Issuu

Thursday, 4 August, 2022 I 5 Muharram, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII no 35 I 12 Pages I Karachi edition

Ruling coalition in unison to move sc foR imRan’s disqualification, ban on Pti g

PdM dECIdES To PuT IMRAn on ECL

FAzL wAnTS PTI ToP BRASS, EMPLoyEES To BE GRILLEd, ARRESTEd

IslAmAbAd

staff RepoRt

HE PML-n-led coalition government has decided to move Supreme Court for the disqualification of former prime minister Imran Khan and a ban on his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In this regard, a meeting of the legal team was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in which Federal Law Minister Azam nazir Tarar briefed the participants. Sources privy to the meeting said that it was decided in the meeting that the apex court would be approached for disqualification of Imran Khan and a ban on PTI. during the meeting, the JuI-F ministers emphasized that the action against PTI should be taken to its logical end, whereas, the ministers of the PPP took the stand that after the decision of the ECP, action should be taken according to the law. According to the sources, it was decided to place the names of Imran Khan and other PTI leaders on the ECL and the federal cabinet will approve the names to be put in the ECL tomorrow. on Tuesday, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in its unanimous verdict announced that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) had received funding from prohibited sources. PDM DecIDeS To PUT IMRAn on ecL: The Pakistan democratic Movement (PdM), in their meeting on wednesday, decided to put PTI Chairman Imran

Khan’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL). According to sources, the Pakistan democratic Movement, in their meeting on wednesday, decided to take strict action against the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Chief after the ECP’s verdict

proving the party took prohibited funds from foreign nationals. Sources have said that PdM leaders agreed to put PTI Chief Imran Khan’s name on the Exit Control List. Moreover, the unity government has decided to file

an article 62,63 reference against the PTI head demanding his disqualification. The final approval to put the former Premier’s name on the ECP would be given by the federal cabinet. The PdM leaders also agreed to legislate against

protesting in the Red zone in Islamabad. PdM leaders include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, JuI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam nawaz, Aftab Sherpao, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Kishwar zehra, Khursheed Shah, Faisal Karim Kundi and other attended the important PdM meeting. However, PTI leaders such as Fawad Chaudhry and Farrukh Habib have responded to the possible listing of the PTI Chief to the ECL as a ‘blunder’. Imran Khan has not travelled abroad even once since his ouster, putting him in the ECL would be a blunder, said PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry. Briefing media on decisions following the PdM meeting, alliance chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top brass should be immediately arrested after the foreign funding case. Fazl told media that their (PTI) employees should be arrested and more details should be obtained. Maulana Fazl said that there has been an indictment against Imran Khan and PTI in the foreign funding case. now the phase of deciding the punishment against him according to the constitution and the law has come, he added. JuI-F chief said that Imran Khan is no longer an accused, he has been declared a criminal. This party has been declared a foreign aided party as it has been proved that PTI has received foreign funding, Fazl added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Pakistani rupee makes huge recovery against US dollar IslAmAbAd staff RepoRt

The rupee made huge gains against the uS dollar in the interbank market on wednesday, the rupee

appreciated more than Rs9 in the intraday trade and is being reported at Rs228 per uSd. The rupee has recovered for a fourth consecutive session after weeks of persistent declines in its value which has been largely attributed to the

Army dismisses as ‘propaganda’ militants claim of shooting down chopper QUETTA ReuteRs

Militants in Balochistan claimed they shot down a military helicopter that went down during a flood relief operation on Monday, killing all six on board including the commander of Quetta Corps. However, a senior military official dismissed the claim as “propaganda” and “fake news”. The military said the helicopter crashed during bad weather. The Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), an umbrella group of militant groups active in Balochistan, said in a statement sent to Reuters late on Tuesday that its fighters shot down the “low flying helicopter” with an antiaircraft weapon. The group provided no evidence and Reuters could not independently verify the claim. The aircraft had lost contact with the air-traffic control tower in Balochistan on Monday evening while flying on a relief mission in a flood-hit area in the southwest. The helicopter was part of aid efforts in flood-hit Balochistan, where rains and flash floods since June have killed nearly 150 people. Ethnic Baloch insurgents have for decades waged a low-level militancy against the government in the province. The province is also home to deep-water Gawadar port, which neighbouring China has been developing as part of a multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to link road and sea routes with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The commander of the Quetta-based 12 Corps, Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ali, was among those killed on the helicopter. The government is currently using helicopters and boats to evacuate flood victims from various parts of the country, including Balochistan and Rajanpur, a district in Punjab.

ease in import payments. The SBP interbank closing rate recorded Rs228.80 per uSd, rupee appreciated 4.19%. According to the latest data issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan’s merchandise

Rana Sanaullah warns PTI against holding protest in Red Zone IslAmAbAd staff RepoRt

Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan on wednesday warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) of consequences for its planned protest in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office located in the Federal Capital’s Red zone. “no body will be allowed to hold a protest in the Red zone and action will be taken as per law if anyone tries to enter the area forcefully,” he said while addressing a news conference along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb. The minister asked the PTI to better stage its socalled protest either in H-9 area or F-9 Park in line with the directives of the higher judiciary. “Every political party has right to hold a protest in a peaceful manner,” he added. The government would facilitate and provide full security to the PTI workers if they held their protest at the designated places, he assured. Rana Sana claimed that they had the reports of a possible attack on the ECP by the PTI workers, who had the intention to hold a violent protest in the Red zone.

trade deficit for the month of July 2022 clocked in at $2.64 billion compared to a deficit of $4.96 billion in the preceding month, narrowed by 46.77 per cent MoM, that also helped reduce pressure on the struggling rupee.

02-03 NEWS 4 Auguat 2022_Layout 1 8/4/2022 12:59 AM Page 1

Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

FawaD warns gOvErnMEnt against ‘siDElining’ iMran ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

day after the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) called for a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for accepting prohibited funds, Fawad Chaudhry, senior vice president of the party, warned the government against trying to push the party against the wall, saying imposing a ban on it or its chair Imran Khan was “beyond its control”. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry observed Khan enjoyed immense public support, and said that no one should think of “sidelining him from mainstream politics”. He claimed the government was “running away” from snap elections as it

feared defeat at the hands of the PTI. His presser came a day after the elections oversight body ruled the former prime minister accepted illegal donations to his political party from abroad. It’s a key first step toward a possible ban on Khan and his party from politics. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded that Khan concealed bank accounts and received funds from companies based in the United States, Britain, Australia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries. It also said there could be additional action taken against Khan and his party. Following the judgement, Nawaz Sharif, disgraced former prime minister, urged the government to take legal action against Khan and his party. “[…] I will strongly urge the government […] to play their role, let us put

an end to evil forever,” Sharif told reporters in London where he’s living in self-exile to escape graft cases against him back home. “Whatever action law and the Constitution suggest against him [Khan], let’s take that action immediately, take it immediately. This person has destroyed the society of Pakistan [sic].” On Wednesday, Chaudhry pointed out that Article 15 of the Elections Act, 2017, outlined the process for dissolving a political party. However, he added the ECP had no authority to take such a measure. He regretted the ECP was being used as a “tool” by the ruling coalition. He also lamented the fact that the commission did not seek an explanation from the PTI about the individuals funding the party and declared them to be “nonPakistanis and foreigners” without

conducting a fact-check. “One of the people included was Romita Shetty, an American [of Indian origin]. She shared a joint bank account with her [Pakistani] husband, Nasir Hussain. But her donation has been declared as prohibited by the ECP,” Chaudhry said, adding there were more examples of such discrepancies. Chaudhry also accused the government of running a campaign against Pakistan nationals living abroad, aiming to “label them as non-Pakistanis” just because they support Khan. He said overseas Pakistanis were outraged by the ECP ruling and were now sending more donations than ever. He went on to say his party would soon demand the government seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly. “We are deliberating upon the date for it,” he added.

No plan to minimize AJK’s autonomy: Kaira MUZAFFARABAD Staff RepoRt

LAHORE: Transporters block Babu Sabu Interchange to M-2 in protest against heavy taxes and POL prices. Photo by Zubair Mehfooz

IHC takes up PTI’s plea against acceptance of 11 MNAs’ resignations ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will be taking up on Thursday (tomorrow) a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition against the ‘phase-wise’ acceptance of resignations of its members of the National Assembly (MNAs). According to details, Acting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the PTI’s petition against National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for “staging the drama” of accepting the resignations of only 11 party lawmakers. The registrar’s office of Islamabad High Court has issued a cause list in this regard. The IHC took up the petition after PTI removed the objections of Registrar’s Office on party’s petition. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has submitted the letter of authority and made 123 members parties in the case. Lawyer Faisal Chaudhry is pursuing the case on behalf of PTI. A day earlier, the IHC directed the PTI to remove the objections of Registrar’s Office on party’s petition. The Registrar’s Office had objected to the absence of authority letter of the respective MNAs from the petition.

PM pushing ahead building of CPEC with new speed ISLAMABAD app

China on Wednesday highly appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for pushing ahead building of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with new speed and acknowledged his untiring efforts for advancing practical cooperation between the two countries. “We highly appreciate the prime minister’s statements. He (Shehbaz Sharif) has done so much for practical cooperation between the two countries”, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during her regular briefing in response to a question raised by APP. Shehbaz Sharif in a recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong underlined his commitment to unlock full economic and connectivity potential of CPEC through expedited and high-quality development of CPEC projects. The spokesperson remarked that Prime Minister Sharif valued Pakistan’s relations with China, adding, Shehbaz Sharif has many times reaffirmed that Pakistan will push ahead the building of

CPEC with new Pakistan speed. She said that after he took office, Prime Minister Sharif had visited Gwadar port twice and hosted seminar between the Pakistani side and Chinese companies and he had done so much for our practical cooperation. So with the guidance of the leaders of both countries and with our concerted efforts, we are seeing a lot of progress being made on CPEC, he added. Hua Chunying said, “We are ready to further implement well the understandings between the leaders of our two countries and building on what we have achieved and current projects”. She went on to say that the two countries would further focus on industrial development, people’s livelihoods, agriculture, Science and Technology and Information Technology etc to make CPEC into a demonstration project for high quality Belt and Road cooperation. “This will go a long way for China-Pakistan relations and the ChinaPakistan community with a shared future and also the well-being of the two countries and the people around the region”, she added.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Affairs Qamaruz Zaman Kaira on Wednesday categorically dispelled the impression that the federal government was going to minimize AJK’s autonomy through 15th amendment to Interim Constitution Act 1974. “We had empowered the provinces through 18th Amendment in 1973 Constitution and always did and intended to devolve the powers to AJK and GB as well,” Kaira clarified in a press conference during his daylong visit to the AJK capital on Wednesday. Opposition leader in AJK Assembly Chaudhary Latif Akbar and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) members – Sardar Javed Ayood and Bazil Naqvi were accompanied him. He explained the background of the constitution and of of sub-committee to suggest draft of amendment in interim constitution of 1974 and said the proposal was being considered during the previous Pakistan Tehreek-i-e Insaf (PTI) government from 2020. “Pakistan People’s Party is a giver and will never take powers of any institution or a federating unit rather would always devolve powers to local level,” Kaira added saying the move to bring 15th amendment in the 1974 Act was aimed at removing anomalies in the 13th and 14th amendments regarding subjects related to federal government and federal legislative list. He made it clear that no administrative or financial powers transferred to AJK government through 13th amendment shall be withdrawn and said he will consult all the political

parties of AJK after the preparation of proposed draft by subcommittee. He said the purpose of his visit was to evaluate the damages caused by rains and review the progress on a rehabilitation project of 1989 Kashmiri refugees as directed by the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He said despite the financial crunch, the federal government was generous to AJK as it had increased its budget and released fourth quarter installment of development projects of last fiscal year. “Rs. 3 billion have been released a day before the budget as first installment of the rehabilitation of refugees project despite difficult financial situation and now there should be no delay in implementation of project,” he added reiterating his full support in this regard. He said under the project, 8 thousand houses will be constructed for rehabilitation of refugees who have migrated from Indian occupied Kashmir due to atrocities since 1989 onward. He said the damages done by devastated rains in AJK were comparatively less than other areas as 25 deaths were reported however federal government would provide Rs.1 million for each sick family besides compensation of other property damages.

Pakistan, OPEC Fund sign $72m agreement for Mohmand Dam project ISLAMABAD: The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) and the government of Pakistan on Wednesday signed a loan agreement amounting to $72 million for financing the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project. The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Ambassador in Vienna Aftab Ahmad Khokher and Director General, OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa on June 15 at Vienna, and has been declared effective as of July 27. According to the details, the hydropower project, which is being constructed on Swat River in Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will not only generate 2,862 GWh of cheap and clean energy annually but also enhance Pakistan’s Water Storage Capacity by 1,293 million acre feet (MAF) and food security buffer, providing 13.32 cubic clean drinking water for the residents of Peshawar as well as creating more than 6,000 new employment opportunities in the region. The project is being co-financed by SFD, KFD, lsDB and OPEC Fund and will be completed by 2025. Staff RepoRt

New monsoon spell to lash Sindh, Karachi from tomorrow kARAchI Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a new monsoon spell — fourth one — entering in Sindh, including Karachi, which may cause rainfall from August 5 to 8. Provincial capital Karachi may receive showers from August 6 to 8. The intensity of rain has not been forcast. Sindh has seen ruthless torrential rains, as per the PMD cumulative rainfall data for the entire province, Karachi

received the highest amount of rainfall which was 348 millimeters, after Padidan, which received 548 millimeters of rain in July. Within Karachi, the highest amount of downpour was reported in Masroor Base amounting to 606mm during the current month followed by 587mm in Gulshan-e-Hadeed and 524mm in DHA. The least amount of rainfall was reported in Gadap Town (165mm) and Korangi (183mm). Karachi, largest and most populous city of country, is highly vulnerable to climate-

related disasters, given its ‘weak infrastructure’. Weak moist currents from Arabian Sea are penetrating in upper and central parts of the country as westerly wave is affecting western and upper parts of the country. The met office forcast rainwind/thundershower in Kashmir, upper/central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? Gilgit-Baltistan, eastern and southern Balochistan. Hot and Humid weather is expected in other parts of the country on Wednesday (today). In past 24 hour weather, rain-

wind/thundershower occurred in GilgitBaltistan, upper Punjab, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi. Hot and humid weather prevailed in other parts of the country. Rainfall (mm): GilgitBaltistan: Babusar 07, Bagrote 02, Astore, Gilgit, Skardu 01, Punjab: Gujranwala 06, Attock 04, Bahawalnagar 02, Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa: Dir 05, Drosh 02, Mirkhani, kalam 01 and Karachi 01. Tuesday’s Highest Maximum Temperatures (°C): Dalbandin 43, Nokkundi 42 and Dadu 41.

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Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

330Mw COal-FirED POwEr Plant inaUgUratED in islaMKOt ISLAMkOT

app

INDH Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday inaugurated the 330 MW HUBCO power plant which he said has added 990 MW coal-fired power to the national grid to empower Pakistan with cheapest and indigenous source of energy. Speaking at the launch ceremony of HUBCO and its partners at Thar Coal BlockII, Murad said that Benazir Bhutto’s vision has been vindicated as Thar coal prices are two to three times cheaper versus imported lignite while saving billions of dollars in foreign exchange. The ceremony was attended by Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh, SECMC, EPTL, TEL, TNPTL, CEMC, HBL- the partners in the project. The Sindh CM said that the Sindh govt has become major shareholder in first Thar

coal mining company SECMC and also provided financial guarantee required by Chinese lenders to achieve financial close of the mine. Shah said that his government had provided continuous support to Thar coal IPPs as well as mining companies and had ensured the provision of necessary infrastructure, including roads, bridges and on top of it Mai Bakhtawar Airport, so that these projects can function smoothly. “We are also aware of the water requirements for Thar Power Projects and have made arrangements to ensure uninterrupted water supply for power generation,” he said while adding that the key driver for development of Thar was the welfare of local population. Murad Shah said that the development of Thar coal had also brought positive changes in the life of local people as substantial CSR activities are being carried out in the fields of employment, education, medical facilities by mining and power

generation companies through Thar Foundation. He said that government was also working to ensure ramp up of mine quickly

and utilization of Thar coal for energy needs of other industrial sectors including cement, fertilizers and others. “We are also working closely with federal government to develop

rail link for mass transportation of Thar coal,” he said and added the rail link project will start soon. Thar Energy Ltd. is a 330 MW Coal Fired Power Project based on Thar Coal and a part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Project is a joint venture among Hub Power Company Ltd (Hubco), Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd (FFC), China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and has been completed at a cost of US $520 million It may be noted that foreign financing for the project was arranged from Chinese syndicate, led by China Development Bank whereas local financing has been arranged via syndicate led by Habib Bank Ltd. The project started construction in May 2018 from sponsors’ equity without waiting for financial close to ensure earliest utilization of indigenous Thar Coal. The financial close of the project was achieved in January 2020. The project experienced delays due to delays in loan disbursement from Chinese lenders and later due to COVID-19 pandemic. The project is now in commissioning phase after the chief minister formally switched it on to synchronize it with national grid on August 3, whereas COD is expected by August 20 to 28. At the inauguration, 40 MW was sent to the national grid and by the end of August, a total of 330 MW power will be added in the national system.

Swat Police remembers its 159 martyrs today SWAT Syed Shahabuddin

The National Day of Martyrs will be observed on Thursday (today) to pay tribute to all those security personnel who sacrificed their lives for bringing peace in restive regions of the country. At least 159 police officers and personnel were martyred while 191 personnel fought bravely and got the rank of Ghazi in the war against terrorism in Swat District, the police officials informed. The family members of police martyrs and Ghazi officers are still doing their services to protect the lives and property of the people and safeguard the motherland by being part of the police force. Swat valley is the region, where peace was disturbed in 2009 and subsequently the largest migration took place in history of this region. More than 2 million people were displaced from Swat who took refuge in

different parts of the country. The inhabitants of this soil including Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Frontier Constabulary and Police force sacrificed their lives and thus the peace was restored in this region. In his message on Martyrs Day, Swat DPO Zahid Nawaz Marwat informed that as many as 159 police officers and personnel sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism in Swat District. These officers included SP Khursheed Khan, DSP Abdul Wadood, 4 inspectors, 7 sub-inspectors, 9 assistant sub-inspectors, 17 head constables and 120 constables were victims of explosions and target killing. A women police personnel and a Class IV employee were also targeted killed by the terrorists. “191 officers and personnel of Swat police sustained severe injuries in the war against terror, adding that they all fought for the sake of Pakistan and these people, some of them have permanently been disabled. The Swat DPO said that the police

Un urged to hold india accountable for snatching Kashmiris’ identity ISLAMABAD: Yusuf Naqash, Senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Wednesday termed August 5, 2019, as a day of attacking the identity of occupied Kashmir and its people, urging the United Nations to make India accountable for its illegal and immoral action. In a statement the Associated Press of Pakistan received from Srinagar, Naqash said the unilateral measures of the day were taken in absolute violation of the Security Council resolutions, which clearly recognise Kashmir as disputed territory. India has become a bully in the region, hence a security threat not only for its minorities but also its neighbouring countries, he said, adding New Delhi’s expansionist ambitions were endangering the peace and security of South Asia region. He was of the view that India did not respect UNSC resolutions and, therefore, should be dealt with with iron hands instead of relying on verbal condemnation.Staff RepoRt

force supported the families of the martyrs on all fronts. Their sons and brothers were recruited in the quota of martyrs and today they are part of this war for the survival of the country and the nation by being a part of the police force. DPO Zahid Nawaz Marwat said that the morale of 191 Ghazis of Swat Police has not been weakened and even today they are steadfast and standing firm against the enemy. The Swat DPO said that now the police force is stronger and more trained and equipped with all kinds of modern weapons as compared to the past. “Our morale is high and we have this feeling that we will either become martyrs for the sake of the country or defend the country and nations by becoming a ghazi and eliminate anti-national elements.” He said that on Martyrs’ Day, which is observed on August 4, the police force is not only paying tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs, but also pledge that they will not hesitate to render any sacrifice for the

defense of the country. Kokarai Police SHO Sub-Inspector Rafiullah, who was injured in an attack by militants in Totano Bandai area of Kabal Tehsil of Swat, said that there was a time when shadows of terror were spread in Swat, but the police force fought along with other law and enforcement agencies in collaboration with the locals, adding this determination is still prevailed. ASI Zahid Hussain, son of martyred Head Constable Zahir Khan of Swat Police, joined the police force to carry forward the mission of his martyred father. ASI Zahid said that his father sacrificed his life for this soil and peace and he is also determined that whenever this country needs his blood, he will never hesitate to render his life for the motherland. A part from this, the police officers placed floral wreaths on the graves of the martyred officers and personnel within the limits of all the police stations of Swat District and prayed for their honor.

Rich tribute paid to victims of Sialan massacre ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter leaders have paid rich tribute to the victims of Sialan massacre in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on their 24th martyrdom anniversary. The APHC-AJK leaders, Muhammad Hussain Khatib, Mahmood Akhtar Qureshi Advocate, Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar, Khawaja Naeemul Hassan and Muhammad Latif Lone in a joint statement issued in Islamabad said that on the intervening night of 3rd and 4th August 1998, nineteen members of the family of Shaheed Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh aka Major Gul were brutally killed by Indian troops in Sialan area of Sarankot in

Poonch district in connivance with communal elements to avenge the death of one of their informers. They said that the victims including men, women and children belonging to the families of Lassa Sheikh, Ahmad Din Sheikh and Hassan Muhammad. The Hurriyat leaders said in view of the public pressure, a case was filed against the killer Indian Army in 1998, but despite the passage of 25 years, the biased Indian judicial system has failed to deliver justice to the victim families and the killer troops are roaming scot-free. They condemned the Indian government’s August 5, 2019 move to repeal the special status of IIOJK to change the demography of the territory. They called for an immediate end to the killing of youth by Indian troops in fake encounters.

Pakistan spends $1b on Afghan reconstruction so far ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan has so far contributed $1 billion to support the reconstruction of warravaged Afghanistan by building hospitals, schools and roads to manifest its commitment for a prosperous Afghanistan and falsify the impression of using the country as its proxy state. Since September 2021, over 14,945 tons of humanitarian assistance had been sent to Afghanistan via 694 trucks and four C130 planes under arrangements of Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum. In the wake of recent earthquake in Afghanistan, Pakistan has opened its border in South Waziristan and established a makeshift medical facility. Relief aids from Pakistan include food, clothing, blankets and medicines etc. In 2019, Afghanistan’s secondlargest Jinnah Hospital with 200-bed

capacity was opened in Kabul costing more than $24 million as part of Pakistan’s contribution to reconstruction and development efforts. Recently, Pakistan has offered to provide online education facilities for Afghan students as Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University will teach students through their TV networks. In 2020, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) announced around 3,000 scholarships worth Rs1.5 billion for Afghan students to study in different institutes of Pakistan in various fields, including medicine, engineering, agriculture, management and computer science. From its limited resources, Pakistan is providing US$500 million for capacity building in various sectors including education, health as well as building schools, hospitals, roads of Afghanistan. A few completed projects under

Pakistan’s Bilateral Assistance Program include 75 Km Torkham– Jalalabad Road, additional carriage Wayat Torkham–Jalalabad Road, three internal roads in Jalalabad, traffic signals in Jalalabad city, provision of road construction machinery, 30 mobile hot mixers, generators and medicines for Wardak Province and 200 trucks and 100 public transport buses. Pakistan’s welfare projects to uplift Afghanistan’s education sector include construction of Rehman Baba School and Hostel, Kabul costing (Rs120 million), Liaquat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty Block, Balkh University, Allama Iqbal faculty of arts, Kabul University (Rs672 million), Sir Syed Post-graduate faculty of sciences, Nangarhar University (Rs 389.65 million), six primary schools and two vocational training institutes in Kabul and Baghlan.

Moreover, 10 buses for Kabul and Nangarhar universities were also provided in addition to 300,000 school kits for 18 provinces, 2000 fully funded scholarships for higher education in Pakistan, enrolling 500,000 refugee students in Pakistan, and training 644 Afghan police and drug control officers, doctors and paramedical staff, diplomats, judicial officers, customs officers, agriculturists and bankers. Pakistan’s contribution to Afghanistan’s health sector include establishment of Nishtar Kidney Centre, Jalalabad costing (USD 7 million), 400 Bed Jinnah Hospital, Kabul (USD118.854 m), Naeb Aminullah Khan Hospital, Logar (USD 20 m), 45 ambulances for 12 provinces, 14 fully equipped mobile medical units, medicines for Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar and ongoing free eye camps.

Bilawal to attend asEan foreign ministers meet ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari Wednesday left for Cambodia to lead the nation’s delegation at the ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) being held in the capital of Phnom Penh from tomorrow. In a pre-departure statement, Zardari said he looked forward to attending the 29th annual summit and holding bilateral interactions with the representatives of ASEAN nations. The meeting will be attended by the foreign ministers and representatives of the 27 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) member countries, and the secretary-general of the bloc. At the meeting, Zardari will participate in deliberations on political and security issues of concern to Asia-Pacific aimed at promoting common solutions through dialogue and cooperation. He will also call on the prime minister and foreign minister of Cambodia and have bilateral meetings with a number of counterparts on the sidelines. Established in 1994, the ARF is an important platform for consultations among countries of the Asia-Pacific on issues related to regional peace and security. Since joining the body in 2004, Pakistan has been an active member and regularly participates in its activities. Staff RepoRt

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Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

04 NEWS

Japan provides $9.062m for multan sewerage, drainage services MULTAN

Staff RepoRt

HE government of Japan has agreed to provide new grant assistance worth Japanese Yen 1,236 million (around US$9.062 million or Rs1,855 million) for upgrading of sewerage and drainage services in Multan. Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, WADA Mitsuhiro signed the Exchange Notes and Record of Discussions on behalf of their governments here, said a press statement issued by Economic Affairs on Wednesday.

The ceremony was witnessed by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, HONDA Taro. The objective of the project for upgrading sewerage and drainage services in Multan is to strengthen the operational system and implementation capacity of sewerage services in Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA)’s area of jurisdiction in Multan through providing the equipment required for cleaning and maintenance of sewers and drainage channels. The government of Japan’s development assistance to Pakistan since 1954 has reached to $11.7 billion. The Japanese government is al-

ready providing financial assistance for the improvement of water treatment plant and water distribution system in Faisalabad amounting to US$ 37.62 million. Japan has also provided grant assistance for replacement of pumping machinery at inline booster pump station and terminal reservoir in Faisalabad amounting to $ 13.14 million and energy saving in water supply system in Lahore (Main Portion) amounting to US$ 20.77 million. Furthermore, Japan also invites relevant Pakistan’s government officials for participation in various short term and long-term trainings in differ-

ent fields through JICA held in Japan. Talking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs expressed that Pakistan gave high value to the reciprocal and congenial relations with Japan and both countries share mutual stance on most of the regional and international affairs. Japanese economic assistance has been playing a vital role in the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan. Secretary, Economic Affairs Division appreciated the government and the people of Japan for their continuous support with the assurance of extending all necessary facilitation for more meaningful cooperation between the two sides in future.

SHC reprimands anti-corruption oﬃcials in Haleem Adil case

influential people lock girls school in shahdadkot

SINDH

four men blackmail, rape first-year girl student in Khanpur KHANpUR Staff RepoRt

Police on Wednesday arrested four people who blackmailed a girl after making an objectionable video of her and raped her in Khanpur. Reportedly, a female student of first year, resident of Chak 70, Feroza which is situated in the limits of Sadr police station one day called a male acquaintance in her house. The accused also sneaked into the house along with him unnoticed. The accused then held the girl and the man captive and made their objectionable videos. They also beat up the man named Mubashir. The accused then started blackmailing the girl and raped her. The girl went to the police station and lodged a complaint against them. According to police spokesperson, DPO Akhtar Farooq took immediate action on her complaint and asked his men to arrest the accused. The spokesperson said that police traced the culprits with the help of modern technology. The accused were identified as: Sikandar, Muzammil, Farhan and Irfan. The DPO said that the accused were on physical remand and assured the provision of justice.

gst collection on bills: lHc seeks reply from wapda chairman LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday sought a response from Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) chairman and others in a case related to the collection of GST on electricity bills. Justice Shujaat Ali Khan of LHC passed the orders while hearing plea of Nasir Salman against collecting GST via electricity bills. Salman in his plea made the president, PM and WAPDA chairman respondents in his plea. The plaintiff said collection of GST from the small traders and retailers via electricity bills is illegal. The bill with General Sales Tax was also sent to the traders who consumed a single unit of electricity in the month. The LHC has been pleaded to nullify the orders of GST collection on electricity bills. After the initial hearing, LHC Justice Shujaat Ali Khan sought a response from WAPDA chairman and other respondents. The hearing has been adjourned until August 22. Earlier, Karachi school on Monday moved the Sindh High Court (SHC) against collection of General Sales Tax on electricity bill. A private school filed a plea with SHC against the school for sending an electricity bill with GST. We are running a school, not a retailer, the plea stated and added that K-Electric has slapped Rs6,000 each GST on the four commercial electricity meters.

LARKANA

Staff RepoRt

Sindh High Court (SHC) has reprimanded anti-corruption establishment officials in the land grabbing case against Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader, Haleem Adil Sheikh on Wednesday. The court, while hearing the case against Haleem Adil Sheikh, asked the ACE officials to do their job as per law and avoid serving anyone. “Those who are you serving will not reconginise you after they come out of power,” the SHC bench remarked. The SHC summoned details of the case against Haleem Adil Sheikh from deputy director ACE Karachi east and Jamshoro. The court asked how the action was suddenly taken on the 30 years old case against Sheikh. The Sindh High Court while extending bail be-

Locals influential persons in Larkana locked the Government Girls Middle School of Shahdadkot, demanding that the government provide them jobs because the school land was their property. The women teachers and girl students could not enter the school, and they protested against the forced closure of the school. “The school has been forcibly locked by the influential people of the village,” Headmistress Hajal Selro said. “These influential people claim that the school land is their personal property, and they should be given jobs,” she added. “We are not being allowed to open the school from August 1. More than 100 girl students are being deprived of their right to education,” she deplored. “The closure of the school has been reported to the school education authorities,” she stated. “The school should be opened soon, and an action should be taken against those responsible,” the girl students demanded.

fore the arrest of the PTI stalwart till August 17, adjourned the further proceedings. Earlier, Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh wrote a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, highlighting ‘threats to his life’. In his letter addressed to the Sindh High Court (SHC) chief jus-

tice as well, the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) leader highlighted “immediate and serious threats” to his life. He alleged that former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, his son Bilawal BhuttoZardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah have planned to assassinate.

Punjab ombudsman, top UNICEF oﬃcial discuss children’s rights LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Daniela Luciani, head of the child protection programme at UNICEF, called on Punjab Ombudsman retired Maj. Azam Suleman Khan at his office and discussed matters relating to the protection of children’s rights. Tabana Sajjad Naseer, chief provincial commissioner for children, and Zahida Manzoor, child protection officer, were also present. The participants of the meeting discussed in detail the elimination of online harassment and exploitation of children, the rehabilitation and protection of affected children and child labour to provide a conducive atmosphere to the little ones. Luciani appreciated the role being played by the CPCC office under Tabana Sajjad Naseer to stop child exploitation

and assured support of UNICEF. Khan explained his office has been providing important pro bono services for the last 25 years to help resolve public issues relating to the provincial government institutions.

Meanwhile, the office of the Chief Provincial Commissioner for Children has been active since 2009 to protect children’s rights and the primary function of this platform is to examine and investigate complaints made by or on

behalf of children. It also works to proactively bring children’s voices into policy-making arenas, he said. A working group consisting of line departments, NGOs and parliamentary representatives has also been formed to deal with the online exploitation and harassment of children. This working group will draft policy guidelines to protect children from online harrying while providing necessary guidance to the government as a think tank, he added. He further mentioned the Office of Punjab Ombudsman is active in all 36 districts of the province to protect public rights. Alongside, the departmental helpline 1050 is 24/7 operational to guide the people needing assistance for the redressal of their problems, he concluded. Khan also presented the shield to Luciani.

Aug 5, 2019 blackest day in IIOJK history: Masarrat Alam STAff REpORT The illegally detained Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Masarrat Alam Butt, has said that August 5, 2019 is one of the blackest days in the history of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to Kashmir Media Service (KMS), Masarrat Alam Butt in a message sent from an Indian jail and released in Srinagar said the people of IIOJK are standing firm against Indian occupation of their homeland and they have completely rejected all the unconstitutional and illegal imperialist measures taken by Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government on August 05, 2019.

The APHC Chairman said the 3 years constant siege and continued Indian state terrorism have wreaked havoc in the entire occupied territory, which has been turned into a torture chamber by the communal Modi regime. He deplored that the caged Kashmiris have been abandoned and neglected by the world and criminal silence of the international community has emboldened New Delhi to trample humanity under jackboots in occupied Kashmir. Masarrat Alam Butt said dreaded Indian forces are engaged round the clock in killing of the innocent Kashmiris, arson, humiliation, torture, loot and plunder and other crimes to force the Kashmiris into submission. However, he said, the Kashmiri people are rendering unpar-

alleled sacrifices to give a clear message to India and the world that they reject Indian subjugation and will continue their freedom movement till the holding of an impartial plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir as per the UN resolutions. The APHC Chairman said Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory and scrapping of its special status by India is not only a violation of the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir but also a blatant violation of the international law. He also appealed to the government of Pakistan to take the Kashmir dispute on priority in view of the drastic demographic changes being made by India in IIOJK to turn the Muslim majority territory into a minority.

Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

ECP REPoRT ABSuRd: PTI goIng To APPRoACH SJC AgAInST CEC: ImRAn islamabad

Barriers around Holy Kaaba removed; pilgrims allowed to touch Hajar Al-Aswad islamabad Staff RepoRt

Saudi Arabia has removed the preventive barriers around the Holy Kaaba, allowing worshippers to once more touch the House of Allah and kiss the Hajar Al-Aswad (the Black Stone), after two years on Wednesday. The Saudi authorities also granted permission to the pilgrims and the visitors to touch or kiss the Holy Kaaba and the Hajar Al-Aswad (the Black Stone) and their access to the Hateem for offering Nawafil. The barriers were installed to ensure social distancing between pilgrims and area surrounding the Kaaba, where pilgrims circumambulate seven times, on July 1, 2020 to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. After resumption of prayers in the Hateem, Saudi authorities will launch oraganized approach to the Black Stone through a devoloped plan as access to the Black Stone has been restored for everyone. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques said it had begun preparations to provide services early on, in line with crowd management plans, and prepared the Grand Mosque in Makkah and its courtyards to facilitate Umrah rituals for pilgrims with ease and tranquillity. Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, who leads the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, announced the decision. Al-Sudais said that this decision showed the care the Saudi leadership took for visitors to the Grand Mosque and its devotion to facilitating their rituals in a safe and spiritual atmosphere, given the huge number of visitors that the mosque had begun to witness with the start of the Umrah season. He said the presidency was cooperating with all sectors operating in the Grand Mosque to receive pilgrims and provide all necessary services, in line with the aspirations of the Kingdom’s leadership. He extended his gratitude and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their care, attention, and support for the Two Holy Mosques. He prayed to Allah to bless them for their good deeds.

Two policemen martyred in Karachi grenade explosion islamabad Staff RepoRt

Two policemen were martyred in a grenade explosion inside the police headquarters in the port city’s Garden area on Wednesday. The explosion took place inside the ammunition depot of the police headquarters, resulting in the martyrdom of two personnel and injury to two others. The martyred cops were identified as constables Sabir and Shahzad, while the injured person was the arms depot incharge, inspector Saeed. According to preliminary reports, the explosion occurred after police officers pulled the pin off a grenade they had taken outside for checking, South Deputy Inspector-General Asif Aijaz Sheikh said. It is being investigated why the grenade was bought out of the arms depot, he said.

Staff RepoRt

ORMER prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday declared the PTI will approach the Supreme Judicial Commission (SJC) against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. “The PTI leaders, workers, and supporters will stage a peaceful protest outside the ECP and will not enter the Red Zone.” In an interview with a private news channel on Wednesday, the PTI chief said he would be thankful to the “imported government” if they put his name on

the exit control list (ECL). It is to be noted that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah earlier Wednesday said that the cabinet will take some important decisions regarding Imran Khan and PTI following the ECP verdict in prohibited funding case on Thursday. Imran Khan said the PTI will approach the Supreme Judicial Commission against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. Terming the report released by the ECP “absurd”, the PTI chief said that The ECP prepared two reports — one of these, which stated that the PTI is foreignfunded, was included on “someone’s special request.” Khan went on to say that no law prohibits politi-

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to Japan calls on Sardar Ayaz Sadiq islamabad Staff RepoRt

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to Japan HONDA Taro calls on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his office. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to Japan HONDA Taro called on the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his office today. Matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting. The Minister for Economic Affairs welcomed the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to Japan to his office and extended gratitude for taking out his time to visit the Ministry. He apprised the Vice-Minister

that Pakistan values reciprocal and congenial relations with Japan. Japanese economic assistance has played and shall continue to play a vital role in the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan. The Vice-Minister to Japan mentioned the areas of cooperation between both countries and highlighted that Japan is focused on providing its continuous support for Health, education, Environment, Security, Disaster Management and Water & Sanitation through various projects. Minister Ayaz Sadiq appreciated and highlighted the current flood situation of the country and hoped to learn from Japanese experience of dealing with situations like flood. The meeting was followed by

a signing ceremony that was held between the Federal Secretary for Economic Affairs and the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. In the signing ceremony, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister HONDA stated, “I am delighted to be able to visit Pakistan on the unique occasion of the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan. I will make every effort to strengthen the friendship between the two countries by continuous development cooperation, especially in the sectors such as water supply and sewage, disaster prevention, health, and education, as well as by promoting people-to-people exchanges and expanding trade and investment.”

CDA to create Margalla Hill Sanctuary Park islamabad Staff RepoRt

The Capital Development Authority has approved the creation of Margalla Hill Sanctuary Park. As per the details, the 58th meeting of CDA Developing Working Party (DWP) was held at CDA Headquarters under the chairmanship of Chairman CDA. The meeting was attended by officers from relevant departments. Several projects were presented for approval in the meeting, which were approved after a detailed deliberation. According to the details, the Nilor Heights revised project was approved in the CDA-DWP meeting. One component of the Nilor Heights project is low-cost and the other is high-end. The high-end category will cost Rs. 7000 per square feet. The project is being completed through FWO which was approved by the Federal Cabinet. Similarly, the Islamabad bus service project for the

entire city of Islamabad was also approved with the cost Rs 7240.62 million in the meeting. This project will help in fulfilling future traveling needs in Islamabad. In this regard, 8 different routes were approved. Moreover, the meeting approved the creation of Margalla Hill Sanctuary Park Islamabad after addressing the reservations of the Planning Commission. The project will be carried out in collaboration with IWMB for the care and protection & preservation of flora and fauna. It will be managed by IWMB. The meeting also approved PC-II to hire consultants for establishment of Capital Medical College in Capital Hospital Islamabad. Similarly, the plan for the development and implementation of E-Bidding in CDA was also approved. In the meeting of CDA-DWP, the road rehabilitation and widening project from Lahtrar Road from Pinstech Gate No.1 to Gate No.3 was also approved.

Advertisement of over 4000 vacancies by Pakistan Post alarms Finance Division islamabad Ghulam abbaS

While the government is facing acute budgetary and financial constraints, the Ministry of Communication has advertised over 4000 posts for its attached department Pakistan Post Office/Postal Services Department. The advertisement of posts on such a huge number has alarmed the Ministry of Finance keeping in view the financial implication of the same on the government budget. The advertisement has been made at a time when the Finance Division has not even released the budget to provinces since July 1, 2022. The disbursement of the development budget to provinces is pending for the last quarter of fiscal year 2021-22 after a major cut in the development budget. According to sources in the Ministry

of Finance, the advertisement of over 4000 posts in Pakistan Post, a department which is dependent on grants of the government, is being taken seriously as the same would add burden to the ministry. The officials of the Finance Division have reportedly discussed the same and are likely to take up with the Prime Minister Office suggesting to cancel or hold the process of recruitment. “This is not an urgent kind of job to facilitate even under the prevailing economic situation. There is no need to recruit such a huge number of people to run an organization already in deficit. Instead of making it a profitable organization through reforms, more burdens are being created,” said an official in terms of anonymity. Insiders claim that the recruitment of lower posts is usually used for facilitating political supporters of the minister. Soon

after advertisement of the posts, rumors are being circulated in the department and concerned ministry that front men or party leaders of the minister are being approached for support/favor in the recruitment process. However, when contacted by Mr Amir, an official in the media department of Pakistan Post claims that the establishment department of the Post Office has advertised the posts keeping in view already vacant posts and new requirements. He, however, could not reply to queries regarding financial implications of the new recruitments and due approval from relevant authorities. The advertised posts are included, manager, sales man, administrator, it officer, engineering, district account officer, consultant, customer relation officer, office boy, clerks, postman, assistant private secretary, import officer, law officer,

human resource, data entry operator, security officer, internee, admin clerical, driver etc. Meanwhile in a statement Federal Minister of Communications and Postal Services Asad Mahmood, who is also a leader of Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (F), claimed that he has started work for the restoration of postal services. Directions were issued to open over 600 closed post offices. As per the statement, with these steps taken by the minister, facilities will be available to millions of Pakistanis near their homes. Families will have access to direct and indirect employment opportunities. Unlike the plan of privatizing the department by the previous government, the new government was restoring the closed offices. The new steps being taken would include restoring the savings bank, pension, money order and other things besides improving services in rural areas.

cal parties from collecting money from overseas Pakistanis. “PTI collected money from companies in 2017 and the law prohibiting this action was formed in 2017; therefore, no law has been violated,” he said, adding that this is not foreign funding. Regarding the second allegation levelled against him for signing the account, he clarified that one thing is to take an oath and the other is to certify party accounts. He explained: “I am the chairman of the Shaukat Khanum Hospital, which has a budget of Rs18 billion, however, I don’t see the budget as I am not an accountant. “The accountants and auditors of the hospital present the accounts and I sign the documents.”

Ruling coalition in unison to move SC for Imran’s disqualification, ban on PTI continued from page 01 Taking a swipe at the former premier, Fazl said that he (Imran) is constantly telling lies in front of the new generation. Every day Imran Khan is changing his statement. Clearing the air, the JUI-F supremo said that action will now be taken as per the constitution and law. The PDM chief said that the PTI leadership has submitted false certificates, which is a violation of the constitution. Maulana alleged that Imran had sought international cooperation to demolish the state building. Fazl emphasized that for the survival of the state, all those responsible for the defense of the state should be concerned about saving the country. Maulana Fazl attacked the PTI chairman and said that it has been proved that Imran Khan is a foreign puppet in the funding matter. He added that PTI was funded by 351 foreign companies and 34 foreign nationals. Fazl added that it has received funds from Israel, India, USA, Canada, Denmark, Finland. One can guess what the agenda was from the funding from these countries, Fazl said, adding that PTI had hidden 16 bank accounts from the ECP. The JUI-F chief said that it is strange that the PTI leadership said that the decision of the ECP is in our favour. When he (Imran) regains consciousness, he is announcing to protest outside the ECP. Fazl said that Imran had said in Bannu that he will now put pressure on the ECP, he is blackmailing the ECP. “We were not plaintiffs against PTI,” the JUI-F supremo said. The plaintiff was Akbar S Babar of his party. Maulana said that Akbar S Babar informed Imran about these crimes in 2011. Imran opened bank accounts with his signature, he added. JUI-F chief also said that not only Imran Khan but the entire party is involved in this crime. He said that all parties are demanding immediate action against PTI. The JUI-F chief demanded the resignation of President Arif Alvi and said that the President should resign immediately. He said that President Arif Alvi has been proved guilty. He added that such criminals will be thrown out of the country’s politics. He said that it should be made an example so that future generations can learn from it.

06-07 Comments - 4th August 2022_Layout 1 8/3/2022 10:52 PM Page 1

Thursday, 4 August, 2022

06 COMMENT

PM complains of Judiciary’s double standards?

Imran Khan should be dealt with politically No more possible to hang, draw and quarter

TI chief Imran Khan’s claims of honesty, transparency and adherence to the rule of law stand exposed after eCP’s verdict in the prohibited funding case. Presenting himself as a paragon of virtue, Mr Khan had imparted a moral and religious touch to political rivalries. he called his opponents thieves, dacoits and traitors. he told political gatherings that people would not allow their children to marry those whose parents supported the PML(n) or PPP. Khan even incited his workers to confront opposition leaders with damaging slogans wherever they came across them in public places. This led to several incident his, the one at Masjid-e-nabavi in Medina being reported by the international media. Mr Khan maintained that opposition leaders would be heckled wherever they went, thus encouraging incidents among Pakistani expatriates abroad. It goes to s discredit that he spread intolerance to homes, legislative bodies, educational institutions, and workplaces. he made full use of his social media groups for the purpose. The eCP’s verdict has provided the PTI’s rival parties an opportunity to pay Imran Khan back in his own coin. This would be revenge rather than politics. Some of Imran Khan’s opponents are calling for banning the PTI and declaring Mr Khan ineligible for taking part in politics. This can lead to the perception that they find themselves incapable of competing against the PTI. The PTI can only be discredited through political process. Political leaders with popular backing, and Mr Khan is one, are considered martyrs by admirers if disqualified by courts rather than defeated in elections. Banning political parties is not simply feasible. When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto banned the national Awami Party (nAP), it got itself re-christened as the Awami national Party (AnP). What is more, the PPP later made alliances with AnP and worked together with Wali Khan as well as his successor. The PTI will smell as sweet to its diehard followers if given any other name. The PTI faces a legal battle that could be a long-drawn one. It is In hot waters now but can re-emerge as a force if it learns from its mistakes and IK remains committed to politics. neither is a certainty. The ruling alliance should let the eCP do its job. In case the Commission is dissatisfied with PTI’s explanations to the damaging charge sheet, and proposes legal action the govt should provide the courts whatever help they need.

The Supreme Court might miss out on ISO 9000 certification

Dr FariD a Malik

RIMe MInISTeR Shehbaz Sharif has complained that judiciary has double standards while adjudicating PML(n) cases. he referred to the recent decision handed over by the three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan which removed his son hamza Shehbaz as Punjab Chief Minister. Shehbaz has been around and understands the system well. he has had two direct stints as CM and one indirect with Ghulam haider Wyne as the front man. ‘Standards’ are the most misunderstood and ignored documents in the land of the pure. A ‘standard’ is defined as a level of quality or attainment which is clearly defined and then followed. In 1967 Pakistan Standards Institution (PSI) opened its Lahore office on our property. Siddiqui Sahib was transferred from the head office in Karachi as the director incharge. he was a very simple and decent individual, and on his request my father allowed him to sleep in the building. Those were good times when there was respect for simplicity, honesty and integrity. As industry was developing a need was felt to have our own standards. Siddiqui Sb often consulted with my old man who was also very supportive of his efforts. he often used our car to visit factories around. I remember going to dinner with him on the invitation of Mian Sharif at the newly built Sharif residences in Model Town. While Mian Sb and his elder son ate with us at the table, Shehbaz served the food as the kitchen was manned by females. There was an after-dinner discussion about the importance of standards. After Siddiqui Sb left, the office was transferred to Rivaz Gardens and we lost contact. Despite being around for decades, PSI could not produce the required standards for the country While the world has succeeded in developing

After Osama, Az-Zawahiri

standards unfortunately they are blatantly ignored in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. We hardly have standards, what to talk of ‘double standards’. In 1990 I went to buy an adapter switch in Frankfurt. The salesman wanted to know the standard to be conformed to, as they had a variety of them. Around 1992 my friend Dr Kamran Moosa went to an exhibition of engineering Products in Dusseldorf in which his organization had a stall of their products which were mostly re-engineered for Army use. As Germans are very proud of their Standards, everyone wanted to know the Conformance Standards of their exhibits. The Pakistan team had no answers. Dr Moosa came back and started a ‘Quality Movement’ in the country. I too joined him in this crusade and together we started to build an ISO9000based Quality Management System. At one time around 4000 industries were certified under this Quality Standard. Finally the Ministry of Science and Technology decided to revamp the almost dormant Standard’s effort in the republic. Quality was included in the PSI charter and a new organization was created called PSQCA (Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority). I was appointed the first Director General of this new entity in 2002. Karachi at that time was under the MQM ‘ Bhata Rule ‘. Those who stood in its way were eliminated. hakim Saeed of hamdard, Shaukat Mirza of PSO, Shahid hamid of KeSC were gunned down during this period. As I understood the challanges of my assignment of first producing and then enforcing standards to protect consumer rights, I travelled to Islamabad to convince the Secretary to move the PSQCA headquarter to the federal capital. he wanted me to first take charge of the assignment and then move the case for shifting, which I turned down. Finally after 20 years the shifting took place in the year 2022, 20 years too late. hopefully some good will come out of this move and Pakistan will succeed in developing its own national standards to push the sale of substandard products out of the market. The judicial system has its own laws but no formal written enforceable standards to measure attainment or quality. Service to the public is not even considered. There is a huge backlog of cases while

the judges go on summer vacations. On the demand of a full bench in the recent case about the ruling of the Deputy Speaker, the CJP mentioned that most judges are out of the country. Unless and until the entire backlog of cases is cleared long vacations should be discontinued to meet ‘Customer Satisfaction’ which is a major clause of the ISO9000 Standard. In a country where almost everything is sub-standard, the PM is talking about double standards. Measurability is an important requirement of any ‘Standard ‘ which is blatantly ignored in the land of the pure. Mystery is another ailment of our system. Most standards mandate the collection and display of ‘customer complaints’ and listing of the corrective and preventive action taken to resolve them. Standards lead to ‘Standardization’ to avoid confusion and misdirection. The PSQCA has not been effective in building standards as it lacks the necessary resources. In Malayasia the Standards and Industrial Research Institute (SIRIM) has played a dominant role in the industrial growth of the country. every product is first tested in the laboratory and then released against a standard before it reaches the marketplace. Pakistan needs a similar organization, wellmanned and equipped to first test and then formulate standards. PSQCA and PCSIR (Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) can be merged to create such a body called SIRIP ( Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Pakistan ). While PSQCA has industrial liaison but lacks the required laboratory support, PCSIR operates without this important link with industry. every setback creates an opportunity which should be availed. Let us get rid of sub-standards, double standards etc by formulating real and effective ‘national Standards’ that can be enforced to produce results and provide relief to the public. For the PM it should be a wake-up call to focus on producing ‘ Standards ‘ to achieve the much needed standardization of goods, services and efforts. The grim situation calls for action, not complaints or cover-up, as has been the case in the last 75 years of our mal-existence. The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

His killing does not provide the USA closure

heRe are many resonances between the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Dr Ayman Az-Zawahiri and its founder, Osama bin Laden in 2011. Where Mr bin Laden was killed by US navy Seals under President Barack Obama, his deputy and successor was killed by a US drone under Mr Obama’s vice-president and eventual successor. If the world was given an ‘Obama-in-the-White-houseSituation-Room’ moment, it now has a similar moment for President Joe Biden. Where Mr bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, thus raising suspicions about what he was doing in a garrison town, Dr Az-Zawahiri was killed in Kabul. That was enough to raise hackles about why the Taliban regime had allowed him to take refuge. One dissimilarity is that the USA did not take possession of Dr Az-Zawahiri’s body as was done vin Mr bin Laden’’s case, leaving the Taliban to confirm his death. They are damned if they do, because it will lead to embarrassing questions about what he was doing in Kabul, which in turn will raise queries about how far the Taliban are trying to meet international concerns, linked to its recognition, about the presence of militant groups in general, and Al-Qaeda in particular, on its soil. Though the drone may well have flown from the Gulf, at least part of its flight path necessitated passing through Pakistani airspace. As with the operation against Mr bin Laden, the military might face criticism. That the military is facing criticism already for subservience to the USA, makes it particularly vulnerable. Though the USA might take some pleasure in getting revenge for 9/11, the bottom line should be whether it has made the USA and its citizens safer, and secure from such an attack. Al-Qaeda is not doing much these days, having been supplanted by ISIL as the main magnet for all those interested in fighting to establish an Islamic state. This also does not allow the USA to claim victory in the War on Terror, with the problem being that such naked displays of military might, and blatant violations of national sovereignty, as occurred during Dr Az-Zawahiri’s killing, are precisely the kind of actions that will recruits to the side of militant organizations.

Rethinking globalization Obstacles are put to the movement of people SajiDa BiBi

he belief that globalization has resulted in freer transnational mobility of everything and ensured equitable distribution of resources is nothing but a partial portrayal of the phenomenon. The complete reality of the matter suggests that the nature of the current wave of globalization is more asymmetrical than the previous wave witnessed in the 19th and early 20th century. This can be assessed by the consequences it has generated by unevenly distributing its blessings among the developing and developed nations, and benefitting a few at the expense of the majority who are put at a disadvantaged position in the national as well as international milieu. Many authors have termed the asymmetrical nature of globalization as the “people’s paradox of globalization”. The concept refers to the phenomenon of international mobility where the regime for international mobility is unequally defined for material objects (commodities and capital) and non-material objects (people). In today’s era of globalization goods and capital move more freely across countries while international migrants are more restricted. They have been entangled through various visa formalities, work permits and passport formalities so that they can be hit hard by such regulations and find it difficult to move internationally. In contrast, globalization is in favor of material and money exchanges which take place at frequent rates rather than masses. Andres Solimano in his book, International Migration in the Age of Globalization, contends that this phenomenon is consistent with the concept of “commodity fetishism”. “Commodity fetishism” was developed by German philosopher and economist Karl Marx in his celebrated work, Capital: Critique of Political Economy . By commodity fetishism Marx meant that the personal relationship between people in the world economy would ultimately be replaced by an objective relationship in which greater meaning would be attached to the commodities(products) as compared to people’s energy and talent that makes these artifacts possible. This notion of Marx holds

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true in the current scenario where commodities and capital are given greater value as compared to people, which is evident from the asymmetrical regime of international mobility .The logic behind the disparity of capital and people is because the recipient nations (mostly rich) find it difficult to deal with the aspirations and unpredictable attitudes associated with migrants while it is relatively easy for them to handle the material objects (goods and capital). The other aspect of the people’s paradox of globalization lies in the unequal standard of rules for economic/educated elites and working segments who aspire to move transnationally. There are no hard and fast regulations when it comes to the movement of highly educated, skillful, wealthy, and scholarly people but for labourers such restrictions do exist, making the latter less mobile as compared to the former. Regulations are there for both, yet they get tougher when it comes to migration of menial working people. They must wait for a longer time to get visas, work permits and passports, or other such documents. The upper middle class, owing to their possession of embodied capital and diverse social networking, consider it no big deal to move internationally, propelling the phenomenon of the brain drain. This asymmetrical relation between economic and educated elite, and worker, migration is due to the productive capacities and innovative practices which the former brings to the destination country as

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opposed to the working class. The freer mobility of goods and capital has resulted in multiple white collar crimes including money laundering and corruption. Money laundering is directed specially from developing to developed countries as Pakistan has been experiencing from several decades. Similarly, the unrestricted mobility of goods turns out to be a malaise worldwide owing to its undesirable consequences, including smuggling, drug trafficking and other organized crimes. One of the notable consequences of this asymmetry is the rise of irregular and illegal migrants across the globe who turn out to be a burden on the recipient economy, and the major actors in breaching the legal arrangements of recipient nations. On the other hand, these irregular migrants make their own lives miserable owing to their inability to access social and health benefits, workplace rights and other social privileges, as their status is no more than undocumented immigrants in the realm of the destination country. Their and their family’s lives are miserable, always in risk of being deported or any other form of punishment. It will not be an exaggeration if we term the irregular or illegal migration as the inevitable side effect of the prevailing disparity in globalization. In a nutshell, the perception about globalization that it has resulted into a global village is apparently true and fascinating but beyond the limits of reality. We are being exposed only to the brighter side of globalization which makes us glorify it while the dark side is left unexplored. So, we must have a balanced outlook towards both sides to have a deeper understanding of the duality in its character and identify our place in it.

The perception about globalization that it has resulted into a global village is apparently true and fascinating but beyond the limits of reality. We are being exposed only to the brighter side of globalization which makes us glorify it while the dark side is left unexplored. So, we must have a balanced outlook towards both sides to have a deeper understanding of the duality in its character and identify our place in it

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

The writer is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 4th August 2022_Layout 1 8/3/2022 10:52 PM Page 2

Thursday, 4 August, 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

Water shortage in Karachi IT is a pity that Karachi, which generates huge revenue for the nation, remains deprived of water, which, despite being an essential commodity, is commercially sold by the notorious tanker mafia. The artificial shortage and illegal sale of water by the mafia has been going on for years. I wonder for how many more years the residents will have to purchase water for their daily use. The illegal hydrants and tankers owned by high-ranking officials are operating openly across the city, and cleverly evading millions of rupees in taxes. On the other hand, the residents have to pay water bills every month despite having to purchase water for themselves. Due to the recent rains, water in the hub dam has touched the peak level, but it is of no use to the people of Karachi because it is not being supplied to the city except for a few areas. Millions of people suffer from the illegal practice carried out by the tanker mafia. The need of the hour is to develop or design a comprehensive strategy to end this artificial water shortage. SYED SADAQAT HUSSAIN KARACHI

Why failures matter?

Evolution of history and emerging global order Now that it can feed itself, Mankind seeks rights

Wajahat Sultan

veR 10,000 years ago we started with survival based on food. Food was the main concern in history which is excessively accessible in the 21st Century if compared to huntergatherer societies. We move from food to a battle of economic contradictions with a concentration of food and accumulation of resources. This was an iceberg tip in the historical evolution of our ancestors in the recent past. From food to economic contradictions, we moved to the battle for freedom and rights in recent centuries. We lost millions of lives in the struggle of institutional democracies. All these ideas played an important role in the composition of societal structures. From hegel to Karl Marx, and to Francis Fukuyama, we witnessed the changing dynamics of interpreting history. In the battle of ideas to develop consciousness, the battle of economic contradictions, and the stories of rights, humans constantly face diversity and variations in conceptual maturity. In the 21st Century, the emergence of populism and elected autocracies are manifesting the changing attitudes of human beings from the ownership of freedom, rights, and democracies to the disowning responsibilities of democratic ideals due to computational psychology of the mind. In the state of nature, humans have no incentives to raid or wage a war on another party because they had no concept of property and concentrated food surpluses. With the emergence of centralized states and empires, we witnessed throughout history the expansion of the states for accumulating food and resources. It is the reason that humans developed complex societies by understanding the diversity through expansion in the past. Food became irrelevant in history because the new adventure of humans was the controlling infrastructure and economic resources. After the mighty adventures of wars and fights, they entered the stage of economic contradictions. According to Karl Marx, It was the economic contradictions that were the locomotive force of history. economic contradictions aided humans in developing more maturity in thoughts to control and manipu-

late other humans for manipulation and subduing them in history. As human beings have achieved enough capability to feed themselves they are concerned about their rights and liberties. The contradictions from food to economies are synthesized into the struggle for rights. In the 16th century, the rays of enlightenment penetrated the thinking abilities of human beings. Francis Fukuyama argued that equality is the final stage of human maturity in history. humans started a new journey of winning rights and equality to get to the new stage of evolution. Steven Pinker argued that the concept of Life was cheap in history, due to which wars and fighting ideologies dominated humanity for more than 3500 years. When a historical change in economies and advancement through industrialization was made, human beings came to know about the worth of their life as well as the life of other existing beings. This expanded the circle of empathy and mutual coexistence. Amidst this, all humans become ready to jump into a new stage where constitutional rights and institutional supremacy emerged as the essential components of history. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the struggle for absolute freedom and winning rights inherited from John Locke and Karl Popper was formulated as an inalienable part of the human evolutionary struggle. After the Cold War, it became possible for human beings to enter the era of the end of history. This was the final stage for human beings to win complete freedom and liberty in the form of liberal democracies. hegel and Francis Fukuyama’s claim vitalized into the force through all the subsequent results. All the historical struggle of human beings was to win rights in the end. When they triumphed over the ideologies which prevailed in theThirty Years’ War, The napoleonic Wars, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, it was the era of democratic establishment. The deficit in democracies or the revitalizing grounds of ideologies that are more authoritative and sadomasochistic are visible from hungary to the USA, and from Russian hegemonic provocation to China. Many scholars argue that the recent variant of illiberal ideologies is due to rising inequalities and inflation in many countries, but it is the normal and evolutionary stage of human consciousness which are in an attitude to jump into a new stage. The emerging world order is quite illiberal which is more pronounced from the recent backsliding of democracies. human beings are more concerned about the passive enjoyments which

have declined the imaginative and creative components of human psychologies due to rising security concerns again about survival. This time survival through food is replaced by survival through InfoTech and the biotech races. War is again getting momentum. humans are again at the decisive moment to stick with nationalistic criteria or globalized perspectives. The ride of Trump is a classic example that humans regardless of knowing the fact that he is a hyper-nationalistic and compromising figure for the democratic norms; elected him as the President of Global Power in the World. humans are fed up with owning the responsibility of freedom and rights. Aristotle in his theory of Revolution concerned that every stage of human maturity is surpassed by another in which even the mature part is compromised. excessive democracies paved the way for tyranny and authoritarian rulers. It is because it is a natural part of the evolution of the political spectrum. humans are good experimenters. The experiments from Agricultural societies to Post-Industrial societies with different ideologies and world orders. From all the historical struggles what they have learned is the megalothymia and the struggle for identity. They need their identities and recognition in the social setup. Liberal world order is discontent but it is the ultimate solution to humans’ struggles for equality with little improvement through the invention of ethical capitalism. Rule of Law and Institutional harmony is the key feature for which we humans have struggled a lot. The emerging world order is contradictory to our attained values of democratic consciousness but the ultimate reality is the human rational agency that will adapt to the pragmatic bargain. This pragmatic bargain is equal to identity and growth. Perhaps, there is no doubt that we faced contradictions which are the ultimate reality of human progress. The progression throughout history is the indicator that humans coped with all conflicting interests with something new and exceptional. In the coming days, the force of history will cast a clear manifesto for the world leaders to decide and inflate the rational choices that are in the interest of collective commitment to progress and cooperation among nations and that demand the re-growth of democracies and human consciousness evolution is not the form of empowering authoritarian tendencies but the empowerment of harmonized freedom and democracies with rationality.

Many scholars argue that the recent variant of illiberal ideologies is due to rising inequalities and inflation in many countries, but it is the normal and evolutionary stage of human consciousness which are in an attitude to jump into a new stage

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

eveRY year, a large number of youngsters try their luck at the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations which are quite popular in the country even though many of the applicants experience anxiety and depression due to the fear of failure. Last year, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) decided to conduct screening tests prior to written tests when candidates were busy in revisions and taking mock tests. Although the decision is appreciable as it will filter out the non-serious candidates, it impeded the progress of candidates because the decision had not been announced beforehand. A CSS written test was conducted on May 12 this year. Amid hot weather, many examination centres, including the ones at emerson University of Multan and the Government College of Science, did not even arrange water for the candidates. At one centre, the hall had airconditioners, but none was switched on. As a result, many suffered heat stroke. I was one of them. Though the poor management reflected badly on those assigned to make arrangements, there was a critical lesson for the students who could not perform well enough under such exhausting circumstances; acceptance of failure owing to things beyond one’s control. Candidates must understand that failure is the first step towards success. If they cannot deal with the stress of failure, they cannot handle success when it finally comes. GHAZALA SHAHZADI KOT ADDU

Unhealthy habits or depression? eATInG on the go has become a trend these days. every now and then, we see people behaving carelessly while eating outside. Many of them throw trash on the roads. They care about the cleanliness of their vehicles, but not about the planet they live in. It is an arduous task to collect this waste. It stays on the roads for days and clogs the sewers. hence, when it rains, the roads get submerged in water which creates troubles for citizens. A little carelessness and lack of civic sense inundate many parts of the city and disrupt routine activities. People should keep the trash inside their cars and dispose of it at the nearest trash bin. The automobile companies should install small trash bins inside every car. The educational institutions should also hold awareness sessions on civic sense and being responsible. Sign boards with the message of ‘no littering’ can work as effective reminders. Besides, we need stringent laws that knock some sense into people and bound them to keep the environment safe and clean. FAHEEM-UR-REHMAN HUB

Prison of social media SOCIAL media has become an inescapable prison for many. It is easy to blame the West for our social media addiction, but difficult to perform reality check on ourselves. The truth is that people have become accustomed to pretending and showing off so much that they end up living a different life on social media; a fake one. They cannot resist the temptation of taking pictures of their outings and occasions, and posting it on social media. Some of them crave for attention to the point that they adopt the lifestyle of celebrities, and even arrange lavish parties to be in the limelight on different social media platforms. Many people express their feelings and emotions through social media posts. They feel elated when they receive appreciation, and shattered when they are ignored or criticised. Sadly, people have engaged themselves in an invincible war of competition. By faking a different lifestyle, they are only fooling themselves and missing out on the real happiness. We need to realise that real happiness exists in the real world; not in the virtual world. The peace of mind, the feelings of satisfaction, self-esteem, self-love, all come by acknowledging the earnest efforts that we put into our own lives without indulging in comparisons. NEHA ALI DHAREJO LARKANA

Populism ThIS is with reference to the article ‘Is right-wing populism fading?’ (July 18), which made a few very relevant points. One look at human history is enough to suggest that populism leads to the negative propensity for heroworship. In the absence of powerful democratic institutions individuals hoodwink the masses with catchy slogans even in the name of religion. It is worth mentioning that the era of the righteous caliphs was known for governance through consultation, equality, accountability and people’s will — through the element of bayth — which are regarded as the pillars of modern democracy. even some Western jurists have acknowledged that of all the universal religions, Islam has the greatest potential to accommodate democracy. It is a pity that after that particular era, Muslims moved away from such critical principles. SYED SAFDAR HUSSAIN KARACHI

Thursday, 4 August, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

DestAbilizing mAjor powers How Arab countries lost THE ANCHORS OF THE NORTHERN TIER ARE CHINA, RUSSIA, THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES. THESE FOUR ENTITIES COLLECTIVELY MAKE UP OVER 60 PERCENT OF GLOBAL GDP, THE MEASURE OF ECONOMIC PRODUCTION

geoPoliticAl Futures

GEORGE FRiEdmAn

HE Geopolitical Futures model argues that the northern tier of entities are the center of power in the global system and define how the system works at any given moment. The anchors of the northern tier are China, Russia, the European Union and the United States. These four entities collectively make up over 60 percent of global GDP, the measure of economic production. They also collectively contain a majority of global military power. They’re each different in the amount of economic and military power they contain. Russia has a relatively low GDP but significant military power. The EU members are relative weak militarily but have substantial GDP collectively. The U.S. and China possess both types of power. The northern tier is dealing with economic, political and military challenges. The three frequently occur together when the northern tier undergoes this level of dysfunction. The likelihood of the problems spreading globally is almost certain over time. The likelihood is also high of this period leaving the northern tier profoundly changed. World War II was a military, economic and political phenomenon involving most of these countries. It led to economic and political transformations that still shape the world. So, the question is what the current crisis of the northern tier will lead to. The northern tier is experiencing profound economic stresses, some linked to other issues, some one of a kind. Most significant of the latter is the economic decline of China. China grew extraordinarily over the past 40 years. A great deal of that had to do with the damage Mao did to China. The growth rate depended on for-

eign markets buying Chinese exports and the inflow of foreign capital. Now, the global economy’s constriction prevents China from continuing to surge exports, increasing the risk of investing in China. At the same time the U.S. economy is going into recession. Trouble began with the solutions to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. But as important and little mentioned is that 12 years elapsed between the subprime recession of 2008 and the COVID19 recession, which is much longer than usual. Recessions are part of the indispensable balancing process in economies, when inefficient enterprises are destroyed and stop absorbing capital needed elsewhere. The longer the time between recessions, the greater the inefficiencies that infest the economy. For whatever reason, the growing inefficiency in the economy was not the trigger for the recession, but the pandemic was. Therefore, the recession and all that followed was not simply the result of economic cycles but rather the consequence of a non-economic force, and in that sense painful but not beneficial. Non-economically triggered recessions tend to destroy without also rebuilding. The Ukrainian-Russian war imposed greater constraints on the system. The U.S. launched a financial war against Russia; Russia countered with a supply chain attack. The supply chain attack particularly struck the European Union – institutionally the most fragile of the northern tier – increasing the price of energy and decreasing its availability. Russia faces a war it is far from winning, with ongoing financial stress, and a supply chain intrusion that brings pressure on others but also on itself. Russia is the weakest economy among the four northern tier actors, and its status depends on military power, which has been tarnished. A defeat coupled with a weak economy would leave Russia in the top tier geographically but would move it closer to a developing economy. All these developments are linked. The war in Ukraine links the economic war to the stability of the EU as well as to capital availability for China. Ending the Ukrainian episode with a Russian victory would force U.S. defensive power into Europe. There are four layers to this crisis. The first is a war that, more than most wars, has a major economic dimension, which is generating a supply chain crisis in the European Union, a bloc that has been under extensive pressure over internal financial

matters. The second dimension is the broader supply chain problem, which is affecting much of the world with shortages of primary commodities and is thus creating crises outside the northern tier that will flow back on them. The third is a cyclical recession in the United States, compounded by the disruption of the global supply chain that has raised prices on energy substantially. Fourth, and not incidentally, is the decline in appetite for Chinese exports, along with a shortage of key imported items and investment capital. The northern tier is the foundation of the global system primarily because economic and military power is centered there. The region can supply stability elsewhere. But that stability depends, if not on cooperation, then at least on a degree of indifference to whatever others are doing. At this point, all actions can impact others in the tier, and the combined economic and military conflict means that what little collaboration there has been has broken down. The war might be at the center of this, save that the decline of China, economic slowdown in the U.S., and fragmentation in Europe preceded the war. The war compounded the problems, but its end will not solve them. In the end, the solution rests with the U.S., the largest member of the northern tier economically and militarily. The problem it must solve is supplying energy to Europe without asking the Russians. Since there is no solution that can be achieved in sufficient time, a more likely outcome is an extended global crisis in which the U.S. will seek primarily to defend itself. Either way, the world is evolving in front of our eyes. Each of these entities is increasingly unstable. The instability is not unprecedented. The fact that all four members of the tier are experiencing substantial levels of instability is. The issue is what the world looks like if the northern tier destabilizes at the same time. The global interaction is perhaps most important and worth considering, even if the tier avoids destabilization en masse. George Friedman is an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster and strategist on international affairs and the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures. He has briefed numerous military and government organizations in the United States and overseas and appears regularly as an expert on international affairs, foreign policy and intelligence in major media.

faith in democracy

AustrAliAn strAtegic Policy institute Amin SAikAl

In a highly polarised world, authoritarianism thrives in the Middle East. According to a credible survey, a majority of citizens across the Arab world are losing faith in democracy as a system of governance to deliver economic stability. It startlingly indicates a reversal of what the popular uprisings of the so-called Arab Spring demanded more than a decade ago. This will be music to the ears of autocratic rulers but a source of profound dismay to democracy promoters around the world. The findings come from an opinion survey conducted by the Arab Barometer network for BBC News Arabic. It involved interviews with nearly 23,000 people in nine Arab countries and the Palestinian territories. Most interviewees agreed with the proposition that ‘an economy is weak under democracy’ and therefore democracy was not a high priority for them. This flies in the face of the demand for democratic reforms in the Arab Spring protests that swept several Arab countries in 2011 and 2012. The uprisings caused the demise of dictatorial regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya (though, in the case of the latter, with the help of NATO’s intervention). They triggered a very bloody conflict in Syria and put a number of proWestern oil-rich conservative Arab rulers on notice. Iran also felt the impact as it provided impetus for opposition to its theocratic order. Whereas Yemen, Libya and Syria remained mired in bloody conflicts, prompting interventions by outside actors for conflicting geopolitical interests, Egypt rapidly reverted to authoritarian rule, and the status quo forces prevailed over forces of change elsewhere in the region. Tunisia flourished as the only beacon of hope for pro-democracy advocates, but, since 2021, it too has been on a slippery slope towards authoritarian rule. President Kais Saied has virtually demolished the country’s elected parliamentary system in support of strong presidential rule. His actions have outraged pro-democracy forces, but he has justified them on the grounds that the system had not brought about stability and prosperity. He

appears to command sufficient support not only from state instrumentalities of power, but also from those pockets of the population that have found a transition to democracy too taxing. The only Arab segment that has expressed a preference for democracy are the Palestinians in Israel’s occupied territories. Yet, they are isolated, and many analysts would argue that they have been abandoned by most of the Arab countries. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco have normalised relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia has forged informal ties with the Jewish state. Egypt and Jordan have peace treaties with Israel. This is a far cry from the days when most of the Arab states conditioned any form of relations with Israel on an end to its occupation of the Palestinian lands and the creation of an independent Palestinian state out of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. US democracy, not to mention that of its traditional European allies, used to inspire many in the Arab world. But that doesn’t seem to be the case any longer, given the democratic chaos that has come to dominate the American landscape, and the manner in which the US has behaved geopolitically in the region. America’s botched invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and support for the status quo in the Middle East have not only raised serious questions about its reliability as an ally, but also diminished its status as an effective global actor in the face of the rise of China and Russia as formidable rivals. Many in the Arab domain could see that close-fisted rule has worked in China and Russia in propelling them to new heights. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may be very distressful for most of them, but it has also prompted the US and its allies to approach the leaders of the oil-rich Arab states seeking relief from soaring energy prices. US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, have found it expedient to forget their past denouncement of Saudi Arabia’s de factor ruler, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and embraced him despite his alleged role in the murder of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018. In this evolving polarised world, the balance is certainly tipping in favour of authoritarianism in the Middle East. This presents a challenge that the US and its democratic allies may not be able to overcome easily. We’re already in the midst of another Cold War between democracies and autocracies, and Arab rulers may continue to reap benefits from it in strengthening their hold on their societies for the foreseeable future. Amin Saikal, an adjunct professor of social sciences at the University of Western Australia, is co-author of Islam beyond borders: the umma in world politics and editor of Iran and the Arab world: a turbulent region in transition.

europe’s state of mass surveillance THE EU’S TOP COURT SAYS MASS SURVEILLANCE IS BANNED. GOVERNMENTS DO IT ANYWAY

Politico VinCEnT mAnAnCOURT

Jack Murphy* was suspicious. His ex-girlfriend, Eve Doherty, seemed to know a lot about who he was calling. His suspicions were merited. Doherty had been using her job in the Irish police force to access his phone records, an investigation by the local judiciary revealed. Doherty was disciplined and transferred in 2011. Three years later, in 2014, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruled that the Irish law that forced telcos and internet service providers to hang on to traffic and location data was contrary to EU law, and so was the EU directive it was based on. The data retention regime allowed government agencies to access citizens' data in ways that violated their privacy — like what Doherty was doing when she accessed those phone records of her exboyfriend. And yet, the risk of similar cases — of police officers overstepping their powers to access phone records — still lingers today.

The landmark 2014 ruling was followed by a bevy of subsequent judgments from the EU's highest court that reinforced its message to stop blanket data retention. But it didn't stop Ireland from keeping its mass surveillance of phone and internet data, including who you call and where you are, largely intact. “In Ireland, we've been in a period of lawlessness, at least since 2001,” said TJ McIntyre, chair of Digital Rights Ireland, the non-profit organization whose legal complaint brought down the EU Data Retention Directive in the landmark 2014 case. The pattern in Ireland is unsettling. Dublin sets up a data retention regime, the court then kills it after years of slow legal proceedings that go up to the European level, only to see the government reboot a similar regime, with some tweaks, that risks violating the same rights and principles that brought down the earlier one. Just last month, the Irish justice ministry presented its latest iteration of a data retention bill after the EU’s top court’s latest ruling against the Irish regime in April 2022. But McIntyre argued Dublin’s latest attempt is just as harmful to privacy. It allows data retained for national security reasons to be accessed for criminal investigations, for instance, which he argues runs counter to the court's decision in April. CAT AND MOUSE: Decision after decision, the European Court of Justice's 27 top judges have fine-tuned their belief that mass retention of phone and internet traffic and location data violates fundamental EU privacy rights. But many European law enforcement and govern-

ment officials don't seem to want to listen. They argue that such data retention regimes are vital for crime fighting. In a series of judgments from 2014 onwards, including most recently in late 2021 and early 2022, the CJEU has mostly sided with privacy groups, arguing that blanket data retention isn’t legal — except in some circumstances, with proper safeguards and if there’s a serious threat to national security. It’s a fight that at times has gotten dirty. The French government at first tried to pressure its court not to follow EU case law, arguing it went against the country’s “constitutional identity.” Paris even mulled seeking changes to the EU’s founding treaties or the Charter of Fundamental Rights, known as the bloc’s primary law, to dodge the EU's top court rulings. In Denmark, government ministers openly criticized the EU court. “I think that the fundamental problem here is that the Court of Justice of the European Union creates law without democratic legitimacy,” Danish Justice Minister Nick Hækkerup said following a ruling in late 2021. “After all, they are just judges.” Passions run equally high in the opposing camp. “Data retention is really what politicized me,” said German Pirate Party MEP Patrick Breyer. “I still think it's really the most privacy-intrusive legislation that the EU has ever enacted because it's about collecting information about the entire population.” CREEPING SURVEILLANCE: Even when they haven’t been openly hostile to the bloc’s top court, EU capitals have been ruthless in exploiting loopholes in its

rulings. Belgium and Denmark, for instance, are devising schemes that technically collect data in a targeted way rather than in a general way, which is what the court allows. But it’s arguably targeted in name only. The Belgian proposal for targeting areas where there’s lots of crime sets the bar so low that it covers the whole country. Denmark isn’t much better; its crime level threshold means that close to 70 percent of the country’s population will be covered by its framework. Governments are also looking to extend these regimes' reach: Belgium's proposal aims to cover messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, as well as the traditional telco operators. The plan risks effectively banning privacy-preserving platforms like Signal or Threema by forcing them to store data on users they don't currently collect. France has tried another way to keep its blanket surveillance intact. Its top administrative court approved the government’s argument that the country is effectively under a constant terrorist threat, meaning that blanket data retention is OK. However, there are already questions over whether this is legal, with one former EU judge arguing that the risk of terrorism doesn’t constitute a threat. This game of cat and mouse has at times become a farce. Denmark’s tweaked data retention regime was in place for a mere six days this year before a fresh ruling from the CJEU rendered it illegal. “The EU is really having a rule of law problem here, because governments knowingly ignore the case law because they don't like it. And the Commission refuses to enforce it,” said Breyer, the MEP. *Eva Doherty’s boyfriend’s name is not known. The name printed is made up and chosen because it is the most common boy’s name in Ireland.

Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS corporate corner Afghan professors attend capacity building training at NUST

ISLAMABAD: A group of 28 professors from different universities of Afghanistan attended a two-week capacity building course at NUST. The course covered areas including Academic Structuring in Higher Education Institutes, Outcome-based Education, Effective Class Planning, Contemporary Research Matrices, and Web of Science, Scopus & HEC Journal Recognition System, etc. Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmed Shakeeb, attended the closing ceremony. The course was part of an extensive programme, which will see more Afghan professors visiting NUST for capacity building trainings. The participants of the first batch are currently on the faculty of Kabul University, Herat University, Kandahar University, etc. In their remarks, the delegates expressed their gratitude to NUST management for facilitating the much-needed professional development course, and extending great hospitality during their stay. They said that the course would help them replicate best academic and research practices in their respective universities in Afghanistan. pr

GSP PLUS PLAyED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BOOSTING PAkISTANI ExPORTS: RIAZ PIRZADA ISLAMABAD pr

MBASSADOR of the European Union to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka calls on Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada today in his office at Islamabad. Matters of mutual interest and cooperation were discussed in this meeting. Minister for Human Rights welcomed the ambassador and said that Pakistan values its reciprocal relations with the EU that are moving in a positive direction in all spheres of cooperation. He said that the European Union, through its assistance, has played a vital role in the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan and we expect that sectorial dialogues on emerging areas of cooperation, including environment, climate change, human rights and sustainable development will be strengthened through Strategic Engagement Plan

(SEP) that was signed between Pakistan and the EU in June 2019. Minister said that the European Union is one of the largest trade and investment partners of Pakistan. GSP Plus has played an important role in expansion of trade. We remain committed and have demonstrated consistent progress in the implemen-

tation of GSP Plus related 27 international conventions. He further stated that Pakistan has seen the European Commission’s legislative proposal for preferential market access for post2023. We are closely engaged and have shared our views to ensure that both sides continue to benefit from the GSP Plus post-2023. Ambassador of

ISLAMABAD pr

According to the details Senior-Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Islamabad Malik Jameel Zafar has said that Islamabad police have made a comprehensive security plan to maintain high vigilance in the city. Following the special directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Capital Police conducted a flag march in Saddar Zone under the supervision of SSP Operations in order to main-

tain peace and tranquility in the city during "Muharram ul Harram". Flag march was headed by SP Saddar. SSP Operations said that flag marches are being conducted in various areas to make security more effective and added that strict vigilance would be maintained like previous years to maintain law and order in the city. SDPOs, SHOs of Saddar Zone, Islamabad traffic police personnel, Bravo vehicles, police commandos, Rescue 15 police personnel, patrolling police and eagle squad participated in the

flag march. Flag march started from the Pakistan Sports Complex and culminated at the same point after passing through various areas of the Saddar zone. Pak Rangers, Islamabad administration and the law-enforcing agencies were also part of the flag march. The SSP (Operations) strictly directed all zonal SDPOs and SHOs for strict security arrangements during "Muharram ul Harram" and it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of Majalis and processions through using metal detectors. Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police as well as peace committees. He said that it would be ensured that processions pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly. He also directed for effective patrolling and used command vehicles for the purpose.

PAF C-130 aircraft carries bodies of shuhada Of Balochistan helicopter crash ISLAMABAD pr

C-130 aircraft of Pakistan Air Force carrying bodies of Commander XII Corps, Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali Shaheed and Commander Engineers XII Corps, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid Shaheed arrived at PAF Base, Nur Khan on Wednesday. The officers had embraced martyrdom in a tragic accident on 01 August, 2022 along with four other military officials during flood relief activities. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, has expressed deep sorrow and empathy over the loss of precious lives in the crash. In his condolence message, the Air Chief said, “May Allah bestow the departed souls higher ranks in the Heaven and grant patience to the bereaved families".

Chairman CDA visits under-construction 7th Avenue, Rawal Dam Interchanges ISLAMABAD Staff report Managing Director NTDC Engr. Dr. Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan and MD Siemens Mr. Markus Strohmeier alongwith other officials cutting a cake during kick off ceremoney of implementation of ERP in NTDC. pr

Housing Minister directs FGEHA to accelerate pace of work on projects ISLAMABAD pr

Maulana Abdul Wasay, Federal Minister, Ministry of Housing and Works chaired executive board meetings of the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) and Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA). During the course of meeting, the boards discussed various agendas placed before the members by the departments. Board members discussed various issues and matters pertaining to different ongoing projects of the departments.

the European Union appreciated coordinating role of the Ministry of Human Rights and its commitment for working on GSP + particularly the recent enactment of laws. She also mentioned that Monitoring Mission has shown its satisfaction on Pakistan’s progress on implementation of 27 international conventions. However, the mission has also raised some concerns over the delay of necessary legislations in some areas that needs to be expedited. Ambassador also requested the minister for support to the European Union delegation for finalization of its reports. At the end, minister stressed upon the close coordination for effective compliance on GSP commitments. He assured the ambassador to extend maximum support from the forum of the Ministry of Human Rights for the EU delegation to arrange its meetings for further discussions on GSP+ in the Ministry of Interior and Commerce.

Capital Police conducts flag march to maintain peace during Muharram

The Launch of Scott J. Miller’s Master Mentors Volume 2 featuring BOP President & CEO Zafar Masud On 30th July 2022, the second iteration of “Master Mentors: 30 Transformative Insights from our Greatest Minds” by bestselling author Scott Jeffrey Miller was announced. The book is a condensed collection of practical strategies and methods designed to help readers reach new heights in their personal lives and professional careers, by distilling essential learnings from the top business minds and thought leaders of our time. In continuation of Master Mentors Volume 1, published in September 2021, Miller has added 30 new transformative insights to the Master Mentors library in his easy-tounderstand manner; written with an express focus on the requirements of readers that are short on time, highly challenged, or facing a critical life or career decision. Miller identifies and analyzes key learnings from each of the 30 Master Mentors, and provides simple, intuitive ways for readers to apply these learnings in their personal and professional lives. Master Mentors Volume 2 features Mr. Zafar Masud, President & CEO The Bank of Punjab, as the book’s first Master Mentor. Mr. Masud is also the first thought-leader from outside the Western Hemisphere to be featured in either of the volumes; more specifically, he is the first Master Mentor from Pakistan who was invited to lend his insights to this literary undertaking. The book starts off strong with the first chapter dedicated to Mr. Masud, as he provides his unique perspective, drawing from his extensive international banking experience, and his wealth of personal experiences (not least of which was his miraculous survival in the crash of PIA flight PK8303, in May 2020). In the opening chapter of the book, Mr. Masud offers a fresh perspective into what guides his decision-making process, and the significance of discovering what one considers to be the most important thing; finding out what matters most. Mr. Masud posits that without this knowledge, one cannot possibly know what to do next, and that one should not wait for a close brush with death to begin pondering on life’s big questions – the time to reflect is now. pr

Maulana Abdul Wasay directed FGEHA to speed up the construction

work on projects and complete them in the stipulated time and deliver

them to the allottees as soon as possible. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works said that the quality and timely completion of the projects must be done and no negligence will be tolerated at any cost. Secretary Housing also ordered the immediate resumption of the work on all pending schemes so that flats and plots are handed over to the retired government employees at the earliest without any further delay. Officials of Housing Ministry, PHAF, FGEHA, Law Ministry, Finance Ministry and officials from other departments also attended the meeting.

Chairman Capital Development Authority on Wednesday visited the Seventh Avenue Interchange and Rawal Dam Interchange project and reviewed the ongoing development works on the project in detail. On this occasion, the officers of the relevant departments were also present. According to the details, the Seventh Avenue interchange project has entered the completion stages and in a few days the underpass constructed on Khayaban Suhrawardy Road connected to Seventh Avenue will be completed. Similarly, by the end of this month, the project will be completed and opened for traffic in record time ahead of schedule. Further, the Chairman Capital Authority also visited the Rawal Dam Interchange project and made a detailed review of the development works in the project. On this occasion, Chairman CDA issued instructions to the concerned departments and said that high quality of work should be ensured. In this regard, if the weather remain clear, the asphaltic base course work on the flyover will be started from Thursday, which will be completed in two days and will be opened for traffic. In case of cloudy weather, flyover asphaltic base course work may take up to more three to four days. Apart from this, work is going on rapidly on IJP Road by the concerned departments of Capital Development Authority, which will be completed ahead of schedule.

Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

WOrld StAndS in SOlidArity With ChinA OVEr PElOSi’S ‘PrOVOCAtiVE’ ViSit ISLAMABAD

MiAn AbrAr

HE international community has voiced support for China’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity following the visit by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan that began late on Tuesday. Beijing calls the visit of the speaker, second in the line of presidential succession in the U.S., a “blatant political provocation,” as official exchanges and military contacts between the United States and Taiwan are banned in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques. China’s military has announced joint air and sea drills around the Taiwan Strait from Thursday to Sunday as countermeasures. The armed forces have vowed to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolutely thwart the interference of external forces. Over eight countries and organizations have so far publicly voiced their support of Beijing in the wake of the trip. paKistan reaffirms ‘onechina’ policy: Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed its strong commitment to ‘One-China’ Policy, saying it firmly supports China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Pakistan is deeply concerned over the evolving situation in the Taiwan Strait, which has serious implications for regional peace and stability,” an official statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “The world is already reeling through a critical security situation due to the Ukraine conflict, with destabilising implications for international food and energy security. The world cannot afford another crisis that has negative consequences for global peace, security and economy,” the statement added. “Pakistan strongly believes that

US okays $5b sale of missile defence system to Saudi Arabia, UAE

inter-state relations should be based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of issues by upholding of principles of UN charter, international law and bilateral agreements,” the statement asserted. russia doubles down on one-china policy: Russia’s Foreign Ministry doubled down on the country’s backing of the one-China principle, referring to Pelosi’s visit as undermining regional stability and international security. “We operate on the premise that there is only one China, and the PRC government is the only legitimate gov-

ernment representing all of China, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China,” the ministry wrote on its official Twitter handle on Wednesday, with hashtags of “WeStandwithChina.” In another tweet later, Moscow slammed Washington’s “aggressive policy” as a clear provocation. “We call on Washington to refrain from actions, undermining regional stability and international security,” the ministry wrote. dprK fully supports china’s riGht to defend sovereiGnty: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) vehemently denounces any external force’s interference on the issue of Taiwan and fully supports the Chinese government’s just stand to resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, according to the country’s official KCNA news agency. “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and the issue of Taiwan pertains to the internal affairs of China,” the spokesperson said. “It is the due right of a sovereign state to take countermeasures against the moves of the outside forces openly interfering in its internal affairs and destroying its territorial integrity.

Pelosi says US will not abandon Taiwan as China protests

WASHINGTON

TAIPEI

Agencies

The AssociATed Press

The United States announced Tuesday the sale of major missile defense systems to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates worth more than $5 billion. The approval was announced two weeks after US President Joe Biden met leaders of the two countries in Saudi Arabia on a trip seen as crucial to strengthen frayed relations with them, and as both nations perceive a heightened threat from Iran. The State Department said Saudi Arabia would buy 300 Patriot MIM-104E missile systems, which can be used to bring down at long-range incoming ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as attacking aircraft. The value of the missiles and attendant equipment, trainings and parts is $3.05 billion, the department said. Saudi Arabia has faced recent rocket threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been supplied with Iranian equipment and technology. “These missiles are used to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s borders against persistent Houthi cross-border unmanned aerial system and ballistic missile attacks on civilian sites and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia,” the State Department said. Separately, the United States will sell THAAD surface-to-air missile systems to the UAE for $2.25 billion. The UAE has also recently been targeted by Houthi rocket attacks, which have been fended off in part by defense systems run by the US military based in the country. “The proposed sale will improve the UAE’s ability to meet current and future ballistic missile threats in the region, and reduce dependence on US forces,” the State Department said.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan after a visit that heightened tensions with China, saying Wednesday that she and other members of Congress in her delegation showed they will not abandon their commitment to the selfruled island. Pelosi, the first US speaker to visit the island in more than 25 years, courted Beijing’s wrath with the visit and set off more than a week of debate over whether it was a good idea after news of it leaked. In Taipei, she remained calm but defiant. “Today, the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” she said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. “America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad.” China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes any engagement by Taiwanese officials with foreign governments, announced multiple military exercises around the island, parts of which will enter Taiwanese waters, and issued a series of harsh statements after the del-

egation touched down Tuesday night in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei. Taiwan decried the planned actions, saying they violated the island’s sovereignty. “Such an act equals to sealing off Taiwan by air and sea, such an act covers our country’s territory and territorial waters, and severely violates our country’s territorial sovereignty,” Capt. Jian-chang Yu said at a briefing by the National Defense Ministry. The Chinese military exercises, including live fire, are to start Thursday and be the largest aimed at Taiwan since 1995, when China fired missiles in a large-scale exercise to show its displeasure at a visit by then-Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to the US.

Taiwanese President Tsai responded firmly Wednesday to Beijing’s military intimidation. “Facing deliberately heightened military threats, Taiwan will not back down,” Tsai said at her meeting with Pelosi. “We will firmly uphold our nation’s sovereignty and continue to hold the line of defense for democracy.” China’s official Xinhua news agency announced the military actions Tuesday night, along with a map outlining six different areas around Taiwan. Arthur Zhin-Sheng Wang, a defense studies expert at Taiwan’s Central Police University, said three of the areas infringe on Taiwanese waters, meaning they are within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres) of the shore.

US blacklists Vladimir Putin’s partner Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva The United States has blacklisted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s purported Olympic gymnast girlfriend in the latest round of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. Described by Russian tabloids as the ‘Secret First Lady’, or ‘Russia’s First Mistress’ the relationship between Alina Kabaeva and Putin has never been publicised. However US officials believe she is the mother of at least three of his children. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that sanctions impacting Ms Kabaeva would be considered “so personal a blow to Putin that it could further escalate tensions”. Ms Kabaeva is one of the most decorated gymnasts in history and has won 41 gold medals. This includes an Olympic Gold medal she won in 2004 for rhythmic gymnastics. After Ms Kabaeva retired from gymnastics in 2007, she went on to have an illustrious career in Russian politics and media. From 2007 to 2014 she was a State Duma Deputy for the United Russia political party and is also on the board of directors for Russia’s largest media conglomerate, the National Media Group. The Treasury also imposed sanctions on Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast widely described as Putin’s girlfriend. The Treasury also imposed sanctions on Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast widely described as Putin’s girlfriend. The US also sanctioned the tycoon owner of the secondlargest estate in London in the latest round of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. The US also sanctioned the tycoon owner of the secondlargest estate in London in the latest round of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. Also hit with US business bans were several other oligarchs believed to be close to Putin, four officials Russia has named to administer occupied territories in Ukraine, and around two dozen high technology institutes and companies, including key state-backed electronics entities. The US Treasury announced sanctions on Putin associate and billionaire Andrey Grigoryevich Guryev, who owns the Witanhurst estate, the second-largest estate in London after Buckingham Palace. Guryev is the founder and former deputy chairman of PhosAgro, a major supplier to global fertiliser markets. He and his son were hit with financial sanctions, which ban US businesses – including banks with US branches – from transactions with them, and freeze their assets under US jurisdictions. The Treasury also blacklisted Guryev’s Caribbean-based 81-metre (267 feet) yacht Alfa Nero, which puts it at risk of seizure. Gymnast alina Kabaeva performs durinG the 2004 olympic Games in athens: However, the Treasury said Alfa Nero “has reportedly shut off its location tracking hardware in order to avoid seizure”. The Treasury also imposed sanctions on Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast widely described as Putin’s girlfriend, and Natalya Popova, the wife of Kirill Dmitriev, the manager of the Russian government’s massive sovereign wealth fund. The Treasury said Popova works for the technology firm Innopraktika, which is run by one of Putin’s daughters. “As innocent people suffer from Russia’s illegal war of aggression, Putin’s allies have enriched themselves and funded opulent lifestyles,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. “The Treasury Department will use every tool at our disposal to make sure that Russian elites and the Kremlin’s enablers are held accountable for their complicity in a war that has cost countless lives,” Yellen said. Agencies

China carries out military drills around Taiwan island in response to Pelosi’s ‘farce’ visit BEIJING Agencies

China on Wednesday conducted a series of naval-air joint drills around the Taiwan island in response to what has been seen as a reckless and provocative visit by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the country’s Taiwan region. The drills featured the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Joint Logistic Support Force in the sea and air space north, southwest and southeast of the Taiwan island, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said. The PLA will also conduct live-fire military drills from August 4 to 7 in six different

areas that encircle the island of Taiwan from all directions, according to a notice authorized to be released by the Xinhua News Agency. Referring to the military operation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing that the Chinese side “has to dialog with the U.S. side and the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces in a language they can understand.” The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council also announced punishments for two foundations that “have wantonly carried out ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities in the international arena,” prohibiting any transaction or cooperation with donors, including Speedtech Energy. ‘a complete farce’: In his latest condemnation, Chinese State Councilor and

Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed Pelosi’s visit as a “complete farce” and warned that the U.S. is violating China’s sovereignty under the guise of “democracy.” “Those who play with fire will perish by it, and those who offend China will be punished,” Wang told CGTN on the sidelines of the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cambodia on Wednesday, a day after he accused the U.S. of “behaving like a bully.” “Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen and others ride the coattails of the United States and act against the noble cause of the Chinese nation,” he said. The Chinese side’s position has also been widely backed by the international community, with the United Nations reiterating the importance of adherence to

the one-China principle and a slew of countries and other international organizations voicing support for China’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. from blast to protest: Amid warnings and criticism both at home and abroad, the U.S. house speaker’s visit to Taiwan had not been confirmed until the plane carrying her delegation landed at an airport in Taipei on Tuesday night, renewing stronger condemnations and bigger concerns. David Mauricio Castrillón Kerrigan of the Centre for Research and Special Projects of the University Externado of Colombia told CGTN that the U.S. Democratic Party’s dark electoral landscape in November motivated the Democrat’s visit, saying it was likely that “they will lose control of the House of Rep-

resentatives, which Pelosi currently leads, and even lose control of the Senate.” “Sadly, this appears to be an electoral strategy, which in the long run will not benefit the party, let alone the country and overall stability,” Kerrigan told CGTN. Pelosi staged a long-planned political adventure show for the sake of her own political profit and at the expense of China-U.S. relations and stability in East Asia by provoking tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Wu Yi, director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told CGTN. Beyond experts and analysts on international relations, opposition to the 82-year-old visit can also be found on the streets of Taiwan, as protesters gathered outside the hotel she stayed at chanting “Pelosi, get out!”

11 Sports 4 August 2022 Khi_Layout 1 8/3/2022 11:49 PM Page 1

Thursday, 4 August, 2022 | KARACHI

SPORTS 11

Pak wOmen’S CwG CamPaiGn endS with third StraiGht lOSS BIRMINGHAM

Agencies

AKISTAN women’s dismal campaign in the ongoing Commonwealth Games ended on Wednesday as they conceded a third straight defeat in their Group A match at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham on Wednesday. In their last group match, Pakistan women were thrashed by 44-run by formidable Australia outfit. Australia elected to bat first after winning the toss. They suffered early blows as Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning fell cheaply

to leave their side shaky at two for 18 after 5.2 overs. However, Beth Mooney (70*) and Tahlia McGrath (78*) provided an unbeaten 141-run stand to lift Australia to a challenging 2/160 in 20 overs. The 141-run stand between the two is the fourth-highest for Australia women. Besides, their highest third-wicket partnership in T20Is, this is Australia’s highest stand against Pakistan women for any wicket in T20Is. In reply, Pakistan started off shakily in the run chase, losing two wickets in the first two overs. Bismah Maroof and Omaima Sohail tried to resurrect the innings with a promising partnership, but it did not last

PCB drops fast bowler hasan ali for Odis and asia Cup

long. Omaima was cleaned up by Alana King and Aliya Riaz was dismissed soon after, running herself out after a misjudged second run. Bismah held the innings together for a while, but once she was dismissed by McGrath getting to the three-figure mark itself appeared challenging for Pakistan. Tahlia McGrath added a third wicket to her tally to complete a brilliant all-round showing as Australia sealed an emphatic win. Australia have maintained their hundred per cent record in Group A, winning all three fixtures. They have also booked a berth in the semifinals and will meet either New Zealand or England.

ASIA CUP 2022

Pak vs India clash expected thrice ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD The AssociATed Press

sTAFF rePorT

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped fast bowler Hasan Ali for a limited-overs series against the Netherlands and the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hasan has been struggling in the white-ball formats since 2019, claiming 16 wickets in 18 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 27 wickets in his last 21 T20 matches. “Hasan has been given a break from international cricket and he has been replaced by Naseem Shah,” chief selector Mohammad Wasim said in a statement Wednesday. Naseem “is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast bowling department, which already boasts Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani.” Naseem has taken 33 wickets in 13 Test matches, but is yet to make his international debut in the shorter formats. Wasim said Naseem has “demonstrated with the red ball that he is an attacking option with good pace and controlled swing.” Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against the Netherlands in Rotterdam from August 16-21 before competing in the Asia Cup from August 27 to September 11. Opening batters Abdullah Shafique aq, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris, middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha and leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood will be part of the ODI team. Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir will join the squad for the Asia Cup. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was retained in both the squads after missing out on last month’s second Test against Sri Lanka because of a knee injury. The PCB said Afridi’s rehabilitation programme will be overseen by the team trainer and physiotherapist. Pakistan’s training camp will be held in Lahore from August 611 before the squad flies to Amsterdam on August 12. SquadS: OdIs: Babar azam (captain), Shadab Khan, abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Salman ali agha, Shaheen Shah afridi, Shahnawaz dahani and Zahid Mehmood.

Any match between Pakistan and India always attracts cricket lovers from across the globe and this time, during the Asia Cup 2022, the arch-rivals are expected to come face-to-face thrice. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has released the complete schedule of the tournament, which is set to start on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai and Sharjah will host a 13-day tournament, which is based on the T20 format. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who are placed in Group A, will meet in a high-voltage contest on August 28 (Sunday) in Dubai. In group A, the third team will come from qualifiers. UAE, Singapore, Kuwait, and Hong

Kong will compete to join India and Pakistan in group A. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh are placed in group B. As per the tournament’s

schedule, the top two teams in each group will play again in the super 4 stages. If India and Pakistan finish on top of

Peaty rediscovers his spark after winning 50m breaststroke gold

asia Cup: Babar azam (captain), Shadab Khan, asif ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah afridi, Shahnawaz dahani, and usman qadir.

LONDON reuTers

England’s Adam Peaty said winning 50 metres breaststroke gold at the Commonwealth Games had helped him rediscover his spark — just days after he said he had lost it. The 27-year-old triple Olympic gold medallist clocked 26.76 seconds on Tuesday to claim his first Commonwealth Games title in the event, ahead of Australia’s Sam Williamson and Scotland’s Ross Murdoch. Peaty had said he was “heartbroken” and missing his usual spark after finishing fourth in Sunday’s 100m final, an event which he won at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games. “I had two options this morning — I either fight or don’t

fight,” said Peaty, who had to miss the world championships in June after breaking a bone in his foot. “Everyone who knows me, knows I fight. “That means so much to me, because what I have been through the last five years. I lost my spark towards the beginning of the week and I have it back now. “A lot of people have got to understand that I reached the bottom of the bottom yesterday and to bring myself up with the crowd in my own mind and that is the result. I am so glad I got that loss earlier in the week because these wins feel so much more alive and so much better.” Peaty also joked that he could “retire now” after adding the elusive medal to his collection.

PCB announces Pakistan’s squad for Asia Cup 2022 and Netherlands ODIs StAff REpORt The Asia Cup will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 27 August to 11 September, while the ODI series against the Netherlands will take place from August 16-21. Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been named in both squads in place of Hasan Ali, while Salman Ali Agha, who toured England in 2021 for the ODIs, has been recalled. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in the ODI and T20I squads, and his rehabilitation programme will be overseen by the team trainer and physiotherapist, who will also decide on his return to international cricket. There will be five changes from the

group A, they will meet again on September 4 (Sunday). Four teams will play against each other in the Super 4 stage. The top two teams will then qualify for the final which is scheduled on September 11 (Sunday). Being in top-notch form in T20Is recently, Pakistan and India are also hot favourites to play the final match of the tournament. veteran batsman Shoaib Malik was being discussed to be included and Twitter trend has been running for the past three days with rumours that Babar Azam had asked Malik to be included in the Asia Cup team but it seems that PCB administration had objected to include the veteran. Babar Azam wanted to include Shoaib Malik to strengthen Middle Order batting which has collapsed during Sri Lanka visit.

Netherlands ODI squad to the ACC T20 Asia Cup side. Abdullah Shafique, Imamul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood will be replaced by Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir. In a statement, chief selector Muhammad Wasim said the PCB has only made “changes that were necessary”. “Both the competitions are important for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players in consultation with the captain and head coach,” he said. Squads: Pakistan squad for ACC T20 Asia Cup: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mo-

hammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Usman Qadir. Pakistan squad for Netherlands ODIs: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ulHaq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Zahid Mehmood. Schedule: ACC T20 Asia Cup Group a – India, Pakistan and Qualifier (one of UAE, Kuwait and Hong Kong to qualify) Group B – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka

aug 28 – Pakistan v India, dubai Sep 2 – Pakistan v qualifier, Sharjah Sep 3-9 Super Four Stage Sep 11 Final, dubai Tour of Netherlands aug 16 1st OdI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam aug 18 2nd OdI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam aug 21 3rd OdI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam Training camp The training camp for the players will be held in Lahore from 6-11 August, during which they will also play two 50-over matches. The side will depart for Amsterdam in the wee hours of Friday, 12 August. T20I players will join the squad in Dubai for the ACC T20 Asia Cup on 22 August.

Osaka makes triumphant return with three-set San Jose win LOS ANGELES AFP

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made a triumphant return from a two-month layoff by defeating Chinese teen Zheng Qinwen on Tuesday at the WTA San Jose hardcourt tournament. The 24-year-old Japanese star outlasted the gritty 19-year-old 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in a first-round match at the US Open tune-up tournament. Osaka had not played a competitive match since losing in the first round of the French Open due to a left Achilles tendon injury. “It’s really cool to be back playing,” Osaka said after the victory. “I haven’t played since May. I didn’t know that. Somebody told me that. It’s really good to be back.” Former world number one Osaka, whose ranking has slid to 41st, will next play in the second round against the winner of a later match between 18-year-old American sixth seed Coco Gauff, this year’s French Open runner-up, and Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine. The match marked the return of Osaka’s father, Leonard Francois, as her coach. She had been working with Wim Fissette for the past two years.

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Thursday, 4 August, 2022

pRayeR timiNgS

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FAJR SUNRISE

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coaS attendS Funeral; meetS FamilieS oF helicoPter craSh martyrS: iSPr raWaLPiNDi:

Staff RepoRt

HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday attended the funeral prayers of Corps Commander Quetta Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali and Brigadier Muhammad Khalid Shaheed in Quetta, who among six soldiers embraced martyrdom during a helicopter crash in Lasbela while supervising flood relief operation in Balochistan. According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Balochistan Governor Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, and senior military and government officials also attended the funeral. The army chief met the families of martyred Lt-Gen Sarfaraz Ali and Brig Muhammad Khalid. He also held a meeting with the family of martyred Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Baig Mirza. The funeral prayers of other martyred soldiers were offered in their native towns. The Namaz-e-Janaza of Major Talha Shaheed was offered in Rawalpindi. Chief of

PSX witness recovery as kSe-100 index gains over 900 points Karachi NewS deSk

The benchmark KSE-100 index gained over 900 points during intraday trading on Wednesday as analysts said clarity regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal had led to fresh buying. The huge buying witnessed on the back of massive Pakistani rupee recovery of Rs10 in intraday trade. The Rupee was being traded at around Rs228 per USD in the interbank . Further, the recovery is also attributed to the improved economic fundamentals as the import bill in July 2022 has been reduced to $4.86 billion, down by 38.31% MoM, compared to $7.88 billion in the previous month. While compared to the corresponding month the previous year, the imports showed a decline of 12.81% from $5.57 billion reported in July 2021. Accordingly, the trade deficit for the outgoing month narrowed to $2.64 billion compared to a deficit of $4.96 billion in the preceding month, witnessing an improvement of 46.77% MoM. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail stated on Monday, “Government’s efforts to reduce imports have now finally started showing results and the government is keen to work on making the economic crisis less.” On the same day, in an interview with Bloomberg, while giving a clue of upcoming stability he said that Pakistan sees a way out of its current economic crisis without descending into default, thanks to progress on a stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan as well as spending cuts.

General Staff Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas, Commander Rawalpindi Corps Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, senior serving and retired military officials, relatives of the Shaheed and people from all walks of life attended the funeral. Later, Major Talha was buried with full military honours as a Pakistan Army contingent presented a guard of honour. Lt-Gen Mirza presented the National Flag to his father and also laid a wreath on his grave. The funeral prayer of Naik Mudassar Fayyaz was offered in Shakargarh, Narowal. The General Officer Commanding Sialkot Garrison, senior military and civil officials including district police officer and deputy commissioner attended the funeral. A Pakistan Army contingent presented the guard of honour to him, while the National Flag was presented to his family and a wreath were laid on his grave. The Namaz-e-Janaza of Shaheed Major Saeed was held in Larkana. The Commander Logistics Pannu Aqil Garrison, serving senior officers, soldiers, relatives, and a large number of people attended the prayer. The National Flag was also presented to his father.

IJAZUL HAQ CALLS ON IMRAN

Early polls only way out of prevailing quagmire: PTI chief

iSLaMaBaD: Staff RepoRt

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Wednesday that the country’s economy is heading towards destruction, underscoring that early elections is the only way to steer the country out of the prevailing turmoil. Talking to Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z) chief Ijazul Haq, who called on him at his Bani Gala res-

idence in Islamabad, Imran Khan said all that the rulers wanted was ‘NRO’. “And that’s why they had come to power,” he said, adding, “The coalition government has done nothing for the country’s economy.” Both the leaders discussed the prevailing political situation of the country and expressed the resolve to continue working together to salvage the situation. They also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of senior army officers,

including the core commander Quetta, in a helicopter crash in Lasbela Balochistan, and prayed to The Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace. The PTI chairman, on the occasion, said he had good relations with Lt-Gen Sarfaraz Ali. “He was an extremely competent and honest person,” Imran said while paying tribute to the late army officer. Speaking on the occasion, Ijazul Haq said that the government had been left with no option. “That’s why sometimes it tries to get PTI out of political race through judiciary and sometimes through the Election Commission of Pakistan,” he said, adding, “However, all their efforts will fail.” Ijaz said that the ECP’s decision was similar to the one given on the National Awami Party (NAP) several decades ago. “But the world has changed now. Everybody should bear this thing in mind that neither ban on the NAP had produced desirable results, nor any kind of ban on PTI, the most popular party of the country, will be welcomed by the people,” he stated categorically.

SBP introduceS Foreign currency BuSineSS accountS For nrPS

SBP PiB auction: rS298.5Bn raiSed againSt Businesses with majority shareholding by non-resident a target oF rS175Bn

Pakistanis allowed to invest in govt securities KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday introduced a separate category of foreign exchange (FX) accounts named as Foreign Currency Business Value Accounts (FCBVA). These accounts are to facilitate business entities incorporated abroad with a majority shareholding of nonresident Pakistanis which include companies, associations, foundations, limited liability partnerships, societies, trusts, waqfs, and other similar legal agreements. Sole proprietors and unregistered partnerships, however, will not be able to operate such accounts. As per a circular by the SBP, legal entities incorporated or registered abroad and a majority (51% or more) owned and/or controlled by non-resident Pakistanis and/or non-resident Pakistan origin card can open an FCBVA account through an authorized dealer (AD) or bank. Banking operations for FCBVA can be through electronic channels in addition to conventional modes in practice. Account holders can also get a cheque book. ADs, however, are required to provide online real-time convertibility from FX to PKR based on the request made by the account and also indicate the exchange rate applicable for each transaction. This can be done electronically for eligible debits. ADs will also need to monitor such accounts for money laundering and/ or terrorist financing. Staff RepoRt

Yields for both 3 and 5 year bonds go down by 5bp KARACHI: The government raised Rs298.5 billion of debt against a target of Rs175bn, primarily focused on a 5-year tenor In a Pakistan Investment Bond (PIB) auction on Wednesday. The 3-year cut-off yields decreased by 5bps to 13.95 per cent raising Rs93.08 bn. Similarly, the 5-year cut-off yields also decreased by 5bp bringing them to 12.4pc. The government raised Rs205.42 through 5-year PIBs. The government rejected all bids for 10-year bonds, while no bids were received in 15-year, 20-year, and 30-year PIBs. “The government managed to raise 70pc higher than the target. Yields have also gone down 5bp for both 3 and 5 year bonds. A majority of the bids were tilted towards longer maturities i.e. in 5yrs and 10yrs, indicating that the interest rate cycle has most likely peaked out,” Head of research at Arif Habib Limited Tahir Abbas said while speaking with Profit. aRiba Shahid

govt does away with fuel-based power generation plants iSLaMaBaD ahmad ahmadaNi

The government on Wednesday decided that no power generation plants producing fuelbased electricity would be installed in the country from now onwards. This was informed by the secretary Power Division while briefing the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Power held here under the chairmanship of the Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari. MNAs Chaudhary Khalid Javed, Sardar Muhammad Arfan Dogar, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Saira Bano, Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla, Muhammad Abdul Ghafar Wattoo, Makhdoom Syed Sami-ul-Hussain Gillani, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali and senior officials from the Ministry of Power Division attended the meeting. While discussing the Regulation of Generation, Transmission, and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2021, the power division’s secretary informed the committee that the provincial rotation clause creates hurdles in the appointment of members of electricity and finance. The committee recommended that after one month, the vacant post should be filled on open merit to make the appellate tribunal functional. Moreover, the committee also passed the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (Amendment) Bill, 2022, unanimously.

SBP crackS down on FX comPanieS and BankS, PenaltieS imPoSe A meeting of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan has been called on Aug 4 WEDNESDAY: In view of recent volatility in the exchange rate and the difference between the interbank rate and the rate offered by Exchange Companies (ECs) and banks to their customers, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has increased the monitoring of the foreign exchange operations of ECs and banks. In this regard, SBP started inspections of a number of exchange companies and banks since August 1. On Tuesday, August 2, the SBP suspended the operations of four branches of two ECs including Galaxy Exchange Co and Al-Hameed International Money Exchange Co for violating SBP regulations. The SBP has also imposed monetary penalties on some ECs in the recent past. Due to violations of SBP instructions, arrangements of 13 franchises have been terminated by six different ECs in the recent past. In order to further assess the performance of ECs, the SBP has also started mystery shopping throughout Pakistan This is to investigate the apprehensions that some ECs are not selling foreign currency to their customers. A meeting of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan has also been called on August 4, 2022. In a press release on Wednesday, the central bank stated that if needed, it will augment its enforcement actions on the ECs and banks in light of findings of on-going inspections and mystery shopping. Staff RepoRt

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