Monday, 25 July, 2022 I 25 Zil Hajj, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII No 384 I 48 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PM reaffirMs Pakistan’s full suPPort to sCo’s objeCtives, Charter LAHORE
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staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday assured Pakistan’s full support in the fulfillment of the purposes and objectives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), under his stewardship. “All SCO members would continue to work together for building peace, enhancing international solidarity and cooperation,” the prime minister expressed his while talking to Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Ambassador Zhang Ming who called on him, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Sunday. The prime minister also reaffirmed
Nobody will be allowed to violate constitution, law: Marriyum ISLAMABAD staff report
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that no one would be allowed to criticize and violate the Constitution and the law as well. In a reaction to Fawad Chaudhry’s statement, she said that a person who abused and threatened national institutions should not worry about it. “Imran Khan will not be allowed to play the game of ‘establishment and anti-establishment’ just for a return to power”, she said. The minister said Imran Khan had admitted that he took the help of institutions and agencies to run the government for four years. She said that nobody would be allowed to pressurise justice system through bullying, threats and abuse. The minister remarked that narrative of Nawaz Sharif and Muslim League (N) remained as the narrative of the Constitution. She advised Imran Khan to stop dragging the army and judiciary into politics as she opined Imran’s target was institutions
and he wanted that their leadership should be removed. She maintained that Imran Khan’s narrative of ‘conspiracy abroad’ was now buried and the new narrative of establishment and anti-establishment has started. The minister demanded that Election Commission of Pakistan should announce the verdict of foreign funding immediately. “Imran wants NRO in foreign funding case through bullying, intimidation, anarchy, rioting and hooliganism”, she maintained. The full court should hear the
case related to the election of the Chief Minister of Punjab, she said. The Full Court should simultaneously hear the review petition of Supreme Court Bar Association, present petition and other related petitions. Justice on important national, political and constitutional matters should not only be done, but it should also be seen to be done, she remarked. “With the instability created by Imran Khan, the national economy is again at risk of bankruptcy.People are paying the price of Imran Khan’s economic disaster in the form of inflation, unemployment and poverty”. She said that Imran wanted to avoid accountability, conceal his corruption and gain power through the back door. Now this war was against the fascism of the “arrogant anticonstitutional person named Imran”, she said. The people and institutions of Pakistan would not be allowed to become subservient to Imran Khan’s wishes and “We will not let the democratic and constitutional system go bankrupt”, Marriyum Aurangzeb said.
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Coalition ups ante for full bench as SC takes up Mazari’s ruling case today ISLAMABAD staff report
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will hear the petition filed by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi against Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari’s ruling over the election of Punjab CM on Monday. According to details, the government has taken the decision over the assurance of arranging foolproof security for the SC and Red Zone ahead of the opening of the superior court tomorrow. In connection with the security, the anti-riot force will be deployed in Red Zone. After taking the decision, the government has reached
the point that it would not allow the political workers of any parties to reach the vicinity of the Supreme Court, however, permission to enter of Red Zone will only be permitted after the showing of office cards to the authority. It merits mention here that on Saturday outside the Supreme Court Lahore BranchRegistry, the political workers were gathered in large numbers, after which the security institutions issued a warning over another possible gathering of the workers outside the SC, following the tomorrow’s hearing over the election of Punjab CM. PDM WANTS TO BECOME PARTY: The coalition government and parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) decided Sunday to file a petition in
the Supreme Court (SC) for the formation of a full court bench regarding the election of Punjab chief minister and interpretation of Article 63-A. According to the PDM sources, leaders of the coalition government and the PDM parties will make an important announcement at a joint press conference ahead of Supreme Court hearing on Monday. After the press conference, the leaders of the coalition government, and those of the PDM, will go to the Supreme Court together with their lawyers. They will request the Supreme Court to hear the Punjab chief minister case, the Supreme Court Bar Association review petition and other related petitions together.
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Pakistan’s strong commitment to the principles of the SCO Charter and the “Shanghai Spirit.” He highlighted the current global challenges manifested in the high fuel and food prices and the resultant food insecurity as well as economic and financial difficulties for a large number of countries including SCO members. Appreciating the comprehensive development agenda of SCO, the prime minister emphasized that the core purpose of the Organization remained the growth and prosperity of the SCO region and how well the SCO leaders were responding to the aspirations and ambitions of their people to have better standards of living. He underlined Pakistan’s priorities and national development goals as
well as important areas of interest within the SCO framework of cooperation — including trade and economy; connectivity & transport; poverty alleviation; energy; agriculture and food security; climate change; security; information technology; digitalization; and cultural and people-to-people linkages. The prime minister underlined the need for developing appropriate funding mechanisms to promote intra-SCO trade as well as development initiatives. Stressing the enhancement of transport and communication links, the prime minister underscored the importance of the connectivity agenda and, in this regard, also highlighted that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could serve as a useful model in its facilitation. The prime minister also shared his perspective on a number of specific regional and global security issues as well as SCO’s role in promoting stability in the region and beyond. In this context, he appreciated the work of SCO-RATS where Pakistan, together with other member states, was playing an active role in countering common security challenges.
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02-03 NEWS 25 JULY_Layout 1 7/25/2022 1:21 AM Page 1
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Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
PM directs ProvinciAl govts to steP uP efforts in wAke of rAins, floods IsLAMABAD
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Staff RepoRt
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the provincial governments to remain alert in the wake of continuing monsoon rainfall which could trigger flash floods in different parts of the country. The prime minister in a message to the chief minister Sindh said that the federal government would
provide all possible support to the provincial government in this difficult situation. The recent rainy spell is lashing Karachi for the last few days, resulting in the monsoon deluge. The prime minister also directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to fully assist the provincial governments and the departments concerned, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. He said the protection of the properties and lives of the people in
the low-lying areas should be ensured. The prime minister also desired that the elected representatives should supervise the rescue and relief activities launched by the relevant departments. NEWLY-ELECTED PFUJ OFFICE BEARERS FELICITATED: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated the newly elected office bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). Extending his
felicitations to the newly elected members, the prime minister said that the election of Afzal Butt and Arshad Ansari as president and secretary general of PFUJ respectively reflected the confidence of the journalists’ community in their leadership, a press release of PM Office Media Wing said. The prime minister said the government firmly believed in the constitutional freedom of media and expression and assured that they would ensure complete support in
the provision of a professional environment for the journalists and media personnel and would assist in the resolution of their issues. He also expressed the hope that
the newly elected office bearers would play their full role in the resolution of the issues being faced by the media people and the journalists.
Law minister wants full court to hear all cases related to Article 63-A News Desk
BAP core committee concerned over ongoing political crisis QUeTTA NewS DeSk
The core committee of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) on Sunday expressed concerns over sharp criticism by the political parties on the national institutions, urging them to have patience for the country’s sake which was facing political and economic crisis. Reiterating the party’s resolve, the leadership said, “BAP is ready to play its role for the improvement of the political situation in the centre.” The first meeting of the BAP’s core committee was held under the chairmanship of its central president and Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo. Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Acting Governor Balochistan Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, General Secretary BAP Senator Manzoor Khan Kakar, Provincial President BAP , Senior Provincial Minister Sardar Muhammad Saleh Bhutani, Provincial General Secretary BAP, Senior Provincial Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar, Senator Naseebullah Bazai, MPA Zubaidah Jalal, Provincial Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, and other were in attendance. The meeting reviewed the political and economic situation in the country in detail. The participants asked the political parties to have patience, and tolerance in view of the problems and situations faced by the country. Emphasizing that the country could not afford the politics of anarchy in any case, the meeting underscored that any wrong moves could bring about very negative consequences, putting the country’ and its people’s security and survival at stake. “Political parties should focus on solving problems by dialogue and should work together for the purpose,” they added. The committee also offered to play a role in improving the political situation in view of its numerical majority in the Senate and the National Assembly. It also reviewed the political and overall situation of Balochistan in detail, and appreciated the performance of the provincial institutions on the rescue and rehabilitation activities in the flood situation caused by the recent rains. “In this regard, assistance will also be taken from the federal government,” they stressed.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has demanded the Supreme Court of Pakistan to constitute a larger bench or full court to hear the case of Punjab chief minister election, as well as the review petition of the Supreme Court Bar Association about Article 63-A interpretation. Separately, former state minister Muhammad Talal Chaudhry and central leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has demanded that the full bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan should hear the party cases. Addressing a joint press conference with Punjab Home Minister Attaullah Tarar here on Sunday, he said that political circumstances had reached such a situation that several constitutional issues needed to be resolved. He said that the president of Pakistan had sent a reference to the Supreme Court for interpretation of Article 63-A before voting on no-confidence
resolution against the then prime minister Imran Khan, and it was appealed that votes cast against the directions of the party head should not be counted. The SC did not give stay order and the proceedings of noconfidence were completed, he added. The law minister said that later, during election of the Punjab chief minister, the split 3-2 judgment was given that the votes cast against the directions of the party leader would not be counted. Therefore, 25 votes cast in favour of Hamza Shahbaz were not counted. On Friday, in the run-off election for the Punjab chief minister slot, the votes of 10 members of the PML-Q, who had cast their votes against the directions of the party head, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, were not counted, in the light of the apex court verdict. He said that the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker announced the victory of Hamza Shahbaz as the chief minister, in the light of the SC interpretation of Article 63-A. However,
the other candidate, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, moved the SC and appealed for counting those votes, he explained. He said that the Supreme Court Bar and the civil society had demanded that hearing of these cases should be held altogether by the full court. Tarar said that prominent lawyers including Latif Afridi, Yasin Azad, Fazal Haq Abbas, Qalb-e-Hussain and Ahsan Bhoon had also said that it was a serious and sensitive issue which was taken up by 8-member and 5-member benches earlier; therefore it should in heard by the full court now. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Talal Chaudhry said, “We are being meted out step-motherly treatment, which is against the fundamentals of justice provision.” He said that various cases against Imran Khan were pending a decision including the foreign funding case. He said, “We have full confidence in judiciary, which should take up all cases
against the leadership of PML-N, PTI and other parties.” The former minister said that the PML-N had launched mega uplift programmes including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and everyone was aware of the party services for the country and the people of Pakistan. He said that the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was disqualified for “not receiving salary from his son” whereas, on the other hand, the mega scandals linked with Imran Khan including foreign funding case were pending for long. He said Imran Khan was in the habit of hurling threats at the state institutions to get favourable decisions from them, he said. Talal Chaudhry said that Chaudhry Shujaat was lauded when he favoured Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stance, but he was declared ‘dishonest’ by the party when he favoured the PML-N candidate.
Working hard to avert pressure of monsoon rains : Sindh CM kARACHI Staff RepoRt
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along his cabinet members and chief secretary on Sunday visited old city areas and inspected flow of storm water drains and installation of cesspool machines. He directed administrator Karachi to install heavy pumping machines in the DHA areas where water had accumulated. The chief minister was accompanied by Minister Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister Local Government Nasir Shah, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Commissioner Karachi Iqbal Memon and Secretary Local Government Najam Shah. He visited nullah at Shaheen Complex and inspected its smooth flow right from Shaheen Complex towards Clifton. He got a cesspool installed at the road to dispose of accumulating water in the low-lying areas of the Ziauddin Road. The chief minister on Chundrigar road visited nullah at City station, then at Habib Bank plaza and inspected flow of water there. At Habib bank plaza the flow of the nullah was slow therefore he installed a
mobile pumping system there to speed up the flow of the rain water. While visiting Tower, Murad Ali Shah discovered that it was usually submerged with the choking of storm water drains running along the stock exchange building and KPT godowns. He directed the water board to install two suction systems- one at the low-lying area of Tower and the other at the backside of the KPT godowns to keep disposing of the accumulating water in the sea towards Native Jetty. Murad Ali Shah visited different localities, Imambargah Hussainian Iranian- Kharadar, Mithadar Lee Market and their adjoining areas and inspected proper disposal of the rainwater and smooth flow of the nullahs in Lyari. The areas of Lyari were clear and there was no rainwater on the roads. The chief minister also visited Garden East and West areas and then went to inspect underpasses at KPT and Submarine Chowrangi and inspected their dewatering system. Murad Ali Shah visited different nullas passing through Shahrah-e-Faisal where the water board and other concerned staff was on duty. He visited Provincial Disaster Management
Authority (PDMA), Sindh office where he was received by Advisor on Relief & Rehabilitation Haji Rasool Bux Chandio. He was briefed there about the rain monitoring system and rain gauge system installed at PDMA. Murad Ali Shah visited different areas of DHA and witnessed rainwater accumulated on different roads and streets. He directed Administrator KMC to move cesspool and suction machines to DHA and get the accumulated water disposed of. While talking to media, the chief minister said that he was making all-out efforts to keep the rainwater disposed of in time. “It has been raining since 5 am but our concerned officials along with their ministers are on the roads to ensure proper disposal of rainwater,” he said. Shah said that almost all the nullas, including those constructed along the main arteries of the city have been cleaned. “I am sure the on-going third spell of heavy rain would not cause any serious issue,” he said. The CM said that the people of this city have witnessed the performance, sincerity and commitment of the government that was why the previous spell of heavy downpour did not submerged the city.
Do we need a hool of harakiris? City NoteS M a Niazi It seems that there should be people falling on their swords all around, and the city should look like the stage of a Shakespearean tragedy in he final scene. But there’s no suicide culture in Pakistan, and because we’re Muslims, everone lives to fight annother day. Another reason why people no longer fall on their swords is because swords have gone out of fashion. Besides, it was only Roman swords, the good old pilum, used for thrusting, that were good for offing oneself. What you did was not so much fall on it, as lean on it. Another method was to slash you wrists, preferably while lying in a warm bath, which would encourage the circulation of blood out of you.
The Japanese also have the idea of committing harakiri. That means you plunge a dagger into your stomach, and drag it back and forth to make a real mess of your intestines. All the while, a friend stands by with a katana (samurai sword) and will behead you if you show any hesitation or too many signs of pain. If you don’t have a friend, you go to Mount Fuji, or any other active volcano, and jump in the fire pit. Now why would anyone want to fall on his sword, or commit harakiri? Well, Hamza Shehbaz should. After all, a sitting Chief bMinister is supposed to win bye-elections, not congratulate government agencies for staying neutral. The Election Commission has taken the fun out of the game by preventing governments from taking steps for the public welfareThe Chjief Election Commissionerc seems to be unaware that a bye-election might be .the only time when the
government is able to pay any attention towards a constituency. In a general election, the government has got so many constituencies to deal wit that it can’t pay the sort of attention that is needed. Besides, surely Imran of all people understands the concept of ‘home ground advantage’. Those old enough to remember him as Pakistan captain remember trhat he was as careful about what sortv of pitches the groundsmen prepared as any of his predecessors. Speaking of hom ground advantage, the Sri Lankan cricket team didn’t really display enough of it in going down to defeat against Pakistan. One of the frissons of fear Imran must have got was when Shaheen Afridi took four wickets in the first innings. That showed how traitorous were the Sri Lankan cricketers, in throwing away their wickets so as to undermine Imran in the eyes of thoe who matter by providing them
with an alternative who would be on the same page. That match was rich in possibiilities for the future. Babar Azxam might have caught attention playing a captain’s knock in both innings. There has been some hope expressed that he might lead Pakistan in the World Cup. If he wins, he would become Imran’s nightmare. But I doubt it. Isn’t he too ugly to be allowed on the same page? Sri Lanka is a strange country, and its being in default doesn’t seem to have depressed its cricketers much. But perhaps the most noticeable thing is that its Army doesn’t seem patriotic. I mean, what has been its role in a great national crisis? The COAS didn’t do anything until Saturday, when the protesters were cleared away by an attack on their camp. History will not forgive the Sri Lankan COAS. India seems to have gone one further. Not only did its Parliament and Legislative Assemblies elect a womAn as Commander-
in-Chief, but an Advivasi woman. India has had a woman President before, but Draupadi Murmu will be the first tribal in the job. She was nominated by the BJP, which is trying its best to hide its caste-ist image, having a Scheduled Caste PM and now a Scheduled Tribal President. I feel a little sorry for her. All her life, I would imagine, she’s probably tried to rise above her tribal origins. To the extent of becoming President of India. But she will be remembered for being a tribal. By the way, she’s a Sonthal. That’s a tribe remembered in history for its revolt against the Raj, something called a ‘hool’, against which the Raj had to raise and send a Sonthal Field Force, back in 1855. In fact, the Hool was led by two Murmu brothers. May her Presidency be a worthy one. And presumably our President’s ancestors played a much more prominent role in the resistance against the Raj than we know about.
02-03 NEWS 25 JULY_Layout 1 7/25/2022 1:21 AM Page 2
Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
skill develoPMent Must to tAP huge PotentiAl in it sector
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News Desk
HAIRMAN United Business Group in the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Shahzad Ali Malik Sunday said that the global information technology business embodying huge opportunities for the country’s free lancers stressing the need to enhance their skills to capture the vast international markets. He said that new opportunities in the IT sector were more rewarding than brick-and-mortar business setups. He said Pakistani’s free lancers grappling the third global position and noted that there were about three million IT free lancers working across the country. He said there should be a gradual increase in the number of IT free lancers each year by 100 percent as the global market was craving for a skilled people in
the field. He said there is vast scope and Pakistan could progress in this field and increase its revenue manifolds by luring foreign investment through our free lancers. Shahzad Ali underlined the need for mobilising all Human Resources to capitalise the ever growing foreign market.
He said it’s good omen that government has not levied any tax on such business which he added will help boost this business and fetch direly needed foreign exchange for the country which ultimately strengthen national economy. He said no country in the world could now progress in any sphere of life without acquiring the latest IT and equipping all sectors with innovation in IT in need of the hour. He said now IT sector has emerged as only source for rapid development which has brought significant up gradation in all leading enterprises to meet the future challenges. Ali Malik urged Pakistan Software Board come forward with a basket of excellent package to fully encourage the talented youth by offering a plenty of merit and needy scholarships for international standard specialisation in IT sector.
CDNS extends AML/CFT compliance project for another one year IsLAMABAD ShahzaD paRaCha
The Central Directorate of National Savings has extended the AML/CFT compliance project for another one year. Document states that CDNS has accorded the extension of AML/CFT compliance contract “provisioning of technical/support team for NSCS, RDNS and CDNS across Pakistan through Managed services agreement” for further one year from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, as per article No. 4.6.1 of signed agreement, based on your satisfactory performance. CDNA signed an agreement with M/s Solochoicez (Pvt.) Ltd in JV with M/s SOS Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd) on June 23, 2021, effective on July 1, 2021 for provisioning of technical/ support team for NSCS. RONS’ and CONS across Pakistan through managed services. As per the bidding documents, the project
involves delivering highly skilled and technical personnel with specialised knowledge of AML/CFT. The company has to post Field compliance officers having education in computer science, information technology or 14 years of education in any discipline from university recognized by the HEC with one year diploma in computer science or IT apart from 1 year experience in relevant field. Sources said that most of the personnel deputed in regional offices reportedly do not meet the minimum qualification or experience. Most of the personnel have no experience in relevant fields besides their diplomas in computer science or information technology are also suspicious, sources added. Sources further said that officials within the department can effectively perform duties mentioned in the bidding documents but the high ups of department with the alleged connivance of IT officials awarded a contract to blue eyed company, who reportedly does not have professional human resources.
Sources mentioned that CDNS awarded the last four projects in the last four years and interestingly solochoicez (Pvt)Ltd is a JV partner with other companies. Sources also said that the company is reportedly providing a very low salary to its resources whereas it is getting Rs 52,000 plus per resource from the department. It is pertinent to note that a company in last year raised questions over awarding the project to M/s Solochoicez (Pvt.) Ltd in JV with M/s SOS Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. The company had claimed that M/s Solochoicez (Pvt.) Ltd did not meet the basic criteria. They were not only given higher marks but the company does not have experience of running projects of such nature due to which the department violated rule 29 of PPRA. The spokesperson of CDNS Asad Bilal on the above mentioned queries replied that this is totally baseless content and things are much better than the mentioned scenario.
NEWS
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shazia, Murtaza hope for merit, formation of full court bench News Desk Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety and PPPP Central Information Secretary Shazia Marri and Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murtaza Wahab hoped for merit in the apex court’s decision following the formation of full court bench in a case pertaining to the election of CM Punjab. While addressing a joint press conference at Sindh Archeives department here on Sunday, they said that Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) was pressurizing the institutions for their desired gains. They said that decisions based on vision-of-need in the past had always created problems for the country. Shazia Marri said that they were eyeing the apex court for the formation of larger bench as the case was important one. She said that everyone was focusing on the case and its decision. She requested the Supreme Cout to form a larger bench instead a 3-member bench. Shazia said that psychological check-up of Imran Khan must be carried out. While terming Imran Khan as a Blue-eyed baby, she said that PTI chief must be pulled on reins to save the country. She said that Imran Khan always resorted to violence to gain his desired results. Replying to a question on the conduct of General Election, she said that political parties were always geared up for election but stressed that reforms were necessary before the election. Murtaza Wahab said that decisions based on needs had buried in the country. He said that Article 63-A was the centre of discussion these days and the party head was clearly written in the constitution instead parliamentary party leader. While terming Imran Khan as current era’s Hitler, he said that on Imran Khan’s letter 20 lawmakers were de-seated and now on Chaudhry Shuajaat’s letter different directions were being issued.
AJk President, AnP felicitate PfuJ office-bearers IsLAMABAD/PesHAwAR Staff RepoRt
twin cities will get first-ever resort-living development soon News Desk As a major boost to the federal government’s efforts to lure foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country, One Homes, a leading international property developer company has acquired a 100,000 square feet piece of prime land in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to become first ever tailor-made resort style living development for overseas Pakistanis. The development which sits at the top of a valley and enjoys front line unobstructed views over a 2500-acre national forest is expected to be a first of its kind in the capital. Talking to journalists here on the ceremony of acquisition of the land, One Homes Co- Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Aqib Hassan said that the company has a very stringent criteria when acquiring land, and the company often spends years in its acquisition process. “To give you an idea on average, we profile 20 sites before any single acquisition. Then after the initial profiling stage shortlisted sites go through an extensive due-diligence process. which we have created that mirrors the legal process in the UK which enables us to deliver the same level of security and comfort to our customers buying with us in Pakistan that we give to clients buying from us in the UK or Dubai,” he said.
Karachi needs rainwater harvesting system: PDP chief News Desk Water-deficient megacity, Karachi, urgently needs a rainwater harvesting system to store and re-use rainwater that now simply inundated streets before being drained out into the sea, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here Sunday. He said in a statement that rainwater harvesting system, also called rainwater collection system or rainwater catchment system, technology that collects and stores rainwater for human use. Rainwater harvesting systems range from simple rain barrels to more elaborate structures with pumps, tanks, and purification systems. The no potable water can be used to irrigate landscaping, flush toilets, wash cars, or launder clothes, and it can even be purified for human consumption. With water scarcity a pressing problem for many densely populated regions, rainwater harvesting systems can supply households and businesses with water for use in dry seasons and lessen the demand on municipal systems. He said though Karachi does not get heavy rainfalls every year, but still during monsoon season it often gets plenty of showers. He said in this season we see Hab Dam and small dams on the Malir River overflowing. He said supplementary water reservoirs on Hab, Lyari and Malir river
systems could help store this excessive water and its use for industrial and agricultural purposes. He said it is pity that both Malir and Layari rivers, essentialy rainwater rivers, are being used as drainage Nullahs. He said the drainage of municipal water should not be carried through natural waterways but instead an extensive municipal drainage system should be devised for them. He said hundreds of small natural rainwater Nullahs are encroached upon by land mafia. He said in posh society like DHA the natural waterways to drain out rainwater are used to crave plots. He said for land reclamation in DHA the natural outflow of rainwater is blocked which resulted into drowning of some DHA blocks during ongoing monsoon season. He said illegal constructions on Nehr-eKhayam in Clifton is another example of encroachments in posh areas. He said houses of poor people are demolished in case of encroachments over Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, but illegal encroachments by the elite in DHA, Clifton and PECHS get the blind eye of the rulers. news desk He said in Saddar town not only the Urdu Bazaar is built over a Nullah, but some blocks of Sindh Secretariat, parking areas of Supreme Court Registry and Shaheen Complex are said to be built over the said Nullahs, but in this case the question is who will bell the cat?
President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, while extending his heartfelt felicitations to the newly-elected body of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), expressed the hope that the PFUJ would raise the issue of media censorship in the occupied Kashmir. He said that the PFUJ leadership deserved appreciation for promoting and encouraging quality journalism in the country. He said that the PFUJ has toiled hard for press freedom in the country. “I hope that newly-elected office bearers including PFUJ President Afzal Butt, Arshad Ansari, Asad Pathan and others would play their much-needed role to expose Indian government’s fascist mindset and its brutal suppression in the occupied Kashmir.” ANP FELICITATE NEWLY-ELECTED CABINET OF PFUJ: Central Spokesman of Awami National Party (ANP) Zahid Khan and Punjab General Secretary Ameer Khan Hoti on Sunday felicitated newly-elected cabinet of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ). In a message, Zahid Khan congratulated newly-elected President PFUJ Afzal Butt, General Secretary Arshad Ansari and other office bearers. Zahid Khan expressed hope that all the office bearers of PFUJ would use their pen impartial and will write for the welfare of people and strengthening of country. On other hand, Punjab General Secretary Ameer Khan Hoti congratulated newly-elected President PFUJ Afzal Butt, General Secretary Arshad Ansari and other office bearers. He expressed his hope that the newly-elected office-bearers will work hard for freedom of media and upholding the journalistic principles.
Govt allocates Rs100m to advance Balochistan Toposheets’ geological mapping project News Desk The government allocated funds amounting to Rs100 million, during the current fiscal year, to advance an ongoing project of the Petroleum Division for the geological mapping of 50 Toposheets of ‘outcrop area’ to identify minerals potential in Balochistan province. Last year, an amount of Rs 30 million had been allocated for the project under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2021-22). “Under the project, 50 geological mappings of Toposheets of Outcrop Area, out of 354 unmapped Toposheets of Balochistan, are being carried out. The geological maps provide a bird’s eye view of the surface and (subsurface) distribution of various types of rocks and economic minerals that are found in a particular region,” according to an official document available with APP. Through the mapping, the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) wanted to maintain a database for future exploration of the
occurrences of metallic and non-metallic minerals potential, dimension stones, aggregates and limestone reserves for the industry. “These maps are essential for all future detailed geological works including, minerals’ exploration, civil engineering, soil surveys, land use, town planning, groundwater, earthquake hazards; environmental geology and soil conservation projects,” the GSP said in the project detail. Worldwide experience suggests that geological maps of 1:50,000 scale provide the most useful information and meet the basic requirements of the majority of the demands, involving research in ‘stratigraphy’, structure & tectonics, sample collection for laboratory studies, mineral evaluation and identification of promising areas for further exploration of natural resources. According to the document, the total outcrop area of Balochistan is 335,360 square kilometer (524 Toposheets) out of which 108,800 sq. km (170 Toposheets) have been mapped and published on a
1:50,000 scale and the maps are available. The promising mineral potential outcrop area would be mapped under this project, following which its gained experience would be used in mapping the rest of the outcrop area. “This project will help map the outcrop area in detail on a 1:50,000 scale and maintain a database for future exploration of the occurrences of metallic and non-metallic mineral potential, dimension stones, aggregates and limestone reserves for the industry in targeted potential areas of Balochistan,” the GSP said in the document. For the last fiscal year, the GSP had set the target to fill the posts for the project, collect and review technical data, perform geological mapping of 16 Toposheets, measure 32 ‘stratigraphic’ sections, collect field rock samples, do chemical analysis and petrographic studies besides the digitization of geological maps. The information collected after geological mapping and laboratory testing of rock samples would generate a database for interpretation to lead the individual occur-
rences of mineral reserves and other natural resources. The studies would provide a platform for the exploration of mineral resources by using other geoscientific investigations
like geophysical surveys and geochemical studies followed by drilling operations and contribute considerably towards the development of the mineral industry and mining sector.
04 NEWS 25 JULY_Layout 1 7/25/2022 12:24 AM Page 1
Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
04 NEWS
GoVt CoMMItted to turn AJK Into A Model stAte: tAnVeer IlyAs
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News desk
RIME Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has said that the government has presented a revolutionary budget and it is now the responsibility of the state machinery to leave no stone unturned in serving the people. Talking to media on Sunday, he said, “In order to make AJK a model state, we shall move forward as per the PTI chairman Imran Khan’s vision. Tourism would be promoted as an industry to make people financially self-sufficient. For the purpose, digital mapping is being introduced for the first time.” He said that the PTI government would never disappoint the people of the AJK who had given us the mandate. “All the promises the PTI had made during the election campaign will be fulfilled.” The AJK government, he said, was moving forward
IWMB chair laments irresponsible tourist behaviour damaging ecology of Margallas News desk Chairperson Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Rina Saeed Khan on Sunday said the irresponsible attitude and unwanted littering by tourists visiting the nature and wildlife rich Margalla Hills National Park was posing serious risk to its thriving ecology. The Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) has emerged as a favourable habitat for plants, birds and wildlife species that reclaimed themselves during the prolonged lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic as less human activities helped in reviving nature, the Chairperson IWMB told APP in an exclusive talk on the growing littering issue in the national park. Rina said there have been repeated public awareness campaigns and symposiums to educate the masses visiting national park that they were treading on the ecosystem of wildlife species that demands care and protection. However, its highly regrettable that the so-called educated gentry of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad traveling on their sports use vehicles (SUVs) did not bother to take interest in protecting the nature and managing their waste, she added. “They [tourists] dump single-use plastic bags, wrappers, packaging and bottles that end up non-degraded in the environment. The wild species especially monkeys, jackals, squirrels, foxes or any other consume it and die due to toxic impact of the plastic material on their health,” the chairperson said. She informed that the IWMB had strict check and monitoring on all of its trails that have become popular among masses for hiking, meditation, and recreation due to its scenic beauty and peaceful ambience. The littering issue has seen a drastic decline due to strict checking and change public behaviour whereas the areas like selfie points and other picnic sites that are less accessible for the IWMB staff were polluted by the masses, she said. “The local population residing near trails have started discouraging littering in the national park due to effective sensitisation. But, the issue is lurking on the peripheral areas of the National Park,” she noted. The IWMB has recently recruited 35 new staff including assistant directors, directors, range guards and others that would ensure strict enforcement in the National Park, however they lack strong regulatory powers as the Islamabad Wildlife Management Act was pending in the federal cabinet for its approval, she added. “The Act will enshrine more regulatory powers to the Board to fine and lodge strict legal action against violators of environmental laws in the national park,” she said while hoping to get the draft act approved soon by the cabinet.
according to its priorities. “The fruits of the government’s initiatives have started reaching the people”, he said, adding that people of the liberated territory would soon feel the change on the ground. He said that instead of solving the problems of the common people, the previous governments promoted nepotism and favouritism. In order to make the National Action Plan successful, the PM said that the Counter Terrorism Department was established in the Police Department of Azad Kashmir, for which a significant amount of funds was provided. He said that funds had also been increased for delivery of quality health services to the people at their doorsteps. Hospitals at Samahni and Mang were upgraded to the status of Tehsil Headquarters. He said that Forest Department was successfully completing the “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program”, which was initiated by Imran Khan a couple of years
Exhibition showing cross-cultural influences between Pakistan, Indonesia concludes News desk A five-day exhibition showcasing rich cultural heritage and tradition with similarities between Pakistan and Indonesia concluded here at Lok Virsa National Heritage Museum on Sunday. The exhibition titled “A night at Lok Virsa Museum: The confluence of civilization between Pakistan and Indonesia” was inaugurated by the Indonesian Ambassador Adam Mulawarman Tugio amid presence of diplomats and art and history lovers. The ajrak and batik booths, where shawl makers from both countries described the tough grind of making the ajrak, remained a centre of attraction among the visitors. A miniature model of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, built by a Pakistani craftsman also pulled the crowd from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The show also featured daily live
musical performance from renowned musicians who kept mesmerizing the audience by playing world famous tunes with indigenous Pakistani instruments including Tabla, Rabab and Bansuri. A large number of citizens flocked to the exhibition featuring a collection of photographs and videos shedding light on inter-regional connectivity and crosscultural influence on both countries. Maheen Mirza, a student from National Defense University, said she was quite amazed to find many cultural similarities with the Pakistani art pieces and cultural depictions. “I was unaware of the similarities between culture, history and religion between the two countries before visiting the exhibition,” she remarked. Irsa Bin Mairaj, a foreign visitor who was keenly observing the temple model, said he was amazed to know that the miniature was made by a Pakistani craftsman. It reflected that Pakistani people had
great potential in artwork that can scale up the design of such a difficult model with perfection, he added. Hooriya Shiekh, another visitor taking photos while draping the Indonesian Batik at the display booths Sindhi Ajrak and Batik, termed both the crafts an excellent example of fusion of the two cultures. She hoped that the exhibition besides introducing the similarities of cultures between the two countries would ultimately bring the people closer. An Indonesian woman who holds the stalls of Batik explained the difficult process of Batik making and said it was a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth, originated from the island of Java which took at least 4-5 days to finish a single piece. “The technique shows similarity with famous Sindhi Ajrak and signifies cultural affinity between Indonesia and Pakistan,” she added. At the onset of the exhibition, Ambassador Tugio stressed the need to pro-
Levies force’s 30 investigators trained in Quetta under UN program News desk United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Criminal Justice and Legal Reforms Programme in collaboration with Balochistan Levies Force has successfully completed the 2nd batch of training on “Basic Investigation Skills” for Investigation Officers of the Balochistan Levies Force. According to a statement issued on Sunday, the training was held from 18-22 July 2022 at the Levies Headquarters in Quetta comprising 30 investigation officers while earlier, the training for the first batch was held from 27 June-1 July 2022 for 34 investigation officers. Following the last training session on basic investigation skills, UNODC will commence training the same investigation officers on “advanced investigation skills” to build on their initial knowledge and skills acquired through the initial training. This landmark initiative aims to bring profes-
sional effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services by building on core competencies such as crime scene management, learning of advanced laws, investigation skills, handling of gender-based violence cases, community policing, and forensics evidence gathering. The training was broken down into modules to enhance the understanding of best practices and application of skills for effective and efficient investigation, interrogation, and interviewing of victims, witnesses, and suspects. The training programme also focused on stress management, professionalism, and a positive behavioural change while assuming duty. In his concluding remarks, Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani, Director General Balochistan Levies Force stated, “We are thankful to UNODC for this training. It is imperative that we practice and become competent in the skills learned here. These specialized training sessions is a great opportunity to come by and we must ensure to implement this knowledge in the field.”
Section of Indian media exposing its bias, through fabricated, false news contents News desk A section of Indian media is harping on a negative chorus to scuttle peace prospects in the region and working as a tool by conniving propaganda-based stories. A recent report of CNN News18, an Indian news channel, highlighting a false claim about Pakistan’s role over Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) issue proved as fake and an outcome of the same propaganda churned out by certain hostile and biased Indian media outlets, Zaffar Kamal, a security analyst opined. “The report is part of the Indian state narrative of falsehood and far from ground realities contradicting the Indian state and military leadership’s tall claims,” he said. In the recent past, the media experts said, the Indian state resorted to malicious tactics like false flag operations and fake news to divert interna-
back. Media, he said, was the fourth pillar of the state, which could not be neglected. He said that the PTI government allocated an amount of 70 million rupees for the Press Foundation, from which 20 million rupees were reserved for the heirs of deceased journalists and the welfare of journalists. Meanwhile, the PM extended his heartfelt felicitations to the newly elected office bearers of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) including the PFUJ president Afzal Butt, Secretary General Arshad Ansari, Asad Pathan and others. He expressed the hope that the PFUJ would play its role in highlighting the prevailing political and human rights situation as well as the ban on media in the Indian occupied Kashmir. Praising the PFUJ leadership for its constructive role, he said that the journalist body always fostered high journalistic values.
tional and domestic pressures and to cover blatant human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). A hype was also created by the Indian media about its military’s boasting of eliminating cross-border infiltration as a result of different operations. A section of Indian media went crazy over such false claims. They said India had been repeatedly exposed by the international agencies and global entities like EU Disinfo Lab for using falsehood as statecraft. The experts said, on the contrary, Pakistan had always acted with restraint and displayed a magnanimous attitude towards Indian continuous pouring out of venom and misadventures. “Whether it is Abhinandan or Indian missile falling inside Pakistan territory, it had always acted in the greater interest of the regional and interna-
tional peace. Propagating against Pakistan is ‘one in all solution’ for India to cover up its failures,” they opined. Moreover, they said, the Indian government’s claims of normalcy and development in IIOJK as the main dividend of the abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A had also been badly exposed at all forums. “The Indian state-sponsored political coercion has also met severe criticism and firm resentment by the people of IIOJK,” they added. The experts observed that the Indian government was bent on silencing Kashmiri journalists’ voices by using guns and intimidation (in the form of draconian laws) to mask the ground realities and push false narratives against Pakistan. The Indian government faced severe criticism from the domestic and international media when a Kashmiri journalist Fahad Shah was arrested on
baseless and fabricated accusations. Geeta, a former Indian journalist, told Wire, said “Even if we believe the allegations of the police, it is beyond comprehension why it took so long for the police to act and arrest in the cases registered last year? It is clear from their behaviour that they do not want Fahad to do journalism.” Ashok Swain, an eminent academician based in Sweden, commented “Fahd’s arrest shows that the ruling government is doing whatever it can to keep Kashmir out of the international agenda,” adding that was why it had been curbing all kind of independent journalism from IIOJK. Ashok, Professor of Peace and Conflict at Uppsala University, said “The repeated arrests and harassment of journalists and their family members in Kashmir is aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear so that local independent journalism will die out”.
mote and strengthen existing cultural relations between the two brotherly countries. Talking to APP, he said “Indonesia and Pakistan are home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world” and added that his country was extending cooperation in various fields including tourism, education and trade. He said his government was considering to invite Pakistani journalists to explore real potential of tourism in Indonesia. Speaking on the occasion, Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Jawad A.A Rabaei said that the people of Pakistan were very close to the heart of Palestinian and underscored the need to organize such events for cultural exchange. While contacted Director National Heritage Museum Anwar-Ul-Haq said the arrival of hundreds of people at the exhibition showed that life was coming back to normalcy after facing restrictions of Covid-19.
Vietnam envoys took charge as ‘Chairman ACI’ Islamabad staff reporter
Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan, Nguyen Tien Phong on Sunday took charge as Chairman of Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee Islamabad. In the embassy of Vietnam in Islamabad, the ACI Chairmanship handing-over Ceremony took place, Ambassador of Vietnam Nguyen Tien Phong assumed the ACI Chairmanship from Ambassador of Thailand Chakkrid Krachaiwong. The meeting also discussed the issues of strengthening ASEANPakistan relations in all fields and sectors. Expressing his best wishes, the ambassador of Vietnam said that there are wider opportunities for increasing mutual economic and trade relations between ASEAM countries and Pakistan. The Ambassador said that as the chairman of ACI, he should play a full role with the ambassadors of other ASEAN countries to promote the relations of ASEAN countries with Pakistan. Vietnam Ambassador to Pakistan said that Pakistan has huge trade and investment opportunities in Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN’s) US$ 3 trillion economy for increasing the bilateral trade and economic ties. With ASEAN’s US$ 3 trillion economic power and a large market of 650 million people in the region, the mutual US$7 billion trade between ASEAN and Pakistan is far below its potential, the Ambassador said. He said that Pakistan is a huge market with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$300 billion and a population of 230 million, where there are huge opportunities for ASEAN countries as well. Regarding multilateral trade in Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Pakistan’s trade interests with this trading bloc, the Vietnam Ambassador said that Vietnam, being an important member of ASEAN, would play its full role in paving the way for trade for Pakistan. He said that at present there is a bilateral trade of about USD $7 billion between the Pakistan and ASEAN countries, which is far below its potential. Nguyen Tien Phong said that Pakistan also has good trade and economic relations with ASEAN countries, which need to be further enhanced.
Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
Nobody will be allowed to violate constitution, law: Marriyum continued from page 01 She said that Imran’s thinking and attitude had become a termite for the state system of Pakistan. The minister said that her party would not make any compromise on the Constitution, democracy and people’s rights. PFUJ NEWLY ELECTED OFFICE BEARERS GREETED: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday congratulated the newly elected president and other office bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). In a statement, the minister greeted Afzal Butt on being elected President of PFUJ and Arshad Ansari as its General Secretary. She also congratulated all the other newly elected office bearers of PFUJ for the achievement. The minister said the government will fully cooperate with PFUJ in resolution of the problems faced by the media and journalist community. She said the government along with PFUJ will promote constitutional freedoms of media and expression.
Coalition ups ante for full bench as SC takes up Mazari’s ruling case today
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300 Mw GwAdAr Power PlANT To STArT fuNCTioNiNG bY 2023
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news desk
300 megawatts coal-fired Gwadar Power Plant would start functioning from October 2023, to cater the needs of some 150,000 people of Gwadar under the 2050 Master Plan of Gwadar. The power plant of independent power producer, is one of the key energy projects on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said official sources. The project aimed at improving reliability on local power supply would help gradually solving the problems in current economic development and urban construction in Gwadar region being restricted by the shortage of power. “We are currently spending millions of dollars per annum to generate electricity from diesel generators. I
hope the plant would be operationalise soon to solve the port’s power scarcity issues.The power plant is of great significance to deepening the energy cooperation between China and Pakistan, boosting the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, improving the overall power structure of Balochistan,
and promoting local economic development in Gwadar Port. All major projects under CPEC in Gwadar, including Gwadar Power Plant, the New Gwadar International Airport Project, the China-Pak Friendship Hospital, China-Pak Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar, the Gwadar
East-bay Expressway Project, Gwadar Free Zone, and Gwadar Port would become a shining pearl in the region. Meanwhile, power supply to seven grid stations of MEPCO was suspended after technical fault in National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) 220 grid station. According to MEPCO officials, the power supply to affected 132 KV Qasim Bagh and Vehari Road grids of Multan city have been restored with alternate circuits, but load management is being done on the feeders connected to them. Likewise, 132 KV Khanewal, Kabirwala, Bati Bangla, Head Sidhnai and Makhdoompur grids have also been affected by the fault and power supply also been stopped. The NTDC team has reached Piran Ghaib grid and started the restoration work.
continued from page 01 The PML-N, PPP, JUI-F will go to the Supreme Court. The MQM-P, ANP, BNP, BAP and other allied parties are also among the petitioners. FIVE FORMER SCBA PRESIDENTS: Meanwhile, five former presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial to send the review petition of the SCBA regarding the election of Punjab chief minister and the interpretation of Article 63-A to the full court. Former SCBA presidents including Abdul Latif Afridi, Muhammad Yasin Azad, Fazal Haq Abbasi, Kamran Murtaza and Syed Qalb Hassan said in their joint statement that all the parties should be heard before a joint decision by the court in important constitutional cases. In their joint declaration, the ruling allied parties unanimously said it will be fair that full court comprising all respected judges of the Supreme Court should hear the Supreme Court Bar Association review petition. The declaration further said PTI Chairman is repeatedly creating chaos in politics to avoid accountability, conceal his corruption and gain powers through backdoor. The ruling coalition reiterated its commitment to move forward together at every forum and every field. KAIRA ADDRESSES MEDIA: Meanwhile, Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira called for the Apex Court to constitute a full court bench for hearing the current political and constitutional crisis in the Punjab. Addressing a press conference at Lala Musa, he said that incumbent government and its allies have their reservation over the current apex court bench which was hearing the current Punjab Chief Minister election case. Kaira expressed that the decision of full court bench would be acceptable to all political parties of the country. SHAZIA, MURTAZA HOPE FOR MERIT: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety Shazia Marri and Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murtaza Wahab hoped for merit in the apex court decision following the formation of full court bench in a case pertaining to the election of CM Punjab. While addressing a joint press conference at Sindh Archeives department here on Sunday, they said that Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) was pressurizing the institutions for their desired gains. They said that decisions based on vision-of-need in the past had always created problems for the country. Shazia Marri said that they were eyeing the apex court for the formation of larger bench as the case was important one. She said that everyone was focusing on the case and its decision. She requested the Supreme Cout to form a larger bench instead a 3-member bench. Shazia said that psychological check-up of Imran Khan must be carried out. While terming Imran Khan as a Blue-eyed baby, she said that PTI chief must be pulled on reins to save the country. Murtaza Wahab said that decisions based on needs had buried in the country. He said that Article 63-A was the centre of discussion these days and the party head was clearly written in the constitution instead parliamentary party leader.
Nagar College of Nursing, Thalassemia Center to be inaugurated next month news desk In the 11th meeting of the Board of Governors of Bacha Khan Medical Complex, apart from approving the establishment of Nagar College of Nursing, MTI Swabi, a detailed review of the Thalassemia Centre currently under construction was done and decided to inaugurate it next month. The 11th meeting of the Board of Governors of Teaching Hospital Bacha Khan Medical Complex Swabi was held under the Chairmanship Major General (Retd) Salahuddin Qasim in which other members of the Board of Governors Dr. Arshad Hussain, Dr. Muhammad Tufail Khan, Dr. Ashfaq Mian Anwaluddin, Dean Gajju Khan Medical College Professor Dr. Shamsur Rahman, Hospital Director Dr. Hafiz Amjad Mehboob, Medical Director Dr. Shahid Nisar, Nurs-
ing Director Mehran Khan, Director Finance Akhtar Zeib, Secretary BOG Waris Khan, Additional Hospital Director Topi Dr. Gul Preez also participated. Nursing Director Mehran Khan while giving a detailed briefing on the nursing college to the ward members, said that the “Nagar” college of nursing would be started in the next two to three months in a rented building in which 50 students would be admitted initially. BOG and other members jointly gave inprinciple approval to name the College of Nursing as “Nagar” College of Nursing. The establishment of the college will fill the shortage of nurses in the hospital while it will be the first nursing college at the government level for the people of Swabi. In the meeting, Dean Gujo Khan Medical College, Hospital Director, Medical
Director, Director of Finance, Director of Nursing, HR, Pharmacy, the efficiency report of IT, media and material department was also reviewed. In order to discuss the construction and inauguration of Swabi Thalassemia and Research Center in the meeting, Assistant Commissioner Chota Lahore Labiqa Akram took a special part and told the members that the construction of the center had been completed and after providing the necessary equipment, the center would be opened next month. Board member Dr. Tufail Muhammad Khan directed the officers concerned to ensure supply of necessary equipment for the center as soon as possible and said “this would be the first thalassemia center at the government level in Swabi from which more than 300 patients will be benefitted”.
PM reaffirms Pakistan’s full support to SCO’s objectives, charter continued from page 01 The SCO secretary general expressed his sincere gratitude to the government and leadership of Pakistan for arranging his visit before the upcoming SCO Council of Foreign Ministers and Heads of State meetings in Uzbekistan. The secretary general lauded Pakistan’s constructive contributions to SCO’s work and activities across all domains and thanked the prime minister for the guidance provided with regard to SCO’s priorities and endeavours in the future. He also highlighted the invitation to the prime minister to attend the SCO summit in Samarkand in September 2022 to which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded that he was looking forward
to participate in the summit. The prime minister also warmly felicitated the secretary-general on taking up his important assignment. SCO is an 8-member trans-regional multilateral Organization, based on the “Shanghai Spirit” which stands for mutual trust and respect, equality, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of shared development. In the two decades, since its establishment, SCO has become a major international platform representing 41% of the world population with a 23% share in global GDP. The four-day visit of the SCO secretary general provided an important opportunity for consultations at the highest level and greater understanding of Pakistan’s expectations from the Organization.
Trade with Afghanistan in Pak currency to strengthen economic ties: Kashif Younis news desk The business community Sunday hailing the decision of government for trade with Afghanistan in Pak currency viewed that it will further strengthen economic cooperation between two countries besides promising prosperity in the region. Talking to a delegation of industrialists and traders led by Khurram Gulzar Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman Meher Kashif Younis said Pak-Afghan trade is a potential source for creation of livelihood for thousands of people and will help usher an era of progress,development and prosperity in both brotherly Muslim countries, said a press release. He said government took bold decision to allow trade of all products for a period of one year with Afghanistan in the rupee via through land routes owing to the non-availability of tradeable currency through banking channels which was long standing demand of the business community that would also support our balance of payment. He believed the regime will remain in place until the restoration of regular banking channels in Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan was the third largest export destination for Pakistani products but trend changed in the last couple of years.He said Pak Afghan bilateral trade has a vast potential of $billion annually which seems to be eased now after this epoch making decision. He urged the government that scanners installed at the Torkham border urgently needed to be doubled to expedite smooth goods handling. Meher Kashif Younis said poor trade infrastructure at border crossing points were also to be modernised and upgraded on scientific lines to fully ensure uninterrupted flow of trade volume on either sides. He was of the opinion that at a time when the economy desperately needs a push for sustainable growth, Pakistan can capitalise on the existing opportunities by increasing the scale and depth of economic engagement with Afghanistan. Leader of the delegation Khurram Gulzar said similarly Pakistan has started importing coal from Afghanistan against pak rupees to meet needs of different coal fired power plants which he added would help Pakistan cut the annual import bill by $2.2billionn, he added.
18th National Children’s Mountain Conservation Meet concludes successfully news desk The 18th National Children’s Mountain Conservation Meet organized by Adventure Foundation Pakistan from 15th to 24 July 2022 concluded in Islamabad on Sunday. Venue of this year’s Meet was the area of Manoor Valley in Mansehra District of KP Province, said a press release. On the final day, a Children Mountain Forum was held at Margalla Hotel Islamabad in which young participants of the moot made presentations on the theme of Climate Change – What we can do about it. Joudat Ayaz. Additional Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change was chief guest of this event.
Ali Hassan Habib, President of Adventure Foundation Pakistan welcomed all the participants and guests and congratulated the young participants and staff on successful completion of 18th NCMC Meet. Aftab Rana, National Coordinator of NCMC Meet Project informed that this programme was launched on the occasion of International Year of Mountains in 2002 with a view to create awareness among young people about the mountain ecosystems and involve them in meaningful activities using mountains’ environment as an open classroom. Under this program each year around one hundred children are selected from all parts of Pakistan to attend a 10 days environment ed-
ucational camp held in a mountain area. He further informed that this educational programme involves young children in an action-oriented form of learning about the natural environment and its related problems. Participation in this meet makes them conscious enough to do something practical for the conservation and preservation of natural environment by undertaking micro level projects in their communities and schools. The children who attend this Meet are given the title of “Eco-Guards” which gives them confidence to play an active role in their day to day life to create awareness about protection of natural environment and its important role in our daily life.
Based on the first hand exposure, the young speakers in their presentations highlighted issues faced by the natural environment in mountains areas and shared their personal observations with the audience. They also made recommendations to the concerned departments of federal and provincial governments to address the environmental issues. At the end of the forum a joint petition was presented by the young representative of NCMC Meet 2022 to the representative of Ministry of Climate Change to improve the environmental conditions in the mountain areas of Pakistan. Chief Guest in his closing remarks appre-
ciated the efforts of Adventure Foundation Pakistan to create awareness about the conservation of natural environment among the young people of Pakistan. He also mentioned about the various steps which his ministry has taken to improve the environment in Pakistan. He vowed that the points highlighted in the petition made by the young participants will be taken seriously and government will take necessary steps to implement them. National Children Mountain Conservation Meet is an annual flagship project of AFP since 2002 and so far more than 2000 young participants and 300 staff members have participated in this unique outdoor education program.
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Monday, 25 July, 2022
06 COMMENT
Same difference
Preparing for the rains Need for professional expertise is clear
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T may seem counter-intuitive to begin planning for the next monsoon even before the present one is over, but the old attitude of considering the matter over and done with once the rains are over, can no longer be followed. This year, with 150 people killed so far, should show that prior preparation must be made to prevent loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure. One of the prime problems facing the country is that extreme weather events such as monsoonal flooding will remain at the present level of intensity, and indeed grow worse, in coming years because of global warming. Apart from the usual problems of flooding, urbanization is creating new problems. residents of Karachi, for example, face the danger of not just electrocution, but of falling into manholes, whose covers are missing and rendered invisible by flooding. One of the mains factors in this year’s lack of preparation was the absence of expertise. Instead of seeking professional heads for the federal and provincial disaster management authorities, the federal and provincial governments seem satisfied to have them headed by generalist administrators, whether from the civilian side or the military. The governments must concentrate on making these authorities repositories of expertise, especially technical expertise. If that means recruiting foreign experts at market salaries, then so be it. The extra expenditure will turn into money well spent when it is computed how lives were saved as a result, and how much infrastructure was saved. There is a distressing tendency to treat these authorities as parking places for officials who cannot find a slot elsewhere. This has led to organizations which have made little effort to improve themselves, to acquire the sort of personnel who can take the country through the crises that will come upon it in the years to come. It seems to have been lost sight of, but the monsoons come every year, and thus preparations are never speculative, no matter how early they are begun, and always predictive. Not only do the monsoons come every year, but they are likely to become worse. Governments simply cannot wish away the problem, or spend eight or nine months of the year pretending it doesn’t exist.
Vaping is as harmful as smoking, not a substitute
Dr Zeeshan Khan
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HErE was a time when tobacco or smoking was not considered good for health at all; these were rare but with passage of time things keep on changing. Different forms of smoking keep appearing and youngsters also get affected with all these. Chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes were the pioneers of those. Cigars are a luxury of the elite. Cuban cigars are famous and got made famous by Fidel Castro. Sheesha was also an injurious and notorious thing. Now, in modern times e-cigarettes are literally replacing the actual and injurious cigarette smoking. The reason or lame excuse associated with e-cigarettes is, these have less quantity of nicotine or are tar free; though it is affecting human lives badly, obviously and ultimately. undoubtedly, addiction of any sort is a curse and bane. The increasing trend of vaping in Pakistani youngsters is leading to addiction. The clouds of smoking can be seen during vaping around them although these smoke clouds are not formed by cigarette-smoking, but why is it getting popular? When youngsters newly enter college, they adopt smoking as a fashion or style statement or to prove their worth among other youngsters and colleagues. According to figures, there are approximately 24 million smokers in Pakistan. Now, e-cigarettes are getting more popular day by day, especially among youngsters. Albeit it is also not problem free. Additionally, vaping is injurious to health. Although not enough research has been done about it, that does not make it safe or harmless. The people who are vaping, say that
Javelin throwing Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem shows how much remains to be done
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rSHAD Nadeem’s fifth place in the javelin throw at the World Athletic Championships in Oregon, uSA was his personal best this year, but was also the first time that a Pakistani had reached the final of these championships. Arshad, it might be remembered, had sparked hope of a medal for Pakistan at the Tokyo Olympics last year when he reached the final of the javelin throw. It was noted even then that he had reached the place he had only after overcoming many obstacles, mainly the lack of support from his country, especially in giving him a livelihood, or training opportunities. While his story is heartening in that he surmounted these obstacles to become a world-class athlete, it should also give the entire nation pause. Athletes should not require an iron will against obstacles; many athletes with Arshad’s ability are probably going waste because of a lack of opportunity. A possible source of athletes might be those who do not make the cut as national cricketers, but get stuck at the club level. There is already too much concentration on a limited number of sports, cricket being at the forefront with field hockey and squash as well; there are signs of an irreversible decline. A well thought-out strategy to widen the basis of sports is needed, and the government should not forget that a wider basis of sports than just cricket and hockey gives a much improved soft image of Pakistan, and Arshad Nadeem’s not winning a medal is an improvement on the usual news from Pakistan, about political turmoil or terrorism. He deserves congratulations for having raised the heads of his countrymen, and one can hope that he would be able to cover the 4-plus meters that was all between him and the winner.
Benjamin Franklin once said “the Constitution gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
Mian rauf
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ur political process has become too tainted, and we have failed to develop a strong political convention that is sine qua non for democracy. With the PTI's landslide victory in hotly contested 20 by-elections in Punjab, all eyes were on Friday's run-off elections for the slot of Punjab Chief Minister as many observers were of the view that its outcome would set the tone for the future of the country's politics Ch Pervaiz Elahi, a joint candidate for the PTI and PML(Q), secured 186 votes against his rival Hamza Shahbaz who clinched 179 votes in the House but the Deputy-Speaker unconstitutionally turned the tides in favour of the minority candidate by rejecting the 10 votes of the PML(Q). He ruled that PML(Q) members' votes will not be counted in the light of party head Shujaat Hussain's letter. The ruling of the Deputy Speaker is both unconstitutional and not warranted by law. He misconstrued the Supreme Court
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The writer is a professional pharmacist, with Certification ‘CCRP’ in clinical research from Canada, based in Lahore. He can be reached at dr.zeeshan.alias.ghazikhan@gmail.com and tweets @DrZeeshanKhanA1
Unconstitutional ruling by Deputy Speaker
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
people are attracted towards it because its smoke is better compared to cigarettes, but the cloud of vaping is thoroughly harmful for human lungs because of the nicotine in it. Vaping includes vVegetable glycerin which is used in vegetable oils and propylene glycol which is used in drugs and foods for flavour and he third thing is nicotine. Vapers find them easily digestible and not too harmful but in reality the things are totally deleterious. Moreover, those who vape say that it too has harmful impacts but it is not as harmful as cigarettes because by smoking cigarettes, with just two drags you can harm your lungs more than by vaping. Although this logic is out of this world. So, what differentiates vaping from cigarette smoking? Experts say that you can get rid of cigarette smoking by vaping, but it also has its own problems. If liberty is taken, it can be said that vaping can be a blessing in disguise for quitting cigarettes. There are approximately 41 million people vaping globally and it is considered an alternative to cigarette smoking. But questions are being raised about vaping. How safe is it? What is behind a vaping illness outbreak in the uSA? Its ban or limited use in public spaces are now also under discussion. E-cigarettes look like normal cigarettes but they have different colours and flavours. Cigarette smoke has about 7000 different and harmful chemicals which can be cause cancer, heart attack and stroke. Detailed data about vaping is limited for the time being, but experts do acknowledge that it has less harmful chemicals than cigarettes. The basic reason for less harmfulness is the absence of tar and carbon monoxide in e-cigarettes but it is also true that there is very little information available about chemicals present in e-cigarettes. Nevertheless, experts also opine that inhaling a chemical by heating it, is not good for health. Vaping can also create problems for human health and it is easier to consume vaping than cigarette smoking and may be due to it, it is getting more popular not only in young men but in women also. Vape does not get noticed as much as cigarette smoking. According to girls, they still can’t vape at home. Others’ stares sometimes make them uncomfortable. Even some girls say that they have quit smoking cigarettes and vaping has helped them. They even vape before their parents. According to recent surveys, the trend of vaping in teenage girls and boys is increasing rampantly and experts explain different reasons for it. Different researches indicate that mostly the age group between 12-17 is attracted towards vaping due to a kind of peer pressure which will establish them before their friends as a worthy person. Firstly, they vape. Sec-
ondly, they consider vaping experimental and thirdly, they start vaping for mental satisfaction which is temporary and when the nicotine starts to decrease in the body, its worse effects start to appear. Vaping is a new phenomenon in Pakistan and its health effects are also unknown, so that’s why it is also not rightly regulated in Pakistan. At present, vaping is prohibited in more than 40 different countries of the world or these countries have restricted its use, sale or import. But there is no ban or any specific law regarding vaping in Pakistan. In India, opposite to cigarettes, vaping is legal but sale of e-cigarettes is illegal. However, cigarettes are freely available. In Britain, the regulations regarding Vaping are most clear of all and they have even determined the quantity of nicotine and size of the container for vaping. In America, the regulations for vaping made by different states and even cities. At some places vaping is wholly banned but at some other places some flavours are restricted or online sale is restricted. rightly or wrongly, vaping is considered less harmful than cigarettes. Thus, some people incline towards vaping to quit cigarette smoking. Some smokers say that by vaping, they get rid of the bad smell from cigarettes, and nicotine quantity can be lowered according to desire. Chain smokers by using it initially, can give up cigarettes. They further find Vaping convenient and can vape at any place in the office or home. They found vaping discreet, although they are aware of its harmful health effects. The government says that policy work is being done on minute details about e-cigarettes and vaping. There is a possibility that these may be banned or heavily regulated and indicated. It discourages e-cigarettes and vaping because international studies also proved that these are injurious to health. As a health professional, I opine that the main ingredient is nicotine and both vaping and cigarettes have it. Nicotine is actually the main source of addiction whether a child, young boy or an adult uses it, and the addiction remains the same as normal cigarette smoking. Nicotine is a very powerful addictive substance especially for the young generation. If a teenager is vaping, the long-term effects are very harmful without any doubt. There must be a strong policy against Vaping and it must be banned as should be cigarettes. The good thing is that the government is in favour of regulation and banning e-cigarettes and vaping. The real problem is its easy access and availability which is popularising it day by day. Most health experts also warn about vaping. Confirmed figures are still unavailable. research is underway on bad and harmful effects of e-cigarettes, and this discussion might be continued. But one thing is clear that vaping is not good for health at all.
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's interpretation of Article 63A of the Constitution. For clarity, Article 63A and its interpretation in the Presidential reference is produced below: Article 63A (1) states that " If a member of a Parliamentary Party composed of a single political party in a House - - (b) votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the Parliamentary Party to which he belongs in relation to - elections of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister;or a vote of confidence or no- vote confidence; he may be declared in writing by the Party Head to have defected from the political party, and the Party Head may forward a copy of the declaration to the Presiding Officer and the Chief Election Commissioner and shall similarly forward a copy thereof to the member concerned". Article 63A's interpretation by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Presidential reference also deserves a special mention here. Para 3 of the Supreme Court ruling states that "it is our view that vote of any member (including deemed member) of a parliamentary party in a House that is cast contrary to any directions issued by the latter in term of para( b) of clause 1 of Article 63A cannot be counted and must be disregarded, and this is so regardless whether the Party Head, subsequent to such vote, proceeds to take, or refrains from taking, action that would result in declaration of defection". Putting together Article 63A and its interpretation by the Apex Court one can clearly infer that when it comes to the election of Prime Minister or Chief Minister or vote of confidence resolution or no-confidence resolution, the members of the Parliamentary Party are bound by the directions issued by the latter. The role of the Party Head will come into play after the members of the Parliamentary Party act contrary to the directions. Therefore, in given circumstances, the Parliamentary Party of the PML(Q) had issued directions to its parliamentary members on July 21 to attend the session of the Punjab Assembly and vote for Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, candidate for Chief Minister Punjab
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The Deputy Speaker has no jurisdiction to disregard the directions of the parliamentary party to its members, and give utmost importance to the letter issued by the Head of the Party that came into his notice just an hour before the election. In the light of what has been discussed above the entire exercise of the Deputy Speaker is unconstitutional and unlawful With the country already plunged into a constitutional, political and economic crises, the unconstitutional action taken by the Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly has undermined the democratic and constitutional process which will push the nation deeper into political chaos and further widen divisions in society. Tussle between the government and the opposition, bad governance, rising food and commodities prices, increase in inflation, current account deficit , depleting foreign exchange reserves and unannounced load shedding have pushed the economy to the brink and exacerbated the anguish of the masses . It is clear that the country is facing huge internal and external challenges, and further political instability will descend the country into an un-ending financial crisis. Given the current situation, the political and constitutional crises are deepening in the country and free and fair elections are the only solution to end this crisis. In these critical times, the judiciary has to play its part to preserve the constitution, democracy and security of the state as no other institution except judiciary has such a pervasive influence on so many aspects of the daily life of a citizen and also on that of the government. It must declare the Deputy Speaker's ruling unconstitutional and ensure that the vote of PML(Q) members must be counted. No one can be allowed to make a mockery of the Constitution and law. The country has already suffered a lot and it is time to haul old wounds and keep away from inflicting new ones.The political tug of war will not bring victory to any side. The writer is columnist and legal practitioner based in Lahore. He holds an LLM in Constitutional Law from Punjab university. He can be reached at mianrauf2172@gmail.com The writer is a freelance columnist
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06-07 Comments - 25th July 2022_Layout 1 7/24/2022 11:21 PM Page 2
Monday, 25 July, 2022
COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
Let us honour the voiceless contributors
A Letter from Prometheus trimming the sky that the same old faces and same characters who had been tagged as corrupt and traitors could remove a person who dedisent home when President Ghulam Ishaq Khan cated his whole life to protecting the motherland. dismissed her government under the Eighth Now this was the time there was a need to introAmendment of the constitution that was vali- duce new faces and new characters and by the dated by her. Former Prime Minister Mian 2013 general elections we saw a charismatic Nawaz Sharif came into power and he had to re- Greek prince-like hero, Imran Khan, who could sign in 1993 due to his bitter relations with Pres- get only one or two seats in previous general ident Ghulam Ishaq Khan, then Benazir Bhutto elections emerge as the head of the third largest again came into power and she again became a party in Parliament and by the 2018 general victim of 58(2B) and then again Nawaz Sharif elections his demand was so high that he formed the government in Centre, Punjab, and KPK. came into power. He is the only person in Pakistan who has a He was again sent home but this time through a Martial Law administrator who did certified “‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ (honest and wish to use the word “Martial Law Administra- righteous)” status, announced by the Supreme tor” so he became Chief Executive of the coun- Court of Pakistan; therefore he cannot be cortry. The circus went on and PPPP and PML(N) rupt, traitor, thief, or liar. However, he kept loshad one more term (rather turn) each thereafter ing his popularity, and old characters were still and the PML(Q) was formed that ran the country surviving in the circus world. What to do now? between the PML(N) and PPP rule with three Like any popular theatre or circus, there was a different PMs in office– Mir Zafarullah Khan Ja- need to terminate the performance and then come back with a “New Season”. mali, Ch Shujaat Hussain, and Shaukat Aziz. I think this new season will surely work out What did we learn from the above? We learn that replacing an elected prime minister does not for quite some time but we understand there is a need constitutional power, it just needs a “will dire need to change techniques altogether now because the majority of spectators is youth in Pakto do”. When there is a will, there is a way. Pakistan’s political arena is no less than a istan so the new season should terminate when we can have a comtheatre or a circus pletely new building of where there is only one circus, with new rules of “Master Dramaturge”. performance, and with You can say this draa new different ammaturge is a “desire for The script that is being written… biance. What can it be? something new and There is a dire need to change It can be “presidential something interesting”. theatre” that will be a Whatever we watched techniques altogether now completely new genre in Punjab in the last because the majority of for though this theatre three months was exseveral times, ceptional “out of the spectators is youth in Pakistan worked the performers were not box” having no preceso the new season should civilians. Let it be this dent and scenes were so time with civilian percolourful that we forgot terminate when we can have a formers. the performances of completely new building of I am sure it will Manzoor Watoo, late work for some more Ch Altaf Hussian, Facircus, with new rules of decades. Political circles rooq Leghari, and all performance, and with a new in Islamabad believe who ruled the political former Prime Minstage of Punjab in he different ambiance. What can it that ister Imran Khan made a 90s. be? It can be “presidential deal just before Punjab We must accept by-elections with the Esthat nobody could theatre” that will be a completely tablishment he had been imagine that the offices new genre for though this cursing for his removal of the Governor and the through “international President could pertheatre worked several times, Conspiracy”. However, form in such a way and the performers were not such new :items indicate they blocked all constithis deal has been altotutional ways for civilians. Let it be this time with gether rejected by the Hamza Shahbaz’s atcivilian performers Establishment. Instead tempt for a smooth enof discussing whether trance into the CM there is a deal or not, I Office. I did not watch can tell you Khan desuch interesting scenes sires a deal according to in the Punjab Assembly ever before and even the venue of the perform- which he introduces a new political contract in the ance was changed from the Assembly building country. What would it be? I believe huge amendto Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex Lahore. Whatever ments in the 1973 constitution, if not the introducwe are watching today is new and novel but tion of the presidential form of government. For surely has a link with the past and will surely onstitutional amendments, he needs a two-thirds majority and I believe his relaunching had already write a new future. Politics in Pakistan is nothing more than a cleaned his failures in government during his 42 stage performance or a circus and it moves ac- months of all-powerful tenure. He can easily cording to the script of the Master Dramaturge. emerge with a two-thirds majority if general elecSince former General Musharraf was unceremo- tions would be held before November 2022. And niously sent home, the political cadre is facing then we ca all say: Long Live Pakistan. Alnong the wrath of those who could never allow the po- with the Master Dramaturge. litical cadre to remove a star-studded General The writer is an international award winning and his departure became a symbol that political powers can contest the powerful establishment. journalist who has been in the field since 1988 The anti-parliamentarian public was losing and appears in national and international media interest in the political circus and cries were as analyst and political scientist.
How the naion keeps having its tail twisted
agha iqrar haroon
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LIVE in a country where we find solutions to everything, including legal and constitutional issues by coining new terms to justify what we do. Pakistan was the first democratic country in the 21st century (or maybe in the 20th century also) that had a “Chief Executive” (CE) whose name was General Musharraf. He ran the country as a CEO running a corporate company. Whenever we have a legal or constitutional crisis we successfully come over it through coining ultra-constitutional dictions and recently we had “Trustee Chief Minister”– wow we have a solution to everything. Are we not exceptionally brilliant? Do we need a fluid constitution that can automatically keep changing its format according to Court verdicts, court observations as well as the orders of chief executives? Whenever there is a political crisis we move forward with innovations and there is always a political crisis in Pakistan so we always move forward actually. Since former prime minister Imran Khan was voted out from office by the National Assembly in April, politicians are spending over 20 percent of their time in courts and almost the same percentage they spend to remind themselves that they are not thieves and they are not traitors. Can we run the country with this pace and innovations? There are several questions in the mind of every Pakistani who follows political developments in the country that actually steer the economic scene and the majority of the public is now openly demanding all those who run the country “do whatever you wish but do it once and for all and do not use this country as an experimental laboratory”. New dictions, new rules, and innovative explanations of the Constitution are bringing nothing, just chaos after chaos. I believe our acceptance of every ultra and extra-constitutional decision is one of the core issues we are facing today since the 1988 Parliament accepted everything done by Martial Law Administrator Gen Ziaul Haq. The Post-Zia Parliament approved all unconstitutional decisions of Ziaul Haq and made them part of the 1973 Constitution and since then there is no full stop to this exercise. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP is now PPPP) validated the unconstitutional actions of Ziaul Haq stating that it had no other option. I accept PPPP’s stand because former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan was representing the Establishment and he left no option for late former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto just to stamp amendments in the constitution. She survived less than two years in power and was
THErE should be a ‘Tomb of the unknown Worker’ to honour the countless silent contributors to society. They are so removed from the established social order that they exist off the grid unmindful of the happenings in the national mainstream. They give more than they take and yet they are nowhere. The narrative below may well sound allegorical at times, and if it seems inclined in a certain direction, so be it. Every day, 11-year-old Ameena runs on to the street to clean cars in front of a five star hotel in Karachi. Most drivers disdainfully brush her away, but she is determined. By the afternoon, she is able to hand a few rupees to her mother holding her two younger siblings so they may finally have their first meal of the day. Abdul, a railway porter, handles baggage at a railway station in Karachi. As he left his house in the morning, his wife pleaded with him to be extra vigilant as on the previous day he had stacked too many bags on his aging back and was almost knocked over onto the train tracks. Abdul works on the basis of daily wages and was advised three years earlier to get some tests done for cancer, but has no disposable income to afford that luxury. Near the Super Highway, a man helps haul away part of the 12,000 tonnes of Karachi’s daily solid waste on the back of his donkey whom he has named ‘Saathi’, and together they work 365 days a year. With toxic waste on his back, Saathi has badly infected eyes and skin and is lame. Every day he gazes in despair at the nearby Edhi Animal Hostel, but cannot get there. The gentle people at countless social welfare entities work tirelessly to reverse the imbalances in society. Many of them evacuate survivors from domestic battle zones, stand up to armed gangs, retrieve bodies of the dead, and deal with dangerous contaminations. That their heroism approaches ‘Birkenhead’ proportions as they feverishly mount daily campaigns to salvage a sinking enterprise is not lost on the observer. History, of course, recalls the Birkenhead as the vessel that was shipwrecked near Africa in the 1850s. After the shipwreck, the three remaining lifeboats could only carry the women and children with the rest facing certain death. And yet, after assessing the situation, the commander’s order of the day was, ‘women and children first’. A purpose-driven life extends civic responsibility to all of us. We must support organisations that sustain healthcare, food services and education so people may fend for themselves. We must support every effort made in this regard. Offshore businesses and professionals should connect with their domestic counterparts. Our collective efforts may fail, but history will record our endeavours and, perhaps, like the inspiring story of the Birkenhead, the annals will energise future generations to rise and defeat failure. Let’s pick up the Ameena-Abdul-Saathi thread again after a few years. The collective efforts of the people have ushered in a new dawn. Ameena has enrolled in a welfare school in Kharadar on a financial scholarship. Abdul is now an employee of Pakistan railways and is eagerly looking forward to his turn at the welfare cancer hospital in Karachi. And, finally after a lifetime of back-breaking labour, Saathi has found a place in a charitable animal hostel. A decade later, little Ameena is now a school teacher herself and is leading a school trip to the Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi. Her entourage discovers a newly built edifice near the mausoleum which is covered with leaves. As Ameena steps forward and begins to remove the leaves, the first line appears to dedicate the structure as the ‘Tomb of the unknown Worker’. A few verses from Allama Iqbal follow, and the children and teachers step back in reverence. But Ameena keeps removing the leaves and as she gets to the bottom, she is overcome by emotions as the last line reads, “I shall rise again!” Jinnah smiles from his grave. M MAJID ALI NEW JERSEY, USA
Gender inequality GENDEr equality situation in the country is a nightmare. What is making it worse is the general perception that gender disparity refers only to the dismal condition of women’s rights in society. Ask any ordinary person what the phrase ‘gender inequality/disparity’ means, and the answer would be about a ‘wrong’ committed to some woman or the female gender at large being deprived of basic rights in a patriarchal society. No one takes a pause for a moment to acknowledge that the term also encapsulates the other gender as well. There is no denying the fact that women, especially of middle and lower classes, are underprivileged and vulnerable to gender-based violence in the country. But there is no dearth of men who share the same fate. However, to bridge the gap in gender disparity in the country, those who are sensitive to gender inequalities have resorted to promote women’s rights by encouraging women to take part in public life. Such encouragement comes often through job advertisements wherein it is mentioned that females will be ‘given priority’ in the recruitment process, or they are ‘encouraged to apply’. A case in point is the recent job advertisement from the National Database and registration Authority (Nadra) [PID(1)8445/21] that called for walk-in interviews against a few contract-based vacancies. The interviews were supposed to be held on June 12 at Nadra’s regional head office in Hayatabad, Peshawar. In the advertisement, among all the routine and relevant information, it was stressed that females and transgender people would be given special preference during the recruitment process. Certainly, it was a bid to encourage the two communities to aim for economic independence in society. Obviously, the attempt was a vibrant gesture and viewed as a progressive step forward towards gender equality. Other institutions, both public and private, do the same with the same intention. However, has anyone pondered that giving priority to a specific gender or class over the other does not bring fruition to the notion of gender equality? It rather adds to gender inequality and works against the very notion of merit. Such an approach scoffs at the spirit of the Constitution, whose Article 27 says: “No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall be discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the grounds of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth”. Meritocracy is one of the indispensable elements of good governance and when it is not maintained, good governance hardly takes root in a society. Competent human resource is always instrumental for the progress of an organisation, and that has nothing to do with gender politics. Any special favour to any gender only disturbs the social balance and the quality of governance. AbbAS ALI QUREShI PEShAWAR
08 WORLD VIEW 25th July 22_Layout 1 7/24/2022 10:15 PM Page 1
Monday, 25 July, 2022
08 WORLD VIEW
RobeRt PaRRy exPosed CIa CRImInalIty THERE IS COVERAGE OF THE C.I.A. AND IRAN, THE C.I.A. AND THE MUJAHADEEN, THE C.I.A. AND DRUGS, THE C.I.A. AND THE CONTRAS, AND THE C.I.A. AND IRAQ. HE WRITES ABOUT EVERY C.I.A. LEADER OVER THE COURSE OF NEARLY TWO GENERATIONS, THE MISTAKES THEY MADE, THE PROMISES THEY FAILED TO KEEP, AND THE CRIMES THEY COMMITTED IN THE NAME OF THE AMERICANS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR
coverT AcTion MAgAzine
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John kiriAkou
HERE aren’t a lot of journalists that Americans can look up to these days, especially in the mainstream media. Edward R. Murrow and his “boys” are long gone. Americans don’t have a Walter Cronkite to set their minds at ease. Even the venerable 60 Minutes has had a carousel of unremarkable talking heads since the retirements of Mike Wallace, Morley safer, and Harry Reasoner. instead, many (most, maybe?) Americans get their news from “news” channels that fall under the auspices of their networks’ entertainment divisions. they get their news from the likes of Ken Dilanian, the nBC news and MsnBC intelligence journalist who in 2014 was exposed sending his stories to the C.i.A. for comment and clearance before he sent them to his own editor. (in one email exchange, a new C.i.A. public affairs flack wrote, “i am looking forward to working with you, Ken!” Dilanian replied, “Hooray! Glad to have you guys.” that’s what makes a new book by nat Parry so welcome. American Dispatches: A Robert Parry Reader, is a compendium of the most impactful and important pieces of investigative journalism published by nat Parry’s father Robert, the eminent reporter from the Associated Press, newsweek, and PBs, and the founder of Consortium news. Robert Parry is best known for breaking the
news that the C.i.A. had provided the Contra rebels in nicaragua with a copy of their notorious “assassination manual” and that the C.i.A. was helping the Contras send shipments of cocaine to the united states and then using the profits to buy weapons. Parry was a winner of the George Polk Award for his Contra stories, the i. F. stone Medal for Journalistic independence, and the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism. He was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist. One of the things that made Bob Parry so successful as an investigative journalist was the fact that he spent so much time and energy cultivating sources. unlike the Ken Dilanians of the world, he didn’t just write to or call the C.i.A.’s Office of Public Affairs and then get a C.i.A. press release. He sought out sources, established relationships with them, and then reported the truths that they provided him. American Dispatches reminds us that he was one of the first journalists to report that the C.i.A. was surreptitiously opening the mail of American citizens. that was without a warrant or any legal authority whatsoever, of course. Parry reported the story at the age of 26. American Dispatches is like a walk through modern American history with a tour guide who really knows what he’s talking about, who cares about getting the history right, and who knows that his real role is that of a teacher. For nearly 700 pages, the reader gets a fresh, factbased, unbiased, and apolitical view of what was happening as some of the most important events in modern history unfolded. Divided into four parts, it examines in depth issues as eclectic as busing, organized crime, drugs, politics, and the role of the media. But for those readers who consider themselves students of the history of the C.i.A., there is a lot here. the book covers virtually the
entire history of the C.i.A. from the time of the Church Committee through the september 11 attacks, and the illegal torture, secret prisons, and rendition programs. Parry pulled no punches in his work. there is coverage of the C.i.A. and iran, the C.i.A. and the mujahadeen, the C.i.A. and drugs, the C.i.A. and the Contras, and the C.i.A. and iraq. He writes about every C.i.A. leader over the course of nearly two generations, the mistakes they made, the promises they failed to keep, and the crimes they committed in the name of the Americans they were supposed to be working for. i sat down to skim this book and i finally put it down two days later having read it in its entirety. Dozens of the people Parry wrote about were former bosses or colleagues of mine at the C.i.A. some had been friends. in every single case, Parry got to the core of who they were. For the most part, they were people who considered themselves to be patriots. But they were also sociopaths who couldn’t see the line between serving their country and committing crimes against humanity. American Dispatches reminds me very much of the untold History of the united states, a work of truth, even if that truth is uncomfortable and is not the way we’d like to remember it. John Kiriakou is a former C.I.A. counterterrorism officer and a former senior investigator with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. John became the sixth whistleblower indicted by the Obama administration under the Espionage Act—a law designed to punish spies. He served 23 months in prison as a result of his attempts to oppose the Bush administration’s torture program.
Beat your enemy, but read his poets PUSHKIN WROTE IN 1817 THAT HE DREAMED OF STRANGLING THE LAST TSAR WITH THE INTESTINES OF THE LAST ORTHODOX PRIEST – THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD FUN FOR GOOD CITIZENS. LERMONTOV WROTE IN 1841 THAT RUSSIA WAS A COUNTRY OF MASTERS AND SLAVES, BUT HE WISHED TO HIDE FROM THE KHANS, SPIES, AND GENDARMES OF ST. PETERSBURG IN THE WARRING CAUCASUS Moscow TiMes
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AlexAnder etkind
utin’s war in ukraine is a horrifying imperialist invasion. it has changed the big picture of Russian, ukrainian, and European history in the ways that we will be struggling to understand for decades. FETISHISM: For most of us who have studied the country, Russia is an aggressive empire. Having outlived its peers that appeared and collapsed in two world wars, Russia has sometimes demonstrated and sometimes disguised its imperialist intentions. But these intentions have survived all the revolutions and reforms. Russia is now trying to ignite a new world war, and the farther the war goes, the worse will be its collapse. its war against ukraine is senseless – it cannot bring any political or economic results to Russia. the only rational framework for this war is classical Russian imperialism mixed with a specifically post-soviet revanchism. But there is also with a third part of the mix: a kind of fetishism. the losses are huge and predictable, but they do not matter; what is important is the fetish — ukrainian territory whose only value comes from the idea that it used to be “ours” and
should be regained. this would supposedly bring glory, ecstasy, or some other form of satisfaction to the Russian president, his elites, and their people. nobody understands or shares a fetishist’s desire. Why does the proverbial high heel give him pleasure? it doesn’t matter that his victim, the owner of the high heel, doesn’t understand it; the fetishist would seek his pleasure anyway. While imperialism is a comprehensible (though doomed) ideology, and revanchism has been rooted in history (though usually brought a disaster) – you cannot understand fetishism. Crimea is a high heel, and now Donbas is. But everyone else, even the fetishist’s compatriots, has different preferences. Why don’t they overthrow the fetishist? they will. But getting rid of him and his people will take time. in national catastrophes of this scale, there is always this irrational, incomprehensible core. German historians of the Holocaust call it a “civilizational rupture.” Yes, many 19th century Germans were antisemites, and many 20th century Russians were imperialists. But you will deceive yourself if you understand the Holocaust, or the current invasion in ukraine, solely in these terms. You do need to analyze imperialism and revanchism, two comprehensible sources of both catastrophes; but do not take them
for the whole picture. the fetishist is happy to deceive you this way. the emperor is a fetishist, but what do his poets and sculptors care about? Of course, many of them write odes or erect monuments to the fetish. this shouldn’t be a surprise — the fetishist pays them well. it is more difficult to be a scholar under fetishism, but they are also doing well: because the fetishist part is incomprehensible, scholars write approvingly about the imperialist and revanchist parts of the story. But many feel that the ends do not come together, and they write about that. Again, some of these scholars or writers are imperialists, but very few are fetishists. For various reasons, they do not approve of high heel worship, and they write about it critically. this makes an imperialist culture a very complex mosaic that is rapidly changing. it is easy to prove that Pushkin was an imperialist or Wagner was an antisemite, but it doesn’t explain their art, or explain this war and the Holocaust. unlike a military command, national culture is a plurality of voices with all their contradictions. Even one and the same voice, e.g. Pushkin’s, constantly contradicted itself. Dozens of books and hundreds of dissertations have been written about these contradictions. But they are all irrelevant for understanding the current war. sadly, this is exactly what my
argument is. trying to explain the inexplicable, critics are writing now about Russian imperial culture as the root of the current war. Did Russian poets share and shape the colonialist, aggressive, military worldview? And could reading these verses in one's youth lead to waging the all-out war in ukraine? i respond yes to the former and no to the latter. Romantic poets such as Pushkin and Lermontov wrote imperialist classics that celebrated the glory of Russian troops. in fact, these are the best-known pieces of Russian poetry, such as Pushkin’s “Bronze Horseman” or “Poltava,” and Lermontov’s “Borodino.” Moreover, these poets were imperial officials: Pushkin served as a junior clerk in the Russian imperial administrations in Odessa and Kishinev; Lermontov served as a junior officer in a brutal war in the Caucasus, where he commanded a Cossack regiment and spilled blood of the Chechens. But it should also be noted that the imperial government exiled both men to serve in these Russian colonies because they took part in protests in st. Petersburg, the capital. Both wrote anti-imperial verses and prose, passionate and sometimes violent, which severely criticized the Russian monarchy and its military accomplishments. For instance, Pushkin wrote in 1817 that he
dreamed of strangling the last tsar with the intestines of the last Orthodox priest – this would have been a good fun for good citizens. Lermontov wrote in 1841 that Russia was a country of masters and slaves, but he wished to hide from the khans, spies, and gendarmes of st. Petersburg in the warring Caucasus. there was much more to their texts, and they need a new careful reading. in “the Prisoner of the Caucasus,” a long romantic poem, Pushkin depicts a Russian officer captured by the Circassians, a tribe that fought against the Russian colonization. they keep the officer in a pit, but one of them, a young woman, cuts his chains and lets him go. When they reach the border river, they kiss. He swims across to reach his troops; she dives in to kill herself. Pushkin made sure that we the readers understand that the Russian officer saw how she drowned and did not help. she saved him, he refused to save her. the poem clearly glorifies not the imperial man, but the colonized woman. Or re-read Lermontov’s poem “Mtsyri” – it is a monologue of a young man from a Caucasian tribe who was captured by the Russians; they baptized him and turned him into a monk. But he is dying from his longing for his native people, and he describes his love for his homeland in rich detail. While in many
pieces of imperial literature “the subaltern cannot speak,” as G.C. spivak famously put it, Lermontov endows his Caucasian subaltern with a powerful voice. Or read Lermontov’s less-read “the Caucasian,” a satirical essay written in plain prose which tells the story of the colonizer. A typical Russian officer who fights in the Caucasus turns into a connoisseur of all things Caucasian. With every year of service the officer becomes more and more “Orientalized.” A primary agent of imperialist rule, the Russian officer in the Caucasus turns into a lay anthropologist who feels the temptation to go native. Lermontov mocks the Russian colonizers for their strange ability to worship the very culture that they were exterminating: a perverted desire not that far from what i call fetishism. it is not Russian poetry that shaped the dictator, his officials, and his soldiers; i bet that they saw the same Hollywood films as you did. it is their greed, arrogance, and cowardness. tragically, those who commit genocide are usually not much different from those who die of it. it is the acts of torture and murder, and the imminent revenge — the vicious circle of violence — that turns similar peoples into mortal enemies. Cancel the state that goes imperialist and genocidal, and deconstruct its culture. Do not skip details: in scholarship, they are as important as on the battlefield. Examples and citations are our weapons; to meet their purpose, they should be precise. But here the analogy ends. We are not soldiers but scholars and critics. it is crucial that we, unlike soldiers, keep talking and debating, even during war. Alexander Etkind is a historian and cultural scientist. He is a professor of history and the Chair of Russia-Europe relations at the European University Institute In Florence.
Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
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TOuRISTS, hOTelIeRS CheeR uP AT weATheR TuRnS PleASAnT AFTeR RAInS In GAlIyAT, SwAT THANDYANI
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Iesco plans e-court for tomorrow ISLAMABAD pr
To provide suitable forum to valuable IESCO Customers regarding redrassal of their electricity issues online as well as e-courts are being held in IESCO region on regular basis to bridge the gap between the company and its customers. In this connection an e-court has been planned to be held tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10:30am to 12:30 pm in all six operational circles of the IESCO. Operational Circles Incharge will attend customers complaints through facebook live and telephone calls. Islamabad Circle customers can participate in facebook live e-court by using facebook ID SE IESCO Islamabad E-Kachery Phone No. 051-9260194, For Rawalpindi City Circle, SE IESCO Rawalpindi-City E-Kachery Phone No. 051-9292675, For Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, SE IESCO Rawalpindi-Cantt EKachery Phone No. 051-9293048, For Attock Circle, SE IESCO Attock E-Kachery Phone No. 051-4950343, For Chakwal Circle, SE IESCO Chakwal E-Kachery Phone No. 0543-668500, For Jhelum Circle, SE IESCO Jhelum EKachery Phone No. 0544-9270377. Valuable customers are requested to mention their name, bill reference No, Contact No and complete address while launching the compliant.
Admiral Khalid Mir elected Chairman KCFR, Ikram Sehgal Patron-in-Chief KARACHI pr
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Karachi Council on Foreign Relation (KCFR) was held at a local club in Karachi. After the Secretary General's and the Treasurer’s report, Chairman Ikram Sehgal concluded the meeting. While all members of the Board of Governors (BOG) as well as other KCFR members put great pressure on Ikram Sehgal to continue for one more term, he stayed with his decision to step down to set a good precedent for the future. Ikram Sehgal profusely thanked all members for their tremendous support throughout the tenure of the outgoing BOG, in particular he praised that Secretary General Commodore Sadeed Malik for his outstanding work. The elections were then conducted with Lt Gen Moinuddin Haider (former Chairman KCFR) as the Chief Election Commissioner. Since there were no other candidate the members unanimously elected Admiral Khalid Mir unopposed as the Chairman as well as all the candidates for office bearers. For his services to KCFR, outgoing Chairman Ikram Sehgal was then unanimously elected as the Patron-in-Chief of KCFR. Among these who participated in KCFR's AGM and oversaw the elections were Admiral Shahid Karimullah, former Chief of Naval Staff, former Governor State Bank Dr Ishrat Hussain and former MNA Mr Khadim Ali Shah.
agencies
RRIVED with baggage of food, fruits and tents for camping at the picturesque Thandyani, Riazul Haq’s family, a former PST teacher, was overjoyed after visiting their dream tourists’ resort during pleasant rainy weather. Enjoying national and cultural songs like ‘Dil Dil Pakistan, Sohni Dharti and Monga da Khyber Zalmi’ along with his children and other family members, Riazul Haq was busy in hammering and fixing tents’ bolts at a suitable place of Thandyani to enjoy pleasant change in the weather on weekened without any charge. Amid disappearing sun behind clouds hovering over Thandyani hills amid blossom of seasonal, Riaz’s wife who belonged to Nowshera, was preparing green tea on gas stove after warming up the Peshawari’s famous Chappli Kabab, Paye and Polao dishes they brought along and making it ready on ‘Dastarkhwans’ to serve her family members. “I have planned Galiyat’s tour few years ago but postponed it due to travel restrictions owing to COVID-19 pandemic and today dream of my family to
watch its mesmerising natural beauty came true,” Riaz told APP. “I was stunned to see the natural beauty and cool fresh air of Thandyani and advised families to come here in large numbers due to its better road connectivity." Wearing traditional Peshawari Chappal, the 58-year-old tourist said that he had brought tents and other stuff along as the hotel room and food cost was very high for a common man at Galiyat, adding the rent of a normal two-bedroom per night in Thandyani and Nathiyagali was approximately Rs8,000 to Rs12,000 that was beyond of hiring capacity of middle class. He said that he had selected Thandiyani as first camping site as the tourists can see the snow-covered Pir Panjal mountain range of Kashmir and lush green terrains of Kaghan and Kohistan besides snow-clad ranges of Swat and Chitral from Thandyani top having 2,750 meters height of the above sea level, which were taking nature lovers and adventure sports enthusiasts over the moon. Like Riaz Khan, hundreds of thousand families and tourists arrived at northern Khyber Pakthunkhwa especially Malakand and Hazara division including Galiyat and Thandyani to explore its waterfalls, gushing rivers, Saiful Malook, Ansoo, Dudipath and Ma-
hoodhand lakes and colonial era tracks besides enjoying the expansive trout fish and water boating in River Kunhar at Kaghan and Khanpur dam at Haripur. “Despite recent floods and torrential rains in Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab districts, the response of tourists, adventurers and adventure sportsmen in Malakand and Hazara during Eid holidays was impressive,” Saad Khan, the spokesman of Cultural and Tourism Authority, Government of KP said. He said about 130,915 tourists have visited Malakand and Hazara divisions during three days' vacation of Eid-ul-Azha. Out of these tourists influx, he said that 80 foreign tourists also arrived in these scenic divisions. Dir Upper has attracted 18,820 tourists, 18,300 tourists by Malam Jabba Swat, 57,800 by Galiyat including Thandyani and Nathiagali, 6,100 by Chitral Lower including Kaslah valley and 29,850 tourists by Kaghan and Naran including Saiful Malook and Ansoo lakes in Manshera district. He said as many as 72,343 tourists including 71 foreign tourists had visited these tourist areas on July 12. Israr Ahmad, Sales and Marketing Manager, Swat’s Seerna hotel said domestic tourists’ response to Swat during Eid days was comparatively low
Health is in your hands: Sanofi marks Int’l Self-Care Day KARACHI agencies
The International Self-Care Day was observed on Sunday globally including Pakistan, to create awareness that self-care should be experienced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Self-care is about empowering people to be active agents in their own healthcare. World Health Organisation (WHO) defines self-care as individuals, families and communities’ promoting and maintaining their own health, preventing disease, and coping with illness and disability, with or without the support of a healthcare professional. Sanofi Pakistan arranged various activities to engage employees and families as well as healthcare community to reiterate the company' commitment towards helping people lead healthy lives, and by reminding everyone that “health is in their hands.”Medical experts and professionals highlighted the importance of Self-Care by participating in walks organized by Sanofi Pakistan at Karachi’s Civil Hospital,
Hamdard University and Naimat Begum Hospital. Doctors and hospital staff members also participated in similar walks at the Holy Family hospital, Rawalpindi, Jinnah Medical & Teaching hospital, Peshawar. “Research has shown that self-care brings huge benefits to people and their communities, improving their quality of life, increasing productivity and easing the financial and resource pressures on busy health services. At Sanofi, we enable people to take ownership of their health and the health of others”, says Anjum Nida Rahman, Head of Corporate Affairs at Sanofi Pakistan. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
“Self-care and self-care interventions are part of the future of healthcare. They should not replace health systems, but rather enhance them.” Globally, self-care has been shown to save healthcare systems around $119 billion per annum (predicted to rise to $178.8 billion).1 It’s also saved 1.8 billion hours of physician time, which means they have more time to focus on more complex conditions that can’t be self-managed. “Sanofi believes that encouraging safe and responsible self-care has become even more vital since the COVID-19 pandemic, as it plays an important role in safeguarding public health and ensuring efficient health systems.”
than last year due to floods and heavy rains in some districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, he added that tourists families from other cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore have visited Swat in large numbers during Eid days. “Tourism will not grow with full potential unless we promote sustainable and planned tourism as per international practice,” said Project Director, KP Integrated Tourism Development Project, Tauseef Khalid while talking to APP. To promote sustainable tourism, he said four Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZ) would be developed at Mankiyal Swat, Thandyani Abbottabad, Ganol Manshera and Madaklasht Lower Chitral. He said these ITZs would be constructed with a loan grant of USD 70 million of the World Bank, and that its feasibility studies and master planning was in final stages and practical work would launch soon after completion of all codel formalities. He said ITZs Thandyani and Mankiyal would be connected with Swat and Hazara motorways through link roads that would open up entire Malakand and Hazara for tourists and make Pakistan a hub of international tourism.
ICTP launches crackdown on unregistered vehicles ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Police (ICTP) has launched a crackdown on unregistered vehicles in the city. According to the details, the ICTP issued tickets to 8,951 unregistered vehicles and motorcycles during the ongoing year 2022. Special enforcement Squads have been constituted for checking the unregistered vehicles plying on roads. SSP (Traffic) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer is leading the campaign initiated on the directions of Inspector-General Islamabad Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan. SSP (Traffic) has asked the residents to get their vehicles registered at the earliest and affix only the ETO-issued number plates on their vehicles. The officials said that the police would show no leniency in this regard. Special enforcement squads have been erected at different points of the city by the ICTP to monitor movement of the possible unregistered vehicles as DSP level officers of all the four zones have been given special directions to ensure rule of law. pr
Strict policy should be follow to eliminate crime: SSP Ops ISLAMABAD: Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Islamabad Malik Jameel Zafar has tasked all zonal officers to control crime in their respective jurisdictions. In this regard, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of SSP Operations to review performance of all zones. While addressing the meeting, he said that all zonal SPs should take possible measures to prevent crimes and be fully aware of all the criminal activities occurring in their respective areas and take immediate action to prevent them. Each officer should make it easy for the public to access him and treat the public and official's in a good manners. He further said that all SDPO's and SHO's should ensure the enforcement of law and the SOP should be strictly followed. Criminal elements should be brought to justice by adopting a strict strategy and zero tolerance police against them. pr
TEAM SAVE DREAMS VISITS ASMA HOMES
‘Alone we can do so little; but together we can do so much’ I, Hayah Bahroni, student of class AS at Super Nova School, F-8/1 along with my Ex-classmates of FESS who had earlier completed two projects successfully yet again achieved another milestone under the umbrella of Save Dreams. We, Save Dreams, are a team of teenage girls and boys, working together towards the cause of poverty alleviation; advancement of education, human rights, equality and diversity; the relief of those in need due to reasons of youth, ill-health & disabilities, and most importantly towards making our surroundings more environmental friendly, which we wish to achieve by planting more trees, recycling, controlling pollution and raising awareness through campaigns and similar projects. We, together, wish to make our country Pakistan become a better place to live in; by Saving Dreams. On Friday, 15th July 2022, our team
comprising 08 members namely including Hayah Bahroni, Rafia Ali, Safiyyah Cheema, Ayesha Siddique, Noorul Huda, Rida-eZainab, Mohammad Ibrahim and Abdullah Siddique visited Asma Homes; a project by Muskurahat Trust headed by Madam Asma Munir Salman located in Medina Town, Islamabad. Previously the same team had visited Master Ayub’s school and SR homes for social work. A teacher by profession, Ma’am Asma strongly believes that a positive 'change' can only be brought in the lives of Pakistani population and its economy if the deserving children are given close attention and provided quality education regardless of their ethnic, communal or financial background. She's bent upon revolutionizing the current educational system in the remote areas of Pakistan and strongly believes that there must be no gender discrimination as far as a child's right
to education is concerned. Established in 2013, the home presently supports comfortable living, clothing, nutrition and quality education of around 30 underprivileged children (aged04 to 18 years) under one roof. The children are homeschooled to help them reach a level where they are ready to be enrolled in mainstream schools of the twin cities in order to enable them to become useful members of the society. The children are nurtured with love, care and attention so they may overcome their past setbacks and begin to live meaningful & purposeful lives. On our arrival at Asma Homes, we were greeted by lovely kids with big smiles on their faces. During the visit different activities were carried out including playing charades, heads up, blind man’s buff, reading books, drawing, painting etc. It was a lovely sight to see the children happily playing around enjoying their youth. The way they
talked and shared their stories were reflective of their mannerism and excellent grooming. Interviewing ma’am Asma in person was an enlightening opportunity for us. When asked ma’am Asma what made her pursue such a path of helping children in need, she replied with a humble smile on her face: “I believe that everyone in this world is sent down by God for a particular reason and to get to that reason, while doing it, you feel happy, that yes! I was sent to do this. Just like it’s said that you never get tired of doing what you love doing, similarly I realized I never got tired when I’m around these kids, rather it brings me joy”. She also has established a school for girls in Peshawar district, KPK, called Asma's Model School for Girls which was set up in the aftermath of the massive floods of 2010, aiming to provide the girls of the poor farmers and laborers of a remote village in KPK
with quality education. Once asked about the goal she had in regards to this model school she said: “I aim to revolutionize the current mindsets, to 'aid' and 'empower' these deserving girls so they discover their inner potential and most importantly, make them self-reliant and contributing members of the society in the future.” Individuals like Ma’am Asma Munir Salman are a beacon of hope in this busy world and a reason for us Pakistanis to beam with pride. Learning from her, we, Team Save Dreams, as the voice of Pakistan, promise to instill the compassion of giving to the society and helping our brothers& sisters in need. We promise to stand strong together as the bright future. Today, I, Hayah Bahroni, a student like many of those out there, would like to voice out my team’s dream, my dream; which is to Save dreams. Written By: Hayah Bahroni
Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
10 FOREIGN NEWS
PakisTan in well-Placed PosiTion To faciliTaTe sco members: Zhang ming BEIJING
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Agencies
AKISTAN is well placed position for facilitating the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members in improving regional connectivity as the Central Asia countries are land-locked, and Pakistan is ideally located to provide shorter sea access to these countries, Secretary General of SCO Zhang Ming said. He said, “this will facilitate trade among SCO member states and even beyond”, China Economic Net (CEN) reported. In an answer to “what is the impact of SCO on Pakistan’s economy”, he remarked that the transport corridors stand to benefit all the member states, leading to a win-win cooperation. “SCO is a multi-dimensional organization in terms of its scope and functions, Pakistan can benefit greatly from it,” he added. During his stay in Pakistan, the Secretary General met Ministers of Commerce, Climate Change, Information Technology and Maritime Affairs to discuss a wide range of aspects on how Pakistan can contribute and benefit from SCO. Pakistani officials are also positive about
Ming’s maiden visit to Islamabad. While highlighting the importance of this visit, Director General, Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu said that the visit of Secretary General SCO to Pakistan is of great significance. It will provide an important platform for Pakistan to promote socioeconomic cooperation within a very rich region with an enormous potential to grow and expand. “It will also help explore ideas and approaches to expand CPEC and BRI
Three people killed in Philippine university shooting
across the region and promote greater connectivity”, he added. Faisal Afridi, Chairman JW Group (partner with Haier & MG) in Pakistan also hoped that SCO Secretary General’s visit to Pakistan can play an instrumental role in rejuvenating regional economies. Pakistan’s location straddling across South, West, and Central Asia also makes Pakistan a pivot for regional integration. Earlier, SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming said Pakistan is ideally lo-
cated for providing the land-locked SCO members with a shorter sea access. Delivering a speech at Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) during his fourday visit to Pakistan, he said the connectivity would facilitate trade among the SCO member states and even beyond. He said the transport corridors stood to benefit all SCO members, leading to a win-win situation. He talked about the structure, functions and history of the SCO in detail. Shedding light on the difference among the member states, he said the organisation was established on the guiding principles of the Shanghai Spirit. Although, it started as a regional security organisation, it expanded its functioning later to the economy, politics and people-to-people contacts. The SCO was expanding. It started with the inclusion of Pakistan and India as its permanent members. Iran applied for full membership and after fulfilling the criteria for the membership, it would be granted permanent member status eventually. He said the SCO family now comprised 21 members. Earlier, Dr Talat Shabbir from the ISS presented the address of welcome. Khalid Mahmood, chairperson, BoG, ISS, also spoke on the occasion.
Over 1,000 migrants arrive in Italy in hours: NGO, authorities
MANILA
ROME
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Agencies
Three people were killed Sunday in a rare shooting at a university in the Philippine capital Manila, officials said, in what appears to have been a targeted assassination. The incident happened at Ateneo de Manila University as law students and their families arrived for a graduation ceremony that was to be attended by the Supreme Court chief justice. Rose Furigay, a former city mayor in the restive southern province of Basilan and whose daughter was among the graduates, was killed, authorities said. Furigay’s executive assistant and a university security guard were also killed. Her daughter was wounded and is in a “stable condition” in hospital, police said. “We are quite distraught and bereaved by this occurrence,” Joy Belmonte, the mayor of a local government unit where the shooting happened, told AFP. The alleged gunman fled the scene by forcing a driver out of their vehicle, before abandoning it and continuing his getaway in a jeepney, police said. He was eventually detained near a church. Police recovered two handguns and a silencer allegedly used by the suspect, who they identified as Chao Tiao Yumul and said had a “long history” of legal disputes with Furigay. Yumul was on a bail for a cyberlibel charge. “This looks to be a determined assassin,” said Police Brigadier General Remus Medina told reporters, describing the incident as “isolated”. Yumul, with abrasions on his face, was presented by police to reporters. He accused Furigay of being a “drug lord” and that her family had ordered three attacks on him. – A political family – School and university shootings are rare in the Philippines despite its lax gun rules. But targeted killings of politicians are fairly common, particularly during elections. Furigay, whose family dominates politics in Lamitan City, served three terms as mayor and was prevented by the constitution from seeking re-election in the May 9 polls.
More than a thousand migrants arrived in Italy within a few hours while hundreds of others, rescued by humanitarian vessels, were waiting for a port to receive them, NGOs and authorities said Sunday. Between January 1 and July 22, 34,000 people arrived in Italy by sea compared with 25,500 during the same period in 2021 and 10,900 in 2020, Italy’s interior ministry said. More than 600 people attempting to cross the Mediterranean on board a drifting fishing vessel were rescued on
Saturday by a merchant vessel and coastguards off Calabria, at the southern tip of Italy. They were landed in several ports in Sicily. The authorities also recovered five bodies of migrants who had died in so far undetermined circumstances. On the island of Lampedusa, some 522 people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, among others, arrived from the late hours of Saturday in 15 different boats from Tunisia and Libya. According to the Italian media, the island’s reception centre has been overwhelmed. With a capacity of 250-300 people, it currently hosts 1,200, according
to the Ansa news agency. Offshore NGOs continued to recover hundreds of migrants in distress in the Mediterranean. SeaWatch reported that it had carried out four rescue operations on Saturday. “On board SeaWatch3, we have 428 people, including women and children, a woman nine months pregnant and a patient with severe burns,” it said on its Twitter account. OceanViking, operated by non-governmental organisation SOS Mediterranean, reported that it had recovered 87 people, including 57 unaccompanied minors, who were crammed onto “an overcrowded inflatable boat in distress in international waters off Libya”.
Russia says strike on Odessa port hit Ukrainian ‘military infrastructure’ MOSCOW: Russian missiles destroyed Ukrainian “military infrastructure” in a strike on Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odessa, crucial for grain exports, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said Sunday. The strike Saturday came a day after Kyiv and Moscow signed a landmark agreement hammered out over months of negotiations aimed at relieving a global food crisis. “Kalibr missiles destroyed military infrastructure in the port of Odessa, with a high-precision strike,” Maria Zakharova said on Telegram in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelen-
sky who said dialogue with Moscow was becoming increasingly untenable after the attack. Zakharova said the strike destroyed a Ukrainian “patrol boat”. Zelensky claimed the strikes on Odessa showed Moscow could not keep its promises. But Turkey said Saturday that Russia denied any attack on the port. “The Russians told us that they had absolutely nothing to do with this attack and they were looking into the issue very closely,” Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said. Ukraine’s Western allies including Britain and the United States condemned the attack. Agencies
Pope heads to canada to make amends for indigenous school abuse Aboard the Papal Plane: Pope Francis was headed to Canada on Sunday for a chance to personally apologise to Indigenous survivors of abuse committed over a span of decades at residential schools run by the Catholic Church. The head of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics will be met at Edmonton’s international airport by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at 11:20 am (1720 GMT). Francis’ Canada visit is primarily to apologize to survivors for the Church’s role in the scandal that a national truth and reconciliation commission has called “cultural genocide”. Before he left Rome earlier Sunday, the pope said on Twitter he was making a “penitential pilgrimage” that “might contribute to the journey of reconciliation already undertaken”. He will be joined on the visit by his diplomacy chief, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second most senior official. From the late 1800s to the 1990s, Canada’s government sent about 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children into 139 residential schools run by the Church, where they were cut off from their families, language and culture. Many were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers. Thousands of children are believed to have died of disease, malnutrition or neglect. Since May 2021, more than 1,300 unmarked graves have been discovered at the sites of the former schools. A delegation of Indigenous peoples travelled to the Vatican in April and met the pope — a precursor to Francis’ six-day trip — after which he formally apologized. But doing so again on Canadian soil will be of huge significance for survivors and their families, for whom the land of their ancestors is of particular importance. The 10hour flight constitutes the longest since 2019 for the 85-year-old pope, who has been suffering from knee pain that has forced him to use a cane or wheelchair in recent outings. The pope was in a wheelchair Sunday and used a lifting platform to board the plane, an AFP correspondent accompanying him said. – ‘Too late’ – After resting Sunday, the pope will travel Monday to the community of Maskwacis, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Edmonton, and address an estimated crowd of 15,000 expected to include former students from across the country. “I would like a lot of people to come,” said Charlotte Roan, 44, interviewed by AFP in June. The member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation said she wanted people to come “to hear that it wasn’t made up”. Others see the pope’s visit as too little too late, including Linda McGilvery with the Saddle Lake Cree Nation near Saint Paul, about 200 kilometres east of Edmonton. “I wouldn’t go out of my way to see him,” said the 68-yearold. “For me it’s kind of too late, because a lot of the people suffered, and the priests and the nuns have now passed on.” McGilvery spent eight years of her childhood in one of the schools, from age six to 13. “Being in the residential school I lost a lot of my culture, my ancestry. That’s many years of loss,” she told AFP. After a mass before tens of thousands of faithful in Edmonton on Tuesday, Francis will head northwest to an important pilgrimage site, the Lac Sainte Anne. Following a July 27-29 visit to Quebec City, he will end his trip in Iqaluit, capital of the northern territory of Nunavut and home to the largest Inuit population in Canada. There he will meet with former residential school students, before returning to Italy. In total, Francis is expected to deliver four speeches and four homilies, all in Spanish. Francis is the second pope to visit Canada, after John Paul II, who visited three times (1984, 1987 and 2002). Afp
Shabbir Shah urges world leaders to help stop civilians’ bloodbath in IIOJK SRINAGAR Agencies
Illegally detained APHC vice chairman Shabbir Ahmed Shah has urged the world community, particularly the United Nations, to play role in stopping bloodbath of innocent Kashmiris at the hands of Indian forces in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to Kashmir Media Service, Shabbir Ahmad Shah in a message from notorious Tihar jail, New Delhi, highlighting the grim situation in the held territory, said there has been immense increase in the incidents of bloody violence unleashed upon the Kashmiris by the Indian troops. “It is quite unfortunate that the Kashmiri
youth were being killed by the Indian forces without any reason”, the APHC leader said, adding that during the past couple of months, dozens of civilians, mostly young boys, have been killed during fake-encounters and cordon and search operations (CASOs) conducted by the Indian military and paramilitary forces across the valley. Terming the systematic killing of youth as the worst form of state terrorism, Shabbir Shah maintained that targeted killing of youth was a part of India’s nefarious designs to change demography of the territory. Demanding the international community to take notice of the growing military onslaught against Kashmiris, he said that the bloodshed and violence would continue to wreak havoc in the region unless the Indian
government was held accountable for the heinous war crimes. The DFP president further said that Indian forces, on one hand, were involved in the systematic genocide of Kashmiris, while, on the other, the Modi-led fascist regime was hatching conspiracies to silence every dissenting voice in Kashmir under the garb of Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other draconian laws. Denouncing India’s brutal repression against Kashmiris, Shabbir Shah said that the oppression and suppression by the Indian government could not deter Kashmiris from pursuing their legitimate rights, guaranteed to them by the international community. Shah Shah, who has been languishing in
Tihar jail for six years, also expressed grave concern over the illegal and continued detention of Kashmiri leaders and political activists who have been arrested before and after 5th August 2019 when the Modi government repealed Kashmir’s special status and imposed military siege in the territory. Reiterating the Kashmiris pledge to take the ongoing freedom struggle to its logical conclusion, he said that the oppression and suppression by the Indian government could not deter Kashmiris from pursuing their legitimate rights, guaranteed to them by the international community. He urged the world human rights organisations to take effective cognizance of the war crimes being committed against Kashmiris by the Indian occupation forces.
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Monday, 25 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
SPORTS 11
ChANdiMAl ProPElS Sri lANkA iN MAThEwS’ 100Th TEST gALLe, sRi LAnKA
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Agencies
INESH Chandimal struck his fourth successive halfcentury to drive Sri Lanka’s total before Pakistan hit back with late wickets on Sunday’s opening day of the second Test at Galle. Chandimal, who hit 80, put on key partnerships including a 75-run fourth-wicket stand with Angelo Mathews, who fell short of fifty in his landmark 100th Test. Sri Lanka reached 315 for six when bad light stopped play for the day, with the hosts electing to bat first in their bid to bounce back
from an opening loss in the twomatch series. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, on 42, and debutant Dunith Wellalage, on six, were batting after pace bowler Naseem Shah struck with the second new ball. Naseem bowled Dhananjaya de Silva for 32 and nearly got Dickwella on 24, but skipper Babar Azam dropped his second catch of the day, this time at second slip. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz stood out for Pakistan with the two key wickets of Oshada Fernando, who made 50, and Chandimal. Chandimal, who made 206 not out, 76 and 94 not out in his previ-
ous two Tests, handled the opposition spinners with aplomb until his departure on a pitch that turned on day one. Mathews started well but failed to capitalise on a reprieve on 36, when Azam dropped an easy catch at extra cover off left-arm spinner Nauman Ali. Nauman came after the tea break to get Mathews caught behind, with the batsman walking back to a dressing room cheering his Test milestone. Fernando and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne started with a 92-run opening stand before Nawaz broke through. Fernando smashed Nawaz for
six to reach his seventh Test halfcentury, but got out caught behind on the next ball. Kusal Mendis survived 11 balls
and made three before being run out at the stroke of lunch off a direct throw from Agha Salman, while the batsman was backing up
Arshad finishes fifth; registers season-best 86.16m in World Athletics C’ships final KARAcHi news Desk
The medal eluded Arshad Nadeem as the solitary Pakistani athlete at the World Athletics Championships finished fifth on the evening of July 23 in Eugene, Oregon. The 25-year-old reached the final as he finished on the ninth spot in the qualifying on July 21, and became the first Pakistani athlete ever to achieve the feat. He had been playing with an elbow injury that he picked before the Olympics while this was his first event since the Tokyo Games. Arshad began the final as the underdog. Before throwing the spear on his first attempt, he screamed “Ya Ali Madad” to gain confidence as he ran to start his campaign in the final, but the throw was flagged. Arshad was up against the best throwers. Grenada’s Anderson Peters was at his best even in his first throw that was 90.54m, eventually taking the gold medal as he produced another 90.54m throw in his sixth and final attempt. India’s Neeraj Chopra took the silver medal
with 88.13m and Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch bagged the bronze medal with a throw of 88.09m. Arshad’s performance may not have secured him a medal but it was certainly progressive and showed more spirit than before. He threw the spear at 75.15m on his second attempt. Warming up for the contest, he signalled the
spectators to clap and cheer for him. The youngster from Mian Channu, Khanewal then hit the 82.05m mark, but he was still not satisfied with the improvement and shook his head. Arshad began his fourth attempt with the same request to the crowd to clap for him, and came up with his second-best performance of the career with 86.16m after which he seemed happy and raised his fist. Arshad’s career-best had been in Iran with 86.38m in 2021. His 86.16m mark was also his best performance of the season and propelled him to the fifth place out of the top 12 throwers who were playing the final. His fifth throw did not match his own expectations which landed at 83.63m in the penultimate attempt, while the sixth got red-flagged, even though Arshad was going all out for it. Arshad bowed out of the championship on the fifth place much like his Olympics performance. This was his second appearance at the World Championships, first being in Doha 2019.
Glamorgan’s Sam Northeast smashes 410 against Leicestershire as records tumble Agencies
Pak Army dominates National Senior Taekwondo C’ship isLAMABAD stAff RepoRt
Pakistan Army dominated both medal and points table in the 15th Korean Ambassador National Senior Taekwondo Championship concluded held at Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex, Rawalpindi on Sunday. Pakistan Army won 29 gold, six silver and a bronze medal withs 859 points, whereas Wapda stood second with 2 gold, 19 silver and 11 bronze with 490 points. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stood at third position by winning three silver and 17 bronze with 229 points. The event was being sponsored by Combaxx Sports and Korean Embassy. Teams from provinces, departments, services, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK and Islamabad were participating in the extravaganza to run till July 25. In the Combined Senior Poomsae category (male & female), Under 20 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae Ahmed Shahzad (Army) obtained 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. In Under 30 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae, Flower Zaheer (Wapda) grabbed first position while Naqash Hamdani (Army), Shafaq (KP) and Maria (PAF) stood second, third and fourth, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Male Creative Poomsae, Ahsan Ashraf (Army) grabbed first position while Nabeel Qayyum (Wapda), Muhammad Ismail (Punjab) and Abdul Qayyum Malik (HEC) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Female Creative Poomsae, Naila (Army) grabbed first position while Flower Zaheer (Wapda), Omama (KP) and Zara (Sindh) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively.
Glamorgan batter Sam Northeast reached 410 not out against Leicestershire in the English County Championship on Saturday — the ninth-highest first-class score of all time. Northeast’s innings, in a mammoth team total of 795-5 declared, is just the 11th individual score of 400-plus in the history of first-class cricket and is the highest of the 21st century. The 32-year-old went to his 400 with a six back over the bowler’s head, following up with another six from the next delivery. In total he faced 450 balls, hitting 45 fours and three sixes, with his team declaring at the lunch interval in Leicester. Northeast now has the third-highest score in the history of the County Championship, which dates back to 1890. Glamorgan led by 211 runs at lunch on the final day of the four-day match in division two of the
County Championship, with the declaration depriving Northeast of the chance to chase down more records. The total of 795-5 is the highest in the Welsh county’s history, beating the previous record of 7183 in 2000 and Northeast now has the highest individual score in the county’s history, beating Steve James’s 309 not out in the same match 22 years ago. Northeast’s partnership of 461 runs for the sixth wicket with Chris Cooke, who was 191 not out when the declaration came, is the highest for any wicket in the county’s history. The all-time record for a first-class match is Brian Lara’s 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994. Lara also scored 400 not out for West Indies against England 10 years later — the only other score of 400 in this century. Aside from Lara’s 501, the only other individual score higher than Northeast’s in the County Championship is Archie MacLaren’s 424 for Lancashire against Somerset in 1895.
KP Traditional Games ends in Upper Chitral
ECB delegation satisfied with security arrangements in Pakistan LAHORE: A four-member delegation of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) left Pakistan after expressing their satisfaction with the arrangements including the security of the country. The delegation reviewed the arrangements on visits to match venues in four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Islamabad. Airports, routes, and stadiums were visited by the delegation during their oneweek visit. They were also briefed by high-level government institutions and PCB officials. The delegation will now submit a report to the ECB and the schedule of the seven-match T20I series in September and the Test series after the T20 World Cup will be finalised. The official announcement is expected in the second week of August, according to sources, the matches of the T20 series will be played in Lahore and Karachi, and the Tests will be held at three venues. There is a strong possibility that one match will be hosted in Multan. stAff RepoRt
Mazari assures all-out support to PTF for holding Asian C’ships ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsanur Rehman Mazari congratulated the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) for Asian Championships and assured his all-out support for the smooth conduct of the mega events. “I also congratulate the National Federation for winning the bid to host 4 Combaxx Asian Taekwondo Open Championship in November this year and 5th Asian Open Taekwondo Championship in year 2023. I as a Minister of IPC will give full support to PTF for the smooth conduct of this championship and I myself will monitor this event in Liaquat Gymnasium PSB Islamabad. The event will definitely create a milestone in the sports of Pakistan and surely other federations will follow the footsteps,” he said while speaking as chief guest at the opening ceremony of 15th Korean Ambassador National Taekwondo Championship 2022 at Shahbaz Shareef Sports Complex, Rawalpindi on late Saturday. He said it was a pleasure for him to open the Championship. “I am pleased to see the extraordinary arrangements which have been done by Pakistan Taekwondo for this event. Indeed, Taekwondo Federation has done a lot for the promotion and development of Taekwondo which is an Olympic and Korean National Sport. The minister said the number of participation of National Taekwondo Team in International Competitions shows the hard work and dedication of the Federation which was improving Taekwondo in Pakistan. stAff RepoRt
Scotland cricket board resigns over racism report
cHiTRAL stAff RepoRt
The ongoing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Traditional Games ended in Chitral Upper wherein great enthusiasm was witnessed among all the participating players in various events part of the Traditional Games here on Sunday. The players enthusiastically took part in volleyball, football, tug-of-war, bowling and street stick competitions held under the aegis of Directorate General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Assistant Director Zakirullah was the chief guest on this occasion who distributed prizes among the players. Admin Officer Irshad Khan and District Sports Officer Ameer Zaman were also present. In football, Mudeer Club defeated Rishon Club by 2-1 in a thrilling match witnessed by the capacity crowd present on this occasion with their cheering response. Rishan took the lead in the 6th minute but the players of Mudeer Club did not lose heart and staged a strong comeback by first leveling the tally 1-1 and then marched into 2-1 victory. Bonny Club won first place in volleyball after defeating Parwaz Club in the final. Both the teams were stretched to five sets battle 3-2, the score was 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 27-25 and 15-13. It was the Tug of War
at the non-strikers’ end. Karunaratne fell to Yasir Shah’s leg spin after his attempted reverse sweep went to backward point where Naseem took a sharp catch as Sri Lanka looked in trouble at 1203. Chandimal took stock with Mathews and then De Silva in a partnership of 63 but a wild slog got him caught at backward point off Nawaz. Mathews, 35, was feted by Sri Lanka Cricket and accompanied by his family at the start of the Test for reaching his century of five-day matches since his debut at the same venue in 2009, also against Pakistan.
when Bonny club defeated Mulko Club by 2-1. The two teams were locked 1-1 after winning one pull each and it was the third and decisive pull in which Bonny marched into victory. Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Faisal and Muhammad Altaf claimed first, followed by Faheem, Adnan and Asim got the second position while Shahram, Sarwar and Junaid got third positon respectively. In the Goli Danda event Kamran, Zahid and Zakaria got first, second and third position respectively.
LONDON: The board of the Scottish cricket federation resigned en masse on Sunday following accusations of institutional racism in a damning independent review which is due to be published on Monday. “The Board of Cricket Scotland has resigned. We will work in partnership with @sportscotland with immediate effect to ensure appropriate governance, leadership & support is in place for sport in the days ahead,” Cricket Scotland tweeted on Sunday. The review was commissioned last year by Sport Scotland, the national funding body, after Scotland’s all-time leading wicket-taker Majid Haq told Sky Sports News that Cricket Scotland was “institutionally racist”. Haq’s former team-mate Qasim Sheikh said he had also suffered racist abuse. In its resignation letter to the interim chief executive, the Cricket Scotland board said it was “truly sorry” and apologised to “everyone who has experienced racism, or any other form of discrimination” while playing the game in Scotland. “The review has achieved an unparallelled level of engagement and we believe it will be truly transformative, not just for Cricket Scotland and the sport of cricket, but it will provide a watershed moment for Scottish sport and society in general.” Agencies
Monday, 25 July, 2022
prayer timings
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Pakistan rejects baseless comments by indian defence minister: fo ISLAMABAD
P
staff report
AKISTAN Sunday completely rejected and strongly condemned the unwarranted and totally unacceptable comments made by the Indian Defence Minister at a recent event in Jammu, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement issued here. The minister in his remarks distorted the well-established historical facts about the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, leveled
baseless allegations and hurled threats against Pakistan, he added. He said, “This is not the first time that a senior Indian politician has tried to cast aspersions on the legitimate, indigenous and just freedom struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). However, provocative statements by Indian political figures cannot alter the reality of IIOJK.” India would be well advised to introspect as to why, despite imposing draconian laws, holding the entire Valley under military siege for decades, imprisoning
thousands of innocent Kashmiris and their true representatives and wanton killing of over 100,000 Kashmiris, India had not been able to smother the flame of freedom from the heart of Kashmiris, he added. The Spokesperson said, “India needs a reminder from history that the Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute that remains on the agenda of the United Nations and its solution lies in the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Pakistan will always continue to lend all possible support to the people of IIOJK in their just struggle
to attain their right to self-determination.” “Pakistan also calls upon the international community to take practical steps to stop India from the continuing brutalization of the Kashmiri people and illegal attempts to change the demographic structure of IIOJK,” he said adding, “Pakistan is a proponent of regional peace and stability. At the same time, we are fully capable of thwarting any aggressive designs, and we have demonstrated our resolve and capability in this regard on numerous occasions, including in the recent past.”
JUI-F to become party in petition related to Punjab CM election ISLAMABAD staff report
roaring flood wash away small hydel plants, houses in kP PESHAWAR aziz Buneri
At least 50 homes and small power plants were destroyed by flash-floods brought by heavy rains in Kandia tehsil of Upper Kohistan while one person died and two injured in Chitral and Peshawar on Sunday. According to the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), in Chitral and Peshawar, one person died and two were injured during the past 24 hours due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. According to local revenue officer Muhammad Riaz, around 50 homes were destroyed by floods in Upper Kohistan. He also said that he had formed five teams and sent them to the affected areas to help with rescue efforts and loss assessments. Assistant commissioner at Dassu headquarters Hafiz Waqar Ahmad told local media that although several heavy machines from Dassu hydropower project were damaged by debris brought by flooding at Uchar Nala, the losses were not great. In the provincial capital of KP, 14 houses were partially damaged while 23 were entirely damaged. Meanwhile, the KP government said that heavy monsoon rains and floods incurred severe damage to 20 small hydel power plants in the province. According to the Kohistan district administration, the residential camp set up for Chinese working on Dasu Dam was completely destroyed due to the recent rains and floods. Similarly, in Upper Kohistan, flash-food swept away small power plants in Kandiya tehsil. According to local people, floods have damaged small power projects as well as livestock farms. A statement issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that 23 houses were partially damaged while 14 houses were completely destroyed by rains across the province. The Rescue 1122 also confirmed that 20 hydel powers, 30 canals, 4 bridges and a residential camp set up for Chinese working on Dasu Dam were affected due to flood. The rescue sources said that 12 vehicles were buried under the debris and 20 cattle were also killed. The Karakoram Highway was closed due to severe flooding as a result road connection of Kohistan has been severed with rest of the country.
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday announced becoming a party in Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s petition against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari’s ruling in chief minister’s election. Addressing a press conference flanked by party leaders including Akram Khan Durrani and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, he said that the JUI-F would move a petition in the Supreme Court to make it a party in the case regarding Punjab CM election. He called for the constitution of a full court bench of the apex court for hearing the petition filed against the deputy speaker Punjab Assembly in Supreme Court, Lahore Registry in the wee hours of Saturday. He said that party chief had the final authority to decide the issues related to his political party and all others office bearers were only his (the party chief’s) subordinates. “A party leader directs his parliamentary party despite not being a member, however, a new discussion has been started that only parliamentary leader has the authority to lead the party in assembly.” He said that Pervaiz Elahi’s son Moonis Elahi had comprehended the contents of the letter written by Chaurdhry Shujaat Hussain to deputy speaker and acceded imminent defeat to his father in the elections of coveted CM’s slot.
Severely criticizing Imran Khan, he said that Imran’s narrative was totally based on lies, adding that the PTI chairman was only a tool in completion of international agenda to destroy the ideology of the state. INSTITUTIONS HAVE TO STAY WITHIN LIMITS: Earlier, the JUI-F chief said that the institutions have to stay within the limits. He chaired the party’s core members meeting on the current political situation at his residence in Islamabad. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, Akram Durrani, Senator Kamran Murtaza and other leaders participated in the consultation meeting and made some decisions. In the meeting, a senior jurist in the party, Senator Kamran Murtaza briefed the meeting participants on legal issues about Hamza Shehbaz’s case in Supreme Court. All the JUI members took the decision that the party head Maulana Fazlur Rahman will go to the Supreme Court tomorrow (Monday) along with the leadership of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Addressing the party members in the meeting, Maulana Fazl said institutions have to stay within limits as the PDM leadership will not remain silent anymore. PM: Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also made telephonic contact with Maulana Fazl and discuss the strategy for hearing of Hamza Shehbahz case in the Supreme Court. They also discussed the issue of filing a petition for the full court.
Soldier martyred in DI Khan RAWALPINDI staff report
The ISPR said sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.
A fire exchange took place between troops and terrorists in Draban, Dera Ismail Khan District on Sunday, said an ISPR press release. According to ISPR, Pakistani troops effectively engaged the terrorists in fighting. However, during intense exchange of fire Lance Naik Mujeebur Rehman (age 31-ld-year, resident of Lakki Marwat) having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat, the ISPR informed.
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37-member Punjab cabinet sworn in LAHORE staff report
A 37-member Punjab cabinet was sworn in at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House here on Sunday evening amid severe political crisis, particularly in Punjab province. Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman administered the oath to the ministers. The ministers who took oath include Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Mehr Ijaz Ahmad, Siddique Khan Baloch, Muhammad Kazim Pirzada, Chaudhry Shafique, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Yawar Zaman, Col (retd) Ayub, Chaudhry Iqbal Gujjar. Mansha Ullah Butt, Tanvir Islam Sethi, Jehangir Khanzada, Rana Mashood Ahmad, Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Bilal Yasin, Malik Saif ul Malock Khokhar, Fida Hussain Watto also took oath as provincial ministers. Rana Ijaz, Uzma Zahid Bukhari, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Ghulam Qasim Hunjra, Rana Muhammad Tariq, Zaheer Iqbal, Zeshan Rafique, Sania Ashiq, Syed Hassan Murtaza and Syed Ali Haider Gillani was also included in the 37-member Punjab cabinet. The ceremony was attended by a number of legislators, their relatives and friends and others. Earlier, PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz had taken oath as the Punjab chief minister on Saturday
Pm shehbaz wishes speedy recovery to Us President biden ISLAMABAD staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday wished speedy recovery to US President Joe Biden, who contracted Covid-19 earlier this week. In a Twitter message, PM Shehbaz said: “I wish H.E. President Biden speedy and complete recovery from corona,” the premier wrote on Twitter. The 79year-old president tested positive for novel coronavirus on Thursday, when the White House said he had developed mild symptoms. His diagnosis came as a highly contagious subvariant of the coronavirus sparked a new wave of cases in the US. Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor in a memo said that the president’s COVID-19 symptoms continue to improve and now include “less troublesome” sore throat, runny nose, loose cough and body aches. He said that Biden’s lungs are working properly as his oxygen saturation is excellent on room air. Biden most likely has contracted BA5 variant, O’Connor said. “The President continues to tolerate treatment well. We will continue PAXLOVID as planned,” he said.
PTI top brass huddle reviews post-Punjab CM poll scenario ISLAMABAD staff report
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday chaired an important consultative session of the political committee to discuss the political and legal situation emerged after the Punjab Chief Minister election. According to the sources, an important consultative meeting of the political committee of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was held wherein Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Farrukh Habib, Shahbaz Gul, Ali Zaidi, Aamir Kayani and other leaders also participated in the meeting. In the meeting, the election of the Chief Minister of Punjab and judicial matters were discussed, the future political strategy and plan of action were discussed in the meeting, the issues related to the postponement of local body elections in Sindh were also discussed. On the occasion, Imran Khan said that
the Sharif-Zardari nexus has destroyed the country’s economy, what happened in Punjab has revealed their politics, the nation will thwart their conspiracies. PML-N REALISING MISTAKE OF SIDING WITH ESTABLISHMENT: Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday said that state institutions were stuck in a vortex due to the errors of their leadership, and nothing negative would have occurred if they had stayed within their limits. Taking to his official Twitter handle, the former information minister said that the recent strategy of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would completely exclude the party from politics, however, institutions would suffer because of the mistakes of its leaders. “PML-N will now target the institutions,” he stated. He maintained that the PML-N was only just realising that it had made a mistake by siding with the establishment against Imran Khan, and they were now making statements
against the judiciary and statements against the army would begin in the upcoming days. He claimed that the flaw in the incumbent ruling party’s scheme was that the masses were no longer like those from the olden days and that the PML-N’s competition was PTI chief Imran Khan. “The PML-N was born from the womb of the establishment, it was decided among themselves that one brother would do proestablishment politics and the other would sell anti-establishment slogans,” Fawad alleged, adding that if one brother’s plan failed, the other would advance his. He said that the same formula was being transferred to the next generation of PML-N politicians. The former minister’s statement comes after the Supreme Court directed that Hamza Shehbaz would remain a ‘trustee’ chief minister of Punjab until July 25 — the next date of hearing — after the lawyer representing the deputy speaker of the provincial assembly could not satisfy the bench
over the latter’s ruling wherein 10 PML-Q MPAs’ votes were rejected in a recount for the election of the province’s top slot held a day earlier.
Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk
The top court also directed that Hamza would neither use his powers for political gain nor take major initiatives or decisions until then.