritime Affairs Secretary visits KPT Head Office

PAKiSTAN TO wOrK ClOSely wiTH CHiNA ON SHAred viSiON OF PrOSPeriTy: PM SHeHBAz ContInued fRom pAge 01

H

E reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhanced measures for safety, security and protection of the Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in the country.

Recalling the recent visit of tri-services delegation to China led by the Chief of Army Staff, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the expanding defence and security cooperation between

ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary for Maritime Affairs Mathar Niaz Rana paid his first visit to KPT Head Office after assuming charge of the Ministry. Secretary for Maritime Affairs was warmly welcomed by KPT and a detailed briefing on functioning, development and ongoing activities of Port Infrastructure covering Port Operation and Projects was given to the Secretary. During the briefing, detailed discussion on KPT Projects was held and views were exchanged on them. On which, Federal Secretary further directed the KPT to encourage more participation and involvement of private sector in Port Development Projects to utilize its true potential and gain maximum benefit from it. The Secretary further apprised that Ministry is committed to resolve issues faced by KPT and for that he assured coordination with all stakeholders to work towards its solution. To conclude proceedings, the General Manager Engineering Rear Admiral Adnan Khalique presented KPT Crest to the Hon' Secretary Mr. Mathar Niaz Rana. pr

Nations who preserve their language, culture remain alive: Kaira

Pakistan and China which was contributing to regional peace and stability.

While emphasizing the need for enhanced people-to-people contacts, he thanked China for facilitating return of Pakistani students to resume their oncampus studies, and expressed hope that the remaining students would be able to return soon.

The prime minister also appreciated Chinese decision for the resumption of PIA flights to China and increasing the frequency of

weekly flights.

Exchanging views on international issues of mutual interest, the prime minister highlighted the adverse impact of India’s unabated repression and gross violations of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The prime minister thanked China for its principled stance and steadfast support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The prime minister and Director Yang also exchanged views on the sit-

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Thursday informed that 55,700 pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj rituals from Pakistan so far.

In an exclusive talk with APP from the holy land, the ministry’s spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said that 33,000 pilgrims had reached under the Government Hajj Scheme while 22,000 availed Private Hajj Scheme.

He said 16,989 pilgrims were in Madina while 4,908 were in Makkah.

A total of 82,000 Pakistanis would perform Hajj from Pakistan this year, he added.

Umar said the pre-Hajj flight operation would be completed by July 3, under the Government Hajj Scheme.

He further said the Pakistan Hajj Mission had acquired six Makatib in old Mina near Jamrat to accommodate the Pakistani pilgrims, adding Pakistani catering companies’ services had been hired for the provision of food to pilgrims in Mina.

He said strict monitoring system had also been adopted during the cooking of meal and no patient of indigestion or gastroenteritis had been reported in the Hajj Medical Mission yet.

He lauded the Saudi government for providing ‘home check-in’ facility under Road to Makkah project to the Pakistani pilgrims.

Umar said under this facility, the pilgrims’ luggage would be collected from their residences and they would be issued boarding passes by their airlines concerned.

He said it would help in saving the precious time of pilgrims as they had to reach the airport before 16 hours of departure but now they would have to arrive a couple of hours earlier.

To a query, he said due to pragmatic approach towards Hajj arrangements, Pakistan Hajj Mission ensured the provision of affordable and high quality facilities for the pilgrims through direct dealings with Makatibs, residential buildings and catering companies’ owners. news desk

The Marketing and Outreach Office at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) held a get-together with media personnel on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. The event was held to connect with various media houses and to provide them a glimpse into FCCU as a Liberal Arts University, the opportunities it offers to its students, and its contribution to the advancement of education in Pakistan.

Journalists met with the senior leadership of the University, including Rector Dr Jonathan Addleton, Registrar Brig (r) Dr Nayer Fardows, Chief Marketing

and Outreach Officer Mrs. Badia Raza, Dean of Postgraduate Studies Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, Dean of Natural Sciences Dr. Hassan Amir Shah, Dean of Social Sciences Dr Sikandar Hayat, Founding Director CPPG Dr. Saeed Shafqat, Dean of Humanities Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Computer and Mathematical Sciences Dr. Ahmed Mahmood Qureshi, Dean School of Management Dr. Rao Raza Hashim, and Dean of Education Dr. Mehwish Raza.

Students representing each faculty spoke about their experiences at FCCU and the role the

University has played in their growth and development.

In his remarks, Rector Dr. Jonathan Addleton shed light on the progress FCCU has made in recent years in the areas of research, academic excellence, and infrastructure development. He commented on the diversity of the student body at FCCU which includes students from all corners of the country and how their presence here enriches the student life experience. Dr. Addleton also mentioned the generous financial aid and scholarship programs offered by FCCU and how they benefit over 1,000 students annually. He added that the excellence of faculty and their teaching, the state-of-the-art facilities, a beautiful campus, and an engaging student life combine to make an exceptional student experience for FCCU's students.

Pakistan Migration Report 2022The event concluded with a note of appreciation from Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan who expressed gratitude on behalf of the FCCU team to the journalists in attendance. pr

TPL Trakker Signs MoU With SNGPL For Fleet Management Solutions KARACHI pr

TPL Trakker Limited has recently partnered with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for fleet management solutions.

SNGPL is the largest integrated gas company that serves over 7.22 million consumers in Pakistan through and extensive network in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

As a result of this partnership, SNGPL will benefit from being able to better monitor and manageits transport network with an objective to streamline their fleet health, and safety of employees across Pakistan.

Commenting on the occasion, CEO

uation in Afghanistan including the humanitarian and economic crises.

The need for international cooperation and unfreezing of assets to avert humanitarian catastrophe and ease the misery of the Afghan people was underscored.

Reiterating cordial invitation to President Xi Jinping, the prime minister stated that the people of Pakistan were looking forward to welcoming President Xi on his next state visit to Pakistan at the earliest.

55,700 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia for Hajj rituals: Religious Ministry

FCCU holds Media Meet & Greet ISLAMABAD: Language is an expression of connection with culture and only those nations remain alive who preserve their language and culture, said advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and GilgitBaltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira while addressing the closing ceremony of a four-day international training workshop on “Language Documentation” at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU).

On this occasion, he praised the role of Allama Iqbal Open University in taking an initiative for the revival of the endangered languages of Pakistan. He said that language documentation is an excellent initiative. He congratulated AIOU Vice chancellor Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum and assured the VC that government will provide full support to AIOU in promoting these kind of initiatives. He also added that VC, AIOU has a very vibrant personality and I have requested him to establish a Chair for Kashmir in AIOU. Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum while addressing the ceremony said that we are trying to contribute to our society through different projects and initiatives. Our aim is to build this society and promote tolerance and democratic values in our youth. He said that the AIOU has recently established a centre for social reconstruction and three different Chairs under the umbrella of Center of Excellence and we will establish a chair for Kashmir as per the recommendation of Mr. Kaira. Director, Centre for Language and Translation studies, Dr. Ghulam Ali explained the aims and objectives of the training workshop. He said that scholars from 35 Pakistani universities participated in this workshop. pr

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of TPL Trakker, Sarwar Ali Khan said, “A great chunk of our population in North and Central Pakistan relies on SNGPL for the provision of natural gas for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. This partnership will ensure improved operational efficiency as well as cost optimization for SNGPL. We are firm believers of low-carbon-future and have successfully maintained transformative improvements for such large scale operations, by offering a robust set of solutions and services in actively responsive environments.”

TPL Trakker is revolutionizing various industries across Pakistan through a vibrant array of Tracking, Digital Mapping and IoT services that enhance operational capabilities for government and private organizations.

Shell Pakistan appoints Burque as distributor in Quetta KARACHI: Shell is a leading global supplier of finished lubricants for 15 consecutive years. Shell Lubricants business in Pakistan has appointed Burque Corporation to manage its distribution in Quetta to improve customer experience. Shell Pakistan required a resourceful distribution partner in Quetta with proven commercial capabilities and a strong footprint to ensure wide reach and responsive customer care. With over 3 decades of experience in running one of the largest sales management and distribution networks in the industry, an official distributor for many leading FMCG brands, Burque Corporation brings state-of-the-art facilities for warehousing and sales across 23 cities. General Manager Shell Lubricants, Zubair Shaikh, stated ‘Our new collaboration with Burque Corporation will expand the outreach of Shell Lubricants, promising agility and cost efficiency of our original, highquality lubricants to enrich the experience of our customers. Over the next two years, Shell will be able to cover 6,000 more villages and 40,000 additional outlets across Pakistan to win customer loyalty in many unserved regions and segments.’ The partnership is a testament to Shell’s commitment to deliver best in class to our valued customer. pr

Former PM used NAB to destroy economy: Capt. (r) Safdar Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Capt. (R) Muhammad Safdar Awan Thursday said Imran Khan used National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to destroy the country’s economy.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Abbottabad Press Club here.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) knew the fact from the very first day that the Imran Khan could not run the federal government, masses are showing their dissatisfaction with Imran Khan by not participating in his public gatherings, Nawaz Sharif will come to the country like Khomeini, and people will welcome him on the streets, Capt. (R) Safdar said.

He said that the former prime minister cannot tell where did he spend international loans as he destroyed the country, Pakistan is passing through a difficult time but gradually the issues would be resolved by the coalition government.

Mohammad Safdar said that a commission should be formed on Panama cases, Justice Gulzar and Saqib Nisar should answer as they brought the Panama case under a conspiracy and gave verdicts by twisting their arms resulting in the country had lost its path towards the prosperity.

While highlighting the ideology of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Bacha Khan, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan and others he said that people are still following them and they are still alive, now the people believed that the country is in safe hands, he added.

Capt. (R) Safdar said that in the past, Mian Nawaz Sharif had written a Charter of Democracy, PDM is the ideology of the Charter of Democracy, Nawaz Sharif’s government had ended the power crisis and why today we are facing a huge shortfall of electricity is because the power production units are closed.

While criticizing the former Prime Minister he said that Imran Khan did not think about the country and masses and wasted the time of NAB and other courts, and destroyed the economy of the country by using NAB. news desk

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Friday, 1 July, 2022

06 COMMENT

Armed neutrality

Pak-China relations Need to remove genuine grievances

C

hINA’S Polit Bureau member Yang Jiechi visited Islamabad and held separate meetings with PM Shehbaz Sharif, FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa. earlier this year former PM Imran Khan made a four day visit to Beijing where he also met President Xi. In May BBZ visited Beijing to hold meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. earlier this month a senior tri-service military delegation led by COAS Bajwa met Chinese military and govt officials in Beijing The high level interaction underlines the closeness of Pak-China ties.

China has helped Pakistan maintain political and economic stability. In March this year China rolled over $4.2b debt providing a major financial relief to Pakistan. earlier this month China deposited $2.3 billion to boost State Bank of Pakistan reserves while this also helped to enhance rupee’s parity against US dollar.

Pak-China friendly relations have helped contain adventurist tendencies in South Asia. While recognizing the importance of the Kashmir dispute China has all along encouraged both sides to resolve the issue through peaceful means.

China has however reservations over three issues with Pakistan i.e., failure to put an end to terrorist attacks on Chinese working on projects in Pakistan, failure to fulfil commitments with Chinese investors and slow implementation of CPeC. In July last year, nine Chinese nationals were killed in terrorist attack in Dasu. In April this year, three Chinese teachers died in a suicide attack in Karachi. The attacks caused serious concern and indignation in China. China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang repeated his government’s demand for punishment for those involved in the attack and for enhancement of security for Chinese institutions and citizens in Pakistan.

Last year a number of Chinese companies said they were not interested in making further investment in Pakistan. They cited inappropriate treatment, especially in payment to companies that had invested in the power sector.

In Decembr2021, Rs230b worth of payments to Chinese power plants were still pending. There is need on the part of the govt to resolve the long standing complaints.

The implementation of the CPeC plan has been delayed and neglected. Gwadar city has still no proper power and potable water facility. Last year in September a Senate panel expressed concern over the slow pace of development on the CPeC. Unless grievances over the three issues are removed, the Chinese side will have a genuine cause to complain.

Imran is trying to prove he didn’t cross any red lines At Penpoint M A NIAZI

A

N armed neutrality implies being neutral, but armed against all comers, not as an expression of pacifism. In Pakistan, however, it has been taken to mean a refusal by the armed forces to take side in a political dispute.

Imran Khan’s protestations, reinforced by oaths before the Almighty, that he had not contemplated making Lt Gen Faiz hameed the next Chief of Army Staff, are something of a slur upon an officer who has risen to the rank of lieutenant-general, and who has served not only as DG ISI, but who is nowadays Corps Commander Peshawar. however, Imran was responding to one of the underground defences that isv being offered to the charge of an American conspiracy to oust him.

The defence runs thus: Imran was going to appoint General Faiz COAS in place of the present incumbent, and just as he was supposed to have delivered the 2018 election to him as DG ISI, he would proceed to deliver a two-thirds majority, which would enable Imran to introduce a presidential system. A concomitant was that the opposition was to be totally crushed, with every leader of any stature to be arrested by NAB, disqualified for life and generally ousted from all kinds of political activity. This would pave the way for Imran to rule indefinitely while General Faiz would be rewarded with repeated extensions.

This seems to be a version of the Bangladesh model, where Sh hasina Wajid has been in power since 2009, after elections following an extended caretaker period, when technocratic government was tried, with Army backing. The alternation Sh hasina’s Awami League and Begum Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh National Party has been jettisoned, mainly because the caretaker provision was removed in 2011, and the Awami League has won the next two elections with increased majorities.

There seems to have been a catch in Imran’s plan.

It involved the Army becoming a tool for continued PTI dominance. This is a red lie. The Army will maintain order, but not a regime. If a civilian cannot rule without the military, then the military itself will take over. Thqat is the great lesson of 977, where it appeared to the Army that the PPP government was being maintained by he Army firing on PNA crowds. It seemed that the election had indeed been rigged, and thus the government was being maintained only by the Army.

At the same time, ever since the Zia era, the military has found itself involved in politics, but it has been obedient to the civilian government. however, the enthusiasm to determine the results of elections

Strictly for the birds Alarming bird strike situation demands urgent action

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he Civil Aviation Authority’s report on bird strikes in recent years shows an alarming picture. Air travel is touted as safe, but the picture that emerges from the report should send alarm bells ringing at the highest levels of government. Lahore has got a really bad problem, with 198 bird strikes in the reporting period, January 2018 to May 2022, out of the total 622 incidents. Bird strikes occur because birds are sucked into jet engines, and not only do they cause damage to the engines, but they endanger the plane, and may cause a crash. Such a major incident has not happened, which only increases the risk of the next bird strike leading to a major incident. It would be bad enough if this was to happen to a Pakistani airline, but if a foreign carrier was ever involved in such an incident, it would be disastrous, and might well lead to the cancellation of flights to that airport. There should be no mistake: Lahore may be the worst, but other large airports, like Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar, are also pretty bad.

Why do birds congregate around airports? Actually, they don’t. They congregate around the rubbish in the cantonments that surround these airports, which are actually extensions of old airbases. Lahore has got a particular problem because not only has a DhA been developed, but a number of housing societies have been developed close to the airports, this having been one of their main selling points.

One of the most essential factors is to ensure that the Solid Waste Management Company to do its job. Bird strikes would not be eliminated, but they might be reduced.

Thev root-and-branch solution would be to shift the airport, and impost a ban on construction within a certain radius, but it is probably not likely, because moving an airport is an extremely expensive proposition. A more feasible solution would be to hand over management of Lahore airport to a firm with experience in dealing with bird strikes at other airports, If it felt that Lahore Airport needs to be managed by the government, such a transfer can be temporary, until the necessary skills are passed on to the CAA. This is a problem that can be solved. It only needs the will.

The Indus must be saved

Mujeeb-ur-rehMAN

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he Indus river known for its massive water flow has now made people worried. Continuous shortage in the Indus river has caused an alarming situation for Sindh. As lands are being left dry. Areas like Thatta, Badin and Sajawal are the last areas that fall under the Indus Delta. For years, these areas took huge amounts of water from the Indus delta and fertilized their land.

These areas are considered as the highest water taking districts. But when coming to the human development index, these districts also fall in the last category. Majority of the population of those districts are farmers, fishermen, and shepherds. For a long time, the Kotri barrage faced a shortage in its flow, due to which daily life of people belonging to these areas was affected. In the majority of schools in Sindh, there is shortage of clean drinking water. And in some schools, if water is available but that is not drinkable.

According to a report of WhO, in 2015 people had better resources of drinking water as compared to 2022. But today, 1.5 billion people are deprived of clean drinking water. And that polluted water has become the cause of death for millions of people. Ac-

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An American naval chief once said that he had no time to command the navy because he was too busy meeting Representatives and Congressmen lobbying for the budget.

The writer is a member of staff

Alarming situation for Sindh

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

seems to have culminated with the coming of the PTI to power, which has been described by some commentators as ‘civilian martial law’, as the military was allowed veto power.

The PML(N) had previously been favoured, but the result of that one big red line had been a number of other red lines, like trade with India, the social services and military budgets, foreign relations, but especially with the USA, India and China. Oh yes, military postings. After overthrowing Nawaz in 1999, the military realized that the vConstitution had to be followed. however, if the civilian ruler was obedient, it would be useful. hence the PTI and Imran Khan. however, the message also had to be put out that, unlike other politicians, Imran was not a scoundrel.

There has been a progression. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a feudal lord, Nawaz Sharif an industrialist, and Imran the son of a government servant. Imran himself had made his pile rather than inherited it. It is too often forgotten that the officer corps consists of those who have middle class origins, and spend their careers living from one salary to the next.

It is perhaps a short step from wondering why feudal lords or industrialists and businessmen have more money, to why they have more power. Itis also a short step from wondering why these fat cats rely on them, the military, to defend the borders and maintain order (which means defending property rights) to wondering why theory rely on them to remain in power.

It was thus important that Imran convince the military that was not planning to use it to perpetuate himself in power. Further, he would also want the impression removed that he was going to interfere in the COAs’ term, as that would represent a crossing of the redline involving appointments.

It must not be good to be General Faiz these days, because he has been the subject of more discussion than any officer wants to be. he must be the only officer to whose defence the DG ISPR has arisen, when Asif Zardari had joined the chorus of criticism, describing his move to Peshawar as ‘khuddey line’.It should not escape notice that a former President (and thus an ex officio commander-in-chief) viewed the Peshawar Corps Command as khuday line compared to heading the ISI. For Imran to say that he would, if PM at the time, have appointed the next COAS strictly on merit is to

beg the question, of how would the PM assess the merit of the lieutenant-generals eligible for the post.

By implying that he would not have appointed General Faiz, is he implying that he did not think him up to the job, or was he implying that he would have appointed him if he had fulfilled the merit?

There lies a dilemma. The only appointment the PM can make in the Army is the COAS. That means he is perhaps over-reliant on the recommendations he receives from the military itself. It is a little like judicial appointments, where this has been a major issue, and seems now resolved though the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, which so far has meant that the judiciary itself controls appointments and elevations, while the chief justiceships go by seniority.

The problem is that the military might become paralyzed by the concept of ‘Buggin’s’ Turn’, that if promotion is to go by seniority (which is probably how the decision would be made between two or more lieutenant-generals equally well qualified. wartime is a different matter, commanders may be sacked at any time And replaced, based on success.

Civilian leaders may be changed, but that is a more challenging task. however, in peacetime, commands are not changed unless the officer really blots his copybook. One way this has been avoided is to make sure that promotion does not take place unless the officer is highly unlikely to make a fool of himself. After all, while civilian leaders may change a few generals, the Army is going to use junior officers where they are at the start of a war. even then, officers may not be up to the mark, in which case they will be changed.

Selections are done by boards, so that an individual’s current and former commanders express an opinion. however, history is replete with examples of senior commanders sacked in the early stages of conflict. Political acumen has never been a criterion, though it should be, perhaps, because the COAS will play a political role. he may choose to remain neutral, but that is because he chooses to. The extent to which a COAS has choice is also not clear, as it may be that he merely acts in accordance with the wishes of his institution.

An American naval chief once said that he had no time to command the navy because he was too busy meeting Representatives and Congressmen lobbying for the budget. The service chiefs have not yet reached that point, but that is the only way the civilian-military equation can be solved.

The Army too must realize that direct rule has not worked. Nor has proxy rule. It might be time to let politicians do their thing. even if it seems they are running the country into the ground.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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cording to the health experts, different and dangerous diseases are emerging from the polluted water such as hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, daria and so on.

Water is an important ingredient for living. Still Pakistan has not tackled the water crisis. There are many factors which have resulted in the water crisis in Pakistan. Such as urbanization, unstructured systems of irrigation and climate change. If this crisis is not tackled, people will have to face adverse problems beyond one’s thinking.

Today, Pakistan is considered in the category of water-short countries because availability of water per person is less than 1000 cusecs annually. If it goes down to 500 cusecs per annum, Pakistan will fall under those countries where merely water is available. In Sindh, most districts are consuming the sewage-contaminated water according to a report of the Supreme Courtmandated water commission. eighty big cities of Pakistan are deprived of clean water. Most people in those big cities are purchasing the water tankers. In that situation the question arises that if water is not available, how are these tanker mafias getting water? Although the government tried to take action against the tanker mafias, still they have influence and have not been eradicated.

Sindh, despite having the Indus river, is facing a water crisis. According to the Water Accord signed in 1991, an agreement was formed between the provinces of Pakistan over the water division. According to that agreement, Sindh would take 42 percent of water from the Indus river and at that time Sindh had 30 million of population. Now as per the figures of 2017 census, Sindh’s population has doubled. Still there is no review on distribution of water according to the current population and urbanization.

Pakistan is an agricultural country and much of its water is used for this purpose. Pakistan’s, particularly Sindh’s irrigation system, has been worse for 30

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

years. There is a need to make it better and effective in dry cities of Sindh. lAST year, Pakistan Council of research and Water resources stated that they collected the samples of water from 14 districts of Sindh which showed the water was not drinkable. They also mentioned that water available in Karachi was also not clean and it was dangerous to health.

Apart from this, water used in hospitals is polluted and dangerous to health. Due to the consumption of polluted water, diseases are increasing. And every year many people die because of it. Shortage of water, and polluted water when available, has made people worried. In many cities, and potable water pipelines have been linked to sewage pipelines. In Pakistan, two big sweet water rivers meet at Sindh, Keenjhar, halaji.

Despite this, low water flow in the Indus River has affected the areas on a large scale. As compared to other provinces of Pakistan, Sindh must get the due share of water in order to maintain the water flow in the Indus River. There is a need to work on ground level. It needs an hour to form a master plan for providing water for agriculture purposes and as well for drinking water in every district. Karachi is the most populated city and still there is no system of providing clean water. People have to purchase the water which is also not safe and dangerous to health.

To deal with these situations, the government has to direct the local government authorities to work on this crisis, as water is the basic need of humans and it should be sorted out. This crisis has affected our agricultural sector. If the situation remains the same, soon we will lose our agricultural sector and will have to import agricultural products.

To deal with these situations, the government has to direct the local government authorities to work on this crisis, as water is the basic need of humans and it should be sorted out.

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer is Research Officer, Baluchistan Think Tank Network (BTTN)

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

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Woes of salaried class amidst rising inflation

Why suicide is rising in Ghizer and Overall in Baltistan?

A sociological perspective and solutions

WAjAhAt SultAN

S

UICIDe is a social construct that is caused due to deviation from norms that are in a disapproved direction and exceed the tolerance limits for an individual. Suicide is widely widespread not only in Ghizer but in all the parts of Gilgit Baltistan. The conformity to society for an individual is based on potential gains and losses. We constantly feel dissatisfied which is not due to biological longings but the social norms regulate us to what extent we are entitled. Therefore this article will focus on the causes of suicide in any society with solutions.

Suicide has no geographical division. It is the socially manifested phenomenon that is executed in the form of unsettled expectations in any social milieu. When a person finds no institutional means to fulfill the desired expectations of the society, he or she normally deviates from the socially approved norms. The rising notions of success and attribution to wealth for prosperity unsettled the expectations of those who couldn’t cope with this definition of success in life. Society provides the expectations and goals which are culturally defined.

Robert Merton in his typology of deviance asserted that if there is a gap between the reward and effort individuals tend to have suicidal ideation. In the wider society of Gilgit Baltistan, due to the acculturation of the dominated culture from the tourists and tourism, the expectations of the people psychologically subscribed to high goals but the gap between the goals and institutional means provided to the youngsters are at odds with the relations which led them to deviation and suicide.

Moving forward, the average person is anchored in an extensive network of close attachments in society. If this social integration erodes the individual commitment to the societal norms becomes less extensive. According to the Social Control Theory, the commitment and involvement of any person in society is the shield that protects them from any kind of deviance. Suicide is a deviant form of emotional deflection.

As the people have fewer stakes in the society they are less attached and subscribed to societal order. The involvement can be understood

through the utility of the individual in the energy and time. The people have fewer activities in their lives involving thwm in society, which further deteriorate their social control.

In Pakistan, the popular culture of the social network spaces and warfare of likes and comments on social media have faded the concept of creative involvement in games, art, and literature which causes the tendencies of individuals to make social comparison and thus they become misfits in the dominant culture. This psychological failure to cope with self-perception causes people to have suicidal ideation.

The strict stratification in society based on resources is another reason for the rising suicide.

The structural strain, according to edwin Sutherland, forced that strain on the resources causing the different interpretations of life for different people. This vast heterogeneity in the expectations from the society led them to deviance which further paves way for suicide. Torn between guilt and desire, it ultimately leads to escape from the unfulfilled expectations.

Suicide is result of the systematic process in which we make an individual suicidal. The institutionalization of the taboos and shame culture with the mental health issues is the core reason why the person ailing from a mental disorder does not subscribe to a professional aid to cope with the psychological disorders.

We have developed a culture where we used to attribute mental issues to demons, spirits, supernatural, or paranormal activities. In this process, individuals tend to go to shams which provide the medical religious treatment. During this process, the chronicity is exacerbated and people incline towards suicide more than before.

The mental health issues are like normal diseases of flu, cough, fever, and diabetes but society has attached the stigma to mental health issues which cause patients not to go to any professional for treatment.

According to he World health Organization, every 40 seconds, one person commits suicide while in Pakistan 15 to 34 people commit suicide daily in the age distribution bracket of 15 to 29 years. In Pakistan and other Third world countries, there are only two practitioners for every 100,000 mental health patients. In comparison with Third World countries, the number of professionals is 75 for 100,000 patients in the developed countries. As the number of professionals is limited due to many reasons in Pakistan, to study psychology has its own stigma, as

it is attributed that those who study psychology are those who become mentally challenged in their future life. People are less involved in the profession. Due to the limited number of professionals and limited access to psychologists, the problem further extends.

Coming toward the solutions to coping with the suicides in GB and other parts of the country, it is high time to get rid of the culturally institutionalized taboos about mental disorders. The withdrawn behaviour patterns, impulsive disorder, agility, and depressive disorders must not be attributed to emotional volatility or emotional problems but they must be recognized at the very initial stage as the causal factors of mental health problems.

If someone perceives such problems, they must subscribe themselves to professional aid.

Towards the sociological solutions to the problem, we can decrease the social control because in the perception of emile Durkheim the excessive social control in the society causes an individual to be alienated from the popular culture and to glorify the disappearance of life as a solution.The excessive social control through the societal sanctions must be released and the homogeneous culture introduced of the development and acceptance of modernity.

The labels attached to the mental disorders must be unattached and popular acceptance of mental health issues as normal diseases should be made to prevail. The life adjustment should be increased through the life coping mechanisms.

In the arena of psychodynamic therapies for depression and suicidal thoughts, it is necessary to introduce the mechanisms of displacement and sublimation to sublimate one issue into something other that challenges the mind of a person to map out the depression.

Mental health is real and suicide is a socially constructed issue due to the aforementioned reasons in which resource availability, social Comparison, and availability of means to fulfill the societal expectations play a decisive role. All these reasons are applied on the rising suicide rates in Gilgit Baltistan as well as entire population of Pakistan. We need to provide individuals with a more inclusive concept of society in which Freedom is not attached to the availability of wealth and money but with peace of mind.

Mental health is real and suicide is a socially constructed issue due to the aforementioned reasons in which resource availability, social Comparison, and availability of means to fulfill the societal expectations play a decisive role. All these reasons are applied on the rising suicide rates in Gilgit Baltistan as well as entire population of Pakistan.

The writer is a transportation engineer with postgraduations in English literature and political science

INFLATION has gripped the country rather tightly and doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Prices have gone through the roof particularly in the last few weeks when the government started slashing fuel subsidies to revive the loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While every segment of society suffers from rising inflation, the salaried class is taking the brunt amid increasing expenses and stagnant salaries. Indeed, there are cases of shrinking salaries and even vanishing salaries owing to retrenchment. Those who are lucky to still have salaries can barely live paycheque to paycheque and can’t set aside even a few dimes for the rainy day.

In contrast, traders, transporters and other sectors pass on the impact of price hikes to the end consumers. While there is no set formula or government policy to increase commodity prices in proportion to the rise in fuel charges, businesses jack up prices on a whim and thus remain largely unaffected by inflation. This just negates the impact of whatever little relief the government tries to give to the poor. Government employees also get some sort of cushion in the form of annual pay rise, but those working in the private sector have been left in the lurch by both their employers and the government. The government should earnestly do everything it can to curb the current inflationary trend and take appropriate steps to help the common man stay afloat.

M MUMTAZ HUSSAIN KARACHI

Society and economic development SOCIAL attitudes and economic development go hand in hand. Pakistan’s politics is in an extremely divisive state, and its economy is in a mess.

Soaring inflation has taken people by storm. Despite the gloomy situation, the government seems confident in meeting the economic challenges and is committed to lessening the burden on the national exchequer.

Though the decision by the government to reduce the fuel quota for cabinet members and government employees by 40 per cent, ban medical treatment abroad from the national exchequer, restrict the purchase of vehicles, disallow lunch and hi-tea at offices, etc., are steps in the right direction, they are not enough. If austerity is to be adopted, a national action plan must be chalked out. The economy is in dire need of lenders’ support without which, most economists fear, the country could face a default-like situation due to political uncertainty. hence, the opposition needs to understand that dissolution of assemblies and demand for elections in the current situation will neither address the plight of the people nor solve the economic problems of the country. even if the assemblies are dissolved, the caretaker government will be faced with the challenge of making do with a seriously struggling economy. Therefore, the opposition must welcome and appreciate government’s offer and come forward to be an active part of the dialogue process for the sake of the country’s progress and development.

Active citizens can change the country for the better. Given the challenging economic situation, the most important thing we can do is to change our attitude because a little change in attitude can make a big difference. What most people forget is that though we cannot control the stimulus, we can control the response. There is a dire need to balance income with expenditure. We cannot take control of our expenditure until we commit to doing so. Instead of taking a long hard look at our incomes, we need to control our expenditure and understand where the money is going and where it can be budgeted better. The more we ignore the situation, the worse it will get. It is better to be late than never.

SYED ALI QASIM LAHORE

Urbanisation ShARAQPUR is a small town located 30km downstream of River Ravi from Lahore. The town, although small, had a rich heritage and it has been an important local trade centre since the Mughal period.

The old city is located on a mound at a higher elevation than the surroundings and it was confined within walls and gates just like the walled city of Lahore. It was located on the bank of Ravi, but now the river flows around 4km away from the city due to changes in its course over time. No one knows when the first human settlement was made here, but during excavations, the residents had often found the traces of the earlier settlements dating way beyond the recorded history of the town.

We do know that the Rigveda, which is believed to be written in Punjab, mentions people living on the banks of the Ravi during the time of Mahabharata. The town is mentioned in the official documents of the Mughal period available with some of the inhabitants. A Mughal era haveli was in the city which was used as an official residence by the Mughal officials. The haveli was first encroached upon and then pulled down to make space for the market.

An old city gate stood to this day, but it was then cladded with tiles and cement and a plaque mentioning a local MPA was affixed. In fact, this is destruction in the name of ‘restoration’. The chemical reactions of cement with older structures damage it more than what it does in terms of restoration. During the Sikh disturbances in Punjab, the Sikhs established local garrisons in the vicinity — Qila Ram Singh and Qila Lal Singh. Until the 1950s, some remains of these garrisons were visible, but they, too, crumbled and the locals utilised the old bricks for their personal use. The streets were lined with the housing dating back to Mughal, Sikh and colonial periods, which were pulled down over time to make way for new houses.

After the annexation of Punjab by the British, the administrative structure was changed. Sharaqpur was made a municipality around 1875. There were public buildings that were built during this period, including a dispensary, a police station and a rest house which was a colonial structure that survived till the late 1990s. This could have served as a library. Keeping it intact would have served as a connection to the town’s past. But all buildings were pulled down one by one and the standard layout of the Punjab Buildings Department was replicated. It appears that no effort was made to save the older buildings to construct newer ones in the vicinity. It was easier to raze everything to the ground and start afresh instead of a deliberate effort to save the buildings, it appears. On the other side of Ravi are the housing schemes attached to the city of Lahore. The river is the only impediment that is restricting the urban sprawl of Lahore towards Sharaqpur.

KHAYAM ARIF SHARAQPUR

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08 WORLD VIEW

FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN UKRAINE COULD BE A TIME BOMB FOR THEIR HOME COUNTRIES “WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES,” HE TOLD ME. “WE’VE HAD EUROPEANS, JAPANESE, PEOPLE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST.” HE ALSO MENTIONED BELARUSIAN, GEORGIAN, RUSSIAN, CROAT, AND BRITISH VOLUNTEERS

Intercept

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Seth harp

he death of a French volunteer in Ukraine is the first clear evidence that there are at least some far-right extremists among the foreign fighters who have flocked there to fight Russian forces.

Wilfried Bleriot, 32, was killed in action, according to Ukraine’s International Legion in a Facebook post on June 4, 2022. In the photo of Bleriot posted by the International Legion, which was formed after Russia’s February invasion and is open to volunteer fighters from all over the world, he displays front and center on his body armor the black-and-white patch of the so-called Misanthropic Division, said to be an overtly fascist volunteer wing of Ukraine’s ultranationalist Azov Battalion.

The Misanthropic Division’s violent, hate-filled Telegram channel was the first to announce Bleriot’s death, one day earlier, on June 3. The post said that he died on June 1 in Kharkiv and included a photo in which the thin and bearded Bleriot wears a T-shirt that says “Misanthropic Division” across the front.

In 2018, the Los Angeles Times described the Misanthropic Division as “one of many neo-Nazi groups that have mushroomed throughout Ukraine in recent years.”

In 2020, the Daily Beast characterized it as “the militant foreign volunteer wing of Ukraine’s neo-Nazi Azov Battalion.” The Guardian, in 2014, also said that the Misanthropic Division “is linked to the Azov battalion.” There are few other mentions of it in the news archive.

Bleriot was a “man who fought bolshevism and antifascism all his life,” according to the Telegram post, a “brother-in-arms,” who died defending europe and Ukraine from “Asiatic hordes.” Among members of the group chat, Bleriot has become a martyr, a fallen comrade to be mourned and celebrated. One meme shows a Black Sun wheel — an icon of Nazi occultism — behind his smiling face.

Bleriot was from Bayeux, a town in the north of France. In an interview with an Argentinian reporter, uploaded to Reddit on March 3, he identifies himself as a Norman, says that he is “ready to kill Russians,” and “ready to die.” he adds that he left behind two children at home, and starts to cry. Bleriot’s family could not be

Spectator MagazIne

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Jay elweS

hOMAS Piketty, the French economist who shot to fame for writing a colossal work of economics that many people bought but few actually read, recently received some advice. ‘What you write is interesting,’ a friend told him, ‘but couldn’t you make it a little shorter?’ Piketty has answered the call for brevity with a book which by his standards is the equivalent of a Post-it note. It’s certainly ‘brief”– but is it a ‘history of equality’?

Alas, no. What we have instead is an eyewateringly left-wing manifesto for dismantling economic inequality, both domestically and internationally. ‘Inequality is first of all a social, historical and political construction,’ Piketty writes, and the best way to tackle it is by creating ‘a new form of democratic socialism, decentralised and self-managing, ecological and multicultural, making it possible to structure a different world that is far more emancipatory and egalitarian.’

To start with, we need higher taxes.

Much higher. Piketty notes: ‘Confiscatory tax rates have been an immense historical success.’ Any worries that this might crush business formation or choke economic growth are misplaced, as ‘it is the battle for equality and education that has made economic development and human progress possible, and not the veneration of property, stability and inequality’.

Inheritance also needs reform. It should be taxed and shared out, so everyone gets a piece. We need inheritance for all, along with a universal basic income and guaranteed employment, with the aim being ‘the gradual de-

reached for comment. efforts to reach French authorities for comment on whether Bleriot was known to them were also unsuccessful.

A spokesperson for the Azov Battalion, which began around 2014 as a far-right street gang and has since evolved into a professional special operations regiment of the Ukrainian army, did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Bleriot and the Misanthropic Division.

But back in April, I met with Andriy Biletsky, the founder of the Azov movement, at their base in Kyiv. I had not heard of the Misanthropic Division then, but I did ask Biletsky about foreign fighters. “We have volunteers from different countries,” he told me. “We’ve had europeans, Japanese, people from the Middle east.” he also mentioned Belarusian, Georgian, Russian, Croat, and British volunteers. he pointed out that some of them had been Jews. however, “I can assure you that there are no Americans,” he said. “Not even western europeans for that matter,” he added, slightly contradicting himself.

The Azov base, in the semi-industrial outskirts of Kyiv, was in an abandoned Soviet factory compound. Inside the main building, a yellow flag with Azov’s notorious Wolfsangel symbol in the center hung from the rafters. In two places, there were Black Sun clocks on the walls; such sun wheels, or Sonnenrads, also found on the floor of heinrich himmler’s castle in Germany, are widely used by contemporary adherents of Nazi ideology to signal their Aryan supremacist beliefs. Azov apologists say that they are merely indigenous Ukrainian symbols that must be understood in an eastern european context. In any case, the sun wheels, backlit by blue neon, certainly lent the Azov base a neo-Nazi aesthetic.

There were soldiers in full battle gear walking around, looking as squared-away and intimidating as any in Ukraine, and two women who worked as secretaries. The ground floor was full of new recruits, exclusively young white men, speaking Ukrainian and Russian.

Since Azov formed about eight years ago, it has attracted relentless controversy for its quasi-fascist ideology, unapologetically espoused by Biletsky, and alleged abuses against the few minority groups that exist in Ukraine, including the Roma. There is plenty of photographic evidence of Azov fighters displaying Nazi symbols on the battlefield (often with the intent to troll Russia). Azov has tried to clean up its image in recent years and present itself as depoliticized, and it is now an official component of the Ukrainian military, not an independent militia. But it has far more autonomy than any other regiment of the army. It presents itself as an elite corps and has attained an extraordinary degree of prestige and admiration in the eyes of ordinary Ukrainians for its stalwart defense of Mariupol, its home base, which finally fell to the Russians on May 20, following a dramatic, three-month-long siege.

Although many hundreds of Azov soldiers were taken prisoner, many more young Ukrainian men have

signed up to replace them.

“Azov is growing,” Maksym Zhorin, the commander of an Azov special operations unit in Kyiv, told me in April. “Our emphasis is on the future.” he added, “It might sound weird, but the actions of the Russian federation have been beneficial for us.”

As I noted in a recent piece for harper’s, when I left the base, I saw a small group of men hanging around outside the gate, and guessed from their appearance (paramilitary attire, neck tattoos, ball caps) that they were foreign volunteers. With several Azov soldiers standing next to my translator and me as we waited for a taxi, I didn’t think it wise to approach them, but I overheard them speaking english. The one phrase I caught distinctly, over the idling engine of an armored vehicle, was “foreign legion.” Also, who knows who was responsible for it, but “WhITe POWeR” was spray-painted on the kiosk right in front of us, alongside the driveway — in english, no less.

Bleriot’s death, the possible existence of more extremists like him among the ranks of Ukraine’s foreign fighters, and the rise of Azov as an internal military power should not be taken as representative of Ukraine’s society, government, and armed forces as a whole. Russian propaganda would have people believe that Ukraine and its military are full of neo-Nazis and completely under the sway of radical Russophobes. These falsehoods evaporate as soon as you set foot in the country.

Ukraine does have a notably vigorous and aggressive ultranationalist sector, but even Azov, the most powerful and influential far-right force, remains a fringe movement. Ukraine is one of the biggest countries in europe and contains multitudes. Its president is Jewish, a former TV comedian. Before Russia invaded, issues like corruption and economic stagnation were much bigger problems in the lives of ordinary people than the specter of roving gangs of fascist youths. If the Russians were really worried about neo-Nazi, ultranationalist, and white-supremacist militants, they would look in their own country, where such movements flourish as much as, if not more than, in Ukraine.

Likewise, Bleriot should not be taken as representative of the Ukrainian Army’s International Legion. Amid the chaos of the first two months of the war, most of the foreigners who flocked to Ukraine to fight were turned away and went home. The International Legion only accepted those with substantial military experience, mostly from the U.S. and U.K. Bleriot, who told an Argentinian interviewer that he had served one year in the French army, would have barely made the cut. There’s little doubt that he claimed the Misanthropic Division’s neo-Nazi ideology, as articulated in spaces like its Telegram channel, but such extremists, isolated and small in number, also find their way into the U.S. military on a regular basis.

As for the Misanthropic Division, it’s hard to tell how real it is, and how sizable. The extent of its actual

association with the Azov Battalion is also unclear. Take Bleriot, for example. There’s no indication that he was with any Azov unit when he died in Kharkiv, in the northeast of Ukraine, far from Azov’s main areas of operation in the south. It may be that the Misanthropic Division is not a real-world unit with a leader and a chain of command so much as a twisted military clique that anyone online can claim.

Images readily available on the internet show young men from the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, and elsewhere displaying the group’s piratical-looking flag, often in conjunction with other hate symbols, and it’s possible to find photos and videos of Ukrainian soldiers, who appear to be engaged in actual combat, sporting its various badges, patches, and Tshirts. It could be a cohesive military unit made up of foreign volunteers, sheltered under the wing of the Azov Battalion, but I can find no convincing evidence, at the moment, that it is anything more than a toxic Telegram meme popularized by Azov’s most black-pilled fanboys, only a few of whom may really be serving in the unit.

The real question, when it comes to Ukraine’s foreign legion and some of the more distasteful characters that its international call-to-arms has attracted, is how much of a threat they pose to their countries of origin.

The loosely organized International Legion, which may not have any central command, is limited in its ability to vet volunteers. Radical miscreants from all over the world who subscribe to the blood-and-soil ideology of neo-Nazi subcultures like the Misanthropic Division have a very real opportunity to travel to Ukraine, get military training, and participate in intense armed conflict against a technologically advanced enemy. If they survive, their combat experience could give them the confidence and ability to carry out acts of political violence in their home countries. This is clearly cause for concern at a time when incidents of hate crimes and domestic terrorism are on the rise. In the same Facebook post of June 4 that announced Bleriot’s death, the International Legion also disclosed the death of Björn Benjamin Clavis, a German of unknown age. The photo of him shows a man who looks about 30 with buzzed hair in the uniform of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Force. On the back of his right hand is an unmistakable tattoo of an Iron Cross, which the Anti-Defamation League describes as a “commonly-used hate symbol” favored by “neo-Nazis and other white supremacists.”

It’s possible that Clavis got the tattoo for innocuous reasons. It’s not that uncommon a symbol. The logo of the Independent Truck skateboard company, for example, looks a lot like an Iron Cross. So does the badge given out for marksmanship in the U.S. Army. however, the ADL’s analysis suggests that nonracist display of the Iron Cross mostly takes place in the United States. In Germany, where Clavis was from, it is very much associated with the Third Reich.

The deep roots of global inequality AT THE CENTRE OF HIS ARGUMENT IS THE IDEA OF THE MALTHUSIAN TRAP, A PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED

BY AGRICULTURAL CIVILISATIONS FROM ANCIENT TIMES UP TO THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION commercialisation of the economy’. If that fixes inequality within countries, the inequality between countries can be reduced by liquidating the institutions of globalisation, such as the IMF, OeCD and World Bank. Instead, we need a new set of transnational organisations with powers to levy taxes on the world’s largest corporations. The proceeds would be shared with poorer states, particularly the West’s former colonies.

In the sections where Piketty finally touches on the history of inequality, he turns his attention to the age of empire, and to the hideous injustices of that time, many of which, he says, still affect lives. ‘Colonialism and military domination permitted western countries to organise the world economy to their benefit,’ he writes, in a sentence that has the feel of tautology about it – the West dominated because it was dominant. This leads him to ponder ‘the reasons for the fiscal and military superiority developed in europe’, which enabled countries such as Britain, France and Spain to exploit other nations.

At this point you can sense Piketty’s discomfort. An analysis of the deeper origins of european dominance would involve accepting that rapid economic advancement doesn’t only result from the drive for social and economic equality. It can come from more acquisitive instincts, which are polit-

ically unacceptable to a collectivist like him. As a result, he condemns the West for being dominant and for driving global inequality, but is unable to say how it came to dominate in the first place. It is a significant gap in the argument.

Oded Galor, an economist from Brown University, locates his investigation into inequality in precisely the terrain where Piketty daren’t look. At the centre of his argument is the idea of the Malthusian Trap, a problem encountered by agricultural civilisations from ancient times up to the industrial revolution. A village that successfully cultivates crops will at first experience a surplus of food. This will allow its inhabitants

to sustain more children and the population will increase. But that puts a greater strain on the food supply and the standard of living falls. In this cruel cycle, progress leads to failure. An extreme example is the culture of easter Island, which flourished, consumed all the island’s resources, and collapsed.

Societies remained stuck in this cycle for thousands of years. But then something happened, a change, ‘triggering the phase transition in which the human species escaped from this poverty trap’, Galor writes. Suddenly ‘the Malthusian equilibrium quite mysteriously vanished and tremendous growth ensued’. The countries that escaped surged ahead. Those that did not were

trapped in poverty. This, he argues, is at the root of the global inequality that we see around us now. The escape was triggered by the industrial revolution, with its combination of population growth and new technology. Larger populations are, Galor writes, ‘more likely to generate both a greater demand for new goods, tools and practices, as well as exceptional individuals capable of inventing them’. This coincides with an emphasis on the value of education, which in turn drives more invention in a self-reinforcing cycle of improvement and growth.

The Journey of humanity really comes alive when Galor digs into the deepest roots of inequality, explaining that ancient societies with agriculture based on grain developed faster than those based on tubers such as cassava, sweet potatoes and yams. ‘Grains could be more easily measured, transported, stored and therefore taxed,’ he writes, which led to societies that were complex and hierarchical. ‘Thus, the suitability of soil for either grains or tubers meaningfully influenced the formation of states.’

Not long after being diagnosed with cancer, David Bowie reportedly made a secret trip to London to say his farewells. One of his stops was No. 4 Plaistow Grove, a modest terraced house in the heart of suburbia where he grew up, having moved there in 1955. I knew the house well. It was five minutes down the road from our home, which stood in a private lane alongside the golf course, in the village of Sundridge Park. here, Davy lived with his mum Peggy and dad John. A Brief history of equality by Thomas Piketty, Belknap, pp.

288, £22.95 The Journey of humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality by Oded Galor, Bodley head, pp. 304, £20

Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS corporate corner dragon boat Festival aT nuST

MInISTer laudS uS eFForTS For curbIng narcoTIcS producTIon, SMugglIng ISLAMABAD pr

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ISLAMABAD: China Study Centre at NUST arranged dragon boat festival not only for Pakistani and Chinese students but also invited Chinese famous companies like Three Gorges Company, Tang International Education, CSAIL and others, who are operating in Pakistan.

CSC also invited CPEC dignitaries, directors and consolers of China Study centres and China cultural institutions. It was the mega event arranged by CSC NUST Islamabad in which many companies, educational institutions and universities of China sponsored their products and cash prizes to CSC. Chinese students and children who are living in Pakistan participated in dances and culturalshows, they also participated to sing Urdu Pakistani songs to show friendship and brotherhood relations with Pakistan.

NUST students, those who are learning Chinese language also sang Chinese songs to express that language and cultural barriers cannot fade our friendships. pr

cnergyico partners with unilever to enhance customer convenience KARACHI: Cnergyico Pk Limited (formerly Byco Petroleum), Pakistan’s largest vertically-integrated oil refining company and one of the nation’s biggest oil marketing companies, announced today that it is collaborating with Unilever’s flagship ice cream and frozen dessert brand Wall’s to improve service offerings and facilitate customers at the forecourts. Cnergyico is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience at its retail outlets. Through product diversification, the company seeks to offer a one-stop solution to its valued customers who want to refuel their vehicles and make convenience store purchases. Now, with the summer season at its peak, Cnergyico’s retail outlets will also offer Wall’s ice creams to customers. Present at the signing ceremony, Mr. Mudassar Qadeer, Cnergyico’s Senior General Manager for Oil Marketing Businesssaid, “Customer convenience is at the heart of our business philosophy, and with our partnership with Unilever to deploy Wall’s ice creams at our stores, we have taken another step to further ensure just that, especially during the summer season.” The convenience stores at Cnergyico’s retail sites offer a variety of snacks and beverages along with numerous other items for top-up shopping and last-minute, impulse purchases, all selected for their high quality. pr

EDERAL Minister for Narcotics Control, Nawabzada Shzain Bugti has acknowledged the efforts made by the US in curbing production and smuggling of narcotics in the region.

The federal minister was talking to a delegation led by Mr Todd D Robinson, Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US department of state along with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloome, which met him in Islamabad Thursday.

The Minister has said that even with meager resources and limited manpower, Pakistan is effectively con-

KARACHI pr

English Biscuit Manufacturers, a leading FMCG company, has recently won the international and prestigious RoSPA Silver Award for maintaining the highest standards of health and safety at its premises.

The RoSPA Silver Health and Safety Award was given to EBM in recognition of its efforts to keep its employees safe. This recognition is a win for EBM’s commitment towards meticulous implementation of safety standards.

The RoSPA ((The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Award, which is the

that there is a need for more advanced technological tools to cater the needs

longest-running health and safety award in the United Kingdom, honors organizations that set standards for health and safety practices around the world. It is estimated that more than 2,000 organizations contest the award annually.

Managing Director & CEO at EBM, Dr. Zeelaf Munir stated: “We are delighted that EBM has been acknowledged by RoSPA for its health and safety performance.

This international award is a testament to our staff and their commitment to the highest levels of wellbeing and safety for decades, especially during the pandemic.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said:

“This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this recognition, EBM joins likeminded businesses and organizations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to Health and Safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award. Congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive up Health and Safety standards every day.

You are setting a fantastic example forothers in your sector.”

Qatar Airways Offers ‘Enjoy Exceptional Journey to Europe’ Promotion pr

Students of UCP Faculty of Media and Communication Studies in a group photo with senior journalist Naeem Mustafa and others during a visit to Lahore Press Club. pr

trolling smuggling of narcotics on its western borders. The Minister has said

Qatar Airways is seeing an increase in demand for travel during the upcoming Eid and summer holidays across its network compared to the previous year. The airline is pleased to provide its passengers with promotional offers including a discount of up to 20 per cent off on select routes Premium and Economy Class to explore Europe this summer.

The 10-day promotion will run from now to 6 July for travel up to 30 September 2022. Tickets can be booked online through qatarairways.com, Qatar Airways sales offices, or from preferred travel agents.

Passengers can experience an exceptional journey with the World’s Best Airline, Qatar Airways. The journey will connect passengers through Qatar’s stateof-the-art hub, and the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International

Airport, before reaching their desired destination in Europe.

Passengers can also enjoy the airline’s newly integrated rewards currency, Avios, providing passengers even greater opportunities to accumulate points and leverage exciting innovations in redeeming and spending their rewards. In addition, Qatar Airways loyalty programme members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the

Middle East. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more.

Passengers can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways also became the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. This follows the success of Hamad International Airport as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.

LSE launches ‘Pakistan Migration Report 2022’ Dr Murtaza Syed, Acting Governor, State Bank of Pakistan spoke as the Chief Guest at the launch of the Pakistan Migration Report 2022 at the Lahore School of Economics, Burki Campus here. The report is second in the series published biennially by the Centre on Migration, Remittances and Diaspora (CIMRAD), Lahore School of Economics.

Dr Rashid Amjad, Director Graduate Institute of Development Studies (GIDS) and CIMRAD opened the proceedings of the launch.

According to the report, it is un-

of anti-narcotics forces.

He said Pakistan is planning to induct 10,000 personnel for narcotics control. Besides these, there is a dire need for advanced surveillance technologies like drones and other vehicles to overcome powerful drug networks, he added.

The federal minister said the biggest challenge is the use of new forms of drugs in the young generation and Pakistan is working towards making efforts for public awareness in this regard.

The Assistant secretary of state assured full support to Pakistan in combating the menace of drug trafficking and its use.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary Narcotics Control Ms Humaira Ahmad and higher officials of the ministry and INL.

EBM wins RoSPA Silver Award for excellent safety standards

DOHA, QATAR

EU delegation meets with Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Commerce in Islamabad on Thursday. pr

09

likely that the surge in remittances witnessed during 2020 and 2021 will sustain. While the shift in inflows from informal to formal channels and the new initiatives during Covid-19 period were able to increase the average monthly inflows to around USD $2,500 million, the impact of these factors has been diminishing and inflows are slowing down. Deteriorating economic conditions and political environment discourages investment-oriented inflows, the report warns that this aspect demands consideration given the over reliance on these inflows.

Migrant outflows to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) declined drastically from 33.8 percent in 2019 to 9.6 percent in 2021, which is contrary to the historical trends. Correspondingly, remittance inflows from UAE and Saudi Arabia increased at a lower rate in 20202021 compared to 2019-2020. The report highlights the above observation as worrisome as the two countries are the largest recipients of migrants and senders of remittances to Pakistan.

The report also mentions that about half of Pakistani labor migrants continue to be low-skilled or unskilled, while the

planned demand for such workers is shrinking in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In terms of new migrant destinations, Pakistan has not made much progress.

Malaysia that was considered as an emerging market showed a declining trend following the pandemic. Japan and China could be important destinations in the future but remained numerically insignificant as of 2021.

The Acting Governor of State Bank also highlighted that monthly remittances received by Pakistan have consistently exceeded 2 billion US dollars from June 2020. pr

Federal Science & Technology Minister meets IT Minister ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch met with Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haque here on Thursday. In the meeting, the IT Park project at the University of Balochistan and the provision of fiber Optic cable for Tehsil Wadh of District Khuzdar were discussed. On the occasion, the Federal Minister for Information Technology said that the IT park project is approved for the University of Balochistan, which will cost around Rs one Billion. Agha Hassan Baloch said that an IT park is a necessity for the students of Balochistan so that they could get the maximum benefit from it.

The Federal Minister for Information Technology assured that the foundation stone of the IT Park project would soon be laid at University of Balochistan. Agha Hassan Baloch stressed the provision of fiber optic in the Wadh area of District Khuzdar of Balochistan as soon as possible. pr

Islamabad police to have its own hospital, funds released ISLAMABAD: A grant of Rs350 million has been released for the construction of state-of-the-art hospital for Islamabad police after approval by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).

A long standing demand of Islamabad police has been fulfilled due to personal interest of Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and Inspector General of Police Islamabad. The hospital for personnel of Islamabad police is a major step for their welfare which would boost their morale. Expressing his heartfelt happiness in this regard, the IGP Islamabad congratulated his entire force and said that unlike other agencies, Islamabad Police and their families did not have the best medical facilities. pr

Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ChInA OPPOSeS InDIA’S PlAn TO hOlD G20 MeeTInG In OCCUPIeD JAMMU & KAShMIr BEiJiNG

C

XinhuA

HINA on Thursday opposed the Indian plan of holding the G-20 meeting in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called on the member of the grouping to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicizing the relevant issue.

“China’s position on Kashmir is consistent and clear cut. It is a legacy issue between India and Pakistan. It should be properly resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions and bilateral agreement. Relevant parties should avoid complicating the situation with the unilateral move,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during his regular briefing in response to a question regarding Indian attempt to hold G-20 meeting in controversial area of Kashmir.

Pakistan has already completely rejected India’s attempt to hold the G-

Noting the relevant information, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stressed to address the disputes through dialogue and consultations and jointly uphold peace and stability.

“We need to address the disputes through dialogue and consultation and jointly uphold peace and stability,” he added.

He remarked that G-20 is a pre-

20 meeting in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating that the region is under New Delhi’s forcible and illegal occupation.

As per media reports, India is planning to host the 2023 meetings of the G-20 and its Ministry of External Affairs has issued directives to the authorities in the occupied territory to ensure necessary arrangements.

Australia’s influenza cases on rise amid battle against COVID-19

Indian govt making Twitter silence Pakistani voices, says Quartz India

CANBERRS

NEW dELHi

Agencies

Agencies

Australia is on track to set its highest number of influenza infections in recent years. According to the latest update from the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report, there had been 147,155 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and 54 influenza-associated deaths as of June 19 this year.

Almost 1,000 cases have required hospitalization for treatment, of which 6.1 percent were admitted to intensive care. “From mid-April 2022, the weekly number of notifications of laboratory-confirmed influenza reported in Australia has exceeded the 5year average,” said the report. In the latest report, the Department of Health identified children as the population most at risk of contracting influenza. “In 2022 to date, people aged 5-9 years, children aged younger than 5 years, and people aged 10-19 years have the highest notification rates,” it said.

Indian authorities don’t want citizens to have access to Pakistani views-especially the official ones, writes Ananya Bhattacharya in an article published in Quartz India.

The article titled “The Indian government is making Twitter silence Pakistani voices” wrote: “On June 27, at the behest of prime minister Narendra Modi’s government, Twitter India banned accounts of the neighbouring country’s foreign missions in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and at the UN. Radio Pakistan’s account, too, was blocked.”

“The Twitter handle of Pakistani journalist Murtaza Ali Shah was recently withheld for allegedly sharing ‘anti-India’

Blackout fears in Tokyo rise on record-hot day as power plant fails TOKYO: Ongoing concerns over a blackout in Tokyo were further raised on Thursday as a thermal power plant in northeast Japan was taken offline due to a technical glitch, as the mercury in the heatwavehit capital soared to levels not seen in June in almost 150 years. The operator of the Nakoso coal- and oilfired power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Joban Joint Power Co., said at around 3:00 a.m. local time the plant’s No. 9 unit was shut down after a ventilator was found to be vibrating.

The plants operator said it aims to bring the plant back online and will restart supplying power to its service area, which covers a sizable expanse of eastern Japan including Tokyo, by Thursday evening. Japan’s industry ministry said there was no imminent risk of a blackout even as demand for power in Tokyo surged as temperatures hit 36.4 degrees Celsius, the highest on record for June since 1875 when record-keeping began, Japan’s weather agency said. XinhuA

mier forum for international economic cooperation and called on relevant sides to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicizing the relevant issue so as to make positive contribution to improving the global economic governance.

Responding to a question, he said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is constructed in the region is completely different in nature than holding of G20 meetings in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

“China has undertaken projects to help Pakistan to grow its economy and improve livelihood,” he added.

Zhao Lijian said the relevant Chinese companies who run the projects do so with the aim of helping the local people to develop the economy and improve their livelihood, adding, “That doesn’t mean our position on Kashmir is changed. I have already elaborated on our stern position on Kashmir.”

He said that with regard to whether China will attend the meeting, the Chinese side will look into that.

views.” “Interestingly, it was reported last week that the account of CJ Werleman, a journalist who writes on Muslim affairs, was also banned at the Indian government’s behest” Quartz India added.

These verified accounts have 550,000 and 313,000 followers, respectively. “This social media clampdown isn’t restricted to Twitter alone. The Indian government earlier took down 16 YouTube channels, including six from Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s foreign office, while urging Twitter to restore access, tweeted that the “diminishing space for plurality of voices & access to info in India is extremely alarming.”

Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, made a call to action to

member countries at the ongoing G7 summit. “In another display of hypocrisy, India has signed a statement at the G7 summit to ‘protect freedom of expression online and offline.’ Now, #G7 has the right & responsibility to demand that India lift its massive restrictions on information, including all accounts Delhi has blocked,” Akram tweeted.

Quartz India further writes: “Dissent within the country is also facing the heat. Twitter, which has long been in a tug-of-war with the government, was hit by 24 legal notices over 2021, resulting in over 80 tweets being taken down and geo-specific restrictions being placed on accounts. Ironically, among them were tweets by watchdog Freedom House, highlighting the decline of internet freedom in India.”

Sudan gears up for mass protest against generals KHARTOUM Agencies

Activists in Sudan have called for mass rallies Thursday to demand the reversal of an October military coup that prompted foreign governments to slash aid, deepening a chronic economic crisis.

The protests come on the anniversary of a previous coup in 1989, which toppled the country’s last elected civilian government and ushered in three decades of iron-fisted rule by Islamistbacked general Omar al-Bashir.

They also come on the anniversary of 2019 protests demanding that the generals, who had ousted Bashir in a palace coup earlier that year,

cede power to civilians.

Those protests led to the formation of the mixed civilian-military transitional government which was toppled in last year’s coup.

Security was tight in the capital Khartoum on Thursday despite the recent lifting of a state of emergency imposed after the coup.

Troops and police blocked off roads leading to both army headquarters, the site of anti-Bashir protests in 2019, and the presidential palace, witnesses said. Shops around the capital were largely shuttered. An AFP correspondent said internet and phone lines had been disrupted since the early hours, a measure the Sudanese authorities often impose to prevent mass gatherings.

Biden says US ‘should sell’ F-16s to Turkey MAdRid Agencies

President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States should go ahead with the delayed sale of F-16 warplanes to Turkey but noted that Congress needs to give approval.

“We should sell them the F-16 jets and modernise those jets as well,” Biden said, adding there was “no quid pro quo” linking the sale to Turkey’s approval for Finland and Sweden entering NATO. Biden added that for the sale, “I need congressional approval to do that and I think I can do that”.

The declaration of support from Biden comes after Turkey surprised fellow NATO members at a summit in Madrid by suddenly dropping weeks of opposition to the Finland and Sweden applications to join the alliance.

Unanimous consent by NATO members is required for enlargement. Turkey is an important NATO member in a strategically sensitive location, but it has had often tense relations with its European partners and Washington, which is the alliance’s main military force.

A plan to equip Turkey with state-of-the-art US F-35 stealth fighters fell through after Turkey bought Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

Washington saw Ankara’s purchase as potentially threatening the security of the F-35 programme. Turkey next set out to buy new F-16s, as well as obtaining upgrades for its existing, but outdated fleet of the same planes.

However, that deal is also on hold and there has been speculation that Turkey was holding up the NATO accession bids of the two northern European countries to try and leverage concessions.

Malegaon blast trial: Another witness retracts statement to save Col Purohit MUMBAi Agencies

Another witness in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has retracted his previously issued statement given to Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apparently in a bid to save Indian army Lt-Col Prasad Purohit, an accused in the case.

Before this, 20 witnesses had turned hostile during the trial where BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur is the prime accused. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which had initially investigated the blast before the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), had recorded the statement of the witness in 2008.

According to the police, the motorbike used in the blast was registered in Pragya Singh Thakur’s name, and that led to her arrest in 2008.

Lt Col Purohit, who was in the Deolali Army cantonment area, was also arrested at the same time. The latest witness, who ran a business of arms, in his statement in 2008 to the ATS had said that Purohit had visited his arms shop in 2006 for purchasing ammunition. The witness had further said that Purohit had attempted to purchase a weapon from him without a licence in September that year. But during his deposition before the special National Investigation Agency court on Wednesday, the witness didn’t confirm some parts of his statement to the ATS, a prosecution lawyer said. Recalling the incident from 2008 that took place just days before the blast, the witness, while calling Purohit a law-abiding citizen, told the court that he (Purohit) had arms licence as a military man and based on that, he had sold him ammunition once.

The investigating agency had said that the witness had said in his statement in 2008 that Purohit had attempted to purchase a weapon from him without a licence in September that year.

Reportedly, the witness also failed to recognise Purohit in the court and also the weapon shown to him. “Due to lapse of long span and my illness, I cannot identify exactly Colonel Prasad Purohit,” the witness told the court. He also said he was unable to identify the weapon shown to him. He denied that he was making a false statement to save Purohit.

Pakistan objects to ‘selectivity’ in condemning rights abuses, citing ‘deafening silence’ over Kashmir UNiTEd NATiONS Agencies

Pakistan told an event at the U.N. Wednesday that “selectivity” in the condemnation of human rights violations was a factor in the rising geopolitical tensions, and called for a review of the current approach to advancing international peace and security.

“Today, people are talking about violations and human rights in one situation,” Ambassador Aamir Khan said in an obvious reference to the developments in Ukraine, but pointed out that “there is a deafening silence elsewhere in similar situations of violations of human rights, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.”

Aamir Khan, who is the acting perma-

nent representative of Pakistan to the UN, was speaking in a discussions sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN. The Subject was: “From Words to Action: A global ceasefire beyond COVID-19 pandemic.” “It’s unfortunate,” he said, “that there is an element of selectivity when it comes to the condemnation of violation of human rights.

Other sources of world’s geopolitical tensions, the Pakistani envoy said, were the failure of the international community to live up to the ideals of collective and cooperative security, as also that inequality was now embedded in the global political, economic and financial system in the post-1945 world order.

To deal with the situation, Ambassador Aamir Khan called for addressing the root

causes of conflicts and disputes , saying the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Peace-building Commission (PBC) have important roles in the process — especially a conflict between nuclear-armed States.

In this regard, he referred to UN Charter’s Article 99 which empowers the SecretaryGeneral to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as in resolving disputes. On its part, Aamir Khan said the Security Council must utilize its primary authority under the Charter to secure the just and peaceful settlement of conflicts and disputes in accordance with its own resolutions and decisions.

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Friday, 1 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

SPORTS 11

BAnGlAdesH Hopes To reBound in T20 series wiTH wesT indies RoSEAU, DoMINICA

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Agencies

O M P R E H E N S I v E LY beaten in both Test matches by the West Indies, Bangladesh’s cricketers are hoping the clouds of uncertainty ahead of their threematch T20 International series will blow away in time for Saturday’s opening encounter at Windsor Park in Dominica.

While it is expected the visitors will be much more competitive in both the T20I’s and then the threematch One-Day International series which rounds off their tour, question marks over the availability of key

players could have an unsettling effect on a squad in dire need of stability and direction.

Even after he endorsed Bangladesh’s greater affinity to the white ball formats of the game, and especially the 50 overs-per-side version, information coming out of Dhaka suggests Test captain Shakib al Hasan will miss the ODI leg of the campaign.

This is apparently because these matches do not form part of the ODI Super League where points are earned towards qualification for next year’s World Cup in India.

“I expect us to be a lot more competitive in the white ball formats,” said Shakib in the immediate

pogacar ready as denmark reaches Tour de France fever pitch CoPENHAGEN Agencies

With one day remaining ahead of the Tour de France’s ‘Grand Depart’ in Denmark, Tadej Pogacar sounded a warning to those hoping to dethrone the double champion. The world’s greatest bike race embarks from Copenhagen on Friday and if the 30,000 fans who turned out for the unveiling of the teams on Wednesday is anything to go by the Danish public will be out in force for the three opening stages here.

A confident Pogacar was thrilled by the prospect. “I can’t wait,” the fresh-faced 23-year-old Slovenian said. “We are all ready, we have a strong team and it’s just a matter of not stressing too much until Friday.”

The opening stage around the streets of Copenhagen may be hit by rain. “I don’t know what to think about the time-trial but I’m ready and I’m sure its going to be fast. It’s short and technically challenging,” he said before the 13.2km individual test. “Everyone seems to be stressed but we are confident,” said the surprise 2020 winner who defended his title 12 months ago. Jumbo-visma’s co-captain in Dane Jonas vingegaard said he was hoping to simply survive the first week rather than attack it. But his teammate Wout van Aert, possibly the world’s best one-day racer, was planning to open with a bang after two editions impacted by Covid-19. “Wearing the yellow jersey myself at the beginning of the race has been a big goal for me this season,” said Belgian van Aert, one of the favourites to win the opening stage. “I was surprised by the amount of people on the road sides.

After two years, we can finally have a Grand Depart with huge crowds,” he said. His key rival could be Ineos’s Italian world time-trial champion, the gentlegiant Filippo Ganna. “Lots of people want this yellow jersey so it won’t be easy,” said Ganna, who won the Giro d’Italia’s opening day time-trial in May. “Now I want the yellow jersey for my museum too,” he said.

The 2018 champion Geraint Thomas is racing his 12th Tour de France, and has promised Pogacar, vingegaard and the rest of the contenders his Ineos team will be racing aggressively, in the manner they have adopted this season to such success.

FjoRdS ANd BRIdGES: Whoever wins on Friday, Saturday’s second stage runs 202.5km from Roskilde to Nyborg along verdant roads adjacent to fjords and it culminating with a 20km crossing of the Great Belt Bridge where a second equally tense struggle for the lead is expected. Some 12 million cars and trucks cross the bridge each year but the 176-strong peloton is liable to be subject to strong crosswinds on the sea crossing.

aftermath of his team’s ten-wicket defeat in the second Test in St Lucia on Monday which gave the West Indies a 2-0 sweep of the series.

“The One-Day format is something we always do well in and we are not far behind in the T20 format either so I believe we will put on a show and be very competitive against the West Indies.”

Recent history bears out that confidence as Bangladesh won both the ODI and T20I series on their last visit to the region in 2018.

At last year’s World T20 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, West Indies just managed to hold on for a three-run victory over the Bangladeshis, the only victory for

the then title-holders at the main group stage of a massively disappointing campaign.

Apart from Shakib’s anticipated absence for the ODI’s, there is also speculation that three players originally selected in the T20I squad — Mohammad Saifuddin, Shohidul Islam and Yasir Ali — will not be involved in the two matches in Dominica at the weekend and the finale in Guyana on July 7.

Unconfirmed reports also indicate Taijul Islam will be Shakib’s replacement for the ODI’s, all three of which will be played in Guyana.

Although buoyant following the successes in the Tests, West Indies also have issues over player avail-

ability. Regular opener Evin Lewis is not undergoing a fitness test as had been requested by the selectors, middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer is nursing an injury while all-rounder Fabian Allen has been granted leave of absence after originally being selected in the white ball squads.

Teams (probable): West Indies: Nicholas Pooran

(capt), Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Devon Thomas (wkt), Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Odean Smith, Obed McCoy. Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (capt), Shakib al Hasan, Liton Das, Anamul Haque, Munim Shahriar, Nurul Hasan (wkt), Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed.

Nadal centre stage at Wimbledon as Covid forces third withdrawal LoNDoN Agencies

Rafael Nadal tops the bill at Wimbledon on Thursday after Roberto Bautista Agut became the third player to withdraw from the Championships following a positive coronavirus test. In early results on the fourth day of the tournament, women’s fourth seed Paula Badosa set up a third-round clash against two-time winner Petra Kvitova.

Second seed Nadal, hunting a rare calendar Grand Slam, takes on Lithuanian journeyman Ricardas Berankis in the second round on Centre Court with his path to the semi-finals opening up.

Spanish 17th seed Bautista Agut became the third potential dangerman in Nadal’s half of the draw to pull out with Covid, following the withdrawals of 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini and 2017 finalist Marin Cilic.

“Today I have notified @Wimbledon of my withdrawal. I have tested positive for Covid-19,” tweeted the 34-year-old Bautista Agut, a semi-finalist in 2019.

“Fortunately, the symptoms are not very serious, but I think it is the best decision. Thanks for your support.

I hope to come back soon.”

His exit means that Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan receives a walkover into the last 32. Wimbledon was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic while the 2021 edition was run at reduced capacity with players confined to a bubble, but this year it is back to business as usual at the All England Club.

Nadal has also benefited from a shock first-round exit for Canada’s sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who took him to five sets at the French Open.

The major threat to the Spaniard’s hopes for a third Wimbledon crown on his side of the draw is Greek

Australia loses Head after heavy rain collapses stand at Galle Test

Sports festival for persons with different abilities held in Mardan PESHAWAR stAff RepoRt

A sports festival was organized in Mardan under the auspices of the Directorate General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for persons with different abilities to search out new talent in different games.

Assistant Director Sports Operations Zakirullah Khan, District Sports Officer Abzar Muhammad graced the occasion as guests and formally inaugurated the Games.

He was accompanied by International player and coach Zawar Noor, Ayaz Khan, District Sports Officer Abzar Muhammad and Regional Sports Officer Niamat Ullah Marwat.

Cash and other prizes were also distributed among the players.

In the cricket match played on

Thursday Mardan White defeated Mardan Green.

Mardan Green won the toss and elected to bat first by setting up 64 runs for the loss of three wickets in 10 overs and in replay Mardan White chased the target

fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who plays Australia’s Jordan Thompson.

Nadal, 36, is halfway to a calendar Slam after winning the Australian Open and French Open this year.

The feat has not been achieved since 1969.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion struggled with crippling foot pain at Roland Garros but has received treatment aimed at reducing the pain and was moving freely in his first-round match on Tuesday. Seeds are also tumbling on the other side of the men’s draw, with notable early losers including third seed Casper Ruud and last year’s semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz.

BAdoSA SEtS up KvItovA cLASh: In the women’s tournament, Badosa beat Romania’s Irina Bara 6-3, 6-2 while Czech 25th seed Kvitova came through 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) against Ana Bogdan, also from Romania.

Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, blew a 5-1 lead in the second set but held her nerve to come out on top in the tie-break.

Badosa said she expected a tough contest against Kvitova, who won the Eastbourne tournament on grass last week. “She plays very well on grass,” said the Spaniard. “She won last week.

for the loss of three wickets in just 7-3 overs and thus won the match by seven wickets.

Ataullah of Mardan White made a hat-trick while Asad scored 26 runs with three boundaries.

GALLE, SRI LANKA: The second day’s play of the opening Test between Sri Lanka and Australia began Thursday afternoon after a long rain delay that caused a spectator stand to collapse in Galle. Two sessions have been scheduled for an extended day with 59 overs instead of the usual 90, weather and light permitting. Australia resumed on 98 for three but soon lost Travis Head on his overnight six with Dhananjaya de Silva getting the batsman caught and bowled. Usman Khawaja, on 48, was joined by Cameron Green. The tourists were 101-4 after two overs. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon claimed five wickets to bowl out Sri Lanka for 212 on a turning pitch on the first day’s play. The hosts soon hit back with off-spinner Ramesh Mendis taking two wickets, including David Warner for 25 Steve Smith was run out in a dramatic final session on day one. Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and chose to bat first at the start of the two-match series. South-westerly winds raging across the Indian ocean battered the port city, upending broadcast equipment and one of the sightscreens at the ground. The makeshift roof of one of the ground’s smaller stands was also brought down by the storm. No injuries have been reported. Agencies

PCB introduces separate red & white-ball central contracts for elite players RAWALPINDI stAff RepoRt

As part of its strategy to incentivise, reward and encourage high-performing elite cricketers and to narrow the gap in salaries compared to players of other countries, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced men’s central contract lists for 2022-23, which comes into effect

from Friday (July, 1).

For the first time, the PCB has introduced separate red and whiteball contracts, while four more players have been added to the Emerging Category. This means a total of 33 players, 13 more than the previous season, have received contracts for the next 12 months.

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam, along with Hasan Ali,

Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been awarded both red and white-ball contracts.

Amongst the 10 players who have received red-ball contracts, Azhar Ali has been promoted to Category A, Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah have been placed in Category C for the first time along with Saud Shakeel, who has been awarded Category D. Fawad Alam and Nauman Ali have been retained in Category B and C, respectively, whereas Abid Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shan Masood and Yasir Shah have been handed Category D contracts.

Eleven limited-over specialists have been awarded white-ball contracts. Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, who were in Category B in 2021-22, have been awarded Category A contracts, while Haris Rauf has been promoted to Category B. Mohammad Nawaz has been retained in Category C. Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir have been promoted from Emerging to Category D where they are joined by first-timers Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Zahid Mehmood.

In the Emerging Category, the PCB as part of its strategy to encour-

age, develop and incentivise up-andcoming domestic performers, has increased the number of players from three to seven.

Players in the Emerging Category are: Ali Usman, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira, Qasim Akram and Salman Ali Agha.

“I want to congratulate all those who have earned central contracts for the 2022-23 season, especially our four younger players who have received red-ball contracts for the first time as part of our vision and strategy to identify, groom and develop specialists for the traditional and purist format of the game,”

Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim said at a news conference here at Pindi Cricket Stadium .

“I understand there will be a few disappointed players who have missed out on contracts, but I want to reiterate that we are not limiting and restricting ourselves to these 33 players. As and when required, players from outside the list will be included.

“We have also expanded our category of emerging cricketers from three to seven as it is very important for us to groom those cricketers who have potential to make it to the top level and give an incentive to those players who have excelled in our domestic tournaments,” he added.

Friday, 1 July, 2022

prayer timings

NEWS

Imran KHan Can faCe trIaL Under artICLe 6: marrIyUm iSLAMABAD

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staff report

INISTER for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday said Imran Khan could face treason charges for subverting the Constitution to prevent his ouster from the power through the vote on no-confidence motion.

“Imran Khan has been saying that he was asking the neutrals to intervene. This is the case of Article 6 for violating the Constitution,” she said while addressing a news conference here.

She said the people was asking Imran Khan as to why he did not dissolve the national and provincial assemblies and initiate an inquiry by setting up a commission on the so-called foreign conspiracy if he received the cipher on March 8.

The minister said if he knew on March 8 that an international conspiracy had been hatched against his government, he should have formed the commission at once. Imran Khan did not hold inquiry into the matter as he knew that it was a “blatant lie” which he started propagating after foreseeing his imminent defeat in the no-confidence motion tabled by the then opposition in the National Assembly.

As regards the PTI’s chief announcement for challenging the Lahore High Court decision on the Punjab Chief Minister’s election, Marriyum said Imran Khan had ceded high moral ground for filing an appeal before the apex court which had already decided against his constitutional transgression with 5-0.

According to that decision of apex court, she said Imran Khan did violate the Constitution by influencing the NA Speaker, Governor Punjab and other representatives of the government, while the ruling of the then deputy speaker was declared unconstitutional. It was Imran who also did contempt of the apex court by inciting his workers to violate the orders and reach the D-chowk during the long march of May 25, she added.

She regretted that the media misreported the LHC decision on the election of CM Punjab. “This is not a good tra-

dition as it is tantamount to disinformation and the public was misled through misreporting on the matter.”

“The media has to take the responsibility,” she said, adding CM Punjab Hamza Shehbaz had not been removed from the office, nor was his election declared null and void, and also Usman Buzdar was not restored as CM Punjab.

According to the Article 130, Section 4, she said it was continuation of the previous election under which the CM had to get elected by securing majority vote in the assembly. “Hamza Shehbaz Sahib is CM Punjab until the re-voting , which is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) 4pm.

All the decisions, which would be taken by Hamza Shehbaz as CM Punjab till 4pm, were protected by the law and constitution, she maintained.

Taking a dig at the PTI leaders for distributing sweets and dancing on drum beats soon after the announcement of the decision by the LHC, she said they took u-turn and announced to challenge it in the apex court.

The minister said Imran Khan had a problem of not accepting his defeat as it was on record as to how he attacked the institutions after his ouster from the office of prime minister.

Imran Khan said that he should not be kicked out of the Prime Minister’s office as he was not to blame for the infla-

tion. He did not only cause inflation, but robbed every department to make money, she observed.

“Vested interests are those when the prime minister distributes diamonds, purchases lands and takes commission on every transfer and posting of civil servants through his front person Farah Gogi,” she said while lashing out at Imran Khan for saying that the PML-N came into the power to achieve personal gains.

Vested interests were fulfilled by Imran Khan by running the Bani Gala like “Money Gala” and patronizing the mafias and cartels, the minister added.

She said Imran Khan, who imposed on the country as prime minister for four years, could not prove a single accusation against PM Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif despite enjoying all the executive powers and setting up the asset recovering unit in the PM Office.

He had no right to compare himself with Nawaz Sharif who became PM thrice with the power of people vote and gave them motorway, abundant electricity, gas and economic growth.

She said ironically Imran Khan, who mourned his incompetency and failures today, accused others of misuse of authority, money laundering and corruption and regarded them thief. He sent his opponents and media persons to the death

cells by influencing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and, even the anti-narcotics department, she added.

Before raising finger over the NAB law tweaks, Imran Khan, who came into the power after alleged failure of Result Transmission System (RTS), should better read the decisions of the courts in the cases which he filed against his political opponents fraudulently.

Be it was the decision in the case of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or Hamza Shehbaz or Maryam Nawaz or Saad Rafique or Rana Sanaullah, or others, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government did not challenge a single case in the apex court.

All the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leaders were exonerated and given bail by the courts in these cases after no corruption, kickbacks, and embezzlement were found, she said, adding “It is written in the case of Khwaja Saad Rafique that the NAB was used for political engineering. So, it is my duty to inform the public about correct news and incompetency of Imran Khan.”

She said Imran Khan, while being into the power, violated the human rights and did political victimization just to satisfy his ego. They sent fabricated record to the National Crime Agency UK accusing Shehbaz Sharif of money laundering, but faced sheer embarrassment when nothing was found.

In the PTI government’s tenure, she said the NAB failed to produce a single evidence before the court to prove corruption against the PML-N leaders, while the party’s counsel Naeem Bukhari, himself, withdrew appeal against the bail of PM Shehbaz Sharif.

She said withdrawal of appeal was tantamount to the admission that the decision to give Shehbaz Sharif was right.

The minister said it did not end here as Shehzad Akbar, who was actually heading Imran Khan’s asset making unit in the PM office, planted a fake story against PM Shehbaz Sharif through a foreign journalist David Rose. All the details of political witch-hunting were part of the official record.

Govt increases petrol prices by Rs14.85 per liter iSLAMABAD staff report

The government on Thursday announced an increase of Rs14.85 per liter in the price of petrol effective from July 1, 2022.

“In view of the fluctuations in petroleum prices in the international market and exchange rate variation, the government has decided to apply petroleum levy partially and revise the existing prices of petroleum products as agreed with the development partners,” a statement released by the Finance Ministry stated.

The price of petrol has been increased from

Rs233.89 per liter to Rs.248.74 per liter. Likewise, the price of high speed diesel has been increased from Rs263.31 to Rs276.54, an increase of Rs13.23 per liter.

Similarly, the price of kerosene oil has been increased by Rs18.83 per liter, from Rs211.43 to Rs230.26 whereas the price of light diesel oil (LDO) has been increased by Rs18.68 per liter, from Rs207.47 to Rs226.15.

Earlier on Wednesday, the government passed Rs50 PL for every litre of petroleum products in the Finance Bill 2022-23 as demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The ex-depot prices of both fuels have

been calculated based on their international market rates from June 14-28.

During the period under review, the price of crude oil fell by $2.59/barrel; however, the price of products i.e., diesel and petrol went up by $3.66 per barrel.

The fall in the prices of crude oil won’t benefit the consumers in the domestic market as the prices of diesel and petrol are linked to the global prices of these products rather than crude oil under the import parity price (IPP) mechanism. Various reports have stated that the government won’t impose GST. However, if slapped, it wouldn’t be charged at the high rate of 17% in the next fortnight and would be increased gradually.

iSLAMABAD PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced on Thursday that the party will approach the Supreme Court on Friday (today) against the Lahore High Court verdict in a case against Hamza Shahbaz’s election as Punjab’s chief minister.

Addressing a seminar in Islamabad, Khan questioned how could Hamza Shehbaz remain the chief minister when the court had agreed that the electoral process through which he came into power was “flawed”.

In a major development today, the LHC ordered recounting of the votes of the Punjab chief minister’s election, excluding the votes of 25 PTI dissidents, while announcing the verdict on the PTI’s pleas challenging Hamza’s election as the chief minister.

As per the verdict, Hamza will continue to hold the office of the chief minister if he retains the majority of votes even after excluding the dissidents’ votes.

However, the PTI has decided to challenge the LHC’s verdict in the apex court to delay the election process.

It is worth mentioning that the PTI had approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to notify the five reserved seats to the party members which were empty after the dissident members were denotified by the commission.

“Due to this, our five members will not be able to cast their votes,” said Khan.

Foreign conspiracy Speaking about the alleged “foreign conspiracy”, Khan said that he wishes that the Supreme Court forms a judicial commission, adding that the PTI has “all data regarding who visited which embassy.”

“If a judicial inquiry is conducted, the truth will be unveiled,” he said, lamenting that how can anyone insult the prime minister of 220 million people.

He revealed that President Arif Alvi has sent the cypher to the Supreme Court for an inquiry, adding that beneficiaries of the “regime

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LHC’s verdict to end constitutional crisis in Punjab: Hamza LAHORE staff report

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz has hailed the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict on election of Punjab chief minister, saying that the decision will end the three-month-long constitutional crisis in the province.

In a statement, Hamza Shehbaz said his party would respect the court’s decisions, ordering the re-counting of votes for the election of Punjab’s chief minister held on April 16.

The Punjab Chief Minister further said that the opposition parties pushed the province into a constitutional crisis for thier own interest. “The citizens had to bear the brunt of this constitutional crisis,” he said, adding: “It is my responsibility to provide relief to the citizens.”

The PML-N leader hoped that the Lahore High Court’s order will prove to be good omen for the people of Punjab. “Those who violated the constitution and the law are still against the LHC’s decision,” he added. Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered a recount of votes in election of Hamza Shahbaz as chief minister of Punjab, in a landmark verdict.

Pakistan attaches great importance to ties with US: Sanaullah ISLAMABAD: Assistant Secretary of United State for Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INLEA) Mr Todd D. Robinson called on Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah here Thursday. Pak-US bilateral relations besides other issues of mutual interests came under discussion during the meeting. Both the sides expressed satisfaction over the completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the United States, said a statement issued here.

They also stressed the need for a broad-based dialogue to promote relations between Pakistan and the United States. Money laundering, drug trafficking prevention and illegal human trafficking issues also came under discussion. Todd D. Robinson said Pakistan and the United States have a long-lasting relationship.

Pakistan’s efforts to curb money laundering and drug trafficking were commendable, he added.

He said both Pakistan and the US Drug Enforcement Administration were pleased to have completed 40 years of relations. We would continue to provide technical and financial assistance to Pakistan for drug prevention, he added. Interior Minister said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the United States. The United States was Pakistan’s largest trading partner, he added.

He said Pakistan has unanimously passed the necessary legislation in Parliament to curb money laundering. The legislation would pay way to remove Pakistan from the FATF’s gray list, he added.

Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan has done an exemplary job to curb money laundering. An anti-money laundering directorate has already been set up at the FIA headquarters, he added.

He said Anti-money laundering police stations have been set up at FIA zonal level.

Pakistan has fully implemented 34 FATF Action Plans, he added. He expressed the hope that with such measures, Pakistan would be removed from the FATF gray list in October. He said the Pakistan Coast Guard has played a key role in curbing drug trafficking through sea routes. Partnering with the INLEA would further improve drug prevention, he said. staff report

PTI going to challenge LHC verdict in SC: Imran staff report

FAJR SUNRISE 4:10

change do not want an inquiry to be held.”

Shedding light on the rising inflation in the country, the former prime minister said that he, along with ex-finance minister Shaukat Tarin, had warned the “neutrals” that if the economy collapsed, the country would not be able to recover.

“Today, inflation has reached sky-high levels, while the economy has collapsed,” he told the people attending the seminar.

PA SPEAKER REFUTES FAKE NEWS: Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi confirmed that they [PTI and PML-Q] have still not decided to boycott the elections, categorically terming all news circulating regarding the boycott “fake and baseless.”

Elahi mentioned that a total of 11 PTI members were out of the country and it may take time for them to return.

Sources revealed that five of the PTI assembly members have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, while six of them have gone abroad for some important matters.

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