Issuu

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 I 7 Muharram, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 37 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

GOVT DECLARES EMERGENCY IN FLOOD-HIT AREAS

PM directs release of rs5 billion to ndMa

ISLAMABAD

staff report

HE federal government, on the direction of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday declared emergency in the country’s rain and flood affected areas. The prime minister has also directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately release Rs. 5 billion to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a press release issued by the PM Media Wing here said. He was presiding over a meeting held here to review the flood situation, which was attended by federal ministers, advisors, members of parliament, chief secretaries of all provinces including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, Chairman NDMA and Director Gen-

eral Met Office. During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed in detail about the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the country. Describing the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people as a national obligation, he said, “We have to help masses beyond our political interests.” The prime minister said that during his visit to the flood affected areas he talked about unity and national cohesion so that this big challenge could be tackled collectively. The prime minister also constituted a highlevel committee to ensure effective rescue and relief activities through coordination between NDMA and the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs). The committee will comprise Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Min-

ister for Communication Maulana Asad Mahmood, Minister for Housing and Works Maulana Abdul Wasay, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Advisor to PM on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chairman NDMA and Secretary Communication. He said that the committee should hold its meeting today (Friday) and give suggestions for better coordination between federal and provincial institutions. The prime minister said that in view of the climate change, there was a need to formulate medium-term and long-term policies. He called upon the provincial governments to send authentic information and reports to the federal government so as to assess the damages caused by rains and flood at the earliest. The prime minister said that in order to avoid rain and flood related losses in future, there was a need of converting all the development projects in line with the climate change priorities. The committees comprising federal ministers, who visited the flood affected areas, briefed the meeting about the problems regarding rescue and relief. In his televised remarks at the meeting, the prime minister said that his visits to the floodhit areas were meant to identify the gaps and address the lack of coordination, if there was any, to tackle the challenge through collective efforts. He said no doubt the flash floods had badly hit the Balochistan province where logistics the rehabilitation efforts was a challenge owing to widely scattered population. He said the joint survey was inevitable to make the government assess the damages and pay compensation for the damaged structures and other losses.

UAE to invest $1b in Pakistani companies: state news agency DUBAI reuters & Monitoring report

The United Arab Emirates intends to invest $1 billion in Pakistani companies across various sectors, state news agency (WAM) reported citing an official source in Abu Dhabi. The UAE is keen to continue cooperation with Pakistan “in various fields, which include gas, energy infrastructure, renewable energy, health care,” the agency added. The move will likely help revive investor sentiment in the country, which has been beset by dwin-

dling foreign exchange reserves as well as a depreciating rupee. However, as an IMF bailout programme becomes clearer, sentiment has improved and the stock market on Friday rallied by some 670 points. The IMF is likely to start the process for releasing the seventh and eighth tranches of a loan programme for Pakistan later this week, IMF and diplomatic sources told Dawn. The report by Dawn claims that IMF had asked Pakistan to get assurances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that they would

give an expected $4bn loan to the country after the IMF releases its tranche. “The Pakistanis received, and conveyed, the assurance from the two friendly countries,” a senior diplomatic source said according to Dawn. “So, we see no problem in the board’s approval.” But other sources said Pakistan had been warned “not to allow the political situation to go out of hand”. The government had further been told that “street violence and protests by the opposition or a government crack-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05 down on PTI leaders can have a negative impact on the deal”, the report adds. Moreover, the report quoted a source saying that the US media, while commenting on Gen. Bajwa’s calls to US diplomatic and military officials three days ago, pointed out that “Pakistan’s military, which has directly ruled the country for more than half of its 75-year history, has closely worked with the US and is an official ally in the war on terror against Al Qaeda. And the calls have helped, but even the Americans cannot persuade the IMF to circumvent its procedure”. Another report noted that “the revival of IMF’s bailout package will help Pakistan and encourage other international financial institutions to engage with the country”.

Firepower, cyber have emerged as mainstay of future war: COAS RAWALPINDI staff report

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the newlyraised Army Cyber Command and its two main components — Cyber Division and Army Centre of Emerging Technologies, the military said on Friday. “Nature and character of warfare are changing. Firepower and cyber have emerged as the mainstay of future war and we need to enhance our capability and capacity in these

domains,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying. “The newly-raised Cyber Command shall progressively be linked to Tri-Services level and will also form part of national cyber initiatives to have synergy at a national level,” the COAS added. Gen Bajwa was received by Commander Army Cyber Command Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor. Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Lt General Azhar Abbas and other senior military officers were also present on the occasion.

A day earlier, COAS General Bajwa visited the Military College of Engineering (MCE) in Risalpur and appreciated engineers’ contributions during counterterrorism operations, the military said. The ISPR had said in a statement that the army chief laid a floral wreath at Shahuada monument and offered Fateha upon arrival at the MCE Risalpur. The COAS was also briefed about training modules and various training facilities at MCE including Counter IEDs Explosive Munitions School (CEMS), Combat and Civil Engineering wings.

ECP summons Imran in Prohibited Funding Case on August 23 ISLAMABAD staff report

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on August 23 in the prohibited funding case. The ECP posted a notice on its website requiring PTI chairman Imran Khan to appear before the commission regarding the case. ‘”Notice to Chairman Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf in terms of Rule 6 of Political Parties Rule 2006, in compliance of judgment by the commission dated August 2 in case title Akbar Sher Babar” for hearing fixed for August 23, at 10am. Earlier this week, the electoral body ruled that the PTI did indeed receive prohibited funding and issued a notice to the party asking why the funds should not be confiscated. A three-member ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had passed the judgment in a case filed by PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar pending since November 14, 2014. In the written verdict, the commission noted that the party “knowingly and wilfully” received funding from Wootton Cricket Limited, operated by business tycoon Arif Naqvi. The party was a “willing recipient” of prohibited money of $2,121,500, it said. The ECP said that the party “knowingly and wilfully” also received donations from Bristol Engineering Services (a UAE-based company), E-Planet Trustees (a Cayman Islands private registered company), SS Marketing Manchester (a UK-based private company), PTI USA LLC-6160 and PTI USA LLC-5975 which were “hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani laws”. It went on to say that the party also received donations through PTI Canada Corporation and PTI UK Public Limited Company. “From both the companies, the amounts received into its accounts of PTI Pakistan are hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani laws.” Further, the party received donations from Australiabased company Dunpec Limited, and Pakistani companies Anwar Brothers, Zain Cotton and Young Sports which was again in violation of the law. “PTI Pakistan, through fundraising campaigns by PTI USA LLC-6160 and PTI USA LLC-5975, was a recipient of donations from 34 foreign nationals and 351 foreignbased companies. Collection of donations and contributions from foreign nationals and companies are hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani laws,” it said. The electoral watchdog also said that the PTI had been found to be a beneficiary of donations made by Romita Shetty, a US-based business woman of Indian-origin which was in violation of the law. The ECP said the party had only owned eight accounts before the commission and declared 13 accounts to be unknown. “The data obtained from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reveals that all the 13 accounts disowned by the PTI were opened and operated by senior PTI management and leadership at [a] central and provincial level.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

IndIan tyRanny Can’t CRUSh KaShMIRIS SPIRIt: IMRan ISLAMABAD

StAff rePort

ORMER prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Friday condemned the worst human rights violations by Modi regime in India illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir “The Delhi would have to reverse its illegal decision of revoking Articles 370 and

35A of the Indian Constitution due to the spirit and high morale of Kashmiris.” In a message from his Twitter handle, Khan said that on 5 August 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government violated the UNSC resolutions and international law by illegally revoking the special status of IIOJK. He continued that the Modi government then moved to commit a war crime under Fourth Geneva Convention by altering the

demography of IIOJK. “They assumed the moves would crush spirit of Kashmiri resistance but the Kashmiris’ spirit of resistance became stronger and it continues to strengthen.” He said that the selective morality of the international community and silence against India’s brazen violations of all international laws and UNSC resolutions is condemnable. “We are asked to echo condemnations on issues of human rights the powerful in the

[international] community take up; but when it comes to India & its massive human rights violations in IIOJK there is complete silence by the same powers,” Imran Khan said, adding that it was because of India’s market or its strategic military partnerships. It is pertinent to mention here that Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and all over the world are observing Youm-e-Istehsal today (Friday) to register their protest against Narendra Modi-led

Rupee continues to gain ground against US dollar

fascist Indian government’s illegal action taken on this day in 2019. The Modi regime in gross violation of the United Nations resolutions and international law scrapped Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomous status to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and imposed military siege in the territory on 5th August 2019. All Parties Hurriyat Conference has called for complete shutdown today to mark it as a black day.

Study in China: Students asked to get registered till 10th ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

StAff rePort

newS deSk

The US dollar continued its declining trend in the interbank and open market on Friday. In the interbank today, Pakistani rupee gained Rs2.15 against the dollar to reach Rs224. While in the open market, the dollar traded between Rs221 and Rs223. This persistent gain by the rupee has brought exchange rate stability as currency dealers feel that the fluctuations would not be as volatile as were witnessed in July when the dollar gained over 13 percent in a single month against the local currency. The SBP interbank closing rate for today was Rs224.04 per USD, rupee appreciated by 0.94%.

World Bank to start two energy projects of 245MW in KP

LAHORE: Civil society activists lighting candles to pay tribute to Pakistan Army officers who embraced martyred in helicopter crash, at Liberty Chowk. Photo by zubAir Mehfooz

Utility Stores increase prices of various items ISLAMABAD GhulAM AbbAS

PESHAWAR Aziz buneri

The World Bank will start two hydropower projects of 245 megawatts in Swat district this year. In this regard, the World Bank Mission under the leadership of World Bank Senior Energy Specialist Muhammad Saqib held a high-level meeting with Secretary Energy and Power Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah here on Friday. CEO PEDO Engineer Naeem Khan, KHRE Program Chief Engineer Shah Hussain, Project Director Gabral Kalam Power Project Asif Kamal, Project Director Maiden Power Project Mustafa Kamal and Project Director Feasibility Studies and Management Engineer Muhammad Faraz were present in the meeting. The meeting was informed that with the WB’s financial support, the construction work on two hydropower projects in Swat district will be launched in connection with the development of KP’s energy sector, including the 157 MW Maiden Hydropower Project and the 88 MW Gabral Kalam Hydropower Project. In this regard, an agreement of $450 million has been signed between the WB and the provincial government. These projects will be completed by 2027, from which the province will earn an annual income of over Rs13 billion. During the meeting, Secretary Power Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah appreciated the steps taken by the World Bank for providing financial support in the energy sector and for the development of the energy sector in the province, expressing hope that foreign investment will come to the province from the above mentioned projects, which will help the province. Moreover, Chief Executive PEDO Engr. Naeem Khan assured the representative delegation of World Bank that he will do his best to solve the problems faced in the province regarding energy projects, especially land acquisition.

The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has jacked up the prices of various items at its stores across the country following the same in other markets of the country. According to a notification, prices of branded tea, milk, spices, honey, toothpaste, shampoo, and other items have been increased by the government after which the price of 950 grams of branded tea has increased by Rs198, the price of tea has increased from Rs697 to Rs895, the price of milk has increased from Rs177 to Rs197, the price of a 260 gram jar of honey has increased from Rs310 to Rs425, the price of baby dry milk supplement has increased from Rs1,360 to Rs1,450, and the price of shampoos of different brands has increased by up to Rs30. Following this, the price change

notification for various brands has also been issued at utility stores. The additional prices will be applicable immediately. It may be recalled that the USC had also announced an increase in the prices of pulses and other food items across all utility stores of the country earlier in June. Meanwhile, justifying the price increase, an official stockperson of USC claimed that the prices were rationalized in order to improve demand and supply and ensure uninterrupted supply of branded items at all utility stores across the country. The spokesperson said that the USC has only increased the prices of a few branded items which was prompted by the price hikes issued by the companies. “Various national and multinational branded companies supplying goods to utility stores have increased the prices of their products, while prices of pulses

have also been increased generally,” he added. He further added that prices of these commodities were kept stable since March/April. “Utility Stores Corporation does not manufacture or produce itself but purchases from reputed and certified branded companies of the country”. “When raw material prices increase, production charges and transportation charges increase too, and as a result, the product cost also increases due to which the prices have to be revised,” the spokesperson said. However, he said, the new prices of these items at utility stores will still be 5% below the printed retail market price. As per USC, subsidized ghee is cheaper by Rs150 per kg, sugar by Rs20 to Rs25 per kg and a bag of 20 kg flour by Rs700 all of its stores across the country. The price of white gram is Rs20-40 per kg and dal gram is Rs1520 per kg less than the market.

APP

Pakistan has called on India to stop human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reverse demographic changes there, and restore the State’s identity by rescinding its “illegal” measures of 5 August 2019 to pave the way for a dialogue aimed at resolving the decades-old dispute. “The onus is on India to create conditions for a dialogue to resolve the

Indian troops martyr Kashmiri youth in Kulgam SRINAGAR AGencieS

Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, today, martyred one Kashmiri youth in Kulgam district. According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Redwani area of the district. Earlier, one Indian soldier was injured in an attack in the same area. The operation was going on till last reports came in.

Emlaak: Pakistan’s first mutual fund marketplace KARACHI AribA ShAhid

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail formally inaugurated Emlaak Financials, a digital aggregator platform for mutual funds at the Central Depository Company (CDC) House here on Friday. The platform is a first of its kind for the Pakistani market. The pilot for Emlaak had been launched in 2021 to help with Sahulat account opening which can be done through the platform. Following that, the CDC collaborated with the Mutual Fund Industry on ways to enhance the product and expand its

offerings. The full-fledged account opening feature has now been launched through the online investment portal which is the first of its kind in Pakistan allowing multiple funds from different AMCs to be offered to investors through a single platform. What this means is an investor can open an easy Sahulat account or a regular Sarmayakari account. What are mutual funds and why would anyone invest? Through the mutual fund aggregator, investors can open their mutual fund accounts digitally from anywhere. They do not have to go to a brick-and-mortar office of an asset

management company and can browse the number of options. To define it very plainly, a mutual fund is a way of investing money alongside other investors in order to benefit from the inherent advantages of working as part of a group such as reducing the risks of the investment by a significant percentage. Essentially, you do not invest in an asset management company, you simply give them your money and pool that money with other like-minded individual and organizational investors, and then use that pool of money to invest for you. It also gives the opportunity to single,

Pakistan urges India to rescind its ‘illegal’ 2019 actions in Kashmir, resolve dispute NEW YORK

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has asked the students desirous to return to China for resumption of their studies to register till August 10 which is the last date of form submission. Earlier the HEC had given the deadline of July 20 for the students who stranded due to COVID-19 for returning to China to resume their studies however extended the deadline till August 10 to facilitate the students who were unable to register. According to an official of HEC, the information will be shared with the Chinese authorities for further procedure and verification of the submitted documents. The students can get information about the procedure to register online through the website on www.hec.gov.pk. It is pertinent to mention here that around 100 students were sent to China through a special flight of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to continue their education. A large number of students enrolled in Chinese universities were sent back to Pakistan by the Chinese government at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak however now the government has eased the restrictions after the situation normalized.

Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Ambassador Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, said in his opening remarks at a webinar on Saturday organized by the Pakistan Mission to mark Youm-e-Istehsal – the third anniversary of the Indian siege of occupied Jammu & Kashmir. At the same time, he said that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions that have granted the people of Kashmir the

right to self-determination.. “The only legal basis for the resolution of the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir is the Security Council’s decision contained in Resolution 47 of 1948 and several subsequent Security Council resolutions, stipulating that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is to be decided by its people through a free and fair plebiscite conducted under UN supervision,” the Pakistan envoy said. Pakistan desires peaceful relations with

India, but New Delhi was heightening tensions in the region by resorting to state terrorism against the besieged Kashmiri people. “To avoid this obligation and justify its colonial occupation and oppression, India has sought to portray the Kashmiri freedom struggle as ‘terrorism’,” he said, adding that the Kashmiris were campaigning for their recognized right to self-determination and that cannot be equated with terrorism. Ambassador Akram denounced India’s

small to medium-sized investors to put their money in high stake businesses in the form of a pool and participate in that part of the economy. Mutual funds do not just cater to individual investors, however. They also provide advice to large capital investors on where to park their money, provide management of excess assets for companies and also provide a place for companies to put their pension funds. In this way, these funds have a lot of money tied up in their investments both from large and small fish. What difference does Emlaak make? The concept of a digital aggregator for mutual funds has been fast gaining traction globally.

arrest and torture of the Kashmiri leadership, especially JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik, who was sentenced by a kangaroo court, and called for his immediate release from jail where Malik had to resort to hunger strike. In his keynote speech, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, a Jordanian diplomat and a former UN High Commissioner for Human Right, referred to the first-ever report on the situation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir that he authored in 2018 and the one issued by his successor, Michelle Bachelet, saying these two reports along with the recommendations contained in them are very much still UN documents, and must be implemented.

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

KaShMIR dISPUte Battle oF hoPe agaInSt oveRWhelMIng oddS: ShehBaz ISLAMABAD

StAff rePort

RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Friday Kashmiris and said the territory’s dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds as the nation marks Youm-e-Istehsal to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren. “The Jammu & Kashmir dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming

odds, of courage against fear, & of sacrifice against tyranny,” the prime minister said in a series of tweets. He mentioned this day marks the third sombre anniversary of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, that aimed to change the internationally recognised disputed status of IoJK and alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory. Over the last decades, PM Shehbaz said India has used unbridled force with complete

impunity. “Generations after generations, brave Kashmiris have persevered in the face of fear, intimidation, torture, and worst forms of human rights violations. Indian oppression has failed to dent their resolve.” Today, PM Shehbaz said the country pays rich tributes to all the martyrs of occupied Kashmir for their ultimate sacrifice and to their families for their resolve and courage. Pakistanis are observing Youm-eIstehsal today to mark the third year of the

Indian military siege of occupied Kashmir and denounce illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional steps to strip its special status. On August 5, 2019, the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government struck down Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution, thereby scrapping the law that granted Kashmir its special status. In his message on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi said the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the

relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is the only way to ensure durable peace and stability in the region. The president said Pakistan honours the sacrifices of the Kashmiris in their just struggle for their right to self-determination. The president said India’s August 5 actions contravene several UNSC resolutions which stipulated that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people through a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the UN. He called upon the international community to take practical steps to hold India accountable for its gross and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK and to facilitate a peaceful resolution of this long-standing dispute.

New spell likely from 10th : Pakistan received 133pc above average rainfall: NDMA ISLAMABAD StAff rePort

KP finance dept releases over Rs80b for development projects PESHAWAR Aziz buneri

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finance department under the Annual Development Program (ADP) for 2022-23 has released development funds of over Rs80.54 billion to all provincial departments. The finance department sources said that 50 percent of funds for the ongoing and approved projects have been released, however, punching of funds will take place at the end of August. In addition, sources said that the KP government does not have enough resources to punch funds for development projects. The departments would be able to get funds after being punched by the Finance Department. A letter sent by the KP finance department to all administrative secretaries of the province revealed that the highest funds of Rs16.25 billion have been released for roads construction, Rs13.27 billion for multi-sectoral development, Rs7.87 billion for health, and Rs6.71 billion for water supply projects. Similarly, Rs4.59 billion for primary and secondary education, Rs5 billion for sports and tourism, Rs4.19 billion for drinking water and drainage, Rs4.75 billion for urban development, Rs2.72 billion for higher education, Rs3.24 billion for agriculture, Rs2.55 billion for energy and power and Rs1.9 billion for relief and rehabilitation. According to the letter, a total of Rs80.54 billion has been released for the ongoing and approved projects of various sectors as per the policy during the current financial year. Other departments to receive funds include Awqaf and Hajj, Establishment and Administration, Excise Taxation and Narcotics, Finance, Forests, Interior, Housing, Industries, Law and Justice, Interior, Local Government, Population welfare and social welfare, Transport, Information, Food, Minerals, and housing.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday said the country received unprecedented rainfall during the prevailing monsoon season which was 133% above average. The prevailing abnormal monsoon rainfall pattern has surpassed the past 30-year record of rains in the season, the NDMA spokesperson in a news release said. The rainfall ratio recorded in the federating units of the country revealed that the Balochistan province has been inundated by massive downpours and has received over 305% rains, whereas in Sindh the rainfall tendency recorded was 218% more, in Punjab more than 101%, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 26% more rains than average, in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) 68% more rains, and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 9% more than average rains were recorded during the ongoing season. The damages and deaths due to rains and floods being recorded noted 11 deaths in various incidents amid monsoon rains in the past 24 hours.

The total number of deaths due to floods and rains across the country has reached 549 while the number of injured was 628 reported across the country whereas none of the injured were in serious condition. However, some 46,219 houses were damaged due to floods and rains whereas rescue and relief operations were underway in the flood-affected areas. On the directives of the Prime Minister, the distribution of relief cheques of Rs 1 million per person to the flood victims was also in progress. The NDMA also handed over relief goods to State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA) of Sindh and Balochistan. The relief items included tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and mosquito nets. The NDMA also handed over 60,000 litres of drinking water to PDMA Balochistan on behalf of Nestlé whereas the mineral water would be distributed in Quetta, Jhal Magsi, and Jafarabad. The PDMA Balochistan handed over 100 tents to the Harnai administration whereas the humanitarian organisations continued to deliver relief goods in the rain-affected

PDM parties hold postponed meeting today ISLAMABAD StAff rePort

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and coalition parties in the federal government would convene its postponed meeting here on Saturday (today). PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar will attend the meeting via video link from London. According to sources, the PDM and parties in the coalition government would hold the meeting to discuss the political scenario and devise future line of action.

The participants would be briefed about the cabinets’ decisions. The meeting was scheduled to be held on Thursday but was postponed due to PTI protest in Islamabad. According to sources, the PDM leadership postponed their third sitting due to the protest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other security reasons. The PDM and its allied parties were to hold a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House today for the third consecutive day seemingly to finalize a future course of action against Imran Khan.

Experts at LFK Forum say Kashmiris are in a state of war ISLAMABAD MiAn AbrAr

A nefarious design of Indian Settlements in Kashmir’ was organized by Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) on Friday, observing August 5 as Youm-e-Istehsal (day of exploitation) marking the third year of Indian military siege, illegal and unconstitutional revocation of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu Kashmir – IIOJK’s special status. The session was moderated by Advocate Nasir Qadri, Executive Director of LFK. The panellists included Dr Arshad Ali, Director of India Study Centre at the Institute of strategic studies, Islamabad; Farzana Yaqoob, former Minister for Social Welfare and Women’s Development in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Lt Gen Farooq Ramay; Sabah Aslam, Executive Director IICR; Mukhtar Ahmad Baba, Spokesperson Chairman APHC, Masarat Alam Bhat. Advocate Nasir Qadri, Executive director LFK, while delivering the opening remarks said that Kashmir is in a state of war, and the August 5, 2019 actions taken by India shall not be misconstrued as the initiation of Kashmir’s annexation or occupation. Rather, Jammu and Kashmir has been under Indian occupation since 1947, and the revocation of Jammu Kashmir’s semiautonomous status has led to the initiation of India’s settler colonial program in the occupied territory. Dr Arshad Ali, DG India Study Centre, ISSI, while addressing the panel said the need of the hour is to stay vigilant about Narendra Modi’s Hindutva agenda in Kashmir. He further asserted that the tactics like farcical delimitation and demographic engineering are being employed by BJP government in the occupied

territory. Dr Ali accentuated that India’s August 5, 2019 decisions are not just an assault on Kashmir, but rather an assault on the UNSC resolutions pertaining to Jammu Kashmir. He added that the geopolitical stance of global powers is also an impediment to the early resolution of Kashmir dispute, and hence alternative options must be sought to break the stalemate and to resolve the longstanding issue of Kashmir. Farzana Yaqoob, former Minister AJK, said that the focus should be on what should be done, and what can practically be done. While highlighting the highhandedness and tyranny encountered by Kashmiris at the hands of Indian Occupying Forces (IOF), she said that people in occupied Kashmir are being forced to leave their homeland or are threatened and pressurized so as to break their grit and will to keep on the freedom struggle.

She further added that the Kashmiris have legitimate rights to take up arms against the colonizer as a means of self-defense to safeguard their land, property, and rights. Lt Gen Farooq Ramay emphasized that the occupied territories are freed through force, and freedom is snatched and not begged for. He condemned the demographic changes being employed by the occupying forces in IOJK. He further advocated that Kashmiris should unanimously fight the colonizer with synergy and collective efforts to get rid of the occupation. Sabah Aslam, Executive Director of IICR, while speaking to the panel said that the Kashmir issue seems to be on the back burner. The collective efforts from the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistani people are the need of the hour. Each Pakistani is an advocate of the suffering Kashmiri brethren. She further highlighted the need for sensitization of the Pakistani academia and educational institutions about the systematic violence being committed by India against Kashmiris. She also recommended that an organized Pakistanbacked armed movement is necessary to impede the momentum of the demographic changes being enacted in IOJK by India with all its machinations. Mukhtar Ahmad Baba, Spokesperson Masarat Alam Bhat, apprised the panel of the post August 2019 situation in the occupied territory. He expounded how the Modi-led BJP government along with the 900,000 occupying forces, and more than two dozen law enforcement agencies have waged an all-out extermination operation against the indigenous Kashmiri populace.

areas and also set up medical camps in the disaster-hit areas. The Authority underlined that as per the situation of the river, the flow of water in the rest of the rivers was normal whereas the water situation in all the dams of the country was normal. The NDMA added that part of the Karakoram Highway was affected at Achar Nala near Dasu Dam, however, the highway was restored for light traffic movement. It added that all other national highways and motorways were operational whereas rehabilitation work was ongoing on provincial and local roads. RAIN ALERT ISSUED FROM AUGUST 10-13: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in an advisory issued on Friday revealed that the monsoon currents continuously penetrating in the country likely to become stronger from August 10 and would bring more rains in the country in the coming days. The PMD has advised the authorities to remain alert of the chances of increased water level in the catchment areas of rivers, flash flooding and landslides in the vulnerable places.

Cash margin requirement of deferred payments slashed KARACHI StAff rePort

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday reduced cash margin requirements on deferred payments. According to the details, the cash margin will now be 25% for payments from 91 to 180 days & 0% for payments beyond 180 days instead of the previous requirement of 100%. The cash margin requirements are applicable to the PKR equivalent amount of the import transaction whereas cash margins deposited by importers on all items subject to CMR would be nonremunerative. This change in the cash margin requirement, however, is applicable to all new import transactions initiated by the banks after the issuance of this circular. In the case of already initiated import transactions, the instructions may only be applied if the amendments, in terms of payments are made. The SBP further states that all other instructions on margin restriction of import of items remain unchanged.

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

SC SeekS NAB reSpONSe ON AmeNdmeNtS iN lAw ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

HE Supreme Court on Friday while hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition against the amendments in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, directed the accountability watchdog to submit its

response over the matter. A three-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case. During the course of proceedings, Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman said Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan had been nominated as the federal government’s

Expat files judicial reference against CEC LAHORE: A judicial reference has been filed with Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Friday. The reference has been moved by an overseas Pakistani named Aslam Malik through his lawyer Azhar Siddique Advocate. The applicant in his reference pleaded to remove CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and members Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over charges of misconduct in the PTI prohibited funding case verdict. The ECP declared overseas Pakistanis as foreigners in the PTI prohibited funding case verdict, which is in contradiction with the constitution of Pakistan, the judicial reference filed against CEC said. The reference claimed that Sikandar Raja Sultan had violated the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct and failed to fulfill his constitutional obligations. Aslam Malik further alleged that ECP, in the past also gave decisions against the law including its decision on the Punjab Assembly’s reserved seats. On Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) withdrew a reference filed with Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against the CEC. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in a statement, had said that the reference – filed against the Chief Election Commissioner – was withdrawn to highlight further legal aspects. The PTI will include the demand for reconsideration of ECP’s verdict in prohibited funding case in the reference. Staff RepoRt

Toshakhana gifts: ECP receives reference for Imran’s disqualification ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has received a reference from Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for disqualification of PTI chairman Imran Khan for concealing toshakhana gifts. The speaker sent the reference to the ECP a day back and stated that the former prime minister did not reveal the gifts taken from the toshakhana. “Imran Khan did not mention the amount received by him after selling toshakhana gifts in his tax returns,” it said, demanding the ECP to disqualify Imran Khan under Article 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution. Staff RepoRt

counsel in the case, who was then granted permission to present his arguments. Makhdoom Ali Khan said neither the bar councils nor the civil society had raised any objection to the NAB law amendments. Upon this, Advocate Khawaja Haris, counsel for Imran Khan, pointed out that the Islamabad Bar Council had challenged the amend-

ments in the high court. Makhdoom said efforts were being made to turn the Supreme Court into the third chamber of parliament. Several NAB cases had been fought over the years and the honourable judges knew what happened in the assets-beyond-means cases, he added. He said the president, instead of approving the NAB law, had sent a

letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which included suggestions regarding the amendments. The government had made the letter part of the case too, he added. Makhdoom said Imran Khan should be asked why he was opposing the amendment now, which he had earlier favoured. If it was a political strategy, he should use another forum instead of the court, he added.

Justice Ijaz said the court was not looking into who had introduced the law, but whether it violated fundamental rights. Justice Mansoor asked the counsel to inform the court how NAB contributed to the economy. Chief Justice Bandial said the economy was at the brink of collapse today. The court also had to look at the public interest, he added.

Speakers call for devising policy to handle E-waste ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Speakers at a policy conclave on E-waste management held at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) on Friday called for devising a revised policy with consolidated approach towards handling of E-waste. The event was arranged with support of Dr. Jabir Syed from the Meteorology Department and Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan from Incharge China Study Centre. Prof. Dr. Sajjad Ahmed Madani said that according to a live counter of ewaste in 2022, over nine million tons of electrical items have been disposed of. He recommended the usage of 3R’s and returning products to manufacturers rather than throwing them away. Dr Jabir Syed, Assistant Professor,

CUI, gave an overview about E-waste which includes all the electronics that are not being used anymore. As per the collected statistics, 53 million tons of E-waste is being produced every year. He mentioned that China has banned the solid waste in 2019 and they have extracted 1 ton of gold from E-waste. Prof. Dr. Perihan Kurt- Karakus, Busra Technical University, Turkey joined the conclave via video recording. She talked about the whole sampling strategy of their research process and gave a detailed description of the method which is being used by them to deal with the E-waste. Keynote speaker Deputy Director Ministry of Climate Change, Dr. Zaigham Abbas listed out various projects including Mina Matta Convention

and Basel Conventions. He supposed that we should also go for extracting precious metals from the E-waste. He sadly underlined the open burning of the E-waste in some cities of Pakistan. He explained that there are no adequate regulatory measures for handling the E-waste properly. Dr. Zaigham concluded with the remarks that we need to comply with international conventions and create mass awareness among the common people. He recommended a sound environment for the implementation of the policy made for the handling of the E-waste. Dr. Tahir Waseem, Pakistan Science Foundation, proposed some policies which included increasing the linkages between media academia and industry and provision of scholarships to the stu-

Pakistan observes Youm-e-Istehsal in solidarity with brethren in IIoJK ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Youm-e-Istehsal was observed across Pakistan on Friday to mark the completion of third year of Indian military siege of Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and denounce illegal, immoral and unconstitutional step to strip its special status. A series of activities including seminars and conferences to mark the Youm-e-Istehsal were held in the federal capital like across the country to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people while rallies were also staged with vibrant participation of people from all walks of life. The whole nation expressed solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren and expressed their support to them in their just struggle for right to independence and against the atrocities committed by the Indian forces. Kashmiri people on both sides of the Line of Control and all over the world also observed Youm-e-Istehsal to condemn unconstitutional step taken by India on August 5,

2019. The activists of all the political parties of the country recorded protest over Indian state terrorism meted out against innocent and unarmed people of IIoJK through rallies and other activities. The civil society organizations also arranged seminars and other programs to highlight gross human rights violations against the Kashmiri people. One minute silence was observed across the capital at 08:59 a.m. on Youm-e-Isthsaal to mark the completion of third year of Indian military siege of IIoJK and illegal, immoral and unconstitutional step to strip its special status. The traffic was also come to a halt on three points in the federal capital including Express Chowk Signal, Ayub Chowk and Faisal Avenue Chowk to express solidarity with Kashmiris. Meanwhile, posters and billboards were displayed at the main roads of Islamabad and other provincial capitals to highlight the plight of Kashmiri people and expose the atrocities being committed by the occupation forces in IIoJK.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also aired the song ‘Jalta Hai Kashmir’ to expose the atrocities of Indian army in Kashmir and show solidarity with Kashmiris against the Illegal occupation by India. The vocals of the song are given by Zohaib Zaman and music by Salman Ali while the lyrics are penned by Mushtaq Shad . To mark the Youm-e-istehsal, a rally was taken out from Foreign Office on the Constitution Avenue to express solidarity with oppressed Kashmiri people in which people belonging to different walks of life, including parliamentarians, participated. Speaking to the participants of the rally at D-Chowk, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s commitment with Kashmir was everlasting and it would never dilute because of internal situation. In his remarks, Adviser on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira said the Kashmiri people had been braving the Indian atrocities over the last seven decades and sacrificed over one hundred thousand lives.

dents for studying abroad and having an exposure to the international world. Prof. Kevin C. Jones, Lancaster University, United Kingdom also attended the session via video recording. He felt pressured to be a partner in such an important project. His proposition was that E-waste is not properly handled in Pakistan irrespective of the fact that Pakistan is the second largest importer. Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan and Dr. Jabir Syed moderated the discussion session by explaining the agenda items to the discussants. Dr. Ashiq Muhammad, Professor Bahria University, provided the audience with some of the loopholes in the process of making policies for the E-waste management including lack of technical expertise and lack of coordination between stake holders.

Ombudsman orders immediate resolution of expatriates’ grievances LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Office of Punjab ombudsman received so far this year over 17,624 complaints lodged by Pakistan nationals living abroad and involved provincial government departments. The advisors and consultants working in regional offices should proactively work to play their role in the solution of public issues in their districts, said retired Maj. Azam Suleman Khan, the ombudsman, while presiding over a meeting of advisors and consultants from 14 districts at his office on Friday. The performance of advisors and consultants regarding the resolution of public complaints was reviewed and they were instructed to dispose of complaints within a fixed time frame. The ombudsman further directed the complaints of the overseas Pakistanis about provincial government departments should be resolved on a priority basis. Alongside this, advisors and consultants should submit the monthly reports of their office by the 5th of every month to the head office for review of their performance. He noted with satisfaction that a working group has been constituted to formulate policies for the government to end online harassment. Khan further directed the people should also be sensitised about the presence of a free institutional mechanism for protecting public rights at the grassroots. The toll-free helpline 1050 is another facility to note and record public complaints round the clock, he remarked.

Pakistan fully committed to support Kashmiris’ right to self-determination: FO ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan on Friday expressed its commitment to extend all possible support to Kashmiri people for the realization of their inalienable right to selfdetermination as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. “Youm-e-Istehsal is being observed today to mark three years since Indian illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and to reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people,” Foreign Office said in a statement issued here. A solidarity walk initiated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was led by Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister of Defence and Qamar Zaman

Kaira, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan who also addressed the participants. Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood presented a specially designed memento to the Defence Minister and the Special Adviser. The memento depicts the ongoing human rights violations by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK, the statement added. Messages by the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were issued to mark the Day. In their messages, the leadership reiterated Pakistan’s strong resolve to continue its support for the Kashmiri people until the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination. Pakistan’s Missions abroad were also organizing a range of

activities to raise global awareness about the Indian atrocities in IIOJK and to reaffirm solidarity with the Kashmiri people. To perpetuate its illegal occupation, India was instituting demographic change in IIOJK in contravention of international law including UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and the 4th Geneva Convention, it added. In order to crush the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for self-determination, the statement said, India had unleashed worst form of state-terrorism and widespread and systematic violations of human rights against the people of IIOJK in complete disregard of international human rights and humanitarian laws. Durable peace and security in South Asia hinged on peaceful resolution of the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir

dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people, the statement said. “Pakistan calls upon the international community to impress upon India the imperative to reverse its unilat-

eral and illegal measures instituted in IIOJK since August 5, 2019, stop all human rights violations, revoke the demographic changes in IIOJK, and peacefully resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with international legitimacy,” it added.

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner Jerdoni’s sales spike by 380% after Imran Khan spotted wearing white polo

GOvERNOR AGREES TO ADMINISTER OATh TO PuNJAB cABINET TODAy iSLamaBad Staff RepoRt

P LAHORE: Chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Tuesday was spotted wearing Jerdoni’s white polo shirt during his meeting with eminent religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel. The cricket legend’s look was a sight to behold. Khan’s look was similar to his previous in-house interview where he was seen in a red polo shirt. This gave a spike in the sales of Jerodni shirts which went up to 380% since the last day. Jerdoni is a US-based company with regional operations. Within a year, Jerdoni has increased significantly. It offers a wide variety of casual and activewear for both men and women. Jerdoni’s store outlets are at AK Galleria and Al Fatah. They deliver their products to the United States, Mexico, UAE, Australia, Singapore, and Canada through Amazon. The brand has been expanding at a rapid pace, with an average of 1 million new customers signing up every month. The company has grown rapidly in just a year, said Shah Hassan, CEO of Jerdoni. But the Jerdoni’s polo shirts were selling for $18 USD last day, will they see a price hike now? This question was asked to Muhammad Ali Akbar, the Co-Founder of Jerdoni, on which he abruptly nullified the statement at said that ‘Jerdoni was built with a vision to provide luxury that is affordable to all, we will keep striving to deliver the best quality at lower rates.’ Now, Let’s see where this boom in Jerdoni’s sales takes it!. pR

Govt declares emergency in flood-hit areas; PM directs release of Rs5 billion to NDMA continued from page 01 He said after disbursement of the funds under National Finance Commission to the provinces, the federal government was left with meagre resources to pay debts and meet other expenditures. However, the resources would have to be generated to cope with the challenge, he added. Reiterating his call for collective efforts, the prime minister asked the NDMA and PDMA as well as the communications ministry to carry out the repair and rehabilitation works of emergency nature without indulging into the matter debate of jurisdiction as the expenses could later be adjusted mutually between the respective provinces or authorities. “It is not about you and me. It is about us. All provinces will have to work collectively. It is an urgent matter. This is national and noble cause. We will have to set aside our political ambitions. We will be doing politics but at later stage,” he commented. He said the people would be praying for their political leaders if they paid due attention to their relief and rehabilitation otherwise the situation would deteriorate if they (politicians) indulged in criticizing each other.

Ex-NAB chief’s salary, allowances details released ISLAMABAD: Some interesting details of former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal’s salary, perks and privileges have emerged on Friday. According to the details released by the government, Justice (r) Javed, who remained the bureau chairman between 2017 and 2022, drew Rs12,39,000 in monthly salary while his monthly residential allowance was Rs68,000. Similarly, his monthly telephone allowance was Rs6,000. Hence during his six-year-long stint, Javed Iqbal drew over Rs70 million in salary; received Rs340,000 in telephone allowance, and over Rs3.8 million in house allowance. Sta ff Re po Rt

AKISTAN Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has decided to improve working relationship with the provincial governments in Punjab and KP led by Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI). According to sources privy to the development, the move to improve working relationship will be implemented from tomorrow (Saturday) when PML-N nominated Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman will

administer oath to the newly-elected Punjab cabinet in Governor’s House. “The federal government wants to improve working relationship with Punjab and KP governments,” they said. Newly-appointed members of the Punjab Cabinet have been assigned portfolios by Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday after Imran Khan approved their names. According to details, the members of the Punjab cabinet, announced earlier were assigned portfolios. The portfolios assigned to the cabinet members

PDWP approves districts development plan, 62 other projects peSHaWar aziz buneRi

The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) in its 1st meeting on Friday approved District Development Plans for several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Under the plan, health and educational facilities in these districts will be rehabilitated and clean drinking water facilities will be ensured. The PDWP meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Shahab Ali Shah, also approved schemes of worth Rs110241mn. The forum approved 62 projects pertaining to Rural Development, Irrigation, Public Health Engineering, Communication amd Works, Health, Elementary and Secondary and higher Education for the uplift of the province. The District Development Plans has been approved for Chitral, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Malakand, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra,

Torghar, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshehra, Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, D.I.Khan, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Kurram, North and South Waziristan and Sub-Divisional Plans for Hassan Khel, Dara Adam Khel, Wazir, Bettani, Darazinda, and Jandola areas. Besides this, PDWP approved projects including Construction and improvement of irrigation and crossing facilities, Flood infrastructure in villages Chuprial, Baidara, Shokhdara, Durushkhela, Baz Khela, Sakhra and adjoining areas of District Swat. In agriculture sector, projects including poverty alleviation through enhancement of milk and meat value chain in the tribal belt have been approved. The approved projects also include Sustainable Productivity Enhancement through Promotion of Climate Smart and Efficient Mechanized Farming Practices

in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Enhancement of Agriculture Land Productivity through Improved Soil and Water Conservation practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Integrated Livestock Development Programme Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Phase-I), Construction, rehabilitation, widening, improvement of Roads, Bridges and Culverts in Upper Swat and Tehsil Kabal, Construction of Road from Dowtoi to Haider Kandow (Kurram Agency) 28 KM,Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Improvement of Arrandu Merkani Road 32 KM District Chitral Lower. The PWDP also approved projects in higher education sector which include the establishment of 5 Government Girls Degree Colleges at Tehsil Barang District Bajaur, Azam Warsak South Waziristan, Mehsud Area South Waziristan, Shawa North Waziristan and Landi kotal Khyber while scope of project Construction of Jabba Dam, district Khyber enhanced.

ECP summons Imran in Prohibited Funding Case on August 23 continued from page 01 The commission noted that the party also failed to mention three accounts which were also being operated by the party’s senior leadership. Non-disclosure and concealment of 16 bank accounts by the PTI is a “serious lapse” on part of the PTI’s leadership and in violation of Article 17(3) of the Constitution, it said. Article 17(3) says: “Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with the law.” The PTI chairman submitted Form-I for five years (between 2008-2013) which was found to be “grossly inaccurate on the basis of the financial statements

obtained by this commission from SBP and other material available on record”. “Therefore […] the matter falls within the ambit of Article 6(3) of Political Parties Order 2002 (PPO). Hence , the commission directs that a notice may be issued to the respondent party in terms of Rule 6 of the PPO as to why the aforementioned prohibited funds may not be confiscated. The office is also directed to initiate any other action under the law in light of this order of the commission, including forwarding the case to the federal government.” Article 6(3) of the PPO states: “Any contribution made, directly or indirectly, by any foreign government, multinational

or domestically incorporated public or private company, firm, trade or professional association shall be prohibited and the parties may accept contributions and donations only from individuals.” In its order, the commission also said that it was “constrained to hold that Imran Khan failed to discharge his obligations as mandated under the Pakistani statutes.” The PTI chairman has for five successive years submitted Form-I and signed a certificate which is not consistent with the accounting information before us, it said. “Imran Khan, for the five years under review, has filed submissions that were grossly inaccurate and wrong.

Senate urges world to review engagements with India iSLamaBad Staff RepoRt

The Senate on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution, urging the international community to review their engagements with India, the occupying power, as it is violating and disregarding international, humanitarian laws and resolutions. The resolution, moved by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, urged the international community to make regular follow ups for implementing the UN resolution on Kashmir. The Senate recommended the government to expedite its diplomatic efforts to continue to highlight the Kashmir issue at the UN Human Rights Council, including

through periodically brief and/or write joint letters to the President of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Special Procedures, and civil society organizations about the evolving developments in I1oJK and to submit a report thereon to the next session of the Senate in this regard. Recalling August, 5, 2019, as a “black day” when BJP, Government, abrogated Articles 35-A and 370 of India’s constitution and took away the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir; dividing the state into two Union territories. Reaffirming the principles and objectives of the UN Charter regarding the sanctity of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and

recalling numerous unimplemented UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute which declares that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people to join India or Pakistan expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under tire auspices of the United Nations. Underscoring that Jammu and Kashmir is unresolved question of granting the right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that has been on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council for over seven decades now, the resolution said. Rejecting India’s illegal and unilat-

eral actions of August 5, 2019 which are in direct violation of UNSC resolutions and are aimed at changing the demographic structure of IIoJK, suppressing the realization of the inalienable right to self-determination of the Kashmiris as well as violating their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, it said. Further rejecting the “Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Order 2020”, “Jammu & Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules 2020”, “Jammu & Kashmir Language Bill 2020,” and amendments in landownership laws {“JK Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 20201, issuance of domicile certificates to thousands of non Kashmiris foreigners.

including Mohsin Laghari, Finance Ministry; Taimoor Malik, Sports Ministry; Raja Humayun Yasir, Ministry for Information Technology and Higher Education; Ansar Majeed Niazi, Minister of Labour; Raja Bisharat, Cooperatives and Prosecution Ministry; Shahbuddin, Livestock Ministry; Muneeb Cheema, Ministry of Transport; Murad Raas, Ministry of Education; Yasmin Rashid, Ministry of Health and Khurrum Virk, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Hashim Dogar, Ministry of Home Affairs and Prisons and Asif Nakki has been Ministry of Excise and Taxation.

TiKA to facilitate development in Swat: Muhsin Balci SWat Syed Shahabuddin

Country Director of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) Muhsin Balci on Friday called on Malakand Division Commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai and discussed various matters of mutual interest. Swat Deputy Commissioner Junaid Khan, Chief Executive Officer Water and Sanitation Company Engineer Sheeda Muhammad, and other officers were also present on the occasion. During the meeting, development of Swat and support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency in various projects of public interest were discussed. They TiKA country director and the commissioner also discussed shortage of clean drinking water due to climatic changes in Swat district, shortage of electricity due to a reduction in energy sources, and difficulties in getting employment for residents of these backward areas, especially transgenders. On the occasion, Muhsin Balci agreed to look for ways to provide support for the development of Swat and said that TiKA is interested in providing support for the Mingora Gravity Water Scheme, solarization, and provision of scientific research equipment to Mingora Degree College, and establishment of a vocational training institute for transgenders. During the visit, TiKA Country Director Muhsin Balci also visited Mingora city. It is important to mention here TiKA country director Muhsin Balci visited Swat on the invitation of Malakand Division Commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai. It was decided in the meeting that a technical team of TiKA will also visit Swat to proceed further on the proposed projects.

FO confirms safe return of missing Pakistani journo in Kabul ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Friday confirmed the safe return of Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick, who had gone missing in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Thursday. “So glad that Anas Mallick is safely back in Kabul. Alhamdolillah,” the Foreign Office said in a tweet following the earlier post of his disappearance. Journalist Anas Mallick also confirmed his return via his twitter handle, saying “I am back”. The Foreign Office earlier said all possible efforts were being made to ascertain the whereabouts of Anas Mallick, and ensure his safety and early return. “We at the Foreign Office are deeply concerned about the disappearance of Anas Mallick from Kabul yesterday,” FO Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said. The spokesperson said, “We are in touch with local authorities and Pakistan Embassy in Kabul for his early and safe return to Pakistan.”

06-07 Comments - 6th August 2022_Layout 1 8/5/2022 11:20 PM Page 1

Saturday, 6 August, 2022

06 COMMENT

PTI’s moral standing

NAB amendments strengthen PTI’s allegations Govt only wants its leaders let oﬀ the hook

The foreign funding case spells trouble for the PTI

NDER the military rule of Pervez Musharraf, NAB turned into an instrument of political management. The files kept on politicians were used to pressurize them to join the King’s Party before the 2002 elections. Those who changed loyalties were declared to be clean and inducted in the cabinet, while those who dared to defy were arrested and subjected to ‘investigation’ through third-degree methods. Under Imran Khan’s hybrid democracy, NAB made the most extensive use of its powers to arrest and detain political opponents and bureaucrats supposedly loyal to them. NAB investigation was not concluded for months while the accused languished in NAB custody or jails. This created the perception that what was going on was political victimization rather than across-the-board accountability. This, combined with media trial and character assassination campaigns conducted by the government’s advisers and ministers caused panic among the bureaucracy and business community. With NAB turning into a symbol of terror, there were at least two high-profile suicides. As there was no end to misuse of powers, NAB’s performance was criticized repeatedly by the superior judiciary through observations and judgments while Parliament was advised to make suitable amendments to the accountability law. Within weeks of assuming power Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured senior bureaucrats that reforms in the NAB law would be introduced soon. The haste with which the government proceeded raised eyebrows. However this also roused expectations that the ruling alliance would make necessary changes in NAO to prevent the abuse of accountability laws. The changes announced however tell a different story. In the first amendment enacted in June, the accountability body was barred from acting on federal, provincial or local tax matters while all regulatory bodies were also placed out of its domain. Now corruption cases involving a sum of less than Rs 500 million have been removed from the jurisdiction of NAB, leaving pretty little for NAB to deal with. The government itself will now appoint accountability judges. The accused will be tried in the territorial jurisdiction of the place they allegedly committed the crime. NAB will no longer be able to seek help from any government agency in the course of its investigations. This will strengthen the perception that the parties in the ruling coalition are only interested in protecting their leaders facing corruption charges rather than making the required improvements in the accountability law.

Dr Qaisar rashiD

N August 2, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the decision on the financial integrity of the Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI). The verdict made public three main findings. First, from abroad, the PTI received funding in millions of dollars, the sources of which were prohibited under the prevalent laws of the country. Second, the party hid certain bank accounts from the ECP. Third, the financial details that the PTI provided to the ECP were grossly inaccurate. It was a historic verdict announced by a threemember bench led by Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja, who had to bear scathing criticism and weather threats in case he issued any adverse verdict. Filed by an insider, Akbar S Babar, a founding member of the PTI, the case had been lingering on since November 2014. The PTI’s lawyers employed all tactics available to forestall the verdict. Nevertheless, the ECP chairman endured all pressures to perform his duty intrepidly and brought the truth to the public. In one go, the verdict has drowned all claims of honesty and transparency touted by the PTI. With that, the PTI’s moral standing has been bruised gravely. The party which had espoused the cause of integrity stands mired in the sea of lies that it kept on speaking to the ECP for eight years. To the verdict, the PTI’s response is not reason but more bullying of the ECP. This is the strategy that the PTI has evolved over the years to carve out its political path. With the verdict, the PTI’s hitch-hiker’s journey, which remained reliant on intelligence agencies to perform and the higher judiciary to rescue, has ended,

Masjid-i-Nabvi sloganeers Sentences should dampen spirits of expat PTI supporters

Ix PTI activists have been convicted and sentenced to 10 years and eight years respectively, apart from being fined 20,000 Saudi riyals each and having their mobile phones confiscated. They were accused of having violated the sanctity of the Masjid-i-Nabvi when they raised slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation while they were there for Umrah in April. It should strike everyone that the Saudi justice system is swift; as the conviction and sentence hass come less than four months after the offense. In Pakistan, the decision would be so far off thast the accused would be applying for bail. Apart from the quality of Saudi justice, PTI supporters should take warning, especially expatriates. Nowhere abroad does any country look kindly on those importing the politics of their country of origin into it. Migrants, for whatever reason, are expected to keep their heads down, and keep quiet. For an assertion of one/s rights as a human being, one has to be in one’s own country. That is why colonies obtained independence. PTI supporters will find abroad that they have to obey local laws, and they will not be protected by their party. It is not so much their party’s pretense of their nonexistence that has harmed the six convicts, as its egging on followers to raise slogans against opposition figures. They do this at home too, as Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal found out recently. Perhaps the most unfortunate part of the incident was PTI chief Imran Khan’s reaction to the sloganeering family’s apology to Mr Iqbal, that they were forced to apologize. Domestically there may be some hope for domestic leniency because of the supposed tilt of the courts to the PTI, but abroad, especially in Arab countries, there is a zero-tolerance policy. The recent convictions should be seen as a testing of limits that will not be tried again.

aaDersh hamza malghani

“L

et them abuse us, they are our brothers, they are just angry at us. Don’t abuse back. And when it’s time, lay down your life for them. For they are our brothers and we, their guardians.” These were the words of Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali which he delivered in one of his speeches to his soldiers before sacrificing his life in the line of duty. General Sarfraz, during his stay as the Corps Commander Balochistan had instilled this sense of compassion in many of his soldiers. His visit to Lasbela for the flood relief operations before his martyrdom actually bears testimony to that fact. The loss of General Sarfraz is actually a loss for Balochistan. Primarily because this wounded province after years had found someone who was trying to soothe the wounds. The people of this province had found someone from the power corri-

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would also boomerang to tarnish the PTI’s reputation. In the hands of the PTI’s staunch political opponents such as Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman, the conspiracy theory that foreigners funded the PTI to achieve certain nefarious objectives would reflect badly on the party. The PTI’s leadership unnecessarily made Rehman a butt of jokes in political gatherings. Now, it is the turn of Maulana Fazal to level the score. Two points are yet to be known: first, whether sitins staged by the PTI were also foreign-funded; and second, whether the PTI’s social media activists are also paid by the money collected abroad. It would be interesting to see the behavior of Pindi boy, Sheikh Rasheed, who had joined hands with the PTI in 2014 for getting in return the Ministry of Railways, then Interior. This was a dream job for Rasheed. He did it with all hiccups while the crutches were provided by Mirza Shahzad Akbar. Similarly, it would also be interesting to see how many members stick to the PTI in coming days. The ECP has also issued a show-cause notice to the PTI to explain why the commission should not seize the funds declared illegal in the verdict. The federal government may resort to invoking laws banning the party. Whether the party is banned or not, one thing is clear: the PTI is about to enter the era of long-drawn legal battles. It would also be a grueling challenge for the known like-minded judges of the Supreme Court to rescue the PTI. Similarly, whether banned or not, the party has obliterated its chances of swift, profound electoral success in the future. It would be difficult for the party to defend its character before the voters in the next general elections. Anyway, now the era before the PTI is one of struggle. Real politics starts now: how to shed the impression of deception and how to restore the confidence of the voters in the party. This is a new kind of battle the PTI has to contest not only in the court of law but also in the streets.

Anyway, now the era before the PTI is one of struggle. Real politics starts now: how to shed the impression of deception and how to restore the confidence of the voters in the party. This is a new kind of battle the PTI has to contest not only in the court of law but also in the streets.

the writer is a freelance journalist and can be reached at qaisarrashid@yahoo.com

Balochistan’s Loss

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

though some in both institutions may fight a losing battle. The verdict is a godsend for the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) which is bearing the brunt of the failed economic policies of the PTI’s stint in power. The PDM is also ready to pay the PTI back in the same coin. The verdict offers a sigh of relief to those who are fed up with agitational politics, those who abhor hearing blatant lies and those who are victims of disparaging campaigns. Such people may think that the era of falsehood is about to be concluded. The age of social media teams swaying the pliable minds of the youth may also be over. The verdict is bound to affect politics in Pakistan. The PTI’s demand to hold early elections is going to dissipate for three reasons. First, the PTI is about to get busy in the courts of law. Second, the PTI may not like to go into the polls with the blemish of trickery. Third, the hidden hands supporting the PTI would think twice before supporting the party. The PTI’s whole case shows a scenario that the rise of a new political party is not possible without stirring religious, ethnic and nationalistic sentiments of the masses. Merely a political manifesto projecting developmental work is insufficient. Further, sheer political gimmicks have the potential for swaying the Pakistanis, who are still politically naïve and malleable. They tend to believe in promises which are unrealistic. They think that a leader can do miracles to deliver what is unachievable on the ground. They believe in hollow promises without thinking whether or not those could be fulfilled. The PTI’s rise also showed that people believed that Pakistan could develop and prosper merely by conjuring miracles and not by doing hard work. They looked for a politician who could exploit their sense of belief in wonders. Rising to the occasion, the PTI did that aptly. Nevertheless, the PTI failed to perform during its stint in power. The party went back on its almost all electoral promises, which were unrealistic from the word go. The verdict also repays the PTI. The conspiracy theory that the PTI promoted to forward its cause

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dors who would at least sit with the ordinary men, mingle with them and listen to their miseries, if not more. Unfortunately, General Sarfraz’s time in Balochistan was marred by some very sad incidents for both the military and ordinary civilians, but he as an individual would always look concerned about them, which was witnessed in his speeches either in colleges, universities, to his soldiers or the civil society gatherings. General Sarfraz’s resolve for the people of Balochistan could be understood by the incident of Hayat Baloch’s murder. Hayat Baloch was a promising Baloch youth who was murdered in a broad daylight by irresponsible elements from the Frontier Constabulary in Hoshab. General Sarfraz Ali, who at that time was serving as Inspector General Frontier Corps South Balochistan, visited the family of THE innocent youth, condoled with them, offered Fateha and refused to back the killers from the FC. Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, the then chair of the Senate’s Human Rights Committee, tweeted recalling that incident and legacy of General Sarfraz as, “Gen Sarfraz was an exceptional officer & a dignified man. May God bless his soul & of others who passed away in the crash. Unlike his predecessors, he appeared b4 the HR comm in the matter of Hayat Baloch’s killing, answered tough questions & refused to shield the perpetrators.” This attitude of making oneself answerable before law was indeed a welcome step on the part of a powerful military general, which would go as a well-remembered legacy of his. General Sarfraz, as the then Inspector General of FC South ordered handing over of the suspect to he police. The FC handed over the suspect to police within two hours, in an unprecedented move. The notables of the area welcomed that gesture of the FC, as the media reported widely. The statement issued by FC South Balochistan, said that although it was a crime committed by an individual, the FC Balochistan as an institution had deplored the tragic incident and strongly condemned the IED blast by terrorists and express solidarity with victims. “We

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had taken responsibility to protect the lives, properties and honour of our citizens … and FC Balochistan would continue performing its duties without any discrimination. the culprits behind the IeD blast and the killer of Hayat Baloch would surely face the consequences of their crimes; such incidents would not be allowed to happen in future,” the FC statement added and General Sarfraz delivered on that promise. I, as a resident of Balochistan, would remember General Sarfraz as the one who tried to connect with the masses in whatever capacity he could. He was serving in one of the most volatile provinces of Pakistan yet he ended unnecessary checkposts in Balochistan just to provide relief to the masses. He was criticized by many for taking that step, including those within the military, but he stood by it because empathy was the essence of his soul. He also eased the restrictions on the entry points of Quetta Cantt which not so long ago was a no-go area for many. It is only hoped now that the steps taken by him in the right direction would be continued by his successors as well. General Sarfraz’s legacy is rich with compassion and empathy. As a Commander of the Corps which encompasses the biggest area of Pakistan and one of the most powerful men of the country he was not only dealing with the insurgency first hand but would always look concerned for his fellow countrymen. Despite getting some of the most sought-after positions in the Pakistan Army he was still very humble in his conduct with a desire to serve humanity which he successfully accomplished till his last breath. The mountains of Windar have rightfully embraced his soul for eternity with five other brave hearts to testify their love for this land. Balochistan would always remain indebted to him for the services he rendered to bring peace in one of the most challenging regions of the country. May his soul rest in eternal peace. the writer is Associate Director,BttN, Quetta and can be reached at aadersh.malghani@bttn.org.pk

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COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Dilemma of education system OUR universities are there for commercial purposes. Our PhDs stand nowhere in the context of actual academically-researched knowledge. However, they are everywhere when it comes to seeking this post or that appointment. At the University of Karachi, one of the premier higher education institutions in the country, a number of PhD ‘scholars’ were wrangling for the post of vice-chancellor; a post which was once under the stewardship of eminent personalities like Prof A.B.A. Haleem and Prof Salimuzzaman Siddiqui. There is a reason why they are lovingly remembered by us. Now we see the post of vice-chancellor being contested by a number of individuals, as was indicated by the report “Ignoring all concerns, CM Murad appoints Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi as new KU VC” (July 29). The post these days is being sought only for fame, money and income, just as is the case with our politicians, and the rivals do not mind one bit the idea of mudslinging in the process becasue they have often, though not always, seen the best mudslinger take away the trophy. What kind of an academic would stoop tto that level? What would be the result of all this and where it would take the nation? Apparently, it won’t be a nice place, I guess. ABDUL GHAFFAR KARACHI

How to curb spread of Hepatitis

The Saga of Karbala

askari raza malik

religious scholar had once remarked, ‘Karbala is like a colossal mountain. Every angle presents a different view holding the human conscience in ever increasing awe.’ Karbala is a phenomenon, monumental, multidimensional and mysterious. The enormity of the tragedy, in which almost the entire family of the holy Prophet (PBUH) was ruthlessly decimated, still evokes intense grief and compassion that the time in centuries could not diminish. The yearning lingers, unsatiated like the unquenched thirst of the valiant martyrs. According to Iqbal, there are two parts of the story. One was written by Hussain at Karbala and the other by Zainab at Damascus. One was prophetic courage of conviction of a saint solely intent on his glorious connect with the Sublime and the other the dauntless and unique courage of an Arab lady refusing to buckle under the enormous physical, emotional, religious and social pressures. The Islamic doctrine, ‘there is no God but God’, did not only challenge the three hundredodd deities crowded in the Kaaba, it intended to transform the entire Jahiliya Arab outlook on life based on superfluous pretensions. The fragmentation of the tribal system was transformed into the unity of one Ummah. The ageold pride and arrogance of Muruwwa (manliness) had to give way to humility and piety, essentials of the concept of Taqwa or love of God. ‘Achieving fame or legacy’ had to be eliminated from the system in view of the accountability on the Day of Judgement. “Reverence of and compliance with ancient traditions was challenged by Islam… which instead assigned primacy to submitting to God and following revelations”. The foreword of the story of Karbala was written by the first righteous Caliph, Abu Bakr.

Before he breathed his last, he nominated Omar as his successor, in his perception the most popular choice. More importantly, he did not nominate his own son to succeed him. Omar faithfully followed his predecessor. He also did not designate his own son to succeed him. When Othman took over, according to Madelung, Abu Sufyan had remarked that the caliphate had landed in the courtyard of the Umayyads, and it should never be allowed to leave. Still while Othman lived, he did not nominate his own son to succeed him or anyone from the Umayyads he was alleged to have unduly favoured. Ali as the caliph, according to a respected Ahle Hadith scholar, Maulvi Ishaq, kept pleading with the people to support him, otherwise they would be condemned to the eternal slavery of the dynastic despots. Ali also did not propose his son to be the next caliph. His son Imam Hassan was elected by the people. That is why all the famous scholars call Imam Hassan as the fifth and last of the Rashidun Caliphs. Imam Hassan admirably wrote his own part of the story. He abdicated in favor of Muawiya to avoid further shedding of Muslim blood. His pact with the ruler of Syria was truly the first ever charter of democracy recorded in the history of the Saracens. The Muslim world was not familiar with the word democracy, but its spirit was being unambiguously defined by the farsightedness of a saint. The predominant clause of the pact emphasized that after Muawiya his son would not be named caliph. The people would be allowed to choose their own ruler. He could not have more emphatically rejected monarchy and dynastic rule and equally upheld election and freedom of the people to choose their own ruler. As the fantasy dream of the Caliphate ended with the unceremonious termination of the Ottoman Empire, and the Muslim scholars and the mainstream intellectuals began their search for a model of Islamic government, all of them had to pause at the tragedy of Karbala. They all came to unanimously condemn infliction of monarchy on the Muslims. The most vociferous

Ali as the caliph, according to a respected Ahle Hadith scholar, Maulvi Ishaq, kept pleading with the people to support him, otherwise they would be condemned to the eternal slavery of the dynastic despots.

critics of monarchy and consequently the Umayyads, happened to be the Wahabi scholars, including Moudodi and Syed Qutab. While Moudodi carefully chose his words in his criticism of Uthman, the third caliph, Syed Qutab was too blunt to be quoted here. Imam Hussain had quietly endured the vitriolic campaign to undermine his family, honouring the part of his older brother’s commitment to peace. But, when in flagrant violation of the agreement, Yazid was nominated as the caliph (King), he decided to intervene. Allegiance to Yazid would have perhaps saved Imam’s life. But Imam Hussain was determined He, as the Imam of his time or spiritual heir to the Prophet (PBUH) could not put his stamp of approval on an oppressive system that was being introduced, the system of dynastic rule and absolute monarchy. That in his view would destroy the very basic human values Islam stood for. The stakes were too high for Imam Hussain to give in. For Imam Hussain the two concepts symbolized the two ends of the political spectrum, the difference between imposed and free will, absolute monarchy and popular democracy, utter slavery and complete freedom. Imam Abu Hanifa had refused to be the chief judge of the Abbasids, calling them the usurpers. He was by no stretch of imagination pleading the cause of the Fatimids. But he was at the same time, also totally rejecting monarchy. History upheld the vision of the Imam. The kings changed and reversed the traditions of the Prophet (PBUH), completely devastated the concept of the prohibited and the lawful, right and wrong and injected innovations to justify their lust and greed for power. The theory of predestination lent Divine sanction to a king’s rule as ‘destined’ and ‘preordained’. The Ulema espousing predeterminism while basking in the rulers’ beneficence, preached blind obedience to the sovereigns. Opposition to the king thus came to be regarded as a sin against God. The determined men at Karbala lost a battle. But with their blood they had written for humanity the true meanings of freedom, liberty, justice and human dignity. This is another view of Karbala beckoning the true believers to enjoin good and forbid wrong, stand by the truth and reject falsehood. This message is as eternal as the compassion the tragedy evokes.

The determined men at Karbala lost a battle. But with their blood they had written for humanity the true meanings of freedom, liberty, justice and human dignity. This is another view of Karbala beckoning the true believers to enjoin good and forbid wrong, stand by the truth and reject falsehood. This message is as eternal as the compassion the tragedy evokes.

the writer has served Pakistan Army as Major General. He is author of book “Pakistan in Search of a Messiah”. He can be reached at ask7121@gmail.com

HEPATITIS is increasing in Pakistan despite efforts by the government as well as by the non-government organisations (NGOs) working for decades to eliminate the disease from the country. We spend only a miniscule fraction of the budget on health, and, therefore, cannot spend much on vaccination against polio and hepatitis. First, we need to assess the reasons for the spread of hepatitis and then develop a formal action plan. The most important reasons for the spread of the infection are lack of education, use of a syringe for several patients by doctors and nurses, barbers using infected instruments, through sexual contact, and from mother to baby at birth. An NGO has been working on hepatitis for the last few years in and around Gharo, which is a locality housing the underprivileged. People there have been living with practically no access to healthcare. The NGO has done screening of more than 2,387 people and found 397 to be reactive. Out of 192 positive cases, 146 were treated; 106 completely treated and the remaining still under treatment. One of the key modes of transmission is from mother to baby at birth. Therefore, there has to be a programme to prevent the transmission soon after the delivery. For this, lady health visitors and midwives may play an important role. They must be aware of pregnant women in their area and their expected date of delivery so that they may vaccinate the child within 24 hours of birth to prevent the transmission of virus. Another important area of consideration comprises 4.4 million unvaccinated orphans living in various orphanages. The said NGO is coordinating with leading orphan houses in Karachi and drawing up a programme to carry out vaccination of these orphaned children, beginning with Karachi and then moving on to other cities. The situation will change only if the government spends more money on health, and through preventive measures, like immunisation, which can eradicate hepatitis, polio, measles, tuberculosis and many other illnesses. A solid commitment on the part of the government and agencies towards primary prevention and healthcare is badly needed, and sincere efforts have to be made to improve the quality of life and decrease morbidity and mortality. DR ASGHAR NAQVI KARACHI

Rights of sanitation workers CALL it a major flaw or irony of our so-called ‘civilised society’ that those who keep it clean and liveable are from the most vulnerable and neglected section. Sanitation workers are forced to live in deplorable, almost sub-human conditions. Despite the fact that Article 25 of the Constitution clearly states that “all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection”, they are abhorred to the extent that they are not even allowed to mingle with the rest of society. Sanitation workers have no choice, but to live in segregated slum-like colonies that further add to their misery, as such colonies are the breeding grounds for various diseases due to unhygienic conditions. Children of this segment of society are not provided equal opportunities in terms of education and jobs due to the stigma attached to their existence and hence are forced to live a life that their forefathers had lived centuries ago. They cannot even dream of pursuing any other career than their family profession. There is nothing wrong in being a janitor, but everyone deserves to have options. Majority of the sanitation workers are working without any affiliation with the relevant government department and are more vulnerable to exploitation as they are not provided with the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE), and are given meagre wages. They have to face social hatred. They are deprived of their right to medical leave or vacations, some are denied leave even on their religious festivals, which is a blatant violation of Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution, dealing with inviolability of dignity of a person and equality of citizens. Although the local government manages sanitation, the working conditions on offer are comparable with that of informal sector. They are usually classified as ‘daily wagers’ and denied basic labour rights. As most of this hazardous work is being done manually and without proper care, workers are constantly prone to risk of death or severe injuries. Most of the sanitation workers die or become handicapped during their work. According to a report by the National Commission for Human Rights, more than 65 per cent sanitation workers who died during job belonged to minority communities. The government job applications specifically mention ‘non-Muslim’, which is in contravention of Article 27 that deals with discrimination in services. The government needs to take concrete steps to raise awareness among the masses about the dignity and equality of sanitation workers. It is time to educate people about their civic responsibilities, and a lot needs to be done to sensitise the public at large about the stigmas and stereotypes pertaining to sanitation workers. The hazardous work should not be carried out without proper care and protection, manual scavenging should be banned as we are living in the 21st century and lots of dangerous work can be done by mechanical tools and equipment. Moreover, proper record of such workers should be maintained. They must be provided adequate salary and health insurance. MOTIA SIKANDAR KARACHI

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Saturday, 6 August, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

Was there ever an akhand Bharat? Could there ever Be one? AN EXCERPT FROM ‘INDIA AFTER 1947: REFLECTIONS & RECOLLECTIONS’ BY RAJMOHAN GANDHI

scroLL RAjMohAN GANDhI

HERE is emotion in the Akhand Bharat slogan, or in a map showing the vivisection of Mother India. Such a map can excite some super-patriots, frighten other Indians, and evoke nostalgia. Analyse the nostalgia, however, and you quickly find that what is sought to be recovered is the Akhand Bharat first created by the Mughals and later consolidated by the British. For it is only the Hindostan of the Mughals, or the prized ‘Ind’ of the British, to which Akhand Bharat approximates. India is ancient, Indian civilisation is ancient. no honest mind can dispute that. The Chinese, the Egyptians, the Iraqis, the Mexicans, and others too may tell themselves similar things, but that does not cancel Indian satisfaction. It seems, moreover, that centuries before Babur arrived in 1526 and dislodged the Lodhis, Indian minds harboured the sense of a common land, an entity the future would call India, Bharat, Hind, Hindustan, or whatever. Pilgrims journeyed to sacred places in the extremities of this land, all of which seemed to possess, in the eyes of these pilgrims, similar elements, whether physical, climatic, or cultural. not long before the start of the Common Era, Greeks marched into this space. Later, in the first millennium of this era, a string of venturesome Chinese Buddhists surmounted physical obstacles in order to see the land of the Buddha. Both kinds of visitors, Greek and Chinese, left behind information about our ancestors we might otherwise have lost. Both felt they were observing portions of a country, although neither gave a consistent name to it. A country or a land is different from a kingdom or a state. In India’s long history, the reality of widespread, shared, or dominant cultural traits was only occasionally matched by political unity. Among the major Indian rulers of the last 2,500 years, it would seem that only Ashoka, the Mughals, and the British presided over anything resembling an Akhand Bharat. Those three spells, when all of India had a common ruler, supply rare pages to the thick volume of Indian history. In most other periods, unity did not extend beyond a limited and usually small segment of India, which was often in conflict with adjoining segments. During the fourth, fifth, and sixth centuries CE, diverse Gupta dynasties indeed ruled over substantial territories in different parts of northern and eastern India. Literature, art, sculpture, astronomy, and mathematics flowered magnificently during that epoch. Yet nothing even remotely like Akhand Bharat was achieved by these notable Gupta dynasties, which exited the Indian scene a full thousand years before Babur’s arrival. The Akhand

Bharat champions will never tell us which undivided India they want restored. It cannot be Ashoka’s. He is too nonviolent, Buddhist, and inclusive for them. Let them not acknowledge it openly, but they should have the honesty to admit at least to themselves that what they wish to recreate, under a Hindu crown, is either the Indian empire under Akbar or Aurangzeb, or the more recent empire, remotely controlled from London, that Winston Churchill tried so hard to retain. Unfortunately, nothing else since Ashoka was Akhand Bharat. Here we may mark that Ashoka and the Master he honoured, the Buddha, were for long excluded from the Indian pantheon, and viewed as aberrations from the mainstream, until the world’s recognition of their greatness precipitated Indian eagerness to own them. The widespread rejection of Buddhism and of its sister faith, Jainism, and the frequent persecution of Jains and Buddhists are components of Indian history as real as the bonds to India of Mahavir and the Buddha. Given India’s history, is it not remarkable that the most popular, as also the most recognisable, emblems of the Indian state should be Ashoka’s Lion Capital, Delhi’s Red Fort (erected by Shah Jahan), Delhi’s British-built Raisina Hill edifices, namely Rashtrapati Bhavan, north Block, South Block, and Parliament, and Mumbai’s Gateway of India, also a British construct? Attempts may well be made to promote alternative emblems – maybe the Patel statue (it is after all the world’s tallest), or the Ram Mandir under construction in Ayodhya, or another structure still to come up. However, a symbol rings true when a people ratify it over time, not when it is launched before cameras with fireworks. If, after Ashoka, only the Mughals and the British created an Akhand Bharat, it does not follow that the subcontinent will never again be reunified. Who can rule out a political tsunami or earthquake in the decades to come? However, not even Mother India’s most devout worshippers expect that the India that existed on 14 August, 1947, can be restored in the foreseeable future. Later I will point out that a reunified India is in fact the last thing that Hindu nationalists want. no one really wants reunification. And yet seventyfive years ago so many cried when Partition happened. Sadness and shame joined the trauma. When, on 14 June, 1947, the All India Congress Committee ratified the acceptance by the Congress Working Committee of Mountbatten’s Partition Plan, it did so, as one delegate would record, in complete silence. Until that moment, every resolution adopted by the AICC in its long and active history had elicited at least some applause, unless it was one of condolence. Something had died when Partition was accepted. After seventy-five years, the regret remains. And it is frequently expressed. For instance, when, on 12 December, 2021, the government commemorated India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war and the liberation of Bangladesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the 1947 division was an ‘aitihasik galti’, a ‘historic mistake’. When, in June 1947, the AICC silently endorsed Partition, most of that year’s killings were still in the womb of the future. The sadness that day was about a dream that had died. Most of those who quietly raised their hands in acceptance of the Mountbatten Plan had fondly

THE AKHAND BHARAT CHAMPIONS WILL NEVER TELL US WHICH UNDIVIDED INDIA THEY WANT RESTORED. IT CANNOT BE ASHOKA’S. HE IS TOO NONVIOLENT, BUDDHIST, AND INCLUSIVE FOR THEM NO ONE REALLY WANTS REUNIFICATION. AND YET SEVENTYFIVE YEARS AGO SO MANY CRIED WHEN PARTITION HAPPENED. SADNESS AND SHAME JOINED THE TRAUMA. WHEN, ON 14 JUNE, 1947, THE ALL INDIA CONGRESS COMMITTEE RATIFIED THE ACCEPTANCE BY THE CONGRESS WORKING COMMITTEE OF MOUNTBATTEN’S PARTITION PLAN, IT DID SO, AS ONE DELEGATE WOULD RECORD, IN COMPLETE SILENCE nursed the map of India they had grown up with. Many had also fought the two-nation theory with passion. To them Partition was a defeat as well as a loss. The shrinkage of India’s area was a blow, but perhaps most troubling was the realisation that Hindus and Sikhs in the new nation of Pakistan, and Muslims in what remained of old India, would be exposed to hostility. Moreover, comrades with whom they had gone to prison for freedom would become ‘foreigners’ from one day to the next. In one corner of his mind, Jawaharlal nehru thought that Partition would be temporary. He was hardly the only one to think that. The links between, for example, Bombay and Karachi, or Calcutta and Dhaka, or Lahore and Amritsar seemed given by nature and more permanent than life itself. Surely nature, habit, and commerce would bring things back to normal? Still, knowing (as he well did, from his awareness of the past) the fragility of unity in India’s long story, the nehru of June 1947 should not have been shocked by the Partition to which he had reconciled himself just two months earlier, in March 1947. He and others knew, for example, that the Great Revolt of 1857, which in 1947 was not exactly an ancient story, had failed because the major Indian princes, including those of Baroda, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Mysore, and Kashmir, refused to lend even indirect support to the Revolt’s leaders. They also knew that eighteen years before the Great Revolt, murders for succession were triggered in Lahore when Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who had prevented the British from encroaching on his remarkable kingdom, died. In 1849, only ten years after Ranjit Singh’s death, the Brits annexed Punjab, with the assistance of influential members of the court in Lahore. not much earlier, British contemporaries of Mysore’s Tipu Sultan were calling him an imperial foe only slightly less menacing than napoleon. However, in 1799, i.e. exactly four decades before Ranjit Singh’s death, the Marathas, the nizam of Hyderabad, and the maharaja of Travancore—Mysore’s closest Indian neighbours—sided with the British and actively aided Tipu’s fall. Given this history, the unity that grew across virtually all of India in the 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s seems a miracle. True, undoing foreign rule was a unifying wish that almost every Indian shared. Moreover, despite its oppressiveness, foreign rule and its accompaniments (trains, newspapers, universities, all-India civil

services, the army, and the like) had enabled Indians of different religions, regions, castes, and languages to get to know one another as never before. These were two huge advantages for India’s national freedom movement. Even so, posterity’s salute must be offered to both the magnitude and the quality of what Indians fighting for freedom achieved between 1900 and 1947. These forebears of twenty-first-century Indians seemed to work not only for national freedom but also for individual freedom and for communal unity; for azadi but also for insaf; for swaraj but also for social justice. not foreign rule alone but Indian wrongs too were confronted by them. Much was unaccomplished, much not even attempted, but what was aimed at and achieved forms a proud part of our world’s common history. Why, then, did Partition happen in 1947? Why did carnage accompany it?

What happens when tiktok is your main source of news and information Los AngeLes Times SAM WINEBURG AND NADAV ZIV

n TikTok you’re liable to find restaurant recommendations, lip-syncing snippets and false claims stating that COVID-19 vaccines contain aborted fetal tissue and that crisis actors faked the Uvalde school shooting. TikTok, along with Instagram, is where Gen Z searches for information and entertainment. They often come up with a blurry mix between fact and fiction. The internet is how Gen Z becomes informed — and too often misinformed — about the world. nearly 40% of this generation, young people born between the late 1990s and early 2000s, prefers using TikTok and Instagram as their search engines, according to recently released internal data from Google. These platforms showcase short videos, which is great for a new dance move or a fun meme. But they can be just as effective in spreading videos conveying misinformation and conspiracy theories. Just because Gen Z grew up with social media doesn’t mean they know how to evaluate the information they find there. Our educational system has been slow to respond, often providing students with dated strategies for determining online credibility such as dwelling on a website’s “About” page or checking to see when the information was published or posted. Analog strategies like these are the equivalent of teaching 16-year-olds to drive a Tesla by giving them a manual for a horse-drawn carriage. Education must meet students where they’re at. Like it or not, that address is now on social media.

THE INTERNET IS HOW GEN Z BECOMES INFORMED — AND TOO OFTEN MISINFORMED — ABOUT THE WORLD. NEARLY 40% OF THIS GENERATION, YOUNG PEOPLE BORN BETWEEN THE LATE 1990S AND EARLY 2000S, PREFERS USING TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM AS THEIR SEARCH ENGINES, ACCORDING TO RECENTLY RELEASED INTERNAL DATA FROM GOOGLE After we administered a 2016 survey with colleagues at the Stanford History Education Group, we summarized students’ ability to separate digital fact from fiction in one word: “bleak.” In the intervening years, fake news and misinformation have dominated the national conversation. But awareness alone doesn’t solve the problem. In a 2021 follow-up, our research group surveyed over 3,000 Gen Zers, asking them to evaluate a grainy video that claimed to provide evidence of U.S. voter fraud. The video was actually shot in Russia. Students could find this out by searching online for the words “Democrat 2016 voter fraud video,” which quickly brings up links to Snopes and the BBC debunking the claim. Yet the majority of those surveyed were duped, concluding that the video constituted “strong evidence” of American election tampering. We can’t rely on social media platforms to solve the problem of misinformation — they can’t even be trusted to police themselves. Analysis by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue found that 58% of TikTok videos relating to COVID vaccines lacked warning banners, despite the company’s commitment to flag vaccine-related content. Poor information always seems to find a way to slither

through platform safeguards. Media literacy that will empower younger generations needs to be more than an appendage to today’s school curricula. The California State Department of Education’s Civic Engagement Roadmap, for example, nods to “media literacy” as one of 10 “promising practices,” alongside “performance assessments” and “service learning,” to prepare Gen Z to become “agents of positive change.” The implementation of guidelines like these, however, is left to the discretion of individual teachers who, already overworked, often pass the responsibility on to others or dispense with it in a lesson or two. Teaching students to discern reliable information from inaccuracies or outright lies is too important to be left to individual discretion. In an information age, digital literacy should be the foundation to practically everything schools teach. We can’t stop Gen Z from relying on social media for information. nor can we kid ourselves that a presentation by a teacher or the school librarian matches the scale of the misinformation challenge. If we want to reach today’s youth, we must use the tools they can relate

to — including TikTok videos — to teach the content we deem important. While doing so, we can sharpen students’ ability to identify misinformation. Math classes, for example, could be retooled to help students understand how algorithms curate the content they see on social media platforms. Teachers can make clear how TikTok and Instagram’s algorithms sacrifice credibility in order to keep users’ eyeballs glued to the screen. Economics courses can help students understand the platforms’ business models in our “attention economy,” and how profit motives align with the promotion of viral misinformation. English courses could illustrate how small variations in search terms generate different results. Search “vaccines” on TikTok and you’ll be directed to information from the World Health Organization. Try “vaccines heavy metals” and you’ll find a slew of videos spouting spurious claims. The transformation of the curriculum must include all areas of study. It’s already happening in Illinois, where some innovative teachers are integrating digital literacy into core school subjects. Today’s young people spend seven to eight hours a day online, somewhere around 3,000 hours a year. The challenge of identifying online misinformation will not be solved with any single strategy. It will take a curriculum overhaul to truly help Gen Z distinguish fact from fiction on the platforms where they spend their time. Sam Wineburg is a professor of education at Stanford University and founder of the Stanford History Education Group, where Nadav Ziv is a research associate.

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS corporate corner

LuCKy CEMENT ANNOuNCES HIGHEST EvER EARNINGS Of RS36B fOR yEAR 2022 KarachI

LAHORE: Punjab CM Ch Pervaiz Elahi, Health Minister designate Dr Yasmin, Hurriat leaders Engineer Mushtaq Shah, Imtiaz Iqbal Wani and others at a ceremony to mark Youm-e-Istehsal. Staff photo

Metro, Indus Hospitals, Health Network for charity

METRO, the leading international wholesale company, has joined hands with Indus Hospitals and Health Network (IHHN), to extend its support for their health and charity initiatives. As part of the support METRO Pakistan (Pvt) Limited commemorated the World Hepatitis Day at its Canal and Model Town Stores in Lahore, where Indus Hospitals setup kiosks for creating awareness and distributed flyers among the staff and customers. pr

Hutchison Ports Pakistan sponsors Pakistan's youngest table tennis player

N a consolidated basis, Lucky Cement Limited, once again, reported its highest ever profit after tax of PKR 36.42 billion for the year ended June 30, 2022, of which PKR 6.93 billion is attributable to the noncontrolling interests. This translates into earnings per share (EPS) of PKR 91.22 / share as compared to PKR 70.69 / share reported last year. On a consolidated basis, the Company achieved 60% higher net turnover of PKR 331.5 billion as compared to last year’s turnover of PKR 207.2 billion. The consolidated Net Profit of the Company remained PKR 36.4 billion out of which PKR 29.5 billion was attributable to the owners of the holding company, compared to PKR 28.2 billion and PKR 22.9 billion, respectively for the prior year. This translates into an EPS of PKR 91.22 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 as compared to PKR 70.69 during last year, representing a growth of 29%. The exceptional growth in revenue, despite economic challenges is owing to robust perform-

ance across all businesses of the group and is an affirmation of the successful execution of the Group’s diversification strategy. On a standalone basis the Company’s overall sales volumes declined by 8.9% to reach 9.1 million tons during the year ended June 30, 2022 in comparison to 10 million tons last year. Local sales volume dropped by 3.6% to reach 7.3 million tons in the current year compared to 7.6 million tons last year. While the export sales volume declined substantially by 25% to 1.8 million tons during the year compared to 2.4 million tons during last year due to non-viability in terms of pricing on the back of persistent high coal prices in the international market coupled with increased shipping freights. Despite the reduction in volumes in both domestic and export sales, the profitability of the local cement operations improved marginally because of enhanced operational efficiencies, including better management of sales and distribution costs, which decreased as a percentage of sales. The Company achieved a major milestone when its wholly owned subsidiary, Lucky Electric Power Company Limited (LEPCL), achieved the Commercial Operations Date (COD) on March 21,

National Bank committed to protect customers’ confidential information KarachI pr

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has advised its customers to remain vigilant and follow key steps to protect their confidential information. Impersonating NBP representatives, fraudulent elements have been found offering fake cash prize schemes to get customers confidential information to fleece them.

NBP requests all customers not to share any personal and bank account details to any person / caller claims to be someone from NBP and offers any prize scheme. In case of any clarity or details regarding schemes, the bank advises its customers to contact NBP’s call center at (021) 111-627-627. National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) is committed to protect its customers’ personal and financial information.

Utility stores to ensure food supplies at affordable prices to public: Spokesman

As a commitment to support young talent of Pakistan, Hutchison Ports Pakistan, the country’s first deep-water container terminal has sponsored sports trip of Hoor Fawad – Pakistan’s youngest table tennis player in the women category – to represent Pakistan at the Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled to commence on August 9 in Konya, Turkey. pr

OGDCL provides Rs20m for relief of flood-affectees in Balochistan province

Heavy spell of rain caused major infrastructural damages in various areas of Baluchistan Province. In the wake of massive disaster; OGDCL being a responsible Corporate, played an exemplary role in the form of extending relief to flood affected locals to alleviate their sufferings up to some extent. Continuing the legacy of extending help in emergencies, natural catastrophes and disasters, OGDCL has played a key role in providing immediate relief to affected community in the wake of flash floods in July 2022. OGDCL responded to the calamity by mobilizing its own resources. As a part of its relief activities OGDCL provided Rs. 20 million to DG PDMA Baluchistan for flood affected families. In addition, medicines amounting to Rs. 2 million have also been delivered to District Authorities of district Jhal Magsi for the relief of flood affectees. Recently, in June 2022, OGDCL has already provided medicines to authorities of district Dera Bugti to cope up the Cholera outbreak. pr

In order to improve demand and supply and ensure uninterrupted supply of branded items at all utility stores across the country, the prices of some branded items have been increased, but this increase is by the branded companies. Various national and multinational branded companies supplying goods to utility stores have increased the prices of various branded items, while the prices of various pulses have also been increased. Prices of these

commodities were kept stable since March/April. Utility Stores Corporation does not manufacture or produce itself but purchases from reputed and certified branded companies of the country. When raw material prices increase, production charges increase and transportation charges increase, the product cost also increases due to which the prices have to be revised. So that demand and supply improve and availability of these

products is possible. Despite this, the utility stores are determined to continue to provide basic and branded items to the public at lower rates than the open market. The new prices of these items at utility stores will be 5% below the printed retail market price. It should be noted that at all utility stores across the country, subsidized ghee is cheaper by Rs 150 per kg, sugar by Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg and a bag of 20 kg flour by Rs 700. pr

Bahria Town opens Chirpy Park for public Karachi: Bahria Town Karachi opened doors of a unique project The Chirpy Park this Friday evening. All of 1.1 acre of this exotic park is home to 600plus birds of 47 different species of local and international exotic birds. The inaugural event was attended by the management and residents of Bahria Town Karachi and members of media. Reflecting the look and feel of Amazonian forests, The Chirpy Park captures the beauty and serenity of a natural environment at its finest. The chirpy park is set up in botanical garden settings with over 600 exotic birds, ambient music, calming light system and fog effect. Visitors can witness and feed different species of Cockatoos, Macaws, Pheasants, Finches, Lorikeets, and Parakeets along with Gray Parrots, Bulbuls, Asian Koels, Starlings,

Canaries, Flamingoes and many more. A Souvenir Shop is also available in the premises for guests to get mementos that will remind them of their visit for months to come. Even though there are several bird aviaries in the country but The Chirpy Park is unique not only for the collection of exotic birds. pr

2022 of the 660 MW coal-fired power plant set up at Port Bin Qasim, Karachi. This milestone will play a key role in increasing the energy security and prosperity of Pakistan. It will also go on to reduce the cost of electricity and reliance on imported fuel in the long run after the completion of Phase III of SECMC in June 2023. The power generated from the plant is being fed into the national grid in line with a power purchase agreement signed with the Government. In another major development, the Company’s subsidiary, Lucky Motor Corporation started assembling Samsung mobile phones in Pakistan in December, 2021. Lucky Cement remains committed towards making a real contribution to the society and the communities in which it operates. The Company extended its merit-based support to deserving and less privileged students in Pakistan and abroad. The Company also continued to donate generously towards healthbased initiatives by supporting various welfare organizations. In support of the UN Sustainability Development Goals, the Company has initiated and promoted various sustainable projects to support the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.

Roadshow Series: NEPRA holds workshop on ‘Introduction of Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market’ In a first-of-its-kind Roadshow series to create awareness about the competitive wholesale electricity market that commenced in Pakistan on May 31, 2022, the Authority successfully organized a series of workshops titled “Introduction of Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM)” in Capital Cities i.e. Lahore on June 24, 2022, Peshawar on July 15, 2022, Karachi on July 22, 2022 and today at NEPRA Headquarter, Islamabad. Chairman NEPRA, Mr. Tauseef H. Farooqi and Member NEPRA, Engr. Maqsood Anwar Khan inaugurated today’s session. Chairman NEPRA in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of CTBCM and how it is going to bring a paradigm shift in the power sector of Pakistan. Chairman NEPRA informed the participants that CTBCM will provide an opportunity to the Industry and bulk power consumers (1 MW or above) to purchase power from suppliers of their choice at mutually agreed rates. Furthermore, CTBCM includes other institutional and regulatory reforms to bring much needed efficiency, transparency and accountability in the power sector. The workshop included detailed presentation by officers of NEPRA and CPPA-G on different policy, regulatory, legal and institutional aspects of the CTBCM followed by a Q&A session in which the panel of experts addressed the queries of the wide range of participants including national. pr

Chief Of Air Staff expresses solidarity with Kashmiris On completion of three years of illegitimate revocation of the special status of IIOJ&K, contriving demographic changes and continued military siege by India in gross violation of human rights, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force has expressed his resolve to stand with brave and resilient people of IIOJ&K in their peaceful struggle against Indian oppression. In his message, he said that for the sake of fairness, justice and human dignity, it is imperative that the international community should come forward with practical steps that would force India to reverse its present course against the Kashmiri people. India must realize that martyrdom of each Kashmiri and destruction of each Kashmiri house would only further strengthen the Kashmiris’ resolve for freedom from Indian occupation. Throughout the Kashmiris’ struggle, we would always stand by our Kashmiri brethren for their legitimate freedom struggle, said the Air Chief. pr

Jazz revenues decreased by 12pc due to exponential increase in operational cost Islamabad pr

Despite a 11.1% YoY growth in overall revenues in local currency, Jazz’s revenue decreased 12.1% in USD terms during the second quarter of 2022 mainly due to PKR devaluation whereas the margins are hampered by exponential increase in operational cost including fuel, electricity, interest

and forex rates. On the other hand, Jazz continued to lead the market with unabated focus on driving digital inclusion and further investing PKR 11.2 billion under its ‘4G for all’ ambition, taking its overall investment in Pakistan to US$10.3 billion. A majority of its capital expenditure during this quarter was on the addition of approximately 400 new 4G sites. This

network expansion played a key role in increasing Jazz’s 4G customer base by 24.1% YoY to reach 38.2 million while its overall subscriber base touched 75.5 million. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim, said, “While we are continuously investing in expanding the outreach and capacity of our 4G network and driving the digital ecosystem, telecom industry’s financial health is severely impacted

due to unprecedented rise in cost of operations; primarily fuel, electricity, interest and forex rates. During the current digital emergency, we are seeking urgent policy interventions from the government to provide critically needed fiscal space to the industry to ensure its survival. This includes pricing of spectrum in PKR and extending the payment terms to 10 years instead of 5.”

Saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

KAShmiRiS REnEw PlEdgE to fREEdom on YoUm-E-iStEhSAl

SRINAGAR

Agencies

ASHMIRIS on both sides of the Line of Control, in Pakistan and all over the world observed Youm-e-Istehsal, Friday, to register their protest against Narendra Modiled fascist Indian government’s illegal action taken of 5th August 2019. According to Kashmir Media Service, the

Kashmiris set up protest camp in front of EU External Action Service in Brussels BRUSSELS: A protest camp was staged in front of the European External Action Service (EU foreign Ministry) at Brussels, the capital of Belgium to mark August 5 as Kashmir Exploitation Day. The event was organized by Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU) in connection completion of three years to the repeal of special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and imposition of military siege there by Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government. Many of the Kashmiris and Pakistanis based in Europe and European supporters as well attended the gathering in Brussels in order to condemn Indian atrocities against innocent people of IIOJK. Participants of the gathering also expressed their solidarity with the oppressed people of the occupied territory. On the occasion, the KCEU Chairman Ali Raza Syed said, purpose of the protest camp is to highlight the brutalities against the people of Kashmir and other illegal acts in occupied Kashmir by the Indian authorities. He called for end to the Indian atrocities in IIOJK especially violence against the Kashmiri women and children. The KCEU Chairman and other participants of the gathering in Brussels asked the international community including UN and EU to play their role for implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions to enable the Kashmiris to exercise their right to self-determination. They also called for withdrawal of Indian troops, an end to Indian state terrorism. Agencies

Modi regime in gross violation of the United Nations resolutions and international law repealed the special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and put it under military siege on this day in 2019. Illegally detained APHC Chairman, Masarrat Alam Butt in a message from an Indian jail, released in Srinagar, said August 5, 2019 is one of the blackest days in IIOJK. He said the purpose of observing the day as Youm-e-Istehsal is to sensitize the inter-

national community about New Delhi’s brutal repression being carried out by its more than one million occupation troops in the territory. He 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. Democratic Political Movement, a constituent of APHC, in a meeting in Srinagar said with the illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019, India has not only violated the UN Security Council resolutions and international law on Kashmir, but has also violated its own Constitution. It called upon the international community and human rights organizations to play their role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the United Nations resolutions so that permanent peace can be established in South Asia. APHC leader, Chaudhry Shaheen Iqbal, in a statement in Srinagar said that August 5, 2019, like October 27, 1947, has added another dark chapter in India’s long history of colonialism in Kashmir. He said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to mislead the international community by using his Parliament to revoke the special status of Kashmir. He said the Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute as per the UN resolutions. India is trying to give the impression to the international community through colonialist measures that Kashmiris are recognizing the annexation of India, but the fact is that not only the international community but also New Delhi is aware of the reality of the Kashmir dispute, he maintained.

Resolution of Kashmir issue thru dialogue vital for regional peace: China BEIJING Agencies

A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said on Friday that China’s position on the Kashmir issue was clear and consistent and called for resolution of the longstanding dispute peacefully through dialogue and consultations for the regional peace and stability. On the issue of Kashmir, China’s position is clear and consistent. This is an issue leftover from history between India and Pakistan and this is also shared view of the international community, Hua Chunying said during his regular briefing in response to a question asked by APP. Today is the third anniversary of India’s unilateral actions in Occupied Kashmir, violating the United Nations (UN) resolutions on the disputed territory. The spokesperson said that three years ago, actually the Chinese side already stated that there should be restraint and prudence for relevant parties. Especially, the parties should avoid taking unilateral actions to change the status quo or to esca-

late tensions, she added. We call on both parties to resolve the dispute through dialogue and consultation peacefully for the region to remain peaceful and stable, she said. On August 5, 2019, the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government had struck down Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution, thereby scrapping the law that granted Kashmir its special status. Meanwhile, in a recent statement, Cheng Xizhong, Visiting Professor of Southwest University of Political Science and Law said that the Kashmir issue was the core obstacle to the normalization of relations between India and Pakistan and to peace and stability in the South Asian Sub continent. He said, India changed the status of Kashmir on August 5, 2019, which further complicated the Kashmir issue. Therefore, the key to normalizing India-Pakistan relations was for India to take the initiative to immediately restore the original status of Kashmir. Prof Cheng, who is also a senior fellow of the Charhar Institute, opined that the interna-

tional community should take strong and concerted actions, forcing India to immediately halt and reverse unilateral and all illegal actions it has taken in IIOJK and fulfill its obligations under the relevant UNSC resolutions. He suggested that first, the UNSC should pay more close attention to India’s unilateral and illegal actions in IIOJK, which were seriously endangering regional peace; second, because India has seriously violated the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people, all international human rights organizations should continue to put pressure on India; third, all countries responsible for world peace, especially big powers, should impose the most severe sanctions on India, forcing the Narendra Modi regime to rectify its evil ways with strong measures. The Kashmiris have the full right to decide their own destiny. The Kashmiris should have the final say on the Kashmir issue. I firmly believe that the Kashmiri people who have been fighting for national self-determination for decades will win the final victory, he added.

Pakistan favours win-win solutions over strategic competition for peaceful Asia-Pacific region: Bilawal PHNOM PENH Agencies

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said Pakistan considered a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific region its priority and stressed win-win solutions instead of a strategic competition among the countries. “We are of the firm view that our region should not become an arena for strategic competition. We continue to emphasize the need for win-win solutions,” he said in his address at the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, and foreign ministers of ASEAN countries attended the event. Bilawal said Pakistan had full faith in an ASEAN-led ARF, a vital platform, for promoting open dialogue on political and security cooperation in the region. “It has immense potential for both conflict management and resolution, and inclusive security cooperation,” he said, emphasizing that Pakistan stood ready to work with ARF partners to develop its linkages with other international platforms for confidence building and conflict prevention. He said Pakistan’s aspiration for a full dialogue partnership was a sign of its continued commitment to relations with ASEAN. He said Pakistan would remain a strong partner in all endeavours for peace, stability and development of the region and beyond. The foreign minister spoke at length about various issues of importance, including COVID-19, geopolitics, Afghanistan, climate change, and conflicts of Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Asia. COVID-19: Bilawal stressed to develop mechanisms and processes for a more coordinated response to future health crises, undertake efforts to ensure vaccine equity, and fight future pandemics in a more humane manner. He mentioned that COVID-19 exacerbated the economic woes of nations from North to South. Supply and value chains were disrupted, unemployment mounted, growth rates plummeted, and debt burden accumulated. He said the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) was laudable for providing much needed relief to developing countries in distress and called for reinforcing the recovery efforts, especially in the global South.

Russia says ready to discuss prisoner exchange with US ANKARA Agencies

Russia is ready to discuss prisoner exchange with the US, but it should be at the level of presidents, the country’s foreign minister said on Friday. “If the Americans again decide to engage in public diplomacy … that’s their business and their problem,” Sergey Lavrov said a day after a Moscow court sentenced WNBA player Brittney Griner to nine years in prison. Lavrov’s remarks came following the foreign ministers’ meeting of the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the channel through which Russia and the US can hold discussions, including the prisoner swap, was agreed on by Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden during a meeting in Geneva. On Thursday, the Khimki City Court in Moscow region sentenced American basketball player on charges of drug possession and smuggling. The court also imposed a fine of 1 million rubles ($16,600) on the WNBA star. Griner, 31, was arrested in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after authorities said they found cannabis oil in her possession. She pleaded guilty in July to drug charges, but has maintained she used medicinal cannabis to treat pain and denied intending to violate Russian law. The US earlier offered a swap deal that includes Griner and Paul Whelan, who has been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges.

China sanction Pelosi; end cooperation with US on multiple fronts BEIJING stAff report

Responding to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s egregious provocation, China has decided to adopt sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family members in accordance with relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced Friday. In disregard of China’s grave concerns and firm opposition, Pelosi insisted on visiting Taiwan, which constitutes a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, said the spokesperson. “It gravely undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously tramples on the one-China principle, and severely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the spokesperson added. The international community should re-

alize the severity of Pelosi’s visit: Wang Yi The international community should be aware of the severity and harm of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan region, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday. Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Both sides held an in-depth conversation on the Taiwan question. Wang elaborated on the history and facts of the Taiwan question, stressing that the responsibility for the current tense situation in the Taiwan Straits lies entirely with the U.S. side and that China’s response is legitimate and necessary. Balakrishnan said Singapore firmly supports the one-China policy and is opposed to “Taiwan Independence.” He emphasized the

need to avoid miscalculation and accidents, and stressed the need for stable U.S.-China relations, which are vital for the regional peace and security. China annoUnCES CoUntERmEaSURES : The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday announced countermeasures in response to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the Taiwan region. thE mEaSURES inCLUdE: – Canceling China-U.S. Theater Commanders Talk. – Canceling China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks (DPCT). – Canceling China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) meetings. – Suspending China-U.S. cooperation on the repatriation of illegal immigrants.

– Suspending China-U.S. cooperation on legal assistance in criminal matters. – Suspending China-U.S. cooperation against transnational crimes.

– Suspending China-U.S. counternarcotics cooperation. – Suspending China-U.S. talks on climate change.

saturday, 6 August, 2022 | LAHorE

sPorts 11

ICC HoPES to REtAIn ALL-foRmAt PLAyERS dESPItE BuSy CALEndAR ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

HE International Cricket Council (ICC) is optimistic of retaining the game’s allformat players despite their mounting workload in a busy calendar, chief executive Geoff Allardice said. England talisman Ben Stokes quit the 50-overs format last month, citing an “unsustainable” schedule, while India’s Virat Kohli has been vocal about the growing workload on players.

“There’ll still be all-format players,” Allardice told the ESPNcricinfo website. “Whether they play every match that their country schedules in those formats is a different question.” Proliferation of franchise-based leagues and the ICC’s own plans to have one global event every year have added strain to the calendar. Allardice said players prioritising various formats was not a new phenomenon and that the current calendar had backlogs from when the pandemic had caused several series to be postponed.

“…certainly, the balance of players playing international cricket versus domestic leagues will continue to evolve,” he said. “I’m hoping that the best players play international cricket as often as they can.” Most players still had a “huge ambition” to play in World Cups and ICC events, he said. “It’s a case of finding that balance in how they spend their calendar year, across which international competitions, which series and which leagues they should play.”

Besides, it was not a universal problem, he said. “There are only some countries that are going to need to do that. There’s a lot of countries wanting international fixtures.” “There’s no shortage of demand for international cricket among the members,” he said. As for players’ workload, it was for individual boards to handle the issue, Allardice said. “The management of their players, it’s not something that necessarily bounces off to the ICC on any sort of regular basis.”

Pakistan’s semifinal hopes end after 7-0 defeat against Australia BIRMINGHAM agencieS

Pakistan suffered a crushing 7-0 defeat at the hands of six-time Commonwealth Games champions Australia, who maintained their 100% record in the final Pool A match at Birmingham on Thursday night. In order to ruin the South African party Pakistan needed to win this game by two goals or more, and to their credit they started on the front foot. They could not find a way through however, and Blake Govers hammered home just how tough this would be for Pakistan by opening the scoring in the 12th minute. The second quarter only served to make the already extremely tough Pakistan challenge almost impossible when Jeremy Hayward doubled the Kook-

aburra’s lead. A strong period for the Aussies only yielded the one goal but put them firmly in the driving seat. Any lingering hopes of a Pakistan comeback were firmly crushed in the third quarter, as goals from Hayward and Tom Wickham just two minutes apart extended the lead to 4-0. Australia saved their most prolific quarter for the final 15, adding three more goals from Wickham, Jacob Anderson and Nathan Ephraums. A thoroughly professional performance from a side looking to make it 7 out of 7 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. The result of the game means Pakistan will take on Canada in the 7th/8th classification match, while Australia will play hosts England in the semi-final on Saturday.

Shan to return to English county after recent PCB snub

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD Pakistan opener Shan Masood has once again been ignored for national team selection as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squads for the Asia Cup 2022 and the upcoming ODI series against the Netherlands. The left-hander delivered recordbreaking performances in the County Championship 2022 and became the first player to cross the 1,000-run mark for the season campaign. He also led Derbyshire to the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast as captain. Despite his impressive display, Shan was not included in the national team. The opener is set to return to England to continue featuring for Derbyshire instead. The news regarding his return was confirmed by Derbyshire on its official Twitter account. Speaking about the return, Shan claimed that he is looking forward to playing cricket again and appreciated Derbyshire for remaining patient with him.

ISLAMABAD Web DeSk

Shaheen, Shadab included in Wisden’s U-25 World ODI XI Staff RepoRt

Staff RepoRt

Ahmed Shehzad named Rawalakot Hawks’ captain for KPL 2

After registering splendid performances on the international stage in recent times, Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi and all-rounder Shadab Khan have both been included in Wisden’s Under-25 World ODI XI. According to the details, the team selection was based on the age of the players. The cricketers who were under the age of 25 as of July 31, 2022, were all considered for selection. International cricket has produced some exciting young talent in recent times including Ireland’s Harry Tector, West Indian Alzarri Joseph, and Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani. Englishman Phil Salt and Afghan national Rahmanullah Gurbaz were both selected as players who would open the innings whereas Shimron Hetmyer, Harry Tector, and Rishabh Pant were slotted in as third, fourth, and fifth. Since making his debut, Kyle Verreyne has been a consistent performer which is why he has been included as the sixth-placed batter.

Shadab Khan is one of the few all-rounders under 25 who have made such a massive impact on the international stage. Shadab’s most recent impressive display came against West Indies when the allrounder scored 86 from 78 deliveries. Rashid Khan, who is regarded as a T20 specialist spinner, is a no-brainer to be picked as he is also Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker. Three pacers included in the team are Alzarri Joseph, Shaheen Afridi, and Blessing Muzarbani. Here is tHe complete Xi: Phil Salt Rahmanullah Gurbaz Shimron Hetmyer Harry Tector Rishabh Pant Kyle Verreyne Shadab Khan Rashid Khan Alzarri Joseph Shaheen Afridi Blessing Muzarabani

India still reeling under T20 World Cup defeat against Pakistan: Latif ISLAMABAD Web DeSk

India will face Pakistan in a blockbuster 2022 Asia Cup clash on August 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The arch-rivals will return to the same venue after almost 10 months as the last time both teams met at the 2021 T20 World Cup where Babar Azam’s side secured a comprehensive 10-wicket win over India. Since then, India has made many

changes to their approach in this format under the leadership of new captain Rohit Sharma but former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif believes that the huge 10-wicket defeat in the T20 WC clash did “a lot of damage” to the Indian team. “I don’t think the World Cup would be in their (India’s) mind. They are taking it series by series, it’s worth noting that teams are changing with every series. Their focus will be on the Asia Cup. The loss against Pakistan caused a lot of damage to the Indian team,

so they are trying to recover from it,” Latif said on his official YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind’. “You can play as many series as you want, but the match between India and Pakistan remains very important. I believe the Indian team, the board, the management will pay significant attention to the match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. They would want to win the Asia Cup, and if all the players are available for India, they can be favourites.”

The 53-year-old acknowledged that the Men in Blue had an upper hand in the games between the two arch-rivals in recent past but the latest victory by Pakistan at the T20 World Cup gave them a massive boost. “The conditions in the UAE suit them. India will give their all in the game against Pakistan. They have dominated the clashes between both sides in the past 20 years, but Pakistan did win by 10 wickets in their last game. So the planning will go into it,” concluded Latif.

Pakistan opening batter, Ahmed Shehzad, has been appointed as the captain of Rawalkot Hawks for the second edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL). The appointment was announced by Hawks’ Chairman, Jan Wali Shaheen, and added that this will also be an opportunity for young cricketers to learn from Shehzad’s vast experience. Shaheen maintained that Shehzad not only played an important role in our success last season, but also our young cricketers got the opportunity to learn a lot from him. Shehzad opined that Rawalakot Hawks is very close to his heart and will try to do best this season. “Winning the title last season is one of the memorable moments of my career. In Sha Allah, will try my best to defend the Kashmir Premier League title,” he said. “My aim was to share my experience with the youth of the team and especially Kashmiri cricketers and provide them with maximum opportunities”, he added. On the other hand, the defending champions on Thursday had full activity in their hometown, Rawalakot. Team Chairman Jan Wali Shaheen, Captain Ahmed Shahzad, Mentor Yasir Hameed, Asif Afridi, Sameen Gul toured the whole city along with KPL trophy. They were given a warm welcome by the residents and fans. KPL trophy travelled to stunning and beautiful Banjusa Lake, various other places in the city and the press club. KPL 2 will be staged in Muzaffarabad from August 13 to 26. Seven teams including Hawks, Janbaz, Mirpur Royals, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Kotli Lions, Overseas Warriors, and Bagh Stallions will compete to lift the glittering trophy.

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GovT To acTivEly puRsuE REliEf WoRk in flood-hiT aREas: pM ROJHAN

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RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the government would actively carry out relief work in the flood-affected areas till the rehabilitation of all victims. Addressing a public gathering during his visit to Rojhan, he said the federal government was committed to facilitating the floodhit people in collaboration with the provincial governments. The prime minister said the government under its prime vision to serve the masses,

houses. PM Shehbaz said, “The affected people are looking towards the government for mitigation of their sufferings,” adding that no negligence in the supply of food, medicines, and accommodation will be tolerated. He emphasized on extending a uniform level of facilitation to the flood victims across the country and ordered to ensure proper cleaning, sanitation, and fumigation in the affected areas for averting spread of diseases and provision of clean drinking water to control gastric diseases. He stressed on the need for a joint survey by federal and provincial governments to as-

would extend every possible assistance to the people who suffered losses due to the recent floods. He directed the departments concerned to be vigilant in the wake of upcoming rain-spell to avoid further loss to human life, property and livestock. He instructed early disbursement of compensation money among the flood-hit people, saying the federal government had increased the cash assistance for the injured people from Rs25,000 to Rs250,000. He also announced compensation to the tune of Rs0.5 million each for both mud and concrete houses damaged completely and Rs0.2 million each for partially damaged

sess the damages in the wake of floods. The prime minister said the federal government was committed to provide relief to the people affected by floods and ensuring their early rehabilitation. He said both the federal and provincial governments were working round the clock to provide relief to the affected population. The prime minister earlier had an aerial view of the area to see the devastation caused by the heavy rains. He, on the occasion, was given a briefing by the authorities concerned regarding the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work in the area, including the supply of food, drinking

No question of Pakistani soil used in Zawahiri’s killing: DG ISPR ISLAMABAD News Desk

Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Babar Iftikhar Friday commented on rumours concerning the use of Pakistan’s air space in the drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri and said that there was “no question on the use of the Pakistani soil in Zawahiri’s killing. “The Foreign Ministry has issued a clear statement regarding Ayman Al-Zawahiri. It is impossible that Pakistan’s soil has been

used for this,” he said, adding that irrelevant comments are made without any evidence. Condemning the negative propaganda on social media which took off after the helicopter crash, the director-general said: “We have been distressed since the accident on August 1. The propaganda has caused immense pain, particularly to the families of the martyrs.” Emphasising that this should not happen, General Babar said that elements spreading negative propaganda and rumours should be rejected. “Insensitive behaviour is

Govt to offer $390 per MT wheat price to Russia

unacceptable and should be condemned on every platform,” he asserted, adding that the Pakistan Army is grateful for the nation which stands by them and the martyrs. Commenting on three years since India’s abrogated Article 370 ending Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir’s special autonomous status, the DG ISPR said, Pakistan Army stands with the people of Kashmir. “The issue of Kashmir must be resolved and we will work toward it at every platform,” he maintained.

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Imran decides to contest by-poll from all nine PTI constituencies

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The federal government has decided to offer a price of $390 per metric tonne to Russia on the import of wheat. This was decided in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held under the chair of Finance minister Miftah Ismail on Friday. As per the details, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research submitted a summary on supply of milling wheat from Russia on G2G basis. It was informed that in compliance with the decision of the Federal Cabinet by ECC on June 28 for the import of 3 MMT of wheat, TCP initiated the process of import from the Russian government on G2G basis. In this context, an MOU was signed between Russian SOE and TCP on 08-06-2022. Initially, the government of Russia offered a wheat price $410 per MT. A committee was constituted by the PM office under Advisor to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi to negotiate with the Russian Embassy on the price issue of imported wheat. Meanwhile, the Russian delegation met with the Minister for Commerce and offered a reduced price of wheat at the rate of $405 MT and later on the price was further reduced to $400 per MT. Finally, Ministry of National Food Security & Research on the recommendations of the Ministry of Commerce submitted the price offered by M/s Prodintorg, a state-owned company of Government of Russia at the rate of $399.50 per MT for supply 120,000 MT +/- 5% MOLSO of milling wheat through G2G arrangements for the consideration of the ECC of the Cabinet. It was observed in the meeting of the ECC that there is a declining trend in the price of wheat which may further reduce in the coming days.

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has announced to contest by-polls on all nine National Assembly seats declared vacated by the Election Commission of Pakistan after the National Assembly speaker accepted eleven PTI MNAs’ resignations. According to the ECP schedule, the by-polls on the nine National Assembly seats would be contested on September 25. In a meeting with senior journalists on Friday, the PTI chief announced to contest elections from all nine constituencies himself. Elections would be held this year, government parties want to single him out, he told journalists. “I would fight against the rulers at every platform,” he added. The government alliance’s plans to disqualify him would never be completed, he said. Imran Khan said that he made two major mistakes in his political career. He added that he cannot share the first one, but the second one was appointing Sikandar Sultan Raja as the ECP Chief. Earlier today, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued the schedule for the vacated national assembly seats. According to the schedule released by the ECP, the candidates can submit their nomination papers from August 10 to 13, which will be verified by August 17, whereas the election symbols will be issued to the candidates on August 29. According to the ECP, the by-elections will be held for the constituencies of

NA-22 Mardan, NA-24 Charsadda, NA31 Peshawar, NA-45 Kurram, NA-108 Faisalabad, NA-118 Nankana Sahib, as well as NA-237, 239, and 246 of Karachi. The seats fell vacant after National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had accepted the resignations of eleven Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members on July 28 – exactly 109 days after they had resigned from their seats. After losing 15 out of 20 seats in Punjab in by-polls and finally losing the chief ministership of the province, the government had decided to move ahead with accepting the resignations of PTI lawmakers pending since April 11. Amid the PTI’s demand for snap polls and the government’s decision to complete the remaining constitutional tenure till August 2023, elections on the vacant seats would not just be a face-off between the ruling alliance and the PTI and its allies but would turn out to be a referendum on their popularity among masses.

Sensing the move, former PTI information minister Fawad Chaudhry had tweeted that ex-deputy speaker Qasim Suri had already accepted the PTI lawmakers’ resignations and sent the same to the ECP, saying the acceptance of the resignations now has no legal value. Fawad had said that it was a fantasy that by-elections would be held in 11 constituencies, adding that the country was moving towards general elections and the incumbent rulers won’t be able to stop that. Previously, the NA speaker had called in all 131 PTI lawmakers, who had resigned from their assembly seats, to verify if their resignations were “genuine and voluntary”. However, Imran had barred his party members from appearing before the NA speaker, terming it a trap. The PTI legislatures didn’t show up and since then the matter was pending before the speaker. On April 16, the NA speaker directed the NA Secretariat to deal with the resignations of PTI lawmakers afresh and present them before him so that they could be treated as per law. The ruling had come amid claims and speculations that some of the PTI lawmakers were not willing to resign and were conveying messages that their resignations should not be accepted. The speaker’s direction had come days after former deputy speaker Suri’s ruling through which he had accepted the resignations of the PTI lawmakers after they resigned en masse from the assembly in protest over alleged “foreign interference” which ousted Imran Khan as prime minister.

Imports will be controlled for next three months: Miftah ISLAMABAD stAff RePoRt

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Friday said that the government will be controlling imports for the next three months even if it comes at the cost of slower growth. While addressing a ceremony at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Miftah said that the government will also come up with a policy in this regard. “I understand that growth will be reduced for a bit but I have no other choice,” he added. Miftah said that the government’s import restrictions would affect the automobile and electronic appliances industries. He said he did not want to create

unemployment and his first priority was the reduction of imports. “When there was pressure, we imported a lot of oil and gas. At this time, we have a stock of thirty days for diesel and petrol. We have furnace oil supply for six months. We are very comfortable in terms of our energy security and energy supply, and other obligations. We will control imports for the next four months. The minister pointed out that the country’s import bill in June was $7.7 billion and if the current account deficit widened to such an extent, it would create pressure on the rupee. Pakistan’s import bill for the previous fiscal year stood at $80bn while its exports amounted to $31bn. “No country can grow

and be stable with this kind of current account deficit.” He said that while it was a good thing for developing countries to run a small deficit, Pakistan had failed to productively use its long periods of deficit. The PML-N government, during its previous tenure, had set up power plants generating 11,500MW of energy but doubling electricity generation had not led to a doubling in the industrial and export sectors, he added. “Other countries like China set up factories after setting up power plants. We only built wedding halls and we did not [earn] foreign exchange.” The minister said that while he believed in the model of export expansion and not import substitution, the government

fM writes to oic on alarming situation in iioJk stAff RePoRt

NA BY-POLLS

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water and basic health facilities to the displaced people staying at temporary shelters. The prime minister was informed about the provision of mobile hospitals and allied facilities to the affected local population. It was told that an initial survey had been submitted with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Special Adviser Ataullah Tarar, Member of the National Assembly Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari, Aslam Bhootani and National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lt-Gen Akhtar Nawaz accompanied the prime minister.

needed to control the budget deficit for which immediate steps needed to be taken. He added that while the economic situation of Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan was similar in the nineties, now their exports were $100bn and Pakistan had to “ask for money at every place”. “It’s no fun. I think it’s time that we act like a mature, dignified nation. The new tax-to-GDP ratio is 9.2 percent. You cannot run a country on this. You need more money.” Ismail said the country had been close to default when the PML-N-led government came into power which is why he approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) days after becoming the finance minister.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a letter to the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, apprising him about the dire situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In the letter, the foreign minister recalled that three years ago, on August 5, 2019, India imposed illegal and unilateral measures in IIOJK. Accompanied by a brutal military siege and draconian curbs on fundamental freedoms of the people of the occupied territory, these measures were followed by additional unlawful actions including illegal demographic changes, and grave atrocities in the form of incarceration of Kashmiri leadership; extra judicial killings; enforced disappearances; arbitrary detentions; and staged ‘cordon-and-search’ operations. He noted that India’s actions are in blatant violation of international law, including relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the 4th Geneva Convention, as well as the OIC resolutions. The foreign minister also recalled that the Resolution titled “The Jammu and Kashmir Dispute”, adopted by the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad on March 23, 2022, rejected “the illegal and unilateral actions taken by India on August 5, 2019 and subsequent steps to change the internationally recognized disputed status of the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory.” It also demanded “India to reverse all illegal and unilateral measures taken on or after 5th August 2019” and “take concrete and meaningful steps for the full implementation of UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.” Appreciating the consistent and principled position of the OIC in support of the just and legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination, the foreign minister called upon the OIC to continue to stand in solidarity with the people of IIOJK and lead the diplomatic effort for finding a lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC and OIC Resolutions. The foreign minister urged the Secretary General to Honour the history of countless sacrifices and valiant efforts of the Kashmiri people by taking further steps from the OIC platform to help address the humanitarian needs of the people of IIOJK, and seek access to the occupied territory for an OIC fact-finding mission.

Electricity shortfall jumps to 7,641MW ISLAMABAD INP

The country’s electricity shortfall has reached 7,461 megawatts (MW), it was reported by the Power Division on Friday. According to the details, the total power generation capacity has dropped to 20,539 MW as compared to Thursday’s 22,003 MW against the demand of 28,000 MW. Of this total, 6,900 MW is being generated from water, 8,550MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), 990 MW from government thermal plants, 3,001 MW from nuclear plants, and 880 MW and 131 MW from wind and solar plants, respectively. Similarly, 77 MW of electricity is being generated from bagasse power plants. It may be noted here that the decreased power generation has led to an increase in unannounced load-shedding periods. Different parts of Pakistan are currently facing loadshedding up to 10 hours.

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