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Tuesday, 9 August, 2022 I 10 Muharram, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 40 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

State agencieS to probe poSt helicopter craSh negative Social media campaign ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

EDERAL government on Monday notified a six-member committee comprising members from the FIA, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and ISI to help probe a negative campaign being launched post helicopter crash in Lasbela that saw martyrdom of six Pakistan Army officials including Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali. According to the notification, the sixmember committee formed to probe the negative campaign would be led

by Additional Director General (DG) of FIA cybercrime unit Muhammad Jaffar.

The members included Lieutenant Colonel Saad from ISI, Deputy Director IB Waqar Nisar, Director FIA Waqaruddin Syed, deputy director Ayaz and Imran Haider.

The committee will identify those who launched the negative campaign on social media and arrest them and launch legal proceedings against them. The Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) has condemned negative propaganda over social media after the Helicopter crash in Lasbela leaving five Army officers martyred.

A statement issued by ISPR said that the propaganda hurt the sentiments of the families of the martyrs. Pakistan Army’s ranks and files have expressed

severe displeasure over the negative propaganda, ISPR said.

They added that the nation stands with the Pakistan Army in this difficult time. The negative callous propaganda is unbearable and condemnable, they added.

The wreckage of an unfortunate Army helicopter that went missing during a relief and rescue operation in the flood-hit Balochistan area has been found in Musa Goth, Winder, Lasbela.

DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar confirmed the news that all the six officers and soldiers including Corps Commander Southern Command, Lt General Sarfraz Ali embraced martyrdom.

Govt warns PTI against turning Aug 13 rally ‘violent’ FAISALABAD Staff RepoRt

army announces transfer, posting of its senior commanders RAWALPINDI Staff RepoRt

In another round of top level postings and transferred, Pakistan Army posted Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid and posted him as Commander of Bahawalpur Corps, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Monday. In a statement, the military’s media wing announced two more postings. The military’s media wing said Lieutenant General Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat has been posted as the commander of Peshawar Corps. Moreover, according to the ISPR, Lieutenant General Khalid Zia has been appointed as the new Military Secretary to Chief of Army Staff at GHQ. Last week, former director-general of the ISPR Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor was appointed Corps Commander Quetta. According to the ISPR, Lt Gen Ghafoor was appointed to replace his predecessor, Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali who – along with five other Pakistan Army officers – embraced martyrdom last Tuesday after an aviation helicopter of the army crashed at Lasbela, Balochistan.

NOTICE The offices of Pakistan Today will remain closed on the eve of Youm-e-Ashura on August 9, 2022. The paper willnot be published on August 10. We wish our readers a safe Ashura.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of “dire consequences” if its workers disrupted law and order or resorted to violence during the party’s August 13 rally in Islamabad.

Addressing a press conference in Faisalabad on Monday, Sanaullah said it was the constitutional right of PTI workers to stage peaceful protests but added that the government would deal with them with an iron fist “if they use violence or tried to blackmail the government”.

He also reminded the PTI of a crackdown on its workers and leaders during May 25 Islamabad long march, saying this time around con-

sequences will be “grave”.

The PTI last week announced to hold a rally in Islamabad’s Parade

Ground on the eve of Independence Day in which former prime minister and party chief Imran Khan would announce the next plan of action to deal against the coalition government led by PML-N. The interior minister also accused the Imran-led party of running a malicious campaign on social media following the helicopter crash in which six army officers, including Quetta Corps Commander Lt General Sarfraz Ali embraced martyrdom during a flood relief operation in Balochistan.

“Entire nation stands by the martyrs of the Pakistan Army, I salute all the martyrs, those who spread negative propaganda against the army are misguided and such dirty campaigners have been identified,” he

remarked His statement came as the Inter Services-Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officers on Monday joined the team investigating the hate campaign on social media against the martyrs in Balochistan’s Lasbela helicopter crash.

Sanaullah said that Imran was dividing the nation and misleading the youth and the entire nation by spreading negative propaganda.

He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict in the PTI prohibited funding case had proved that Imran was a “foreign agent”.

“After the ECP verdict, his mental health has been affected… if he is not stopped he will lead the nation to any catastrophe,” he added.

Ashura to be marked with religious reverence, solemnity today LAHORE/KARACHI/ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Millions of Shi’ite Muslims will perform mourning rituals on Tuesday to mark Ashura, the holiest festival in their calendar, amid heightened measures in many places across the country.

Ashura falls on the 10th day of the lunar calendar month of Muharram and commemorates the martyrdom in 680 AD of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (R.A.), a grandson of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.), near Karbala in what is now Iraq.

Shi’ites mark the festival with large public rituals, sometimes involving bloody self-flagellation or cutting to signify a link with the sufferings of Hussain (R.A.), whose martyrdom symbolises a wider struggle against oppression and tyranny.

The martyrdom of Hussain eventually led to the division of Islam into the two main Sunni and Shi’ite sects and in recent years, the festival has been scarred by bloody sectarian attacks in some countries.

Mourning processions will be taken out in cities and towns across the country.

The azadars (mourners) will pay glowing tributes to sacrifices offered

by Hussain (R.A.) and his companions for the supremacy of Islam.

The mourners would pass

through their prescribed routes and processions will culminate in their prescribed places.

Shi’ite Muslims make up about 20 percent of Pakistan’s population.

The rest are mostly Sunni Muslims.

Meanwhile, in connection with the first day of Ashura, Muharram 9, today, countrywide mourning processions will be taken out in memory of the martyrs of the Battle of Karbala fought between the army of Yazid I, the second Umayyad caliph,

and a small group of faithful led by Hussain (R.A.).

ELABORATE MEASURES Elaborate security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident during the mourning processions.

In Lahore, more than 10,000 police, including 370 women personnel, will perform security duties on Monday and Tuesday.

On Tuesday, 227 congregations will be organised while 47 proces-

sions will be held across Punjab. The Punjab government has imposed a ban on pillion riding.

Furthermore, mobile phone services will be suspended along the routes of processions planned in major cities in a bid to foil remotecontrolled bombings. Police have also set up extra checkpoints and imposed restrictions on movement in some areas.

The programme organisers have also been directed to ensure adherence to the code of conduct, route and timings.

In Karachi, the main procession will begin from Nishtar Park at Parsi Colony at 1:00 pm, pass through M.A. Jinnah Road, Saddar’s Empress Market, Tibet Centre and end at Hussainian Iranian imambargah in Kharadar.

The 500-year-old historical procession of No Dhala Tazia in Rohri is moving on the traditional route.

Whereas, in Islamabad, the main procession will emerge from Asna Ashri imambargah in Sector G6/2 and will culminate at the same place after passing through its traditional route.

Peshawar’s procession will depart from Imam Bargah Hussainia Hall at 10:00 am, and the main procession in Quetta will depart from Mekangi Road at 1:30 pm.

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Tuesday, 9 August, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

ToP LeadershiP CoNGraTuLaTes arshad NadeeM oN wiNNiNG javeLiN GoLd ISLAMABAD

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Staff RePoRt

HE nation’s top leadership congratulated Arshad Nadeem who defeated a chronic elbow injury to win Commonwealth Games men’s javelin on Sunday, becoming the first Pakistan athlete to achieve the feat. “What amazing news to wake up to! His consistency, passion and hard work hold lessons for our youth,” tweeted the prime minister. “Congratulations Arshad on your brilliant achievement.”

Nadeem made headlines in August last after he competed in the men’s javelin throw competition in the Olympics where he finished fifth after almost winning a medal. Neeraj Chopra won the title with a best throw of 87.58 metres to claim the first Olympic athletics gold medal for India. But on Sunday, with his effort of 90.18 metres, Nadeem crossed a barrier that even Chopra hasn’t. Chopra missed these Games because of injury. His best is 89.94 metres.

Interestingly, since Tokyo Games, Nadeem did not participate in any competition until Sunday’s championship.

On his way to the gold, Nadeem broke the record and even pushed the World Championship gold medalist Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who threw 88.64 metres, to the second spot. “Nation is proud of you,” said the president.

The army chief said Nadeem “is the pride of the nation and our national hero”.

Nadeem’s native town of Mian Channu stayed up late to catch the historic occasion. His father Muhammad Ashraf, a mason by profession, despite the late hour, was awake to witness the biggest moment of his son’s career.

Within three years of crossing the 70 metres mark in

First consignment of medicines dispatched for Balochistan flood affectees

2015, Nadeem crossed the 80 metres mark with a throw of 80.75 metres in the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018.

The last four years have seen Arshad crossing the 85 metres mark four times with a best of 86.38 metres throw in Imam Reza Cup in Iran last year.

Lahore court grants bail to PML-N’s Nazeer Chauhan in attempted murder case LAHORE

ISLAMABAD

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Staff RePoRt

A court in Lahore on Monday accepted the postarrest bail application filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nazeer Chauhan in attempted murder case in lieu of a surety bond of Rs50, 000 after he reached a settlement with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MPA Shabbir Gujjar. Recording his statement in the court at city’s Model Town kutchehry, MPA Gujjar said that he had forgiven Chauhan for The Almighty Allah’s sake. Speaking on the occasion, Adil Gujjar, the MPA’s nephew, too, said he had no objection to the release of Chauhan either.

Chauhan had won the 2018 general elections on PTI’s ticket but later switched his loyalties and contested the July 17 by-election on PML-N’s ticket. One month before the by-election in PP167, Lahore, there was a clash between groups of PML-N and PTI after police raided the latter’s office in Johar Town locality of the Punjab capital and took into custody several party workers.

On the instructions of Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel, the first consignment of medicines was dispatched to Balochistan for the flood-hit people, it has been reported on Sunday. According to a spokesperson for the health ministry, the second large consignment of medicines will be dispatched to Balochistan immediately after Ashura. “A 12-member team of doctors from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has also left for Balochistan,” said the health ministry spokesperson. “The first consignment includes medicines for fever, cold, flu, eye diseases and prevention of epidemics,” Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said. “The Federal Ministry of Health and its subordinate institutions are ensuring the provision of medical facilities to the flood-hit people in collaboration with the provincial government,” he added. “Vaccines against dysentery, typhoid and measles have also been sent to Balochistan,” he stated.

“Effective measures are being taken to protect children from diseases and epidemics,” he averred. “The federal government is working with the provincial governments in the flood-hit areas. Serving the suffering humanity is our religious and moral duty. We will do everything possible for the people of Balochistan in this time of distress,” he vowed.

Chinese company helps flood-affected people in G-B

ISLAMABAD

LAHORE: Mourners take out Ashura procession from Nisar Haveli, Mochi Gate. Photo by zubaIR Mehfooz

Date for new elections to be decided by PDM: Talal SUMANDRI/ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) leader Talal Chaudhry has said that Imran Khan can stage 100 protests and public gatherings but the date for the new elections would be decided by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Addressing a press conference on Sunday the PML-N leader said that Imran Khan has been caught redhanded. “Fawad Chaudhry does not have a good understanding of the law, it cannot happen that a cycle thief gets arrested but a foreign-funded person is let free, he added.

He added that Imran Khan used to say that he would bring about a revolution and will not be dictated but he cannot even name the ‘neutrals’. If Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi was not loyal

to his brother Chaudhry Shujaat then how would he be loyal to Imran Khan, he added.

He added that multiple Joint Investigation Teams were formed over the Model Town incident but nothing came out of them. PTI wants to stage protests and public gatherings to divert attention from their theft.

He added that PTI can stage 100 gatherings and protests but the date for the fresh elections would be decided by the PDM. THREATS TO INSTITUTIONS DOOM TO FAIL Meanwhile, PML-N spokesperson Uzma Bukhari said PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his accomplices would have to surrender themselves before the law of the land as their threats to institutions were doomed to fail.

Speaking to media on Sunday, she

said Imran Khan should be held accountable for embezzling donation’s funds. She also urged the government to take immediate action as Pakistani political parties were not ready to tolerate Imran Khan, who devoured the money received from prohibited sources and used that money for destabilising the country, sabotaging China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and harming Kashmir cause.

She said Imran had also deceived overseas Pakistanis as he was caught red handed in utilising donation money for creating chaos and anarchy in the country.

“Imran must be ashamed of himself when his provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accepted American aid, including 34 keys of donated vehicles from the US ambassador in Pakistan the other day.

Likewise, a burn centre and over 20 more projects were being executed by the US government in PTI ruled province. Several new projects were also being launched in the province in collaboration with the US. “This has exposed Imran Khan’s so called anti American narrative, who feels no qualm in saying “Absolutely Not” to receiving dollars by brazenly ignoring his misleading regime change narrative,” she added, She said despite extraneous efforts, Imran had failed to bring proof against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PMLN’s Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

Thrice elected premier Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on clumsy grounds to pave way for Imran who was launched to lead the country under a well orchestrated conspiracy.

Staff RePoRt

A Chinese Company has helped the flood-affected people in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern areas of Pakistan.

The CEC of Hydropower Seventh Bureau Pakistan Basha Dam and Tangir Hydropower Project Teams responded promptly to the reports of the devastating flood and remained at the frontline of rescue and relief efforts to fight the disaster together alongside Pakistani brothers, a company’s statement said on Sunday. On July 30, a flash flood broke out in the Tangir district of Gilgit-Baltistan due to heavy rainfall, resulting in damage to farmland and destruction of roads and canals, which has seriously affected the lives of the local residents. On July 31, after surveying the flood-hit area, the project team formulated an immediate plan and deployed Tangir Hydropower Station construction personnel and excavator equipment to the affected areas to participate in rescue and relief work, according to the statement. The workers were also involved in clearing the collapsed infrastructure, dredging the wrecked roads, eliminating hidden hazards and refilling the foundations of the irrigation canal to protect the lives and property of local people. After two days of construction work, the project personnel succeeded in unblocking and rebuilding the collapsed roads and communications/transportation has been restored in the affected areas. The statement said that the backfilling of the irrigation canal foundation work is still underway, and the project personnel will continue to pay more attention to the disaster management and will cooperate with the local authorities and people.

Normalcy returns to all major rivers except Indus: FFC ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt

The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) has said that normalcy returned to all main rivers including Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Kabul except for River Indus which is flowing in “Medium Flood” in Guddu-Sukkur reach. According to daily FFC report on Sunday, the combined live storage of the Tarbela, Mangla & Chashma is 7.837 MAF (i.e. 58.22% of the total 13.461 MAF).

According to Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Lahore, yesterday’s monsoon low over Northwestern Bay of Bengal (India) remained stationary, however it has become well marked and is likely to become more marked. Trough of Westerly Wave continues to prevail over Northeastern Afghanistan and adjoining areas with Seasonal Low lying over Northwestern Balochistan.

Mild moist currents both from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal continue to penetrate into upper parts of the country up to 4000 feet.

Scattered thunderstorm/rain of Moderate Intensity is expected over the upper catchment of River Indus, during the next 24 hours. Isolated to scattered thunderstorm/rain may also occur over Punjab (Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, D.G. Khan & Bahawalpur Divisions), Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Eastern Balochistan and over the upper

catchments of Rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi & Sutlej during the same period.

Monsoon activity is likely to become vigorous during August 10-14 over Sindh, Balochistan including D.G. Khan division, it will also affect the upper half of the country and rest of the Southern Punjab but with relatively less intensity from 10th to 13th of August.

Heavy Rains may generate Urban Flooding in Islamabad, Punjab (Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore & Gujranwala) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Peshawar, Nowshera& Mardan Divisions) from August 10-13.

Flash flooding is expected in local Nullahs of Islamabad, Punjab (Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, Sialkot,Narowal) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, Karak, Lakki Marwat, & Bannu) and Kashmir from August 10-13.

Heavy rains may develop urban flooding in Sindh (Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad & Mirpurkhas) from August 11-14.

Flash flooding may also occur in Balochistan (Qilla Saifullah, Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Mosa Khel,Sherani, Sibbi, Bolan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Panjgur, Pasni, Jiwani, Ormara, & Gwadar) including Hill Torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan from during the said period.

Catchment areas of Rivers Ravi, Jhelum and

Chenab may receive heavy downpour, which may cause rise in water level significantly during the forecasted period. All related organizations, particularly PDMAs, related DDMAs, SDMA, AJ&K, District Administrations and local field formations of concerned Irrigation Departments are strictly advised to remain fully alert & vigilant, take timely actions on warnings issued by the concerned organizations to ensure safety of low lying area communities, public & private property besides irrigation, drainage & flood protection infrastructure etc.

IRSA RELEASES 246,500 CUSECS WATER: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Sunday released 246,500 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 303,000 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1540.31 feet, which was 142.31 feet higher than its dead level 1398 feet. Water inflow in the dam was recorded as 165,100 cusecs and outflow as 136,800 cusecs.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1162.50 feet, which was 112.50 feet higher than its dead level of 1050 feet whereas the inflow and outflow of water was recorded as 38,200 cusecs and 10,000 cusecs respectively. The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa and Sukkur was recorded as 97,700, 124,200 and 350,100 cusecs respectively.

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Tuesday, 9 August, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

PTi CoNdeMNs iNTerroGaTioN oF iTs eMPLoyees iN ProhiBiTed FuNdiNG Case ISLAMABAD

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Staff RePoRt

AKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar on Monday took the federal government t task for grilling party workers and employees regarding the prohibited funding case.

“The Federal Investigation Agency

(FIA) is interrogating those who work at the office of the PTI while Hamza Shehbaz, who is an accused in the Rs24 billion money laundering case, is enjoying himself in London,” tweeted Asad Umar.

Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Farrukh Habib said in a statement that the politics of ‘conscience sellers’ like Raja Riaz had come to an end.

“What right does a shameless person,

who sells conscience for money, have to speak on behalf of institutions?” he castigated Raja Riaz.

“This person is a means to destroy the honour of Parliament by taking stipends from the Sharifs. This shameless person is giving a false impression of being democratic by accepting the slavery of the most corrupt family,” he alleged.

Farrukh Habib said that the nation was

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well aware of the ambitions of those who criticised the youth while sitting in a cluster of thieves.

“The hate campaign against the Pakistan Army is part of the deeds of Maulvi, Zardari and Nawaz. My advice for Raja Riaz is not to go to any constituency,” he said.

“The public will remind this unscrupulous looter of his real worth as soon as he goes to the people,” he stressed.

Qureshi condemns ban on mourning processions in iioj&K

12 doctors of PiMs arrive Lasbela to conduct free medical camps LASBELA

MULTAN

aPP

aPP

A twelve-member doctors’ team from Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) has all set to organise free medical camps at Lasbela to provide best treatment to the local people in flood affected areas. The medical team has arrived at Lasbela to conduct free medical camps at various places in which needy people would be provided free medical advice and medicines by a team of doctors belonging to PIMS. The team consist on expert doctors would conduct numerous free medical camps in the flood hit areas of Balochistan. Free medicines would also be provided to the patients hailing from different parts of the area. Facilities of ultrasound, blood tests and surgery would be available at the camp. Local people hailed the doctors for holding free medical camps and provision of medicines. They called for organizing such camps in future as well.

LAHORE: Mourners touch Alam and Ta’azia during 9th Muharram procession at Islampura. Staff Photo

Stringent security measures afoot to maintain peace on Ashura in Dera Ismail Khan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN aPP

The district police have made elaborate security

arrangements to maintain peace during Muharram-ulHaram in the district especially on Aushra days.

According to the district police spokesperson foolproof security arrangements had been made to ensure security at Imambargahs, mourning processions, majalis besides entrance and exit routes throughout the district in Muharram.

CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the peace and security at all the important and sensitive places across the city and all the routes of processions.

A regular control room has been set up, in which DPO Dera Captain (Rtd) Najam Hussain Liaquat is monitoring the entire city.

Under the plan, the district Dera Ismail Khan has been divided into three zones and eight sectors and in this regard a total of 7436 jawans and officers of the district police including Frontier Reserve Police(FRP), special branch, bomb disposal squad, cannon unit, control unit and reserve contingent would perform their duties. A total of 1737 police personnel are performing their duties at Talajaat.

Apart from this, the police riders in the city and cantonment limits are jointly patrolling with the riders of the army to maintain peace in and around the city.

A total of 97 places have been specified for the blockade. Out of which 14 have been declared as sensitive.

The police personnel will perform their duties along with the army at these sensitive points.

Similarly, 113 points of the city have been allocated within the inner streets and roads of the city.

He said that arrangements had also been made for the rooftop security on 10th of Muharram, and 124 points have been allocated in this regard, adding eight places have been declared as sensitive and strict security arrangements have been made at these sensitive places. In addition, police mobile vans are on patrol duties within their designated limits to maintain law and order in the city.

Bomb disposal squad and canon unit across the district under the leadership of Inayatullah Khan is ensuring sweeping process and clear the relevant area before the security arrangement.

In addition, the teams of the special branch provide important information to the officers from time to time and the control unit works as a 24-hour liaison and strong coordination between the police and volunteers.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemned the BJP’s chauvinistic move to ban mourning processions and ‘Majalis’ in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) during Muharram and demanded the foreign office to record their protest with Indian ambassador in Pakistan. Talking the journalists after participating in the mourning procession at Mumtazabad here on Monday, Qureshi said mourning processions and ‘Majalis’ were being organized across the world but only the people of IIOJ&K were deprived of their religious rights by the Indian forces. He demanded of Pakistan foreign office to summon Indian Ambassador in the office and record protest. Qureshi said that PTI issued ticket for by-election in NA-157 to his daughter Meherbano Qureshi on merit as she was the only candidate having ability to contest election against Syed Ali Musa Gilani. Also, he congratulated javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem for winning gold medal for Pakistan at Commonwealth Games-2022.

Flash floods: more heavy rain and travel chaos forecast ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt

Forecasters on Monday warned of another bout of wet and stormy weather, amid predictions of further flooding chaos in southern Pakistan. In its latest advisory, the Met Office said fresh bands of heavy rain were heading for the country. The agency predicted rains, accompanied by strong winds, for most parts of the country during the next 24 hours. It forecasted the chances of rain at a few places in Islamabad on Tuesday. The agency issued similar predictions for the Potohar region, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Okara, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab. Likewise, the weather department also forecasted thundershowers for Dir, Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Buner, Mardan, Peshawar and Kurram in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday. It further said that rains and strong winds were also expected at a few places in Zhob, Barkhan, Kalat, Khuzdar and Lasbela in Balochistan, and Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, Sadhonati, Punch, Bagh, Havelian, Hatyan Bala, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Widespread rains were predicted for the entire Sindh during the next 24 hours.

Political, economic interests trump pursuit of human rights, freedom: diplomat ANKARA aNadolu ageNcy

Political considerations and bilateral economic interests continue to trump the pursuit of universal respect for human rights, dignity, and freedom of everyone everywhere, said a top Pakistan diplomat posted at the UN office in Geneva.

He said there is also a diversity of approaches to the promotion of human rights whereby “civil and political rights are often prioritized over social and economic rights.”

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva, explained the significance of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the issues of Palestine and Kashmir, and the role of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

While the UNHRC is a global custodian of human rights norms and principles, Hashmi said: “the devastating socioeconomic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have brought a degree of attention, but clearly, there is a long way to go to ensure that all human rights, freedoms and needs are accorded equal attention.”

OIC PROJECTS RIGHTS, RAISES ISLAMOPHOBIA: Hashmi said the Pakistani mission at the UNHRC is the OIC Coordinator in Geneva.

“In this capacity, we consult, deliberate, develop common positions and coordinate our actions on a range of human rights and humanitarian issues,” he said.

The designated diplomats share the OIC’s perspective through statements and participation in deliberations and negotiations on draft proposals where “we project the OIC’s views and priorities on the worrying situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jammu and Kashmir, and (concerning) Rohingya Muslims, among others,” he said.

“We utilize the UNHRC platform to raise global awareness about human rights impacts of the global surge in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred,” said the top Pakistani diplomat.

Earlier this year, the UN adopted a resolution proposed by the OIC and Pakistan to designate March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

On the Rohingya case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Hashmi said the OIC “fully stands by Gambia’s

efforts to bring justice to the Rohingya Muslims.”

“The OIC has established an ad-hoc ministerial committee in support of these legal efforts. We hope the ICJ’s verdict advances the cause of justice, accountability, and remedy for the Rohingya people,” he added.

The ICJ is hearing a case filed by the West African nation against Myanmar over its alleged genocide of the Rohingya, described by the UN as “the most persecuted minority in the world.”

THREE OBJECTIVES BEHIND REVOCATION OF KASHMIR AUTONOMY: Pointing to the third anniversary of India’s “illegal and unilateral actions in occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the Pakistani diplomat said the August 5, 2019 move by New Delhi has “three primary objectives.”

“First is to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory by transforming the indigenous Kashmiri population into a minority,” said Hashmi.

“Second is to alter the internationally recognized status of Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory, and third is to disenfranchise the Kashmiri people from

exercising their inalienable right to selfdetermination, granted to them by several UN Security Council resolutions.”

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947 but is claimed by both in its entirety.

The South Asian nuclear-armed nations have been to war three times over the disputed region. In August 2019, New Delhi revoked Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and split the UN-designated disputed territory into two federal territories.

Hashmi said Pakistan has declared August 5 as “Exploitation Day.” “The observance of this day is aimed at drawing global attention to Indian defiance of international law. The purpose is also to shine a light on the grave impact of these unlawful actions on the exercise of the Kashmiri people’s basic civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights,” he said.

Hashmi said Pakistan looks forward to nations, UN human rights machinery, international media, and civil society “taking cognizance of India’s willful disregard of universally agreed norms of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and raising their voices for the Kashmiri people’s fundamental rights and dignity.”

He warned that the present state of human rights “in the region is very grave.”

“Considering that India has failed to uphold the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people and blocked any independent scrutiny of or access to external observers, this situation, therefore, meets any objective criteria for preventive actions,” he said, citing a warning issued by Genocide Watch — a US-based global monitor on conflicts. To address the “crisis situation” in Kashmir, Hashmi said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights can “exercise her prevention mandate, for example, to publish an updated Kashmir Report.”

The UN High Commissioner has published two Kashmir reports, in 2018 and 2019. “Since the human rights situation has deteriorated substantially since the publication of the last OHCHR report in July 2019, there is merit in producing an updated report,” he emphasized.

Referring to the UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir, Hashmi said it is clearly stipulated in Article 25 of the UN Charter, which obliges all UN member states to accept and carry out the Security Council’s decisions.

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04 NEWS IN letter to provINCes, CeNtre sUGGests joINt flood relIef efforts ISLAMABAD

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stAFF rePort

INISTER for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, who heads the flood relief committee set up by the prime minister, has written to the chief ministers of all four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir prime minister on Monday, seeking to devise a plan for the joint relief efforts for victims of recent flash floods.

The letters were written on the direction of Shehbaz Sharif, the

Murree admin returns tourists arriving without prior booking ISLAMABAD Monitoring rePort

The administration of Murree district on Monday banned the entry of tourists arriving at the hill station without prior booking. According to a spokesperson for the administration, such tourists are being returned from 17 Mile, a toll plaza in Islamabad. “The flow of traffic is being affected due to the arrival of a large number of tourists. A plan has been enforced to deal with emergency situations and maintain the traffic flow,” he said.

“The tourists may face traffic jams in Murree amid the closure of several routes due to Muharram processions,” he added. “People are requested to avoid travelling to Murree without advance booking,” he advised.

Children among 41 dead in Gaza amid Israel truce reports GAZA CITY, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES Agencies

Nine children were among 17 Palestinians killed Sunday in Gaza, health officials in the enclave said, amid talks of a truce after three days of intense fighting between Palestinian militants and Israel. An Egyptian-proposed ceasefire had raised hopes that Cairo could help broker a deal to end the worst fighting in Gaza since an 11-day war last year devastated the impoverished Palestinian coastal territory. But Gaza’s health ministry announced 10 more deaths late Sunday, among them nine children, raising the toll to 41 since fighting began on Friday.

The ministry said more than 300 people have been wounded in Gaza, which is run by the Islamist group Hamas. Two Israelis have been injured by shrapnel over the same period, medics reported. An AFP photographer saw two rockets being intercepted in the centre of Israel’s commercial capital Tel Aviv on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day, an Egyptian security source said that Israel “has accepted” a ceasefire, adding that Cairo was waiting for the Palestinian response. But a spokesman for Islamic Jihad told AFP “there is no agreement” yet.

state-owned APP said.

Iqbal also sought time from the prime minister and chief minister of Kashmir and GB respectively for holding an immediate meeting so that a joint strategy could be devised for helping the flood-hit people.

He said that in a recent meeting presided over by Sharif, the NDMA gave an initial estimate of the losses incurred by the floods and torrential rains. The prime minister declared a natural calamity and ordered to devise a joint plan to tackle it, he said, adding that on Sharif’s direction, every province would appoint a

focal person so that rehabilitation process could be accelerated.

The minister said the prime minister appointed him the head of the relief committee. He said it was our national obligation to extend help to the flood victims and “we must coordinate our efforts and resources” in this regard.

Meanwhile, Iqbal visited the residence of Naik Mudassar Fayyaz, who embraced martyrdom in a helicopter crash in Lasbela along with five Pakistan Army officers, in Shakargarh.

He offered a prayer for the dead

Israel and Palestinian group declare Gaza truce GAZA/JERUSALEM reuters

Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group declared a truce late on Sunday, raising hopes of an end to the most critical flare-up on the Gaza frontier in more than a year.

Israeli forces pounded Palestinian targets through the weekend, triggering rocket attacks against its cities, which largely tapered off by the time the truce came into effect at 23:30 (20:30 GMT).

It was announced in separate statements by Islamic Jihad and then Israel, who both thanked Egypt for mediating the ceasefire.

The three-day clashes echoed preludes to previous Gaza wars, though they were relatively contained as Hamas, the governing group in the Gaza Strip and a more powerful force than Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad, had so far stayed out.

Gaza officials said 44 Palestinians,

almost half of them civilians and including children, had so far been killed.

Israel launched what it called preemptive strikes on Friday against what it anticipated would be an Islamic Jihad attack meant to avenge the arrest of a leader of the group, Bassam al-Saadi, in the occupied West Bank.

In response, Islamic Jihad fired hundreds of rockets at Israel. At a news conference in Tehran, the group’s leader Ziyad al-Nakhala, said Cairo would “work to secure the release” of al-Saadi.

Israeli and Egyptian officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On Sunday, Islamic Jihad extended its range to fire toward Jerusalem in what it described as retaliation for the overnight killing of its southern Gaza commander by Israel — the second such senior officer it has lost in the fighting.

Israel said its Iron Dome interceptor shot down the rockets just west of the city. The military said others had fallen

short, causing several Gaza fatalities, while Hamas said all the Palestinian deaths were caused by the Israeli strikes.

In a statement, US President Joe Biden welcomed the truce and called for an investigation into civilian casualties, whether they were caused by Israeli

Shuhada-e-Karbala Conference pays tributes to Karbala martyrs PESHAWAR APP

Bacha Khan Islamic Research Foundation (BKIRF) Monday organized ‘Karbala Martyrs (Shuhada-e-Karbala) Conference’ to pay tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions who rendered sacrifices of their lives for the sake of Islam.

The conference was held at Bacha Khan Center here.

Provincial President of Awami National Party (ANP) Amil Wali Khan in his address as a chief guest said that the Karbala incident gives us the lesson of resistance against injustice and unfairness in society.

He said the best way to pay tribute to the martyrs of Karbala is to make commitment on this day to work and devote oneself for the development and strength of the country. “We have to forget our trivial differences and

adopt the teachings of Islam and promote peace, security and brotherhood,” he added.

Yazid’s name is not even today but the followers of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain are still alive today.

Bacha Khan has also taught us through his teachings that we have to fight for the truth through non-violence.

Senior Executive Officer of Bacha Khan Trust Syed Masoom Shah Bacha, Maulana Qari Roohullah Madani, Maulana Mohsinuddin Sahib Haq, Maulana Muhammad Yunus Hanif, and Maulana Qari Farmanullah participated in the conference.

On this occasion, ANP senior leader Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilor, Board of Directors members of Bacha Khan Islamic Research Foundation, Mufti Muhammad Asif Awan, Mufti Muaz Hamdard, Mufti Ziaur Rehman, Mufti Younis Hussain, Malik Tariq Awan and other scholars were also present.

London police strip-searched hundreds of kids: new data LONDON AFP

London’s under-fire police force stripsearched more than 600 children over a two-year period, most of them black boys, according to new data released Monday.

England’s commissioner for children, Rachel de Souza, said she was “deeply shocked” by the figures after obtaining them from the Metropolitan police.

De Souza’s request came after Britain’s biggest police force was forced to apologise in March over the case of “Child Q”, which has sparked an investigation for gross misconduct into four officers.

The 15-year-old black schoolgirl was strip-searched by female officers in 2020 after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis, despite them being aware she was menstruating.

She was searched without an “appropriate adult” present, and neither was an adult in attendance in 23 percent of the cases unearthed by de Souza.

In total, 650 minors aged 10-17 were strip-searched by Met officers between 2018 and 2020, she found.

More than 95 percent were boys, and

and said the whole nation was proud of them.

Later, speaking to the press, he regretted that a political party used the opportunity to “promote its nefarious designs”.

Iqbal said propaganda against institutions was against the interest and security of the country.

Talking about the economic situation of the country, the minister said stabilising the national economy was a priority of the government.

He said the process of the census was started and it would be completed by February next year.

58 percent of the 650 were described by the officer as being black.

De Souza said she was “extremely concerned” at the ethnic imbalance, and said Child Q may be part of a bigger “systemic problem around child protection” in the Met. The figures had gone up sharply year after year, she said, and showed that a significant number of children “are being subjected to this intrusive and traumatising practice each year”.

The London force has been rocked in recent years by a succession of incidents involving officers, including last year, when a diplomatic protection squad member was jailed for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

A crisis of public confidence in the police saw Cressida Dick resign as Met commissioner in February.

In response to de Souza’s findings, the Met said it had already instituted changes “to ensure children subject to intrusive searches are dealt with appropriately and respectfully”.

Some children may themselves be a “vulnerable victim of exploitation” by gangsters and drug criminals, it conceded.

London mayor Sadiq Khan redoubled his criticism of the Met after slam-

ming the force over the Child Q case and other incidents.

It was “deeply concerning” that so many body searches were happening without an adult present, a spokesman for

Khan said.

“And there remain serious wider issues with regard to disproportionality and the use of stop and search on young black boys,” the spokesman said.

strikes or by Islamic Jihad rockets that reportedly fell inside Gaza.

Dazed by another surge of bloodshed — after outbreaks of war in 2008-09, 2012, 2014 and last year — Palestinians picked through the ruins of houses to salvage belongings.

Any attack on a nuclear plant ‘suicidal’: UN chief NEW YORK AFP

Any attack on a nuclear plant is “suicidal”, United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres warned Monday after fresh shelling hit a huge atomic power complex in southern Ukraine.

Moscow and Kyiv blame each other for the latest strike at the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power site, which has been under Russian control since the early days of the war. The fighting on Friday at the plant has prompted the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to warn of “the very real risk of a nuclear disaster”. At a press conference in Tokyo, Guterres condemned such attacks without saying either side was responsible.

“We support the IAEA on their efforts in relation to create the conditions of stabilisation of that plant,” he said. “Any attack to a nuclear plant is a suicidal thing. I hope that those attacks will end, and at the same time I hope that the IAEA will be able to access the plant.” His comments followed a visit to Hiroshima over the weekend, where Guterres gave a speech to mark the 77th anniversary of the world’s first nuclear bomb attack. In the Japanese city on Saturday, he warned that “humanity is playing with a loaded gun” as crises with the potential for nuclear disaster proliferate worldwide, from Ukraine to the Middle East and the Korean peninsula. The Portuguese 73-year-old also delivered a stark warning against the horrors of atomic weapons a week ago in New York at a key nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty conference, which he reiterated on Monday. “We are witnessing a radicalisation in the geopolitical situation that makes the risk of a nuclear war again something we cannot completely forget,” he said. When asked about China’s massive military exercises around Taiwan, sparked by a visit last week to the self-ruled island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Guterres said the UN “abides by a resolution of the General Assembly, the so-called One China policy”. “But we all want that resolution to correspond to a peaceful environment,” he said, calling for common sense and restraint to allow for an “extremely important” de-escalation.

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Top audiTor says record over rs1b disTribuTed among vicTims by pdma is missing PESHAWAR

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Aziz BuneRi

HE Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has said that records of Rs1.41 is missing from accounts of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The fund was provided to the PDMA to distribute it as compensation among the victims of militancy in seven tribal districts of the province.

Moreover, the AGP report said, record of Rs592.22 million transferred by PDMA to Deputy Commissioners for floods and natural calamities’ victims is also missing.

The PDMA claimed the fund has been distributed among the victims by the Deputy Commissioners. But due to lack of record,

the AGP has raised audit objections, describing the administrative and financial affairs of the PDMA and the Deputy Commissioners as “poor and weak”.

According to the audit report, between 2018 and 2020, a total of 1,835 houses were declared completely destroyed and 578 as partially damaged in Khyber, Kurram, North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Orakzai by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. The authority said, it has distributed Rs821 million among the owners of these houses.

The PDMA further explained that Rs734 million has been paid to the owners of completely damaged houses while Rs924 million to the owners of partially damaged houses. Rs10.69mn have been distributed

Efforts on to make under-construction mother, child block operational at the earliest: Dr Yasmin Rashid

among the victims in Khyber, Rs10.1mn in Kurram, Rs330mn in North Waziristan, Rs390mn in South Waziristan and Rs60mn in Orakzai district. However, when the auditors asked for the identity card numbers of beneficiaries, the PDMA couldn’t provide such details. According to the report, there was also no record of Rs592.22mn transferred by the PDMA to the Deputy Commissioners for the compensation of losses due to floods and other natural calamities during monsoon rains.

On behalf of the Deputy Commissioners, the said fund has been distributed among the victims in the tribal districts. However, said the AGP report, the PDMA failed to provide details when auditors asked for during the audit of the funds.

Elahi orders construction of Rawalpindi’s Ring Road, Expressway projects LAHORE

LAHORE APP

StAff RePoRt

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that all out efforts are being made to make the under-construction mother and child block in Gangaram Hospital operational for public at the earliest.

She presided over a meeting of the steering committee of Mother and Child block at Fatima Jinnah Medical University, on Monday.

Dr Yasmin Rashid reviewed the ongoing progress of the under-construction mother and child block in Gangaram Hospital. She said the concerned officers had been instructed to activate the mother and child block without delay. Mother and Child block would be a model hospital for all other hospitals, she added. Dr Yasmin said that international level treatment of mother and child would be possible in Gangaram Hospital’s mother and child block.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Monday directed the concerned departments to start working on Rawalpindi’s Ring Road and Lai Nullah Expressway projects at the earliest.

He was chairing a high-level meeting in Lahore convened to review development schemes of the garrison city.

The meeting was told earlier that the Lai Nullah Expressway project was estimated to have been completed at the cost of Rs110 billion. But now on the directives of the CM, the project would cost only Rs46 billion, it was informed. The chief minister, on the occasion, directed that transparency and proper utilization of government funds be ensured during the construction of the Ring Road. “It should also be made sure that no inconvenience is caused to the people living in the vicinity of site of the project,” Chaudhry Pervaiz ordered.

He added that other roads would be expanded too to rid people of the city of traffic problems. “We will also discuss the

Modern machinery was being purchased for the treatment of patients in the mother and child block. With the increase of population in Punjab, governments in the past had never ever thought of constructing new government hospitals. She said that 23 new and big government hospitals were being built in Punjab.

china, pakistan to strengthen youth exchanges: envoy BEIJING StAff RePoRt

China and Pakistan are making efforts to strengthen the people-to-people exchanges between young. “Youth exchanges between China and Pakistan to strengthen youth exchanges.

China and Pakistan are very important, which is the foundation for the continuation of the iron friendship between our two countries,” said the Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque. He made the remarks at a cultural night titled “Meeting Colorful Pakistan” held recently at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Monday. The cultural night is a part of the 5th Silk Road & Young Dreams, a youth international exchanges program, aiming to strengthen mutual learning among civilizations, friendly communications and exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth, and build a bridge for people-to-people bond among different cultures. Xi Lulu, a mascot of the Silk Road & Young Dreams, and young both China and abroad set out from Beijing on May 1, 2022, and called for peace, health, unity, green development and common prosperity at cities along the Silk Road. So far, over 1,600 young people have joined the digital journey with Xi Lulu. Xi Lulu has entered Pakistan by way of Hebei province, Sichuan province and Xinjiiang Uygur autonomous region of China. Along the road, Xi Lulu introduces different cities’ cultural tradition, delicacy and natural scenery and promotes the cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation among them. At the cultural night, the Pakistani Ambassador expressed that the Pakistani government and Embassy in China strongly supported the fifth Silk Road & Young Dreams. “We believe that this program will yield fruitful results and further promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” the Pakistani envoy said. Syeda Saira Raza, Press Attach from the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, expressed that Pakistan and China had conducted a series of fruitful exchanges and cooperation in the fields of art, literature, education, media and sports. This year, the China-Pakistan Young Artists Painting Competition will be held to promote the cultural exchanges of the two nations.

proposal to build homes for the people who would be displaced due to work on these projects,” he informed.

The CM was of the view that stopping work on a clean drinking water project for the

residents of Murree amounted to ‘criminal negligence.

“The Punjab government also plans to launch a similar project in Rawalpindi,” he told the meeting.

Muharram teaches to stand firm in face of tyranny: speaker ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions were the noblest models in preaching and practising the Islamic philosophy of patience and sacrifice.

In his message on Youm-i-Ashura, Ashraf said their unflinching faith in Allah and the Day of Judgment, their exemplary devotion, dauntless courage, and unfailing patience in the way of Allah was a unique exhibition of the spirit of patience and martyrdom described in the Quran.

The speaker said the Battle of Karbala reminded us of the great sacrifices of Hussain (RA) and his companions for the sake of truth and justice.

He said it was our collective responsibility to stand firm in the face of the tyrannical forces spreading chaos in society to achieve their evil designs.

He said the best way to pay tribute to the martyrs of Karbala is to make a commitment on this day to work and devote oneself to the development and strength of the country. “We have to forget our trivial differences and adopt the teachings of Islam and promote peace, security and brotherhood,” he added.

The speaker termed the martyrdom of Hussain (RA) as a great sacrifice against falsehood, and said it would be a beacon for those who would come until the Day of Judgment.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani, in a separate message, said the battle was fought between the forces of truth and falsehood which would continue to impart to Muslims a lesson of sustained struggle against oppression.

He said this is the path that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us to follow and his followers offered great sacrifices. “Youmi-Ashura reminds us the lesson of adherence to the truth, firmness of belief and being steadfast against tyranny,” he added.

agreements of previous govt main reason behind inflation: gillani MULTAN APP

Former Prime Minister and Senator Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani said that the agreement made by the previous government with International Monetary Fund (IMF) on tough terms and conditions was the main reason of inflation in the country. Talking to media persons after visiting different mourning procession here on Monday, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the international agreements are not made with any political party but with the country and the government should honour them.

He said that previous government made agreements on tough term and conditions with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the incumbent government was bound to fulfill the agreements which resulted into inflation. Gilani stated that the members of national assembly of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were not presented before the Speaker Raja Parvez Ashraf for verification of their resignations but they refused to come. “The PTI MNAs were not participating in assembly session after submitting their resignations then why they are going to contest the by-elections, he questioned. He said that it should be cleared that Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi was not attending the assembly session then, how, his daughter would take oath of the assembly as MNA after winning the by-election at NA-157.

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Tuesday, 9 August, 2022

06 COMMENT

On the rationalization of God

Imran Khan’s youth squad A lost generation

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TI chief Imran Khan’s social media teams were given free hand to spread intolerance and hatred for a number of years. Among the targets were PTI’s political opponents, independent media houses and media persons. The campaign to spread intolerance reached new heights during the years when the PTI was on the same page with the establishment. Over time tens of thousands of youth were brainwashed and hundreds turned into active ‘Insafias’.

The unfortunate comments on Lasbela helicopter crash have led the ISPr to condemn the “highly unacceptable and regretful social media campaign” causing “deep anguish and distress among the families of martyrs and rank and file of the armed forces”. The FIA has been tasked with locating, arresting and taking legal action against those involved in running the negative social media campaign. But can legal action against a few change the mindset of tens of thousands?

Mr Khan’s word is gospel truth for the PTI youngsters with mobile phones. If what he says goes against facts, there must be something wrong with the ‘so-called facts’, the youngsters firmly believe.

Most of the PTI youth have little knowledge of the country’s history, politics or economy. Mr Khan has inflated their egos by stressing that the possession of a smartphone is enough to enable them to understand what is going on in the country or the world at large. All they need is to switch it on to receive guidelines directly from Mr Khan or the party’s social media teams. All the youngsters know about politics is that those who disagree with PTI are enemies. PPP leader Asif Zardari is the biggest “bimari” (illness), Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif is a shoe polish named Cherry Blossom, and JuI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur rehman is Diesel. Those who pose as ‘neutrals’ are accused of having conspired with the uSA to overthrow Mr Khan’s government.

The PTI is not doing politics, the youth are told. It is in fact fighting a jihad against Yazidiat . Everyone among the PTI’s youth is a soldier who must wield his smartphone as a weapon in the battle. The latest guideline coming from Mr Khan says Pakistan is facing fascism today in the form of rule by a “cabal of crooks and their handlers” brought to power through the uS regime change conspiracy. What is needed is for the state to launch an all-out campaign to inculcate tolerance in society. The use of religion for political gains should be discouraged. The policy to promote favourites should be abandoned.

More specifically, the cosmological argument

haSaN aFTaB SaeeD

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hilosophers, since the very beginning, have been attempting to rationalize God using what can broadly be divided into theoretical and practical arguments. The three major theoretical arguments are the cosmological, the ontological and the teleological arguments. Most of these arguments leave much to be desired– at any rate when it pertains to a concept of God that is acceptable to the more intelligent folks. This is so because the project of proving the existence of God runs into difficulties from the very outset. For there are cognitive stumbling blocks even if the parties involved are interested in an honest debate and are as free from conscious biases as is humanly possible.

What usually makes these discussions so frustratingly profitless is the fact that there are innumerable definitions of God. Concepts of God run the gamut from pagan deities on the one hand all the way to the One Transcendental God on the other with everything conceivable in between. So it is that some of the arguments for God may be adequate enough to prove one particular God, but they are quite obviously lacking when it comes to substantiating another idea of God. Conversely, an argument may rule out one particular definition of God or another but in no way can it be said to rule out the idea of God altogether. That is why intelligent men have always responded to the

Despite the state, not because of it

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Today is Ashura

NCE the high wears off, and it does take a while to wear off, the javelin throw of Arshad Nadeem at the Commonwealth Games being quite spectacular there is a feeling of déjà vu that sets in.

Because there had been a national conversation about the sorry state of the sports and athletics infrastructure in the country when Nadeem had qualified for the final of the Olympics earlier this year. Back then, report upon report in the newspapers and on TV had contrasted the state support (or lack thereof) that Nadeem had received against the extremely well-trained Neeraj Chopra, who went on to win the gold medal.

And now, we are having the exact same conversation all over again. Back then, the nation was impressed by how this young lad just did it all by himself and became the first Pakistani track and field athlete to directly qualify for the Olympics, and titillated us with the prospect of the wonders he could do if given some proper attention.

Things would change from now on, we were told. Well, the Mian Channu boy did perform wonders, but again, without proper patronage. In Pakistan, the few athletes who thrive, do so despite the state, not because of it.

The nation’s sports bureaucracy is an absolute mess.

With politicians, civil bureaucrats and military officers more than willing to be on the boards for foreign junkets but not for actually rolling up their sleeves and doing something to develop an infrastructure to foster talent.

There is a common gripe in the country, a well placed one, that sports other than cricket don’t get proper attention in the country. Well, the management and bureaucracy of that sport is also far from ideal, with cabals competing for influence at the expense of better cricketers getting their due.

Arshad Nadeem has done us proud. But we have failed him.

Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer

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HrOuGHOuT history, political and social movements have carried messages and ideas that are usually limited to a specific time, place, and situation. But the uprising of Imam Hussain (r.A.) and the event at Karbala has brought an everlasting message to the entire humanity. The thoughts of this glorious and unique uprising are shining like a bright light for mankind which shows the way to prosperity in life and salvation in future. Islam emphasizes on freedom.

Imam Hussain (rA) emphasized in his statements that the reason for his uprising was to revive the higher teachings of Islam and the true practice of his grandfather Prophet Muhammad (PBuH) and his descendants. The teachings of Islam are centered on social supervision in the community, the call for good, and the avoidance of corruption and selfishness. During his journey from Medina to Mecca and then to Karbala, Imam Hussein worked to revive religious teachings.

The Imam reminded the people that neither a Muslim nor a non-Muslim should bow before any domination or oppression. Indeed, this is considered one of the most important principles of the Imam’s life. According to Imam Hussain (rA), man has status and dignity and his high human value should never be diminished. In the eyes of Islam, human beings always enjoy high dignity and respect.

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Most of the other arguments for the existence of God suffer from the same (or similar) limitations. A detailed discussion of each of those arguments is beyond the scope of this piece.

The author is a connoisseur of music, literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed

The Message of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA)

A javelin soars

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

question ‘Do you believe in God?’ by demanding to be told what the questioner means by the word ‘God’.

They point out that the discussion that starts with the question ‘Does God exist?’ has already skipped one vital question. That vital question is, ‘What is God?’ If one is interested in a meaningful conversation about God (as opposed to endlessly going round and round in circles) this question must be answered upfront.

What complicates matters further is that the word ‘existence’ itself is problematic when it is applied to God. Anything that exists, by definition exists in time and space. Existence is so inexorably linked to spatial and temporal constructs that anything that is independent of time and space can hardly be said to exist as per the usual meanings of the word. The Absolute God– that is, the God that is independent of time and space– therefore cannot be thought to ‘exist’ according to the usual understanding of the word.

One could put it in precise language as this: ‘God does not exist; but He is the reason why everything else does.’

Of course, conversation and literature would lose much of their charm and beauty if we were obliged to always use precise language.

So it is that we use words such as ‘sunrise’ and ‘sunset’ all the time, knowing full well that the sun does not actually rise or set and that it is the relative position of the earth and the sun that gives these impressions to observers at a particular location of the earth. We seldom lose sight of the real state of affairs when we talk of sunsets and sunrises. When it comes to discussions of the ‘existence’ of God however, it is notoriously easy to forget that God is not an object. In fact, celebrated and otherwise accomplished thinkers have demonstrated themselves to be susceptible to this sort of error as much as simpletons have.

The common error of the cosmological argument (like most of the other arguments) in favour of the existence of God is that in all its various forms (the firstcause argument, argument from contingency, the prime-mover argument) it puts God inside the scheme

of things. Whatever one’s views on the cause-effect correlation (or lack thereof), it is absurd to consider the Transcendental God as being subject to cause-effect or any other law for that matter. It is difficult to blame ordinary mortals for being prone to this kind of absurdity when philosophers over the centuries have proved themselves to be so disposed to it. This is the error (on the theist as well as on the atheist side) that invites questions such as ‘If God caused the universe to exist, what caused God to exist?’ Such questions stump the theist because a Transcendental Law Giver who is shackled by His own laws is a classic contradiction in terms. For the same reason, this is not a ‘victory’ that is worthy of any intelligent and self-respecting atheist.

Enthusiastic theists, blissfully unaware of the fatal flaw of the reasoning, never tire of repeating the cosmological argument. This tragedy (or comedy, depending upon one’s point of view) turns into an outright farce when atheists try and demoralize these theists by pulling the rug from under them (so to speak) by pointing out how the argument is no good. The theists would spare themselves much of this demoralization if only they realized that their argument ‘proved’ a very poor version of God anyway.

Most of the other arguments for the existence of God suffer from the same (or similar) limitations. A detailed discussion of each of those arguments is beyond the scope of this piece. Suffice it to conclude that the whole project of rationalization of God (exemplified so typically by the cosmological argument) needs to be re-examined.

Though unfortunately it has not been popular among theist philosophers for a very long time, the alternative tradition has also been there from the start. That tradition can be revived by consulting the Quran on the subject. For that, the mindset of looking up the Quran for clues regarding the answers to all vital questions must be brought back to life by the Muslims.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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For this reason, Imam Hussain (rA) does not accept the trampling of the dignity and honour of the people by the corrupt government of Yazid bin Muawiyah. All Muslim scholars emphasize the greatness of man and say that a true believer is subject only to God. Hazrat Ali (rA) says: “Do not be a servant of anyone because God has set you free.”

Of course, one should not think that the desired freedom of Islam is the freedom of animals that has been promoted by the liberal democracies of the West. In Western liberal thought, since man and his freedom are the axis of everything, one can do everything for one’s own interests, even when moral and human values are crushed. But freedom in Islam is not uncontrollable. This freedom is expressed within the framework of higher religious teachings and values, which is a guarantee of human respect and protection of his interests.

The desired freedom of Islam liberates man and leads to his progress and greatness. In this way, it frees man from the obstacles that prevent him from progressing towards perfection.

Selfish and oppressive governments are also considered an obstacle to human progress and greatness and the liberation of the people from the domination of such governments is one of the goals of Islam. Imam Hussein (rA), therefore, defended freedom by insisting that the community should be led by a pious leader and that any evil or selfish person, no matter how clever or obvious, may be masked as a politician.

Imam confronted the despot Yazid for his incompetency. This issue was so important to the Imam Hussain (rA) that although he could have saved himself by compromising with Yazid’s tyrannical rule but he stood up for Islam and Muslims and sacrificed his life and the lives of his loved ones. Thus, the movement of Imam Hussain (rA) was not limited to his time. It is for all ages and all places. Imam Hussain (rA) said in no uncertain terms: I did not stand for rebellion but for the betterment of the ummah of my grandfather Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The disallowing of oppression and the campaign

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

against it have a special place in the thoughts of Imam Hussain (rA). In the eyes of the Imam (rA), one should not bow before oppression. In the Qur’an, God has repeatedly condemned the oppressors and warned them of God’s punishment. Opposition to oppression and rebellion is not limited to local sovereignty, but the aggression of a foreign country and the occupation of the country by foreigners is a double oppression that no one can remain indifferent to.

According to Imam Hussain (rA), any kind of oppression should be opposed. In Surah An-Nisa ‘, part of verse 141, the Qur’an says: “And Allah will by no means guide the disbelievers against the believers.” Thus, not only military domination but also the economic and cultural domination of the infidels over the Muslims is unacceptable and unacceptable. In this way, Maktab-eIslam and Imam Hussain (rA) teach Muslims not to be subject to colonialism and foreign occupation, and to fight the aggressive occupiers. Now in the Islamic world, Ashura focuses on the guiding principles of the liberation of the insurgency.

In some Islamic states, people have lost their freedom under authoritarian regimes, and in others such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine under American and Zionist rule. under such circumstances, following Imam Hussein’s teachings on freedom, fighting oppression and protecting human dignity and honour can lead Muslims to true freedom from local dictatorship and foreign occupation. One of the other lessons of the Karbala uprising is that one must know one’s enemy correctly in order to find the right way to counter him.

Imam Hussein’s statements and letters show that he knew his enemy Yazid and his followers well and was fully aware of their nefarious intentions. For this reason, the Imam’s movement was not a blind rebellion that ended with his martyrdom. It was an eternal movement that affected all generations to come.

Under such circumstances, following Imam Hussein’s teachings on freedom, fighting oppression and protecting human dignity and honour can lead Muslims to true freedom from local dictatorship and foreign occupation.

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer has a PhD in Political Science, and can b contacted at akramzaheer86@yahoo.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 9th August 2022_Layout 1 8/8/2022 11:47 PM Page 2

Tuesday, 9 August, 2022

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

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

Rain washes away government claims in Karachi FOr the fourth time in around a month, Karachi lay in chaos in the aftermath of another spell of monsoon rains on Thursday. Flooded roads, power breakdowns, toppled trees, roads choked with traffic, damaged structures and authorities’ negligence and hollow promises – nothing was out of the ordinary for the city’s residents as heavy downpours lashed the metropolis.

For the earlier part of the day, the city sizzled as temperature soared past 39 degrees celsius and sea breezes remained suspended. With humidity levels rising from 79 per cent to 89 per cent later in the day, the port city’s residents languished, anticipating that the predicted rainfall would add to their misery. Multiple roads, including Sharae Faisal - the city’s main artery - were soon flooded by rainwater, which disrupted traffic on thoroughfares in the apparent absence of preemptive measures. Besides Sharae Faisal and areas in its vicinity, other localities worst affected on Thursday included Nursery, Soldier Bazaar, Garden, Saddar, Burnes road, North Karachi, New Karachi, Mehmoodabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and others.

Shafiq Ur rEhman Karachi

The political imbroglio and its solution Politicians are going more for power, less to handle e-economic crisis

aBDuL rahMaN MaLIk

I

T is unfortunate that despite being 75 years old, the country’s political and economic crisis is far from over. The leaders bereft of acumen and sensibility continue to exchange barbs in the National Assembly as well as through Press Conferences using derogatory language against each other crossing all moral frontiers.

The political disarray and instability have impacted the economy to the extent that the dollar has rocketed upwards while the rupee continues to lose its value and slipped to its bottom due to falling exports and depleting foreign exchange reserves.

The IMF programme on tough conditions and regulations has jolted the whole economic system and turbulent political instability has further worsened the situation to an alarming condition ahead if incompetence continues to haunt the economic policies.

In such circumstances, the political parties should show restraint and take serious steps to resolve this impasse that has overcast the clouds of uncertainty. The people are more concerned regarding the state and the fear of default than their political parties or dirtiest political conspiracies and tactics to stick to the corridors of power.

They have almost forgotten their role as reformers and problem solvers instead of just creating such a mess that is worsening the situation each passing day. The mainstream parties such as the PPP, PML(N) and JuI have joined hands to defend their overtures whether taking place by hook or crook. Their 15-party coalition seems to be at daggers drawn towards the PTI as they have forgotten their national role to take the people out of the crisis. The PTI is under the radar of the ruling coalition as the narrative built by Imran Khan has dusted their political future.

The tested parties have got the power through conspiracy, though they claim to have the legitimate right to rule the country by amending NAB laws and depriving overseas Pakistanis of the right to Vote, fearing that extending the right to vote and EVMs may take these corrupt elements out of the election race.

Since they are well aware that the overseas Pakistanis strongly supports the PTI, they want them out of the electoral process. The evil designs of this rejected class are crystal clear that they are not sincere with those expats from whose remittances the Pakistan economy gets strong support.

Furthermore, the governance crisis in the biggest province of Pakistan Punjab has further aggravated the situation. Since the resignation of CM usman Buzdar, Punjab is being run either on an Adhoc basis without any Government or as a Trust. The musical chairs between Hamza Shehbaz and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi for Punjab’s top slot has already messed up the situation and created a political crisis. Though the Supreme Court decision in favour of PTI nominee Ch Pervez Elahi has cleared the air for the time being.

Luckily, the PTI-PML(Q) coalition has been successful in installing its Government in Punjab and winning the Assembly Speakership and Deputy Speakership. However, the PML(N)-led coalition has challenged the Speaker’s election in the High Court. What if the high court rules the Election void?

It is beyond understanding that on the one hand the PTI demands general elections to bring political and economic stability to the country but on the other hand, it wants to hold the KPK and Punjab Governments. Especially after regaining power in Pakistan’s largest provinces, the PTI seems to have backed out from its general elections demand.

The existing Constitutional crisis is far from over as both the PTI and PDM-led coalition are at loggerheads and making every effort to destabilize the PTI Punjab Government as, without it, the coalition appears to be limited to Federation as the PTI has two provincial governments.

The politics of revenge, opposition, ego and stubbornness has shaken the very roots of the country. The economic and political crisis seems to have no signs of end given the leaders’ polarized and selfish nature.

The leadership crisis is evident from the prevalent state of affairs when the dollar is rising against the rupee and depleting foreign exchange reserves ring the alarm bells for the country but our political parties being devoid of sensibility continue infighting over the lust for power or throne.

The political theatre has opened many fronts that are increasing the risky journey ahead including electoral reforms, delimitation, falling rupee and terms of engagement with the IMF program and efforts to get the IMF tranche released. Even the Army Chief approached the uSA to expedite the release of the IMF tranche so the emerging economic crisis could be tackled and falling foreign exchange reserves could be increased.

The fuel price hike has already created inflation costing heavy to the common man but the parties in power just show their teeth in mass gatherings that everything is going fine. Their non-serious attitude shows that they will not provide any relief to common people. They are concerned for the power and want to retain it for a long time as they believe that PTI after the en masse resignations, is out of the contest and they will not experience any opposition as the PTI is not mulling over returning to Parliament.

The PTI terms the coalition as an imported Government since it was formed with external support. If the PTI MNAs return to Assembly, they will have the feeling that on their Government benches, they will find those criminals who were either convicted or sentenced.

Meanwhile, the acceptance of 11 MNAs of PTI by the Speaker National Assembly and their subsequent denotifying notification by the Elec-

tions Commission of Pakistan has added fuel to fire in the already polarized and turbulent political situation.

Fearing the adverse decision in the alleged Foreign Funding case by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the PTI passed resolutions in both Punjab and KPK Assemblies demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Even PTI has decided to register a reference in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against CEC Sikandar Sultan raja and Members.

The establishment, being neutral or apolitical, must come forward to unite the political forces so that a strategy is devised to revive economic growth and stop the rupee from further losing value. The judiciary is performing very well since it is proactive to help prevent the country from falling prey to turbulent political and constitutional crises.

The Political leaders have their priorities other than the national interest that is causing the economy and stock market to crash.

The political crisis in the Punjab Assembly engulfed the entire country since all coalition parties were pressing hard to make a full court to hear the case of Deputy speaker Mr Dost Mohammad Mazari’s ruling regarding PML-Q Party Chief alleged letter calling the MPAs to vote for Hamza Shehbaz instead of the Parliamentary party nominee Ch Pervez Illahi who had 186 Votes against Hamza’s 179 votes. But it was rejected by the Supreme Court which also decided the case in favour of Ch Pervez Illahi terming the Deputy speaker’s ruling null and void.

Since then the Political weather has become very hot and PML N-led coalition Government has built pressure on ECP to announce foreign funding cases of PTI to continue their political rivalry as they want that the PTI should be banned and Imran Khan should be sentenced for receiving funding from Israel and India. Their reliance on the outcome of the PTI’s foreign funding case is aimed at political rivalry with PTI chief Imran Khan and his party due to its narrative of corruption.

The decision was reserved for eight years but finally, it was announced after the ruling coalition exerted too much pressure on the Election Commission of Pakistan. The PTI will eventually challenge the decision. Political analysts are of the view that the political crisis will further deepen and will further aggravate economic conditions and the rupee’s slide against the dollar.

It is the need of the hour to have a charter of Economy and reach a consensus to hold early general elections so that the economic and political situation may be stabilized with a new government with a simple majority whoever gets it.

The concerns and fears do predict that ECP’s sudden decision to announce the foreign funding case verdict will create the worst political crisis which will risk the economy and provide an opportunity to the country’s foes to conspire against the fragile state of affairs.

Let’s hope that whatever happens, it should not have any adverse effect on the country’s disarrayed political arena because the economic crisis, increasing power tariffs and skyrocketing inflation have already made the life of common men miserable and the uncertain situation presents a grim outlook dangerous for the country.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Pakistan’s environmental challenge THE majority of Pakistan industrial sectors for example fishing and agriculture , which count for more than one for of the output and two fifth of employment in Pakistan are highly dependent on country natural resources. Hence in order to sustain economic growth there is a high demand on already scarce resources. However it is ironic that what the country depends on for growth is also what threats the future welfare and success of the country. The World Bank report in 2013 started in Pakistan top environmental issues air pollutions inadequate supply of uncontaminated drinking water noise pollution and the health detritions of urban and rural populations due to pollutions.

These environmental concems not only harm Pakistani citizens but also pose a serious threat to the country economy. The report also state that the increase in industrialization, urbanizations and motorization will inevitably worsen this problem. Pakistan is classified as a water stressed nation by the world bank there are seven main river that enter Pakistan from upper riparian states including the Kabul river that enters from Afghanistan and the Indus river, Jhelum river, Chenab river and Sutlej river that enter from India. Among these ravi and Sutlej and diverted in upstream India, for which consumptive use was awarded to India under the Indus water treaty.

The magnetic of Pakistan such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and rawalpindi face the issue of noise pollutions. The main source of this pollution is the traffic noise caused by busses, cars, trucks, rickshaws and water tankers. A study showed that on one Karachi main roads the average noise level around 90 dB and was capable of reaching about 110dB. This high level of noise pollution can cause auditory and nonauditory health issues. Auditory issue include the loss of auditory sensory cell, non-auditory health issues include sleep disturbance noise and cardiovascular disease.

ShEhzadi haSan ali Karachi

Monsoon destruction THE term moonsoon is used to refer the rainy phase of a seasonally changing pattern . It’s effects are visible in such a way that it causes wet and dry season throughout the year . Monsoon is likely to be start on July to September vanishing most important parts of country with the adequate rainfall. It has been active in most parts of Karachi now seeing the roads flooded and causes of unhiegenic environment . It is to be consider a fact that every find rain destruction is hitting Pakistan very hardly especially the monsoon heavy rain and urban flooding.

Karachi was the most affected city of Pakistan receiving monsoon ràin and the problems of sewerage hurts the residents very much. There is seen the mixture of rain water and sewerage making the situation harsh. Now we are taught to be alert by a monsoon warning and tropical storm in majority parts of Sindh and areas of Balochistan.Consequentl the rain situation has created bundle of issues. From the 1st of July weather system is likely to interact with monsoon . The meteorological department has issued an alert for thunderstorms in more than a dozen . So therefore government should maintain the preparations of monsoon this time and the problem of citizens too.

BarKatUllah tUrBat

Karachi’s sewage THrOuGH the column of your well-known newspaper, I would like to draw attention towards the bad condition of the sewage system in our city .

I’m a citizen of Karachi .Majority of the city’s roads and streets are filled with sewage water. It has damaged the infrastructure and continues to cause a traffic gridlock on almost all the main arteries of the city.

There are two main reasons for accumulation of sewerage water on the roads: a deteriorated sewerage infrastructure and blockage of sewerage lines by cloth, bags of sand and solid bricks placed by some “unidentified” elements. The blockage of the sewerage system is becoming a sensitive issue with every passing day with the responsible parties – Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, DMCs and KMC – doing little over nothing to remedy the problem.

Whenever a rain spell hits Karachi, water accumulates for hours on the roads and streets. Due to the absence of a proper drainage system . mir mEharUllah mEnGal Karachi

08 WORLD VIEW 9th August 22_Layout 1 8/8/2022 8:28 PM Page 1

Tuesday, 9 August, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

‘There is no good hisTorical example’ for war in Ukraine

DER SPIEGEL Bernhard Zand

DER SPIEGEL: Mr. Kissinger, when you were born, Lenin was still alive. You were 29 years old when Stalin died, 39 when Nikita Khrushchev deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba and 45 when Leonid Brezhnev crushed the Prague Spring. Which of these Kremlin rulers does Vladmir Putin most remind you of?

Henry Kissinger: Khrushchev.

DER SPIEGEL: Why? Kissinger: Khrushchev wanted recognition. He wanted to affirm the importance of his country and to be invited to America. The concept of equality was very important to him. In Putin’s case, this is even more acute, because he considers the collapse of the Russian position in Europe from 1989 onward as a strategic disaster for Russia. That has been his obsession. I don’t really share the view of many people who think that he wants to regain every bit of territory that was lost. But what he cannot bear is that the entire territory between Berlin and the Russian border fell to NATO. And that’s what made Ukraine such a key point for him.

DER SPIEGEL: Khrushchev triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis, but he ultimately gave in. Do you think the same is possible for Putin and Ukraine?

Kissinger: Putin is not as impulsive as Khrushchev was. He is more calculated and more resentful. It might be easier to settle with some other leaders one has known (from Russia’s past). On the other hand, it is unlikely that the transition from Putin to his successor will go very smoothly. But above all, the evolution of Russia is a Russian issue. The Western nations will have to analyze what they can do depending on that evolution and the military outcome in Ukraine.

DER SPIEGEL: The first chapter of your new book, “Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy,” focuses on Germany’s first postwar chancellor, Konrad Adenauer. You write that Adenauer’s policy was based on a view that his country’s division was temporary. Is this what you had in mind with your recent statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, when you suggested that Ukraine accept a temporary division of the country, developing one part into a pro-Western, democratic and economically strong nation while waiting for history to reunite the country as a whole?

Kissinger: What I said is this: To end this war, the best dividing line would be the status quo ante, which means 93 percent of the country. That’s quite a different thing. If one identifies the status quo ante as the objective, that would mean that aggression has not succeeded. The issue, then, is a ceasefire along the February 24 line of contact. The territory still controlled

by Russia, which makes up about 2.5 percent of Ukrainian territory in the Donbas as well as the Crimean Peninsula, would then be part of a general negotiation.

DER SPIEGEL: You added, however, that pursuing the conflict beyond the February 24 line of contact “would turn it into a war not about the freedom of Ukraine … but a new war against Russia itself.”

Kissinger: At no point did I say that Ukraine should give up any territory. I said the logical dividing line for a ceasefire is the status quo ante.

DER SPIEGEL: Many Ukrainians understood it differently. Parliamentarian Oleksiy Goncharenko said you are “still living in the 20th century” and that Ukraine would not give up an inch of territory.

Kissinger: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not say that. On the contrary, within two weeks of my statement, he said in an interview with the Financial Times that regaining the status quo would be a great victory and that they will continue to fight diplomatically for the rest of their territory. That’s in line with my position.

DER SPIEGEL: In the introduction to your new book, you quote Winston Churchill: “Study history.

In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.” Which historical precedent do you think is the most instructive for understanding and ending the war in Ukraine?

Kissinger: That is a very good question to which, right off the top of my head, I cannot give a direct answer. Because the war in Ukraine is on one level a war about the balance of power. But on another level, it has aspects of a civil war, and it combines a classically European type of international problem with a totally global one. When this war is over, the issue will be whether Russia achieves a coherent relationship with Europe – which it has always sought – or whether it will become an outpost of Asia at the border of Europe.

And there is no good historical example.

DER SPIEGEL: You, along with the six personalities you profile in your new book, have shaped the world we live in today. And it is not a stable world. In Europe, a war is raging in Ukraine.

In Asia, a conflict over Taiwan seems to be looming.

“IF TAKING ON TWO ADVERSARIES MEANS EXPANDING THE WAR IN UKRAINE INTO A WAR AGAINST RUSSIA, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME REMAINING IN AN EXTREMELY HOSTILE POSITION TO CHINA, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VERY UNWISE COURSE.” In the Middle East, Iran’s nuclear program continues to cast dark shadows. Why should politicians follow the examples from your book?

Kissinger: I’m not saying they should follow the examples of the people I portrayed, because they are very different from each other – and their situations are different from each other. But I think they can learn from the problems these leaders faced. That there is conflict in the world: This is not new. What is new is that in our period, we have for the first time the impact of different cultural regions on each other on a permanent basis. For some current conflicts, the examples from the book may be helpful. Others may be unique to our period. I didn’t write a cookbook for international relations.

DER SPIEGEL: Do you think that foreign policy under the conditions you describe, and particularly as Richard Nixon and you practiced it, is still the most effective way of handling international relations – meaning that statesmen are preferable to visionaries and the preservation of stability is preferable to normative imperatives?

Kissinger: Statesmen and visionaries are simply two different types of leaders.

DER SPIEGEL: Your preference is obvious. In your book, you name Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Kemal Atatürk and Jawaharlal Nehru as “statesmen,” while you identify Akhenaten, Joan of Arc, Robespierre and Lenin as “visionaries.” Do you think that maintaining the balance of power is still the most advisable path to take in international relations?

Kissinger: I think the balance of power is a precondition for other things, but it is not an end in itself. The balance of power by itself does not guarantee stability, but without balance of power, you cannot have stability.

DER SPIEGEL: On the bookshelf behind you is a biography of Prince Metternich, who was the subject of your Ph.D. thesis and who is considered the architect of the European peace and order of the early 19th century. Are periods of a few decades of relative stability, like then or like after World War II, the best we can realistically hope for?

Kissinger: No, I think the contemporary situation is unique in this respect. Looking at history, I would already describe World War I as an example of technology having outrun the capacity to manage it. But in our period, there is no doubt about this. We have had nuclear weapons for 80 years and trillions have been spent on elaborating them. Since 1945, nobody has dared to use them, even against non-nuclear countries.

Today, these nuclear weapons are compounded by cyber possibilities, by artificial intelligence.

DER SPIEGEL: You mean that they have become even more dangerous because the algorithms and technical procedures controlling them are unpredictable in an event of crisis?

Kissinger: In any case, it has become extremely difficult for political leaders to control their own technology, especially in the event of war. It is an overriding obligation now to prevent a war in which such high technology could be used. And especially, a war between the two biggest high-tech countries, China and the United States. There has never been a comparable situation, because one could always imagine the victor gaining some benefit. In this type of war, that’s impossible.

DER SPIEGEL: U.S. President Joe Biden has described the current geopolitical situation as a struggle between democracy and autocracy. The new German government has also set out to pursue a more “valuesbased” foreign policy. What is your response to this?

Kissinger: Given my personal history, a preference for democracy is self-evident. Genuine democracy is, for me, the more desirable system. But in the relations of the contemporary world, if it is made the principal objective, it leads to a missionary impulse that could result in a Thirty Years’ War-type military conflict. Now, President Biden has said simultaneously that he does not have any desire to change the Chinese government, that he is not attempting to interfere in the domestic situation. So I think he faces the same problem any major leader now faces. Of course, there are situations in which there is an obligation to defend yourself, and that is what Europe has perceived in this conflict over Ukraine. Statesmanship in this period has to be able to encompass the historic role of the balance of power, the new role of high technology and the preservation of essential values. That is a new challenge for this period.

DER SPIEGEL: How do you assess Biden’s statement that President Putin “cannot remain in power”?

Kissinger: It was not a prudent sentence.

DER SPIEGEL: One of the basic assumptions of political realism is that the international system is ultimately anarchic and that there is no authority above that of individual states. Does your experience confirm this assumption?

Kissinger: No. The principle of sovereignty on which international relations were based in Europe, and via Europe, in the rest of the world, permits the evolution of the concept of legality in international law, on the one hand. But on the other hand, it also fragments the world, because the sovereign principles are believed to be paramount. This dilemma is very difficult to overcome philosophically, because the cultural differences between various regions of the world involve different hierarchies of values.

O M A

DER SPIEGEL: When you look at how the war in Ukraine has proceeded thus far, do you think it increases or decreases the desire of the Chinese leadership to solve the Taiwan issue once and for all?

Kissinger: I think neither. Putin obviously underestimated the resistance he would find. The Chinese, however, will use all-out force against Taiwan only once they have decided that no peaceful evolution will ever be possible. And I don’t think they have reached that point yet.

DER SPIEGEL: But if China were to reach such a conclusion one day, how would that conflict differ from the current one in Ukraine?

Kissinger: On the Ukraine issue, one aspect of the military problem is that two nuclear groups are fighting a conventional war on the territory of a third state, which, of course, has many weapons from us. But legally, an attack on Taiwan would bring China and America into direct conflict from the very beginning.

DER SPIEGEL: It has been 50 years since U.S. President Richard Nixon and you embarked on your historic trip to China. From today’s perspective, was it an achievement or a mistake to postpone the resolution of the Taiwan conflict at that time?

Kissinger: It was the only possible way to begin working with China, and that was imperative for ending the Cold War and essential to end the Vietnam War. And it created at least 25 years of peaceful evolution after the Korean War. The rise of China would inevitably bring with it the issues that we’ve discussed – that has been the nature of Chinese history.

And with respect to Taiwan, I think it was quite an achievement to get Mao to agree to something China had never agreed to in the postwar period – namely postponing the settlement.

DER SPIEGEL: Not only the question of Taiwan remains unresolved, but also that of Iran’s nuclear program. You were originally against the nuclear agreement with Tehran, but also against the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty.

Kissinger: The essence of my concern about the agreement was that it did not preclude the military nuclearization of Iran. It provided a way of achieving it a little more slowly – from the Iranian point of view.

Therefore, the danger of preemptive war in the Middle East continued and even increased, with the benefit of some extension of time. So now, to return to the same agreement one has rejected, without any improvement, is a kind of a moral defeat. It will remain an anguishing issue, because what I said about high technology applies there too: How do you avoid the dangers of preemption spinning out of control?

DER SPIEGEL: Do you fear a nuclear arms race in the Middle East?

Kissinger: No, I fear the use of nuclear weapons.

Once Iran establishes itself as a nuclear power, countries like Egypt and Turkey may feel obliged to follow. And then, their relationships, plus the relationship of all of them with Israel, will make the region even more precarious than it is today.

DER SPIEGEL: Politicians have been seeking your advice for decades, including American presidents and German chancellors from Konrad Adenauer to Angela Merkel. But you have also been criticized for actions taken in Cambodia and Chile.

When you look back at your own political record, where did you err and make miscalculations?

Kissinger: I will not enter now into a debate about Cambodia and Chile, about which I have written long sections in my memoirs. But journalistic fairness should include the fact that there was a framework within which this occurred. The first bombing of Cambodia occurred a month after Nixon came into office. The North Vietnamese had launched an offensive almost immediately, with four divisions that they had stationed in Cambodia, very close to Saigon, and killed a thousand Americans. They would come over the border

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, 99, experienced several Soviet leaders during his career in politics. Now, he says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is both calculated and resentful. And that Russia’s future relationship with Europe will become a key geostrategic question.

at night, kill their quota of Americans, and return. So these bombings were not the expression of a leader eager to expand a war, but of a leader eager to end a war. Nixon had intended to end the war from the beginning – and had written to North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh even before he entered office. And the overthrow of Chilean President Salvador Allende occurred as a result of internal Chilean developments.

We were not happy with his coming into office, but at the time of the overthrow, every democratic party in the Chilean parliament had dissociated from Allende, and that created the conditions for his overthrow. But in a more general sense, statesmen always have the dilemma of balancing national interests in ambiguous situations. And it’s great fun for journalists to then point out mistakes that were made or focus on their results.

No one can claim, obviously, never to have made a mistake in judgment, but to keep going back to things 50 years ago without ever presenting the context is not a fair way of debating.

DER SPIEGEL: Fair enough. Since we were just talking about the Middle East, let’s go back to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Was that a miscalculation?

Kissinger: I had been out of government for about 20 years when the invasion occurred. I was sympathetic to it. I felt the intention of President George W. Bush was to show that regimes that supported terror attacks were creating permanent insecurity. The removal of Saddam Hussein had many rational and moral justifications. But to try to govern Iraq similarly to the occupation of Germany (after World War II) was an analytic mistake, because the situations were not comparable. Trying to occupy the country went beyond our capacities.

DER SPIEGEL: Before the war in Ukraine, there was a debate about whether the U.S. should seek proximity with Russia to pressure its rival China.

Now, the question is whether Washington should reduce tensions with Beijing in the face of the Russian threat – as Nixon and you did 50 years ago.

Do you think America is strong enough to take on its two biggest adversaries at the same time?

Kissinger: If taking on two adversaries means expanding the war in Ukraine into a war against Russia, while at the same time remaining in an extremely hostile position to China, I think that would be a very unwise course. I support the efforts of NATO and of America to defeat the aggression against Ukraine and specifically to restore Ukraine to the dimensions it had when the war started. And I can understand if Ukraine continues to ask for additional adjustments. That could then be approached within the framework of a greater view of international relations.

But even if this is achieved, the relationship of Russia to Europe needs to be addressed, namely the question as to whether it is a part of European history, or a permanent opponent based on other territories. That will become a main issue. And it is one that is independent of the conclusion of the war in Ukraine – which I have sketched out now innumerable times, and never once said that any Ukrainian territory should be abandoned.

09 Business 9 August 2022_Layout 1 8/8/2022 10:40 PM Page 1

Tuesday, 9 August, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

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6 years on, grief of martyred lawyers still fresh: CM Bizenjo QUETTA Staff RepoRt

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo on Monday said the grief of the martyred lawyers of Quetta’s Civil Hospital tragedy was still fresh in our hearts. He said this in a message on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the martyred lawyers of Civil Hospital tragedy issued here. He said the cowardly terrorists brutalized the educated and intelligent section of our society, adding that the enemies of the country attacked our hearts. “The people of the province and the government equally share the grief of the families of the martyrs,” he said, adding that the terrorists involved in the tragedy and their guardians would be brought to justice at any cost for interest of durable peace. He said that the memories of the martyred lawyers who lost their lives in the tragedy could never be forgotten. He said the lawyers of Baluchistan were among the best lawyers of the country. “Our lawyers have better knowledge and understanding of law and legal affairs."

The CM said a programme to provide young lawyers scholarship opportunities for pursuing higher education abroad was in progress. He said Balochistan government had given special grant-in-aid to Pakistan Bar Council, Balochistan Bar Council and all district bar associations to provide best facilities to the lawyers. He said that measures were being taken to improve law and order situation as peace and order was indispensable for the establishment of a welfare society.

karachi security guard arrested for slapping, kicking woman outside apartment building

mbassador-at-Large on Investment Zeeshaan Shah visited Silicon Valley of the USA and showcased the vibrant economic opportunities Pakistan’s IT market offered for the world.

Pakistan’s Honorary Ambassador at Large on Investment Zeeshaan Shah visited the worlds IT Mecca home to global giants including, Facebook, Microsoft and Apple.

Zeeshaan engaged with a number of leading entrepreneurs and sector professionals in Silicon Valley where he discussed Pakistan’s IT sector and invited them to be part of it.

Engagements were held at the Four Seasons Hotel Palo Alto through out the day including meetings with a leading developer of data centres who are interested in investing up to $100 Million USD in Pakistan.

Shah outlined in the meetings that Pakistan’s IT sector was a sleeping giant which is now starting to reach its true potential. IT exports have shown exponential growth growing from $400 Million in 2012 to $2 Billion+ in the last financial year.

He especially thanked the American Pakistani diaspora for the role they played in bridging the gap between Pakistani companies and Pakistan’s largest export market the United States of America.

He went on to explain that Pakistan presents

a phenomenal Virgin opportunity, with amongst the world’s youngest populations, a tech savvy, smart phone using population of almost 220 Million consumers.

Pakistan can learn from the principles of the United States’s success in the modern world, by utilising their energies towards science, innovation

and technology, to lead Pakistan into the 21st century as a valuable AND progressive contributor to the global economy.

Shah will be attending the leading global investor network OPEN Silicon Valley’s annual dinner whilst in the Bay Area in addition to closed door engagements with industry leaders.

Six mourners die due to suffocation during Ashura procession SUKKUR app

At least six people suffocated to death during the procession of Muharram in Rohri near Sukkur on late night.

Three of them were identified as Dil Sher from Kashmore, Hasan Ali from Local Board Sukkur, and Mansoor from Mehrabpur. The identity of other three yet to be ascertained, local police said on Monday.

Thousands of mourners from all over Sindh participated in a mourning procession in Rohri on Sunday to pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala. Strict security measures had been adopted throughout the route of

the procession to prevent any untoward incident.

Thousands of mourners from different parts of Sindh had reached Rohri on 8th Muharram, where they remained busy in mourning throughout the night between 8th and 9th Muharram.

In early morning of 9th Muharram, the mourning procession emerged from Masjid Shah-i-Iraq in the Karbala ground. The procession after reaching Mando Khabar stayed there till afternoon.

Then it resumed its journey through Shahi Bazaar, Dhak Road, Wichoro Chowk and Haider Shah Haqani Muhalla and ended at Karbala ground.

Education staff holds demo outside CM KP House for demands

KARACHI

SWAT

INp

Staff RepoRt

Sindh Police has arrested a security guard for beating up a woman outside an apartment building in Gulistan-eJauhar, Karachi after a video of the incident was widely circulated on social media. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage of the incident shows the man arguing with the woman just before slapping her. The woman fell to the ground and kept trying to get up, but the guard kicked her in the face, the footage showed.

The violent incident is from two days ago. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident Monday and gave instructions to take immediate action against the guard. “How did the guard have the audacity to raise his hands at the woman and be violent?” the Sindh CM questioned. An inquiry has been initiated and the guard has been taken into custody.

The technical education officials of the merged tribal districts Monday staged a sit-in in front of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan’s residence in favor of their demands here on Monday in Matta Tehsil of Swat District.

The employees holding banners and playing cards were demanding to be given civil servants category.

Shafqat Ullah, Assistant Director of technical education in the merged FATA and other protesters, who participated in the protest, said that we were recruited by the

FATA secretariat many years ago and after the merger, the Tehreeke-Insaf government promised to regularize us and a regular act was also passed in December 2021, but So far we have not got the right of civil servants.

Mr. Shafqat said that our salaries have been stopped for 8 months and the employees of technical education from professors, assistant directors to class four have become victims of hunger.

He said that the Secretary Industry KP is not even meeting with us and is evasive. He said that now all the technical institutes are closed in the merged districts of FATA and the

educational future of the children is getting dark but the government is not interested in it.

“Today we are protesting in front of the Chief Minister’s house in Matta Tehsil and if our demands are not accepted, we will be forced to go to CM house Peshawar and Bani Gala to protest there too,” the

protesters threatened.

Tehsil Matta Chairman Abdullah Khan, The brother of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, held talks with the protesters and gave them all kinds of assurances. However, the protesters maintain that their sit-in will continue until orders for their regularization are issued.

Ashura reminds us to remain steadfast in fight against forces of evil, tyranny: Shehryar Afridi ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Former Interior Minister Shehryar Khan Afridi Monday said that Ashura reminds us to remain steadfast in fight against forces of evil, tyranny and Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions (RA) were the noblest people in the history of Islam and they offered maximum sacrifices to protect the message of the holy Prophet (PBUH).

In his message to the nation on Yaum-e-Ashura, Afridi said that the path adopted by Hazrat Imam Hussain was in line with the teachings of Holy

Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) who taught Muslims to remain steadfast in the quest for virtue and offer any sacrifice required. “Yaum-e-Ashoor reminds us the lesson of adherence to the truth, firmness of belief and being steadfast against tyranny” he added.

PTI leader said that the massive sacrifices offered by Hazrat Imam Hussain reflected his firm faith in Almighty Allah and the Day of Judgment, and the exemplary devotion, dauntless courage, and unfailing patience shown during war with Yazidi forces reflected true spirit of Islam.

He urged the Muslims to follow the

path of Imam Hussain and it is a collective responsibility to stand firm in the face of the tyrannical forces which are spreading chaos in the society to achieve their nefarious aims.

He said the best way to pay tribute to the martyrs of Karbala is to make commitment on this day to work and devote oneself for the development and strength of the country. “We have to forget our trivial differences and adopt the teachings of Islam and promote peace, security and brotherhood,” he added.

Afridi said Ashura reminds us of the great sacrifices of Imam Hussain

(RA) and his companions for the sake of truth and justice. He said Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions presented matchless sacrifices in line with Qur’anic teachings and spirit of Islam.

The PTI leader said that Ashura reminds us of a great sacrifice against falsehood and said it would be a beacon for those who would come till the day of judgment. He said on the day of Ashura, the battle was fought between the forces of truth and falsehood, which would continue to impart Muslims a lesson of sustained struggle against oppression.

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10 FOREIGN NEWS

Biden expresses solidarity with MusliM coMMunity after ‘horrific’ killings wAsHINGToN

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Staff RepoRt

RESIDENT Joe Biden has condemned a series of fatal shootings of Muslim men whose slayings in the southern American state of New Mexico over the past nine months are believed by investigators to be related.

“I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque,” Biden tweeted.

Noting that a full investigation on the matter is underway, he underlined that his administration strongly stands with the US Muslim community.

“These hateful attacks have no place in America,” the president said.

His tweet came as police in New Mexico on Sunday asked for the public’s help in locating a “vehicle of interest” in their probe of the attacks.

Mayor Tim Keller said state authorities were working to provide an “extra police presence at mosques during times of prayer” as the investigation proceeds in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city.

The latest victim, police said, was gunned down on Friday night, in a killing that local Islamic leaders said occurred shortly after he had attended funeral services for two others slain during the past couple of weeks.

All three of those men, as well as the very first victim who was shot dead in November, were Muslim men of Pakistan or Afghanistan descent who resided in Albuquerque.

Police have given few details of the latest murder but described the first three killings as ambush shootings. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has characterized them as “targeted killings of Muslim residents.”

Albuquerque police officials told a news conference hours later that they were following a number of leads and issued a bulletin with photos of a four-door, dark gray Volkswagen sedan with tinted windows that they described as a “vehicle of interest” in the investigation.

It was left unclear how the car was tied to the case, and police said they had yet to determine whether they were seeking one or more suspects in the investigation.

The three latest victims belonged to the same mosque, according to Tahir Gauba, a spokesperson for the Islamic Center of New Mexico. Officials were withholding the identity of the man killed on Friday pending notification of next of kin.

But Gauba said he was killed shortly

after attending the funeral for the two previous victims.+ Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, a planning director for the city of Espanola who immigrated from Pakistan in 2017, was shot dead on August 1 outside his apartment complex, less than a week after Aftab Hussein,

41, from Albuquerque’s large Afghan community, was found slain on July 26 near the city’s international district, police said. Hussain also worked on the campaign team for US Representative Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico.

Police said they were treating those two slayings, along with Friday’s killing, as linked to the November 7 murder of 62year-old Mohammad Ahmadi, also a Muslim from Afghanistan, who was shot to death in a parking lot outside a halal supermarket and cafe.

“There are several things in common with all four of the homicides,” city police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told reporters on Sunday.

Asked whether investigators consider the killings to be hate crimes, Gallegos said, “Hate is determined by motive, and we don’t know that motive at this point.”

Gauba estimated there are 3,000 to 5,000 Muslims living in and around Albuquerque, accounting for about 85 percent of the entire state’s Islamic population.

New Mexico State Police, the FBI and the US Marshals Service are among the agencies assisting in the investigation.

One year after Afghanistan, US spy agencies pivot toward China wAsHINGToN the aSSociated pReSS

In a recent closed-door meeting with leaders of the counterterrorism centre at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the agency’s No. 2 official made clear that fighting al-Qaida and other extremist groups would remain a priority — but that the organisation’s money and resources would be increasingly shifted to focusing on China.

The CIA drone attack that killed alQaida’s leader showed that fighting terrorism is hardly an afterthought. But it didn’t change the message the agency’s deputy director, David Cohen, delivered at that meeting weeks earlier: While the US will continue to go after terrorists, the top priority is trying to better understand and counter Beijing.

One year after ending the war in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden and top national security officials speak less about counterterrorism and more about the political, economic and military threats posed by China as well as Russia.

There’s been a quiet pivot within intelligence agencies, which are moving hundreds of officers to China-focused positions, including some who were previously working on terrorism.

The last week makes clear that the US has to deal with both at the same time. Days after Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in Kabul, China staged large-scale military exercises and threatened to cut off contacts with the US over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

The US has long been alarmed by China’s growing political and economic ambitions. It has accused China of trying to influence foreign elections, and mounting campaigns of cyber and corporate espionage. Some experts also think Beijing will in the coming years try to seize the island of Taiwan by force.

Intelligence officials have said they need more insights on China, including after being unable to definitively pinpoint the cause of the Covid-19 pandemic. The US has accused Beijing of withholding information about the origins of the virus.

kremlin accuses kyiv of nuclear plant shelling, warns of ‘catastrophic consequences’ Moscow agencieS

The Kremlin on Monday accused Ukrainian forces of firing on the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant, warning of potential “catastrophic consequences” for Europe. “The shelling of the territory of the nuclear plant by the Ukrainian armed forces is a potentially extremely dangerous activity… fraught with catastrophic consequences for a vast area, including the territory of Europe,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He called on Ukraine’s allies “to use their influence to prevent the continuation of such shelling”. Russia’s defence ministry said on Monday that the Ukrainian army damaged a high-voltage power line that provides electricity to nearby regions. The ministry added that a “power surge” took place at the station, causing smoke in a switchgear, used to protect electrical equipment. Firefighters at the scene were able to stop the smoke, the ministry said. Moscow and Kyiv have blamed each other for strikes on the atomic power plant, where recent fighting sparked a UN warning of a potential nuclear disaster. Zaporizhzhia — Europe’s largest atomic power complex that was occupied by Russia early in its offensive — has in recent days been the scene of military strikes that have damaged several structures, forcing the shutdown of a reactor.

And the war in Ukraine has underscored Russia’s importance as a target.

The US used declassified information to expose Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war plans before the invasion and rally diplomatic support for Kyiv.

Supporters of the Biden administration approach note that the US was able to track and kill al-Zawahri is evidence of its capabilities to target threats in Afghanistan from abroad. Critics say the fact that al-Zawahri was living in Kabul, under the apparent protection of the Taliban, suggests there’s a resurgence of extremist groups that America is ill-equipped to counter.

The shift in priorities is supported by many former intelligence officers and lawmakers from both parties who say it’s overdue. That includes people who served in Afghanistan and other missions against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, said he believed the US had been overly focused on counterterrorism over the last several years.

“A far greater existential threat is Russia and China,” said Crow, a Colorado Democrat who serves on the House Intelligence and Armed Services committees. Terrorist groups, he said, “will not destroy the American way of life […] the way China can.” CIA spokesperson Tammy Thorp noted that terrorism “remains a very real challenge.” “Even as crises such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and strategic challenges such as that posed by the People’s Republic of China demand our attention, CIA will continue to aggressively track terrorist threats globally and work with partners to counter them,” Thorp said.

Congress has pushed the CIA and other intelligence agencies to make China a top priority, according to several people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters. Pushing resources toward China has required cuts elsewhere, including in counterterrorism. Specific figures were unavailable because intelligence budgets are classified.

China defends countermeasures over Pelosi’s Taiwan region visit BEIJING Staff RepoRt

Chinese countermeasures in response to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan region are a necessary warning against the provocations made by the U.S. and “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Monday.

The countermeasures are a legitimate defense of national sovereignty and security, which are completely reasonable, appropriate and proportionate, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the ministry, said.

Wu made the comment amid U.S. media reports from last week saying that Pentagon chiefs’ calls to China go unanswered.

Wu said that the U.S. side must bear full responsibility and serious consequences for its provocation and accused Washington of creating the current tense situation in the Taiwan Straits.

China announced eight countermeasures on August 5 including cancelling the China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks (DPCT), China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) meetings and China-U.S. Theater Commanders Talk.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday also called the military drills around Taiwan “legitimate and reasonable,” saying they are being conducted in an open, transparent and professional manner.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted the military drills are a strong deterrent, aiming at safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stopping the United States’ attempt to use Taiwan to contain China and shattering the Taiwan authorities’ fantasy to pursue Taiwan independence by soliciting the support of the United States.

He added China’s move abides by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, especially the

most important principle of international law, non-interference in internal affairs, as stipulated in the UN Charter.

Asked about the issues related to Sino-U.S. dialogue and communication, Wang responded that dialogue and communication require sincerity, saying China will continue to make serious representations to the U.S. side regarding Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Wang reiterated that China urges the U.S. side to seriously reflect on the situation, immediately correct its mistakes, stop condoning and supporting the “Taiwan independence” secessionist forces and stop playing the “Taiwan card” to use Taiwan to contain China.

He also warned the U.S. side to stop reversing black and white, blaming the innocent, escalating the situation and expanding the crisis, adding the U.S. should abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués with concrete actions.

china announces fresh military drills around taiwan TAIPEI ReuteRS

China’s military announced fresh military drills on Monday in the seas and airspace around Taiwan — a day after the scheduled end of its largest ever exercises to protest against last week’s visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China’s Eastern Theatre Command said it would conduct joint drills focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations — confirming the fears of some security analysts and diplomats that Beijing would continue to maintain pressure on Taiwan’s defences. Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned the move, saying China was deliberately creating crises. It demanded Beijing stop its military actions and “pull back from the edge”. “In the face of military intimidation created

by China, Taiwan will not be afraid nor back down, and will more firmly defend its sovereignty, national security, and free and democratic way of life,” the ministry said in a statement. Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last week infuriated China, which regards the selfruled island as its own and responded with test launches of ballistic missiles over Taipei for the first time, as well as ditching some lines of dialogue with Washington. The duration and precise location of the latest drills is not yet known, but Taiwan has already eased flight restrictions near the six earlier Chinese exercise areas surrounding the island. Shortly before the latest drills were announced, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, telling him she was moved by his determination to visit despite China’s military pressure. “Prime Minister Gonsalves has expressed in recent days that the Chinese military drills would not prevent him from visiting friends in Taiwan. These statements have deeply touched us,” Tsai said at a welcome ceremony for Gonsalves in Taipei. It was unclear if Tsai had invited Gonsalves before or after Pelosi’s visit. “We don’t disclose internal planning or communications between governments,” the Taiwanese foreign ministry said when asked by Reuters. Beyond the firing of 11 short-range ballistic missiles during the four earlier days of exercises, Chinese warships, fighter jets and drones manoeuvred extensively around the island. Shortly before those drills ended on Sunday, about 10 warships each from China and Taiwan manoeuvred at close quarters around the unofficial median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to a person familiar with the situation who is involved with security planning.

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SPORTS 11

ExCItEd ArsHAd sAys CouldN’t slEEP AftEr rECord CWG PErformANCE KARAcHi

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Staff RepoRt

AKISTAN’S history-making javelin thrower Olympian Arshad Nadeem has said that he couldn’t sleep at night nor had any of his other colleagues did after the record-breaking javelin throw in Commonwealth Games.

While travelling towards the airport, after registering the record setting 90.18m throw at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the 25-year-old spoke to media after becoming the first-ever South Asian and second Asian to break the 90m barrier in javelin throw, while Pakistan won a gold medal in athletics for the first time in 60 years.

Arshad had been competing for Pakistan despite a long-standing elbow injury that has been diagnosed to be surgically treated. Arshad also sustained a soft tissue trauma injury in the knee, according to his physician and Pakistan Olympics Association (POA) medial committee member Dr Asad Abbas.

“I am just very happy and I am glad that the nation prayed for me,” Arshad told The Express Tribune. “I was very happy to give Pakistanis the good news and fulfil the expectations.

“I have not slept at all tonight. I can say I wanted to sleep but then I didn’t want to sleep. I don’t think anyone slept at all. The entire nation was up with me.”

Arshad, being the humble youngster from Mian Chunnu, and keeping his family

in his heart believes that it was the prayers that helped him win the gold medal.

“I achieved the feat thanks to Allah, my parents and because of all the Pakistanis who have been so supportive,” said Arshad while travelling to the Birmingham airport.

Arshad has two beautiful children, a daughter and a son, but he has not been able to steal even a few moments for them after the event.

“I spoke to my wife at home, my family, but I still have not been able to catch up with my children,” said the young man.

The ride from Sunday night till now has been wild.

According to the Chef de Mission Syed Mohammad Abid Qadri the remaining players who have not left for Turkey to compete at the Islamic Solidarity games joined in the celebrations.

“No one is sleeping tonight,” said Qadri on the night of Arshad’s win. “I have arranged a celebration over here in England.

We couldn’t find karahi, but we got tikkas (barbeque), naans and even got Biryani on a short notice for Arshad.

“We are all getting together, will offer prayers of gratitude together, and then carry on with the celebration and have food.”

The Pakistani officials had arranged a direct flight for Arshad to Istanbul from Birmingham overnight, while earlier his schedule was different. In the javelin throw final Arshad’s performance was impeccable.

When asked if he is tired at this point by the quickness of everything Arshad was calm. “It is all a part of life and this all must be done. I haven’t slept out of excitement, then there is a lot of media attention and now I’ll be on the plane. I don’t want to be late.”

The POA secretary Khalid Mehmood is already in Turkey and he congratulated the Pakistani nation on Arshad’s feat. He was praising Arshad for creating the history. dope test right after Making history: Right after winning the gold medal, Arshad was taken for a dope test. It is a regular procedure for the medallists to take the test.

Arshad’s massive improvement from 84.62m in the Tokyo Olympics to 86.16 at the World Athletics Championships, to now 90.18m at the Commonwealth Games has been meteoric in progression.

“I did take the dope test and I am confident,” said Arshad as he explained that this

Sohaib Maqsood reveals why Pakistan lose matches to India at World Cups isLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan middle-order batter Sohaib Maqsood thinks that the Men in Green lose matches at the world cups to arch-rival India due to over-excitement and not pressure.

Pakistan has only won one game out of 13 against India in 50-overs and T20 World Cups combined. “The reason for the green shirts’ consistent defeat against India in World Cup matches is because the Pakistani team became overexcited,” the 35-year-old told local media.

“However, in the recent past, our team has started treating Indo-Pak matches normally and it has improved our performance too,” he added.

Sohaib couldn’t feature for Pakistan in the last T20 World Cup

India’s Hardik Pandya open to full-time captaincy role Agencies India all-rounder Hardik Pandya said he is open to assuming the captaincy on a full-time basis after leading the side to a comprehensive victory in the final match of their Twenty20 series against West Indies. India, who rested regular skipper Rohit Sharma, cruised to an 88-run win on the back of a superb performance by their spinners in Lauderhill, Florida on Sunday to a complete a 4-1 series win.

Pandya said it was a “very special feeling” to captain India and when asked whether he was keen on the role in the future, the 28-year-old added: “Yeah, why not? “If given a chance, I’ll be more than happy to do it. But for now, we have a World Cup coming, it’s about getting better as a team.” Pandya is no stranger to leadership roles, captaining the Gujarat Titans to the Indian Premier League title this year in their debut season. He also led India in the 2-0 T20 series win against Ireland in June. India have used seven captains across the three formats this year and Rohit said it was an encouraging sign for the team. “I know it’s very exciting to create so many leaders around the team … and you want the guys to handle the pressure, who understand the game and know each other really well,” Rohit told broadcaster Star Sports.

due to injury and believes he can still make a comeback.

“A couple of international matches over a professional career of two decades does not justify my abilities. I was dropped from the national team multiple times due to injuries. I made several come-

backs and am still eager to represent Pakistan,” he said.

It must be noted that Sohaib Maqsood has played in 29 ODIs and 26 T20Is for Pakistan. He will be in action for Bagh Stallions in the second edition of the Kashmir Premier League.

was a general procedure.

He revealed, “I also took the dope test in US before coming to Birmingham.”

The results of the test are expected to come in two to three weeks. the MoMent frozen in tiMe: Arshad’s fairy-tale run at the Commonwealth Games has been more about his sheer will to compete despite major injuries. He had delayed the surgery in his elbow just to be able to perform for Pakistan. And, he lived up to his word in Brimingham.

Arshad has become an icon as he was the first Pakistani to win an Asian Games medal after nearly 30 years in athletics, then the first to qualify directly for the Olympics and then the first to even qualify for the finals of the Olympics.

Arshad took almost a year to wait for his comeback after the Tokyo Olympics and Commonwealth Games was his second event since resuming his international duties.

He trained in Lahore without any specialised gyms, he was without his personal coach and was with an injury before he brought on the performance on Sunday night. He threw 86.81m in his first attempt and broke the national record along with setting a new personal best.

His first attempt was far better than his performance at the World Athletics Championship that took place in Eugene, Oregon in July, where he became the first athlete from Pakistan to ever qualify for the finals and he ended his comeback campaign in the fifth place.

Cricketers join celebrations as Arshad Nadeem creates history isLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem on Sunday ended Pakistan’s 56-year medal drought in Commonwealth Games by claiming the gold medal in Birmingham. Despite carrying an elbow injury and without a coach, he stepped up and created history with his resilience and brilliance. He won the javelin throw final at the Alexander Stadium with a 90.18-metre throw and became the first South Asian to cross the 90-metre barrier. The 25-year-old surpassed world champion Anderson Peters, former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott and former Commonwealth, as well as, world champion Julius Yego. It is Pakistan’s first athletics gold medal since 1966 and its first javelin gold. Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricketer fraternity applauded Nadeem’s incredible feat and took to Twitter to express admiration for the special talent.

Australia win historic cricket gold at Commonwealths as athletics wraps up LOnDOn afp

Australia won the first women’s cricket gold medal in Commonwealth Games history as Scotland’s Laura Muir captured the 1500m title on the final night of athletics.

On the penultimate day of competition in Birmingham, England’s women won hockey gold and Australia beat Jamaica in the netball final.

With just a few events to go on Monday, Australia lead the way with 66 golds, 11 ahead of hosts England.

Hot favourites Australia held their nerve to beat India by nine runs in a Twenty20 thriller in front of a big Edgbaston crowd. Opener Beth Mooney topscored with 61 as Australia made 161-8 in their 20 overs in the warm sunshine.

India appeared to be on course for a shock win when they were cruising at 118-2. But the dismissals of Jemimah Rodrigues (33) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (65) sapped their momentum and they fell frustratingly short.

Australia partied on the pitch as the lights went out around the stadium.

“It’s absolutely huge,” said left-arm

spinner Jess Jonassen.

“We are blessed enough to be part of some winning World Cup teams but to win the first gold medal for women’s cricket in the Commonwealth Games, you’re only ever going to do that once.”

Victory underlines the dominance of Australia’s women, who are also world champions in the 20-over and 50-over formats. In the bronze medal match earlier on Sunday, New Zealand coasted to an eight-wicket win over England.

Muir gold: Muir ended her Commonwealth Games campaign with a flourish by winning gold in the 1500m at the Alexander Stadium.

The 29-year-old’s team-mate, 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan, just failed in her bid for memorable double, finishing second behind Kenya’s impressive world silver medallist Beatrice Chebet in the women’s 5,000m.

Muir, who won bronze in the 800m on Saturday, kicked for glory before the bell and ran a fairly moderate field — lacking two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon — ragged, timing 4min 02.75sec.

The Olympic silver medallist was overjoyed, having failed to medal in

2014 and missing the 2018 Games due to veterinary exams.

“You learn from it and your time will come,” said Muir. “It sounds cheesy but it’s true. Eight years of Commonwealths and it’s been bugging me so this means a lot.”

Wyclife Kinyamal defended his men’s 800m crown in a time of 1:47.52.

It was an impressive turnaround for the 25-year-old, who finished last in the final of the world championships in July.

“Eugene (the world final) was disappointing but it is just like any race,” he said. “Because if today you win, tomorrow you lose.

“I guess because I failed there, I looked forward to coming here to defend my title.”

New Zealand cyclist Aaron Gate won the men’s road race to collect his fourth gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

“Three felt great and I was super happy with that,” said Gate, who won three track events earlier in the Games.

“I came here today and managed to help the team, and if the opportunity arose to go for a fourth one I just had to grab it with both hands.”

In the women’s race, Australia’s

Georgia Baker won her third gold of the games.

England won hockey gold for the first time after holding off a fightback from Australia to win 2-1.

Second-quarter goals from Holly Hunt and Tess Howard ultimately provided decisive 24 hours after the men’s team had suffered semi-final despair at the hands of Australia.

Australia’s men, who are six-time defending champions, take on India in the final on Monday.

There was more joy for Australia in the netball competition, with a 55-51 over Jamaica in the final.

Australia also shone at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, wrapping up the diving competition in style.

Cassiel Rousseau took the men’s 10m platform title and Maddison Keeney won her second gold of the games in the women’s 3m springboard.

England’s Delicious Orie won super heavyweight gold on a busy night of boxing, beating India’s Sagar Ahlawat.

India won three other golds in boxing but Northern Ireland took five, including a special double for Aidan Walsh and his sister Michaela.

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MuHArrAM 9 PrOCeSSiONS CONClude ACrOSS COuNtry ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

UHARRAM 9 mourning processions, taken out across the country, concluded on Monday amid strict security arrangements, with mobile phone services suspended in some areas under a comprehensive security plan devised by law enforcement agencies to prevent any untoward incident.

The Sindh government last week imposed a ban on the use of helicams or drones for video recording by media channels during processions and majalis from Muharram 8 (Aug 7) to 10 (Aug 9).

Similarly, the administration in Islamabad imposed an emergency in all hospitals of the capital whereas 2,200 police officials had been deployed during today’s procession.

Peshawar police cited serious security threats to processions. However, they said all-out measures to ensure complete security cover to the procession had been taken.

KarachI: The main procession in the metropolis commenced from Nishtar Park this noon, going through Mehfil-i-Shah-i-Khorasan and end at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.

According to a Sindh police spokesperson, as many as 5,313 policemen had been deployed for security and monitoring of the

main routes of the central procession.

Snipers of the Special Security Unit had also been deployed along procession routes.

The spokesperson added that 1,000 traffic policemen had been deputed to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on alternative routes/roads.

The Sindh Police also urged citizens to keep a strict vigil on suspicious people and inform the police through its helpline in case of any emergency.

Earlier, Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab also visited the Central Police Office along with provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon and Saeed Ghani to oversee the monitoring of the processions.

LahOre: The main procession in Lahore commenced from Pando Street, Islampura, and ended at the same street after passing through the designated route. The procession reached its first destination at Siraj Building Chowk via Alamgir Road where mourners performed Zuhr prayers.

Afterwards, the procession passed through Islampura’s main market, Neli Bar Chowk and Civil Secretariat before reaching Old Anarkali in the evening where the mourners made a brief stopover to perform Maghrib prayers. The procession culminated at Pando Street after going through designated routes.

Quetta: The main procession of Muharram 9 in Quetta emerged from Imambargah Nasirul Aza after Zuhr prayer and ended at

the same venue after passing through its traditional routes.

The main procession of came out from Imam Bargah Nasir Al-Aza after noon prayers, in which mourners paid homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala.

DIG Police Quetta Fida Hussain Shah told a press conference earlier in the day that there were a total of 57 imambargahs in the city, of which 24 were highly sensitive and 23 were sensitive.

More than 5,000 police and FC person-

nel had been deployed in the city, while business centers located along procession routes will remain shut on Muharram 9 and 10. The senior officer said cellular services will also be suspended from 6am to 12am in various areas.

PeshaWar: The main procession in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital emerged from Imambargah Hussainia Hall at 10am and the mourners briefly stopped in the Kali Bari area to perform Zuhr prayers.

The procession passed through its tradi-

NEW STRATEGY

PTI to hold Aug 13 power show in Lahore

RAWALPINDI Staff RepoRt

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) had a telephone conversation on Monday and discussed matters related to healthcare particularly Pakistan’s commitment for comprehensive Polio eradication. Mr Gates appreciated Pakistan’s Army for supporting national polio drive and ensuring proper reach and coverage of polio campaigns, particularly through involvement of community leaders . COAS appreciated Mr. Bill Gates and his foundation’s efforts towards this noble cause and assured him of continued full cooperation for polio free Pakistan.

Fawad blames govt for ‘allowing’ Hamza to flee abroad ISLAMABAD

Pakistan sees consistent drop in COVid-19 cases KARACHI

ISLAMABAD

COAS, Bill Gates discuss Polio eradication, healthcare in Pakistan

tional routes and culminated at Imambargah Hussainia. SSP Operations Peshawar, Kashif Aftab Abbasi, said there were strong security threats at procession routes, adding that the police had adopted comprehensive measures to guard mourners.

More than 11,000 police officers had been deployed across the city, he said in a statement. He said over 1,000 personnel had been stationed at the city’s Saddar area alone for the procession’s security today.

Later in the day, Abbasi visited the routes of the procession and overviewed the security arrangements.

IsLamaBad: Islamabad Capital Police Chief Dr Akbar Nasir Khan said the central control room for monitoring processions had been established at the Safe City Islamabad.

He said cellular services were suspended in some areas due to security reasons.

Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police and standard operating procedures issued by the government are being followed, the IGP said earlier, adding that the bomb disposal squad would conduct checking of routes through robots and modern technology while entry of participants in the procession would be ensured only after complete checking.

Later in the day, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon visited the processions’ routes and said that the situation was under control.

Staff RepoRt

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday changed the venue of August 13 rally and decided to hold the power show in Lahore instead of Islamabad.

The decision was taken at the party’s political committee meeting held here and chaired by former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan.

During the meeting, it was decided that the August 13 rally will be held in Lahore instead of Islamabad.

Sources privy to the development said that the rally will be held in Hockey Ground Lahore.

On Sunday, the PTI chairman in his meeting with party leader and legal expert Dr Babar Awan in Bani Gala said that early election cannot be stopped.

Both the leaders discussed political and legal matters in the meeting. Consultations were held related to the PTI power show on August 13. Babar Awan also apprised the PTI Chairman over ongoing legal issues.

On this occasion, the former premier said with the PTI power show on August 13, there will be beginning of the revolution. The people will not back down from the demand for clean and transparent elections, he said.

Babar Awan said that the defeated group in the political field is running

Pakistan’s coronavirus cases have consistently registered a downward trend over the last five days, data from the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed Sunday morning. The country has posted zero COVID-19 deaths for the last two days. The last coronavirus-related deaths were reported on August 5 when two patients succumbed to the disease. The total COVID-19 deaths stand at 30,505, according to the NIH data. The country reported 644 infections out of a total 22,126 tests conducted during the last 24 hours, according to the NIH data. The country’s positivity rate has come down to 2.81%. With the new infections, the total number of cases reported in the country currently stands at 1,558,557 since the pandemic started in 2020. A day earlier, the country reported 673 cases, while the daily count was 750 a day before that on Friday (August 5). Despite the lower daily count, the tally of the confirmed cases in the country has surged to 9,399 – the highest in the last two weeks, according to the data. The last time the active case count grew past 10,000 was on July 16 when the number of cases stood at 10,003.

However, 164 patients are still being treated in intensive-care units (ICU) of different hospitals in the country, said the NIH.

away from the election.Fake cases and false investigations will not become public narrative, he added. Awan went on to claim that now PTI will get twothird majority in the general election.

Meanwhile, the former PM had also announced that he would unveil his plan of action to counter ‘fascism’ at his party’s power show in Islamabad “six days from now” on August 13.

Sharing his thoughts on Twitter, the former prime minister lashed out at the coalition government, saying that a group of thieves have been brought into power through US conspiracy. He penned, “People of Kufa, despite knowing our

beloved Prophet (PBUH)’s Grandson was on the path of truth, did not come to help out of fear of Yazid & allowed the greatest tragedy of Islam to happen.”

PTI Chairman also penned, “Every era has its Yazids. Pakistan is facing Yazidiyat (fascism) today in the form of rule by a cabal of crooks and their handlers brought to power through US regime change conspiracy.”

“Will our ppl bow down before this conspiracy in fear or, as a nation, face up to the challenge? On 13 Aug at our Haqeeqi Azadi jalsa I will announce our plan to counter this fascism,” added the former premier.

Top TTP militant reported dead in Afghanistan bomb blast

MonitoRing RepoRt

ISLAMABAD/KABUL

Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday it was a pity that Hamza Shehbaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president, who was accused of laundering Rs24 billion abroad, was allowed to flee to the United Kingdom while Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was unleashed to probe meagre Rs20 million his party received in funds from its Pakistan-origin donors living abroad. In a tweet, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) vice president said it appeared the prime minister and members of his cabinet think of the nation as fools. “After Ashura, the accountability of PML-N leaders and police officers on whose orders police raided homes of PTI activists and harassed women and children on [the night of] May 25 [to defuse party’s long march to Islamabad] will begin,” he warned. “The nation should start preparing for the final phase of the struggle for real freedom.”

MonitoRing RepoRt

A blast in eastern Afghanistan led to the death on Sunday of Omar Khalid Khorasani, a top leader of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) whose suicide bombings killed more than 300 people, according to several reports quoting senior intelligence officials.

Khorasani’s Jamaat ul-Ahrar (JuA), a splinter faction of the TTP, is one of the dozens of armed militant factions — including al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State — operating in Afghanistan.

Khorasani was among four commanders of the militant group killed in the blast in eastern Paktika province.

Born Abdul Wali, Khorasani was travelling with Hafiz Dawlat, Mufti Hassan and his “son-in-law” (whose identity is yet to be ascertained) in the province on the border with Pakistan when their car was hit by a roadside

bomb on Sunday evening, The Khorasan Diary, an online journalists-run platform, said. Quoting a TTP spokesperson, the platform confirmed Khorasani’s death, adding it was anticipating a “detailed statement”.

The four commanders were said to be living in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. They were travelling to Paktika’s Birmal district “for consultation”, sources told Gandhara.

According to Gandhara, Hassan was among nearly a dozen TTP commanders who pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed in a US raid in Syria in 2019.

Whereas, Dawlat was considered to be an important TTP commander and a confidant of Khorasani.

In October 2017, it was widely reported that Khorasani had been killed by a suspected US drone attack in Afghanistan. However, he emerged alive and a year later, the US put him on its Rewards For Justice wanted list

with a $3 million bounty on his head.

There was no immediate comment from Afghanistan’s Taliban government, the TTP or Islamabad.

The news comes at a time when Pakistan is in contact with the group’s leadership to discuss a peace agreement. A truce has already been in place between the TTP and Pakistan Army for the past two months.

‘BIG BLOW’:Born in a village called Lakaro in the Mohmand tribal region, Khorasani started out as an anti-India man fighting in occupied Kashmir, according to a long-time friend who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. He later joined the TTP in 2007 to fight the government to establish strict Islamic law.

In 2014, Khorasani left the TTP after a leadership quarrel to form JuA. The group gained attention in September 2014 when it announced it was supporting Islamic State and rejecting the main TTP leadership.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

Nation kicks off preparations to celebrate 75th birthday ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The nation kicked off brisk preparations to celebrate the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan on August 14 with traditional zeal and fervor. As the arrival of Independence Day nears, the government has begun decorating buildings and highways of the city with green flags. Citizens of the country are gearing up to celebrate the 75th birthday with great enthusiasm. The purchase of clothes, dresses and bangles in the national flag color have also see an uptick. People setting up stalls to sell Independence Day paraphernalia have expressed happiness over an increase in income as children throng to buy stuff. A spring of green flags can be seen hoisted on every important road including the main highways of the capital, the expressway and also the Ninth Avenue.

In Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), elaborated programs are being chalked out to celebrate the day under the auspices of various social, political and public representative organizations. In AJK capital city, major national flag hoisting ceremony will be held at the President House where AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry will host the national flags of Pakistan and AJK.