Epaper_22-07-04 LHR

Monday, 4 July, 2022 I 4 Zil hajj, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII no 365 I 48 Pages I Lahore edition

PM Shehbaz for Making all Power PlantS functional

LAHORE

P

Staff RepoRt

RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for making the shut-down power plants functional and sought a report

entailing clear reasons over the load-shedding.

The prime minister chaired an important meeting to overcome the issues of power load-shedding and energy crises.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State for Petroleum Mussadiq Malik whereas, Minister for Energy Engineer Khurram Dastagir, Minister for

Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, MNA, and PM’s Special Assistant on Public Policy/Strategic Communications Fahad Hussain participated the meeting via videolink. The relevant authorities also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the steps to resolve the ongoing power crises in the country were discussed.

The prime minister also directed for resolution of the issues of provinces regarding provision of drinking water and agriculture facilities on priority basis. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) was told to take an independent decision after mutual consultation of the provinces.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a bus accident near Zhob in Balochistan province.The prime minister expressing their condolences with the bereaved families, prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls.

They also prayed for the early recovery of the injured ones.The prime minister directed for immediate and best treatment to those injured in the mishap and stressed that all efforts should be made in this regard.According to media reports, a Quetta bound bus from Islamabad met an accident near Zhob, killing several passengers and leaving scores of others injured.

Govt acquired evidence on PTI’s apology made to Donald Lu, claims Kh Asif ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif Sunday claimed that the PTI had sought apology to the US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu and the federal government had acquired all the record in this regard.

In a statement issued here, Asif said that the government had got entire record of a meeting of the PTI leader and apology submitted to the US government.

“The one who used to raise antiAmerica slogans is now seeking forgiveness. Imran Khan has sent a message that he has committed a blunder and the contacts must resume from where disconnected,” says the statement.

He said Imran Khan had sent a message through the US envoy that he wanted to repair the relationship with the US. “Imran has been exposed and he is now seeking forgiveness from Donald Lu,” he claimed.

InfLATIon, LoAD-sheDDInG GIfTs of PTI’s fAuLTy PoLIcIes: Separately, the minister told media dur-

ing his visit to newly-constructed Shahabpura flyover in Sialkot that people were suffering from inflation and load-shedding due to faulty policies of the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

“We have inherited inflation, which is the result of wrong policies of the previous government,” he said while talking to the media during his visit to newly-constructed Shahabpura flyover here.

The federal minister said: “We are fully aware of inflation and the fact that oil, gas and coal prices are at all-time high, but we are determined that we will be able to overcome the crises.” He said that election would be held in 2023 for which the PML-N would go to people and then the people would decide who should rule the country.

The federal minister said that national institutions supported Imran Khan’s government for four years in the hope that he would start delivering and serving masses, but he failed badly. He said the PML-N had also respected the law and Constitution of the country.

Kh Asif said that the national in-

stitutions wanted to stay within their constitutional limits, but regrettably Imran Khan wanted to divide them.

He said that even the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decisions, given in accordance with the Constitution, were not acceptable to him [Imran Khan]. He wanted to weaken the nuclear power Pakistan and its institutions. He said all doors of power were closing on Imran Khan one after the other.

About the flyover project, Kh Asif said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif would visit Sialkot soon and formally inaugurate the Shahabpura flyover project.

He said that the project was started by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, and it was also completed by the PML-N. He said: “I am grateful to all departments concerned and local authorities for their efforts to complete the project.”

He said that the previous PTI government, in its almost four-year tenure, did not lay even a single brick in Sialkot district. However, due to special efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, the project had been completed now. He regretted that the project had been put on hold during the last four years.

The defence minister said that the project was very important for Sialkot and its residents. The flyover would significantly improve the traffic flow in Sialkot city, he added. He announced that an underpass would also be constructed from KFC stop to Kotli-Bahram Chowk for smooth flow of traffic in the city.

red notice to be issued to bring back farah gogi: tarar LAHORE Staff RepoRt

PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar on Sunday announced that “red warrants” — an Interpol red notice — would be pursued to bring back Farhat Shahzadi, alias Farah Gogi, what he called a close aide of PTI chief Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi.

A red notice is an international request sent to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) seeking the arrest and extradition of an individual.

Just two days ago, the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment booked Farah and her mother and arrested two others in a case concerning the allegedly illegal allotment of two industrial plots, measuring 10 acres, to a company owned by her.

The plots were allotted on a subsidised rate offered by the government that was Rs83 million but their market value was about Rs600 million.

Reportedly, Farah left the country following Imran’s ouster from power amid serious allegations of corruption levelled against her by the opposition.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore alongside Punjab Law Minister Malik Ahmed Khan, Tarar also took aim at the former premier’s wife and played an audio clip featuring an alleged conversation between Bushra Bibi and PTI’s social media head Arsalan Khalid, in which the former issues instructions to the latter on labelling political opponents as “traitors”.

Malik Ahmed Khan said that Pakistan has no threat of any foreign conspiracy but Imran Khan’s internal conspiracy. While lashing out at the PTI Chairman said that Imran Khan started hurling insults against the institutions after his government was ousted.

The PTI Chairman claimed of a foreign conspiracy against his regime. Carrying on with the criticism he posed questions saying that if there was a letter as claimed by Imran Khan then why didn’t he summoned the country’s ambassador and why didn’t Imran Khan wrote a response to this country? He explained that the PTI Chairman presents himself as an honest and true person but the reality is that Imran Khan keeps inventing new lies. “Imran Khan considers himself a pioneer of truth and other political parties as ignorant,” he added. Mailk Ahmed Khan said the PTI chairman hatched an internal conspiracy by faking a foreign conspiracy. He further accused the former Prime Minister of corruption. Talking about the Toshakhana case he added that Imran Khan sold the gifts from Toshakhana. There is no better name for the PTI Chairman than ‘Tosha Khan’, he mocked. According to Malik Ahmed Khan, the previous PTI government did nothing but corruption, they have been stealing from people in the name of public service. PTI has always violated the constitution. “We don’t object to Imran Khan’s politics as long as it’s within the constitutional limits,” he said.

Army chief appointment will be on time, as per procedure: sanaullah FAISALABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Sunday said that the appointment of the army chief will be held on time and as per the prescribed procedure.

Speaking during a ceremony in Faisalabad, the home minister commented on the increasing inflation in the country and said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had “red-marked” Pakistan after the Imran Khan-led government increased subsidies. He maintained that the global money-lender was “adamant that subsidies should be reduced to zero,” if Pakistan were to revive the $6 billion bailout programme.

Rana Sanaullah said that agreements inked by the PTI government had

become a major problem for the government as it had to honour these agreements to revive the IMF program and save Pakistan from default.

He was addressing the ceremony of distribution cheques of welfare grant, talent scholarship and marriage grant among workers in the auditorium of Faisalabad Medical University.

Rana Sana Ullah put the onus of inflation on the bad governance of previous government and said that it failed to take appropriate measures to facilitate the masses. However, he was optimistic that present government was committed to control the inflation and people would witness a visible positive change in their life just within next six months.

He said that PML-N had credit to control load-shedding and terrorism

and the issue of inflation was very easy for it to handle through its skilled and visionary leadership. He underlined the importance of workers in national economy and said that Rs.3.5 billion were being distributed among the workers as government fully understood their problems in this age of inflation. This amount would be disbursed among the workers on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha as they remained deprived of their legitimate rights during last 3.5 years of PTI government, he added.

He said that it was very shameful that previous government had failed to allocate funds for welfare of the workers despite of resources. He said that last 3.5 years were the worst period for the workers but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz im-

mediately started work to facilitate the common man. He quoted his recent meeting with IG Police Islamabad and said that our priority was to focus on the common man. “We are not responsible for the inflation. It is only due to incompetence of previous government who first inked the agreement and then violated it which irritated the donors and they withheld the sanctioned amount,” he added. He said that inflation was directly linked with increase in the prices of petroleum products.

“We decided to increase prices of petroleum products with heavy heart as there was no other option for us because the previous government had made a clear commitment with IMF to increase the prices”, he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

02-03 NEWS 4 JULY_Layout 1 7/4/2022 1:16 AM Page 1

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Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

GoVt LiKeLY to AutHoRiSe oMCS to Set pRiCeS oF poL pRoDuCtS ISLAMABAD

t

AhMAD AhMADANI

HE government is likely to authorise oil marketing companies (OMCs) to set future oil prices, a move that is expected to deflect the public’s criticism over price hikes in petroleum (POL) products.

According to sources, the government is considering a complete deregulation of POL prices, authorising OMCs to make decisions in this regard.

According to details, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) former prime minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi, has advised secretary Petroleum Division to prepare a summary which will be presented before Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif during the next week.

“Once approved by the premier, the summary would be floated in the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee

(ECC) to seek its necessary approval,” sources said.

They added that the government is set to completely deregulate OMCs, petroleum dealers’ margins and Inland Freight Equalisation Margin (IFEM), which is levied in the per litre prices of POL for transportation of POL in the country. Sources said that if the ECC grants its approval to authorise OMCs to set oil prices then the government’s authority to decide oil prices will effectively witness an end.

At present, IFEM on petrol is at Rs4.59 per litre and Rs2.26/litre on high speed diesel (HSD). Similarly, OMCs margin on petrol and HSD is at Rs3.68/litre while dealers’ margin on petrol is at Rs4.90/litre and Rs4.13/litre on diesel (HSD).

It is relevant to note here that prices of petroleum products across the country will vary if OMCs are given authority to set prices in line with international practices.

Rs1.9b released for 13 petroleum sector projects in FY22

The Shehbaz-led coalition government has been facing severe criticism from the public for jacking up the prices of petroleum products massively. So far, the

incumbent government has approved four price hikes, totaling a massive Rs99.15/litre in petrol and Rs 132.39/litre in increase in the price of HSD.

ECP appoints 525 RAs to dispose of objections on electoral rolls by July 9

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

INP

APP

The government has released funds amounting to Rs1.9 billion to execute seven ongoing and six new petroleumrelated projects during the last fiscal year under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 202122) against a total allocation of Rs3.2 billion. As per details, out of the total disbursement of Rs1,949.72 million, around Rs586.54 million have been spent on petroleum projects to accelerate oil and gas exploration activities and achieve self-sufficiency in the energy sector. As per the PSDP document, funds amounting to Rs1.4 billion had been earmarked for seven ongoing schemes, out of which Rs263 million were meant for the establishment of the National Minerals Data Centre (NMDC), Rs345.321 for the expansion and up-gradation of Pakistan Petroleum Core House (PETCORE), Rs30 million for geological mapping on 50 toposheets, out of 354 unmapped toposheets of outcrop area of Balochistan, Rs385 million for strengthening and upgradation of Karachi Laboratories Complex (KLC) at HDIP Operations Office, Rs76.580 million for the supply of 13.5 MMCFD gas at zero point of Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Rs230 million for the supply of 30 MMCFD gas at zero point of Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Rs143.446 million for up-gradation of POL testing facilities of HDIP at Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta as well as ISO Certification of Petroleum Testing Laboratory at Islamabad. Similarly, for six new schemes, the government had earmarked Rs1.7 billion in the PSDP, out of which Rs40 million were kept for the development of Strategic Underground Gas Storages (SUGS) – hiring of consultancy services for bankable feasibility study and transaction advisory services (PCII), Rs30 million for legal consultancy services for drafting a model mineral agreement and updating the regulatory framework of federal and provincial minerals/coal departments prepared by mineral wing, Petroleum Division, Rs40 million for Pakistan National Research Programme (PNRP) on geological hazards – data acquisition along active faults and identification of potential landslides hotspot zones, Rs73.447 million for the supply of 10 MMCFD RLNG to Bostan SEZ, Rs149.410 million for the supply of 13 MMCFD RLNG to Bin Qasim Industrial Park and Rs785 million for the supply of 40 MMCFD gas/RLNG to Allama Iqbal Industrial City SEZ.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has appointed 525 officials as Revising Authorities (RAs) to dispose of claims and objections of the citizens on draft electoral rolls by July 9.

The RAs have been tasked to complete the verification of the entries and proposed corrections in the voters lists and removing allegations filed by individual voters as well as the political parties before Eid-ul-Azha, an ECP official told APP. The data entry of the verified voters would be started from July 15 and likely to be culminated by July 25.

While final electoral rolls for General elections would be published on August 25, 2022.

The ECP had displayed the voters’ lists from May 21 to June 30 at 20,159 display centres at prominent places including schools, colleges of the division and offices of registration officers, assistant registration officers and display centres at circle level. Out of total 20,159 display centres, 12,037 had been established in Punjab, 3,609 in Sindh, 3,040 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 1,473 in Balochistan for the publication of preliminary electoral rolls for the general election. The basic aim of displaying these lists was to provide an opportunity to people to get theirs and their family’s votes registered in their respective areas in case they were not enlisted in preliminary list.

Chitral beats Gilgit as curtain falls on Shandur Polo festival ISLAMABAD GhulAM AbbAs

The three-day Shandur polo festival held at the world’s highest polo ground concluded on Sunday.

During the thrilling final match between Chitral polo team and Gilgit-Baltistan team, the former clinched the coveted trophy as it wins the tournament by one goal.

The Chitral team scored 10 goals against 9 goals of rival team Gilgit.

The internationally famed polo game is organized annually at the world’s highest playground situated between Ghizer of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Apart from polo matches, the mega event also featured traditional, cultural and adventurous activities including music and dances at the world highest polo ground at Shandur.

The polo is the most famous game across GilgitBaltistan and Chitral in KP, which has also been the best source of entertainment for thousands of tourists visiting the mountainous region in summer.

Formally launched in 1982, the Shandur festival was included in the calendar of national events by the government and it is started in the first week of July every

year.

This year, the festival started with a colorful opening ceremony. Paratroopers and paragliders received special tributes from the crowd at the inaugural ceremony jointly organized by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Frontier Corps North.

Three matches were played between different teams on the first day. Civil and military officials and local administration officials attended the event while a large number of tourists from all over the country also enjoyed the festival.

Squads marched past the opening ceremony while students from different schools recited the national anthem. Folk artists also performed Kalash, Chitral, and Khattak dances and songs during the opening ceremony.

In the previous years, the festival was suspended in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was held this year with the coordination of the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.

Earlier a controversy was reported over hosting the event by both KP and GB as the playground situated in an area equally claimed by the two provincial governments. However it was later decided to be organized in coordination with both governments and other institutions.

Not just heat in the air CITY NOTES M A NIAZI

There seems to be a strange sort of violence in the air. Over the border, there are riots taking place over the killing of a Hindu tailor, Kanhaiya Lal, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, because he retweeted blasphemous remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), originally uttered by Nupur Sharma, the BJP spokesperson who started the whole affair by her blasphemous remarks on a TV show. The two men who killed him have also been arrested.

I personally was fearful for her life, not because it had been threatened, but by remembering that there were six years between the original blasphemy by

Mahashe Rajpal in 1923 and his killing by Ghazi Ilam Din Shaheed in 1929. Just because she’s alive doesn’t mean she’s off the hook. But this is the first I’ve heard of someone being killed for a retweet.

It made me realise that this is the first blasphemy in the age of social media.

Nobody was out here retweeting Rajpal’s stuff. Even Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses were a little early for social media, not to mention the copyright issues. Back in the day, though, if the Internet had been there, the first thing that would happen would have been some bright spark putting the offending pamphlet on the Net, probably as a pdf file.

Blasphemy, it seems, has never been easier. The cases where one person has

dreamed that another person has blasphemed are still rare, but one woman has been killed for such blasphemy. This must be a result of the Internet age, where the concept of virtual blasphemy crept in.

I mean, when you murder someone, you actually have stab or shoot him or her; if you steal, you have to physically take away something tangible. But when you blaspheme, you just have to utter words. It’s like slander or libel in that respect. And as the recent court case has proved, even Johnny Depp’s reputation is valuable.

And in the same way, the attack on Ayaz Amir showed that our tendency to violence is growing. Well, the attack on him came after he targeted three bodies when addressing a seminar on regime change.

Manufacturing facilities for HAVAL CKD units completed LAHORE DANIyAl AhMAD

Sazgar Engineering Works Limited (SAZEW) has notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) about their completion of the manufacturing facilities for vehicles with trial operations commencing from July 15 and commercial production on October 1.

According to the details, this expansion seems likely looking at the Rs32 million and Rs17 million increase in SAZEW in its property, plant and equipment, and long term financing from its December 2021 to March 2022 quarterly reports. SAZEW, based out of Lahore, is currently the largest threewheel/rickshaw manufacturer by sales, according to the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA). It diversified into automobiles through jointventures with BAIC and Great Wall Motors (GWM) in 2021 with the subsequent launches of the H6 and Jolion, and the BAIC BJ40 Plus respectively. SAZEW introduced its automobiles in the later half of 2021, however, they have had considerable success that is evident by looking at their quarterly reports from December 2021 and March 2022. Four wheelers now account for 58% of all revenue generated during this time period. SAZEW seeks to further their success by localizing the H6 and Jolion like the BAIC BJ40 Plus. Earlier in May, SAZEW had hinted about the decision to localise; however, no official notification for advance bookings have been made yet. The CKD variants are likely to bring with them additional features not available on the CBU units, alongside the hybrid variants of both vehicles. Localising the portfolio may also enable SAZEW to stabilise the prices of the HAVAL portfolio by decoupling them from the constraints associated with CBUs. The Jolion and H6 have witnessed three and four price increases respectively.

Religious ministry gets subsidy amount for pilgrims: Mufti Shakoor MECCA APP

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor on Sunday said his ministry had received the amount of subsidy after approval of the federal cabinet for Hajj pilgrims. To reduce Hajj expenses for lowincome groups, the federal government had approved a Rs 150,000 subsidy for each pilgrim traveling to Saudi Arabia. In a briefing meeting with Pakistan Hajj Mission Officials in Mecca, he said the subsidy amount would be transferred to the respective accounts of pilgrims after they returned home. Ministry of Religious Affairs Senior Joint Secretary Alamgir Ahmad Khan, Director General Hajj Abrar Mirza, Director Hajj Mecca Sajid Manzoor Asadi, and other officials were present on the occasion. The DG and Director Hajj Makkah briefed the minister on Hajj arrangements including accommodation, food and transport facilities to Pakistani pilgrims in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. The religious minister expressed satisfaction over the arrangements being provided to the pilgrims and directed the Pakistan Hajj Mission Officials to make all-out efforts to provide best possible facilities to the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. He directed the officials to immediately rectify any shortcomings in the Hajj arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims.

First, he addressed the PTI itself, then property dealers and then sensitive institutions. That’s a nexus that is very powerful. But personally I think the PTI is falling down by not blaming Nawaz Sharif.

What motive could he possibly have? What Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello is supposed to have had, according to one critic: motiveless malignity.

The weather is keeping pace with all of this, and is showing a sort of motiveless malignity of its own. Well, motiveless is probably not the right word. Mindless is.

But I don’t think there’s any malignity involved. After all, the weather has never been concerned with whether people can tolerate it. And it’s all relative.

Certain portions of the earth prevent human survival, like the Arctic or Antarctic, or the Sahara Desert. With global warming, the ice-wastes will shrink, and the deserts grow. Lots of places where people can live, they will no longer be able. And then there’ll be hidden costs. Houses designed

for a climate which has a winter may be rendered redundant, as winter disappears.

I wonder whether they’ll need a new Punjab Assembly. The present one yielded a CM with some difficulty, and the Lahore High Court has obliged Hamza Sehehbaz to face a fresh election. The date set is beyond that of the by-elections for the 27 seats vacated by disqualification.

Of course, Hamza would have to fall on his sword if any of those by-elections were to be lost. Even when one’s government does not depend on it, a CM makes sure that by-elections are won by his side. If his party already held the seat, it must be with an increased majority.

CMs are not supposed to hesitate at the kind of rigging that Imran fears will happen.

They must do what it takes to ensure positive results. I’m afraid that the human tsunami generated by the Parade Ground rally may not be enough to stop that rigging.

Imran’s biggest danger is that the Pakistani voter might play a treacherous role.

02-03 NEWS 4 JULY_Layout 1 7/4/2022 1:16 AM Page 2

Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

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DeSpite FuNDS ReLeASe, AARi FAiLS to DeVeLop CLiMAte ReSiLieNt opVS oF VeGetAbLeS LAHORE

D

shAhAb OMer

ESPITE funds release by the Punjab Agriculture Department, the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad failed to complete a project regarding development of hybrids and openpollinated varieties (OPVs) of vegetables resilient to climate change.

According to the documents available with Pakistan Today, the project was started to improve vegetable farming technology, specify responsibilities for better output and divide research activities on crops

according to their production areas.

The project was started in October 2019 with a gestation period of 36 months and cost of the project PC-I was estimated to be Rs250 million.

The documents stated that the project will benefit at large the vegetable growers, farmers and public & private seed sector. Initially the project was started in Faisalabad, Layyah and Sahiwal.

As per the documents, there was a gap between actual physical and planned physical progress of 55 percent and also the utilization of funds was quite slow resulting in slow progress of this project.

The documents also stated that despite 76 percent funds released only 37 percent were utilized and the

project was bound to complete after 3 months.

“Physical progress is also lagging behind and it will not be possible to complete the project within 3 months. Botanists for the project could not be hired yet resulting in the slow progress of research work.

Estimated Cost of Polycarbonate Tunnel was Rs50 million as per PC I but department now said it will be possible only to be completed in Rs105.3 million,” documents stated.

Ali Hassan who is the assistant botanist Vegetable Research Station Karor Layyah, informed Pakistan Today that in fact the hiring process on the project was slow due to which the project was delayed.

Rain, thundershower likely in various parts of country today: PMD ISLAMABAD APP

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has indicated chances of rain-wind-thundershower in Sindh, Balochistan, Kashmir, northeast Punjab and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.

While hot and humid weather is expected in most districts of the country. In Islamabad, hot and humid weather is expected with chances of rain-wind and thundershower.

In Punjab, hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the province. However, rainwind/thundershower is expected in Pothohar region, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Multan, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the province. However, rainwind/thundershower is expected in Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan and Kurram.

In Sindh, jot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the province. However, rainwind/thundershower is expected in Sukkur, Rohri, Ghotki, Padidan, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shaheed

No law in AJK contradicts Quran, Sunnah: AJK president

Benazirabad, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Dadu, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Karachi.

In Balochistan, rain-wind /thundershower is expected in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kalat, Lasbela, Panjgur, Awaran, Turbat, Kharan, Zhob, Barkhan, Sibbi, Kohlu, Harnai, Chaman, Ziarat, Naseerabad and coastal belt. Heavy falls are also likely in Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela and surrounding areas during the period in Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, hot and dry

weather is expected in Gilgit Baltistan while cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind and thundershower is expected in Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas.

Regarding monsoon updates about Sindh and Balochistan issued on Sunday, the met office informed that the current weather system in Sindh and Balochistan has weakened in its intensity, as its core has shifted to south southwest of Karachi in Arabian Sea. However, it may give rain-wind-thundershower at scattered places with few heavy falls in Sindh including Tharparkar, Umarkot, Thatta, Badin, Sangarh, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, Karachi and Balochistan including Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kharan, Panjgur from today till Wednesday.

During the last 24 hours, hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of the country. However, rainwind/thundershower occurred at a few places in Kashmir, upper/ central Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northeastern Balochistan.

The rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours was Kashmir: Muzaffarabad (Airport 12mm, City 09), Balochistan: Barkhan 03, Khuzdar 01, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Cherat 02, Punjab: Kasur and Jhelum 01mm. The highest temperatures recorded were Nokkundi, Dalbandin 47 C, Chillas 46 and Sibbi 45 C.

PD arranges sufficient fuel stock as per power sector’s July demand

MUZAFFARABAD (AJK) APP

ISLAMABAD

Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has said there can be no law in Azad Jammu Kashmir that is in contradiction to Islam, the Holy Quran and Sunnah. He was talking to a delegation of religious scholars that called on him in the federal metropolis on Sunday. The president said that Seerat Conference would be organized soon to reexamine whether there was any law in the AJK that contradicts the Quran and Sunnah.

Hailing the prevailing religious harmony in the state, the president said that it was heartening to see the sense of respect and patience among different religions, faiths, and schools of thoughts in the AJK. There was a dire need to keep up this spirit to ensure religious and interfaith harmony, he added. Referring to spokesperson Modi government Nupur Sharma’s blasphemous remarks, the president said that Sharma’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world. He said that despite global outrage over the issue, the Modi government was still supporting and protecting Sharma.

“Besides Indian supreme court, the foreign ministries of more than 20 Muslim countries have registered their formal protest against Indian government and demanded public apology over the incident.” Barrister said that in addition to increase in the salary of Qaris and Khatibs, other issues faced by Ulemas would be resolved.

APP

The Petroleum Division (PD), in a bid to ensure the provision of the required quantity of Residual Fuel Oil (RFO) for meeting the country’s electricity generation needs, has arranged sufficient stock of the commodity as per the demand placed by the power sector for July, it emerged on Sunday.

“Existing RFO stocks available with the oil industry (OMCs [Oil Marketing Companies] and Refineries) as of 30/6/2022 are 277,000 MT [Metric Ton], whereas two RFO cargoes of 130,000MT are off the port at present.

Import of around 180,000MT is planned for July 2022.

Thus, the above arrangements are sufficient to meet the demand of 436,000 MT placed by Power Division during July 2022,” official sources privy to petroleum sector development told APP. They said the PD was making all-out efforts to provide the RFO for electricity generation with the timely placement of orders and advance payments by respective power producing plants.

The sources said Pakistan LNG Limited (LNG) had also floated a new tender for procurement of 10 Liquefied Natural Gas cargoes to get deliveries during July and September aimed at meeting the country’s energy needs smoothly.

They said the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and PLL were engaged in the import of LNG in the country, adding that “under the executed LNG supply contracts with Qatar-Petroleum/Qatar Energy, the PSO imports

5+2 LNG cargoes where the PLL is left with one LNG supply contract with ENI Italy as the other i.e. M/s Gunvor prematurely terminated the contract in April 2022 following a series of consistent default in the supply of cargoes since the year 2021.”

Starting from July 22, the sources said the PSO had managed to secure one LNG cargo from Qatar delivery of which was scheduled for January, 2023.

During the ongoing tenure of the incumbent government, they informed that the spot purchasing of LNG was made from April to June 2022 for enhanced RLNG supplies to the power sector. “The cost of LNG spot purchases during May to June 2022 was $573 million.”

Despite the PSO and PLL facing an issue of huge receivables towards Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and power, the sources said the supply to the power sector was made to the maximum extent possible against the increased demand.

“The PSO’s shortfall in LNG payments as of June 2022 is Rs 285 billion; whereas the PLL receivables stand at Rs 119 billion.”

To ensure zero load-shedding during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, they said the RLNG supply to fertilizer, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and industry was curtailed for enhanced supplies to the power sector. The CNG supply continued to remain curtailed whereas captive power (export) was restricted at 50% of their loads as of June 30, 2022. However, the RLNG had fully been curtailed for captive (export and non-export) for supply to power during July 1-8, 2022.

CM punjab announces resumption of Laptop scheme LAHORE APP

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz said on Sunday that the CM’s Laptop Scheme will start again under which talented students will receive free laptops to help them with their education. In a press statement issued here on Sunday, he said that public service always appreciated, adding that all available resources were being utilized to save the plight of the common man. “We are not afraid of difficulties and will overcome all the problems with the support of public” he added. The chief minister said that Rs 200 billion subsidy was being provided to the people in light of current layer of price hike, adding that free medicines were also available in THQ and DHQ hospitals. Immediate steps were being taken to provide free medicines to the cancer patients, he added. He said that practical steps were being taken to improve OPDs of government hospitals, saying that district price control committees were functional and law and order situation will also improve due to revival of Safe City cameras.

Govt releases Rs1.5bn for 17 aviation sector projects in FY22 ISLAMABAD INP

The government has released funds amounting to Rs1,5 billion, under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2021-22) against total allocation of Rs3.5 billion to advance 17 different projects and schemes to ensure improved services in the aviation sector. Out of the total disbursement of Rs1,575.06 million, around Rs733.7 million have been spent on the aviation sector projects during the last fiscal year, according to official data. As per the PSDP document, an amount of Rs11.077 million had been allocated for construction of double story ladies hostel with provision of a third storey along with a mess, recreation hall and allied facilities at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Rs37.581 million for construction 2X double storey barrack with provision of third storey for corporal to inspectors and assistant director along with separate mess and allied facilities, recreation hall at Quetta Airport, Rs20 million for construction of Airport Security Force (ASF) camp at Islamabad International Airport and Rs50 million for construction of a barrack accommodation for ASF personnel along with a mess and allied facilities, ladies rest room MT, store, kote magazine, quarter guard and OC accommodation at Skardu Airport. Similarly, Rs39.534 million had been kept for construction of barrack accommodation for ASF personnel along with mess and allied facilities, MT, store, visitors room, ladies rest room, kote magazine, quarter guard, and OC accommodation at Chitral Airport, Rs21.285 million for construction of double storey barracks for ASF at Faisalabad Airport, Rs6.213 million for construction of double storey director South Secretariat Offices ASF along with allied facilities adjacent to ASF HQs Karachi, Rs500 million for construction of rain water harvesting Kasana Dam at Islamabad International Airport, Rs57.719 million for construction of triple storey living accommodation for ASF personnel at Lahore Airport, Rs3.952 million for construction of triple storey living barrack for ASF personnel along with mess, recreation hall at Multan Airport, Rs96.108 million for developing reverse linkage between Mamara Research Centre (MRC), Turkey and Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Rs239.736 million for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Karachi, Rs580 million for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Multan, Rs370 million for installation of a weather surveillance radar at Sukkur, Rs1,144.995 million for new Gwadar International Airport (NGIA project), Rs350 million for up-gradation of ASF Academy at Karachi and Rs30 million for up-gradation of ASF Academy, Karachi.

We must seize opportunity to boost commercial, economic ties: US envoy ISLAMABAD News Desk

US Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Dilawar Syed visited Pakistan July 1-3 as part of a multi-city trip to Pakistan and said “We must seize opportunity to boost commercial, economic ties” During his visit, Syed underscored the US government’s commitment to growing US-Pakistan commercial and economic ties, said a news release issued by US embassy.

In his meetings with Pakistan’s Ministers

of Finance, Commerce, and Foreign Affairs he stressed the decades-long history of economic partnership between the United States and Pakistan.

“U.S-Pakistan trade and investment cooperation is an ongoing, essential part of our bilateral relationship. In my discussions with Pakistani leaders from government, business, and civil society, we are exploring concrete ways in which we can build on that relationship to benefit both of our countries,” he noted.

“The United States continues to

encourage Pakistan to improve the business climate to make it easier for U.S. businesses to invest, operate, and create jobs. U.S. companies can introduce new technologies and generate returns that translate into higher incomes for local workers and capital for additional investments,” he noted.

“We already have a strong base. We hope Pakistan will continue implementing reforms to make it more attractive for global investors.”

He also met with representatives from the Board of Investment where he noted that

the United States is Pakistan’s largest singlecountry export market and one of Pakistan’s largest sources of foreign investment, adding, “We must capitalize on that potential and nurture even greater economic ties.”

As he listened to representatives of women-led businesses, incubators, and chambers of commerce, S/R Syed stressed that “the United States will broaden our bilateral trade, boost investment, and expand entrepreneurial and educational opportunities to build on 75 years of our relationship.”

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Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

Aneel MuSSARAT wInS defAMATIon SuIT AgAInST IndIA’S RepublIc TV LONDON

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Web DeSk

R I T I S H - PA K I S TA N I businessman and property developer Aneel Mussarat has won a defamation suit against fiercely nationalist Republic Bharat TV in London.

Musarrat had moved the London

High Court against Republic TV after its controversial anchor Arnab Goswami had called the property developer a “stooge” of Pakistan’s top spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during a show aired on July 22, 2020 in the UK. The London high court held that there was no evidence behind assertions that he was an “ISI stooge”.

case, Worldview Media Network Limited, which holds the license to broadcast Republic Bharat TV in the UK, did not appear and the judgement by Deputy Master Toogood was announced in the absence of the defendant.

“Although I make my decision based on the claimant’s evidence alone, I note that the programme

Goswami in his show also displayed Musarrat’s picture with Bollywood stars with caption: “Should Bollywood renounce any links with Pakistanis who take a pro-terrorist line?”

Musarrat has close ties with former prime minister Imran Khan and other political leaders.

During the proceedings of the

contained no evidence whatsoever to support its assertions that the claimant was engaged in anti-India activities including assisting in terrorism against India.

“I summarily assess the claimant’s costs in the total sum of £37,500.” The court agreed that “there is no realistic prospect of the defendant providing an apology”.

20 die as bus falls into ditch in DI Khan PESHAWAR StAff RePoRt

Sikhs vote in Rome referendum for freedom of Khalistan ISLAMABAD

At least 20 passengers were killed and a dozen others sustained injuries in a road accident in Mughal Kot area of Drazinda tehsil in DI Khan district on Sunday.

Assistant Commissioner Drazinda Inamullah Wazir said a Sada Bahar coach was on its way from Rawalpindi to Quetta when it met horrific accident near Dhanasar area of Sherani district, Balochistan.

The apparent reason of the mishap was rain and speeding as the bus had gone out of control and fell into a ravine, killing 20 passengers on the spot. A total of 33 people were onboard the bus out of which 13 received severe injuries.

Four bodies were taken to DHQ Hospital Zhob while 15 were shifted to Mughal Kot hospital.

AC Drazinda, Rescue 1122 and levies force headed

by AC Sherani district reached to the spot for rescue activities.

The condition of some injured were stated critical.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan expressed grief and sorrow over killing of 19 passengers in a road mishap that occurred in Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan.

In a condolence message, the Chief Minister extended sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant courage to bear the irreparable loss.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

CM directed district administration and hospital administrations to provide the best treatment facilities to the injured.

Meanwhile, ANP Information Secretary Zahid Khan expressed sorrows over loss of precious lives in the tragic accident. He expressed heartfelt condolence with the bereaved families and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.

APP

Thousands of Sikhs gathered in Rome, the capital of Italy on Sunday to vote in the referendum for achieving their separate homeland Khalistan. Men and women arrived at the polling stations to cast their vote in the referendum organized by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The voters were carrying posters in support of the freedom of Khalistan and shouting slogans against the Indian government and the Indian army. They were demanding that India should give freedom to Khalistan and the international community should take notice of the oppression against the Sikhs. About 200,000 Sikhs live in different cities of Italy. Sikh voters while expressing their opinions said referendum was a constitutional and legal path adopted by them and India should end its occupation of Punjab so that Khalistan could be created. On this occasion, Sikhs also released the new map of their homeland Khalistan which not only included the state of Punjab but also Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and many districts of Uttar Pradesh. The referendum was witnessed by international observers. The Sikh voters said they were laying foundation of freedom from India and they wanted their separate homeland Khalistan. Despite the pressure from India, the European government allowed Sikhs to hold a referendum on the issue of Khalistan. Sikh leader Paramjeet Singh Pamma said the referendum for Khalistan was the democratic right of Sikhs. “We are informing the international institutions and countries about our decision through a vote under the international laws.” He said the singer Sidhu Moosewala who was killed by the Indian agencies, was a great supporter of the freedom of Indian Punjab. The Sikh community had been demanding for a separate homeland Khalistan for the last many decades and before that it had held voting for the referendum in seven countries including Britain and Switzerland to push the drive for creation of Khalistan.

High prices of sacrificial animals give rise to ‘window shopping’ RAWALPINDI APP

The shoppers visiting cattle markets were returning without purchasing as the prices of sacrificial animals were skyrocketing.

With only one week left for Eidul Azha, fewer buyers were seen at the cattle markets set up by the Rawalpindi administration at eleven points in the district. Residents, who arrived here at Bhatta Chowk sale point along with their children, said on Sunday that animal sellers were demanding excessive prices beyond their purchasing limit.

Adil Mir, a buyer at the market, said last year he purchased a small goat of 25 kilograms for Rs 45,000, but now the same animal was being demanded at up to Rs 90,000, which showed the rate of sacrificial animals had gone up by 100 per cent.

Waqas Younas, another buyer at Adiala Road market, said the rates of goats, sheep, buffalos and cows were inflated, forcing the people to go home empty-handed. He said buffalos and cows of 160 kilograms, which were available at not more than Rs 160,000 last year, were demanded up to Rs300,000 this year.

He called upon the district administration to take steps to save the public from fleecing of sellers.

When contacted, President Jamiatul Quresh Pakistan Khursheed Ahmed Qureshi said that the primary cause of the increase in the prices of animals was the

demand and supply gap.

He said that animal production had witnessed a steep decline during previous years as the departments concerned had failed to adopt a comprehensive policy to boost the production of halal meat, resulting in mutton price at Rs1,700 per kg and beef price per kg at Rs1,000 in the market.

Giving details about online shopping for sacrificial animals, Qureshi, a member of the Board of Directors of Livestock and Dairy Development Directorate, said that online shopping for sacrificial had reached up to 70 per cent due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding the people preferred online platforms. He said the use of online platforms to purchase sacrificial animals could also be another reason for small crowds at the cattle markets, adding that online companies were offering a goat of 14 kg at Rs. 41,000 and 14 kilograms of share in cows or buffaloes at Rs20,000. Gul Khan, a calf seller from Rajanpur, said the rise in transportation charges, cost of animal breeding and bribes collected by the police officials of various departments led to increased animal prices.

Meanwhile, Director Livestock Dr Sarfraz Chatta told APP that livestock teams were administering the vaccination to the animals against the LSV and Congo virus while suspected animals were also being separated at the cattle markets.

He said that animals found having positive symptoms of Congo or LSV would not be allowed to enter markets at any cost.

Over 3,000 policemen to guard Eid congregations in capital ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have finalized a comprehensive security plan for Eidul Azha and decided to augment security at public as well as worship places and other important buildings to thwart any untoward incident.

According to police source, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Nasir Akbar Khan has directed the police to remain on high alert and fully prepared during Eid days. According to the security plan, more than 3000 policemen would perform security duties and to patrol in various sectors to check possible house burglaries during Eid holidays. More than 900 Masajid and 50 Imambargahs will be covered by armed guards and policemen during Eidul Azha prayers.

He said the policemen would also patrol in the various sectors and police in-charges of circles would ensure proper security at the Eid congregations in various locations. More than 300 policemen would be only deputed for the security at Faisal Mosque on Eid day while walk through gates and scanners would be installed as a part of security measure.

“Sub-Divisional Police Officers and Station House Officers would be responsible of the security around worship places. They may be provided additional force

on their request for the effective patrolling and security at Eid congregations in various sectors,” he maintained.

Duty rosters have been prepared by the in-charges of police stations and policemen would patrol in various sectors during day and night timings to check possible house burglaries and ensure protection to properties during Eid holidays.

The mobile officers and police guard posted at Masajid, Imambargahs, public/picnic places will take notice of the beggars hovering around the premises and will take legal action against them.

Special focus is to ensure safety to properties and stop frequent incidents of theft and car lifting during Eid holidays. As a part of security measures, police

pickets may be erected at all important entry and exit points for checking of vehicles.

The mobile patrols and squads of Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) would also remain present in markets, shopping plazas and also at prominent points before Eid days and also during Eid congregations. Bomb disposal squad will remain available at short notice and all public places, parks, play grounds will be kept under strict vigilance and security cover, the source maintained.

ITP has also made a special deployment plan before Eid and markets as well as shopping areas will be manned by traffic officials to regulate the traffic and ensure planned parking.

The police also sought cooperation of the citizens going to their native towns to celebrate this religious festival so that their property can be protected effectively. Islamabad police have sought cooperation of the citizens for ensuring effective security measures. It has been asked to remain some lights on within the House and also assign duty of some person to look after your house. The source said that no valuables including jewelry and cash should be left at home and all doors should be properly locked.

The hawkers should be advised not to throw newspapers at homes and any papers outside or within the House can give hint to criminals about absence of house inmates.

Three-day mango festival commences in Multan MULTAN APP

A three-day mango festival was inaugurated at a local hotel in the DHA here on Sunday. Minister of State for Interior Abdur Rehman Kanju inaugurated the colourful festival, aimed at promoting the “King of Fruits.” The event was jointly arranged by the Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM), and the Defense Housing Authority (DHA). Addressing the inaugural session, Kanju said such festivals provided platform to farmers, industry, businessmen, and academia to come together and enhance productivity. Kanju hailed the administration of the varsity stating that it was playing an important role to strengthen the linkages between key players and it could help increase in mango exports. Vice Chancellor MNSUAM Dr. Asif Ali Khan remarked that the varsity used to organize such activities for not only growers of mango but also of other important crops, fruits and vegetables to help strengthen the agriculture sector of Pakistan.

Islamabad police to take action against illegal cattle markets ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

The Islamabad Police have decided to take strict action against illegal cattle markets hampering traffic flow and causing inconvenience for citizens. Following the directions of IGP Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, special arrangements have been made in the capital to facilitate citizens on the occasion of Eidul Azha. Any hindrance in traffic flow would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those causing inconvenience for citizens, police spokesman said. Strict actions would be taken against illegal cattle markets and those selling cattle alongside roads, he said, adding that relevant beat officers and DSPs would ensure strict action against such persons.

Additional strength has been deployed at various busy areas and specified cattle markets to ensure smooth traffic flow which would work in three shifts. Purpose of this deployment is to ensure smooth traffic flow while diversions points have been also erected. Citizens can lodge their complaints at ICTP Helpline (1915 or 051-926199293) and prompt action would be ensured on it.

Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

05

PunjAB CM ElECtiOn: ElAHi SAyS SESSiOn tO BE HEld AS PEr SC dirECtivES LaHore

Gang of Katcha area bandits nabbed in defence robberies KaracHi Staff RepoRt

The Karachi South Police have arrested a gang of five most wanted bandits of katcha area, for robberies in the DHA area on Sunday.

South SSP (Investigations) Dr Mohammed Imran Khan has said that the accused had committed dozens of burglaries in bungalows of the city’s posh Defence area.

“Police has recovered millions of rupees’ stolen valuables from the accused,” SSP Dr Imran said.

The police officer named the accused as Sakhawat Gopang, Abid Indhar, Shehbaz Khan, Kamran and Imran.

“The accused were involved in robberies in Defence bungalows for last three years,” SSP said. “The arrested men belong to the Katcha area of Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab,” he further said. “They were used to work as cook, driver and gardener thus collecting information about the bungalows in the neighborhood,” police official said.

“After committing crime, they used to return to their jobs,” Dr Imran said. He said, police has recovered stolen jewelry, precious watches and other valuables from their possession.

Humanitarian assistance, free medical camp for Afghan quake affectees iSLamaBad app

Pakistan on Sunday dispatched another consignment for the quake-affected people of Afghanistan as a truck carrying 7.4 tons of humanitarian aid for the earthquake affected people of Afghanistan by the Fatih Foundation on Sunday crossed Ghulam Khan border under Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum (PACF) arrangements.

The relief assistance included food items, tents, clothes and bedding etc. Two volunteers of Fatih Foundation also accompanied the aid truck to carry out relief activities.

Meanwhile, a free medical camp was set up in Paktika province, Afghanistan by Alkhidmat Foundation under the PACF arrangements.

The medical teams were providing all possible medical support to the quake affected Afghans.

Balochistan gets its first female SHO Quetta NewS DeSk

The Balochistan Police on Sunday appointed its first female Station House Officer (SHO) at a Quetta police station. Sobia Khanum has been appointed as SHO Police Station Cantt in Quetta. The Balochistan IG Police praising the female officer said that lady officers are performing their duties with due professionalism.

It may be mentioned here that the Balochistan Government had inaugurated the province’s first women police station in March this year. Then Inspector General Police (IGP) Balochistan Mohsin Hassan Butt had inaugurated the police station built in Quetta along with other officials and members of civil society. The province’s first police station for women will solve the problems of women under one roof and will play an important part in their empowerment, the IGP Balochistan then said.

S

Staff RepoRt

PEAKER Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said on Sunday that the assembly’s session for chief minister’s (CM) elections will be held as per the Supreme Court’s (SC) directives.

In a video message released on Sunday, Speaker Punjab Assembly Per-

vaiz Elahi said that it is everyone’s responsibility to implement the SC verdict with good intentions. The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Quaid (PML-Q) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have the responsibility to follow the top court’s directives.

“It will be a good and friendly environment in the assembly and an impartial and transparent election for the chief minister will be ensured. Hamza

Shahbaz had also given assurance to the top court,” he added.

Pervaiz Elahi said that Hamza Shahbaz had assured to complete the by-election process in Punjab in a transparent way. He asked the provincial government to enforce the SC decision regarding the transfers and postings.

“As per court directives, the institutions will not be allowed to be used against the political rivals. Develop-

ment schemes or funds will not be given to the constituencies where byelections are being organised.”

“It is the government’s duty to end tenders and ministers and advisers must ensure full implementation of the election code. The government machinery and political parties should refrain from interference in the administrative affairs.”

The PA speaker said that the assembly officers will perform duties in accordance with the regulations.

Sindh plans Nepra-like provincial power regulatory body KaracHi Staff RepoRt

The Sindh government has decided to establish a National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)-like authority at the provincial level.

The power authority will be named Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA) and as per the proposed law, SEPRA will determine and notify power tariffs in the province.

The provincial cabinet will mull over a bill for the establishment of SEPRA on July 05 and the authority would be mandated to regulate the power generation and licensing process. The law also allows the authority to monitor power distribution in the province.

The idea was initially floated

by Provincial Minister of Energy Imtiaz Shaikh in February this year and a report quoted him saying that the government of Sindh has decided to constitute the

Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA).

The regulatory authority will function at the provincial level like the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) works at the federal level.

SEPRA will grant approval of the wind power and other power projects in Sindh.

Provincial Minister of Energy Imtiaz Shaikh forwarded a

summary to the Chief Minister of Sindh in this respect.

Imtiaz Shaikh has said that the SEPRA will fix the tariff and power price in Sindh. “We won’t disturb the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) under the NEPRA,” the minister said.

“We are aimed at providing cheaper energy to the province,” the energy minister said.

Army Chief appointment will be on time, as per procedure: Sanaullah continued from page 01 “Shaukat Tareen singed this document. Hence PTI government cannot befool the masses by putting onus of this increase on the PMLN”, he added.

He said that opposition failed to achieve any objective by attacking on Islamabad on May 25. He said that the PTI meeting of yesterday was poor show. There were only 10,000 chairs which also remained empty. Most of the participants were forced to attend this meeting from KPK, he said. He said that people of Punjab had totally rejected the PTI and now he (Imran Khan) was crying for power once again.

He said that Imran Khan always dubbed Pervaiz Elahi as biggest dacoit of the Punjab but now he was supporting him for the seat of chief minister Punjab. He said that Imran Khan dubbed his opponents as “thieves and dacoits” but now time had come for his own accountability.

He also quoted Farha Gogi and said that 240 Kanal of land was allotted to her in Bani Gala. Now a new scandal in Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company (FIEDMC) was surfaced and more scandals of looting and plundering would also emerge very soon.

He said that Imran Khan had used NAB as a tool for political engineering and victimization of his opponents. “However we would conduct transparent investigation to expose the so-called saint of the PTI”, he added.

Responding to a question, he said that Imran Khan himself was a big looter but he was fingering towards others. “We would not victimize him but he must be punished for what he had done against the state and people of Pakistan”, he said and added that all this process would be completed in a most transparent manner so that no one could term it victimization.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has full confidence of allies and all our partners are happy and comfortable with Shahbaz Sharif”, he said and added that this government would complete its tenure and the elections would be held in time.

Later, the minister also distributed cheques worth Rs.1.13 billion among workers. Vice Chancellor FMU Prof Dr Zafar Chaudhary, former MNAs Mian Abdul Mannan, Hajji Akram Ansari, MPA Aman Ullah, MPA Haidar Khan, Secretary Labor Punjab Liaqat Ali Chattha, City President PMLN Sheikh Ejaz, labor leader Hajji Aslam Wafa, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lt. (retd) Sohail Ashraf and others were also present on the occasion.

High flow of water affects temporary bridge in Hunza giLgit NewS DeSk

High flow of water from the Hassanabad nullah in Hunza has affected a temporary bridge, the GilgitBaltistan Disaster Management Authority has said.

In a statement, the GB DMA said that the water has eroded the land at four different spots in Hunza district. The land sliding has blocked Shamshal Valley road for traffic.

Meanwhile, locals said that an increased flow of water in the rivers affected areas in Badswat in the Ishkoman valley of the Ghizer district.

The people living in vulnerable areas have been asked to take precautionary measures and shifted to tents, according to the disaster management authority.

As a result of the high inflow of water due to a dayslong heatwave, many link roads in Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, and Ghanche have been damaged.

An alert has been issued for possible disasters in areas near rivers and nullahs across the GB region.

People living in vulnerable areas have been asked to take precautionary measures.

Flooding in Hisper and Hoper rivers in Nagar damaged agricultural land, trees and cattle farms in Harchi village of Nagar Khas. Unusual water flow in the river also damaged protective walls which were constructed to divert the river.

Furthermore, flooding in nullahs of Ghanche and Shigar districts was also reported, which disconnected many link roads and damaged agricultural land.

A heavy flow of water from the Shisper Glacier blocked the Karakoram Highway at the Hassanabad nullah in Hunza after a temporary bridge, installed at the Karakoram Highway after the Shisper Glacier outburst collapsed a bridge in May this year, has been submerged.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) had announced to install a temporary bridge at Hunza’s Hassanabad after an RCC bridge was swept away by a glacial lake outburst flood in May. The construction of a new bridge in Hassanabad will be completed within six to eight months, the spokesperson said.

2,763 workers to keep Peshawar clean on Eid peSHaWar Staff RepoRt

The Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) on Sunday finalized three-day Eidul Azha sanitation operation plan for 65 union councils of Peshawar.

The plan was finalized during a meeting with WSSP Chief Executive Officer Dr Hassan Nasir in the chair. As per the plan, 2763 sanitary workers would be on duty on the first day of Eidul Azha.

The company will collect offal through 706 vehicles of which 339 are WSSP’s own fleet while 367 vehicles are hired for the biggest sanitation operation of the year in which over 14,000 tons of waste is expected

to be collected and disposed within 3 days of Eid. A massive awareness campaign has been launched in the provincial metropolis to sensitize masses about keeping the surroundings clean and disposing offal at designated locations.

The outreach teams have liaise with 250 Ulemas and prayer leaders to aware masses regarding proper waste disposal and avoid throwing offal in drains, streets and canals.

Of 2,763 staff, 1218 are sanitary workers, 943 Katta Qulis, 330 drivers, 118 helpers, 74 municipal inspectors and 78 supervisors.

Of the total fleet, 113 Suzuki dumpers, 63 mini dumpers, 36 bike loaders, 149 small and large tractors, 39 compactors, 63 shov-

els, 93 trucks, 27 multi-loaders armroll, 112 dumpers, 11 excavators would be used for offal and waste collection.

All zonal managers have finalized temporary transfer stations where the waste would be collected from narrow streets and congested residential localities and then taken to Shamshato dumping site some 22km away from city premises.

The waste would be fumigated and powder lime will be used before covering it with soil at the dumping site and in transfer stations. A large size pit has also been excavated to properly cover the waste and offal at the dumping site.

Monitoring teams supervised by the WSSP Chief Executive Officer Dr Hassan Nasir com-

prising general managers, zonal managers, managers and assistant managers are constituted for effective execution of the plan.

To divide the staff and vehicles zonewise, Zone-A will deploy 609 staff and 192 vehicles. In Zone-B, 723 staff and 192 vehicles will be deployed to carry out operation.

The company will deploy 746 staff and 159 vehicles in Zone-C while 362 sanitary workers to collect waste through 93 vehicles of different sizes in Zone-D. The newly established Zone-E will deploy 324 staff and 76 vehicles. The company is expected to collect 12,818 tons of waste during three days of operation.

As per the plan, the offal collection points would be washed, fumigated while

powder lime will be used as disinfectant to control stench.

The company has already launched an awareness campaign in all union councils.

Teams of community development officers are organizing corner meetings to spread awareness among masses to dump waste at designated points. About 500 awareness banners are placed in every nook and corner of the city inscribed with slogans to keep the city clean of offal and help line number 1334 of the company.

Ulema, teachers, elders and people from all walks of life are being engaged to make the sanitation operation a success. “Masses’ role is vital in keeping the city clean,” said Dr Nasir.

06-07 Comments - 4th July 2022_Layout 1 7/4/2022 12:42 AM Page 1

Monday, 4 July, 2022

06 COMMENT

The Oil Conundrum

The mess in Punjab Province to see another CM’s election, which means six months without a government

Going green may be the best way out

P

UNJAB continues to remain unstable, and though it apparently possesses all the constitutionally mandated institutions, it lacks a permanent government even though months have now passed since the resignation of the PTi’s government under Usman Buzdar. even though his successor was elected, because PTI mPAs voted for him, the PTI members voting for him having been disqualified, a fresh election has been ordered for July 22, when the July 17 by-elections of the seats vacated will have taken place. Presumably that election will not be marred by the sort of attacks on the chair that were seen that time. At the same time, it is to be hoped that the refusal of the Governor to take oath from the cmelect, will not be seen this time, whatever the result.

At the same time, the latest Supreme court judgement should give no party cause for celebration, because it reflects a tilt in the trichotomy of powers away from the legislature and towards the judiciary. Where the judiciary was once criticised for interfering in the work of the executive, it is now in the invidious position of having to decide exactly how the legislature throws up an executive.

In Punjab, it seems the Assembly Speaker’s own candidacy for the chief ministership seems to have created a vacuum which was first filled by the lahore High court, and then by the Supreme court.

It is perhaps too much to expect a political party to go where it perceives an advantage. The PTI seems to have assumed that the judiciary favours it, and therefore it tries to seek advantage by going to tne courts. The judiciary must ensure that its decisions are so clearly based on the law and constitution that any unfortunate assumptions about it are removed. The courts should be approached only when one party perceives an injustice as having been committed, not in the hope of obtaining a partisan advantage that way. That matters which should have been settled in the precincts of the Punjab Assembly, had to go to the Supreme court, and that too on appeal, is unfortunate, when it seems that all the court really did was to get the parties to make an agreement with each other, and then affix its sort of Seal of Good Housekeeping upon it.

Salar Tarar

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olIcy makers are often keen to glance at old documents; these archives help them identify two major indicators of progress and bottlenecks. A glance at a published USAID report of 1982 states: “Although Pakistani exports have increased over the years, the country continues to suffer from chronic trade deficits, and it remains heavily dependent on imported petroleum products.” In 2022, this is grim reading for policy enthusiasts– no progress. Nothing seems to have changed except for the year. considering this predicament, the recent Russian-fueled war in Ukraine has come at a perilous time for a country that has for long lived beyond its means and refused to mend its ways. With soaring oil prices, the common man is shrouded in anxiety: what is going to happen next? A comprehensive analysis of the world markets is the need of the hour.

To start with the basics: Russia is one of the world’s largest oil producers and a key supplier of industrial metals such as nickel, aluminum, and palladium. It is also the dominant supplier of gas to europe. As Western sanctions against the world’s 11th largest economy come to the fore, The Economist has predicted a shortage of 3 million barrels per day. The impact of these perceived shortages is already clear: the average price of crude oil in 2022 has been hovering around $101.20 per barrel as compared to $68.17 in 2021 and $39.68 in 2020 respectively, according to macro economic Insights. experts have outlined a familiar upward trajectory of oil prices as the war in Ukraine rumbles on. Several factors are expected to shape which direction the wind blows from here in the crude oil market. oPec (organization of Petroleum exporting countries) have not shown any willingness to bridge the gap between demand and supply. After all, petrostates are always waiting for their occasional heyday; their time may have come sooner than expected after covid-19 ramped down oil sales and production. Predominantly, two countries have the capacity to meet the supply numbers required: Saudi Arabia and UAe. Thus far, both have been non-committal in promising to ramp up the production numbers.

Working hard for loadshedding Much of the mess is the previous government’s doing

P

There is not enough preparation for the crown of professions

rameez maheSar

S

ome days ago, I was reading a research article about suicide ideation among dental students. While reading it, I chanced upon some interesting words ‘today’s dental students are tomorrow’s dentists.’

These words were quite simple to deem that the majority of dental students could become dentists in the end; some may change their career plan to something other than dentistry. Similarly, the students studying in other fields may choose their careers differently. In almost all fields, hardly a handful of students pick out teaching as their professional career.

Teaching is a respectable profession, and in the context of the respect it supersedes all other professions in society. It is the crown of all other professions in that they are the production of it. It is the teaching that has played a stupendous role in societies to roll up the rate of literacy.

I must not forget to be thankful that we are so fortunate to have such a religion which was started with a magnificent divine order “to read.” It is crys-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

A rigorous analysis of the oil markets presents an ominous sign for Pakistan.

The country does not have the political or economic clout to do its own bidding: search for a cheaper alternative. In theory, Russia and Iran are options. In practice, they are only options for economic juggernauts such as China and India. For Pakistan, they can be nothing more than political soundbites

The writer is a freelance columnist

Today’s students are tomorrow’s teachers

eTRoleUm minister of State mudsadik malik has kicked the loadshedding can down the road and said on a television programme that there would be an end to loadshedding by July 15. That is not very reassuring for consumers sweltering in the heat, even if it was solid, Senator malik has announced dates before, and those dates have seen only a fresh date. Not only do consumers face the heat, but also the prospect of losing their jobs, as the economy, already reeling under the impact of heightened fuel prices, faces power shortages of upto 20 hours a day cut off in rural areas.

The crisis was created by the misdeeds and miscalculations of the ousted PTI government. Whether they acted deliberately or not, the effect has been crippling for the economy. During the height of the covid19 epidemic, when lNG prices were down to $3/mmBTU, the government made no long-term contracts like the one with Qatar. The Qatar deal was the subject of government persecution, with Shahid Khaqan Abbassi and miftah Ismail both facing NAB prosecution over it.

Further mishandling was of cPec power projects, which caused unfortunate delays. Thus the Karot Hydropower Project (720 mW) was pushed from this February to this month, and only recently came online, while theThar project (1214 mW), using indigenous coal, has gone from this may to next may. Apart from delays, there were also problems caused both by circular debt and rupee devaluation, not to mention failure to arrange timely stocks of RFo. However, the iniquities of the PTI government will not allow the present government to escape more than part of the wrath of the consumer. While the loud PTI claims that the ‘imported government’ has brought increased loadshedding are clearly tendentious, and self-serving to boot, the consumer is unlikely to ignore them entirely, and the Pml-N might find its greatest fear, that of some of the mud sticking, comin true at the hustings. With the first major test by-polls in 20 Punjab constituencies later this month, the Pml-N cannot afford any slip-ups.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

However, there are always market signals worth noting. Such is the case of libya, a smaller but significant oil supplier, that has been recently accused by some Western media outlets of “misrepresenting oil production figures” to create unnecessary volatility in the market. The oPec countries seem in no hurry to engage in a rescue act.

The second factor will be America’s response.

Domestically, inflation has caused spikes in federal interest rates; rising oil prices are becoming troublesome for the Democrats in the buildup to the midterm elections. The approval numbers of President Joe Biden are fast sinking– this could potentially lead to rapid action on the oil front.

The President has already asked oil companies to push the pedal on their drilling and oil production capacities to help avert any future crises. Previously, America’s “Shale oil Production” had helped offset minor shortages of oil.

Shale oil is a high-quality crude oil that lies between layers of shale rock, and the USA has the biggest shale oil reserves in the world.

Nevertheless, the production of shale oil has conventionally been more expensive than the extraction of conventional crude oil. moreover, Biden’s campaign was based on the trillion-dollar “Green Deal”; a move to boost fracking and drilling would most certainly be accompanied with a steep political cost as climate change continues to be one of the most important electoral topics in the USA. While relief from the supply side looks tricky, onlookers have hedged their bets on the demand side of the oil market. In this case, all eyes have been fixed on china. There are more audible whispers of the slowing down of the chinese economy,

and the country’s “Zero-covid” policy is most certainly going to hinder growth. A slow economy constrained by a resurgent covid-19 will most certainly lead to reduced demand from one of the world’s biggest oil buyers. Worldwide recession is another factor that may come in to cap the unsurmountable rise in oil prices.

A rigorous analysis of the oil markets presents an ominous sign for Pakistan. The country does not have the political or economic clout to do its own bidding: search for a cheaper alternative. In theory, Russia and Iran are options. In practice, they are only options for economic juggernauts such as china and India. For Pakistan, they can be nothing more than political soundbites.

The Western bulwark against Russia has led a country like Germany to stop operations on its Nord-Stream 2 pipeline. In such a situation, how can Pakistan– living on the ventilator of Westernbacked borrowing– be allowed to openly engage with a global foe?

The policymakers in Pakistan need a strategic rethink; their alternative is simple: to go green. New climate change technologies and low-cost solar panels are the only way Pakistan can reduce its reliance on oil and gas. Indeed, the perennial balance of payments issue can only be solved by a predominant shift towards renewable energy. With a fragile economy, structural issues, borrowed foreign reserves and debt crisis, the picture is gloomy. Pakistan has been presented with a viable solution out of a double quagmire: climate change and oil dependence. If a paradigm shift is not realized sooner rather than later, policy makers will once again look at the reports of 2022 with the same regret.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

tal clear to see how delightful the profession of teaching is. Staggeringly, it is wonderful to note here that the commander for this beautiful decree is the Almighy himself, and the one commanded was the Holy Prophet (PBUH). To this end, however, many students wish to dress themselves in the profession of teaching.

Teaching is not just a job to eke out life, it is the service. To become kind to students, to teach students honestly, to train students how to flourish in the future, to bring peace in the environment, to stay nice to all are few of the services which a teacher must be ready for. It is worth mentioning that one does not just necessarily need to work hard to qualify the exams to become a teacher; they might have to be practically used to the things mentioned above.

It was indispensable for me to leave here some great things for students who want to become teachers to put into practice about this profession. Because I always inquire into the views of students when dealing with suh subjects, I am trying my hand at garnering some prodigious views which I have received. So the query is: what things are necessary to live out to become a great teacher in a true manner?

The most important rejoinder to that question is reasonably fascinating. It is; those who want to see themselves as teachers in the near future must have in their heart and mind both, respect for their teachers.

Teaching, without an iota of doubt, is a prophetic profession, but teachers can never be called prophets, they say. Therefore, teachers vary from one another in their behaviour, attitude, response, teaching, communication, and so on.

Some teachers, students say, are so rude to talk to, and some are truly nice in their nature. The former category of teachers of raspy types should be learnt from how bleak a student feels to receive

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

such a harsh attitude. experiencing such rude manners must not be taken that it be practised as a right after becoming a teacher traditionally. However, the latter category of teachers of pleasant behaviour must be learnt from how satisfied the students feel. Being discussed is the category of such wonderful teachers students want to become like they are. Teachers of both types, thus, must be taken affably, students argue. This is really a deep answer to the question.

The second answer to the question is; if one wants to become a true teacher in all aspects, he should start staying professional in the most important elements of human life which I have talked about earlier. minimally, one should start behaving the way he or she wishes to, as a nice teacher from now on.

Being a nice man in the course of the studentship can truly be of assistance for students to become outstanding teachers.

Then there is the answer of a different type; some say it is the teachers who can be of important assistance for their students.

Teachers, they recommend, should train their students rather than teach them. But other students get in the way here, complaining that teachers themselves lack training as to how to behave, how to teach, how to train, how to deal with students and so on. How can they train students if they themselves fail in many things?

Here are the two categories of students who are poles apart in their views about their teachers. Some complain about the teachers’ inability to teach, and some do it about the behaviour of teachers. most important are these two ingredients for a person to improve so as to prove as a true teacher. So to say, teachers of today should realize that the students of today are the teachers of tomorrow. Isn’t this a bitter fact to accept?

Here are the two categories of students who are poles apart in their views about their teachers. Some complain about the teachers’ inability to teach, and some do it about the behaviour of teachers.

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer is the member of the editorial board for a Russian research Journal, Bulletin of Science and Practice.

He can be contacted at rameezalimahesar@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 4th July 2022_Layout 1 7/4/2022 12:42 AM Page 2

Monday, 4 July, 2022

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

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

The blessings of Allah

Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind Hero-construction is nothing new

a letter from Prometheus agha Iqrar haroon Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind —-Critique of Pure Reason —Emmanuel Kant

T

HeRe is still a debate going on among philosophers and analysts about what was in emmanuel Kant’s mind when he wrote, “Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind.”

For me, Kant’s lines are very important for understanding the construction of narrative and propagation. If I have an intuition that mr. A is corrupt, I need to develop a negative conceptual schema to transform my intuition into a concept and my thought (mr. A is corrupt) also needs content to justify otherwise it would remain an empty thought. In today’s world, this content is usually provided in the form of manipulated information to writers, academicians, and journalists when a campaign is launched against an individual, a country, or an institution.

The majority of writers and thinkers believe that Kant wrote the above-mentioned lines as a synopsis of his views about semantic content. Semantic content is a kind of content directly valuable in semantic terms (as having a reference, a sense, some truth values, etc). moreover, it is content identifiable with a certain proposition. In addition, it is a kind of content capable of having cognitive relevance. It makes a difference in the premises, or consequences, of our theoretical or practical reasoning. our concepts and the thoughts they compose would be meaningless without perception, or “intuition,” to verify them and thereby provide them with content; on the other, our perceptions would have no structure and would be of no cognitive use without concepts to direct them.

In Critique of Pure Reason, Kant says that if one leaves out the sensible determination of persistence [the schema for a substance], the substance would signify nothing more than something that can be thought of as a subject (without being a predicate of something else).

William J. Urban explains in his paper “Freedom qua Spontaneity: The lacanian Subject in the critique of Pure Reason” that without the schema, what is left over of the content is only “something that can be thought of as a subject (without being a predicate of something else).”

This thought is meaningful, but it cannot be justifiably applied in judgment to any known, or knowable, objects, once we subtract the schemata. We need to know what is “schema” to understand this discussion before we move to Per-

ceptional Schema. Schema is a collection of basic knowledge about a concept or entity that serves as a guide to perception, interpretation, imagination, or problem-solving. For example, the schema “dorm room” suggests that a bed and a desk are probably part of the scene but a microwave oven might or might not be because the bed and desk are considered an integral part of a bedroom but not the microwave oven. Frederic c.

Bartlett explained that past experiences are stored in memory as schemas; impressions of other people are also thought to be organized in this way. leading the discussion to narrative building, we should know that these schemas help to construct opinions about someone or something.

Negative schemas help to construct negative opinions or perceptions and triggering something from a negative schema related to “target” would help to construct negative opinion. For example, the corruption of politician A helps to construct the opinion that politician B is also corrupt. This perceptive game is linked with the Perceptual schema.

The Perceptual schema is a mental model that provides a frame for interpreting information entering the mind through the senses or for activating an expectation of how a particular perceptual scene may look.

No doubt several meaning-making and narrative-building theories of philosophy of communication are available that help to understand how to build a narrative or how to dismantle the narrative of others, but I still feel that the human mind is still facilitated by the communication theory of Aristotle, “ Theory of forms “ of Plato and the dialectical way of Socrates for naming things. The majority of philosophers believe that a dialogue held by Socrates with Hermogenes and written by Plato under the title of Cratylus around 360 B.c ignited the thought that brought Plato’s theory of forms and Aristotle’s model of communication. The dialogue says that to name a thing (tagging etc) is not a sheer act of arbitration (arbitrary) rather that a thing must have certain “qualities” to be named for what it is called.

This discussion led to another discussion: why do we call a chair “a chair”? why not a table?

Are we born with the thought that a chair (having four legs like any table) is a chair but not a table? Is calling a chair “a chair” an arbitrary act and does calling it again and again with the same name (rhetoric) give it an identity of being a chair and then it becomes conventional to name it “a chair”?

Plato in his theory of Forms says that there is nothing perfect and everything is a shadow or imperfection that we have in our mind as an innate idea. After thousands of years, Kant called this idea an “intuition”. Therefore, we see that today’s all theories of perception and semiotics are related directly or indirectly to Plato’s work.

Aristotle extensively used Plato’s theory in his work which ultimately led to his model of communication built on Inductive and Deductive logic. Aristotle’s Inductive and Deductive

logic ruled human thought till today with a contribution from American philosopher charles Sanders Peirce (in 1865) who added the theory of “Abductive reasoning” in logic. Aristotle says that any communication can be broken into three parts: the sender, the message, and the audience. He believes that the success of communication depends on the audience not only getting the message but interpreting the message in the way the sender has intended.

Aristotle developed a linear model of communication for oral communication known as Aristotle’s model of communication. This is considered the first model of communication and the most widely accepted among all communication models.

Aristotle says that perception is best understood in the model of hylomorphic change. Hylomorphism is a philosophical theory developed

by Aristotle, which conceives “being” (ousia– presence) as a compound of matter and form, and change of presence is material transformation. A raw lump of bronze is shaped into a statue. In this process, matter (raw bronze) loses one form (morphe) and gains a new form of a statue).

According to Aristotle’s theory of perception, we perceive an object by receiving its form (eidos) with our sense organs. The best example given by Aristotle to understand his theory of changing perception is “house change”. He says that a house changes from blue to white when acted upon by a painter applying paint, so “perception comes about with being changed and affected.” Aristotle treats perception as a case of interaction between two suitable agents: objects capable of acting and capacities capable of being affected.

Today’s communication experts and narrative builders are actually the painters Aristotle mentioned in his work who know what colour to use to make a political party, a country or an institution a “dreadful house” or promote a person as a “corrupt man” or “saviour sent by the divine powers”. We know “Hero constructing” since the Greek era has been using Aristotle’s work.

Alexander of macedonia who was actually an invader is known as a “hero” even in lands he subjugated like the Indo-Pak Subcontinent.

By using inductive logic, I can establish a politician “A” is corrupt therefore all politicians are corrupt, by taking one true proposition and then adding a false one but my syllogism will logically be true. There is a saying that truth has nothing to do with a logically true syllogism.

The philosopher is in love with truth, that is, not with the changing world of sensation, which is the object of opinion, but with the unchanging reality which is the object of knowledge —Plato

Today’s communication experts and narrative builders are actually the painters Aristotle mentioned in his work who know what colour to use to make a political party, a country or an institution a “dreadful house” or promote a person as a “corrupt man” or “saviour sent by the divine powers”.

The writer is an international award winning journalist who has been in the field since 1988 and appears in national and international media as analyst and political scientist.

BleSSINGS are assets, gifts and important commodities of Allah. our entire earth is teeming with countless endowments. These bounties are of the utmost importance because they help live a comfortable life.

Additionally, they make our life complete and productive. Apart from that, our life is quite difficult and taxing if these valuable entities are not available nearby us. moreover, the gifts are also inside the belly of land named minerals. minerals are vital for many key purposes. Firstly, minerals enormously contribute to the prosperity of the nation. The economy of a nation/country is weak if its minerals are limited and scarce.

Pakistan ranks at the top regarding the amount of mineral availability.

Despite the teeming blessings, resource management is seriously poor in Pakistan. It severely impairs the country thriving capacity. likewise, the leaders are immensely incompetent and corrupt. They embezzle due funds and misuse them for personal usage. Resultantly, people’s confidence in the state hugely declines. The citizens resort to unfair and immoral practices which are hazardous to the nation’s stability. Additionally, the crime rate and anarchy significantly rise in such countries. This situation is fatal to the overall progress. every country chiefly relies upon the upgradation of people, nations and countries. However, these corrupt practices negatively impact the survival of the country.

In a nutshell, Pakistan is massively full of countless endowments of Allah. However, their just use is colossally missing. most of our leaders are biased and scoundrels. They usurp significant budgets and misapply to individual purposes.

MUHAMMAD AFZAL GAMBAT

Who is the loser?

PAKISTAN, once again, is wallowing in a political, democratic and constitutional crisis. What has been going on for the last three to six months – taking unconstitutional steps by both the government and the opposition in order to ‘’surprise’’ each other, does it depict a true sense of democracy? The PTI led government says it has won the game by defeating the attempts of horse-trading and foreign intrigue. contrarily, the opposition professes that it will get a victory after the verdict issued by the Supreme court against the unconstitutional act of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly – the abrogation of a noconfidence motion against the Pm. If both are champions then the question is: Who is the actual loser? one cannot escape the conclusion that the state and its constitution are the actual losers. once again democracy proved ineffective in this country. I got astonished by the fact that no Pm of Pakistan completed a five-year tenure – the basic code of democracy. It does not mean democracy is not acceptable to this country rather it is the best form of government to welcome the vision of the founder of this state. There are some politicians, who, due to their selfinterest in gaining power, tarnish the values of democracy. This is a moment of reflection for us that we could not implement a true sense of democracy in seventy-five years of independence. If it continues in future it will not only deter our economic growth and political stability, but it will also attract geopolitics to the country.

ALI HAIDER LAHORE

Sectarianism violence I want to draw your attention to an extremely unfortunate issue of Sectarianism in our country. As muslims, we preach tolerance but act with vengeance, a dichotomy exists between our actions and what we say.

Between the 1980s till 2021, thousands of Shia muslims have been killed in sectarian violence in Pakistan. Fortunately, there is a downward trend in mass or targeted killings of Shia muslims during the last few years in Pakistan, however, the level of tolerance towards the religious beliefs of others and conflicting issues have reduced to a great extent, which is not only causing hatred against each other but leading to killings of innocent Shia muslims. The main reasons for this conflict could be, but are not limited to, lack of education, external interference, foreign funding for religious groups etc.In my opinion as a student, we need to encourage dialogues between religious groups, regulation the curriculum and propagate freedom of expression. I must urge the government and people in power to act upon the law against sectarianism to stop this cruelty. We need to unlearn the hate that we have been taught against those who are different from us.

ISHMAL ZAHRA LAHORE

Servants of the nation DURING my service as an upper-division clerk in the commissioner office of Rawalpindi, I saw that an honest and hardworking officer who cares for people would always focus on discharging his/her duties at the best rather than appeasing higher-ups. one such officer that I had the honour to work with was mr Wajihuddin who was appointed commissioner Rawalpindi at a time when the movement against the martial law of General Ayub Khan was at its peak. The public was protesting, taking out rallies, and staging sit-ins in Rawalpindi and other parts of the country on a daily basis.

The commissioner was appointed after two of his predecessors failed to control mobs and reinstate law and order. When he took charge, I was working in the control room responsible for collecting the information from various sources and presenting it to the commissioner. He changed the process and kept close contact with the DIG and deputy commissioners asking for daily progress. He frequently went on visits to various parts of the city to make sure everything was under control. He did not let the police use a heavy-handed approach and advised the administration to refrain from violating the rights of people and would only allow the use of force if the red line was being crossed. The commissioner discharged his duties with full honesty and served the public in a true sense unlike the civil servants of today who are more interested in keeping the higher-ups and politicians happy instead of performing their job. my purpose in recalling his service is meant to inspire today’s civil servants to adopt a similar demeanour and be honest and upright in their service.

RAJA SHAFAATULLAH ISLAMABAD

08 WORLD VIEW 4th July_Layout 1 7/3/2022 10:40 PM Page 1

Monday, 4 July, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

Modi’S criticS have a precariouS life in india THERE ARE FEW BARRIERS LEFT TO PREVENT THE COUNTRY’S SLIDE INTO AUTHORITARIANISM

aL JazEERa SomdEEP SEn

o

N June 16, the Supreme Court of India cautioned the uttar Pradesh (uP) state government against taking punitive actions targeting those who participated in protests over Islamophobic comments made by two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. Specifically, the country’s highest court was referring to the demolition of the homes of Muslim activists. local authorities claimed that these homes were built illegally. however, others insist that the state government, led by hardline hindu nationalist chief minister Yogi Adityanath, is running a retaliatory campaign against its critics. one of the homes that were demolished belonged to the leader of the Welfare Party of India, Javed Mohammed, who had earlier been arrested and charged with being the “mastermind” behind the protests. Mohammed and his daughter, Afreen Fatima, are prominent activists, known for organising against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, which grants fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim undocumented immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Protests against the Act were met with a brutal crackdown as right-wing mobs, led by BJP leaders, rampaged through delhi, targeting protesters, while police arrested anti-CAA activists and charged them under India’s stringent “anti-terror” law.

Analysts like Angshuman Choudhury of the Centre for Policy Research in New delhi were quick to point out that these home demolitions “bear [a] striking resemblance to Israel’s tactics against Palestinians”. As in Palestine, such measures are meant to introduce a sense of precarity into the lives of Modi’s critics. In India, they are the latest indicator that it is becoming increasingly hazardous to oppose the BJP. Throughout Modi’s tenure, a variety of tactics have been used to target his critics. In 2021, it was revealed that the Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSo, had been used to snoop on journalists, opposition politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers, academics, and activists. A prominent target of the spyware was lawyer and trade unionist Sudha Bharadwaj, who was imprisoned in 2018 without trial under the “anti-terror” law and accused of “plotting to overthrow the government”.

In 2020, Amnesty International – which was forced to cease its operations in the country as a result of a government witchhunt against human rights organisations – uncovered a hacking campaign targeting human rights defenders in the country. These human rights defenders received emails with malicious links which – if clicked – deployed spyware and compromised the computer “in order to monitor their actions and communications”.

This use of digital tools to suppress dissent was equally on display in the arrest of 22-year-old climate activist and co-founder of the India chapter of Greta Thunberg’s Fridays For Future movement, disha Ravi. She was accused of “sedition, incitement, and involvement in an international conspiracy”. The evidence presented was a WhatsApp group and a Google document put together

by Ravi and other activists to gather support for the farmers’ protests in India. While dismissing the case, the presiding judge deemed the evidence provided by the delhi Police to be “scanty and sketchy”, adding that there wasn’t “even an iota of proof to support the claims of sedition, incitement, or conspiracy”.

The Indian government has also attempted to prevent its critics from travelling. Earlier this year, the former head of Amnesty International India, Aakar Patel, was stopped from leaving the country after a “look out circular” (loC) was issued for him. loCs are usually reserved for “apprehending criminals at the border”. Patel, however, was heading to the uS to deliver lectures about the crackdown on civil society in India under Modi’s leadership. Speaking to the media, Patel described it as sending “a clear signal to activists, journalists, and politicians to shut up”.

A week before Patel, journalist Rana Ayyub was also stopped

ChRistian sCiEnCE MOnitOR

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EdiToRiAL BoARd

APAN and South Korea are only a ferry ride away from each other. Their economies are among the world’s largest. Their democracies and their cultural ties are as strong as ever. Yet their diplomatic ties have been cold for years over historical and legal disputes – that is, until this week. At a NATo meeting in Spain, the heads of each country hinted at putting the future over the past.

The two leaders, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, met briefly at a dinner and then joined u.S. President Joe Biden for a trilateral summit – the first such gathering in five years. The united States needs two of its closest allies in Asia to get along. With an eye toward rising threats from Russia, China, and North Korea, both Japan and South Korea now seem inclined.

For his part, Mr. Yoon suggested that democracies

at Mumbai airport, accused of money laundering. The case was based on a first information report (FIR) filed by Vikas Sankrityayan, the founder of the NGo hindu IT Cell. Ayyub was on her way to london where she had been invited by the International Centre for Journalists to participate in a discussion about “online violence against women journalists”.

The Enforcement directorate (Ed) is currently investigating the allegation that Ayyub raised funding for charitable purposes through the crowdfunding platform Ketto and used some of the donations for personal expenses. Ayyub has maintained that the “entire donation received through Ketto is accounted for and not a single paisa has been misused”.

In a statement supporting Rana Ayyub, the Washington Post said: “Almost every day Rana Ayyub faces threats of violence and death. She has been the target of prejudiced investigations and online harassment. her bank account was frozen over charitable work.

Journalists should not fear prosecution and smear campaigns.”

But the targeting of journalists began earlier than this. In 2017, the residences and offices of Prannoy and Radhika Roy – the founders of the influential cable news station NdTV – were raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in what many deemed to be a “politically motivated witch hunt” because of NdTV’s critical editorial stance. The CBI said it was investigating the allegation that the founders and NdTV had caused “losses to a private bank by defaulting loans”.

The network responded: “NdTV and its promoters have never defaulted on any loan…We adhere to the highest levels of integrity and independence. It is clearly the independence and fearlessness of NdTV’s team that the ruling party’s politicians cannot stomach and the CBI raid is merely another attempt at silencing the media”. While this investigation was seemingly stalled due to lack of evidence, the CBI filed another case against NdTV in 2019 for allegedly violating foreign direct investment regulations and routing “tainted money of unknown public servants through shell firms”. And it’s not only journalists and activists who have been targeted. In october 2021, when Aryan Khan, the son of Muslim Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on charges that included “possession of drugs and contact with an international drug racket”, it was widely seen as politically motivated. he was not found to be in possession of any narcotics and charges were eventually dropped in May this year.

Many believed Aryan had been targeted because of his father’s unwillingness, unlike many of his Bollywood colleagues, to unequivocally align with the hindu nationalist agenda. Journalist Kavita Chowdhury noted that while others have churned out “jingoistic blockbusters pandering to hindutva sentiments”, Khan has remained a symbol of secularism and personifies the “ethos of hindu-Muslim unity”.

All of this is impacting India’s standing in the world. It has slipped to 150th out of 180 countries in the Press Freedom index and 46th out of 165 independent countries and two territories in the 2021 democracy Index published by the Economist Intelligence unit (EIu). While this is an improvement on its position – 53rd – in the 2020 index, it is a significant drop from its ranking of 27th in 2014, when Modi became prime minister.

But more concerning than these alarming indicators is the impunity with which Modi has overseen India’s swift decline into Freedom house’s category of a “partially free country”. hindu nationalists have been bolstered by significant electoral successes, while Modi has benefitted from a cultural shift – one that he has, in many ways, orchestrated – that has led to a society that, more than ever, celebrates the ideological and political ways of hindutva. Equally, as we were recently reminded with the arrest of Teesta Setalvad, who campaigned for justice for the victims of the 2002 anti-Muslim riot in Gujarat when Modi was chief minister, the prime minister is willing and able to mobilise public institutions for his political agenda.

This leaves little by way of recourse for Modi’s detractors in India and indicates that there are few barriers left to prevent the country’s slide into authoritarianism.

Somdeep Sen is Associate Professor of International Development Studies at Roskilde University in Denmark. He is the author of Decolonizing Palestine: Hamas between the Anticolonial and the Postcolonial (Cornell University Press, 2020).

Should Scotland be an independent country?

BLOOMBERG THERESE RAPHAEL

S

hould Scotland leave the united Kingdom? Scots voted “no” to that question eight years ago. But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to put it to them again next year: She announced a new independence vote on oct. 19, 2023.

She knows the bid to take her case to the u.K. Supreme Court is a long shot. And a referendum wouldn’t necessarily be in her Scottish National Party’s best interest — at current polling, the SNP would lose the vote, and what then would the point be of the party at all?

Yet Sturgeon’s move showcases her trademark clever tactics. She may not want the actual independence battle just yet, but she clearly would welcome a fight about having one. A legal and political dust-up is a way of rallying the SNP troops, capitalizing on how much Scots love to hate on Boris Johnson and distracting from the country’s deeper problems.

To hold a referendum, the SNP needs the permission of the u.K. government in the form of a temporary transfer of powers known as a Section 30 order. Johnson has already made clear he has no intention of handing that over. So Sturgeon’s taking the case to the u.K.’s Supreme Court. her insistence that the referendum be legal and constitutional to protect Scotland’s international reputation neatly trolls Johnson, who is ripping up the u.K.’s treaty with the European union in Northern Ireland. If the Court refuses the SNP a referendum without government approval, Sturgeon says the next general election will become a de facto referendum on independence (whatever that means as the SNP interpret every vote as a referendum mandate anyhow).

Scots rejected independence by a margin of 55% to 45% in a vote that was billed as a once-in-a-generation event in 2014. Brexit provided the SNP with an excuse for a second shot, since 62% of Scots voted to remain in the Eu. Sturgeon argued that the 2021 elections gave pro-independence parties a mandate to push for another referendum during this parliamentary period, once the CoVId19 crisis had passed. With economic and other problems mounting, no wonder she’s decided to make her move.

But Brexit has undoubtedly also made the case much more complicated. The thorny issues of 2014 will need to be revisited, including questions around the costs of separation and how Scotland’s future defense needs would be secured; but now there is also the matter of a large land border with England, the destination for nearly 60% of Scottish exports.

Nor is the Eu likely to fast-track a Scottish membership bid. The bloc is already struggling with enlargement and has just added ukraine and Moldova to five existing candidates for membership. Even though Scotland’s laws and product standards will already be Eu compliant, re-entry would require negotiations that would likely take years.

And then there’s Scotland’s economy. For most of the time since powers were devolved to a newly created Scottish Parliament in 1998, spending was higher and tax revenues lower than the u.K. average. The Institute of Fiscal Studies’ david Phillips has written that the implicit Scottish deficit averaged 9.2% compared with 3.1% for the u.K. as a whole between 2014/2015 and 2019/2020.

The rise in oil revenues and the government’s windfall tax on energy companies is serendipitous timing for Sturgeon, as that should reduce the deficit more than earlier forecasts, perhaps even lower than that of the u.K. as a whole. But as Phillips notes, if

prices and revenues fall back, this will be a temporary improvement.

The bigger problem is structural. despite world-class universities and strength in certain sectors such as energy and finance, Scotland’s productivity lags the u.K.’s, and R&d expenditure is low in comparison with the u.K. average and by developed country standards. The SNP blames Scotland’s economic troubles on Westminster and argues that economic growth will follow independence. But Sturgeon hasn’t yet put forward a convincing case for how.

There are certainly ways in which more fiscal control could allow Scotland to cut taxes and lighten regulatory burdens, but little sign that’s the direction of travel. Its more liberal stance toward immigration would certainly help. But the SNP has presided over government spending that is substantially larger than England’s as a share of income, and the costs of exiting the union and meeting the Eu’s accession criteria would likely mean austerity for Scots.

Sturgeon knows independence doesn’t fire up Scots the way it did a short time ago, so picking a fight now is partly about rallying supporters and building the case again. It’s not clear it will work that way. In a May Survation poll, less than one-third of Scottish voters (29%) said there should another referendum before the end of 2023; even many SNP voters were not enthusiastic.

The first minister once said a referendum shouldn’t be held again until it had the support of 60% of the public. Yet today 58% of respondents say they would vote to remain part of the union, with only 42% saying they would vote to leave. The cause is most popular among younger voters, so time may be on the SNP’s side here. But for now, the issues that most incense voters are health services, the economy, the pandemic recovery and education. All of those are areas that would suffer with independence, at least in the short-term.

There’s an argument that Johnson should call Sturgeon’s bluff and allow a referendum, but that’s risky. The prime minister is the SNP’s not-so-secret weapon. Every time she gets a tough question about the costs of independence, she repeats his name like an incantation. When the SNP comes under fire for mismanagement or misbehavior, Sturgeon just points to the Westminster Tories.

Sturgeon’s demand for a vote puts Brexit-supporting Tories in the highly uncomfortable position of arguing that it was right to take back control from the Eu but it’s wrong for Scotland to want the same.

Sturgeon knows it’s not an easy one for the pro-union labour Party either, which probably needs a revival in Scotland (and has a fighting chance again with the talented Scottish labour leader Anas Sarwar) to have a shot at a governing majority.

The loser in all this politicking is likely to be the Scots. There is a place for referendums in a democracy, but recent history suggests that when it comes to major constitutional questions, the yes-no vote can easily be hijacked and become a cipher for public discontent.

The campaign itself would be costly, time-consuming and hugely divisive. There may be a time when Scotland’s place in the union deserves a rethink if that’s what Scots really want — with a negotiation first, followed by a confirmation vote after voters have the full picture. But Scotland has so many more pressing economic and social issues requiring attention and needs good governance more than it needs a referendum. It’s hard to think of a worse moment to rustle up such a high-priced distraction.

Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering health care and British politics.

Mending a hole in aSia’S Security TO DEFEND THEIR SHARED VALUES AGAINST CHINA AND NORTH KOREA, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE EDGED CLOSER TO RECONCILING BY POSSIBLY RESOLVING HISTORIC DISPUTES must work together to protect “universal values” that some countries deny. his Japanese counterpart said cooperation has never been more vital because of threats to the rule-based international order. once Japan holds a parliamentary election in July, the two leaders could possibly meet in a one-on-one summit. And in August, both countries will join the u.S. in holding naval exercises off hawaii to improve their surveillance of North Korea. “I am convinced that Prime Minister Kishida can become a partner who can

solve issues between Korea and Japan,” said Mr. Yoon after their meeting.

Resolving the thicket of issues left over from Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula will not be easy. one compromise, however, may be in the works. Reports in South Korea indicate the two sides are discussing a face-saving way to compensate former Korean wartime laborers with private money. For its part, Japan expects South Korea to abide by a 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral rela-

tions and included compensatory grants and loans. helping Japan and South Korea to reconcile is one of Mr. Biden’s top 10 priorities for the Asia-Pacific region. The two Northeast Asian neighbors certainly know they have shared threats – from a bullying China and a North Korea on the verge of another nuclear test. To overcome their respective deep resentments, their leaders may now be looking for a common tool of reconciliation: shared values in need of safekeeping.

Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner U-Bank: Successful closure of Additional tier-1 Capital Instrument term Finance Certificates

COMMIttEE tO FOrMUlAtE nEW tOShAKhAnA POlICy FOrMEd islamabad

t Islamabad: U Microfinance Bank Limited is pleased to announce the successful closure of its Fully Paid up, Rated, Privately Placed / DSLR Listed, Unsecured, Subordinated, Perpetual and Non-Cumulative Debt Instrument Additional Tier 1 Capital TFCs of PKR 1,000,000,000. These TFCs will contribute towards U Bank’s Tier-1 capital for Capital Adequacy Ratio (“CAR”) purposes and for the Bank’s on-going business operations to maintain its growth momentum while complying with the requirements of SBP. In an Industry first, U Bank has successfully acted as the sole arranger of this instrument. This is a momentous milestone for the Microfinance industry, as for the very first time, a Microfinance Bank has acted as a sole arranger of any instrument issued in the history of Pakistan.

Speaking on this fine achievement, President and CEO of U Bank - Mr. Kabeer Naqvi said “U Bank has always strived to scale to new heights not only for itself but also as a service to the microfinance industry. This achievement is a result of sheer hard work, dedication and commitment from team U Bank and is a testament of the potential this sector is capable of achieving. pr

ShAhzAd pArAchA

HE Cabinet Division has constituted a 12 member interministerial committee to formulate the new Toshakhana policy.

According to the documents, Prime Minister has approved the constitution of a 12 member inter-ministerial committee under the Defence Minister to formulate the new Toshakhana policy.

The ToRs of the committee include holistically reviewing the procedure stated as “Procedure for the Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018” and

preparing a new draft which should be more open and transparent with appropriate provisions of de-classification.

In addition, The new Toshakhana procedure should meet the requirements of transparency and international best practices, the committee will submit its report to the Prime Minister within a period of one month.

It is pertinent to note that the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) on the request of legal expert Abuzar Salman Niazi, directed the cabinet division to publicize the details of gifts received by the Presidents and Prime Ministers since 1947. The PIC also asked to provide details of the amounts on which state gifts were purchased.

PLL invites bids for three months LNG supply

Kundi calls on Amir Fida Paracha, discusses relief, rehab of poor Islamabad: Former Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi meets Managing Director Pakistan Baitul-Mal (PBM) Amir Fida Paracha here in PBM Head Office.

Various possible measures for the relief and rehabilitation of the needy and deprived people KPK Province were discussed during the meeting.

Managing Director PBM Amir Fida Paracha said on the occasion that practical steps will be taken to support the deprived and backward classes of KPK. “PBM’s poorfriendly policies are glimmers of hope for the deprived persons throughout the country.”, he said while expressing his enthusiasm for making the organization accessible to the persons of remote and deprived areas. Amir Fida Paracha also informed that Bomb Blast victims and other disabled persons will also be provided artificial limbs while other initiatives like women empowerment, medical treatment for the poor patients, educational stipends for the deserving students, education and care of orphan and poor children are also part of the welfare activities in the province. While congratulating Managing Director PBM on assuming the charge, Faisal Karim Kundi hoped that PBM would become more vibrant and potent under the dynamic leadership of its new chief. pr

Power Suspension Schedules for today Islamabad: According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 04th July, From 07:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Muslimabad, Gulzar Shaheed, Quaidabad, Ahsanabad, Dhok Hasso, Bagh Sardaran, Pirwadhai Feeders, From 06:00 AM to 14:00 PM, Beirut Gala, Darbar Mai, Khoi Ratta, Charhoi, Dana Bhayal, Charhoi Dhongi, Siri, City, Kariala, Jandroot, Dudot, Mojan, Charhoi Feeders, From 07:00 am to 12:00 noon, Patwali, Anguri, Mort, Madina Town, Talagang City, Pind Pran, Sangjani, Shah Allah Dutta, Sarai Kharboza, Valley, AWT-1, 2, 3 and 4, Gulshan-e-Sehat, MPCHS (B17), Paswal feeders and surroundings will be closed. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time and the surrounding power will be cut off. pr

09

islamabad AhmAd AhmAdAni

In order to resolve the energy crisis Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has invited bids for the supply of 10 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargoes on a Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis at Port Qasim, Karachi.

As per details, PLL invited

bids for supply of 10 LNG cargoes during the months of July, August and September, 2022. The last date set for the submission of bids is July 7, 2022.

According to tender documents, two LNG cargoes will be supplied in the month of July, five LNG cargoes will be supplied in August and three LNG cargoes will be supplied in September, 2022.

“The bid, prepared in accordance with the instructions in the bid documents, must reach the office of PLL at 1200 hours PST on July 7, 2022. The bids will be opened on the same day at 1230 hours PST as PPRA rules,” said the tender document.

PLL tender document added that PLL reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject all bids prior to the acceptance of a bid or proposal, as per rule 33 of Public Procurement Rules, 2004.

PLL is a subsidiary of Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) which is owned by the Government of Pakistan.

PLL has the mandate to procure LNG to meet the country’s gas requirements.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is experiencing severe power load-shedding amid sweltering hot weather mainly because of expensive fuel while the government is trying hard to secure imported fuel at a cheaper rate.

IIU leadership aggrieved over loss of precious lives of its students in accident

Islamabad: International Islamic university (IIU) Rector Dr. Masoom Yasinzai and President, Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi have expressed sorrow and grief on the loss of precious lives of the students of IIU in an accident on Sunday. At least 19 people were killed including five students of IIU and several others were injured when a speeding passenger bus veered off a mountain road in heavy rain and fell into a ravine in Balochistan province.

The students of IIU who lost their lives included

Allahudin, Nawaz, Anwar ul Haq, sayed Attiq ullah and Muhammad Idrees Sarangzai. Two of the students of International Islamic University sadath Khan and Aurangzeb were also among the injured.

The funeral prayers in absentia for the departed souls will be offered on Monday in Faisal Mosque after Namaz e Asr that will be attended by University administration, faculty, staff, students and residents of the twin cities. University buses will transport the staff, faculty and students from New Campus to Old Campus. pr

AIOU invites applications under Prime Minister’s Electric Wheelchair Scheme

Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University has invited applications under Prime Minister’s Electric Wheelchair Scheme from its disabled students enrolled in the semesters autumn 2021 and spring 2022. In a notification issued by the Directorate of Students Affairs, Deans, DG regional services, HODs of all academic departments as well as regional directors have been communicated to display application forms at prominent places as well as circulate widely so that not a single disabled student of AIOU is deprived of the electric wheelchair. Principal officers have also been instructed to provide assistance and guidance to the applicants in this regard. Duly filled and signed application form with all necessary documents including a disability certificate must be submitted to Director, Students Affairs, Directorate of SA&CS, Block 25/Gateway Block, Ground Floor, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad before 18th July 2022. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government of Pakistan has introduced this scheme to facilitate disabled students enrolled in Pakistani universities and has completed initial two phases while this third phase has been initiated in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. For any further information, the applicants may contact the Project Manager, HECon the following numbers. 051-9057812, UAN: 111-119-432, 0334-1119432. pr

Govt expedites efforts to secure extension in GSP plus status islamabad AhmAd AhmAdAni

The federal government has accelerated its efforts to fulfil the strict conditions of European Union (EU) for ensuring a ten years extension (2024-2034) from EU in its Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus status for Pakistan.

According to sources, concerned ministries, in a high-level meeting under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, gave a briefing on the status of on-going GSP-Plus scheme of

the European Union and on preparatory work for the revised scheme. The federal government has expedited work in order to ensure a ten years extension from the EU for its GSP plus status.

“The Prime Minister has advised the Ministry of Interior and all provincial governments to accelerate the work to ensure extension in GSP Plus status till 2034,” said sources.

According to sources EU’s GSP Plus status was started in 2014 and will expire on December 31, 2023. Pakistan is earning approximately 6.5 billion euros due to GSP

Plus status.

In addition Pakistan will have to sign five new strict conventions in order to secure extension in GSP Plus till 2034.

Sources also informed that Pakistan has so far not ratified the additional conventions for new GSP Plus scheme (2024-2034) including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (individual complaints against state party in ICC), the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (individual complaint against state party in ICCPR-

UNHCR)) and the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR (abolition of the death penalty). They said that ratification carries several legal and political implications.

Pakistan has so far made stock of the progress on child labour laws, strengthening of labor inspection regimes, implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs of climate change) and hazardous waste management policies. A wholesome plan has been chalked out and is being implemented including Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) engage-

ments and initiation of a second round of engagement with EU stakeholders, said sources.

It is further learnt from sources that EU GSP Plus related obligations and compliance are about human rights, labour rights, climate change and governance.

It is pertinent to mention that the government has been encouraging the local business associations to lobby at EU level while the government is also mulling to establish a National Compliance Centre (NCC) for handling EU’s compliance matter regarding GSP Plus status round the year.

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Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

IndIa facIng ‘possIble collapse’, says nobel laureate amartya sen neW DeLHi

t

Agencies

He biggest crisis that India is facing today is the “possible collapse of the nation”, Nobel laureate and renowned economist Amartya Sen said. Speaking at the inauguration of Amartya Research Centre in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, Sen said that people should work towards maintaining unity and added that divisions should not be made along religious lines.

“I think if someone asks me if I’m scared of something, I would say yes. There is a reason to be afraid now. The current situation in the country has become a cause for fear,” Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

“I want the country to be united. I don’t want division in a country that was historically liberal. We have to work together,” he added.

Sen further said, “The world came to know of Upanishads (philosophical-religious texts of Hinduism) because of a Muslim Prince. Dara Sikhoh, Shah Jahan’s son,

learnt Sanskrit and translated some of the Upanishads into Persian.”

Asserting that India cannot belong only to the Hindus or to the Muslims, Sen stressed the need to stay united in line with the country’s traditions.

“India cannot be (a country) of Hindus only. Again, Muslims alone cannot make India. everyone has to work together,” he added.

Analysts believe that the sitting political dispensation’s recourse to Hindutva has played havoc with the social fabric of the In-

dian society, and is ultimately posing threats to regional peace and security.

Recent Indian insinuations linking a Pakistani group to the suspects involved in the murder of a Hindu tailor — who put social media posts in support of the BJP spokeswoman making blasphemous remarks about the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) — seems to be a ploy to avoid backlash at home.

A stock-taking of what is happening now for years in India reveals that it is the foulmouthing of RSS-inspired extremist ele-

ments that is throwing communal peace to the wind. In doing so, these fanatics are least bothered about the sacrosanct sentiments of other religions, and it has become a fashion to ridicule Islam, in particular.

Taliban still illegitimate rulers say Afghan women activists KABUL Agencies

russian scientist dies two days after arrest for state treason, lawyer says LOnDOn Agencies

A Russian scientist who was arrested in Siberia last week on suspicion of state treason and flown to Moscow despite suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer has died, his lawyer told Reuters on Sunday. The scientist, Dmitry Kolker, had been taken to Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, lawyer Alexander Fedulov said. “He died yesterday. Tomorrow we will lodge a complaint over his detention,” he said. Kolker’s family said last week he had been taken from a hospital in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, where he was being fed through a tube, and bundled on a flight to Moscow by officers of the FSB security service. Kolker was a doctor of physics and mathematics. The family said he had been accused of collaborating with security services in China, where he had previously given scientific lectures. They protested his innocence. On Saturday, state news agency TASS said Russia had detained a second scientist in Novosibirsk on suspicion of state treason. It was not clear if the two cases were connected. A number of Russian scientists have been arrested and charged with treason in recent years for allegedly passing sensitive material to foreigners. Critics of the Kremlin say the arrests often stem from unfounded paranoia. State treason is punishable by up to 20 years in jail.

The Taliban remain illegitimate rulers despite a declaration by thousands of male clerics endorsing their hardline government, Afghan women activists said Sunday.

The clerics pledged allegiance to the Taliban and its reclusive leader Saturday following a three-day meeting that failed to address thorny issues such as the right of teenage girls to go to school.

The Taliban — who seized power last August — have since tried to present the meeting as a vote of confidence in their vision of a pure Islamic state totally subservient to the Sharia law.

They insisted last week that women would be represented at the meeting — attended by over 3,500 men — but only by their sons and husbands.

“Statements released or pledging allegiance to the Taliban in any gathering or event without the presence of half of the nation’s population, the women, are not acceptable,” Hoda Khamosh, a rights activist currently in exile in Norway, told AFP. “This summit… does not have legitimacy, validity,

or the approval of the people.”

Since returning to power in August, the Taliban’s harsh interpretation of the Sharia law has imposed severe restrictions on Afghans — particularly women.

Secondary school girls have been barred from edu-

cation and women prevented from working in government jobs, forbidden from travelling alone, and ordered to dress in clothing that covers everything but their faces.

The Taliban have also outlawed playing non-religious music, ordered TV channels to stop showing movies and soaps featuring uncovered women, and told men they should dress in traditional garb and grow beards.

In Kabul, a collective of women’s groups also slammed the clerics’ meeting as not representative.

The ulema (clerics) are just one part of society, they are not the whole,” organiser Ainoor Uzbik told AFP after a press conference.

“The decisions they made serve only their own interests and are not in the interest of the country and its people. There was nothing for women on the agenda, nor in the communique.”

In a statement, the collective said men like the Taliban held absolute power before in history — but usually only for a short time before being dumped.

“The only thing Afghans can do is to raise their voice and demand the international community puts pressure on the Taliban,” Uzbik said.

Sri Lanka grinds to a halt as fuel reserves shrink cOLOMBO Agencies

Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left, the energy minister said on Sunday, with public transport grinding to a halt as the country’s economic crisis deepened. Petrol and diesel queues snaked through the capital for kilometres, though most pumping stations have been without fuel for days. energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera said petrol reserves in the country were about 4,000 tonnes, just below one day’s worth of consumption.

“The next petrol shipment is expected between the 22nd and 23rd (of July),” Wijesekera told reporters in Colombo. “We have contacted other suppliers, but we can’t confirm any new supplies before the 22nd.”

Last week, cash-strapped Sri Lanka announced a

two-week halt to all fuel sales except for essential services to save petrol and diesel for emergencies.

Most shops were closed on Sunday, with the situation expected to worsen when banks and offices reopen on Monday. Desperate people were seen trying to flag down the few vehicles on the road hoping for a ride.

Privately owned buses, which account for two-thirds of the country’s fleet, said they operated a skeleton service on Sunday as they were badly affected by the fuel shortage. “We operated about 1,000 busses across the country out of the 20,000 owned by our members,” Private Bus Operators Association chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said. “The situation will certainly get worse tomorrow because we have no way of getting diesel.”

He said services would be curtailed further on Monday and saw no immediate solution.

Three-wheel taxis — a popular last-mile transport

— were also off the streets, with most seen in days-long queues to get a ration of six litres of petrol.

A shortage of foreign currency to finance even the most essential imports has led to the country’s worst economic crisis, with its 22 million people facing severe hardships daily.

The country has also faced record-high inflation and lengthy power blackouts since late last year.

All non-essential government institutions and schools have been ordered shut until July 10 to reduce commuting and save energy. Local media reported there had been sporadic clashes outside fuel stations.

Last week, troops opened fire to disperse a mob protesting against the military jumping the queue. Sri Lanka is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund for a possible bailout after the country defaulted on its $51 billion external debt in April.

Next five years ‘crucial’ for Hong Kong to make breakthroughs: Xi Jinping Agencies The practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong has achieved accomplishments “recognized worldwide,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said on a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Xi made the remarks at a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China and the inaugural ceremony of the sixthterm government of the HKSAR. Xi said Hong Kong’s return opened a new epoch in its history during which it has made irreplaceable contributions to the miracle of long-term, steady and fast economic development of the motherland.

Hong Kong has become an integral part of the country’s overall development and actively aligned with national development strategies, the president said. It has continued to maintain the strengths of being highly free and open and compatible with international rules, he added.

Hong Kong has played an im-

portant role in advancing the new paradigm of China’s opening up on a larger scale, across more areas and

in greater depth, he said.

The next five years will be crucial for Hong Kong to achieve

breakthroughs, Xi said, calling for joint efforts from the new HKSAR government and all social sectors to

improve governance, strengthen growth drivers, address difficulties in people’s lives, and safeguard harmony and stability.

A bus painted with posters marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China runs in Hong Kong, China, June 30, 2022. /Xinhua Full, faithful implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Xi stressed the need to fully and faithfully implement the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

Upholding national sovereignty together with security and development interests are paramount in the policy, he said. On the basis of this prerequisite, Hong Kong and Macao should maintain their capitalist system over the long run and enjoy a high degree of autonomy, he added.

Calling on Hong Kong to keep strengthening the momentum of development, Xi said the central government fully supports the HKSAR in aligning with national development strategies, developing more extensive and closer exchanges and

cooperation with the world, advancing reforms in an active and prudent manner, and fully unleashing the enormous creativity and development vitality of Hong Kong society.

John Lee was sworn in as the sixth-term chief executive of the HKSAR at a ceremony overseen by President Xi. In his inauguration speech, Lee said Hong Kong has encountered various challenges in the last 25 years, including the global financial crisis, social unrest and the COVID19 pandemic, but has overcome all of them, thanks to the “resilience and strong will” of the people, as well as unique advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

He vowed to adopt a “resultsoriented approach” to tackle Hong Kong’s long-term issues, such as housing and land supply, whilst bolstering the city’s overall competitiveness in its traditional role as a global financial hub and as an emerging center for innovation and technology, as well as arts and cultural exchange.

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Monday, 4 July, 2022 | LAHorE

SPortS 11

KPL SeASon-II Set to be PLAyed froM Aug 1-25 AS PCb ISSueS noC LAHORE

P

MiAn AbRAR

AKISTAN Cricket Board (PCB) has issued the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Season-II of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL), paving the way for holding of the most successful cricket league of Pakistan from August 1 to August 25.

PCB Chairman Rameez Raja approved the NoC and it was formally communicated to the KPL management. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of Kashmir Shehryar Khan Afridi played key role in issuance of the NoC and holding of the KPL

season-II. A source in the KPL told this scribe that KPL President Arif Malik and Chief Executive Officer of the KPL Chaudhry Shehzad Akhtar have been working very hard for making the event a success. Recently, both visited United Kingdom and Unite Arab Emirates and a good news is likely to be shared about holding of semi-final and final matches of the KPLII in the United Kingdom.

The second season of Kashmir Premier League season will be played in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur Cricket grounds from August 2 and the drafting of the KPL season-II is likely to be held this month. Na-

tional and international players will feature in the KPL-II. Meanwhile, a new franchise, Jammu Janbaz, has been added for the second season of the KPL. A spokesman for the Kashmir Premier League said that a new team has been added to the second edition of the tournament, after which seven teams will fight for the title while the new franchise joining the KPL is Jammu Janbaz.

The Kashmir Premier League teams include Jammu Janbaz, Rawalkot Hawks, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Bagh Stallions, Mirpur Royals, Kotli Lions and Overseas Warriors.

PCB features Babar Azam, others in Pakistan Junior League’s teaser LAHORE Web Desk

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja Sunday shared a teaser for one of the most-anticipated projects, the Pakistan Junior League (PJL).

Taking to his Twitter account, the former cricketer released a teaser full of vibrant colours, specially designed for young cricket fans.

The teaser features Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam, pacer Hassan Ali, Naseem Shah, and allrounder Imam-ul-Haq.

The six-franchise U19-level league will take place from October 1-15 in Lahore. Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Darren Sammy will be mentors of three franchises whereas Javed Miandad will serve as the overall mentor.

The PSL will be played on a single league basis with the top-four sides progressing to the play-offs. The top-two sides will play in the Qualifier with the winner qualifying for the final. The losing side will get a second chance to progress to the final when it will play against the winner of Eliminator 1 between the number-three and four ranked sides.

Belligerent Bairstow leads England fightback after on-field altercation with Kohli BIRMINGHAM Agencies

Jonny Bairstow led England’s fightback with a counterattacking unbeaten 91 to guide the hosts to 200-6 in reply to India’s 416 on day three of the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Ben Stokes was dropped twice in the morning session but the England captain could not capitalise on the reprieves and departed for 25.

An on-field altercation with India’s Virat Kohli appeared to fire up Bairstow who registered his fourth consecutive Test fifty and remained on course for his third century in four innings.

Sam Billings was on seven when rain forced early lunch with England still 216 behind.

India seamer Mohammed Shami again bowled with relentless hostility but enjoyed little success.

Stokes, on 18, came dancing down the track to Shami but miscued the ball and Shardul Thakur dropped the skier at cover much to the bowler’s dismay.

Thakur suffered Shami’s agony when Bumrah dropped a sitter at mid-off to give Stokes another letoff. Bumrah immediately redeemed himself, however, by taking a stunning diving catch when Stokes repeated the cavalier shot to Thakur’s next delivery.

Bairstow refused to retreat into his shell and continued to attack the bowlers as he did in the home series against New Zealand last month.

The best illustration of his superb touch was when he pulled Mohammed Siraj from outside the off-stump for the first of his two sixes.

Bairstow was adjudged lbw to Thakur on 81 but the batsman reviewed the decision and replays confirmed an edge before the ball hit his pad.

India are 2-1 up in the series which could not be completed last year following Covid-19 cases in the

India camp ahead of the final match at Old Trafford.

India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah starred with both bat and ball as England’s Stuart Broad conceded the most expensive over in Test history, giving up 35 runs at Edgbaston on Saturday.

India were all out for a breathtaking 416 in their first innings of the Covid-delayed fifth Test, with the tourists 2-1 up in a five-match series.

Bumrah, who hit Broad for 29 runs in an over that also featured five wides and a no-ball he struck for six, then led from the front in his primary role of a strike bowler. He took the first three wickets to fall amid several rain breaks during an excellent return of 3-35 in 11 overs, with England slumping to 84-5 at stumps — a deficit of 332 runs.

When play resumed in bright sunshine, the in-form pair of former England captain Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow briefly kept India at bay.

But the Yorkshire duo were separated when Root, the world’s top-ranked Test batsman, was caught behind for 31 trying to cut a Mohammad Siraj delivery that was too close to him. At 78-4, for all their aggressive play under a new leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum in a 3-0 whitewash of Test world champions New Zealand, England now sent in Jack Leach as a nightwatchman.

Leach, however, was out for a five-ball duck when caught behind off Mohammad Shami, with Bairstow 12 not out and skipper Stokes unbeaten on nought at stumps.

Broad had become just the sixth bowler to take 550 Test wickets when he lost his composure by repeatedly bowling too short at Bumrah, deputising as captain for the Covid-hit Rohit Sharma.

But the tailender, who had responded to a similar England bouncer barrage by smashing an unbeaten 34 during India’s 151-run win in the second Test at Lord’s

last year, was anything but intimidated.

Bumrah batting at No. 10 and facing the new ball, dismantled Broad’s figures during eight remarkable deliveries. The six legitimate balls were thrashed for 23 runs, including four fours and a six.

Broad, 36, also sent down a wide that sailed over the head of wicketkeeper Sam Billings for four and a no-ball Bumrah top-edged for six.

The previous record of 28 runs in a Test over had been achieved on three occasions in the format’s 145year history, with Broad’s team-mates James Anderson and Root two of the bowlers on the receiving end.

Broad did not get a chance to make amends with the ball, although he did end the innings by catching last man Siraj. India, 338-7 overnight, smashed 78 runs in 11.5 overs. Stokes set the tone for what followed with a ragged opening spell as Ravindra Jadeja, resuming on 83 not out, completed the third century of his 60-Test career and first overseas.

Jadeja had been the junior partner in a stand of 222 with Rishabh Pant, who hit a rapid 146, that rescued India from the depths of 98-5 after they had been sent into bat.

World number one Axelsen thrashes Momota in Malaysia final KUALA LUMPUR Agencies

Japan’s Kento Momota suffered a heavy defeat in the Malaysia Open final Sunday against world number one Viktor Axelsen, the latest disappointing performance from the once undisputed king of badminton. The tournament marked the first time Momota has played in Malaysia since he was involved in a car crash there two years ago, which sent his career into free fall. Denmark’s Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion, outplayed the Japanese star from start to finish, taking only 34 minutes to win 21-4, 21-7. Momota — playing in his first final of the year after a torrid run of form — received a rapturous welcome as he arrived at the arena in Kuala Lumpur. But it was a one-sided game, with Axelsen immediately taking control, racking up points with a series of explosive smashes. The first game was over quickly, and in the second Axelsen maintained the high tempo to force Momota into numerous unforced errors. After the match, world number two Momota said that Axelsen’s “level was higher than I expected. “I thought I was getting better in this tournament, but it was a bit too much for me today.

“But I will use the experience of playing in this big final for upcoming tournaments,” the 27-year-old added. Axelsen said he was surprised he managed to play so well. “I was surprised with my levels today especially that I managed to find explosiveness in my game,” he said. “I was expecting a tough match, but it was great to play Momota in another major final”. It marked Axelsen’s fifth victory of the season. The Dane had already won the All England, European Championships and two titles in Indonesia. Momota was involved in a car crash that killed his driver on the way to the airport after winning the Malaysia Masters in January 2020. This year’s edition of the Masters takes place next week. It left Momota with a fractured eye socket and double vision. When he did return after a year out of action, the Japanese star was a shadow of his former self. He flopped at his home Tokyo Olympics last year and lost in the first round in four of the five singles tournaments he had previously entered this year. In other categories, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon clinched the women’s singles title after she beat China’s Chen Yu Fei 2115, 13-21, 21-16. Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti captured the women’s doubles title. In the mixed doubles, Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong of China emerged victorious, while Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi won the men’s doubles.

PSL top body to meet soon

LAHORE stAff RepoRt

The bitterness between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises has begun to melt with the

former hinting at convening Governing Council meeting soon.

The governing council of PSL includes all the team owners under PCB Chairman Ramiz. Its last meeting was held on September 27, 2021, in Lahore.

Both parties were at crossroads as PCB was unhappy due to remarks of some franchise officials, therefore, the governing council meeting could not be held. PCB opined that the team owners and officials can not publicly criticise the board.

But now, according to sources, team owners have been asked regarding their availability and the meeting is likely to take place next week. They have asked to choose a date by July 7.

Although the agenda is not yet ready, but according to the PCB and franchise sources, delay in central pool share of PSL 7th edition, controversial code of conduct, Pakistan Junior League, UAE T20 league, and preparations for PSL’s eighth edition are expected to be discussed in the meeting.

PCB will probably present the draft for

the newly-introduced code of conduct, however, the franchises are not in favour of signing it.

In order to preserve the image of the board, PCB had decided to impose a code of conduct upon all players – especially former cricketers – which will restrict them from publicly maligning the PCB or stating negative remarks in public.

The franchise owners were of the opinion that how can they restrict legendary players like Wasim Akram in regards to what they can publicly state or not.

On the other hand, under the agreement, the board had to pay 50 per cent of the amount from the Central Pool by May 5, but it did not happen after nearly two months.

However, 90 per cent payment has been assured this month.

Meanwhile, three franchises have expressed interest in Ramiz Raja’s brainchild Pakistan Junior League, while others are concerned as it can hamper the image of PSL. The board will look to allay concerns, Preparations for the eighth edition will be on the agenda of the meeting too. The UAE has announced that its league will be held in January. Leading cricketers from all over the world will participate in it at a hefty fee. Problems and their solutions will also be discussed.

Remember, Ramiz Raja had recently claimed a profit of PKR 810 million to all PSL franchises from the seventh edition.

However, according to team officials, after deducting the expenses, it will get very little money. If the fees are also deducted, some teams will incur losses.

Monday, 4 July, 2022

pRayeR timingS

NEWS

GlArING oMIssIoN of PTI GovT cAusED PrEvAIlING PoWEr crIsIs LAHORE

I

Staff RepoRt

T is a glaring reality the country is experiencing worst electricity load-shedding but it is also a bitter reality that load-shedding today is almost entirely caused by the acts of omissions and commission of the previous government during its three and half years in power (2018-22).

An impartial and in-depth analysis of the current situation reveals that coupled with high and rising energy prices in the international market, Pakistan’s power sector is almost in the operation theatre and simply keep it going is a miracle of a kind not known before in this sector.

– Causes of Load-shedding – Slowing Projects: The previous government committed criminal negligence by slowing down “near completion” power projects, thus denying Pakistan cheaper and indigenous plants.

Two projects namely Karot Hydro and Shanghai Thar were delayed: first on account of lack of ownership and project monitoring and the second because of failure to fulfill contractual commitments on already completed projects, thus delaying financial close.

The previous government’s failure to open Revolving Account for completed projects like Sahiwal Coal and Hub Power meant no further financing for energy sector under CPEC umbrella.

The previous government either did not understand the CPEC’s energy framework or was simply out there to strangle it to slow but sure death.

Likewise, another high efficiency project namely Punjab Thermal RLNG Power Plant at Trimmu, Jhang (1,263MW) has been delayed for more than three years by the PTI Government, first due to its illplaced enthusiasm for witch hunt through NAB and then by its deliberate delay in achieving financial close.

Had these three projects (3200 MW in total) been completed in time, urban Pakistan would not have been witnessing load-shedding today despite high energy prices in the international market. Two of these do not need any imported fuel and the third is high efficiency LNG plant ((more than 60 percent), which is

much more feasible than plants based on imported coal or residual fuel oil.

Higher cost LNG because of failure to enter into long-term LNG contracts when international LNG price was low.

There has been lack of planning to execute long term contract for purchasing RLNG. During COVID-19 (Mid 2020) the RLNG prices went far lower in the international market, but that opportunity of buying RLNG at US$3 to 5 per MMBTU was not availed by the then government and no long-term contact was entered at that stage. If such contract had been signed, consumers would have faced much lower electricity bills.

The average purchase price of the RLNG under the long-term contacts which was signed by the PML-N government has been at price of US$ 8.02/mmbtu between 2018 to 2022 whereas during same period on-spot average price has been US$ 9.44/mmbtu, despite huge price dip for two years in the same period on account of Covid.

Much greater loss has been incurred during recent months wherein spot buying of RLNG has been as high as US$ 38/mmbtu.

It is a classic case of missing the stitch in time that saves nine.

HIgH cOSt Of DOLLAR AnD cIRcuLAR DEBt: The Circular debt stock in June 2018 was Rs1,152 billion, which increased to Rs2,467 in March 2022 an increase of 114 percent, despite major injection out of taxpayer’s money. One of the major causes of this rapid rise in circular debt is the depreciation of PKR value from PKR 115 per dollar to PKR 191 per dollar under the watch of PTI Government and under the watch of the caretaker arrangement that was put in place to bring PTI Government into power.

The rise in circular debt has affected Government’s ability to pay privately-

Nation facing consequences of Imran’s wrong decisions: ministers LAHORE: Railways and Aviation Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday that the nation was facing the consequences of wrong decisions of former prime minister Imran Khan and his incompetent and ineligible government. Addressing a joint press conference with Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Railway Headquarters here on Sunday, he said that the Imran Khan government destroyed almost every institution and department of the country. Citing the example of Pakistan Railways (PR), he said the PTI government increased deficit of the railways to Rs 45 billion, which is only one department.

He said that whatever Imran blamed on others, he himself did that, adding that he (Imran) was himself a habitual thief, looter and cheapskate. “He always keeps an eye on others’ pocket,” he added.

Kh Saad said that Imran was living in a 300-kanal house in Islamabad, and paid a minimal tax, but never answered the questions about his business. “He blames others that their children live abroad, but never tells that where his own children were living,” he said.

The minister said that Dr Israr Ahmad (the late) and Shaheed Hakeem Saeed had long ago informed the nation that a project would be launched under Imran Khan to destabilise the country. “Now this stupid person is calling the establishment to intervene in the political affairs,” he said. Saad said that Imran Niazi always denigrated the Constitution and used foul language against those who do not toe his line. He said that Imran was a dictator by nature who did not like to listen to any other voice, adding that he (Imran) was an imbalanced and thankless person, who always damaged his friends. app

owned power plants in a timely fashion which, in turn, has piled up liabilities of coal power plants and dried their credit lines. So much so that three major power plants on coal (total capacity of 3900 MWs) have such low stock of coal that they are running on part load. In case of one coal power plant, coal is stuck at Karachi port because it has no money to clear the imported stock.

HIgHER EnERgy PRIcES In IntERnAtIOnAL MARkEt: Reasons for unavailability of Fuel Mix and What Incumbent Govt have done after 12th April, 2022?

PSO and PLL are engaged in import of LNG in the country. Under the executed LNG Supply Contracts with Qatar Petroleum / Qatar Energy, PSO imports 5+2 LNG cargoes whereas PLL is left with (1)one LNG Supply contract with ENI Italy as the other Suppler i.e, M/s Guvnor prematurely terminated the contract in April, 2022 following a series of consistent default in supply of cargoes since year 2021. Starting from July 22, PSO has managed to secure one LNG cargo from Qatar delivery of which was scheduled from January, 2023: During the ongoing tenure of the incumbent government, spot purchasing of LNG was made starting April till June, 2022 for enhanced RLNG supplies to power sector. The cost of LNG spot purchases during May to June 2022 was US$ 573 million.

Despite PSO and PLL facing issue of huge receivables towards SNGPL and power, the supply to power sector was made to the maximum extent possible against the demand raised. PSO’s shortfall in LNG payments as of June, 2022 is Rs285 billion whereas PLL stands at Rs119 billion receivables.

RLNG Supply to power (excluding K-Electric) against demand w.e.f 12th

April, 2022 to 30 June, 2022 is provided here under: In order to ensure zero load-shedding during Eidul Fitr break, the RLNG supply to Fertilizer, CNG and Industry was curtailed for enhanced supplies to power. CNG continue to remain curtailed whereas captive power (export) is restricted at 50% of their load as of June 30, 2022. Effective July 2022, the RLNG has fully been curtailed for captive (export and non-export) for supply to power sector during 1-8th July, 2022 For procurement of LNG, PLL was granted exemptions from PPRA Rules on 28th May 2022 for July 2022 onward delivery cargoes. Accordingly, PLL started procurement of July 2022 cargoes after 28th May2022, with three tenders closing in June 2022. However, due to downgrade in credit rating of the country and LC confirmation issues, participation by suppliers remained less.

The detail of three tenders conducted for July 2022 cargoes is as follows: The PLL has also floated a new tender for procurement of 10 LNG cargoes for delivery during July 2022 to September 2022.

The tender will close on 7 July 2022.

– Petroleum Division Role – On the other hand, Petroleum Division has been playing its role for arranging RFO requirements as per demand placed by the Power Division. The demand placed and RFO uplifted by Power Division since 16 April, 2022 is given as under: Existing RFO stocks available with the oil Industry (OMCs and Refineries) as of 30/6/2022 are 277,000 MT, whereas 2 RFO cargoes of 130,000MT are off port at present. Import of around 180,000MT is planned for July 2022. Thus, the above arrangements are sufficient to meet the demand of 436,000 MT placed by Power Division during July 2022.

Oil Industry has arranged product but actual upliftment has remained below the demand placed by Power Division due to lesser orders placed by power plants to OMCs and payment issues.

Accordingly, Petroleum Division is making all efforts for arranging required RFO for power sector and can comfortably meet RFO requirements subject to timely placing of orders and advance payments by respective power plants.

Polls only way out of current turmoil: Imran ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said that the only way out of descending into total chaos is to immediately announce and hold free and fair elections in the country.

He wrote on his official Twitter handle on Sunday: “My clear message to Imported government & its backers: Only way out of descending into total chaos is to immediate announcement and conduct of free & fair elections,”.

Lashing out at the coalition government, the former premier said that the way “this cabal of crooks is crushing people under unbearable inflation” while stealing Rs1,100 billion of their moneylaundered wealth.

“It’s only a matter of time before we go the way of Sri Lanka & into total economic and political free-fall,” he further said.

The former prime minister has been upping the ante against the current regime in

his latest statements. On Saturday, addressing his party’s power show at Islamabad’s Parade Ground, Imran said that he was not waging a battle against the state institutions but cautioned them to employ the time left at their disposal to rescue the nation from the thieves “before the game slips out of hands”.

He alleged that the PML-N-led coalition wanted to pit him against the army and judiciary but asserted such attempts would go in vain. “Listen closely, our life and death is in Pakistan.”

However, in the same breathe, Imran went on to ask the institutions as to why did they allow thieves to be imposed on Pakistan.

“Is curbing corruption from the country only my responsibility? They closed down corruption cases worth billions of rupees by amending the NAB law,” he remarked.

He further stressed that people have neither accepted the “US conspiracy” nor will they allow these “thieves” to continue their rule, adding that the “slaves and boot polishers” were responsible for the country’s economic plight.

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PM reviews law & order in Punjab LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday here chaired a high-level meeting regarding the law and order situation in the Punjab province.

Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly, Chief Secretary Punjab, Inspector General Punjab Police and senior police officers attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was given detailed briefing regarding the law and order situation in the Punjab province.

The prime minister directed that police should not give in to any pressure while performing their professional duties and ensure in every way possible, protection of life and property of the people. He further said that police should provide all possible protection of life and property to the public.

The PM assured that police would be provided sufficient funds for enhancing their capacity for overcoming present day challenges. However, he warned that poor performance and lethargic attitude would not be tolerated. app

Govt announces five holidays for Eidul Azha ISLAMABAD: Government has announced five holidays in connection with Eidul Azha, a notification stated that was released on Sunday.

According to a notification from PM Office, Eidul Azha holidays will be observed from July 8 to 12.

Pakistan is to celebrate Eidul Azha on July 10.

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Wednesday said Eidul Azha will fall on Sunday (July 10). Staff RepoRt

Nawaz-govt initiated 11,600MW power projects: Dastgir LAHORE: Federal Minister for Energy Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan on Sunday said that power projects commissioned in recent past had been initiated by previous Nawaz Sharif led PML-N government, which had started work on new power generation projects with accumulative capacity of 11,600 mega watts.

Addressing a press conference at GEPCO (Gujranwala Electric Power Company) office, he added that 720megawatt Karot power plant has started generation since June 29.

He said that water inflow in Tarbela Dam has increased significantly over the last three days, which resulted in an additional 600 MW of electricity. In next few days, the Tarbela Power Plant will be operating on capacity of 3400MW. To a question about load-shedding on Eid days, he said that there will be a considerable relief in power supply to domestic consumers owing to closure of industry during Eid-ul-Azha days.

During the PTI tenure, he mentioned, power projects of 5800MW could not generate electricity due to criminal negligence of the previous government which did not purchase fuel for these power plants, which led to power crisis and the people had to face long-hours power outages.

To a query, the minister said that huge quantum of electricity could be generated through Thar coal deposits, asserting that 1214 MW Thar Coal Power Plant will be the biggest coal power plant of Pakistan.

The new power generation projects being initiating by the present government will operate on domestic fuel instead of imported fuel. Staff RepoRt

PM, military leadership to mutually decide on next COAS: Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the military leadership will mutually decide on the next chief of army staff (COAS) but for now, the extension of the COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa or the appointment of new army chief is not on the table, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said.

In an interview with a private Tv news channel, the minister also criticized the

Imran Khan government for destroying China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects especially the Gwadar deep-sea port, which he revealed could no longer dock larger ships after falling to neglect under the PTI government.

Ahsan Iqbal said the Imran Khan government did not spend a single dollar on Gwadar although China allocated $123 million for the cleaning of the silt.

For four years, the maritime affairs authorities kept requesting for funds to carry out

maintenance dredging but in vain, he said.

The depth of Gwadar port had dropped from 14 meters to 11 meters, he said.

He added that the current government has now tasked the Pakistan Navy with dredging the port, but until the operation is completed no big ship could dock at Gwadar port.

Talking about the appointment of new COAS due in November, he said Imran Khan was making institutions controversial to save his politics.

For now, the extension of the COAS

Qamar Javed Bajwa or an appointment of new army chief is not under consideration, he said.

“This is something that the prime minister decides by working together with the military leadership in the interest of the country.

Hence, I believe that the matter related to our military institutions should not be debated in media and that too pre-maturely. When the time comes, the prime minister will decide in line with the national interest,” he said.

Ahsan Iqbal said Imran Khan was no

more than an angry man and he was destined to wander on the streets.

He said with the kind of politics Imran Khan was doing by hurling accusations against institutions he was digging his political grave and people will not accept him.

Over a question about Aslam Bhutani — who protested against the coalition government over its failure to issue development funds, Ahsan Iqbal said his complaint was based on a misunderstanding that had been removed.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk