Epaper_22-07-23 LHR

Saturday, 23 July, 2022 I 23 Zil Hajj, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 382 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

Hamza retains Cm’s slot as elaHi suffers sHoCk defeat g

PTI, PML-Q Move SC AGAINST PoLICe dePLoyMeNT IN ASSAMBLy, dePuTy SPeAKeR’S RuLING LAHORE

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HAT is being described as shocking and surprising, PTI and PML-Q candidate Pervaiz elahi on Friday lost Punjab chief minister’s election to PML-N’s leader Hamza Shehbaz after deputy Speaker ruled that 10 votes of PML-Q were rejected in the light of a letter from the party Chief Ch Shujaat Hussain.

According to details, Punjab Assembly deputy Speaker dost Mohammad Mazari -who chaired the session - ruled that the votes of PML-Q lawmakers will not be counted in the election of Punjab chief minister in the light of party head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain's letter.

Pervaiz elahi - joint candidate of PTI and PML-Q - received 186 votes, while Hamza Shehbaz got 179 votes. However, 10 votes of PML-Q were rejected by deputy Speaker dost Muhammad Mazari, hence taking the figure to 176.

Meanwhile, PTI MPA Raja Basharat countered the ruling of PA deputy Speaker dost Mazari, saying that the law states that the parliamentary party could issue instructions to party members. He pointed out that the party chief was not authorized to give such instructions if the parliamentary party had decided to vote a certain candidate. He also read the order of the Supreme Court. "The head of the parliamentary

photo: zubair mahfooz

party is Pervaiz elahi," he contended.

However, Mazari said that the matter had been clarified by the Supreme Court, subsequently prorogued the session.

PTI, PML-Q MOVE SC AGAINST MAZARI’S RULING Soon after the contentious ruling was announced, a joint parliamentary meeting of PML-Q and PTI was held, wherein it was decided to file a writ petition against the dost Mazari’s decision in the Supreme Court (SC).

Meanwhile, former planning minister

and PTI leader Asad umar tweeted that the party would approach the Supreme Court tonight.

The decision came after PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz was re-elected as the chief minister (CM) of Punjab as Punjab Assembly deputy Speaker dost Muhammad Mazari rejected the PMLQ’s votes in light of Ch Shujaat’s letter.

SHUJAAT REFUSED TO VOTE FOR PTI’S CANDIDATE In major political development minutes before the Chief Minister (CM) Pun-

jab election, PML-Q chief Ch Shujaat Hussain refused to vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed candidate Pervaiz elahi. Ch Shujaat Hussain excused himself from voting for Pervaiz elahi, the joint candidate of PTI and PML-Q. According to reports, Shujaat said that PML-Q will neither vote for the Imran Khan-backed candidate nor pave way for becoming a PTI candidate as the CM Punjab. It was learnt that Shujaat gave a clear message to Moonis elahi.

PA deputy Speaker dost Mazari received a letter from PML-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain in which he stated that his political party will remain impartial in the voting process for the CM election. He requested the PA deputy speaker to not count PML-Q votes. The deputy speaker showed Shujaat's letter in the House PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO ZARDARI, SHUJAAT Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to former president Asif Ali Zardari and Ch Shujaat Hussain, his family and associates for their role in the victory of democracy and constitutional values.

After election of Hamza Shehbaz as chief minister of Punjab, the prime minister in a statement thanked Allah Almighty for giving success to the coalition government. He said Ch Shujaat, who was the political heir and flagbearer of Chaudhry Zahoor elahi Shaheed, once again made alive the democratic traditions of his great father and family.

The role of Ch Shujaat was a win for

democracy and constitutional values, he added. Shehbaz Sharif said former president Asif Ali Zardari played a historic role for the Constitution, democracy and in the interest of the people.

The political fortitude of Asif Ali Zardari ended the crisis, he said and thanked him, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The prime minister also lauded the coalition parties, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party and Balochistan Awami Party.

The political sagacity, unity and support of the leaders of the coalition parties led to victory of democracy, he added. He also saluted the nation on the success of the coalition government.

PTI CHIEF CALLS FOR PROTEST PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has called for peaceful protests tonight against the outcomes of the CM Punjab election. Imran Khan said in his public address following the CM Punjab election that he was surprised by the happenings in the Punjab Assembly today. “everyone is now looking to the Supreme Court (SC).”

Khan said that he has always prayed for the strengthening of democracy in Pakistan. He added that moral values possess importance in democracy but everyone has witnessed the auction of politicians. He criticised that strict action would be taken against the horse trading of lawmakers in any other society.

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Punjab CM’s Poll: Legal experts term Deputy Speaker’s ruling illegal, void ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

Legal eagles are unanimous in their view that the parliamentary party and not the party head has the right to support any candidate for election of Leader of the House under Article 63-A and the ruling of deputy Speaker in election of Hamza Shehbaz as Chief Minister Punjab may be declared null and void.

Speaking on the matter, seasoned jurist Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said that one only needed to win with simple majority in runof-election and hence Pervez elahi has won the election and Shujaat Hussain’s decision is not binding if the party lawmakers are not communicated about the parliamentary party’s decision.

He said the Parliamentary Party has the right to decide the matter and not the party head. He added that the party head only has the move to prosecute any lawmaker(s), if the parliamentary party’s instructions have been violated. However, he said that if the party head feels that the lawmaker needs to be given benefit of doubt, he can drop his right to prosecute against the party’s lawmakers who violated the party’s parliamentary party.

He said that the parliamentary party needs to communicate clear instructions to the party lawmakers in clear terms and if he doesn’t receives any instruction, he cannot be held accountable for violating the party instruction.

He added that in the election of Hamza Shehbaz, the parliamentary party had held its meeting and decided the matter.

However, he said that Asif Zardari can’t be blamed for the situation and rather it was Chaudhry Shujaat to be

blamed for the chaos in his party. He said the situation warranted immediate general elections.

Asked whether the party head needs to release instructions to all the party lawmakers, Aitzaz Ahsan said that the direction needed to be released publicly and not to only sent to the deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly. He said that if the instructions have not been sent to the party lawmakers, the ruling of deputy Speaker would be void and illegal. Aitzaz said that the PML-Q lawmakers can rename under a new party and Chaudhry Shujaat can do nothing against them. eminent jurist Salman Akram Raja posted a tweet at social media blogging site, Twitter, saying that the Party head can’t stop the members of the parliamentary party from voting in accordance with the decision of the parliamentary party.

“Ar 63A is clear. Some manipulations of the Constitution are sad, this one is

just silly,” he added.

Former Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan said that Parliamentary Party and not the Party head, has the right to decide to support any candidate while the Party head has powers to communicate to the election Commission if any party lawmaker violated the decision of the parliamentary party.

He said that since Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter was sent once the election process started, the party lawmakers were not bound to follow the decision and deputy Speaker could not take any adverse decision against election of Pervez elahi.

He said that the Supreme Court is likely to rule in favour of Pervez elahi and deputy Speaker’s ruling may be termed null and void.

A senior Supreme Court advocate told that the Supreme Court judgement supports decision of deputy speaker but the government would have to establish the fact that Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter had been received and conveyed to the parliamentary party before the election as the party head is Shujaat. He said that Parliamentary leader is not mentioned in Article 63-A and rather is parliamentary party and one needs to see whether the decision was taken by the parliamentary party with majority.

President PILdAT Ahmed Bilal Mehboob also posted a tweet, saying that according to Constitution Article 63A(b), direction to vote for or against a candidate is issued to party legislators by parliamentary party in a legislature; & not by party head!

“So it is PMLQ parliamentary party in Punjab Assembly which directs its members & not Ch. Shujaat,” he maintained.

CJCSC, services chiefs review defence, security environment: ISPR RAWALPINDI staff report

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza on Friday chaired an important meeting of all services chiefs here at the Joint Staff Headquarters (JSHQ) to discuss defence and security environment of the country and the region.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu attended the meeting, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release on Friday.

According to the ISPR release, the participants were briefed in detail on national security situation specific to

the western border, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The meeting also discussed fast-paced developments in the realm of strategic and conventional policies, the importance of peace in Afghanistan for sustainable development in the region and the operational preparedness of the armed forces.

The forum expressed complete satisfaction and full confidence in the readiness of the defence forces. The participants also reaffirmed the resolve of the armed forces to respond to the entire spectrum of threats in the most befitting manner in line with a comprehensive security strategy.

The services chiefs also lauded the sacrifices of security agencies in the fight against terrorism.

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Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

ExPECTEd IndIA-UK FTA ALArms PAKIsTAnI ExPorTErs IsLAMABAD

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ITH India likely to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom (UK) soon, exporters of various products in Pakistan fear they might lose important markets to India in Europe.

Being the major competitor for various products in the foreign market, India may occupy the lucrative market under a relaxed or free duty structure. And although Pakistan also enjoys a relaxed duty regime in the UK under the UKGeneralised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) system, the facility is going to conclude by the end of next year as the UK has placed Pakistan in the “Enhanced Framework” which is the same as the GSP Plus category of the EU-GSP scheme following Brexit.

According to sources, the UK may introduce a new GSP plus scheme after 2023, with limited duty facilities to countries falling under the GSP umbrella.

“Though Pakistan would qualify for the new GSP plus scheme, its major competitor India may have better and larger access to the UK market under the bilateral FTA,” sources at the Ministry of Commerce informed this scribe.

It may be mentioned here that Pakistan has also requested the UK to initiate a bilateral FTA. “Initial negotiation and talks on diplomatic and departmental level have already began but the process may take time as it needs in-depth assessment and deliberation,” they said, adding that such an initiative has on the cards since the UK’s disintegration from the EU. According to the sources, the already delayed process faces further hurdles after the change of government in Pakistan.

Ahsan blames PTI for ‘spreading political uncertainty’ News Desk Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Friday alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was making attempts to spread ‘uncertainty and political instability’ to topple the incumbent development focused government led by Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) in Punjab. Addressing a press conference here, he said the PML-N government put the province on the track of sustainable progress and development, and international organisations praised the governance of PML-N successive governments in the province. However, he criticised that PTI, during its almost four years rule in the Punjab province, harmed institutions, besides committing “mega corruption”. He alleged that enough evidence emerged against PTI in foreign funding case, but the party was still receiving funds and using it for advancing political goals and rationale on social media against the political opponents and institutions. Ahsan Iqbal said that the country was passing through a phase of economic restoration and there was a need of ‘grand national recovery’ and charter of economy, whereas the PTI leadership was playing a “game” of creating unrest in the country. He further criticised that the incompetence of PTI government resulted in country’s isolation at diplomatic forum which allowed India to carry unilateral activities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. “Poor economic policies of the previous government took the country to close alley and the present government had to take tough decisions to bring the country out of that situation”.

In the meantime, the fast tracked progress of the India-UK FTA has alarmed various sectors in Pakistan including the rice sector which is cognizant of the fact that India may occupy the UK market after getting free duty.

As per Taufiq Ahmed Khan, former vice president of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), the FTA between the neighbouring country and UK, which is likely to materialise by October, will ultimately create hurdles for rice exporters from Pakistan.

“We have come to know about this development through different sources and importers in UK; the said FTA is likely to be signed in October 2022 at the time of Diwali,” he said, adding that since no third country can Interfere in this matter, Pakistan needed to lobby for similar treatment under any PTA, FTA or existing GSP facility.

“Both the government in Pakistan and the Pakistani diaspora in the UK should work together and use their influence for a similar FTA with Pakistan. The government and concerned ministry in Pakistan should focus on the issue as the business opportunities in the UK have increased manifolds after Brexit,” he emphasised.

Data shows that India is a major competitor for Pakistan in the UK rice market with its export of rice to the kingdom registered at $167 million in 2021 against Pakistan’s exported rice worth $104 million out of its total export amounting to $2.159 billion registered in the last fiscal year.

Under the existing GSP regime, white milled rice from both India and Pakistan are subject to 17 per cent duty in the UK. In case of an FTA, Indian exporters of white milled rice would not have to pay any duty.

Imran wants anarchy, instability in country: Saad News Desk Railways and Aviation Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique has said that Imran Khan wants anarchy and instability in the country by getting hold of all powerful institutions.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said that Imran Niazi resorted to horse-trading to get power in 2018, and onward in all elections including GilgitBaltistan, Kashmir and Senate.

He said when any member of the parliament joined his party PTI by changing his affiliations, Imran called him a ‘tiger’, but when any PTI’s member joined the opponents, Niazi called him a turncoat.

What principle was applicable when Jalil Sharaqpuri and Faisal Niazi changed their party, he raised a question.

Khwaja Saad said that a statement in favour of the Constitution by a man, who ruined it was nothing more than brazenness, adding that Niazi never followed the principles of democracy.

He said that the coalition was working to save the country from default, which was almost inflicted on it by Imran Niazi. “We would expose you before the nation that you were working on the agenda of destroying the country,” he added.

On the issue of foreign funding case, the minister demanded the Election Commission to announce the verdict at the earliest as, he added, the chief election commissioner would have to face Niazi’s abuses in any case. Saad said that Imran was a thankless person, adding that he always deceived his friends.

The minister also requested the apex court to take up the review petition about Article 63-A of the Constitution.

He said that it was against norms of the PML-N to use foul language against its opponents, but Imran should keep it in his mind that he could be paid in the same coin.

Imran was instigating institutions to become partial, he said and made it clear that it was not their job to interfere in politics.

HC dismisses contempt plea against ECP News Desk The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday dismissed a contempt of court plea against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a case seeking de-notification of Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Kashif Chaudhry. Acting Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced the decision which was reserved earlier after listening the arguments from the respondents. The court remarked that contempt of court case couldn’t be established against the ECP at this stage. The petitioner had took the stance that the ECP had not de-notified MPA Kashif Chaudhry despite his appeal against his disqualification had been terminated by the top court. The IHC had disqualified the MPA after he was found guilty for hiding facts from the ECP. The ECP representative had told the court that the institution had not so far received the judgment of the top court on the appeal of MPA.

TLP’s sit-in outside ECP continues in Karachi News Desk A large number of activists of the Tehreek-eLabbaik Pakistan (TLP) continue to sit outside the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Karachi on Friday to register their protest against one of the commission’s decisions.

TLP Ameer Hafiz Saad Rizvi will lead Friday prayers at the site of the sit-in. Later, he will also address the participants. TLP, a religious party, is protesting against the ECP’s decision in which the latter had said that the results of the by-election in NA-240, Karachi were valid.

Joint Working Group welcomes third parties to benefit from avenues opened up by CPEC IsLAMABAD

NCOC issues SoPs for Muharramul Haram processions News Desk National Command and Operation Control (NCOC) has issued Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for processions and public gatherings in the month of Muharram-ul-Haram.

According to details, the NCOC has issued SOPs for public gatherings and processions in the month of Muharram-ul-Haram.

Wearing a mask and using sanitisers during the holy month have been made compulsory by NCOC. The NCOC added that only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to participate in processions. Moreover, all procession venues should be open with good ventilation, the NCOC added.

Older people and children have been suggested to watch processions and public gatherings from home, the NCOC said.

The distribution of the NCOC SOPs manual has also been made compulsory.

COVID-19 has been on a surge with the positivity rate increasing in the last few weeks.

On Thursday, Pakistan reported as many as three Covid-related deaths while 599 fresh cases of the

pandemic have been reported in the country during the last 24 hours, the data shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH) said.

The number of Covid cases reported to the WHO increased 30 per cent in the past two weeks, driven by sub-variants of the Omicron strain and the lifting of control measures.

Sindh govt opposed to postponement of LG polls: CM kARACHI Staff RepoRt

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said that his government was opposed to the postponement of second phase of local bodies elections scheduled for July 24, saying the provincial government had assured the Election Commission of full support and assistance for the elections.

Talking to the media on Friday, just after performing the concluding ceremony of annual Urs of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Mr Shah said that his government was keen to conduct local bodies elections’ second phase in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.

“We had told the election Commission that the provincial government would work with them even if heavy downpour was received in some parts of Dadu districts,” he said and added the court had also dismissed the application filed for postponement but even then, the [local bodies] elections were postponed.

He was accompanied by Advisor to CM on Religious Affairs Fayaz Butt, Special Assistant on Auqaf Payar Ali

Shah and MPA Naeem Kharal.

Dispelling the impression that some political parties were staging protests against the Sindh government for postponement of elections, the CM said they were protesting against those who had decided the postponement.

Replying to a question, Mr Shah said that the party which has majority in the Punjab Assembly would be able to form the government.

“This is a baseless allegations and propaganda that we have sent money to Punjab for horse trading,” he said and added this was a similar allegation leveled in 2018 that Rs2 billion being laundered through launch were seized and then another allegation came up that millions of rupees were recovered from the basement of a bungalow. The CM Sindh pointed out a leaked telephone call of a former federal minister in which he was heard asking a person to give money to a PML-N MPA. “He admitted what he had said even then the baseless allegations are leveled against PPP leadership,” he deplored and added that the Sindh House was being defamed for nothing.

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan and China have welcomed interested third parties to benefit from avenues opened up by China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for mutually beneficial cooperation. The gesture was presented during the 3rd meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination which was held in the virtual mode. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed continued implementation of CPEC and its expansion to jointly agreed priority areas. It was further noted that as a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has broken new ground in strengthening international and regional connectivity, especially in the context of its extension to Afghanistan. It was agreed that CPEC’s development had reached a new point, with increasing emphasis on high-quality development of industry, agriculture, IT, and science and technology, while ensuring tangible socio-economic benefits for the people. The two sides also agreed to support and encourage the media and think tanks to highlight CPEC’s contributions as a high-impact case study of international cooperation for sustainable development.

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Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

KU BLAsT: InvEsTIGATors PrEPArE sKETCH oF ALLEGEd FACILITATor

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News Desk

NVESTIGATORS have prepared a sketch of an alleged male facilitator in the Karachi University (KU) suicide blast that targeted Chinese teachers. According to details, the sketch has been prepared by the CTD experts with the help of eyewitnesses and the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have appealed to the citizens to help them find the man.

Sources privy to the development said Zaib was the main facilitator in the KU blast who prepared the bag with explosives. It has been learnt that Zaib was living in Karachi’s Delhi Colony with the family of Habitan, the husband of Shari Baloch, the suicide bomber n the

KU blast.

The alleged facilitator was giving training to the banned BLA Majeed Group terrorists.

Police have previously released another CCTV footage related to the Karachi University blast which showed an alleged facilitator of the female suicide bomber Shari Baloch.

The attack which killed at least four people including three Chinese teachers who were working for the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi was carried out by a female suicide bomber of a banned terror organisation.

The footage shows the suspected suicide bomber reaching the department in an autorickshaw and then standing at a distance when the other burqa-clad woman, who was already standing there approaches her, communicates something and woman hands over a bag.

People will come out if attempt made to steal mandate, warns Asad Umar News Desk Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar on Friday warned the opposition that people will come out against them in case of any attempt to steal the mandate.

Talking to the media, former Federal Minister Asad Umar said that their numbers are complete for the

Cabinet approves Board of directors for sBP kARACHI

election of Punjab Chief Minister and there will be no surprise today. “We have complete numbers and if an attempt is made to steal the mandate, people will come out on their own,” he said.

Asad Umar added that Asif Zardari being in action is a good thing as it represents the panic on their side.

Further criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)

Co-chairman he said they used to talk about the magnified influence of Zardari’s politics, but now that politics is over. Politics inside the closed rooms will not work in Pakistan anymore, he added.

He said that, “Our members in the Punjab Assembly have no reservations and our unanimous candidate is Pervaiz Elahi.”

State institutions, media should create enabling environment for ‘truly representative govt’: President

aRiba Shahid

The Cabinet has approved a list of Board of Directors (BoD) for the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) submitted by the Finance Division. The BoD consists of Dr Ali Cheema, Dr Akbar Zaidi, Tariq Pasha, Najaf Yawar, Fawad Anwar, Nadeem Hussain, Mehfooz Ahmed Khan, Zahid Fakhar ud Din Ebrahim, Secretary Finance Division, and the Governor SBP. Details of the BoD Ali Cheema: An Associate Professor of Economics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Cheema serves as the Faculty Director of the Mahbub Ul Haq Research Centre. He is a co-founder of the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP).

Syed Akbar Hussain Zaidi: Renowned Pakistani political economist, academic, and author, Zaidi is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi. His areas of interest in research include political economy, development, the social sciences, and history.

Tariq Pasha: Before his appointment as FBR chairman in 2017, Pasha was serving as Special Assistant to the Finance Minister, Secretary Economic Affairs Division, and Secretary Statistics Division. Spanning a decades-long career, he has served on the Boards of Pak Brunei Investment Company, Aitchison College Lahore, and the Bank of Punjab and served as Secretary, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, and Gilgit Baltistan.

Najaf Yawar: Director and Chairperson of the Management Studies Department at GC University, Yawar’s teaching interests lie in the fields of Operations Management and Technology. He has more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing and servicing the most distinguished clients in Morocco, Italy, and Pakistan.

News Desk President Dr Arif Alvi on has said that all state institutions and media should endeavour to create enabling environment for setting up a government which was truly representative of the people of Pakistan.

The president while addressing the 5th Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Business Excellence Awards ceremony, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday night, said the truly representative government should reflect their aspirations and hopes of the people to ensure political and economic stability needed for the promotion of business, trade and investment in the country.

The president said that Pakistan could rise within a decade if it strengthened its democracy, established a government that was truly representative of its people’s aspirations, and its leadership made the right decisions, curbed corruption, upheld justice and promoted human rights.

He said that consultative institutions, trade and investment, and passion were the key ingredients for any nation to become prosperous.

He said that in addition to making the right decisions, and implementing dynamic policies, Pakistan needed to curb corrupt practices if it was to become a peaceful, prosperous, progressive and respectable country in the comity of nations.

President Alvi said that Pakistan needed to maintain cordial relations with all of its international partners and avoid becoming parties to divisive politics in international relations.

Urging the business community to invest in the development of intellectual avenues, the president said that upskilling the human resources in different sectors of the economy, especially the IT sector, could help Pakistan achieve high economic growth rates.

He stated that by focusing on the development of the knowledge-based economy and intellectual development of its human resources, Pakistan could achieve the status of a developed, peaceful and progressive country.

He said that the business and industrial sectors were

the backbone of the country’s economy.

“Country grows when the industry grows, therefore, the government should take every step possible to promote business and industry by rationalizing the taxation system, setting up new industrial estates and economic zones and focusing on the promotion of exports and industrialization”, he added.

The president also called upon the members of ICCI to collaborate with universities to develop indigenous solutions to the specific problems being faced by the local industry. He said that it was the social responsibility of the private sector to contribute to the uplift of society and the economy.

The ICCI should help make cities more environmentally friendly and accessible for differentlyabled people (DAPs), he added.

He said the private sector should also take steps to provide training and skills to the uneducated and DAPs and employ them as per their capabilities as equally empowered employees.

The president added that all industries should make sure that the quota fixed for DAPs was fully implemented.

He urged the business community to increase the participation of women in business and other social activities, stating that the exclusion of women from economic and social activities had no basis in religion rather it was derived from cultural and human biases embedded in our culture and social norms.

He stressed that cultural and structural hindrances against women’s inclusion should be removed by taking affirmative action in different sectors, including business, trade, investment and manufacturing.

He regretted that women were being deprived of their inheritance and property rights in some parts of the country, despite Islam and the Constitution granting them their rights.

The president also highlighted that polarization in Indian society was increasing and the situation of Indian minorities, especially Muslims, was particularly debilitating.

Suicide incidents common among Indian armed forces’ personnel News Desk Suicide incidents are common among Indian military personnel as is evident from the data recently released by the Indian Defense Ministry which says that 819 armed forces’ personnel have committed suicide in last five years.

Among the 819 suicides committed by Indian armed forces’ personnel in last five years across India, as many as 642 are from the Indian Army, 148 from Indian Air Force (IAF) and 29 from Indian Navy, said a report released by the KMS, today.

It said the rising suicides among Indian armed forces show increasing level of depression and low morale within the military. One of the main reasons behind the highest suicide rate in Indian armed forces is their deployment in conflict zones like Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), it

added.

The report revealed that 548 Indian forces’ personnel have committed suicides in IIOJK since January 2007 till date and over 21 troops have, so far, committed suicides in 2022 across the occupied territory.

Realization of fighting a futile war against a hostile public besides workplace ill-treatment and poor services are some causes of increasing suicides among Indian military in IIOJK, the report maintained.

It said callous attitude of seniors and denial of leave for long hauls are also cited as reasons for alarming suicidal tendencies among the Indian military personnel.

The report pointed out that the Indian military leadership had badly failed to address issues relating to suicides among its officers and soldiers

NEWS

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Cm Punjab election: PmL-n ministers vacate govt offices: sources News Desk Hours before the CM Punjab election, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) provincial ministers have started to vacate government offices, sources said on Friday. Provincial ministers Hassan Murtaza, Malik Ahmed Khan, Rana Iqbal and others have started to vacate govt offices and residences, sources said. It may be noted that the former president and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari held a long meeting with PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to get support for the Punjab CM election, but his efforts went in vain. A crucial session of the Punjab Assembly (PA) for the election of the provincial chief minister (CM) will be held today (Friday) at 4pm under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari. According to details, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has a clear majority in the Punjab Assembly, with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi now most likely to replace Hamza Shahbaz Sharif as the new chief minister of the province.

Pakistan’s exports to China up nearly 10.97% year-on-year in H1 2022 News Desk Pakistan’s export to China crossed $1.918 billion in the first half (H1) of this year, up 10.97 percent from $1.728 billion in the same period of the previous year, which continue to increase on yearly basis, shows the official data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). According to sources, despite the epidemic of COVID-19, bilateral trade has increased significantly. In the first half of this year, the total volume of trade between China and Pakistan increased nearly 15 percent amounting to $ 14.39 billion as compared with the same period in 2021 which was $12.55 billion due to COVID-19. Compared with data of the first half of 2021, this year Pakistan’s exports to China in January increased by 17.80% amounting to $382.22 million; in February it was up by nearly 30% crossing $287.65 million; in March it increased 7.23% amounting to $367.71 million; COVID19 impacted Pakistan’s exports in April causing a decrease of 21.15% standing at $283.53 million; in May it increased nearly 3% reaching $280.97 million while in June it increased by nearly 54% crossing $316.36 million.

Shan Saeed, Chief Economist at Juwai IQI told China Economic Net that the increasing exports from Pakistan to China is a good sign for both countries. It clearly signifies the deep-rooted trade and commerce momentum has been generated through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “China has really opened up the market for Pakistani goods. Both countries can benefit from long-term relationships. Pakistan can export further as China is the second largest economy in the world. Pakistan’s geography is very germane for China and the global macro-economic landscape,” Shan added. He further said that Pakistan can become a food basket for China because the Chinese market is huge and has good buying power, therefore Pakistan should take advantage of its good relationship and China can help relocate its industries & technologies to Pakistan to increase its exports to China and around the globe. It is to be noted that Pakistan is expected to achieve a figure of $32 billion in bilateral trade within the next two-three years and is likely to achieve a figure of $50 billion before 2030.

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Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

FM BIlAwAl For CloSe PAkIStAn-IrAn CooPerAtIon on AFGhAnIStAn MAtterS

F

StAff RepoRt

OREIGN Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday underscored the importance of close cooperation between Pakistan and Iran on matters relating to Afghanistan, including refugee management, regional security, and institutional mechanisms.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, prosperous and connected Afghanistan. The foreign minister was talking to Iran’s Special Representative to the Presi-

dent on Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Ghomi, who called on him here, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

He highlighted Pakistan’s provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including recent relief efforts in wake of the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan on 22 June 2022.

The foreign minister also reiterated the importance of continued constructive engagement and practical cooperation with the Interim Afghan Government in order to promote the objective of sustainable peace and

security in the region.

On bilateral ties, he expressed Pakistan’s keen desire to further strengthen relations with Iran, which are rooted deep in common faith, shared history, and cultural affinities.

The foreign minister highlighted the importance of regular exchanges to advance economic and trade relations, energy cooperation, regional security and connectivity.

Special Envoy Hassan Kazemi Ghomi noted that Iran associated high importance to its relations with Pakistan.

He appreciated the constructive role

played by Pakistan in Afghanistan and underscored that peace and stability in Afghanistan were essential pre-requisites for the region’s long-term stability and prosperity.

Earlier, the Iranian Special Representative met his Pakistani counterpart Ambassador ® Mohammad Sadiq, where both sides discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, highlighted the importance of pursuing continuous and practical engagement, and reviewed various trade and connectivity initiatives in the region.

Structural reforms key to address Balochistan’s issues: speakers ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Boat riding in Indus, Chenab banned NewS DeSk Chief Officer District Council Muzaffargarh on Friday prohibited boat riding in rivers Indus and Chenab keeping in view water level of the rivers and recent deaths in a boat capsize incident in Rahimyar Khan following the recent rains. Many people had died and several had gone missing after their boat had capsized in Indus river near Sadiqabad while they were going to the river bank as part of a marriage party a few days back. CO, Rana Mahboob Alam banned boat ride on 30 points on the bank of the two rivers traditionally called Pattan, for public safety. According to a notification issued here Friday, the recent rains have raised water level and created a flood like situation in the district that can be dangerous.

SC issues notices to AGP, AG Sindh in MQM-P’s plea against delimitation ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday served notices on the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) and Advocate General Sindh in a petition filed by MQM-P against delimitations of constituencies for LG elections. A three-member bench of the SC headed by CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard the case. In his arguments, counsel for the MQM-P Barrister Faroogh Naseem said the delimitations in Sindh have been challenged by them as the amendments made by the Sindh govt are against the constitution and the decision of the SC. Naseem said the SHC also declared the amendments unconditional. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah in his remarks said then the case has to be sent back to the high court. SC can transfer the case to SHC after issuing a stay order, Faroogh Naseem said. Upon being asked about the copy of the detailed verdict of the SHC in the case, the MQM-P’s lawyer said the copy was submitted to SC Karachi Registry. Later, the court after issuing notices to AGP and AG Sindh adjourned the hearing until next Tuesday.

The speakers at a roundtable conference underlined the importance of structural reforms in Balochistan province for the improvement of law and order situation.

The round-table conference titled “Securing Balochistan Amid Hybrid Warfare Through Development” was organized by Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR).

Addressing the participants, Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar said there has been constant advocacy of Baloch insurgency from politicians or leaders which has worsened the situation. The conflict is there, insurgency is there, and it is not because

of grievances rather organized conflict against the state of Pakistan, declared the senator.

He said Balochistan was vital for CPEC, specifically Gwadar, and the international factor cannot be neglected for insurgency in the province.

Assistant Professor Department of Governance and Public Policy NUST, Dr Farah Naz said Balochistan is a test case of hybrid warfare against Pakistan. “Every aspect of hybrid warfare is there in Balochistan.”

She further said that Balochistan has been ruled by its own people who always look to the federal government rather than introspection towards their own rulers.

Dr Naz also said that the conflict

in Balochistan is directly linked with the development in the province, especially CPEC. Dean Social Sciences University of Wah Dr Nazir said that other countries have developed expertise on Balochistan specifically India and US, which they exploit to the fullest.

Vice Chancellor University of Turbat University, Dr Mansoor Ahmed highlighted that it has been tested before to bring peace through development which is failing miserably. Development doesn’t bring peace it’s the other way round, he added.

Lt-Gen (r) Naeem Khalid Lodhi said that dialogue is necessary in order to resolve the issue in Balochistan. He said military is the stake

holder in peace and development in the province. They have appropriate share in the center. They are ruled by their own people and after 18th amendment it is the ruler who should be asked. He said Balochistan is a complex of societal, economic and political flaws and adding to it is the foreign intervention which worsens the situation, said Gen Naeem.

Talking about CPEC Gen Lodhi said that Balochistan is vital to CPEC specifically Gwadar, adding that international factor cannot be neglected in Balochistan insurgency.

Lt-Gen Dr Zahid Latif Mirza said that unless and until structural reforms are brought in the provincial governments there would be no solution of law and order situation.

President, PM congratulate Samina Baig on summiting K2 along with six women team NewS DeSk President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated the renowned Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig for scaling Pakistan’s highest mountain K2.

Samina Baig and her team of six women mountaineers – two from Pakistan and one each from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Chinese Taipei – successfully summited the savage peak of K2 on Friday morning.

President Alvi also felicitated another Pakistani female mountaineer Naila Kiyani who was also part of the team to have summited the peak following Samina Baig.

“I congratulate Samina Baig on summiting the world’s 2nd highest and Pakistan’s highest mountain K-2/8611 meter, today morning, followed by Naila Kiyani,” the president wrote on his official Twitter handle.

“Congratulations to Samina Baig, the first Pakistani woman mountaineer to scale the world’s second highest peak ‘K2’ and her family for their achievement,” the prime minister also tweeted.

President Alvi said he was proud of Pakistani women who play their role in all fields side by side with men by excelling themselves.

He said that the Pakistani women also proved that women empowerment was of vital importance to ensure their contribution to national development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Samina Baig had emerged as a “symbol of determination, courage and bravery of Pakistani women”.

“She has proved that Pakistani women are not behind men in the sport of mountaineering,” he commented.

The prime minister expressed the hope that “Samina Baig will continue to wave the flag of Pakistan all over the world with the same spirit.”

K2 is known to be the world’s most dangerous and difficult summit.

It is the world’s second highest peak, with a height of 8,611 metres above sea level.

In 2013, Baig became the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. She also holds the honour of scaling the seven highest peaks in the world, known as the Seven Summits.

‘Grand Canal of China – Overseas Tourism Promotion Season 2022’ launched globally pReSS ReLeASe The “China’s Grand Canal Overseas Tourism Promotion Season 2022” is officially launched on July 20, and will continue until August 20, 2022.

The launching ceremony of the event was held on 20th July 2022 in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province of China. The event is organized by the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Department of International Cooperation of the State Administration of Radio and Television, and Network of International Culturalink Entities, together with the

cultural and tourism departments (bureaus) of eight provinces (cities), including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Shandong, and Henan.

China Cultural Center in Pakistan will host the event online, where each day we will expose you to an intriguing program about China’s Grand Canal, including the promotion of local cultural and tourism projects, the screening of documentaries about intangible cultural heritage, photo exhibitions, and much more. Stay tuned to our social media platforms, including our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/cccenterinpak and our Wechat Official Account.

Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

05

PAkIstAn sEEks ‘ClOsE’ tIEs wItH Us, EsPECIAlly In ECOnOmIC & tRAdE sECtOR: sAPm FAtEmI

corporate corner

WASHIngton

Officials of Bank Alfalah and ACE Money Transfer in a group photo with six lucky remittance senders who were given away Kia Sportage. zubair mahfooz

IHC orders removal of chairperson PEIRA ISLAMABAD

t

Staff report

HE Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister, Tariq Fatemi, Thursday met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, during which he reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks “close and cordial” relations with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual cooperation and mutual benefit, according to an embassy press release.

In an earlier tweet, SAPM Fatemi said the meeting, which took place at the State Department, was “productive.”

He said that Pakistan was an important player in promoting regional

peace, security and prosperity and taking the bilateral relationship forward in a substantive manner would serve the interests of both Pakistan and the US. The Government of Pakistan viewed the US as an important partner in its efforts to revive Pakistan’s economy. In this context, enhanced bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, textile and IT sectors was our key priority. While defence cooperation would continue to be an important pillar in the relationship, new areas like climate change provided additional avenues of bilateral cooperation. Deputy Secretary Sherman agreed with SAPM Fatemi’s views and said that the US would continue to work with Pakistan

on a broad-based agenda to strengthen bilateral relations, the press release said.

SAPM Fatemi said that the government of Pakistan would continue to work with the international community including the US to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and economic collapse in Afghanistan while at the same time engaging with the Taliban to ensure that they live up to their commitments.

On her part, Deputy Secretary Sherman conveyed US government’s gratitude on the facilitation provided by Pakistan in evacuation from Afghanistan and said that the US government would continue to work with Pakistan in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.

SAPM Fatemi briefed Deputy Secretary Sherman on the continued Indian oppression in IIOJK and human rights violations against Muslims in India. He called upon the international community to urge India to stop its repressive policies and create conditions conducive for a meaningful and result oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

SAPM Fatemi and Deputy Secretary Sherman noted that this year marked the 75th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the US They agreed to commemorate this milestone in a befitting manner.

Staff report

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declared the appointment of Zia Batol as chairperson Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) illegal and ordered her removal from the post.

Single bench of IHC comprising Justice Mohsin Akhter Kayani announced the verdict, which was reserved earlier after listening arguments from the litigants. The government had issued a notification in October 2019 regarding the appointment of Zia Batol as chairperson PEIRA. In its judgment, the court instructed the government to de-notify Zia Batol immediately and initiate a process to fill the post under the law. The court observed it had repeatedly sought the record regarding the appointment from education ministry but it was not presented. It instructed the Establishment Division to constitute a committee for conducting inquiry of missing documents. The court would send the matter to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) if negligence was found. The court asked the Establishment Division to complete inquiry report within three months and submit its report to the bench. The petition was filed by a citizen Imtiaz Ali Qureshi challenging the appointment.

POF exporting products to over 40 countries WAH

KP govt released 10pc funds for ongoing projects ISLAMABAD aziz buneri

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has released 10% [Rs1.54 billion] of the funds allocated for salaries for 32 sectors of ongoing development projects included in the annual development program of the current fiscal year 2022-23.

According to the circular, Rs530 has been issued to the Department of Agriculture, Rs400 million to the Department of Awqaf, Rs9.5 million to the Department of Finance, Rs70 million to water and sanitation services, Rs7.7 million for the Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education, Rs2.58mn to Water and Power Department, Rs10.40 million to the Environment Department, Rs 10.27 million to the Establishment and Administration Department, Rs2.9 million to the Excise Department, Rs3.5 million to Finance Department, Rs200m to Food Department, Rs700m to Forest Department, Rs 33.5m to the Department of Health, Rs20.1m t0o Department of Higher Education, Rs50m to the Department of Interior, Rs140m to the Department of Information, Rs30 million to the Department of Labor, Rs20. 81m to Department of Law and Justice, Rs10m to Local Government De-

partment, Rs10.7m Minerals Department, Ra290m to Multi-Sectoral Development, Rs60.6m to Population Welfare, Rs50m to Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Rs2 lakh for road projects, Rs40.2m Social welfare Department, Rs520m to sports and tourism department, Rs90.7m for science and technology department, Rs10 m for transport department, Rs90m for urban development while Rs5.6 have been released for the employees associated with drinking water facilities projects.

According to the circular, the expenditure will be incurred on approved activities in PC-1 of the projects.

Staff report

Muhammad Israr Tareen, Federal Minister for Defence Production visited Pakistan Ordnance Factories this morning. On arrival at POF, Federal Minister MoDP was received by Lt Gen Ali Amir Awan, HI(M), Chairman POF Board. The Federal Minister was introduced with DGs, POF Board Members, Senior Civil and Military Officials. Federal Minister was told in detailed briefing that POF is the premier defence organization of the country which is not only meeting defence requirement of the Armed Forces of Pakistan but also exporting its products to more than 40 countries around the globe. Federal Minister was further briefed that POF is a sizeable defence production complex with 14 independent production units, 12 subsidiaries and total work force is more than 24,000. POFs industrial base is strong enough to undertake development and production of almost all types of conventional arms and ammunitions. The Federal Minister visited POF Products Display Lounge and appreciated the quality of POF Products. He lauded the efforts being made by POF’s engineers, scientists and workmen for the defence of the nation.

JKLF’s hunger strike camp continues to express solidarity with Yasin Malik neWS DeSk The hunger strike camps started by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and various cities of the UK to express solidarity with the party Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, continued on the 2nd day, today.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Yasin Malik, who is facing life imprisonment in false cases registered against him and lodged in illegally detained in New Delhi notorious Tihar Jail, has announced an indefinite hunger strike from today against the denial of justice and fair trial by the Indian kangaroo courts.

The JKLF spokesman in a statement said that

the hunger strike camp started by the party’s Acting Chairman Raja Haq Nawaz Khan and Deputy Chairman Saleem Haroon and others in Islamabad continued on the second day today. Many members of the civil society visited the camp set up outside the National Press Club, Islamabad, despite inclement weather.

The spokesman said, the hunger strike camp led by the JKLF leaders Malik Aslam, Abrar Iftikhar and Ghazi Sajid Bukhari in Kotli city of AJK also continued. Similarly, a hunger strike was started in Lal Chowk, Muzaffarabad, under the leadership of district president Raja Asim Razzak in which many workers of JKLF, youth and students are participating.

Pakistan, Germany agree to further strengthen bilateral robust economic relations neWS DeSk Pakistan and Germany have agreed to make concerted efforts to further strengthen bilateral robust economic relations.

The agreement was reached during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed Pakistan’s interest in deeper bilateral engagement in the field of climate change and capacity enhancement of country’s scientific institutions dealing with climate change.

He appreciated Germany’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, which is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

The Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan highly values its relations with Germany, both bilaterally and in the context of the European Union, which should be further expanded in all areas of mutual interest.

In the context of situation in Afghanistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underlined that Pakistan has been facilitating the evacuations on a humanitarian basis.

He also reiterated the need for scaled up support of the international community in protecting the lives and livelihoods of the Afghan people in the wake of dire humanitarian and economic crises and acknowledged Germany’s humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

Hamza retains CM’s slot as Elahi suffers shock defeat contInueD froM pAge 01 “I want to appeal to the nation to record their peaceful protest against the Punjab Assembly developments tonight.”

The PTI chief said that no action was taken against the horse trading of lawmakers during the last Senate polls despite the footage of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son had surfaced.

“We have defeated the state machinery, all political parties and the corrupt election commission. When this CM Punjab election was underway, Asif Ali Zardari was present in the province. I was fully aware of the trade of consciences by Zardari by using the stolen public funds.”

Moonis clarifies about PMlQ's status PML-Q leader and former federal minister Moonis Elahi clarified about the status of his political party in Chief Minister (CM) Punjab election. Moonis Elahi said in a Twitter message, "Yesterday, PML parliamentary party chaired by parliamentary party leader Sajid Bhatti in the Punjab Assembly held its meeting and it was decided unanimously that Pervaiz Elahi is the Chief Minister (CM) candidate."

He said that PML-Q wants chief ministership through Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan instead of Pakistan Muslim

League Nawaz (PML-N) and its allies.

PMl-Q WorKers Protest aGainst sHuJaat PML-Q workers staged a protest against the party president Shujaat Hussain over his decision to not voting for Pervaiz Elahi during Chief Minister (CM) Punjab election.

PML-Q workers vented off their anger against the party president Ch Shujaat Hussain over his decision regarding the CM Punjab election. The workers said that they have been supporting the Chaudhry brothers for two decades but Shujaat’s name will not be mentioned in the political history in a good context.

They expressed outrage that the workers cast vote to elect PML-Q lawmakers but the top leader bowed his head before someone else. They alleged that he sold his conscience to get the short-term rulership.

“The results of the Punjab by-elections showed who is having the massive public support. We respect Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Salik Hussain very much. We want to request Shujaat withdraw his decision. We have full confidence in the leadership of Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi.”

The political activists also raised slogans against Shujaat and Salik Hussain. iGP reMoVeD MoMents before cM Vote Earlier, moments before the much-antic-

ipated session of the Punjab Assembly to elect a new chief minister commenced on Friday, the government appointed a new provincial police chief.

According to Establishment Division notifications, copies of which are available with Dawn.com, Rao Sardar Ali Khan has been replaced with Faisal Shahkar.

The outgoing inspector general has been transferred and posted as the Pakistan Railways inspector general with immediate effect until further orders. Separately, Shahkar, previously serving as the Railways inspector general has now been transferred and posted as the provincial police chief with immediate effect until further orders. securitY beefeD uP in Pa CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana Friday directed to further beef up security in provincial capital including in surroundings of the Punjab Assembly (PA) in wake of Chief Minister's election.

He directed to provide foolproof security to all assembly members and said that it was among top priorities of police to ensure peace, law and order.

He said that no one would be allowed to create unrest and take the law into hands, adding that 1,400 policemen including four SPs, 11 SDPOs, 17 SHOs, 52 upper sub-ordinates, personnel of dolphin force, anti riot

force, elite force and lady police officials have been deployed to avoid any untoward situation.

The personnel of quick response force have also been put on high alert to control any law and order situation, the CCPO said and added that every person entering the PA premises would be thoroughly checked.

He directed to enhance the patrolling near Punjab Assembly and other adjoining areas, while the traffic officials have been directed to ensure smooth traffic flow in city.

The CCPO said that snipers have also been deployed at rooftops of nearby buildings of Punjab Assembly, adding that no unauthorised person or vehicle would be allowed to enter Assembly's premises. leGal eXPerts terM DePutY sPeaKer’s rulinG “not riGHt’ Senior lawyer Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan was also categorical in his observation that the decision by the deputy speaker was not "right".

"If you read Article 63-A, it has two segments with one part describing parliamentary dominance and the second is about the authority of a party head," he said while talking to a private TV channel.

Ahsan said that a party head could take a better decision as he was an individual who travels all over the world, but "the parliamentary party are the few people who take part in parliament debates and have an eagle

eye on such matters. They are the best judge rather than the party head."

He observed that the parliamentary party had the authority in the first place to determine either to vote in favour or against, then the party head comes next to decide if any member should be prosecuted.

On the other hand, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob opined that according to Article 63-A (b) of Constitution, direction to vote for or against a candidate is issued to party legislators by parliamentary party in a legislature and not by the party head.

“So it is PML-Q parliamentary party in Punjab Assembly which directs its members & not Ch Shujaat,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

As the uncertainty surrounded the election of Punjab chief minister, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry warned that the situation would get worse if people’s mandate and Supreme Court’s verdict were not respected.

“There is no such despair [among the party leadership]… the people have announced their verdict [in Punjab by-polls]… the decision of the people will be implemented, the procedure should be constitutional… hatred is increasing among the people, uncertainty and anxiety are at an extreme.”

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Saturday, 23 July, 2022

06 COMMENT

Ravages of the diplomatic cipher

In Punjab, the game is over for PTI An unforeseen surprise

How the cable affected he bye-election

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He election for the office of punjab cM held special importance for both the pti and the pML(N)led ruling alliance. For imran Khan getting coalition partner ch pervez elahi elected cM had turned into an existential need as without control over punjab Mr Khan could not to make a successful bid for islamabad. similarly there was a perception in the pML(N) that the loss of punjab could be a prelude to the fall of the pML(N)-led federal government. As a result of the recent punjab Assembly by-polls on 20 vacant seats, the ptipML(Q) had managed to acquire 186 seats while the pML(N) stood second with 179. this led some bleedingheart liberals to suggest that political morality required Hamza shehbaz to resign. this was however too much to ask when the other side continued to violate ethical norms. the ruling alliance therefore refused to concede defeat in the punjab Assembly. petitions by pti lawyers seeking action against pML(N) leaders for attempts to bribe pti MpAs were returned by the supreme court for being based on assumptions rather than evidence. pti leaders however continued to accuse their opponents of indulging in horse trading. Displaying a lack of faith in the moral integrity of their own MpAs, the party decided to keep them in hotels two days before elections and bring them straight to the punjab Assembly under watch so that they could not be approached by the government. the precautions failed to get ch pervez elected.

Known for his wheeling dealing skills, ppp leader Asif Zardari called on pML(Q) chief ch shujaat Hussain and again offered to get ch pervaiz elected as punjab cM on the ruling alliance’s ticket, thus making the pML(Q), which is already a part of pM shahbaz sharif’s cabinet, a part of ruling alliance in punjab also. ch pervez’s blunt refusal led shujaat to direct the pML(Q) legislators in the punjab Assembly vote for Hamza shahbaz. As all the 10 legislators defied the party leader’s directive, their votes were canceled, leading to Hamza’s re-election as cM. the pti lost punjab which it did not expect. it cannot accuse the government of indulging in foul play by arresting its lawmakers or making them disappear. its dreams to lead million-marches to islamabad with punjab government resources have been shattered. this is likely to make Mr Khan more desperate. But he knows that with punjab under the pML(N) administration, the federal government is well placed to deal with unrest.

Dr QAisAr rAshiD

P

OLitics in pakistan is an interesting case study of the way a politician can pump the hot air of sentiment into the otherwise dying balloon of a party’s popularity.

While the date of 10 April 2022 was approaching, the pti constructed a self-serving excuse in a diplomatic cable sent by pakistan’s ambassador serving in Washington, the UsA. the pti portrayed the cable as a ploy to change its government. ironically, a routine diplomatic cable was renamed a letter and then it was accentuated as a threatening letter (protected otherwise under the Official secrets Act of 1928). Not indigenous faults but the imminent fall was projected as a foreign conspiracy meant for toppling the pti’s government. Nevertheless, the pti’s effort to forestall its exclusion through the vote of noconfidence foundered on the touchstone of constitutionalism.

After April 10, when the pakistan Democratic Movement replaced the pti democratically, the latter was in a state of political free fall till July 17. On the fateful day, bye-elections for 20 seats of the punjab Assembly saw the win of 15 pti candidates. the importance of the win was to change the government in the province replacing Hamza shahbaz sharif of the ruling pML(N) with ch pervez ilahi, supported by the pti.

New man in A new NAB Chairman has been appointed, but will he be a new broom?

Strengthening Democracy

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He pti’s protestations at the appointment of a new National Accountability (NAB) chairman ring hollow on two counts: first, the pti itself did not make the appointment, preferring to amend the NAB Ordinance to allow the incumbent chairman to continue. secondly, even after its ouster, its resignation from the National Assembly meant that it had no voice in the appointment, in which the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly is a consultee. As the Leader of the Opposition is pti dissident raja riaz, the pML(N) more or less had a free run in making the appointment. it must be said that the new chairman has his work cut out for him. even though headed by a former supreme court judge, NAB had been subjected to stictures by the supreme court for its violations of human rights. the pti has complained that the chairman will close cases against members of the government and open those against its stalwarts, but it might also be remembered that it is a different NAB now, one which the new government has defanged through amendments in the NAB Ordinance. the new chairman will have to guide NAB to work within the ambit of these amendments.

While Mr sultan’s service peaked as intelligence Bureau chief, he is a police officer, and the first to head NAB. it has been headed by serving generals, a retired admiral, a former civil servant and a former judge, and has only now got a policeman as head, even though it is essentially an investigating agency. it is to be hoped that Mr sultan can bring to the agency the forensic skills needed to investigate the kind of white-collar crime that NAB was set up to detect, and thus convert what so far has merely been a tool of governments to persecute opponents into an institution which actually plays its role in detecting and punishing corruption.

Dr AbDus sAttAr AbbAsi

I

rrespective of diverse discussions about the dynamics and outcomes of the recently held by-elections in punjab there are some interesting occurrences which suggest evolution of our political and democratic traditions.

Noticing both winning and losing candidates together in a room in Multan was pleasant. Acceptance of defeat by the vice president of the pML(N) had been rare in pakistani politics at least during last three decades, which i remember; none of the losing parties has ever conceded defeat in such a sober manner. she said, “the pML(N) should accept the results of the by-polls with an open heart and concede the decision of the masses. Winning and losing are part of politics, therefore, the party should now focus on its weaknesses, identify them, and then overcome them. God willing, everything will be fine.” Another pML(N) leader also appeared on tv and said, “i accept that pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) has won and the party wholeheartedly accepts the opinion of the public.”

One of pML(N) leaders tried to contend that the results are their success because the pML(N) didn’t win these constituencies in 2018; therefore securing four seats was still a good performance.

On the other hand, the senior vice president of pti also acknowledged the statements of pML(N) leaders but with some conditions. Anyhow it was satisfying to observe political maturity in staunch rivals. this behaviour can certainly reduce existing tensions

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the pti exploited the diplomatic cable at two junctures: first, to stave off the no-confidence motion, and second, to woo voters in the bye-elections. the first attempt met a failure but the second attempt became fruitful. the first attempt miscarried because the National security committee trashed the cable and refused to accept the assertion that the cable had anything to do with a foreign conspiracy against the pti government. the same was the response of the supreme court, as conveyed just before the bye-elections. the second attempt, however, became successful because the idea was sold to the public. For the byeelections, the electoral slogan aired (and printed on posters and flyers) was Aazadi ya Ghulami (freedom or servitude). that is, if you want freedom, vote for the pti’s candidate. the idea was to exploit the public sentiment nurtured against some perceived foreign occupation. the diplomatic cable which was used as a source of face-saving became a saviour of the pti’s repute. A question is still unaddressed: if there were any such intimidating cable bordering on foreign intervention, why the pti announced to dissolve assemblies and call fresh elections? One obvious answer is that the pti government wanted to evade the tumble through the no-confidence motion, which invited ignominy for the party. the pti is a hodgepodge of various groups. One of them is the ex-party members of the Jamaat-i-islami, a religio-political party which lost political relevance with the end of the regime of General pervez Musharraf in 2007. the Ji had supported General Musharraf in his effort to get his unconstitutional acts legalized through the 17th constitutional Amendment passed in December 2003. the whole politics of the Ji revolved around anti-Us sentiment, especially during the cold War. After 2007, the Ji’s members, whether expelled or not, remained in search of political relevance. in the pti, they found a chance to salvage their personal political agendas. in this regard, Mian Mehmoodur rasheed, ejaz Ahmed chaudhry, and Fayyazul Hassan chohan are a few names to quote. in the recent bye-elections, in Lahore, the seat of pp-158 (constituency) was won by Mian Muhammad Akram Usman, the son of the late Mian Muhammad Usman, who was a staunch member of the Ji and who had won multiple times as a Member of National Assembly on the Ji’s ticket.

With that, one wonders what happened to the

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among political opponents which have been intensified among the masses due to extremely harsh stances of leaders about their competitors. it seems if there is a competition among present-day politicians to evolve hostile jargon and bad nicknames for opponents. it is indeed sad to notice roars during political rallies in appreciation of hostile jargon and bad nicknames providing justification to leaders that masses need this type of language. i think it is a weak justification; leaders can set the tone of their followers to any direction from hostility to approval and from hatred to compromise. it is unbecoming of a leader to establish demarcations in the society on the basis of strife and contempt. Historically those who exercised the option of inculcating animosities to serve their purposes have been regarded as pseudo-leaders. therefore, those who are at the positions of leadership should keep in mind how they desire to be remembered in the days to come. the second amazing dimension of the by-elections was the massive turnout. Atmosphere was equally hot on the ground in these constituencies and on both mainstream and social media platforms. supporters of both main parties didn’t miss any opportunity to engage any individual for the support of their respective party. i wasn’t registered voter in any of the constituencies in this by-election but one of my colleague spent almost an hour to brief me about the dynamics of his constituency and the result confirmed that his analysis was correct; it shows the commitment and involvement of masses at the grassroots during recent elections which i think is a good indicator for strengthening democracy in the country. According to the FAFeN, “An impressive 49.7 percent turnout in the by-elections for 20 punjab Assembly constituencies on July 17, 2022 augurs well for an otherwise struggling democracy in pakistan. compared to the Ge-2018, pti increased its share of seats (from 8 to 15) and polled votes from 684,820 (32%) to

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pti’s popular slogan of condemning dynastic politics. that is, after opposing dynastic politics derisively, the pti itself relied on the same. the bye-elections have shownd that not workers of the pti, especially from the youth, represented the party to win the elections, but conventional politicians or political families won the elections mostly. the next major group in the pti is the youth, who are just enthused to play politics but who are too callow to grasp the dynamics of politics. the youth are mostly voters and not leaders. the youth think that they are exercising a sway over the will of traditional politicians. the youth are oblivious of the fact that they are easy fodder for those who craft rhetoric to abuse sentiments of the street. currently, the pti is showing two main trends.

First, the pti is under the spell of anti-Us populism, a throwback to the Ji’s politics of the 1980s and early 1990s. second, the pti has eventually espoused the cause of dynastic politics. exploitation is not a formula new to the pti. in the 2018 elections, supported by intelligence agencies, the pti learnt to use the ethnic (south punjab) and religious cards to propagate its voice. in the recent bye-elections, however, a new card of anti-Us sentiment was used. the UsA has been portrayed as a conspirator active in the change of the government in pakistan. this is a dangerous proposition fraught with chances of adversely affecting pak-Us relations.

On July 16, even president Arif Alvi was found insinuating the Us’s role in toppling the pti’s government in pakistan. He said so while addressing a group of pakistani doctors working in the UsA. the malpractice of accusing the UsA of local ills is bound to have long-term effects, especially when the youth are involved. the first effect is that other political parties may also resort to the same practice. that is, they may also fuel and exploit anti-Us sentiment to swing voters in their favour. second, with the biological age of the youth, anti-Us sentiment is bound to travel a long distance down the line of history. rage respects no reason. Any anti-Us sentiment can turn into a fury impairing pak-Us relations.

A good strategy could be to seek the court’s permission to make public the diplomatic cable to let all pakistanis know the truth. Otherwise, the anti-Us sentiment is bound to escalate. Moreover, it would be a routine in the future to use such cables to serve one’s parochial purpose.

The writer may qaisarrashid@yahoo.com

be

reached

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1,048,632 (47%). pML-N also increased its tally of seats from one to four and votes from 547,599 (25%) to 883,632 (39%) of the polled votes. compared to Ge-2018 both parties added to the number as well as the percentage share of the polled votes at the expense of independent candidates and other parties.” the third important aspect of by-polls is that the masses were quick to respond to the decisions of the government. Despite extensive justifications by the pML(N) that it was pti which is responsible for current instant inflation, hike of petroleum prices and devaluation, people retaliated and voted against the pML(N). this speaks of rising political awareness and the might of conventional and unconventional media.

Now voters have several sources of information to verify, compare and analyze given facts. they are specifically concerned for their prosperity, growth and progress. they listen to every stance and opinion, they consider every opportunity to interact and learn, they explore every option and avenue, and they utilize every method and approach to secure their interest. in the future, probably, it will be quite difficult for both political and non-political forces, especially those who operate from behind the curtain, to manipulate public opinion. it has been observed that people are very wisely selective even to the calls for protest and agitation; however, still there are some hot buttons in the society which can trigger instant violence and anarchy which can only be controlled through increased literacy.

Deviation from party policy is an emerging dimension of the democratic process in pakistan which needs detailed deliberations to determine where freedom of a member of the parliament to exercise his opinion vanishes and where partybased totalitarianism starts. Anyhow, there are contradictory claims about the election of the chief minister of punjab today. We hope sanity and the spirit of the constitution will prevail to strengthen democracy in the country. the writer is Associate professor of Management sciences and Head, center of islamic Finance,

But now, despite India’s growing importance in the global sphere; with its $2.9 trillion dollar economy, membership of Quad and ambitions to become a permanent member of the UNSC; its Hindu nationalist political machine may have gone too far, which is a threat to regional as well as global peace.

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COMSATS University (CUI) Lahore Campus and can be reached at drabdussattar@cuilahore.edu.pk

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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

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With us or against us

Bhutan explained Looking into the past of a mountain kingdom Dr rAjkumAr singh

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OcAteD in southern Asia, the Kingdom of Bhutan, its present capital as well as largest city thimpu, is a landlocked country between china and india near Nepal and Bangladesh, having a population of over 788,615 and territory of 38,394 sq km, globally ranked 133rd in terms of land area and 160th in population. traditionally, Bhutan and its neighbour tibet are followers of the vajrayana sect of Buddhism, which originated in india and spread to Bhutan during the era of the pala empire of Bengal. its regional and global position began to change in the 16th century when Ngawang Namgyal, the ruler of Bhutan unified the valleys of Bhutan in a single state and defeated three tibetan invaders. He codified the legal system of the country and established a government of theocratic and civil administrators and moulded himself in the role of a religious leader like the Dalai Lama of tibet. it expanded to a large extent in the 17th century when it controlled parts of northeast india covering sikkim and Nepal and cooch Behar state. it however, gave some parts of Bengal to British india when it fought a war with Bhutan in the 19th century. in the meantime, the House of Wangchuck emerged as the monarchy and established closer ties with the British in the subcontinent. in a further step, the newly emerged monarchy signed a treaty with the British in 1910 which guaranteed British advice in foreign policy in exchange for internal autonomy in Bhutan. this arrangement of the British era regarding the security and sovereignty of Bhutan, continued with india after 1949 and as a result, both countries recognised each other’s perspectives of defence and strategy in the region, south Asia. especially with india, Bhutan’s understandings have matured and are similar on different regional and global issues facing the world today in the age of globalisation.

Historically, the ethnic group that lives in today’s Bhutan and nearby tibet and to some extent in Arunachal pradesh had been traced to between 500 Bc and 600 AD and from that time onwards the daily life of the people were heavily influenced by the religion of Buddhism. the religion, originated in india, was first introduced in Bhutan in the 7th century and the tibetan king songtsan Gampo, who ruled between 627-649 AD, was a Buddhist convert and extended the tibetan empire into sikkim and Bhutan. the king of the time himself as well as his successors worked hard to propagate the Buddhist religion in the area and also erected several Buddhist temples to maintain and promote religious faith and teachings of Lord Buddha. As a result of this, the political life of the people was wrapped in the religious myths and superstitions pa-

tronised by various kings and warlords from time to time.

By the 10th century many subsects of Buddhism also emerged which divided the society on the basis of different faiths and teachings. For more than four or five centuries there was the rule of the Yuan dynasty who ruled till the end of the 14th century.

Following its decline, various sub-sects began to struggle for supremacy in the spheres of politics and religion. this situation of anarchy and confusion continued till the early 17th century when Ngawang Namgyal took control of the territory and unifying them established modern Bhutan. However, the coming 18th century proved tough for Bhutan when its ruler invaded and occupied the kingdom of cooch Bihar, in 1772, the king, appealed for assistance from the east india company which, two years later in 1774 attacked and defeated Bhutan resulting in the signing of a peace treaty where Bhutan agreed to retreat to its pre1730 position. Despite the peace treaty, border skirmishes between the two continued for the next hundred years leading to a second declared war between them in 1864-65, focused on Bengal Duars. Bhutan lost in the war with the British and the treaty of sinchula signed in favour of the winning party.

Defeat in the war resulted in internal feud and civil war between two rival groups of the valley, aro and tongsa. Out of the civil war, the governor of trongsa emerged as the powerful group of the people who commanded most of the support, leading to the unanimous choice of Ugyen Wangchuck to become the hereditary king of the country. soon thereafter, the British government recognised the new monarchy system established in the country and in 1910, Bhutan signed with the British another treaty which gave them the right to control the country's foreign affairs and as a result Bhutan practically became a princely state of British india. in 1947 when india became in-

dependent, Bhutan became the first country to recognise india and further on 8 August 1949 signed a treaty equal to that of 1910 with the British.

When in August 1947 india became independent, Bhutan continued its understanding and relations with New Delhi, and following its parliamentary form of government, the then King of the country, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, in 1953, established a 130-member legislature called the National Assembly in order to promote a democratic spirit in the masses and develop a better sense of governance in people at large. As a further step in this direction in 1965 the King set up a royal Advisory council, in 1968 formed a cabinet and in 1971, achieved a major breakthrough by getting admitted as a member of the United Nations Organisation. in the early 1960s, Bhutan following the other developing countries including india, initiated its first FiveYear plan and the sixth Five Year plan started in 1987 included the policy of ‘One Nation, One people’ and introduced several codes of traditional dresses to promote and protect cultural heritage as a mark of its national symbol and identity. in July 1972, after the death of his father D o r j i Wanchgchuk,Jigme singye Wangchuk became the King of Bhutan at the age of 16. the new king, like his father, worked a lot to promote the use of Dzongkha language, a language of Bhutan from the beginning of 1960s and simultaneously discouraged the use of Hindi as well as Nepali, spoken by some of the people in different parts of the country. Gradually, the use and speaking mobility of both languages were discontinued from school curricula and Bhutanese schools by the end of the century.

In July 1972, after the death of his father Dorji Wanchgchuk, Jigme Singye Wangchuk became the King of Bhutan at the age of 16.

The new king, like his father, worked a lot to promote the use of Dzongkha language, a language of Bhutan from the beginning of 1960s and simultaneously discouraged the use of Hindi as well as Nepali, spoken by some of the people in different parts of the country. Gradually, the use and speaking mobility of both languages were discontinued from school curricula and Bhutanese schools by the end of the century

The writer is presently Professor and Head, Department of Political Science and Dean of Social Sciences at B.N. Mandal University, Madhepura (Bihar), India. His 21 books published in addition to 900 articles in national and international journals and daily newspapers from 25 foreign countries.

the catchphrase ‘with us or against us’ has once again gained traction in the Western capitals in the aftermath of russia’s military intervention in Ukraine; so has india’s protracted fence-sitting. there has been the proverbial tug-of-war between the contending parties. But, as the conflict continues to polarise the world, india’s hesitation in taking sides has started to exasperate its key Western sponsors — the United states and its european allies. Despite their strategic convergence in the Asia-pacific region, the Quad, New Delhi’s muted stance on the crisis is increasingly becoming a cause of particular concern for the Us. president Joe Biden has described india as the only country among the Quad members that is “somewhat shaky” in acting against russia. During his visit to New Delhi, Us Deputy National security Adviser Daleep singh also alluded to potential “consequences” for countries attempting to undermine Us sanctions. the West has responded with unprecedented sanctions and relentlessly rallied for russia’s complete economic isolation. However, india has shied away from boarding the sanctions bandwagon and abstained from successive United Nations resolutions reprimanding russia.

New Delhi has increased its oil imports from russia by circumventing international sanctions. it has received 34 million barrels of discounted russian oil since Feb 24. According to Kpler, a paris-based data analytics firm, russia’s Ural crude oil imports are now the second-largest source for india after iraq, when the Us and its allies are rallying hard for a united front against russia. More importantly, india’s heavy reliance on russian military hardware and its blossoming strategic partnership with the Us has created a strategic dilemma for New Delhi. Going by the figures released by russia’s Federal service for Military-technical cooperation, india has ordered russian weapons worth approximately $70 billion since 1991. similarly, india’s strategic partnership with the Us dates back to 2001, when it began to pursue the latter for cooperation in three crucial areas known as ‘trinity’’. it included easing restrictions on dual-use high-technology goods, civil nuclear cooperation, and civilian space cooperation. the same was reiterated in January 2004 at a joint press conference by president George Bush and prime minister Atal Bihari vajpayee that “the Us-india ‘strategic partnership’ included expanding cooperation in the trinity areas as well as expanding dialogue on missile defence.” the cooperation was later converted into a ‘quartet’ and further expanded as the Next steps strategic partnership (Nssp). the collaboration through Nssp helped to establish enhanced cooperation in the fields of dual-use, space and nuclear technology, which led to the signing of ‘Agreement 123’ between the two countries in 2008, giving india an undue advantage in the realm of nuclear technology and adversely affecting the state of strategic stability in the region. the Us has also been lobbying for New Delhi’s permanent seat at the United Nations security council (UNsc) and its inclusion in the Nuclear suppliers Group (NsG). As a result, the bilateral trade between the Us and india stood at $119.42 billion in 2021-22, making the Us surpass china to become india’s top trading partner. Likewise, the indian diaspora makes up the second-largest immigrant group in the Us, becoming a source of sizeable remittances for india. But, despite numerous strategic concessions, technological facilitation, and favourable trade regimes, india has proved to be an unreliable strategic partner for the Us. so, will india be able to prolong its ‘wait-and-watch’ policy and cater to its partners — the Us and russia — at the moment? the big question for Washington is: whether it should continue its alliance and support for india despite its double-dealing or, to put it bluntly, back-stabbing?

Farah Khan abro ISlamabad

Pakistan and obsession with orthodox practices pAKistAN is progressing towards digital transformation, but at a snail’s pace. Many departments and organisations are still stuck in their obsolete practices. take, for instance, the example of the virtual University (vU) which asks exam superintendent applicants to print copies of an online form, get them attested and send them over. similarly, the National information technology Board (NitB) has conveniently left out the Ministry of information technology and telecom (Moitt) from the list of Level 1 for raising a complaint at the citizen’s portal. Besides, the smart pakistan app is launched with a dysfunctional interface for user registration. Likewise, lodging a complaint with the office of the Banking Ombudsman requires a lot of physical effort and paper work that can be avoided through electronic channels. pakistan needs pragmatic, agile and customer-focussed approach.

JaWWad ZaKI ISlamabad

Do girls have freedom in Pakistan? eMBArKiNG on an educational journey is no mean feat for a girl in pakistan. One of the biggest obstacles to girls’ education is the thinking that women are best suited for household chores and therefore should remain within the confines of four walls. even if parents do allow their daughters to acquire education, the decision is usually influenced by the intention that men prefer educated girls for marriage. Moreover, given the demarcated lines of morality and ethics, many girls are engaged before they are allowed to pursue higher education. However, as many girls would agree, being engaged while studying at a university is an uphill task.

With higher education getting increasingly challenging, unnecessary restrictions from the future in-laws become a major hindrance to achieving satisfactory grades. this practically makes the engagement a stifling cage curved out of social, moral and ethical bars, leading to mental disturbance. it sometimes feels like the girls are kind of prisoners across our lives. parents and society need to play their due role to let the girls out of this negative mindset and, instead of clipping their wings, they should let the girls fly high and be in control of their own individual destinies.

TaSaWUr FaTIma naUShahro FEroZE

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08 WORLD VIEW

The Iran nuclear deal Is dead. here’s why IT would BenefIT BIden To admIT IT THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SINCE 2009. IRAN HAS BECOME A NUCLEAR-CAPABLE STATE. WHETHER IT GOES ANY FURTHER DOWN THE NUCLEAR ROAD IS A POLITICAL DECISION TEHRAN WILL MAKE, NOT A TECHNICAL ONE TO BE DETERMINED BY MORE NEGOTIATIONS. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT

Usa today

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JoHN GHaZViNiaN

T is now clear that the talks aimed at reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of action — commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal — are going nowhere. after eight rounds of indirect talks, the Biden administration and the government of Iran’s hard-line president, ebrahim Raisi, have failed to reinstate the deal that the Trump administration renounced in 2018.

Iran refuses to return to the Iran nuclear deal unless it receives an ironclad guarantee that it won’t be repealed again if a Republican president comes to power in 2024. Iran also wants the foreign terrorist organization designation the Trump administration slapped on its Revolutionary Guard Corps — whose vast web of industrial and commercial interests make it integral to all aspects of the country’s economy — removed before a new deal, and any accompanying sanctions relief, can be put into place. Both these demands, for different political reasons, are impossible for the U.s. to agree to.

The Iran nuclear negotiation, when it began in 2009, was never meant to take on a life of its own or become the alpha and omega of U.s.-Iran policy. Rather, President Obama envisaged it as an opening to Iran — just one way to begin a larger conversation about rapprochement and reengagement with the Islamic Republic.

But somewhere along the way the nuclear deal itself became an obstacle, one more disagreement in the pantheon of disagreements between the two countries. Far from “preventing a nuclear Iran,” it has become a roadblock that every conversation about Iran must maneuver around — or through.

If the Biden administration wants to make any serious progress in containing the challenge posed by Iran and furthering U.s interests in the region, it needs to begin by acknowledging two uncomfortable realities.

The first is that when it comes to U.s. policy on Iran, the Trump administration won. It was devastatingly effective at getting what it wanted — which was to make it almost impossible for the U.s. to return to the nuclear deal if Trump lost the 2020

election. Thanks to the 2018 withdrawal, and the torrent of sanctions that followed while Trump was in office, Iran no longer believes Washington is capable of keeping its word. In Iran, there appears to be widespread conviction that a future Republican president will do everything in his power to rip up any agreement that Biden might negotiate.

The second — and perhaps more uncomfortable — reality is that Iran also won. Though U.s. officials do not like to admit this out loud, at some point in the last four years Iran finally became a nuclear-capable state. This is not to say that Iran now has an actual bomb, or even wants one. Rather, Iran is now “one screwdriver’s turn away” from a bomb — with all the enriched uranium and capability that allows it to rush to make a bomb if it ever felt it needed to, within a matter of weeks. This is precisely the outcome that multiple U.s. administrations swore they would never allow.

Remember that the conflict between the United states and Iran was never about nuclear centrifuges and uranium enrichment. It has always been fundamentally

Sri Lanka’s next test IN RESPONSE TO ACUTE FOOD AND ENERGY SHORTAGES AND SHARPLY RISING INFLATION, SRI LANKANS TOOK TO THE STREETS THIS SUMMER AND OUSTED THE STRONGMAN WHOM THEY HAD ELECTED JUST TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO. THEY NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CRAFT A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT, BUT ONLY IF THEY ACT FAST ProjeCt syndiCate

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PriYaNKa KriSHNaMoortHY

N a win for democracy, mass protests in sri Lanka recently led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. a strongman who won popularity for overseeing the end of sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009 (while his older brother, Mahinda, was president), Gotabaya was elected in November 2019 and promised to safeguard national security and deliver prosperity. He failed miserably. despite allegations of corruption, war crimes, and attacks on journalists, the Rajapaksa government had a powerful mandate, which was reinforced nine months later when the brothers’ party, sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (the sri Lanka People’s Front), won a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Yet during his short tenure, the Rajapaksas drove the country into bankruptcy, food insecurity, and spiraling inflation.

Gotabaya announced his candidacy just days after the 2019 easter sunday bombings, promising a strong response to terrorism. In the months that followed, newspapers’ and radio stations’ frenzied coverage heightened people’s fear of Muslims (who comprise 10% of the population), and attacks on them increased.

Gotabaya capitalized on this environment, portraying himself as a defender of the sinhala-Buddhist majority who would transform sri Lanka into a singapore of the Indian Ocean. The clergy, media, military, political elites, and local business tycoons all adopted the same rhetoric, tying their fortunes to his.

The Buddhist clergy, for example, continuously reaffirmed their trust in Gotabaya throughout his presidency. In return, he established a Buddhist advisory Council of notable monks to help guide his policy decisions. even in January of this year, as families began rationing food, and as the central bank sold its remaining gold reserves to pay back an international bond, the Buddhist establishment spoke up for

Gotabaya, arguing that he was still the only leader who could save the country.

By March, hospitals were reporting shortages of essential medicines, and two elderly men died while queuing for gasoline. Unable to pay for fuel to produce electricity, the government instituted rolling blackouts that culminated in 13-hour power cuts at the height of a suffocating heat wave. That was the final straw. Protesters stormed the streets and demanded the Rajapaksas’ resignations.

The political class responded by playing musical chairs within the Cabinet of Ministers, while demonstrators occupied the area surrounding the Presidential secretariat.

The space that Rajapaksa had set aside as an “agitation area” – a move heavily criticized for limiting people’s freedom of assembly – was renamed “GotaGoGama” (“Gota Go Village”). The GGG became the home of the aragalaya (struggle) against the government, which has now raided the site and arrested protest leaders.

The aragalaya has been unusual in that it welcomed sri Lankans from all ethnic backgrounds. In april, protesters outside the Presidential secretariat included activists from the Muslim community – a direct rejection of the chauvinist sentiment Gotabaya had stoked. demonstrators also cooked a mixture of water and rice (kanji) to commemorate Tamil civilians who died during the last stages of the war, when indiscriminate shelling made it impossible for them to secure other food.

The aragalaya thus became a place where people lived out the alternative to the Rajapaksa brand of politics. The protesters celebrated unity amid diversity, demonstrating that hope comes not from leaders but from the power of people.

But does this solidarity reflect a mere marriage of convenience? Just two and a half years ago, many of the current antigovernment protesters endorsed the Rajapaksas’ brand of majoritarian politics.

Today, they complain that Parliament is full of cheats and liars. Yet it is they who voted for the charlatans in free and fair elections.

The Rajapaksas were given a mandate despite their well-known record of corruption, authoritarianism, and violence. The protests began not when the family stole public funds or trampled on minority rights, but when sinhalese were called “extremists and terrorists” just for demanding food.

The institutions that underwrote Gotabaya’s power have now lost credibility.

Businesses and others who aligned with the Rajapaksas are being shamed on social media, and any elite Buddhist clergy who dare to show up at protests are lambasted.

The military and the police, once praised for their service, are now seen as vehicles of state repression, and major media organizations have been condemned for whipping up anti-minority sentiment.

The question now is what will fill the vacuum. sri Lankans have a rare opportunity to build a new identity based on this struggle for dignity. after being tear-gassed and battered by the police, sinhalese protesters have caught a glimpse of the violence and mistreatment that Tamils have suffered. after watching their businesses collapse from lack of electricity, they now have a sense of what Muslims feel when their businesses are torched by angry mobs. and after feeling the effects of sharply rising inflation, all households now recognize that plantation workers cannot live on $3 per day.

In each case, the sinhala-Buddhist majority has been given a window onto the decades of deprivation suffered by minorities. sinhala Buddhists are connecting with their inner Tamils and Muslims. But only by building on this shared trauma can sri Lankans transform resentment against the Rajapaksas into a new social contract. By renegotiating our communal bonds and relationships, we can construct a new collective identity. That means rejecting majoritarianism and corruption, and embracing our shared struggle for a free and prosperous future.

Priyanka Krishnamoorthy is a former research analyst for Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance.

political in nature, dating to Iran’s 1979 revolution, the fall of the pro-american shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the taking of hostages at the U.s. embassy in Tehran. In the decades since, the grievances between the two countries have only grown. To move forward, the U.s. should return to dealing with Iran the way it did before the nuclear negotiations began in 2009 — on political issues, with (one hopes) political solutions.

The obvious benefit of a political approach for the Biden administration is that it will free up the United states to pursue broader, deeper and more comprehensive negotiations with Iran, on such issues as ballistic missiles, human rights and Iran’s support for proxy militias in the region.

Rather than trying to renegotiate the complex nuclear deal (which will never hold up in the absence of political goodwill), the White House can focus on the core range of disagreements that separate the two countries.

Yes, this might mean the U.s. would need to make some concessions, such as loosening secondary sanctions and making it easier for Iran to sell its oil internation-

ally. But Iran would also have to recognize that recent changes in the region — including the abraham accords (normalization agreements with countries including the United arab emirates that integrate Israel into the region) and the weakening of Russia — have left it more isolated than ever. Therefore, it has more to gain from cooperation than confrontation with the U.s. an approach like this might even be easier to sell domestically than the idea that a revived nuclear agreement is still possible. In 2015, Obama faced a bruising battle to overcome congressional opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. Today that achievement would be even harder. By declaring the death of the deal, Biden would circumvent all that. He would give Iran hawks in Washington the satisfying feeling of political victory — and the logical conclusion of their long-standing opposition to the nuclear deal. He can then get on with the business of pursuing his own, more realistic policy on Iran.

The world has changed since 2009.

Iran has become a nuclear-capable state.

Whether it goes any further down the nuclear road is a political decision Tehran will make, not a technical one to be determined by more negotiations. The Biden administration and its european allies should acknowledge this fundamental shift. The Iran nuclear deal is dead. Let’s bury it for good.

John Ghazvinian is an author, historian and executive director of the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

His most recent book is “America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present.”

India’s struggle to treat girls as equals A PARENTAL PREFERENCE FOR BOYS STILL LEADS TO MASS ABORTION AND OTHER SEX-SELECTION METHODS. INDIA IS TRYING NEW WAYS TO SHIFT NORMS BUT IT CAN LEARN FROM ONE SUCCESS STORY Christian sCienCe Monitor

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Editorial Board

ased on the world norm for the ratio of females to males in a society, India is missing more than 30 million women. That is the estimated toll over decades from parents who used medical means to select the sex of their child – in favor of boys. despite laws that prohibit such sex selection – either by abortion or during in vitro fertilization – parents in India still seek the procedures to avoid bearing girls. The threat of prosecution has not been enough to change long-held cultural norms. attitudes about girls in India are rooted in social traditions expressed as economic choices. sons usually stay closer to their parents and care for them in old age. daughters traditionally move to a husband’s family; in addition, their parents are expected to pay large dowries. These preferences come at a national cost. Only about a third of married women work in the formal economy. If India had gender parity in the workplace, according to a McKinsey & Co. study, it would gain nearly $3 trillion in income over 10 years. For years, the government has tried to improve attitudes toward girls and to tap their potential. “We need to prioritize girls’ education, treat their rights on par with those of boys, provide them with skills and livelihood opportunities, and engage with boys and men to address patriarchal mindsets,” said ayushmann Khurrana, an actor appointed as UNICeF’s advocate for ending violence against children, last year. “One family at a time, we will change how we value girls and respect them.” several measures are moving in that direction. Parliament is considering a bill that would raise the legal marriage age from 18 to 21 in recognition of the need to enable girls to pursue a full education. a nationwide campaign is attempting to ensure that girls return to school as the pandemic ends. and activist groups are trying to reverse bans on giving cellphones to older girls, which deprives them of a tool to join the workforce.

One trend that seems to be having a notable effect, according to a United Nations study, is the inclusion of more women in leadership roles at the village level. a Pew survey in March shows that progress is being made. It found most Indians agree that “women and men make equally good political leaders.” some 62% of adults say that men and women should share the duties of raising children. When it comes to the composition of families, 94% said it was important to have at least one son and 90% said it was also important to have at least one daughter. some 64% agreed that sons and daughters should have equal rights to inheritance.

India can also take inspiration from another country – south Korea – that once had a worrisome sex-selection issue and made great strides to overcome its gender disparities.

By 2020, south Korean girls were enrolled in education at a greater rate than boys.

Between 1990 and 2019, labor force participation by women rose from 49% to 60%.

Those gains have resulted in lower marriage and fertility rates and a broader recognition of women’s worth. By 2007, the World Bank proclaimed south Korea as the “first asian country to reverse the trend in rising sex ratios at birth.” despite its own cultural norms toward girls reaching back generations, south Korea has shown that a growing recognition of the inherent worth of every child can lead to a more equitable society – and a choice for boys and girls to discover their individuality.

Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner NSU establishes skills training campus in Industrial Hub

EASTBAy ExprESSwAy BrIdgES SAVE gwAdAr froM SINkINg

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MURIDKE: Educational institutions are aligning their instructional methodologies with emerging technologies by producing a skilled workforce. This was stated by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training while inaugurating the first campus of the National Skills University Islamabad in Muridke, Sheikhupura district.

According to him, this region is a hub of industry and requires skilled manpower to meet the challenging demands of employers. The National Skills University Islamabad-Muridke Campus opens its doors with five courses each having six months duration. These courses will produce technical workforce in Solar Photovoltaic System, Domestic and Industrial Electrician, Mobile Phone Repair and Manufacturing, Industrial Stitching, and Microsoft Applications. Importantly, all courses are free without any admission or tuition fee. Funding for these programs has been provided by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). Initially, skills training are being provided in the Allama Iqbal Library Complex Muridke; however, the university is acquiring land for its operations.

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain appreciated the efforts of the NSU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar and his entire team to establish a university campus in a record time of 60 days. Important to mention here that all codal formalities, including approval from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, has been obtained for this campus. Dr. Bilawal Rehman has been appointed Campus Coordinator for the National Skills University Islamabad Muridke Campus to look after day-today affairs. The public and industrialists, and surrounding communities appreciated the establishment of this unique campus of the National Skills University Islamabad, which is recognized international skills training center by the UNESCO/UNEVOC. Staff RepoRt

Housing Ministry discusses solarization of ministry buildings ISLAMABAD: Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Federal Secretary Ministry of Housing and Works chaired a meeting on Solarisation of Government office buildings.

During the meeting, the members discussed preparation of short-term plan for shifting of Government offices to solar energy and preparation of plan for shifting the small consumers to solar energy through subsidy or concessional loans. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani was of the view that Solarisation of Government office buildings can bring manifold advantages. In line with Prime Minister’s Vision for promoting sustainable and green energy, Prime Minister had constituted a task force on solar energy comprising of different Federal Ministers and Federal Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of Provinces. pR

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MIDST flash flood criticality spelling disaster in many parts of Gwadar, three bridges of Eastbay Expressway, one of CPEC’s modern roads, have saved the eastern part of the coastal city from sheer sinking.

According to a Gwadar Pro’ report on Friday, they have prevented many casualties and destruction to residential and commercial infrastructure.

At the stretch of the over 19-kilometre-long state-of-the-art Eastbay Expressway, the opening of the three bridges played a role of water outlets, allowing torrential rainwater to flow

downward to sea.

Imam Buksh Bozenjo, who worked as a project director of Eastbay Expressway from the side of Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) told Gwadar Pro that if these three bridges (underpasses) were not assimilated into the final construction design of Eastbay Expressway in collaboration with Chinese engineers, the eastern part of Gwadar would be inundated completely, causing death toll, catastrophic destruction to homes and infrastructures.

“With construction of Eastbay Expressway known as technology road, not only about 4 kilometers of the area is reclaimed from the sea through ‘Revetment and Piling Technology’ but

also high-tech inventive for these bridges were specially built,” he added.

Besides their primary purpose to facilitate local fishermen to tow their boats to ashore for fishing allowing them to earn their livelihood, these bridges crafted another meaning to local people of Gwadar.

Mohsin Baloch named them “bridge of lives” while talking to Gwadar Pro during a survey of the area. “We are saved and credit goes to China for furnishing the favor,” he added. These bridges are around 30 meters high and 45 meters wide.

As per Gwadar topography, it has a sunken nature in the center that makes it very vulnerable for accumu-

lation of water when it rains. Since the center of Gwadar is lower-lying than the surrounding areas, water does not naturally drift away from the area.

Nevertheless, water keeps flowing inward and causes water collection.

At least three bridges of Eastbay expressway have fixed the issue in the eastern part of Gwadar that starts from Fish Harbor and ends at Coast Guard.

If looked back in history, when rainy spells used to lash out at Gwadar, tide of sea used to inflict damage to boats and houses. Now with barrier board and 4.34km anti-wave breast wall to make the 4.34km revetment, the embankment is saved from onslaughts of sea waves.

PMC initiates online Portal for registration of Asthetic Physicians, Surgeons ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

In recent years aesthetic medical and surgical practice has gained popularity. Pakistan Medical Commission initiated online Portal for Registration of Asthetic Physicians & surgeons based on creditialing pathways of Asthetic Medical Practice in Pakistan. It is a consumer-driven service, and the patient and public’s interests need to be protected. The Commission recognizes the growing demand for not only wanting to stay healthy but also aesthetically pleasant.

A significant number of medical specialists, as well as general medical practitioners, are already engaged in the practice of Aesthetic Medicine and growing demand has correspondingly increased the interest of others to embark on this area of practice. As patient safety issues are of paramount impor-

tance, this practice, like all other medical specialties and practices, needs to be regulated through specific credentialing pathways to enable patients and regulators to be aware of what a particular medical practitioner can and cannot do.

Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) constituted a Credentialing Committee for Aesthetic practice to identify aesthetic procedures that require formal training and qualifications and for medical practitioners to be inducted into a specific Aesthetic Physicians Register and an Aesthetic Surgeons Register. In addition to the recommendations of the Committee, a broad-based discussion was held with general medical practitioners engaged in the practice of Aesthetic Medicine.

As a consequence, the Commission has approved the “Credentialing Pathways for Practice of Aesthetic Medicine in Pakistan” pursuant to which special-

ists in different fields of medicine such as dermatology, plastic surgery, etc. as well as a general medical practitioner and general dental practitioners would be inducted into the respective “Aesthetic Physicians Register” and an “Aesthetic Surgeons Register”.

The Credentialing Pathways provide identification of the Procedures that require formal training and qualification to be recognized as an Aesthetic Physician or Aesthetic Surgeon.

In addition, the Pathways provide identification of the Procedures that an Aesthetic Physician or Aesthetic Surgeon can perform with specific credentialing pathways. The listed procedures and pathways are not exhaustive.

The Commission shall insistently assess and evaluate additional and new procedures based on the evolution of the aesthetic practice globally to be added from time to time. These constituted pathways are available on PMC’s official website.

Contract for development works of Sector I-15/2 awarded ISLAMABAD: The management of the Capital Development Authority is paying special attention to the development of the city, especially the sector development. In this regard development works in Sector I-15/2 are being launched and Machinery has been mobilized.

Development works in other 3 sub-sectors I15/1, I-15/3 and I-15/4 of Sector I-15 have already been completed and now works are being started in Sub-sector I-15/2

According to the details, the survey work for the development works of Sector I-15/2 has almost been completed while the development works will be formally started after the monsoon, which will be completed in a period of 18 months at a cost of Rs 1.4 billion. Further, after the completion of the development works of Sector I-15, the allottees will be given possession of the plots by the management of the Capital Development Authority. Staff RepoRt

HHA signs MoU with B-TEVTA to employ skilled youth ISLAMABAD: To train the youth of Balochistan in Technical and Vocational Education, the Hashoo Hunar Association (HHA) has joined hands with Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (B-TEVTA).

In this regard, an MoU was signed between Nawabzada Gohram Khan Bugti, Advisor to CM/Minister for Labour & Manpower/Chairman BTEVTA and Ms. Ayesha Khan, CEO, HHA/Country Director, Hashoo Foundation/Chief Sustainability Officer, Hashoo Group.

The MoU is aimed at implementing the internationally approved CBT system by HHA focusing on Hospitality Management and Tourism trades. The event was attended by Mr. Zahoor Ahmed, Head of Balochistan TEVTA and Mr. Maqbool Ahmed, Assistant Director, SDP/B-TEVTA, along with Mr. M. A. Bawany, Vice Chairman, Hashoo Group; Mr. Haseeb Gardezi, Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality and Education Division, Hashoo Group; Ms. Khalida Bibi, Director Programs, HF & HHA; Mr. Ramzan Sheikh, Director Operations, HF & HHA, Ms. Mahwish Afridi, Head of Strategic Support Unit, Hashoo Foundation. HHA, the training arm of Hashoo Foundation, carries forward the Sustainable Development vision of Mr. Murtaza Hashwani, Deputy Chairman, Hashoo Group and Chairman, Hashoo Foundation.

The organizational mission of HHA is to empower people for inclusive development through Skills Enhancement to further help them in their selfemployment and career opportunities. B-TEVTA is an organization established under the B-TEVTA Act, 2011, responsible to provide and promote technical education and vocational training for the youth of Balochistan, that helps them along career paths or alternatively, facilitates them with entire career changes. pR

Privatisation Minister briefs Senate body on privatisation of PESCO, IESCO ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation was held today under the chairmanship of Senator Shamim Afridi.

Federal Minister for Privatisation Mr. Abid Hussain Bhayo, Federal Secretary Dr. Iram A. Khan as well as senior officials and consultants of the Ministry attended the meeting.

The committee discussed the privatisation of PESCO and IESCO. Secretary Privatisation briefed the committee that, in view of the past lessons learnt and latest global practices, for the privatisation of DISCOs, “Pakistan Model” was also proposed by a working group comprising officials from Ministry of Privatisation, NEPRA, Power Division, CPPA-G and World Bank.

Furthermore, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) in May 2021 had approved the concession contracts for eight of the ten DISCOs, whereas management contract was approved for QESCO & TESCO. However, there have been subsequent changes in policy and regulatory framework which has direct impact on DISCOs and the scope of concession and management contracts to be developed as part of this arrangement. The members of the standing committee discussed the extent of technical and commercial losses in various DISCOs and efforts being put in by the Power Division to improve. The chair highlighted his own billing issue experienced.

During the meeting, the role and responsibility of the Provincial governments and law enforcing agencies as envisaged

in National Electrical Policy (2021) was also discussed. The committee was also informed that CCoP in its meeting held in June this year has directed Power Division to write to all the provinces through the Ministry of IPC for negotiation in buying the relevant DISCOs, and letters to that effect have been dispatched to the Provinces.

Federal Minister Privatisation, Mr. Abid Hussain Bhayo said that Sindh province is already in the process of negotiation with Power Division for the acquisition of SEPCO and HESCO. He expressed his confidence on the ability of the provinces to be successful in power distribution business also, as Sindh province is already in power generation and transmission. The standing committee directed that regardless of partic-

ipation or privatisation, as per the new electrical policy, the role of provincial, district and law-enforcing agencies should be institutionalized in curbing the line losses and poor collections.

The committee later deliberated upon the 488-acre land which is a property of Sindh Engineering Limited (SEL) but due to the complex litigation it has become disputed

and hence became one of the major hurdles in the privatisation of SEL. The Committee in its last meeting had directed the Commissioner Kasur to provide a detailed brief highlighting the moot points. In today’s meeting the detail presentation was given to the committee which was apprised that the subject matter is sub-judice in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

RussIa, ukRaIne seal gRaIn deal In Istanbul IsTANBUL

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Agencies

YIV and Moscow on Friday penned a landmark agreement with Turkey and the United Nations Friday to unblock Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports after a Russian blockade raised fears of a global food crisis.

In their first major deal after nearly five months of fighting, Russian and Ukrainian delegations signed individual agreements with Ankara and the UN in the wake of several rounds of laborious negotiations.

Ukraine had warned ahead of the signing that any Russian “provocations” around its encircled Black Sea ports would be met with a swift military response and refused to pen the same papers as Moscow.

Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea — a beacon of hope, a beacon of possibility, a beacon of relief,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at the signing ceremony in the lavish Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus Strait.

The deal agreed through UN and Turkish mediation establishes safe corridors along which Ukrainian ships can come in and out of three designated

Black Sea ports in and around Odessa.

And both sides also pledged not to attack ships on the way in or out. “It will bring relief for developing countries on the edge of bankruptcy and the most vulnerable people on the edge of famine,” Guterres said.

– ‘Path to peace’ – The five-month war, which has displaced millions and left thousands dead, is being fought across one of Europe’s most fertile regions by two of the world’s biggest grain producers.

Up to 25 million tonnes of wheat and

Iran seeks nuclear deal guarantees to avoid being ‘stung twice’

other grain have been blocked in Ukrainian ports by Russian warships and landmines Kyiv has laid to avert a feared amphibious assault.

“Today’s Istanbul agreement is a step in the right direction. We call for its swift implementation,” tweeted the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — a key player in the negotiations who has good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv — said he hoped the deal would “hopefully revive the path to peace”.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss congratulated Turkey and UN for brokering the deal but cautioned “we will be watching to ensure Russia’s actions match its words”.

Earlier, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak explained the two sides would sign “mirror” agreements. “We sign an agreement with Turkey and the UN and undertake obligations to them. Russia signs a mirror agreement with Turkey and the UN,” he said on social media.

He warned that Russian breaches of the deal and incursions around Ukraine’s ports would be met with “an immediate military response”. Diplomats expect grain to start fully flowing for the first time since Russia’s invasion of its Western-backed neighbour by the middle of August.

– ‘Russia is unreliable’ – Still, news of the deal earlier drew scepticism from Ukrainian farmers under pressure in the war-battered south where storage facilities are rapidly filling and local prices for grain tanking. “It gives some hope but you can’t believe what the Russians say,” said Mykola Zaverukha, a farmer with some 13,000 tonnes of grain waiting for export.

China denounces ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist’s visits to Lithuania BEIJING

TEHRAN

Agencies

Agencies

Iran is seeking economic guarantees from the US to revive a 2015 nuclear deal so as not to be “stung twice” the same way, its foreign minister said.

The agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme to guarantee that it could not develop a nuclear weapon — something it has always denied seeking. But the US unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and the reimpositon of biting economic sanctions prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. “We do not want to be stung twice from the same spot. In order to enjoy the full economic benefits of the JCPOA, the Americans must accept some commitments and guarantees,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told state television in an interview on Thursday night.

“We are now at a point where we have a text ready in front of us; we agree with all parties on 95% of its content,” he said. “We are serious about reaching a good, strong and lasting agreement but we do not want an agreement at any price.”

Talks in Vienna that started in April 2021 to restore the deal have stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.

The two sides negotiated indirectly through the European Union coordinator. Qatar hosted indirect talks last month between the United States and Iran in a bid to get the process back on track, but those discussions broke up after two days without any breakthrough.

“The Americans have not yet assured us that we can enjoy the full economic benefits of the JCPOA,” Amir-Abdollahian stressed, saying Iran will continue its indirect negotiations with the US through the European Union.

China on Friday expressed its strong protest over and firm objection to Lithuania for inviting You Si-kun, a notorious ”Taiwan independence” separatist, to visit Lithuania.

At the invitation of the Lithuanian Seimas, You, head of the “legislative body” of the Taiwan region is visiting Lithuania from July 21 to 23.

The Office of the Chargé d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China in Lithuania, in a statement published on its website, responded that Lithuania’s decision disregard the overall interests of ChinaLithuania relations.

The statement added that Lithuania’s act seriously violates China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, and recklessly tramples on international law and basic norms governing international relations.

“The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community, a norm governing the international relations affirmed in the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, and also is the political foundation to develop relations between China and all other countries, which

should not be trampled upon,” the statement read.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the Office of the Chargé d’Affaires reiterated, adding that the Taiwan question is the core interest of China and concerns the feelings of the Chinese nation, which brook no challenge.

“As a country that has established diplomatic relations with China and a member of the international community, it is Lithuania’s rightful duty to maintain the basic norms of international relations and promote the bilateral relations between China and Lithuania,” the office noted.

It also urged Lithuania to proceed from safeguarding the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, abide by the political commit-

ment of the one-China principle, not send a wrong signal to the ”Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and stop adding new difficulties and obstacles to the bilateral relationship between China and Lithuania. “Seeking Taiwan independence leads to nowhere, so does supporting it.”

The office also said no political force should underestimate the Chinese people’s strong determination, firm will and strong ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China has decided to downgrade the diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of charge d’affaires after Lithuania, in disregard of China’s strong protest and repeated representations, allowed the Taiwan authorities to set up a “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania” last November.

sri lanka troops demolish main protest camp NEws DEsk Sri Lankan security forces demolished the main antigovernment protest camp in the capital Friday, evicting activists in a pre-dawn assault that raised international concern for dissent under the crisis-wracked country’s new pro-Western president.

Troops and police Special Task Force commandos charged on people blockading the sea-front Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Hundreds of soldiers removed demonstrators’ barricades and tents outside the colonial-era building, while the last remaining protesters on the premises — some were still on the steps — were baton charged away.

The operation came hours before new president Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed an old friend as prime minister and the ousted head of state’s personal lawyer as foreign minister. Wickremesinghe was elected president by legislators on Wednesday to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to Singapore and resigned after demonstrators chased him from his palace.

The remaining protesters — far fewer than the thousands who overran several government buildings earlier this month — have been demanding Wickremesinghe also quit.

They accuse him of protecting the Rajapaksa clan who have dominated politics for much of the last two decades.

By sunrise, police commandos and soldiers barricaded the complex and the main roads leading to the area were cordoned off. Hundreds of activists demonstrated at a nearby designated protest site against the military action, demanding the new president resign and dissolve parliament to allow fresh elections.

“Don’t attack peaceful protesters, instead listen to us,” said student Dimmithu, 26.

The activists insisted they would continue their struggle, and Basantha Samarasinghe, 45, a businessman and trade union leader, said: “The peoples’ wish is system change, and parliament should be dissolved. It has no public mandate.” Police said in a statement that security forces acted to clear protesters who were “illegally occupying” the presidential compound, with nine people arrested, two of whom were injured.

Wickremesinghe later met with several Colombo-based diplomats and US ambassador Julie Chung tweeted that she expressed “my grave concern over the unnecessary & deeply troubling escalation of violence against protesters overnight”. “This is not the time to crack down on citizens,” she added.

The European Union said freedom of expression was essential for Sri Lanka to transition from its chaos.

“Hard to see how restricting it severely can help in finding solutions to the current political and economic crises,” the EU delegation in Colombo said.

– Political rival – A foreign exchange crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic was exacerbated by mismanagement, critics say, with Sri Lankans left to suffer lengthy power blackouts and record-high inflation.

The country’s 22 million people have also endured months of food, fuel and medicine shortages.

On Friday, Wickremesinghe swore in his political rival Dinesh Gunawardena as the country’s new prime minister.

The two men have been schoolmates and friends since the age of three but lead political parties that are ideologically opposed. Wickremesinghe is a free-market champion and a pro-West politician while Gunawardena is a staunch Sinhala nationalist who wants greater state control over the economy. “We have differences, but we have enough friendship to unite to deal with the main problem of the country, that is the economy,” Gunawardena told reporters.

Wickremesinghe also swore in a new cabinet, largely reinstating his predecessor’s ministers but retaining the finance portfolio for himself to continue bailout talks with the IMF. He also replaced the foreign minister with Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s personal lawyer Ali Sabry.

Officials said it was an “interim cabinet” that could be replaced “within weeks”.

Hours after Wickremesinghe — a six-time prime minister who had earlier extended a state of emergency — was elected on Wednesday, he warned protesters that occupying state buildings was illegal and that they would be evicted unless they left on their own.

The day his predecessor was forced to flee, protesters also set fire to Wickremesinghe’s private home in the capital.

Amnesty International urged Sri Lankan authorities to respect dissent and condemned the use of force against journalists, including a BBC photographer kicked in the stomach by troops who confiscated his videos.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the government of using excessive force.

China lodges stern representations to Japan over smearing of defense policy BEIJING Agencies

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it had lodged stern representations to Japan over its smearing of China in the newly-released annual defense white paper.

In the paper issued earlier Friday, Japan identifies China as one of its main security concerns and claims that there is “a lack of transparency” in China’s military trends.

The document vilified China’s defense policy, normal military development and legitimate maritime activities, playing up the so-called “China threat” and interfering in China’s internal affairs on the Taiwan ques-

tion, said Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this,” he said, emphasizing that China is committed to a peaceful development.

On Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Japan also rejected the accusations in the documents.

In a statement, the spokesperson for the embassy said Japan has been manipulating China-related issues to exaggerate regional tensions so as to justify its military expansion and its shake-off of post-war bondage, which has caused concerns among regional neighbors including China and the interna-

tional community.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has long been attempting to break through the limits of its post-World War II pacifist constitution. Under the Article 9, Japan renounces its right to wage war and promises that “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained.”

The Japanese side should learn from history, stick to the path of peaceful development, watch its words and actions in the military and security fields, and contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability, instead of taking the wrong beggar-thyneighbor path, said the spokesperson.

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Saturday, 23 July, 2022 | LAHORE

SPORTS 11

KPL 2022: ComPLeTe SquAdS of ALL SeveN TeAmS IsLAMABAD

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stAff RepoRt

HE draft for second season of Kashmir Premier League (KPL) took place yesterday and all seven franchises have finalized their squads.

Prominent names of Pakistan cricket including Shahid Khan Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, Ahmed Shahzad, and Mohammad Hafeez will be seen in action at the iconic Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium from August 11 to 26.

All sides finalized their teams consist of 18 players, Let’s have a look at the line-ups; Rawalakot Hawks: Mohammad Amir (Icon Player), Ahmed Shahzad (Platinum), Hussain Talat (Platinum), Asif Afridi (Diamond), Zaman Khan (Diamond), Amad Butt (Gold), Bis-

millah Khan (Gold), Zeeshan Malik (Silver), Musaddiq Ahmed (Silver), Faisal Akram (Silver), Ammad Alam (Silver), Saeedullah (Emerging), Ehsanullah (Emerging), Zain-ul-Hasan (Kashmir), Saif Ali (Kashmir), Atif Sheikh (Kashmir), Roya Farhan Khan (Kashmir), Kashif Ali (Kashmir).

Muzaffarabad Tigers: Mohammad Hafeez (Icon Player), Sohail Tanvir (Platinum), Iftikhar Ahmed

Summer training camp held for table tennis, badminton players News Desk Women’s Badminton and Table Tennis Summer Camp for more than 50 players have been kicked off in Abbottabad which was organized by the Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the details, on the directives of the Directorate of Sports KP a summer training camp for more than 50 women players of Badminton and Table Tennis across the province under the supervision of Director Sports Rasheeda Ghaznawi. In the summer training camp besides the under 21 winning teams Abbottabad, runner-up team Peshawar and winners of the under 16 talent hunt scheme are participating. Badminton head coach Bushra, Hayatullah, and Fayyaz would train the players while Table Tennis coaches Amna and Absar Ali would also train players during the summer camp.

While talking to the media Director Sports Rasheeda Ghaznawi said that summer training camp for both badminton and table tennis would provide an opportunity for talented female players to learn modern techniques and skills. She further said that 25 female players in each table tennis and badminton are taking part in the summer camp which would polish their skills and they would be able to win on national and international levels. Director Sports said that we are providing equal opportunities to the female players in all sports and they are benefiting from the openings.

Sports organizations of KP have appreciated the summer training camp for female players.

Korean Ambassador National Sr Taekwondo C’ship kicks off News Desk The 15th Korean Ambassador National Senior Taekwondo Championship rolled into action here at Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex on Friday with a colourful opening ceremony of the mega event hosted by the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF). Teams from Provinces, Departments, Services, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK and Islamabad were participating in the event till July 25. It was being sponsored by Combaxx Sports and Korean Embassy, Islamabad. In Senior (Khyrogi Category), Under 87 Kg (Middle Weight), Idrees Khan (PAF) secured first position while Faizan Junaid (Army), Muhammad Saeed (Wapda) and Muhammad Yasir (KP) bagged second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 80 Kg (Welter Weight), Mazhar Abbas (Army) took first position while Muhammad (Wapda), Syed Farman (PAF) and Syed Dawoood Shah (KP) grabbed second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 73 Kg (Middle Weight), Rahma (Army) got first position while Mubashira (PAF), Syeda Nida (HEC) and Ghulam Fatima (Wapda) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 67 Kg (Welter Weight), Maleeha Ali (HEC) got first position while Sara Rehman (Army), Sara Rehman (Wapda) and Iqra Javed (KP) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Over 73 Kg, Nusrat Bibi (Army) secured first position while Tayyeba (Wapda), Hira Khan (PAF) and Amana (AJK) bagged second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Senior (Poomsae Category), Under 20 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae, Ahmed Shahzad (Army) gained first position while Arshad Usman (Islamabad), Ghulam Hussain (PAF) and Harris (Gilgit Baltistan) grabbed second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 20 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae, Zeena Sheraz (Army) took first position while Sher Zaman (HEC), Omama (KP) and Unshira Ghori (Sindh) got second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae, Waseem Javed (Army) grabbed first position while Ali Fahad (PAF), Naseer (Gilgit Baltistan) and Rajab Ayub (Wapda) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively.

(Platinum), Haseebullah Khan (Diamond), Anwar Ali (Diamond), Zeeshan Ashraf (Gold), Arshad Iqbal (Gold), Mir Hamza (Silver), Ahmed Safi Abdullah (Silver), Salman Fayyaz (Silver), Taimur Sultan (Silver), Aqib Liaquat (Emerging), Amir Khan (Emerging), Aqib Ilyas (Silver), Saad Bin Zafar (Kashmir), Inzamam-ulHaq (Kashmir), Osman Maroof (Kashmir), Usama Fazal (Kashmir).

Kotli Lions: Khurram Manzoor (Icon Player), Danish Aziz (Platinum), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Platinum), Ahsan Ali (Diamond), Khurram Shahzad (Diamond), Irfanullah Shah (Gold), Khalid Usman (Gold), Mushtaq Ahmed Kalhoro (Silver), Hassan Khan (Silver), Hanif Azad (Silver), Hassan Mohsin (Silver), Imran Shah (Emerging), Irfan Ali Kasmi (Emerging), Zayyan Khan (Kotli Lions), Basit Ali (Kashmir), Naveed Malik (Kashmir), Mujtaba Gayyaz (Kashmir), Nadeem Khalil (Kashmir).

Bagh Stallions: Kamran Akmal (Icon Player), Rumman Raees (Platinum), Sohaib Maqsood (Platinum), Amir Yamin (Diamond), Umar Amin (Diamond), Kashif Bhatti (Gold), M Imran Jr (Gold), Mohammad Sarwar (Silver), Mohammad Sharoon Siraj (Silver), Abdullah Jamal (Silver), Aitizaz Habib Khan (Silver), Maaz Khan

(Emerging), Sajjad Ali (Emerging), Hassan Raza (Kashmir), Daniyal Allah Ditta (Kashmir), Amir Shahzad (Kashmir), Arsalan Arif (Kashmir), Raja Farhan (Kashmir).

Mirpur Royals: Shoaib Malik (Icon Player), Imad Wasim (Platinum), Haris Sohail (Platinum), Ali Imran (Diamond), Salman Irshad (Diamond), Abrar Ahmed (Gold), Mohammad Akhlaq (Gold), Kashif Ali (Silver), Mohammad Hamza Arshad (Silver), Zubair Khan Lodhy (Silver), Zaid Alam (Silver), Hassan Nawaz (Emerging), Ali Razzaq (Emerging), Sufyan (Kashmir), Shan (Kashmir), Umar Hayat (Kashmir), Faizan Saleem (Kashmir), Shadab Majeed (Kashmir).

Jammu Janbaz: Sharjeel Khan (Icon Player), Faheem Ashraf (Platinum), Shahid Afridi (Platinum), Umar Akmal (Diamond), Sahibzada Farhan (Dia-

Pakistan a dangerous side in T20 CWC: Imad Wasim

Babar, Abdullah included in Wisden’s ‘form world XI’

News Desk

IsLAMABAD Agencies

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam and inform batter Abdullah Shafique have been included in Wisden’s “form” world Test XI. Babar has been in phenomenal form and his performances have propelled the batter to become a force to be reckoned with. He is currently the only batsman in the entire world to have been included in the ICC top-ten rankings across all formats; he currently is ranked as the best limited-overs cricket and the fourth-best in the longer format of the game.

“The world’s number one ranked ODI and T20I batter is operating on a different plane in Tests as well. A ten-hour epic, match-saving 196 against Australia emphatically announced that Babar was on his way to ace the red-ball circuit as well, and he has continued to make hay since. He’s now gone past fifty in five innings on the trot and hasn’t been dismissed in single digits since April last year,” Wisden wrote about the Pakistani superstar.

On the other hand, Abdullah Shafique has also made a significant impact for Pakistan. He has broken a number of records thanks

to his remarkable form as he has amassed 515 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 85.83.

“Technically sound, with an appetite for piling big runs, Shafique’s journey has been meteoric, breaking into the Pakistan set-up with his domestic career still in its infancy. At 22, and just six Tests in, he’s managed to make the opener’s slot his own: against Australia, he cracked an unbeaten third-innings century, and is yet to be dismissed in single figures. A gritty hundred in Galle has only extended the hot streak,” said Wisden about Shafique.

mond), Usama Mir (Gold), Akif Javed (Gold), Imran Khan Sr (Silver), Umar Siddique Khan (Silver), Shahzab (Silver), Ahmed Khan (Silver), Hamza Shah Afridi (Emerging), Samiullah Afridi (Emerging), Nakash (Kashmir), Faisal Altaf (Kashmir), Naseer Najam (Kashmir), Mohammad Shahzad (Kashmir), Mehran Mumtaz (Kashmir).

Overseas Warriors: Asad Shafiq (Icon Player), Azam Khan (Platinum), Kamran Ghulam (Platinum), Mohammad Imran Randhawa (Diamond), Sohail Khan (Diamond), Umaid Asif (Gold), Saif Badar (Gold), Adil Amin (Silver), Bilal Asif (Silver), Ali Shafiq (Silver), Mohammad Shahzad (Silver), Umar Zeeshan Loya (Emerging), Khuwaja Mohammad (Emerging), Farhan Shafi (Kashmir), Shahzad (Kashmir), Hashim Ali (Kashmir), Saad Asif (Kashmir), Malik Nisar (Kashmir).

Both the players laid a strong foundation for Pakistan to succeed in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle. Shafique survived more than 400 deliveries to lead Pakistan towards a historic victory against the home side.

Apart from Babar and Shafique, England batter Jonny Bairstow, James Anderson, Matt Potts, New Zealand’s Daryll Mitchell, Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya, Australia’s Usman Khawaja, West Indies’ Kyle Mayers, and India’s Rishabh Pant are all included in the XI.

Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim believes Pakistan was a dangerous side for any opponents in the 2022 T20 World Cup at Australia but feels selection of the right team was important for the extravaganza. “There is no doubt in my mind that we are a dangerous side for any opponents, and we will always find a way to be more competitive and productive in Australian conditions.

Those who write Pakistan sides off in such tournament do so at their own peril as we have a knack of winning games and tournaments but only if the selectors select the right players to play at the right positions in the team”. To a question, he said given the small margins of error in the Twenty20 format which can cause your downfall, it would be difficult to pick out any one side as the main threat for Pakistan. “The main teams include Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and even Afghanistan can all be classed as threats to Pakistan. Each of these sides are tough competitors but due to the nature of the format, you can never predict what can happen when you play them,” he said.

Speaking about Pakistan beating India again in the T20 World Cup game, he said the win against India in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup was an amazing experience and such 10-wicket wins happen very rarely, but it’s now in the past. “We have to play to our best abilities and stick to our plans when we meet them again and then whether we win by 1 wicket or 10 wickets, a win is a win and we will take that. Given our potential, we can be competitive in 2022 in Australia just like we were in the UAE in 2021.

India had a bad day last time we played, and I expect them to come at us hard this time as they will be out for revenge. We will need to stay positive in such a case and raise our cricket standards and up our game on the day,” he said. On his chances of making it in the World Cup squad, he said there was a lot of time to go before that tournament and a lot can happen before that time.

Australian curator impressed by passion of Pakistan’s ground staff RAwALPINDI Agencies

Adelaide Oval’s chief curator Damien Hough inspected the National Stadium Karachi outfield and square today (Friday) and interacted with the curator and ground staff as part of his tour of Pakistan. Karachi is the third venue that Hough has visited after his visits to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Hough would be spending the weekend in Karachi. Besides the NSK square and outfield, Hough will also take a close look and provide his recommendation and feedback on the two Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre grounds that are located inside the NSK perimeter.

Like Lahore and Rawalpindi, Hough will also deliver lectures on pitch and outfield preparation for all formats of the game. In addition to the NSK and the high performance centre ground staff and curator, the lectures will be attended by Sindh Cricket Association coaches as part of Pakistan Cricket Board’s plan of improving the knowledge and skillset of its coaches at different tiers across the country.

Hough meanwhile has praised the passion and commitment of the ground staff in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi and has stressed on the importance of his visit which for him is all about collaboration, learning and sharing of ideas.

“This is the third Test centre that I am visiting and so far, I have really been im-

pressed by the passion and commitment of ground staff in Pakistan and the team in Karachi is no different. For me, the trip is a lot about exchanging ideas, collaboration and figuring out how things are done in Pakistan and how they compare to Adelaide and Australia.

“A lot of credit goes to the PCB for initiating this exchange, I am very impressed by their commitment to improving the pitches and grounds. This pitch relaying project in Lahore and Karachi is a testament of the willingness that the PCB has for improvement and I am sure it will go a long way in developing quality pitches.”

Hough who has been associated with

the Adelaide Oval for more than 10 years and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best curators with 26 years’ experience in the field. According to Hough, a good cricket pitch is one that offers a good balance between bat and ball. For long format games, 300 runs and 10 wickets is an indicator of sorts of a good cricket pitch.

“A good wicket is one that provides opportunities to both batters and bowlers.

Back home we have an indicator of sorts of 300 runs and 10 wickets in a day for a long format pitch.”

Hough also expressed his excitement on the PCB’s experiment of using Australian soil for pitches in Karachi and La-

hore. The soil is set to reach Karachi in a week’s time. A pitch each at the NSK, Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground (Karachi), GSL and National High Performance Centre (Lahore) will be prepared with the imported Australian soil.

“I believe it is an exciting initiative and an experiment that is worth having a close look at. The pitches prepared with the Australian soil will provide a great opportunity to Pakistan players before a tour of Australia in terms of their preparations for the pitches there. Once again, the PCB deserves credit for this initiative, I feel that there will be a lot to learn and observe once the pitches are laid and are ready for cricket.”

Saturday, 23 July, 2022

pRayeR tiMiNgS

NEWS

Punjab is and will remain Political citadel of Pml-n, says marriyum aurangzeb LAHORE

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EDERAL Minister Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that Punjad is political citadel of Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PMLN) and it will remain so.

“Punjab’s mandate belonged to Nawaz Sharif and PML-N had reclaimed it today”, she said while talking to media men outside the Governor’s House here Friday night.

The Information Minister said Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had stolen PML-N’s mandate in 2018 General elections, adding Imran Khan looted the masses for four years and rendered them jobless.

On Hamza Shehbaz’ election as Chief Minsiter, she said PML-N’s stance had been vindicated today and it was a memorable day for victory of democracy in the country.

She said the Deputy Speaker had

breached the constitution through Speaker National Assembly (NA) and the apex court had passed the judgement that Imran Khan committed breach of constitution.

Marriyum said Imran Khan’s narrative was defeated and he was ousted from the parliament, asserting that the PML-N will not let the constitution to be

passed the ruling to reject 10 votes in the light of Supreme Court of Pakistan verdict, adding no member could vote against the will of a party head.

Reacting to Imran Khan’s recent statement, the Information Minister said a liar and a wicked politician was signing odes to democracy today, adding that he had

‘no risk of petrol or diesel shortage in country’ ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik on Thursday said that there is no risk of a shortage of petroleum products as the country has “record-high” petrol and diesel reserves while imports of POL products between June 2021 and June 2022 reduced by around nine per cent. Malik was speaking during a press conference alongside Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir which was held in Islamabad.

The petroleum minister said that the country’s import bill has reduced significantly while the petroleum division has been making efforts on a daily basis to bring further improvement in reducing the import bill. “We are not allowing unnecessary imports in order to reduce the import bill of the country”. He reiterated that there is no risk of petroleum shortage as fuel reserves are at record levels, adding that the government has prepared a policy for imports. Meanwhile, owing to less demand, he added that consumption of petroleum products has reduced by 9 per cent on YoY basis from 778,000 tonnes in June 2021 to 702,000 tonnes in June 2022. “Similarly, the consumption of diesel also decreased by 8 pc during the same period, from 776,000 tonnes in June 2021 to 713,000 tonnes in June 2022,” he said. During the first 20 days of the current month, the minister said that consumption of petrol reduced by 30pc YoY and it is expected to be around 580,000 tonnes by the end of the month against 880,000 tonnes consumed in July 2021 whereas the consumption of diesel has witnessed a reduction of 45-50pc.”Total consumption is likely to be around 400,000 tonnes if compared to 720,000 tonnes of the previous fiscal year”. Speaking on the occasion, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir said that the incumbent coalition government was working hard to stabilise the country’s economy and protect the countrymen from the effects of ongoing global energy crisis. He said that inflows and outflows of foreign exchange are now balanced while circular debt has decreased by Rs214 billion over the last three months because the government took certain measures to stabilise the economy. He claimed that inflation will start decreasing from September or October. The energy minister also informed the media that after power tariff rebasing, subsidies will be provided to protected categories of power consumers in order to save them from tariff hikes. On the other hand, he said that an attractive solar policy would be announced at the start of August in order to provide relief to the salaried and middle class. Moreover, other measures the government will be taking include reduced reliance on imported fuels with the introduction of a new solar policy, an export tariff for gas and electricity and a coal venture between Pakistan and the Afghan authorities for which Dastgir informed talks were underway and if it is materialised resulting in a supply chain then trade with central Asian countries may start.

interpreted according to the whims of a person. She said the PML-N will oppose such a move.

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on the occasion said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz succeeded in getting elected its Chief Minister in Punjab Assembly due to correct decision of Pakistan Muslim LeagueQuaid President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and efforts of allied parties, particularly Pakistan Peoples’ Party CoChairman Asif Ali Zardari for strengthening democracy.

He said that PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, being an experienced and patriotic politician, deserved full appreciation as all the PML-N and its allied parties appreciated his decision to get Hamza Shehbaz Sharif elected as Chief Minister.

Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the success of the PML-N in Punjab Assembly was made possible due to aspirations of people, adding that PML-N defeated those elements who were trying to create unrest in the country.

NEPRA approves three-phased Rs7.91 hike in power tariff ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Friday approved the federal government’s request to hike charges for the provision of electricity and issued directions to relevant authorities for jacking up the power tariff by Rs7.91 per unit in three phases.

According to the details, the consumer-end tariff would be increased in July, August, and October.

However, the authority’s decision would be applicable once the federal government notifies the same.

According to NEPRA’s statement, the tariff has been determined for the financial year (FY) 2022-23, which on the national average is Rs24.82 per Kilowatt hour (kWh), higher by Rs7.91 kWh than the earlier determined national average tariff of Rs16.91/kWh. Earlier, the authority had determined the tariff hike and intimated its decision to the federal government which filed a motion for the determination of a uniform consumer-end tariff after incorporating subsidies and surcharges for all the power distribution companies (DISCOs) and K-Electric.

On Thursday, the authority held a hearing under NEPRA chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi following the submission of an application by the federal govern-

ment which recommended a hike in the consumerend tariff for power distribution companies including DISCOs and K-Electric, NEPRA. While reserving its decision on the matter, the authority issued a statement that it would send its decision to the federal government for issuing a notification regarding the hike.

Speaking during the course of Thursday’s hearing, the NEPRA chairman said that the authority had determined the tariff while keeping the dollar exchange rate at Rs200 which has now reached at Rs226. “NEPRA’s job is to approve the tariff while it is the government’s prerogative to allocate a subsidy,” he added.

However, officials of the Power Division informed the authority that there will be no increase in the tariff for lifeline consumers and the protected category of consumers, explaining that the government will give a Rs220 billion subsidy so that the latest hike does not affect at least 50 per cent of consumers.

It is relevant to note that earlier, the authority, after conducting a hearing, had forwarded its decision of a Rs7.9/unit hike to the Energy Ministry and asked the government to issue notification in this regard.

The authority approved the hike due to an increase in fuel prices, capacity cost, and impact of rupee devaluation.

Now game rules will be same for everyone: Maryam LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Friday said ahead of Hamza Shahbaz’s possible victory in the Punjab CM election said that now rules of the game will be the same for everyone.

Taking to twitter, she wrote that PML-N has not forgotten the treatment meted out to the party, adding that now rules of the game

will be the same for all, “otherwise the PMLN will do it in a better way.” Earlier in another tweet, Maryam Nawaz while launching a tirade against former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan said that the one who preaches freedom from slavery considers his members worse than slaves.

In her latest Tweet, the PMLN vice president wrote that Imran Khan is campaigning for the one whom he used to call “Punjab’s

biggest dacoit” and is ready to make him chief executive of the province. She said the one who claimed of building a great nation does not even have its own candidate for the Chief Ministership, adding that there is a difference between giving the province on contract.

Maryam Nawaz went on to say that the people of Punjab had given the mandate to Nawaz Sharif in 2018, which was taken away from him through fraud.

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rupee continues to lose ground against us dollar Islamabad: Pakistani rupee on Friday shed a further 1.69 rupees against the US dollar, reaching a historic low of above 228 in the interbank market — taking its decline this week to nearly 8 per cent.

During the intraday trade, the rupee fell to as low as 229, but it closed at 228.37, losing Rs1.56 or 0.68 per cent, the data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed.

Earlier on Thursday the Pakistani rupee had hit another low after the US dollar strengthened against the local currency and gained Rs1.89 and traded at Rs226.81. In the open market, the greenback traded between Rs226 to Rs227.

Considering the freefall of the rupee the business community has demanded to fix the rate of the dollar for at least one month to stabilize the economic situation. NewS DeSk

fdi increases 2.6pc to reach $1.87b in fy22 Islamabad: Pakistan witnessed an increase of 2.6 per cent in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to reach $1.87 billion during the fiscal year 2021-22.

The FY22 FDI inflows were attributed to the net investment inflows of $531.6 million from China, followed by United States, Switzerland, UAE, and Hongkong as Pakistan attracted $249.6 million, $146.2 million, $143.9 million and $137.7 million net inflows from these countries.

Sector-wise, the power sector attracted the highest net FDI of $737.6 million during FY22, followed by Financial Business with $405.3 million, Oil & Gas exploration sector with $195.3 million, and Communication with $118.9 million.

Under the foreign public investment, $309.5 million worth of investment was recorded in debt securities during FY22, signifying a massive 88% YoY decline against the net inflows of $2.55 billion in FY21.

All in all, the country witnessed foreign investments of $1.8 billion during FY22, showing a decline of 61% YoY from $4.5 billion in FY21. NewS DeSk

Provision of loans under mera ghar scheme to continue Islamabad: The government will continue providing loans under the ‘Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar’ (MPMG) scheme, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail said on Friday.

In a tweet, the minister said he had held a meeting with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) wherein it was decided that the housing loan scheme would continue for all those whose loan applications had been approved and who had paid a bayana.

He said the government would also ask banks to reduce the interest rate they had charged.

“Just had a meeting at the SBP. The government will continue with the MGMP housing loan scheme for all those whose loan applications have been approved and who have paid advances (bayana). We will also ask the banks to reduce the interest rate charged,” he tweeted Miftah added the government was still in the process of reshaping the scheme to make it cheaper and more widespread, adding that the revised scheme would be rolled out soon.

Earlier on June 30, the central bank had instructed banks to put disbursements under the Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar (MPMG) scheme till August 31, 2022, stating that “The government was considering a review/revision of the features of the scheme in light of recent developments in the macroeconomic scenario.”

However, it had clarified that financial institutions may release remaining disbursements under MPMG in cases where partial disbursements have already been made till June 30, 2022.

It is pertinent to note that out of the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s promise to provide five million houses under the banner of Naya Pakistan Housing Programme, only 21,980 low-cost houses have so far been completed while 52,439 are under construction and 95,084 are in their planning phase. app

‘Zardari outclassed everyone’; Did FM Bilawal openly glorify horse-trading?

ISLAMABAD MaNal JaffeRy

Soon after the Deputy Speaker announced the CM Punjab’s results in the favor of PMLN, Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was quick to react to the re-election of Hamza Shehbaz as CM Punjab by stating that ‘Zardari has outclassed everyone’ The PPP chairman in his latest Tweet wrote, “Aik Zardari Sab Pe Bhaari [One Zardari has outclassed everyone].”

The tweet has been receiving criticism by the public as it signals towards an open

glorification of horse-trading by the PPP cochairman Asif Ali Zardari.

PTI has been repeatedly reporting that the menace of horse trading was in process ahead of Punjab CM elections, which if not stopped, would be an insult to the mandate of people.

It is pertinent to note that a day earlier, Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan took a jibe at PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari for ‘horse trading’ ahead of the elections.

Taking to Twitter, the former premier wrote: “Today Lahore is seeing a repeat of the Sindh House horse trading that happened in Islamabad with up to Rs50 crores being

offered to buy MPAs [Members of Provincial Assembly].”

Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also stated that Asif Ali Zardari is openly offering money to PTI MPAs which is illegal and they should immediately be arrested.

He alleged that “Zardari managed to send MPA Masood Majeed to Turkey after paying Rs400 million to him. Zardari is using Sindh government’s resources for horse trading” Chaudhry said that three more MPAs had submitted their affidavits to the apex court, explaining how they were offered bribes.

“We don’t know how many MPAs have been approached. No person who is involved

in such tactics will ever be forgiven by people. This habit of sticking to power should now end,” he declared.

However, the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari rejected the allegations of ‘horsetrading ‘by stating that he has presented himself only for reconciliation on the political situation of the country and Punjab.

Cm Punjab ElECtIon REsults: It should be noted that PML-N candidate Hamza Shehbaz has been re-elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab. PTI candidate Pervaiz Elahi bagged 186 votes while Hamza Shehbaz secured 179 votes.

A total of 186 votes were in favor of Per-

vaiz Elahi. However, the Deputy Speaker refused to count the 10 votes cast by the Muslim League (Q) MPA citing Article 63 (1) (A) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, the parliamentary strength of the opposition alliance was reduced to 176.

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari read out a letter written

by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain requesting the members of his party to vote for Hamza Shehbaz. Therefore, the Deputy Speaker said the lawmakers violated the order of Chaudhry Shujaat and rejected all the votes cast by the members of the Muslim League (Q).

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