ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt F orMerprime minister and PTI chairman Imran khan on friday said that the party leader Shahbaz Gill was subjected to severe mental and physical torture as well as sexual abuse after he was arrested by the Islamabad police in a sedition case last week. “all the pictures & videos show clearly [Shahbaz] Gill was tortured both mentally & physically including sexual abuse – most too gruesome to relate. he was humiliated to break him down,” the former premier wrote on his official Twitter handle while sharing a video of Gill wherein he can be seen pleading for an oxygen expressingmask.shock over the inhuman treatment meted out to Gill, Imran vowed to leave no stone unturned to find out those responsible so as to bring them to book.
IMRAN REAchES PIMS: later, Imran unexpectedly reached the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) to inquire after the health condition of Gill. Speaking to the media outside the hospital, the PTI chief said despite the court’s order police did not allow them to meet with Gill. “who is giving police such orders? do you [police] have any regard for the court’s order?” he asked. he also announced a rally in the federal capital tomorrow from china chowk to f-9 Park in support of Gill. likewise, the PTI’s divisional headquarters bodies will also stage demonstrations in their respective districts across the country. “I will take out rally for Shahbaz Gill tomorrow [Saturday] in Islamabad… I am inviting everyone to join the rally in the evening.” “If such torture could be inflicted on Gill then it could happen to anyone,” he added. ‘StRIPPEd NAKEd’: In a video statement, PTI leader and former federal information minister fawad chaudhry said that the party had collected evidence of torture including pictures and doctors’ certificates “which was being handed over to authorities concerned”. “very disturbing information is coming in according to which not only he [Gill] was subjected to psychological torture but physically abused before being stripped naked,” he added.
“I now have full detailed information in this regard,” he added. The PTI chairman went on to say that the Islamabad capital Police (IcT) clearly said that it did not inflict any torture and asked: “So my question is who tortured Gill?” “There is a general perception in the public at large and in our minds too as to who could have carried out the gruesome torture. remember the public would react.” Gill was arrested from bani Gala chowk in Islamabad last week after a video clip of his controversial remarks went viral on social media. he was subsequently booked on charges of inciting mutiny in the military. earlier today, a sessions court in the federal capital ordered the authorities concerned to conduct a second medical examination of the PTI leader at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) where he is to be kept till Monday. AMNESty dEMANdS INquIRy: Meanwhile, the international human rights organisation also expressed concerns over the reports of torture on the PTI leader and demanded an impartial inquiry into the matter. “amnesty International is concerned about the allegations of torture being made by the lawyers of Shahbaz Gill, and calls for an immediate, effective and impartial inquiry investigating these claims,” it said in a tweet. The PTI members in the Senate also registered their protest against the alleged torture on Gill.“These people are oppressors… the ‘imported government’ is flouting fundamental human rights and the constitution of Pakistan. Shahbaz Gill’s condition is serious but he is being treated inhumanely,” Senate opposition leader Shehzad waseem said.
EvidEncE suggEsts gill torturEd, sExually abusEd, claims imran Saturday, 20 August, 2022 I 21 Muharram, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 51 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition CONTINUED ON PAGE 05 g calls for country-wide rallies to protest worst ‘fascism,’ media curbs g SayS PTI chIef wanTS every InSTITuTIon head To acT lIke JuSTIce
Govt appoints Jameel Ahmad as governor SBP ISLAMABAD NewS DeSk as per data released by Pakistan bureau of Statistics (PbS), the sensitive price index (SPI) on friday highlighted a record increase in inflation to 42.3 percent on a year-on-year basis in accordingaugust.to the PbS, the SPI for the current week ended on 18th august recorded an increase of 3.35 percent with hike in prices of 25 items. The year-on-year trend depicts an increase of 42.31 percent primarily due to increase in pulse masoor (111.02 percent), diesel (108.77 percent), petrol (94.53 percent), onions (94.43 percent), cooking oil 5 liter (72.96 percent), mustard oil (71.08 percent), chicken (69.04 percent), vegetable ghee 1 kg (68.56 percent), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (67.05 percent), electricity for q1 (63.03 percent), washing soap (61.92 percent), pulse gram (58.93 percent), gents sponge chappal (52.21 percent), pulse mash (51.51 percent) and garlic (36.59 percent) while a decrease was observed in the prices of chili powder (43.42 percent), sugar (16.55 percent) and gur (1.96 percent). high weekly inflation says PBS report
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Minister for Information and broadcasting Marriyum aurangzeb on friday alleged that Imran khan wanted the head of every institution to act like former nab chairman Javed Iqbal, and dared him to name the “agencies and their officials” who were involved in politics and had given him the guarantee that the incumbent chief election commissioner would toe his line. “either point out the persons and agencies who have given you (Imran) a briefing about the corruption of PMl-n and PPP or stop this drama once and for all if you lack the courage,” the minister said while addressing a news conference. The minister said Imran khan, while addressing a seminar the other day, had claimed that he was briefed about the opposition leaders’ corruption by the “agencies” and the incumbent chief election commissioner (cec) was appointed by him on their guarantee. “which guarantee was given to him (Imran) for the cec? which agency had given him the guarantee? and why he needed the guarantee at all?” she questioned. The minister asked whether he wanted the assurance that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would not be declared a foreignaided party and he himself as a “foreign agent” under that guarantee. She said Imran khan had made a claim that he received reports from the “agencies” about the leadership of Pakistan Muslim league-nawaz (PMl-n) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). whether he himself had sought the reports from the agencies, she wondered, advising the PTI chairman to better stop churning out lies. Marriyum alleged that Imran khan was a “fascist who wants to impose fascism on the entire country”. he desired that persons like Javed Iqbal should head all the state institutions, including the election commission of Pakistan, federal Investigation agency, national accountability bureau and others. She said,“Imran khan is a conspirator and has the only expertise as how to hatch a conspiracy against Pakistan.” he was the root-cause of all the problems being faced by the country, she added. The minister said during his so-called 22 years long political struggle, Imran khan had always tried to pose himself as an “angel” and the others as “thieves” while giving an “Islamic touch”. “lies, drama and hypocrisy” were the hallmarks of his politics, she added. Marriyum regretted that Imran khan had refused to appear before the fIa in connection with the prohibited funding. “he said that he would not give any answer to the fIa about the prohibited funding. whether it is the court, the opposition or the media, he has refused to answer to anybody about his wrongdoings.” She said Imran khan was not a “sacred cow” and would have to face the law. If three times prime minister nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam nawaz had presented themselves for accountability, then Imran khan could not escape from the long arm of law. She said though false cases were lodged against nawaz Sharif and Maryam nawaz, and the fact was later admitted by Judge arshad Malik, but they appeared before the courts. nawaz Sharif, she added, presented himself for accountability by writing a letter to the top court (for formation of a commission to investigate the Panama Papers issue) as he knew that he had not committed the corruption of even a single dime. Marriyum said Imran khan used all state institutions to victimize nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. he submitted false evidence against the PMl-n leadership to the national crime agency of the united kingdom and also provided the same material to foreign journalist david rose, but could not succeed in his designs. nab failed to produce even a single evidence in courts to prove corruption of the PMl-n leadership, she added. She said Imran khan set up an asset recovery unit in the Prime Minister’s office with his “tout” Shahzad akbar as its head for victimizing the political opponents.
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ISLAMABAD ShahzaD paRacha
The federal government has appointed Jameel ahmad new Governor State bank of Pakistan. as per finance ministry notification Jameel ahmad is appointed as Governor SbP for five years.Jameel ahmad was working as deputy Governor SbP in his last role. he has over 30 years of experience at various senior positions at the State bank of Pakistan and the Saudi central bank. he did his Mba from university of Punjab and fellow member of IcMa Pakistan since 1994. as per details, Jameel ahmad as deputy governor SbP played instrumental role in digitalization of banking. he has also served as chairman of steering committee on the implementation of raaST. In addition he also oversaw the development and issuance of Pakistan national payment system strategy developed by SbP and world bank. It is pertinent to mention here that there were differences between finance Minister Miftah Ismail and PPP over the governor SbP. Miftah reportedly wanted to continue Murtaza Syed as the acting Governor SbP, whereas PPP wanted Zafar Masood.
reaches 42.3pc,
Marriyum dares Imran to name ‘agencies involved’ in politics (r)
Record
LAHORE Staff RepoRt
Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri, through video link, apprised the gathering of the death toll by the flood. She said the country got unprecedented heavy rains which were yet going on in some areas deteriorating the flood situation. She assured that the BISP would ensure transparent cash disbursement based on the available data. NDMA Chairman Lt General Akhtar Nawaz said the country got an overall 150% more rains in Pakistan and 318% in Balochistan.
StAff REpORt Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday launched a Rs 37 billion relief program to provide Rs 25,000 cash assistance each among 1.5 million families across the flood-hit areas of the country. The prime minister, addressing the launching ceremony, said the cash disbursement would be done through Benazir Income Support Program in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority and other allied departments.Hesaid the heavy monsoon rains and consequent floods affected all four provinces with Balochistan being the most affected where hundreds of the people died and infrastructure destroyed. He also paid tribute to the six martyred army officers including Quetta Corps Commander Lt. General Sarfaraz who sacrificed their lives in a chopper crash during the flood relief operation.
Court issues arrest warrants for 12 PML-N leaders
A local court issued arrest warrants for 12 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Friday, in the Punjab Assembly vandalism case. The court issued arrest warrants for Special Assistant to Prime Minister Attaullah Tarar, Rana Mashhood, Awais Leghari, Saiful Malook Khokhar, Malik Ghulam Habib, Mirza Javed, Khizar Hayat Khagga, Raja Sagheer, Abdul Rauf, Ashraf Rasool, Bilal Farooq Tarar and Rana Mannan Judicial Magistrate Mudassar Hayat issued the arrest warrants while allowing an application, filed by the police for the purpose. The Qila Gujjar Singh Police had requested the court for issuance of the arrest warrants, saying that a case had been registered against the accused in connection with alleged vandalism at the Punjab Assembly. The police submitted that the accused avoided appearance for investigation into the matter. The police submitted that their arrest was necessary for completing the investigation.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Friday that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had confessed to being “selected”. “The hallmark of Imran Khan is that his statements from two different days do not match,” said the PML-N leader while talking to a private Tv news channel. “Imran Khan should tell the nation if it was the establishment that brought him to power in the 2018 elections. He may say that it was by mistake that he entered politics. It was [the] establishment that dragged me into power after [the] 2018 elections.” He said most of the PML-N leaders were put behind bars during his [Imran Khan’s] four years in power. Now, he should reveal if it was he or the establishment that made such decisions, he said. “Similarly, national debts increased manifold in his tenure. He should tell if the establishment was responsible for this volume of debts,” he said. Imran Khan, while addressing a seminar on August 18, criticised the establishment and asked them to review their policies as there is still time left to make changes. Referring to the incumbent government, he said that the establishment imposed these “thieves” upon Pakistan. “How did the establishment let them [the current government] rule us knowing about the foreign conspiracy? This is because they have the power right now,” said the former premier. “No matter how much you [the establishment] call yourself neutral, the nation will blame you for imposing this government on us.” He also said, “It [the establishment] is forcing us to accept these thieves and for that, they are spreading fear among the nation.” Reacting to Imran Khan’s statement, Abbasi said Imran Khan accepted that he was “selected”. “I do not consider myself ‘selected’ as Pakistan doesn’t admit any ‘selection’ here,” he said. The PML-N leader said he can confirm that the PML-N’s decision to take over government was the most difficult in the country’s history and it has a political price. Imran Khan should account for the money he received from foreign companies and foreign nationals, he said, adding that Khan is to answer about the 16 accounts. “It is by the grace of Allah that neither [General Pervez] Musharraf nor Imran could prove corruption of even a penny against Nawaz Sharif in their respective eras,” he said.
Saturday, 20 August, 2022 | KARACHI 02 NEWS RAWALpINDI Staff RepoRt C HIEFof Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday administered polio drops to children as nation-wide anti-polio campaign was launched amid more than dozen cases reported in the country since May.
PM launches Rs37b cash program to disburse Rs25,000 each among flood-hit families
COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa visited National Emergency Operations Centre and administered polio drops to children to encourage parents nationwide to join the campaign against the crippling disease. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also launched the nationwide anti-polio vaccination drive with an aim to eradicate the crippling disease from the country. According to details, PM Shehbaz Sharif kicked off the anti-polio drive by administrating drops of polio vaccine to children under five years of age at Prime Minister’s House.
NEPRA imposes Rs50m fine on CPGCL ISLAMABAD ahmad ahmadani National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs. 50 Million on Central Power Generation Company Limited, (CPGCL) on account of negligence of management of Guddu Power Plant. As per details, NEPRA while taking cognizance of power breakdown which plunged the whole country into darkness has imposed a fine of Rs50 million on CPGCL on account of negligence of management of Guddu Power Plant. The massive power breakdown occurred on January 9, 2021 at 23:40 hours and took 20 hours (approximately) to restore the system. Earlier, NEPRA took serious notice of the above incident and constituted an Inquiry Committee to thoroughly investigate the matter in the light of NEPRA Act, Rules and Regulations. The Committee conducted the inquiry and presented a detailed report to the Authority, on the basis of which the Authority initiated legal proceedings against CPGCL. According to NEPRA, an explanation dated 01.04.2021 was issued to CPGCL under Regulation 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fine) Regulations 2021, followed by a show cause notice dated 11.02.2022 under Section 27B of the NEPRA Act. Moreover, an opportunity of hearing was also granted to CPGCL on 17.05.2022, however, CPGCL failed to provide any satisfactory response and was found guilty of violating relevant provisions of the applicable documents.
Mentioning his multiple visits to the flood-hit areas, the prime minister appreciated the rescue and relief efforts of all including NDMA, PDMAs, National Highway Authority, and other provincial departments. “The whole nation needs to unite to face this situation. The federal and provincial governments are also cooperating with one another. Our international partners and donors are also extending their support,” he added. The prime minister told the gathering that the cash assistance program, launched in Jhal Magsi area of Balochistan, would support over Rs 9 million people across the country. As assured by the NDMA chairman, the prime minister said the cash disbursement would be completed within three days to help the people afford their food and other immediate needs. He said in the next phase, a joint survey would be carried out to assess the damages to crops, houses, highways and bridges which would follow the coordination with provinces to carry out the rehabilitation work. The prime minister also thanked Finance Minister Miftah Ismail for scraping Rs 37 billion from the national kitty to support the flood-hit people in that distressing time. The program has initially been launched in four districts of Balochistan including Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar, Qilla Abdulla and Lasbella. Through a video link, the beneficiaries in Jhal Magsi area were also shown receiving the cash assistance. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who also heads the Flood Relief Committee told the gathering that being one of the five countries facing the worst impact of climate change, said Pakistan needed not only to support its people but also redesign its infrastructure to avert losses in future. He said in the first phase, the committee identified the areas worst hit by the floods to provide the cash assistance. In the second phase, a joint survey would be done to assess damages to houses and crops for their rehabilitation.Inthethird phase, he said the government would seek help from international development partners for redesigning the infrastructure to prevent flood-caused damages in the future.
Imran confessed to being ‘selected’: Khaqan Abbasi
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Heroic man sacrifices life while rescuing minor boy from well in Quetta NEWS DESk A young man from Quetta’s Sariab Road area sacrificed his life while saving a minor boy who drowned in a well. Mir Balach Nowsherwani went down inside the flooded well to rescue the boy. The boy was collecting garbage when the tragedy struck. Unfortunately, both of them lost their lives during the rescue efforts. “Balach did not come back,” Bilawal Nowshwerwani, a cousin of Balach stated as he burst into tears. He said that Balach sacrificed his life to save the life of the minor boy. Relatives, friends and people of the area launched a rescue operation on their own to rescue the minor boy and Balach. “We retrieved the two bodies after 14 hours of efforts”, Bilawal said. He said that the rescue team of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reached the spot after three hours and they were also helpless. During this situation, two young men from Balochistan’s Mastung district reached the spot of the incident. The young men identified as Jalil Ahmed Shahwani and Amir Hamza Shahwani retrieved the bodies after 14 hours. “We faced a serious danger inside the well to recover the bodies,” Jalil Shahwani stated. He said that there was darkness in the well which was also flooded. “We were not sure that we would come back”, he said. The bravery of the two young men prompted Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo to announce rewards and jobs for both. The provincial chief offered jobs to the two young men in the DPMA and a reward of Rs0.2 million for them, a spokesman for the CM Secretariat said Friday evening. He said that the chief minister has expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of precious human lives at Sariab and appreciated the two young men for their bravery.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and representatives of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation attended the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the premier vowed to get the country free from polio, which he said was affecting the children in some areas. He urged the parents not to miss getting their children administered the polio drops and support the government’s goal to make Pakistan polio-free. The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s commitment to ending polio and emphasised the role of the government leaders, health workers, and parents to ensure that the disease never paralyzed a child jointly. PM Shehbaz Sharif called upon the federal, provincial and district managements to address the challenges of persistently missed children and also encourage the people by raising awareness about the gravity of the situation. He regretted that polio was one of the few countries in the world where polio was still recognized as an endemic viral infection. He urged the parents not to miss getting their children administered the polio drops and support the government’s goal to make Pakistan poliofree. He said by keeping up the momentum and staying vigilant, Pakistan would be able to win the challenge of polio eradication. He paid tribute to the polio workers for relentlessly carrying out the drive in far-flung areas despite the challenges including resistance and refusals by some community members.
StAff REpORt A judicial Magistrate of Islamabad on Friday directed to conduct another medical analysis of PTI’s leader Shahbaz Gill and ordered to keep him in hospital till August 22, in a sedition case registered by Kohsar Police Station.The court order said that the two-day physical remand of the accused was not started yet and thus rejected the request of prosecution for further eight days remand. Shahbaz Gill was produced before before the court of Judicial Magistrate Raja Farakh Ali Khan by the police amid foolproof security arrangements. The court said that the accused seemed not well as he was suffering from asthma and instructed to conduct his medical examination again. During the course of proceeding, the police requested the court to grant further eight-day physical remand of the accused. At this, the judge asked whether the two days physical remand had completed as the accused had been in hospital. He questioned why the prosecution was demanding further eight day Specialremand.Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi contended that a medical analysis of the accused was done when he was admitted in hospital. He said that the investigation officer himself could ensure medical check up of the accused in emergency without the directives of the court. It was not written anywhere in the law that the accused physical remand couldn’t be granted in sickness, he added. He said that the medical officer of Adiala Jail had informed the IHC that Shahbaz Gill was table when he was brought at jail and his medical report was normal. The officer said that health problems appeared of the accused when the court granted the police further two day remand of the accused, he said. Gill’s counsel Faisal Chaudhry Advocate said that the court had itself viewed the health condition of his client. It was a geniune issue, he said, adding that there were also signs of torture on Gill as per the medical report. The police were also admitting that the remand time had been completed, he said. The lawyer said that the police had interrogated his client even in hospital, adding that there was no doubt that 48 hours remand time had been expired. He opposed the request of police for further physical remand of the accused. The court earlier reserved its judgment and later ordered to keep the accused in hospital till Monday. The court also said that the physical remand of the accused was yet to start.Earlier on Friday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday reserved its judgment on maintainability of a petition seeking to set up a special medical board to conduct medical analysis of Shahbaz Gill. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case filed by PTI’s Secretary General Asad Umar regarding the matter. At the outset of hearing, petitioner’s lawyer Dr. Baber Awan pleaded that in some doctors in current medical board had no expertise in some diseases. The court remarked that whether a medical board was not established when a report of the accused came.
Court sends Gill back to hospital till Monday NA-31 by-poll: JUI formally launches electioneering for Ghulam Bilour pESHAWAR Staff RepoRt JUI-F formally joined the election campaign for Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, a joint candidate of ANP, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and PPP in by-election to NA-31 here on Friday. In this regard, the JUI-F organized a public meeting as part of the Bilour electioneering. The seat fell vacant after the resignation of PTI MNA Haji Shaukat Ali. PTI’s chairman Imran Khan is also contesting election from the constituency. Besides, Mayor Peshawar Haji Zubair Ali, former Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, Maulana Maskeen Shah, Jalil Jan, Allah Dad Khan and a large number of JUI-F office-bearers and workers attended the public meeting. Addressing the public meeting, Peshawar Mayor Haji Zubair Ali termed the sacrifices of Bilour family for Peshawar as unforgettable and unprecedented, saying the people will not forget sacrifices rendered by them for the restoration of peace and public welfare. He said that the sacrifices of the Bilour family and particularly of Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour for the restoration of peace and welfare of the people were unforgettable. He said that the people of Peshawar city will vote and support Haji Ghulam Bilour, who is a strong voice for the rights of Peshawarits. Haji Zubair Ali said that they would have to keep manners, decency, culture and services alive and would elect Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour from the constituency. Addressing the public meeting, former JUI-F’s Senator Haji Ghulam Ali said that in the recent past the electorates of the constituency had elected PTI chairman Imran Khan, but he hurt the people by vacating the constituency.
GEN BAJwA, PM SHEHBAz vow to RId CoUNtRy of PoLIo
StAff REpORt
ISLAMABAD Ghulam abbaS
The commission said it issued notices after reviewing speeches of the PTI leaders which was provided by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on the electoral body’s request. The ECP has sought clarification from the PTI leaders on allegations hurled against it. Imran, the former premier, has time and again accused the ECP and it chief of being biased and demanded CEC Raja to step down.Imran also accused the ECP chief of siding with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) against the PTI. Last month, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf decided to file a ‘judicial reference’ against CEC Raja and other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan for allegedly violating code of conduct. Former premier Imran had formally directed his legal team to initiate the process of filing the reference against the CEC and ECP members for meeting a delegation of the ruling alliance and discussing the prohibited funding case against PTI with them.
The federal government on Friday appointed Dr Nadeem Javed as the country’s chief economist whereas sources claim that the notification regarding his appointment would be issued soon. According to details, the federal cabinet has approved the appointment via a circular. It may be noted that Dr Javed is already part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Economic Advisory Council. He has previously served as the chief economist during the PML-N’s era from 2014 to 2018.He has previously served as chief economist from 2014 to 2018. He has a PhD in economics from France. He also has expertise in public health and has served on the prime minister’s advisory council. He has worked with key institutions in the country for economic management besides, teaching at various universities. Moreover, Dr Javed also served as advisor on planning and reforms. He was part of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) as well as the executive committee of the National Economic Council. Earlier, he worked at the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
ECP ISSUES CoNtEMPt NotICES to IMRAN KHAN, otHER PtI LEAdERS oN CHARGE of ‘INSULtING’ CEC
Punjab govt decides to arrest PML-N leaders in assembly rioting case
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
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03NEWS Saturday, 20 August, 2022 | KARACHI StAff REpORt t HEElection Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued contempt notices to PTI leaders Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar for levelling allegations at the electoral body and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
The electoral body directed the opposition leaders to appear before it in person or submit their response through their lawyers on August 31. The ECP spokesperson said in a statement that notices were issued to the PTI chief Imran Khan for using “insulting and unparliamentary remarks” against the electoral body in various speeches.
President Dr Arif Alvi approved the appointment of 128 lawyers as additional, deputy and assistant attorney generals at various stations, the President House said Friday. The president also approved the removal of the existing 118 Additional AttorneyGenerals, Deputy Attorney Generals, and Assistant Attorney Generals from their posts. The transfer of Chaudhry Amir Rehman from Additional Attorney General-IV, Islamabad to Additional Attorney-General-I, Islamabad has also been approved. Also, the president gave approval to the transfer of Mirza Nasr Ahmed from Additional Attorney-General-I, Lahore to Additional Attorney-General-II, Lahore. The notification of the appointment of Wazir Walayat Ali as Deputy Attorney-General, Gilgit-Baltistan has been retrieved. The president approved the notifications regarding appointments and removal under the Central Law Officers Ordinance, and on the summary forwarded by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
NEWS DESk
PM pledges provisions of agricultural loans
The Punjab government on Friday decided to arrest Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders in the PA riots case. As per details, arrest warrants for SAPM, Atta Tarar, Rana Mashood, Mirza Javed, Raja Manan and others have been issued in the Punjab Assembly riots case. The case of the riot is registered at PS Qila Gujjar Singh. On April 16, as the Punjab Assembly met to elect a new chief minister after Usman Buzdar resigned, the house turned into a battleground after lawmakers from PTI tossed lotas at the then deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari, while some slapped him and pulled his hair. The police officials were called in the Punjab Assembly to control the situation and during the process, several lawmakers were tortured. Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf-led Punjab government had been saying after coming into power again that it will make the lawmakers, officials who were involved in the torture over PTI lawmakers on April 6. Putin allows inspectors to visit Russia-held nuclear plant via Ukraine AgENcIES Odessa, Ukraine: Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed for a team of independent inspectors to travel to the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant via Ukraine, the French presidency said on Friday. The apparent resolution of a dispute over whether inspectors travel to the plant via Ukraine or Russia came as a senior US defence official said Ukraine’s forces had brought the Russian advance to a halt. “You are seeing a complete and total lack of progress by the Russians on the battlefield,” the official said, speaking to reporters on grounds of anonymity. According to French President Emmanuel Macron’s office, Putin had “reconsidered the demand” that the International Atomic Energy Agency travel through Russia to the site, after the Russian leader himself warned fighting there could bring about a “catastrophe”. It specified that Putin had dropped his demand that the IAEA team travel to the site via Russia, saying it could arrive via Ukraine. The UN nuclear watchdog’s chief, Rafael Grossi, “welcomed recent statements indicating that both Ukraine and Russia supported the IAEA’s aim to send a mission to” the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The agency was “in active consultations with all parties” towards sending one as soon as possible, Grossi said..Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres urged Moscow’s forces occupying the Zaporizhzhia plant in south Ukraine not to disconnect the facility from the grid and potentially cut supplies to millions of Ukrainians. A flare-up in fighting around the Russian-controlled nuclear power station — with both sides blaming each other for attacks — has raised the spectre of a disaster worse than in Chernobyl. The Kremlin said earlier that Putin and Macron agreed that the IAEA should carry out inspections “as soon as possible” to “assess the real situation on the ground”. StAff REpORt Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday pledged to ensure provision of agricultural loans, quality seeds and pesticides to the farmers of the country. Taking to his official Twitter handle, the prime minister noted that eight sub-committees have been constituted to bring reforms in the agricultural sector as “it is the backbone of ourPMeconomy”.ShehbazSharif further said that the government would take important decisions for the development of the agricultural sector in the coming days. A day earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed the concerned authorities to formulate an emergency agricultural reforms plan within two days to facilitate the farmers and uplift the sector.According to details, the prime minister made the directives while chairing a high-level meeting on agricultural sector reforms held in Islamabad.PMShehbaz, who was presented the recommendations of eight subcommittees of different relevant sectors, said the reforms plan should be based on the recommendations of the said sub committees.Theprime minister said the government would also provide modern equipment and facilitate the processs of loans. Moreover, the silos would be constructed to help the farmers store wheat and agricultural produces.
Project to tap KP’s 60,000MT marble potential approved
Dr Nadeem Javed appointed as chief economist
President lawyersappointmentokaysof128asAdGs
The mines and mineral department has approved establishment of crushing zones project in Khyber Pakthunkhwa to tap about 60,000 million tons (MT) marble potential of the province and avoid its waste during excavation besides curbing air pollution. The government to ensure its successful execution, has okayed Rs5.5 million for its feasibility studies and practical work would soon start, official sources in mines and mineral department told APP on Friday. All stakeholders including environmental protection agency would be taken into confidence before starting practical work on it, he added. Tariq Waheed, senior geologist of mines and mineral department told APP that tribal districts were rich in marble reserves with a potential of producing about 60,000 million tons (MT) marble. He said KP including merged areas were blessed with different types of marble resources including Granite, Manganese, Chromite, Copper, Nephrite, Jadeite, Serpentinite, Garnet, Epidote, Ationolite, Tourmaline, Idocrase, Grossular, Emerald, Silca Sand, Dolmite, Quartez, Feldspare, Axinite, Sphene, Laterite, Barite, Graphite, Soaptone, Fluroite, Diamond, Limstone, coal, Iron ore, Sandstone, Black Limestone; Lead, Agate, Gold, Silver, Nickel and adaptation of modern mechanized mining would help generate substantial revenue for Pakistan. Last year, an integrated districts development plan (IDDP) study was conducted on marble deposits in the merged districts, which disclosed presence of about 14,700 MT marble in four districts including 8,450 MT in Mohmand, 5,850 MT in Bajaur, 345 MT in Khyber and 65MT in Kurram. Four projects were under process including Rs 109 million ‘exploration of decorative stones’ project in Mohmand, Bajaur and Khyber; Rs 149.290 million project for exploration of metallic minerals including gold, silver, manganese, iron and chromite, development of rare metallic mines, coal, marbles, platinum, silver and gold reservoirs in Orakzai; and Rs142 million and Rs198.030 million projects for strengthening Project Management Unit (PMU). Infrastructure development of clusters of mining costing Rs 4500 million, establishment of mineral check-posts costing Rs 800 million and establishment of Mines Safety and Mechanized Mining Centres costing Rs 3500 million focusing on solarization of mines, construction of access roads, prevention of illegal mining, training of new miners, international trading would help attracting foreign investors besides creating jobs for youth.
ECC excludes third party access for new LNG terminals
ISLAMABAD app The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet at Finance Division here on Friday approved the proposal to exclude new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and associated facilities from application of Third Party Access (TPA) and allowed amendment in article 6.2(a) of LNG policy,According2011. to press statement issued by finance ministry, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail presided over the ECC meeting. The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) had submitted a summary on amendments in LNG policy 2011 for exemption from mandatory TPA to new LNG Terminals. It was argued that the gap between gas supply and demand in the country was widening resulting in gas load management affecting economic activities.Under the circumstances and to diversify the LNG import infrastructure, there was a need to support and encourage foreign/private investment in the new LNG terminals at their own costs and risks to meet the growing demand of RLNG in the country. The ECC approved the proposal considering the objectives of attracting investment in LNG import terminal facilities.ECC also decided that ban on all non-essential and luxury items may be lifted for which the Ministry of Commerce had presented a summary before the committee. It was submitted that a ban was imposed on import of about 33 classes/categories of goods covering more than 860 products/tariff lines on May 19, 2022. The ECC lifted the ban owing to serious concerns raised by trading partners on the imposition of ban and considering the fact that the ban has impacted supply chains and domestic retailFurtherindustry.the ECC recommended release of those held up consignments arrived after 30th June up to 31st July, 2022 with payment of surcharge. On a summary submitted by Ministry of National Food Security & Research on allocation of 300,000 MT of wheat for Utility Stores Corporation (USC), the ECC directed Ministry of National Food Security & Research for resubmission of summary after incorporating complete details of incidental charges and comments of FinanceAmongDivision.others, the meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar; Federal Minister for Industries & Production, Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood; Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha; Coordinator to the PM on Economy, Bilal Azhar Kayani; Coordinator to PM on Commerce & Industry, Rana Ihsan Afzal; Chairman FBR, Chairman OGRA, Federal secretaries and senior officers.
The Pakistan Army troops will perform “Quick Reaction Force” to respond to any contingency during polling for by-election to National Assembly seat NA-245 in Karachi. According to details, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Raja Sultan has directed the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and the Sindh government to provide peaceful environment to the voters of the constituency. The CEC, Sikandar Raja, personally spoke to the Chief Secretary Sindh, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and senior officials of the concerned agencies on telephone and asked them to ensure implementation of election code of conduct at all cost. District Police Officer (DPO), District Returning Officer (DRO), Returning Officer (RO) and District Monitoring Officer were directed to inform law enforcement agencies of any miscreant spoil or intend to spoil the election environment during the preparation of the polling results. In a statement, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that Pakistan Army will perform ‘Quick Reaction Force’ duties in case of any law and order situation arising during NA-245 by-poll. “Pak Army officials will be deployed outside the most sensitive polling stations”, he added. The electoral watchdog also directed the Sindh administration to take immediate action against violators of code of conduct. “Stern action should be taken against the elements on the interference in the election process”, it added. The Election commission has also constituted a central control room in Islamabad, which will continue to function till the results are announced.
Work is worship: Brave polio workers wade through rainwater to vaccinate kids
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PESHAWAR app The brave members of a polio team in DI Khan exhibited incredible level of perseverance and determination by risking their lives to wade through chest-deep rainwater for delivering vaccine to targeted children in Union Council Marah in Tehsil Parva. A video went viral on social media showing three polio workers carrying vaccine bags and other equipment are wading through chest deep rainwater accumulated in Marah area of Tehsil Parva in DI Khan. The courageous team workers reached to their target and administered anti-polio drops to the children to protect them from the disease causing permanent disability. “When work is worship, polio teams in DI Khan wade through rainwater to reach to the children with lifesaving vaccine. Incredible level of perseverance. Always inspiring,” commented Dr Shahzad Baig, Coordinator National Emergency Operation Center Islamabad.“They are the true soldier for humanity who continue the campaign uninterruptedly,” remarked Dr Baig on his tweeter account. The video shared on social media received a lot of praise by netizens who appreciated the spirit and bravery of polio team by putting their lives in danger by passing through the accumulated rainwater, which also have a lot of risk like snake bite and others. “Currently vaccination campaign started on August 15, 2022 is in progress in 29 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to administer polio drops to 6.2million children through involvement of 5221 teams,” informs an official of District Emergency Operation Center DI Khan.Talking to APP on request of not mentioning his name, the official informed that there was heavy rain in DI Khan as the vaccination drive started and we have to postpone second phase in the district. The target of vaccination is Dl Khan is 3,18000 out of which half is achieved and remaining is postponed due to heavy downpour. The first phase was completed with full success despite heavy rains as all the teams reached to their target and administered drops. However, the second phase is postponed for few days for the safety of the our team members who are performing duty with full honesty and dedication, not caring for ownself, the official comments. He said, “These brave polio team members will be honored with appreciation letters by our high ups in recognition of their dedication to duty and bravery.”
Saturday, 20 August, 2022 | KARACHI 04 NEWS
In a tweet, Saeed Ghani – who is also the PPP Karachi President – noted that his resignation was not accepted yet. “PPP leadership and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will approve the resignation,” he added. It is pertinent to mention here that the second phase of the LG elections in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad will now take place on August 28. The second phase of the local body elections was originally going to be held on July 24 in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad division. The by-polls on the NA-245 were scheduled to take place on July 27. In a statement, the Met Office said strong monsoon currents were likely to penetrate upper and central parts of the country from July 20 (today) and likely to spread to other parts of the country from July 21 (Thursday). Another Pakistan People’s Party leader Syeda Shehla Raza has tendered her resignation as member of the Sindh cabinet to lead political campaign of the party during local government elections scheduled on August 28. Taking to Twitter, Shehla Raza said that she has submitted her resignation to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The resignation came within an hour after Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani resigned from his post to participate in the upcoming local government (LG) elections. According to details, Saeed Ghani has resigned as Sindh information minister to participate in the upcoming local government (LG) elections. In a tweet, Saeed Ghani – who is also the PPP Karachi President – noted that his resignation was not accepted yet. “PPP leadership and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will approve the resignation,” he added. It is pertinent to mention here that the second phase of the LG elections in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad will now take place on August 28. The second phase of the local body elections was originally going to be held on July 24 in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad division. The by-polls on the NA-245 were scheduled to take place on July 27.
PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt The business community has asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to take pragmatic steps for revival of sick and non-operational industrial units to boost up industrialization and create more job opportunities in the province. The traders also demanded the State Bank of Pakistan to issue instructions to commercial banks to facilitate enhancing the ratio of lending in the province like other parts of the country. The traders made the demands during a meeting chaired by Acting President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Imran Khan Mohmand on occasion of a visit of the delegation of officers of 3rd Senior Management Course, Kashmir Institute of Management (KIM), Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir here the chamber’s house on Friday. Javed Akhtar, vice president of the chamber, Zahindullah Shinwari, Faiz Muhammad Faizi, SCCI’s former presidents, Directing General KIM, Muzaffarabad Brig (r) Syed Akhtar Hussain Shah, Senior Directing Staff, Brig (r) Muhammad Irfan, Additional Secretary Industries, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Umara Khan were keynote speakers on the occasion. Besides, members of the SCCI’s executive committee include Ghulam Hussain, Minhajuddin, Naeem Qasmi, Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Aurangzeb and Abdul Hakim Shinwari, Fazal e Wahid, Ihsanullah, Shams Rahim and Fahad Amin, a large number traders, industrialist and exporters were present during the meeting. Zahindullah Shinwari during the meeting briefed the visiting delegation senior officers of AJK and other participants regarding key-objectives, relief initiatives, important rules and regulations, memberships, major achievements and future plan/programme comprehensively. Ex-senior office bearer of the chamber went on to say that SCCI, being the third prime chamber of Pakistan, had played a pivotal role in the resolve of the business community, industrialization and economic growth. Mr Shinwari in reply to a query of a senior officer said KP business and trade are mostly dependent on Afghanistan and onward regional countries. However, he noted, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has remained downward over the past many years due to some unpleasant events. Furthermore, he noticed the decline in Pak-Afghan mutual trade has also brought negative impacts on the country’s economy. He stressed the need for joint initiatives at government level to remove hurdles in Pak-Afghan bilateral trade.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
StAff REPoRt Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani on Friday resigned from his post to participate in the upcoming local government (LG) elections. According to details, Saeed Ghani has resigned as Sindh information minister to participate in the upcoming local government (LG) elections.
“It is written on a wall that China has overtaken US in technology and it is even established in Harvard university’s report, it is not Chinese fact but report from US,” he added. Zamir Assadi said that the global politics was shaping in South China Sea specially the recent incident of Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. He was of the view that US scrapped three joint communiques which were singed between US and China and it put pressure on developing countries who had working relations withZamirBeijing.observed that West’s investment in not only South China Sea but across the world were strategically and politically driven. Naghmana Hashmi said that Taiwan issue was not about one China’s policy, adding the issue was related to its sovereignty. She said that Taiwan historically was part of China and later it was administered as province and administrative unit of China. She also said that one of the ambitions of China was the reunification of Islands. There were guarantees given to Beijing by Washington that US would not exceed Arms sent to Taiwan and it was strategically not adhering with the pact, she Shakeeladded.Ahmad Ramay said that global policy of china began in 1980s and transformation of China was completed under Xi Jinping. Ramay said that Beijing was globally helping nations to grow, adding it was ending food insecurity in regions like ChinaAfrica.was also securing its security gaps through sea because of the insecurity it had from it, he added. He said that China’s security had taken a paradigm shift from territorial security to individual security which was centered on assuring security to every Chinese individual. Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal said that when canons in Ukraine were fired it left a whole mark on world and Pakistan also faced it. Similarly if the fire started in South China Sea that it would have direct impact on Pakistan, he added. Moreover, President Xi future would be decided in November CPC meeting, he said, adding the conflict was evolving between US and China. China’s rise was directly threatening the ideas of the west, he added. Dr Jaspal said that US was facing challenges to compete with China and Washington lacked behind in technological run with China..
Imran Mohmand, acting president SCCI in his opening remarks stated bureaucracy has played a vital role to establish liaison between government and business community and prime/direct source for amicable resolution of the community issues. He urged the senior officers on the occasion that they should frame economic policies with consultation of the business community to produce positive and desirable results.
NA-245 by-poll: Pak Army to act as ‘Quick Response Force’
Speakers urge US to respect China’s sovereignty over Taiwan issue
StAff REPoRt A LMOST70 percent of Balochistan is left in lurch as relief efforts made in the wake of devastating rains have done little to alleviate the sufferings of those waiting for immediate“Outassistance.of34 districts, 26 districts of Balochistan province are worst affected by the monsoon rains and flooding,” Director General Naseer Ahmed Nasar said listing the names of districts which continue to receive heavyTheyrains.include: Kalat, Lasbela, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Panjgur, Pishin, Ziarat, Quetta, Barkhan, Gwadar, Turbat, Kila Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, and Chaman, Shirani, and Loralai. “209 people, including 96 men, 48 women and 58 children have lost their lives due to monsoon rains so far,” DG PDMA said.According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rains in Balochistan will continue till August 19. The Department of Meteorology said that due to the rain, flooding was expected in the rivers while the low-lying areas of Balochistan were also likely to be flooded. The Balochistan province remains cut off after land sliding triggered by continuous downpour which had blocked ZhobDera Ismail Khan and Loralai-Fort Munro highways — roads connecting Balochistan to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Likewise, The Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Sukkur highways were already closed and railway service is suspended for the past four Accordingdays.to government sources, measures are being taken to open the roads linking Balochistan with Sindh, Punjab and KPK. On the other hand, due to washing away of bridge and alternate road near Karachi, Lasbela administration has issued instructions to avoid traveling on the Karachi Quetta highway. Report reaching here through PDMA about the damages caused by the heavy rain and floods said that roofs of 2 houses collapsed in Kohlu, 6 persons injured and shifted to DHQ, Kohlu while 15 houses were partially damaged in Pishin where one person died. Due to Rabi canal overflow, the outer part of Dera Murad Jamali (Chhatar Rabi) was submerged. Around 500 families are stranded at various locations including Goth Jamalwa, Goth Lashkar Khan, Goth Fazal Grani, Goth Chingiz Khan Jamali, Goth Uman Ali and Goth Sufi Muhammad Pindarani.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
The official informed that Pakistan was close to becoming polio virus free as for more than one year from January 2021 to April 2022, no polio case was reported but sudden incidents of infection in North Waziristan affected the However,achievement.hecontinued “Spirits are high and with the dedication exhibited by our team members, the polio virus will soon be wiped out from our country.”
SCCI wants pragmatic steps for revival of sick industrial units in KP
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The speakers in a roundtable discussion have stated that Taiwan dispute was not about China’s policy instead it was the issue of its Islamabadsovereignty.Instituteof Conflict Resolution (IICR) organized a Roundtable Discussion titled “US-China Rivalry at the Shores of South China Sea”, said a press release issued here on Friday. The panelists included Senator Mushaid Hussain Syed, Naghmana Hashmi, Zamir Assadi, Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal and Shakeel Ahmed Ramay. The session was moderated by Founder IICR, Sabah Aslam. Speaking on the occasion, Senator Mushaid Hussain Syed said that when US was busy in wars, China was busy investing and still doing it.
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Four bodies fished out of Malir River as family drowns CoNtiNueD from page 01 He (Imran) should be ashamed of himself as he had made a mockery of the accountability process. The minister said Imran Khan had wrongly assumed that he would got off scot free for his “sins”, by saying that the “agencies” had briefed him about the alleged corruption of then opposition leaders. “He should be ready to face action in the foreign funding case,” she remarked. Marriyum said there was no comparison of Imran Khan with Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted from power with the support of “black law dictionary”, as there was no law to remove the latter from the public office for not withdrawing salary from his son. Nawaz Sharif, she said, had never talked about the country’s disintegration or “setting it on fire”, and launched a malicious campaign against the military’s martyrs. Instead he had always stressed on working of all the state institutions within constitutional domain, she added. On the contrary, she said, it was Imran Khan who talked about the disintegration of Pakistan in three parts and even maligned the state institutions when ousted from the power. She said Imran Khan himself admitted that he had called upon the state institutions to intervene when the no-trust motion against him was going to succeed in the National Assembly. Now, he again asked the state institutions to help him regain the power, she Marriyumadded.said the “plotter” Imran Khan brought up the so-called regime change conspiracy drama on realizing his imminent ouster from power. If he was serious to hold fresh general election in the country, he should have dissolved the assemblies when the first National Security Committee meeting had ruled out the foreign conspiracy. She said Imran Khan gave a call for mutiny in the rank and file of the armed forces through his chief of staff, ordered his trolls to malign the martyrs of Lasbella helicopter crash, and hired the people to raise slogans against his political opponents at the Masjid-e-Nabvi.Constitutional violations, media gagging and political victimization were at peak during the four-year rule of Imran Khan, she said, adding he (Imran) now refused to submit the record with the FIA of his corruption and foreign funding. The minister said the malicious campaign against state institutions would not divert the public attention from the foreign funding which his party had received from India, Israel and the United States. “The drama of levelling allegations and telling lies should be stopped now,” she stressed.
Most importantly, in a case investigated and prosecuted by the CBI, no remission can be granted by a State without concurrence by the Union government, they said. That such a remission was even considered, and then permitted, reveals the hollowness of the public posturing about Nari Shakti, Beti Bachao, women’s rights and justice for victims, according to the statement. Hence, the statement urged the Supreme Court to undo this grave miscarriage of justice.Prominent groups, organisations and networks among the signatories to the statementSaheliare: Women’s Resource Centre, Gamana Mahila Samuha, Bebaak Collective, All India Progressive Women’s Association, Uttarakhand Mahila Manch, Forum Against Oppression of Women, Pragatisheel Mahila Manch, Parcham Collective, Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan, Amoomat Society, WomComMatters, Centre for Struggling Women, Sahiyar, Stree Mukti Sanghatana, Women & Transgender Joint Action Committee, Bailancho Saad, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberties, All India Lawyers Association for Justice, National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements, Bhagat Singh Ambedkar Students Organization, All India Students Association, Mission Justice & Bahutva Karnataka, Swaraj Abhiyan, Democracy Collective, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations, Penn Urimay Iyakkam, Delhi Solidarity Group, Collective, Peoples’ Watch, United Christian Forum, Jharkhand Jan Adhikar Mahasabha, National Platform for Rights of the Disabled, CityMakers Mission International, Association of Protection of Democratic Rights, Progressive Writers Association, Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan, Delhi Science Forum, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, National Federation of Indian Women, Movement For Secular Democracy, Hindus for Human Rights and South Asia Forum for Human Rights.
CPEC enhances Sino-Pak cooperation for sustainable development: Envoys News Desk
mQm-P refuses to accept lB polls’ results if concerns not addressed News Desk
The bodies of four people belonging to a family were fished out of the Malir River after a flash flood on Link Road swept away their car into the river, rescue officials confirmed Friday. Officials from the Edhi Foundation said that during the ongoing rescue operation, the body of the family’s head, Zeeshan Ansari, and three children — Moosa, Amna, and Ibad — were recovered.Seven people were inside the car when it drowned in the river, with six family members and their driver. The family was headed back to Hyderabad after attending a marriage in Karachi.Therescue officials further added that the search for the other three victims — the woman Rabia, her son Ayan, and the driver Abdul Rehman — is stillTwounderway.children — Moosa and his younger sister Amna — were recovered Thursday, shortly after their car was found about one-and-a-half kilometres away from the drowning point. Rescue officials said that the flow of water was quick and large rocks were hampering the rescue operation. They added that the rescue operation would be completed soon with help from Pakistan Navy boats and other administrative machinery.ThePakistan Navy, Edhi Foundation volunteers, police, and personnel from the Sindh police’s Special Security Unit (SSU) have been participating in the search operation.
6,000
Pml-Q’s moonis Elahi rejects rumours of joining Pti maNDi BahauDDiN Staff RepoRt Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi has refuted rumours that he is joining Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and will be party’s candidate from Mandi Bahauddin in upcoming general elections. Taking to Twitter, Moonis Elahi, who is the son of Chief Minister Punjab Parvez Elahi, tagged a fake PTI circular claiming that he will be the PTI candidate from NA-80 Mandi Bahauddin in upcoming general elections. The PML-Q leader said that Imran Khan is his prime minister and working with Asad Umar was also amazing, however, the letter claiming his PTI candidature was fake. Moonis Elahi is considered to have played a key role in keeping his father Parvez Elahi on the side of Imran Khan and had openly voiced support for Imran Khan as prime minister besides also playing role in ensuring success of PTI candidate during CM Punjab election. CitizEnS ComE togEthEr to CondEmn gravE injuStiCE with BilkiS Bano in india
karaChi Staff RepoRt
The statement further stated that the “remission of these sentences is not only immoral and unconscionable, it violates the State of Gujarat’s own existing remission policy…” and “the guidelines issued by the Central government to States on a prisoner release policy to coincide with Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav which also clearly states that among the categories of prisoners NOT to be granted Special Remission are “those convicted of rape”.
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Some of the notable activists, scholars, and other citizens who signed the statement are: Syeda Hameed, Zafarul-Islam Khan, Roop Rekha Verma, Devaki Jain, Uma Chakravarti, Subhashini Ali, Kavita Krishnan, Maimoona Mollah, Hasina Khan, Rachana Mudraboyina, Shabnam Hashmi, Gabriele Dietrich, Zakia Soman, Arundhati Dhuru, Meera Sanghamitra, Madhu Bhushan, Kavita Srivastav, Ammu Abraham, Navsharan Singh, Khalida Parveen, Anjali Bharadwaj, Malika Virdi, Bittu K R, Pyoli Swatija, Dr Ajita, Dipta Bhog, Poonam Kaushik, Bondita Acharya, Chayanika Shah, Kalyani Menon Sen, Madhuri K, Maya John, Vahida Nainar, Monisha Behl, Mridul D, Sarojini NB, Vihaan Vee, Rumi Harish, Ranjita Biswas, Lara Jesani, Amrita Johri, Aqsa Shaikh, Mira Shiva, Sabina Martins, Fr Cedric Prakash, Veena Shatrugna, Keval Arora, V Geetha, Padmaja Shaw, Sadhna Arya, Nivedita Menon, Nandini Sundar, Kumkum Roy, Pratiksha Baxi, Rohini Hensman, Nandita Narain, Kumkum Roy, Pulin Nayak, Suvir Kaul, Subir Sinha, Vineeta Bal, Salil Mishra, Meena Kandasamy, Kalpana Sharma, Mukul Kesavan, Pamela Philipose, Laxmi Murthy, Freny Manecksha, Brinelle D’Souza, Revati Laul, Ammu Joseph, Sujata Madhok, Sameera Khan, Sagarika Ghosh, Maya Krishna Rao, Sheba Chachhi, Rajiv Mehrotra, Amar Kanwar, Niranjani, Yousuf Saeed, Reena Mohan, Sameera Jain, Pushpamala N, Priya Thuvassery and Anjali Monteiro.
05NEWS Saturday, 20 August, 2022 | KARACHI isLamaBaD Staff RepoRt a BOUT6,000 citizens came together to express their shock and horror at the pre-mature release of 11 Hindutva men convicted of gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her daughter. The citizens released a joint statement in solidarity with the Muslim woman and her family. The statement was issued by a number of grassroots workers, women’s rights advocates, human rights activists, peace lovers, secularists, anti-caste activists, disability, queer rights activists and other peoples’ movements, groups and activists, eminent writers, historians, scholars, filmmakers, journalists and former bureaucrats and many more.According to Kashmir media service, “On the morning of August 15, 2022, in his Independence Day address to the nation the Prime Minister of India spoke of women’s rights, dignity and Nari Shakti. That very afternoon Bilkis Bano, a woman who embodied that ‘Nari Shakti’ in her long and daunting struggle for justice, learnt that the perpetrators who killed her family, murdered her three year old daughter, gang-raped and left her to die, had walked free,” read the statement.Thestatement reads: “No one sent her notice. No one asked how she, a gang-rape survivor, felt about the release of her rapists… it shames us that the day we should celebrate our freedoms and be proud of our independence, the women of India instead saw gang-rapists and mass murderers freed as an act of State largesse.”
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has contributed to the high-quality green and sustainable development in Pakistan, and it will push for more such cooperation to promote sustainable and green development in the country. The views were expressed by Chinese and Pakistan envoys at a webinar exploring green development under CPEC, according to a report published by China Economic Net (CEN) on Friday. While delivering a keynote speech at the forum, Nong Rong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan said that China and Pakistan have boosted cooperation in green energy. “Five wind power projects have been completed under CPEC with a total capacity of 300 megawatts, and another 300-megawatt solar power project has been completed,” noted Nong Rong revealed that more green projects are ongoing under CPEC as “[the] Karot hydropower plant has successfully entered commercial operation[s] and large hydropower projects such as SK are progressing,” adding that the Matiari-Lahore power transmission line helps cut “the line loss from 17% to 4%, greatly reducing energy loss and improving efficiency.” Green and sustainable development is also generating huge employment opportunities in Pakistan, shared the envoy.
Marriyum dares Imran to name ‘agencies involved’ in politics
The remission of sentences for the 11 convicted of gang-rape and mass murder will have a chilling effect on every rape victim who is told to ‘trust the system’, ‘seek justice’, ‘have faith,’ according to the signed statement of citizens and groups.
Making it clear that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQMP) was opposed to delay in holding the local bodies’ (LB) elections in Sindh, MQM-P head Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, however, said on Friday that the party would not accept the results of these polls to be held in Karachi and Hyderabad on August 28, 2022 if the party’s concerns over the delimitations of constituencies were not addressed before the due date. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and not the Sindh government, was authorized to demarcate the constituencies. “Unfortunately, delimitations in Sindh’s urban centers were done in such a way that an ethnic group which was in majority in a constituency was turned into a minority,” he said, and added, “Similarly, not exact figures of Karachi’s population were given in the last census.”
The poisoned chalice W hAteVeR Finance Minister Miftah ismail is doing, it doesn’t seem to be working; at least not as far as inflation is concerned. thesensitive price index (SPi), as measured by PBS, was recorded at 42.3 percent yesterday, which is the highest ever figure recorded to date. the State Bank of Pakistan has already hiked its interest rate to a punitive 15 percent, but is expected now to hike rates even higher, as it tries desparately to contain the inflation. two bits of good news was the scaling back of the dollar and of international oil prices. however, neither have been enough to bring down prices. the CPi figure reflects this, with transport 65 percent up. the problem the government faces is that it has to meet the iMF’s demands, which have meant a mini-budget of Rs 30 billion, to fund a supplementary grant for fuel. though it realizes that fuel price hikes and currency depreciation lead to the kind of inflation now being witnessed.Astime passes, the policy of blaming one’s predecessors not only stops working, but becomes risible. though the financial year is nearly fully ahead, already the State Bank is looking at inflation of 18 to 20 percent, with the target of 11.5 percent having long gone out of the window. the problem the government faces is that the effects of the rupee appreciation and the oil prices drop will take time to take effect. Not to mention that neither is in the control of the government, or indeed any agent in Pakistan. the government must be betting that the inflation genie will be tamed by the time elections become inevitable, but it itself must be aware that it will be cutting matters fine. the problem with the inflation genie is that one it is out of the bottle, it is not a simple task to put it back.
Dr
The money must be followed
Even if shorn of all power, the PTI must not be divested of all common sense. The more its members commit mistakes, as Gill did, the more the political opponents will get a chance to overwhelm it in the political arena Qaisar rashiD
form measures with the budget cycle and clearly define roles of all the important stakeholders including relevant government departments. in Pakistan, the devastating impacts of climate change requires a well-coordinated response from federal and provincial governments. A clear plan of action needs to be formulated to mobilize adequate finances to mitigate and adapt to climate breakdown. Climate finance in a developing country like Pakistan could be drawn from public, private and other alternative sources of finance such as the global Green Climate Fund however, the challenge for any developing country is to find a way to access the climate fund as getting money out of it is quite a cumbersome task. the federal and the provincial governments of Punjab and KP allocated over $5billion during the FY 2019-20 and 2020-21 out of which $3.811 billion was spent on climate-related activities. Nonetheless, the question remains whether such allocations are being used properly and are they reaching the vulnerable population? through the Climate Budget tagging tool, the governments are able to track their climate budget, know what they are spending and where the money is flowing. the Government of Punjab has already taken the initiative to raise awareness around the importance of climate budget tagging and is holding capacitybuilding workshops to equip officials with the necessary skills to be able to tag climate-related expenditures in the existing database. the government is using Financial Accounting and Budgetary System (FABS) data to facilitate aggregation of separate climate related elements. the process of climate budget tagging is carried out through first identifying climate- related expenditure if it is for adaptation or mitigation purposes, classifying climate-related expenditure and assessing the climate relevance of expenditure in the budget. if the government fully realizes the importance of wisely allocating and spending budget on climate related activities, we would be able to combat major disasters and contagious diseases that stem from it. Besides, it must be ensured that climate funds are decided and spent by the local people, the process should be inclusive and participatory and need to bring women in each and every step of the way. The writer is a development consultant based in Lahore. ali
06 Saturday, 20 August, 2022 COMMENT Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 I Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 I Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 I Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk I Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
The writer is a freelance journalist and can be reached at qaisarrashid@yahoo.com
sara
Overstepping the redlines
Haqeeqi Azadi
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor M. A. Niazi Joint Editor Umar ExecutiveAzizEditorAziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor
Nothing shows Imran has been PM
Addressing climate change to avoid future pandemics
06-07 Comments - 20th August 2022_Layout 1 8/19/2022 11:47 PM Page 1
W ith no end to future pandemics in sight, Pakistan needs to brace itself for the looming health crisis compounded by the impacts of climate change. Since the onset of covid-19 in 2020, innovations in science and support from the international community facilitated governments in creating vaccines to tackle its hazardous health impact. however, to mitigate its effects and to prevent outbreak of contagious diseases, international governments have to work towards addressing the environmental crisis. Since 2020 we are all living the consequences of our broken relationship with nature. Covid-19 and other zoonotic diseases have emerged owing to the over-exploitation of natural resources. intensive industrial agriculture, changes in the way land is being used, and unsustainable trade, production and consumption, have contributed towards deadly diseases through frequent contact between wildlife, pathogens and humans. Climate change is real and its impact is long lasting. it is one of the greatest development challenges Pakistan is currently grappling with. the country, owing to its geographic location is prone to natural disasters and over the years has witnessed extreme weather events, heatwaves, floods, droughts and other such events that impeded its economic growth. the Global Climate Risk index has placed it among the ten countries most affected by climate change. it loses 0.52 percent of GDP per unit on an annual basis due to climate-change-induced catastrophes. the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda calls upon Pakistan to combat climate change, as it is adversely impacting agriculture and livestock sectors, the main contributors to the country’s economy. Owing to limited resources, lack of adequate fiscal space and competing urgent priorities in fiscal policy responses such as covid-19, Pakistan needs to work on increasing the flow of climate finance into the economy. the government has acknowledged the importance of integrating climate change into the mainstream planning and budgeting processes. it accepts climate change is no more a niche issue that could be addressed in isolation. but needs to be incorporated in all the strategic and policy documents that govern the economy such as Medium-term Budgetary Framework and Budget documents. the process of integration requires a deep insight to the impact of climate change on Pakistan’s finances. Such sectoral medium-term strategic plans ensure that climate-related projects and initiatives, with cost estimates, are set out in a succinct manner. this includes clear policy targets for climate change including mitigation and adaptation. the process of integrating climate change at the provincial level shall be aligned with the budget planning and approval component of the Public Financial Management (PFM) cycle. Provincial governments must take all the necessary steps to include climate change components in the pre-budget document stage and take into account the aspects of climate change and costs of adaptation and mitigation in macro-economic analysis, macro-fiscal forecasts and in devising budget Moreover,strategy.provincial governments must take up the responsibility to highlight climate-related issues during the budget preparation stage and make them a part of budget circulars and guidelines, sectoral and annual development plans and allocations. Finally, budget review, budget approval and accountability stage shall ensure that all financial elements of climate change are addressed in the processes.in order to ensure smooth and effective integration of climate change into budgeting, governments have to align re-
R eAl Freedom dubbed as Haqeeqi Azadi resounded in the air of lahore on the night of August 13. the National hockey Stadium lahore bore the brunt of the resonance. the stadium saw its astroturf removed in preparation for the jalsa (assembly) of the Pakistan tehreeke-insaf (Pti), in the hope that the pitch would be substituted with a new version. Nevertheless, to some critics, the removal of the hockey pitch was a prelude to political exclusions in the future. On the occasion, the speech of Chairman Pti imran Khan was full of rhetoric, touching this time nationalistic sentiments of the listeners. Not even a single word did he utter to underline virtues such as hard work, punctuality, and regularity, following which make a nation economically independent. instead, Khan attempted to rely on recriminations and roarbacks. his speech was of a budding politician who had never been in the corridors of power. in his speech, nowhere did he show that he had been the prime minister. his speeches now are generally replete with excuses, emphasizing on apportioning blame for his botches. Mostly couched in various locutions, he accuses the Army for the underperformance of his government. he is deeply frustrated at the disassociation of the army from political affairs, though he still believes that the higher judiciary would support him. he is aggrieved at the collapse of the Pti-Judiciary-Army nexus. Shabaz Gill made all efforts to see dreadful times that could beset his normalcy. Finally he became successful. he touched the inflection point. his words visited ignominy upon him. the islamabad Police arrested him for inciting rebellion in the army. Sedition charges are bound to engage him. Nevertheless, he is also accused of hiding certain evidence of the offence and providing the police with false information to protect his collaborators. the police have to recover Gill’s mobile phone to see if there were more peopleGillinvolved.personifies the abuse deluging the political arena. he had been representing the prevalent thought in the Pti that the party’s followers were the opposite of deferential, out of bounds of culpability, and out of the lexicon of law. Gill was unabated and unscathed until he overestimated his worth or perhaps misjudged the time he was living in. Knowingly, he crossed the limit. he executed the job which he should have avoided. his words were like a red rag to a bull. A loose cannon, he had shown respect to none. he tried his best to be as disrespectful to the Pti’s disparagers as he could be. he turned the gun on the khaki patrons of the Pti. Now, he is on the horns of a dilemma. if he regrets and withdraws his inciting words, his political journey is over. if he sticks to his words, he would be handed down a jail term. in either case, his sojourn in Pakistan would be over. through his inflaming words uttered to a tV channel, he wreaked havoc on the Pti’s image and projected it as an unpatriotic, hooliganistic and obdurate party. None had conspired against him but he himself. in response to his arrest, the Pti was initially stunned finding no excuse to extend and inventing no reason to defend. Some Pti stalwarts such as Fawad Chaudhry even disowned the seditious statement of Gill, and thereby Gill. After about a week, the party strategized to condemn Gill in public but bolster him in private. On August 17, the speech of Senator Faisal Javed Khan in the Senate condemning Gill was a sequel to the party’s half-strategy. On the ground, the Pti’s lawyers and followers are in full swing to save Gill from the police investigation. Gill is feigning illness, respiratory infection. he pretends to be a sick febrile person, who needs urgent medical attention. he has to lie down on a stretcher and cough violently with a respiratory mask on his face to show the viewers that he was not the Jat who used to brag about his mettle sufficient enough to weather any crisis. Spending just a few days behind bars, under the rubric of whatever custody, has brought him to his senses. All ruses are attempts to buy time and escape the physical remand that the court granted to the police. Gill’s mutinous statement and his subsequent arrest were both unexpected. they were an expression of a fall from grace. his statement was to express annoyance at the Army. the arrest was the confirmation that the Army had (apparently) dumped the party. the hybrid experiment had been concluded; it could not be revived. the Pti had to live with the fact that it was now on its own. the party had to carve out its path unaided. As Gill made all efforts to see dreadful times, the Pti also had left no stone unturned to infuriate its masters, the scientists running the hybrid experiment. Now, the Pti has to rely on mere rhetoric and sloganeering because it performed little on the ground. hardly is there a project of importance attributed to the Pti’s stint in power. the Pti Chairman’s announcement he would contest elections from multiple constituencies for the National Assembly is bound to impinge upon his mind to stay wise politically. his decision indicates that he is running a one-man show even within his party. Apparently, he decided and announced without consulting his party fellows who could devise a better strategy to challenge political opponents. this happens when a politician refuses to learn and mature and keeps on resorting to knee-jerk reactions, without realizing that his political opponents are astute and mellowed with the task of politics, and also without realizing that the scientists are no more interested in continuing with the hybrid experiment. even if shorn of all power, the Pti must not be divested of all common sense. the more its members commit mistakes, as Gill did, the more the political opponents will get a chance to overwhelm it in the political arena. in short, Haqeeqi Azadi (real freedom) comes with sacrifice and toil and not with mantras and gimmicks, contingent on heating up a stadium.
i MRAN KhAN’S chief of staff Shahbaz Gill was arrested a day after his controversial statement on ARY channel. he was charged with sedition and incitement against the state institutions. the Pti leadershipcalled the arrest a conspiracy to create a confrontation between the Army and the country’s largest political party. initially imran Khan condemned the government for kidnapping his chief of staff. But when it transpired that a sedition case had already been registered and the ARY network banned, the party found itself in hot water. the Pti leadership finally decided to throw Dr Gill under the bus. But this was not easy. Dr Gill was a popular figure among the Pti youth for his aggressive defense of party policies and his vicious attacks on opposition leaders and media persons who dared to cross Mr Khan. he cared for no cultural, moral or legal redline when on the offensive. Within no time Dr Gill had earned the confidence of the party chief who selected him as his new chief of staff. Dr Gill was accused of inciting sedition in the Army and it was being suggested that the plan had the support of some of the Pti leaders including Mr Khan. he therefore distanced himself from Dr Gill’s controversial remarks aired on ARY News, admitting that they were “wrong” and should not have been uttered. however, fearing that if abandoned Dr Gill might decide to involve Pti leadership in the affair, it was decided to provide him legal assistance to assure him that the party had not abandoned him and to ensure that the police did not get a confessional statement from Gill involving the party leadership in some sort of plot. Dr Gill has been accused of committing a serious crime. however he has the right to defend himself in a fair trial. the accusations of torture leveled by his counsel need to be thoroughly probed as torture by police is by no means uncommon in this country. the parties constituting the ruling alliance maintain that they are committed s to democracy and rule of law. Any act of torture by police or agencies in this case would constitute a blot on their name.
Instead of getting better, the latest inflation figures show things getting worse With no one willing to support YousafEditorNizami
SHOAIB AHMEDISLAMABADCHOHAN
06-07 Comments - 20th August 2022_Layout 1 8/19/2022 11:47 PM Page 2
Significance of travelling iN this hustling bustling life, travelling is a great escape to get rid of a robotic life and learn something interesting. through a vivid exposure, it reaches us various experiences of life. People travel for various purposes, such as: enjoyment, education, employment and exploring the niceties of the world.Acommon benefit imparted by traveling is that it broadens the views and perception of people. it develops their understanding level and sharpens their ideas and thoughts regarding various cultures. in contrast, for some people, it is a great opportunity to explore the beauty of nature and convert their negative thoughts to the positive once by praising the magnificent scenery of nature. Similarly, some people find it a medium to groom their personalities, enhance their confidence level and enrich their treasures of knowledge. it changes your personality and makes you decent, intellectual and independent. in short, traveling is not only beneficial for your physical health but also for your mental health. it gives you selfconfidence as well as the power to stick firmly to your vision or perspective. lastly, it is not wrong to say that in one way or other, it inherits a new soul into your body. QUDSIA LAHORESALEEM
the primary school in my village Ghanwar Mashori Faizwah, near Khairpur district, has produced several educated, skilled and knowledgeable individuals in the past. But the school now awaits teachers to teach the new generation. initially, there were 12 teachers in the school, and children from nearby villages used to come to study there. Presently, there is only one teacher who teaches five different classes at the same time. Due to insufficient number of teachers, parents are reluctant to send their children to the school. they get them enrolled in private schools for betterForeducation.thosewho live hand to mouth, it is impossible to bear the high fee. Resultantly, their children are deprived of their basic right to education and are forced into child labour to ensure baseline survival. Recently, hundreds of new teachers have been appointed for primary schools across Sindh. the provincial government should appoint some of them at the neglected school in my village so the children of poor families may also learn and play a progressive role in the prosperity of Sindh and Pakistan.
ANGABEENKARACHIAHMAD
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
UNABle to accept the might of Palestinian resistance in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, the occupation forces arrested senior Palestinian resistance member, Bassam el Saadi, hoping to provoke those who have been accused by israel of preparing for an attack with the support of iran. the Palestinians did not respond militarily to the arrests. it was only after air strikes by israel in Gaza, which killed at least 15 Palestinians, including a five-year-old girl, that the Palestinians claimed they had fired more than 100 rockets into israel. Unable to attack iran, the cowardly occupiers have now resorted to attacking anyone they think iran supports. i want to commend all those involved in this struggle for not retaliating against the occupiers of Palestine after the arrest of el Saadi. By attacking people other than hamas activists, this time israel was hoping to cause an internal division. that failed as hamas strongly condemned israel’s action, and worked tirelessly to end the aggression by the occupation forces. in a cunning move, by dragging iran into the current self-created crisis, israel is hoping to drum up support from anti-iran neighbouring countries. the occupiers have killed members of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, hamas and others. the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is part of Fatah whose leader Mahmoud Abbas has bent over backwards pleasing his masters whether they be in europe, the United Sates or israel. Abbas does everything he can, but nothing has stopped the occupiers from attacking the Palestinians over one pretext or the other. Muslim rulers across the islamic world need to end their support to israel. What binds us is faith, whether you are in Pakistan, Malaysia, indonesia, iran, Algeria, Uzbekistan or in the Arabian Peninsula; Jerusalem is dear to us all and so are the Arabs who live there. Fathi Shaqaqi, martyred by Zionist agents in Malta in 1995, was the co-founder and secretary-general of the islamic Jihad movement in Palestine. he once said that those who were in favour of the Oslo, Davos and Cairo negotiations for peace with the occupiers, wanted to use Palestine as a way of preventing an islamic renaissance. let the islamic renaissance begin. it will take unity within the community to get our true liberation. it is a target worth pursuing.
Religious authorities should play significant roles in hampering socioeconomic and socio-political issues by educating people during Jummah Prayer rather than centering their religious activities on the limited exposure to religion. MuhaMMaD Wajahat sultan
Religious Institutions and Social Change
Ignored school
Students and traffic the increasing traffic in islamabad has made people vulnerable to accidents and injuries. Quaid-i-Azam University in the city faces a plethora of traffic issues which create problems for students. Both faculty members and students suffer equally due to the rush on the university road. Citing security concerns, the city administration often blocks the road leading to Parliament house and Chinese embassy. Alternatively, drivers use the university road which increases the volume of traffic and makes students worried. Some unidentified motor vehicles take advantage of the situation and enter the premises, compromising the security of the students even further. About 10 students have fallen prey to drivers’ recklessness. Despite the perpetual rush on the road, there is no option for the drivers to reach their destination through some other route. Besides, taking an alternative route for commuting would increase the cost of fuel which is unbearable in these days of skyrocketing inflation. Disappointingly, the administration of the university has turned a blind eye to this problem. the officials concerned of both the university and islamabad administration need to chalk out an alternative route to minimise the rush on the university road.
Might of Palestinian resistance
I SlAM has the best social system to control the masses, through different religious congregations and religious gatherings. having a history of 75 years, Pakistan is still a nascent state where institutions are not in a mature form. A politically unstable, economically crippled, and socially confused state is still moving between the pendulum of maturity and consciousness. Being an islamic state, here religion can be a significant social force to solidify the current conditions of the country. islam has a robust power to control people from many social ills practically as well as socially. We are a blessed nation by God but not by our intuition, as we cannot manipulate things pragmatically for the last 75 years. if we can solve our problems using Religion as a social agency, we can hamper many social issues without tremendous effort. i will discuss some social issues and how religious entities can constitute consciousness in this regard.
Jummah Prayer is the weekly activity where many Muslims gather at a single place, the Masjid (mosque). this social gathering can be used for social benefits for the state. Our religious authorities are used to deliver the sermons in a traditional outlook, which is not problematic but insufficient to control society and culture. From Primary education to University education, every child comes across the fundamentals of religion, but the social issues are not discussed even at home or universities. Religion is a social institution, just like education. As education can enrich young minds for an economic, competitive market, religion makes them “social men. through daily five times gatherings at mosque, Jummah prayer gatherings, eid sermons, and other religious activities, our religious, and moral authorities can discuss the social problems spreading in our society like contagious diseases. Religion owes to develop the masses’ consciousness for the collective good of humanity. Population is one of the rising social issues in Pakistan. Quoting Robert Malthus, Population growth in Pakistan is in geometric means 2,4,8,16,32… and sources of subsistence are growing by arithmetic means 1,2,3,4… so the ability of land to produce food is deteriorating day by day. Food consumption and food storage both are huge problems. Food wastage is a grave issue due to which we have to produce more food and during this process the degradation of soil becomes double. By 2050 Population of Pakistan will be doubled. this rising population will cause disaster for the nation regarding living standards, employment, and prosperity which further leads to deviance, felony, anomalies, and crimes. So here comes religion as an active social force to develop people’s consciousness about this issue. During Jummah Prayers and other religious gatherings, our religious authorities can discuss this issue to sensitize people about the rising problem. through religious sermons, imams can play a vital role to enforce the true meanings of islam, which focuses on the prosperity and coexistence of human beings. Religion can be a social agency here to constitute consciousness about Population explosion. islam focused on accountability which should also be considered during breeding. if the state and individuals can’t uphold more children in an accountable way it is better to resist unfettered growth. By gradual process, during the Sermons at Mosques, the religious authorities can construct constructive consciousness to breed less and nurture housescallysubordinatescialcussedisgender-basedMovingefficiently.forward,violenceoneoftheless-dis-issuesduetoso-taboos.toabuseeconomi-andsociallyiniseasy.thenculture stops us from exposing the abuse because it is against the grace of familyAbusivepatterns.households are problematic for the equilibrium of society. For instance, in 2021, 128 women were killed in the name of Ghairat (honor), which is sheer injustice and a day of ignorance back to our nascent state of affairs. islam emphasized the sacredness of human life and avoided any form of violence. here religion can again appear as the institutional authority to induce the social ethics and social norms laid by islam 1400 years ago. if religious leaders during Jummah sermons and Other religious-based gatherings speak about the severity of domestic violence, acid attacks, and economic exhaustion of genders in rural areas, it will constitute people’s consciousness. Jummah Prayer can be a beneficial force to develop people’s minds through religion that will restore the harmony of society and the mutual coexistence of genders. Without science and technology, no nation can prosper in the coming days here. Religion can steer a vital role in being an active social agency to constitute the inclination of people toward modern literacy, technology, and advancement. During Jummah Prayers, the prayer leader can develop the consciousness of people about religious literacy as well as scientific knowledge for the collective prosperity of the whole Ummah.Socialization of children and grooming of the young emerging generation is one of the most challenging phenomena for the State and parents. the coming generation is the future. But our youth is confused and confounded by contradictory values, for example, folk wisdom and progressive values. Youth is in between both ideologies. here religion can again be a positive force to control people. During Jummah Prayer and religious sermons, prayer leaders can contribute to the intuition and cognition of young minds. During religious congregations, they can discuss contradictions of opposing values by comparing and contrasting methods to help youth be clear-minded. it is time to practice religion as a social force to realign and remanifest our priorities. According to louis Althusser, religion is an ideological state apparatus (iSA) which is a legal force used by the state and social elites to control and, at the same time, manipulate people. Now it is on our State to decide whether it wants to incorporate religion as a social welfare force or regressive state apparatus. islam itself claimed the manifestation of the equilibrium and restoration of society for people’s solidarity. Our enthusiasticcorporaterepresentativereligiousmustin-islamasanforceto make people mature and “social men.” in conclusion, Many Muslims are constantly confused because religious authorities are not doing their work at an authentic pace, so most Muslims are in between religious and progressive ideologies of the West. Religious authorities should play significant roles in hampering socioeconomic and socio-political issues by educating people during Jummah Prayer rather than centering their religious activities on the limited exposure to religion. Religion is the social institution that needs to revamp and reinvigorate the contemporary confusion of people, social issues, and social pathology. Max Weber said that Protestantism caused the industrialization and progress of humans in the early 19th century rather than technological advancement. Religion can be a robust and vibrant force to constitute consciousness, intuition, and cognition of people for social control. the state should also play a role in developing the consciousness of religious authorities so the religious authorities can constitute the refined morality of the People. The writer is a transportation engineer with post-graduations in English literature and political science
Editor’s mail
TANVEER AHMED BALOCHSUKKUR
07 Saturday, 20 August, 2022 COMMENT
Saturday, 20 August, 2022 08 WORLD VIEW
what’s behind terrorist attacks on churches in nigeria
indian expreSS PrataP Bhanu MEhta
l Et us make no mistake about it. the approval by the Gujarat government panel for the remission of sentences of 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano, the murder of a three-yearold child, and participating in the murder of 13 others, is not just a travesty of justice. It is also a dangerous political dog-whistle. the government may yet reconsider its order. the supreme Court may, if approached, overturn it although it gave permission for the remission application to be considered. But the damage has already been done. “Is this how justice ends?” Bilkis Bano’s poignant question pierces through the carefully constructed facades of the Indian republic. the haunting force of this question has no answer. the fact that the force of this question is not even being felt widely is a testimony to a moral numbing of the republic, and its blatant communalisation. It is important not to let lawyerly arguments get in the way of understanding what is at stake in this remission. Unfortunately, in the Indian justice system, the way in which bail, punishment and remission are practised is shot through with wide discretion. some rape cases, most notably nirbhaya, attracted the death penalty; several other heinous cases like this one have not. We could argue whether remission can be granted under a policy that existed in 1992 and has since been repealed; whether the Centre’s guidelines that remission not be granted in the case of heinous crimes should apply to this case. We could argue about what a just sentence in a case like this should be. And there may be a larger debate to be had about penalties and sentencing. But this exercise of discretion is not that. this grant of remission may be enabled by these legal technicalities. But it looks like this is about a state government exercising discretionary power to subvert justice, and send a political signal. the Bilkis Bano case was so horrific that even hearing about it produces a deep cognitive and imaginative loss, and an emotional disorientation. the crime was so graphic, the facts corroborated so many times. But we still recoil at the thought of the kind of brutality that involved rape of a pregnant woman, smashing a child to death, massacring a whole family, all by your neighbours. Against this background, what Bilkis Bano achieved was nothing short of miraculous. she fiercely exercised her agency, showed indomitable courage, against great odds: A hostile political environment, a threatening society, a broken justice system, and economic deprivation. she let justice, not the crime, define her. And in a supreme act of patriotism, reposed more faith in the Indian Constitution and its institutions than its custodians ever have. this case was the kind of straw we still clutch on to when we want to console ourselves that justice is still possible. And how does justice end? not even the courtesy of informing Bilkis Bano that her tormentors were being released to the same neighbourhood. Relive the trauma and fear, the state implied blithely. there is nothing perplexing about the lack of outrage on this remission, or the constant double standards we use depending on who commits the crime. We live in an age of not just greater communalisation, but also totalisation of communal identity But there are two political aspects to this that are worth remembering. Many of the perpetrators of the 2002 violence, like in many riots before, have not been brought to justice. But there is a widespread narrative in Gujarat that even those few that were convicted were victims of a political conspiracy hatched by a combination of nGOs, activists, the Congress government and odd sections of the media. sometimes to placate the pressure from those demanding justice some “usual suspects” who might have been innocent were rounded up and offered as sacrificial offerings in this political war. Whether this is true or not is not germane here. the point is that the BJP wants us to believe this; it is part of its “Hindus can never be terrorists, and Hindus are only victims” refrain. this is the narrative that now justifies the government going after literally anyone who tried to secure justice for the 2002 riots victims, and punishing them for the fact that they tried to secure justice. But the real dog whistle underlying this narrative is the suggestion that the quest for justice was itself a conspiracy. this is not just an act of revenge. It is also to shore up the myth of Hindu innocence. this conspiracy will only gain more power if non-BJP governments are in power. this remission is a convenient way of signalling that the BJP will protect Hindu interests in the justice system. In a context where the police and judiciary do not command credibility, these narratives are easy to believe; it is also a ruse for not confronting those who are guilty. this dog whistle is made all the more possible by the horrific idea that crimes of identity are not real crimes. this is the kind of thinking that obscures the violence of rape wherever it is placed in the context of community. In the case of communal violence, sexual violence has long been seen as just another instrument of political violence; but it is true of caste violence as well. Victims of violence in riots or pogroms or assertion of caste power are chosen because of their identity. For the perpetrators, the invocation of identity allows the dismantling of their conscience, and for their supporters, allows them to be treated as heroes not criminals. the inflated rhetoric of war on which radical ideologies like Hindutva and other fundamentalisms thrive makes this conflation easy. this is why it is so easy for us to garland lynchers, felicitate rapists, and take out rallies in their support. so there is nothing perplexing about the lack of outrage on this remission, or the constant double standards we use depending on who commits the crime. We live in an age of not just greater communalisation, but also totalisation of communal identity, where even small markers of culture — music, language — are burdened with the weight of identity. In such a totalising environment, crime and justice, innocence and guilt have no autonomous meaning of their own, other than as part of a communal project. so the answer to Bilkis Bano’s question — “Is this how justice ends?” — may be a disquieting one. Her perseverance got her a measure of justice, and allowed us to cling on to the illusion that justice was still possible. But as it turns out, as the winds of communalisation and impunity once again grow, those slivers of justice will once again be blown away. this is not how justice ends, since perhaps real justice had never started.
The writer is contributing editor, The Indian Express.
BACKGROUnD tO RIsE In AttACKs Attacks on churches took a new turn in 2019 when the terrorists started kidnapping worshippers. In 2019, 500 Christians were kidnapped, among them 18 pastors. Four pastors were killed and over 300 million naira (U.s $730,000) ransom paid, according to the Christian Association of nigeria. the recent rise in incidents involving Christians should also be seen in the context of a general upturn in violence against all civilians – irrespective of their religious affiliation in nigeria. Boko Haram members prefer to be known by their Arabic name – Jama’atu Ahlis sunna Lidda’awati WalJihad – meaning “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and Jihad.” the group claims to be opposed to western civilisation (which includes western education) as well as the secularisation of nigeria. For Boko Haram, targeting churches is driven by both opportunistic and ideological considerations which present Christians as infidels. Other aggrieved groups such as armed Fulani herdsmen are mostly of Islamic religion. they are known to attack locals who are predominantly Christian farmers in parts of Benue, Kaduna, nasarawa, Plateau and taraba states in north central nigeria. the roots of these conflicts lie in climate-induced degradation of pasture and increasing violence in the country’s far north. these factors have forced herders southward where they have clashed with sedentary farmers over grazing reserves and blocked traditional migration Oneroutes.ofthe largest northern Christian denominations, the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in nigeria describes the persistent attacks by herdsmen on Christian farmers as Fulani herdsmen terrorism. In 2021, Fulani herdsmen attacked villagers in nigeria’s Plateau state. they killed 10 Christians, burnt 100 homes and displaced nearly 700 people. Witnesses noted the heavily armed attackers shouted “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) as they stormed the area. the narrative of the herder/farmer conflict is common. But underneath it is the subterranean stream of a bitter religious battle, and the quest for domination. Evidence on the attacks by Fulani herdsmen and growing extremism show that the group has emerged as one source of mayhem in nigeria today, alongside notorious bandits. Bandits subject Christians to perpetual fear by issuing threats. In December 2021, they issued a threat in Zamfara state, northwestern nigeria, ordering the Christian community to stop worshipping and to close their churches. And Kaduna state has emerged as the hotspot of banditry since 2015. Kidnapping in Christian communities remains on the rise. Other fundamental factors that enable terror attacks on churches are recruitment into extremism groups and radicalisation. this happening against a backdrop of bulging youth unemployment and increasing number of out-of-school children. In nigeria, unemployment for people aged 15 to 24 stood at 53.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021. For those between the ages of 25 and 34 it stood at 37.2%. UnICEF estimates there are 18.5 million out-of-school children in nigeria. that is more than the combined population of Denmark, Finland and norway. these numbers suggest there is a pool of young people who can easily be recruited into terror groups. the grip of economic hardship has also become a precursor for easy recruitment in remote villages in northwestern nigeria. Here the Ansaru group that formed in 2012 as a breakaway Boko Haram faction after a disagreement between ‘moderates’ and ‘hardliners’ is luring young people to their movement.
Finally, the socio-economic problems that allow terror activities to fester must be tackled. Even if policing is ramped up, terrorism will continue unless poverty, social inequality, and gross failure of governance are tackled. Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Coordinator, Institute for Security Studies. In nIgerIa, unemploymenT for people aged 15 To 24 sTood aT 53.4% In The fourTh quarTer of 2021. for Those beTween The ages of 25 and 34 IT sTood aT 37.2%. unICef esTImaTes There are 18.5 mIllIon ouT-of-sChool ChIldren In nIgerIa. These numbers suggesT There Is a pool of young people who Can easIly be reCruITed InTo Terror groups
FRAMEWORK FOR PREVENTING TERROR ATTACKS ON CHURCHES: the policy solutions to increasing terror attacks on churches are: heightened security awareness among churches; addressing radicalisation and extremism; and security sector reform. the first line of action is for church authorities to conduct vulnerability assessments of their sanctuaries and locations. these would help small to medium sized places of worship develop plans to manage the risk of a terrorist attack, and make their worship centres safer. In addition, assessments of the threats posed to large and regular festivals which attract millions of people need to be done. Prominent denominations like the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Chapel, Deeper Christian Life Church regularly run such events. threat assessment would guide the development of security envelopes. these could include the installation of surveillance infrastructure, creating and arming security watch groups and establishing security checkpoints around entrance points. In addition, church goers themselves need to be encouraged to be vigilant, and part of making worship centres safer. But addressing terror attacks against the church cannot be treated independent of the call for broader security sector reform in nigeria. Policing remains critical in rolling back the incidents of terror attacks as well as wider insecurity. to strengthen policing capability, the government must amend section 214 of the 1999 constitution which centralises policing power within the federal government. Decentralised policing can create a communityfocused approach that affords the opportunity to give inputs – operationally and in terms of human resources. In addition, the federal government must collaborate with state governments to address the immediate challenge of nigeria’s porous borders. Concerted efforts to recruit, train, and post adequately equipped security personnel to the borders can boost surveillance and stem the tide of the free flow of arms into the country. terrorist groups rely on these arms to carry out attacks.
‘is this how justiCe ends?’: Bilkis Bano’s question should haunt the indian repuBliC politiCiansCanadian as foreign agents “There are elected officials at all levels whether it’s municipal, provincial or federal who are being paid by foreign governments and who are not necessarily acting in the interests of Canada” ToronTo Sun Editorial
i
ConverSaTion oluwolE ojEwalE i n early June 2022, 40 people died, including children, in a mass shooting and bomb attack on a Catholic church in the city of Owo, southwestern nigeria. the incident remains one of the most prominent terror attacks in the country. It drew global responses from the United nations, the Pope, and various governments, including the Us. Five American senators asked Antony Blinken, the Us secretary of state, to re-designate nigeria as a country of particular concern with respect to religious persecutions. the senators argued that horrific violence had been committed against nigerian Christians lately, including the massacre of churchgoers on Pentecost sunday and the stoning of a Christian college student. sadly, such violence has become all too familiar for Christians in nigeria. A series of high-profile incidents this year has drawn particular attention to the issue. According to data collected by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, there have already been 34 separate attacks on church premises so far this year. In 2020 there were 19, and in 2021 there were 33. the data shows 1,664 persons have died in targeted attacks against churches, 390 persons sustained different forms of injuries, and 188 sanctuaries have been burnt or destroyed by terror arsonists since 2010. Based on my previous work on the drivers of violence in nigeria’s north central region, I can say that the sustained incidents of terror attack on the churches in nigeria have not occurred in a vacuum. In my view there are three main drivers: the rise of jihadism, long standing pastoral conflicts and related criminality. the primary enabler of these mutually reinforcing factors is the general deterioration of security in the country.
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t’s alarming to hear public accusations from a prominent source that there are Canadian politicians being paid by foreign governments. Yet that’s exactly what a former senior figure at the Canadian security Intelligence service (CsIs) told Parliamentarians last week. Michel Juneau-Katsuya discussed the matter at a hearing of the House of Commons ethics committee, claiming outright that: “there are elected officials at all levels whether it’s municipal, provincial or federal who are being paid by foreign governments and who are not necessarily acting in the interests of Canada.” He went on to explain that: “Foreign agents try to recruit elected officials. It’s fairly easy because elected officials don’t necessarily listen to security guidelines to protect themselves.” this is a serious problem. Our elected officials must put the interests of their country — and whatever level of government they serve — first. You can’t do this if you are taking payments from the government of another country. there are foreign governments that do not have Canada’s best interests at heart. It is no surprise that they would try to influence our politicians. It’s disappointing that some politicians have apparently taken them up on that offer. But even if the government is a like-minded one and an ally of Canada, it’s still inappropriate to have such a financial relationship in place.
Juneau-Katsuya did not offer a number nor did he name names. But he added: “What we know for sure is we have various foreign countries that succeeded in recruiting elected officials — again, municipal, provincial or federal — and were capable of influencing this way.” this issue must be further investigated. It’s good to know that CsIs is monitoring the issue — this is, after all, where it appears the information arose. But what good is quality intel if there is no will to act upon it? these are serious claims that must be treated seriously. If the issue is allowed to fester, it will only erode trust in the integrity of our legislators. We need a fair and open look at this issue and more rules need to be put in place.
ibrahim Hasan Murad receives excellenceacademicaward2022
LAhore: The Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP) on Wednesday conferred Academic Excellence Award 2022 upon UMT President, Ibrahim Hasan Murad. Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman presented the award at the ceremony held to acknowledge the heroes of Pakistan on account of the country’s 75th Independence Day. APSUP organized the ceremony to appreciate the true stars of Pakistan who made their mark in Impact Ranking and QS Ranking. Mr Murad was presented the award in recognition of his commitment to promoting education and academia, and for leading UMT towards improvement in various International rankings, including THE Impact Ranking and QS Ranking. The UMT President was praised as a dynamic leader who is focused upon raising the stature of research based education and educational services in Pakistan. The organizers also took note of Mr Murad’s commitment to the development of Pakistan’s youth through research and academic excellence at UMT, as well as the employee-centric policies at UMT that led this university to being nominated for the Workplace of the Year Award 2020. Staff report
09nEwS Saturday, 20 August, 2022 | k AR ACHi CORPORATE CORNER
Two employeesMepco ‘kidnapped’ SADIQABAD Staff report Unidentified culprits on Friday e ‘kidnapped’ two employees of the Multan Electricity Supply Company (Mepco) in Sadiqabad, Punjab.According to the local police, the Mepco went to restore electricity on the complaint in Nawazabad. They were reportedly kidnapped after they were returning to Mahi Chowk.The police said that teams have been set up and they are trying to trace the location of the Mepco employees.This is not the first incident of kidnapping of Mepco employees, few years earlier, a Mepco worker was abducted by unknown armed persons in the precincts of Dera Sarki PS, Kandhkot.According to details, Nizam Din Khoso, incharge Karampur Gird Station, resident of Tangwani Taluka was returning from his duty late night on his bike when he reached near Sokar Stop, suddenly unidentified armed men intercepted him kidnapped him at gunpoint.
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ISLAMABAD: A group photo of Harvard University students with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pak-kyrgyz Trade vOLuMe dOeSn’T refLecT
ISlAmABAD Staff report
ISLAMABAD: UN Resident Coordinator Julien Harineis talks to Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shazain Bugti during a meeting.
ISlAmABAD Staff report Federal Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch chaired the fourth Board of Governor's meeting in the ministry. Board of Governors has accorded the approval for establishment of Pakistan Halal Authority's Regional Offices at provincial headquarters I.e. Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. The board of governors also approved for opening of Pakistan Halal Authority's offices at all major seaports of the country I.e. Karachi Port Trust ( KPT), Port Qasim Authority ( PQA) and Gwadar Port Authority ( GPA) Balochistan. The board of governors also authorised the recruitment process through NTS with strict compliance to provincial quota allocation. On direction of Federal Minister Agha Hassan Baloch, PHA has proposed a toll free number facility #0800-halal for quick communication with consumers and companies. Federal Minister has said, that alongwith provision of desired information this toll free number will help address the grievances of the consumers. Government of Pakistan has also approved PHA business rules and certificationmarks regulation which is a milestone achieved by PHA. PHA is a very first organization under the administrative control of MoST which has developed business rules to run its operations. After approval of business rules PHA can regulate halal products and services as per international practices by implementing single Pakistan Halal logo as a mark of halal assurance. Halal certification marks is a key step for ease of doing business and single window operation, it will also provide registration and recognition of local/foreign Halal certification bodies ( HCB's). Federal Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch has reiterated that the regional and Port offices of Pakistan Halal Authority will help PHA To regulate halal products and services as per international practices and to promote the halal sector. He also stressed for ensuring the transparency in recruitment process alongside the implementation of provincial quota according to the merit. Agha Hassan Baloch has stated that the valuable input of shariah experts is also incorporated in development of halal certification of PHA. Federal Minister has showed his resolve to make PHA self sustained in a year or so, thereafter this authority will meet all its expenditures including salaries itself and not take a single rupee from the govt.
True POTenTiaL Of bOTH cOunTrieS: QaMar
ISlAmABAD Staff report d EPUTyMinister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Aibek Artykbaev on Friday called on Federal Minister for Commerce & Investment, Syed Naveed Qamar. The meeting which was held in the Minister’s Office was attended by Special Secretary Commerce Dr Ahmed Mujtaba Memon and Additional Secretary, Syed Hamad Ali. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways and means on increasing trade volume between the two countries and enhancing cooperation in other areas of mutual interest. The minister said that promoting international trade, transit and investment is the pivot around which Pakistan seeks to devise its economic policies. Naveed Qamar expressed stated that government’s vision is to make Pakistan a trade, transit and transshipment hub ensuring connectivity with Afghanistan and beyond. In this regard, Pakistan have signed transit trade agreement with Uzbekistan, and are negotiating Transit Trade Agreement with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, he Bilateraladded.trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan remained at US$4.27 million during fiscal year 2021-22 which does not reflect the true potential of trade between the two countries, the minister opined. Commerce minister said that Pak-Kyrgyzstan Trade and Investment Forum was held from 1920 April 2022 in Islamabad and 22nd April in Lahore and desired that such activities should be held on regular basis in future. Syed Naveed Qamar maintained that the draft MoU on establishment of Joint Working Group has been shared with Kyrgyz republic and their response was awaited. The Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister assured the Pakistani side for further enhancing trade ties between the two countries and said that he would take practical measures in this regard.
Science and Tech Ministry okays setting up Pakistan Halal Authority's regional offices
SECP amends Modaraba Regulations, 2021
Latest addition on map of Sargodha: Hotel One With 23 hotels in 16 locations across Pakistan, Hotel One opened its doors to the beautiful city of Sargodha on 16 th August 2022. Located in the heart of the city, Hotel One Sargodha is surrounded by Airforce Club, Golf course, Mall of Sargodha, Daewoo and Skyway bus terminals. The hotel will attract both domestic and international guests, offering quality accommodation and services. Home to atotal of 48 rooms split between 4 th and 5 th floor of the Burj Ismail Mall. The shopping mall includes a cinema, food court, playland, gym, pool, and Al-Fatah supermarket. The hotel is designed to help guests feel energised, productive, and at home. The Hotel opening ceremony was attended by Flt. Lt. (R) Imran Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Sargodha, Mr. Chaudhary Shoaib Ahmed Basra, President of Sargodha Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Mr. Makhdoom Zafar Iqbal, Senior Vice President SCCI, Mr. Muhammad Hassan Yousaf, Vice President SCCI, Mr. Haji Muhammad, Chairman Ismail Sons (Pvt) Ltd., along with Mr. Ahmed Iqbal Saeed, Vice President Operations Hotel One, Mr. Haider Imam, Director Sales Hotel One, Mr. Waqar A. Qureshi, Corporate Director Development Hashoo Hotels, and Mr. M. Ubaid Abbasi, Resident Manager Hotel One-Sargodha. The event was covered by representatives from Media Channels, including Discovery Pakistan. Hotel One is known as the best select-service hotel chain, by Hashoo Group - the hospitality conglomerate, and the owners of five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels, and PC Legacy Hotels in Pakistan. Since 2006, Hotel One has continued to lead the budget-friendly, limited-service hotel industry by delivering value, convenience, and reliability across Pakistan.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved amendments to the Modaraba Regulations, 2021. The amendments have refined the regulatory framework for Modarabas in Pakistan while improving doing business climate in the country. The amendments, approved after the required public consultation, have been notified through publication in the official gazette vide SRO No. S.R.O. 1547 (I)/2022. It is available on SECP website amendments-modaraba-regulations-ment/s-r-o-1547-i-2022-first-https://www.secp.gov.pk/docu-at beenrealexternaldition,Modarabaforablingniescasualalignedwithdrawalforbusiness;Modarabashouserequirement;complytionalamendmentsf7bf73c7541660910583.2021/?wpdmdl=45437&refresh=62fThehavecreatedtransi-provisionsforModarabastowiththeminimumequityincreasedtheperpartyfinancelimit;allowedtoengageinreal-estatesimplifiedrequirementsreservefundsfollowingtheoftaxincentives;thetimeperiodforfillingvacancieswiththeCompa-Act,2017;andcreatedanen-provisiontoimposepenaltiesviolationsofprovisionsoftheRegulations,2021.Inad-afterthoroughinternalanddeliberation,acircularforestateinvestmentshasalsonotifiedvideS.R.O.1546 (I)/2022, setting the conditions for the Modarabas to invest in real estate projects, available City,BharaShakrilla,FromgivenwillofinMaintenance/Developmentspokesman,SupplyAccordingfresh=62ff7b3d395951660910397.ns-2021/?wpdmdl=45415&re-lation-9-of-the-modaraba-regulatioment/notification-with-regard-regu-https://www.secp.gov.pk/docu-at20th&21stAugust2022.toIslamabadElectricCompany(IESCO)’sSystemWorkisprocess.Thereforepowersupplybelowmentionedfeeders/areasbetemporarysuspendedasperschedule:On20thAugust,07:00AMto12:00Noon,Jermote,NarhTopa,Kahu,NIH,T&T,GolfTreat,MisrialRoad,Amir Hamza, Radio Pak, Millat Abad, Peshawar Road, Range Road feeders, From 06:00 AM to 14:00 PM, Charhaoi Feeder, On 21 st August, From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Sawan Garden, International School, H-8/2, VIP, Rawalpindi-III feeders, From 06:00 AM to 14:00 PM, Berote Gala, Darbar Mai Thoothi, Khui Ratta City, Charhoi, Dana Behal, Charhoi Dhongi, Sirri, Fateh Pur, City, Karyala, Jandrote, Dabsi, Dadot, Majjan feeders and surroundings will be closed. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time and the surrounding power will be cut off.
ISLAMABAD Agencies
China and India have wisdom to ‘help each other succeed’: spokesperson
10 FOREIGN NEWS Saturday, 20 August, 2022 KARACHI
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BEIJING Agencies China and India have the wisdom and ability to “help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Friday when asked about Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s remarks on India and China working together for an Asian century at a regular pressAnbriefing.Asian century will happen when China and India come together, but an Asian century will be difficult if India and China can’t come together, Jaishankar said on Thursday. “As a Chinese leader put it, ‘unless China and India are developed, there will be no Asian century. No genuine Asia-Pacific century or Asian century can come until China, India and other neighbouring countries are developed,'” Wang said. Noting that China and India are ancient civilizations, emerging economies and neighboring countries, he said the two countries’ common interests far outweigh their differences. “Both sides have the wisdom and capability to help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other,” said Wang.The leaders of the two countries have reached an important consensus that China and India should cooperate rather than be threats to each other, and are also an opportunity for each other’s development.Wangurged the Indian side to work together with China in the same direction to implement this consensus and return bilateral relations to stable and healthy development.
“The attempted closures of these organization offices represent the latest in a series of actions by Israel that are further limiting the ability of human rights, humanitarian and development work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which affect all institutions working to promote human rights, development and delivering assistance,” the UN Agencies and the Association of International Development Agencies said in a statement. The statement reiterated a previous one issued last November upholding that counter-terrorism legislation must be in accordance with obligations under international law, particularly international humanitarian law and human rights law. This includes full respect for the rights to freedom of association and expression. It cannot be applied to legitimate human rights and humanitarian work; the breadth of the Israeli 2016 Anti-Terrorism legislation and its impact on the presumption of innocence present serious concerns under international law. “We urge the Government of Israel to refrain from any action that would prevent these organizations from continuing their critical human rights, humanitarian and development work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the statement concluded.
Putin warns Macron of risk of ‘catastrophe’ at Ukraine nuclear plant
AGENcIES
“The audacious initiative that I envision will significantly improve North Korea’s economy and its people’s livelihoods in stages if the North ceases the development of its nuclear program and embarks on a genuine and substantive process for denuclearization,” Yoon said on Monday. “We will implement a large-scale food program; provide assistance for power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure; and carry out projects to modernize ports and airports for international trade. We will also help enhance North Korea’s agricultural productivity, offer assistance to modernize hospitals and medical infrastructure, and implement international investment and financial support initiatives.”
Israel urged to allow humanitarian organizations to continue work in Palestine
SEOUL Agencies K IMYo Jong, a senior Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) official, rejected what Yoon Suk-yeol, president of Republic of Korea (ROK), described as an “audacious initiative” on Thursday, according to Korean Central News Agency. Kim, the vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, said the plan was “absurd” and the DPRK would never use nuclear weapons to barter over “economic cooperation.” “I’m not sure that he knows his assumption ‘if the north took a measure for denuclearization’ was a wrong prerequisite,” she said. South Korea offers North Korea economic rewards for denuclearization In his celebratory address for the ROK’s 77th National Liberation Day on Monday, Yoon proposed an “audacious initiative” to Pyongyang that included large-scale food supplies and social infrastructure support, contingent on the DPRK halting its nuclear development and pursuing practical denuclearization.Yoonalso called for improvements to a “ROK grain-DPRK mineral resources” barter project prior to agreement on a nuclear deal with the DPRK. In his speech to mark the 77th Liberation Day on Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol offered Pyongyang his “audacious initiative” to support reviving its crippling economy once it takes steps toward “Denuclearizationdenuclearization.ofNorth Korea is essential for sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and around the world,” Yoon said. Avoiding Washington’s preferred term, “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” Yoon again reiterated that Pyongyang is the main actor who should be responsible for the denuclearization of the peninsula. During his speech on the date marking South Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation, Yoon offered few details of his “audacious” economic offer for the North if it shows substantive progress toward denuclearization. He first raised the idea in his inauguration address back in May.
AGENcIES
For the past few months, the “audacious initiative,” the Yoon administration’s first approach to entice Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table, has remained vague with gray areas. During his speech Monday, Yoon revealed slightly more about this economic package with preconditions. The initiative includes economic exchanges of North Korean resources, such as minerals and rare earths, for South Korea’s food supplies. Seoul said it will plan to kick off the inter-Korean joint economic development committee for cooperation when both countries make a comprehensive agreement on the denuclearization process. As North Korea’s economy has plummeted due to the sanctions of the United States and the United Nations, Seoul has implied that it could coordinate with them to partially lift the sanctions if North Korea makes steps toward denuclearization. In this context, outside experts believe that Yoon may have consulted with Washington before revealing details of his “audacious initiative” on Monday. Following up on Yoon’s address, Kim Tae-hyo, a deputy presidential national security adviser, called the audacious initiative a “bold proposal” and implied that the initiative can be implemented “in the early stage of negotiations” if North Korea shows a sincere attitude toward denuclearization. Similar proposals toward Pyongyang had already been made by Yoon’s predecessors since the late 1990s. Progressive governments have usually offered humanitarian aid preemptively, even before Pyongyang made any moves toward denuclearization, in an attempt to rebuild and improve inter-Korean ties. North Korea rejects soUth Korea’s ‘aUdacIoUs INItIatIve’ offer
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that shelling of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which he blamed on Kyiv, could result in a large-scale disaster. Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which was captured by Russia in March but is still run by Ukrainian technicians. Only two of the facility’s six reactors are working. “Vladimir Putin, in particular, stressed that the systematic shelling of the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by the Ukrainian military created the danger of a large-scale catastrophe that could lead to radiation contamination of vast territories,” the Kremlin said in a readout of the call, which it said had been initiated by Macron. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of planning provocations at the plant. Kyiv said that Russian forces planned to disconnect the facility from the Ukrainian power grid and link it up to the Russian one. The Kremlin said that Putin and Macron had stressed the importance of sending a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the plant as soon as possible. Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to provide IAEA inspectors with the necessary assistance, according to the Kremlin. In the call, Putin also told Macron about continuing obstacles to supplying Russian food and fertilizer products to world markets.
Peace overtUre faIls:
Indian gang ran fake police station out of hotel for eight months
A number of United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have urged Israel to allow human rights and humanitarian organizations to continue their work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. On Thursday, Israeli Forces broke into, searched and sealed the offices of seven Palestinian human rights and humanitarian organizations³ in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Their property was confiscated and destroyed and military orders closing the offices were left at the premises.UNResident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine Lynn Hastings said that attempted closures “affect all institutions working to promote human rights and development and are delivering assistance”.The United Nations and its partners take seriously allegations of funding terrorism as well as the Israeli designations of these entities as unlawful and/or terror organizations. Despite offers to review the accusations to determine if funds have been diverted, Israeli authorities have not given any compelling evidence to UN agencies nor NGO partners working in the OPT to support these designations. Several Member States recently announced that the evidence which was shared with them does not justify the designations.
An Indian gang operated a fake police station from a hotel for eight months where they dressed up as officers and are believed to have extorted money from hundreds of people, an official said Thursday. Incidents of fraudsters pretending to be police or soldiers are common in India, where there is widespread fear and respect for those in uniform, but setting up a phoney police station takes the scams up a level. The gang in Bihar state set up shop barely 500 metres (yards) from the home of the actual local police chief and wore uniforms with rank badges and carried guns, police official — a real one — D.C. Srivastava told AFP. They would then charge money from locals coming into the fake station to file complaints and cases, while pocketing cash from others by promising to help them secure social housing or jobs in the police. They also paid people from the largely rural area daily wages of about 500 rupees (around $6) to pretend to be other police officers working at the station. But the scam fell apart when a genuine police officer spotted two members of the gang carrying guns made in local workshops instead of service-issue weapons. At least six members of the gang including two women were arrested but the ringleader is still at large, Srivastava told AFP. “Investigation is underway in the case. More information will come to light,” Srivastava said.
AGENCIES Pakistan opener Shan Masood has turned down Derbyshire’s offers of a new contract and will leave the Club at the end of the 2022 season. According to details, the club has been in discussions with the 32-year-old regarding an extended contract for several months and despite a significantly improved offer, Masood has opted for a move to another county. To date, he has scored 1,774 runs for Derbyshire this season, including a top-score of 239 against Sussex. Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: “Bringing Shan to Derbyshire was my priority when joining the Club last winter. He’s shown the performances I knew he was capable of in county cricket and we’ve been keen to extend his deal since very early on in the season.
AGENCIES
Commentators for asia Cup 2022 confirmed AGENCIES
Hasan recalled how he made comeback in 2021 and too 41 Test wickets in the year – the third most for a bowler that calendar year. “I am a fighter and I don’t give up,” he said. “Two years back when I was out due to injury, I made a comeback after performing in a domestic tournament (Quaid-e-Azam Trophy). Domestic cricket is a very important platform. It helps you to understand your game better and play with some quality cricketers. I will try to perform in the upcoming season so I make my international comeback soon.”Itmust be noted that after the string of bad performances, Hasan Ali was dropped from the squads of Asia Cup and ODIs in the Netherlands.
AGENCIES Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League for the first time in 30 years, Manchester United’s disastrous start to the season on and off the field could still get worse when they face Liverpool on Monday. Always one of the biggest clashes in the English football calendar, Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford has taken on even more importance after a difficult few weeks for both Liverpool’sclubs.title hopes have already been hit by draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace to leave Jurgen Klopp’s men four points adrift of defending champions Manchester City. However, Liverpool’s woes of an early season injury crisis and the absence of Darwin Nunez due to his ill-discipline that cost the Uruguayan a red card on his home debut, pale into insignificance compared to United’s troubles. Erik ten Hag is off to the worst start of any United manager for over 100 years after a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Brentford followed Brighton’s first ever win at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the season. A large-scale protest by United fans is planned before kick-off aimed at the club’s owners, the Glazer family. “A fish rots from the head,” said the Manchester
Pacer Hasan Ali is aware of his shortcomings which led him to getting axed from the national side but the 28-year-old him has set his eyes on another comeback, and for the purpose, he is working with the National High-Performance Centre’s coaches in Lahore.“My performances have not been up to the mark and I am disappointed because of that,” Hasan told PCB Digital at the sidelines of one of his skills sessions. But that’s life; one day you are up and the next you are Hasandown.”Aliopined that he is working on different aspects to get his mojo back. “I am here at the National High-Performance Centre to work with coaches. I am working on the technical, tactical and mental aspects and looking forward to regaining the rhythm and stage a comeback in the national side,” he added. He is eyeing National T20 Cup to regain his confidence back. “I have an opportunity to showcase my skills in the National T20 and earn back the confidence of the selection committee, team management and captain to re-enter the national side.”
Shan Masood decides to leave Derbyshire by season end
Working on various aspects to make comeback to national side, says Hasan Ali
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fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 sells 2.45 million tickets
Leicester are the only Premier League club yet to spend any money in the window and manager Brendan Rodgers is not expecting that to change due to the state of the club’s finances. “I spent my summer holidays convincing players to come but when I come back the reality of the situation is there and we are unable to follow through with it,” said Rodgers on Thursday. “I don’t run the finances of the club. I run the football department and if they say we can’t sign a player I trust the club that it’s the case.” The Foxes long-serving captain Kasper Schmeichel joined Nice earlier this month and more key players could still leave with Wesley Fofana a target for Chelsea, while Newcastle have had bids rejected for James Maddison.
AGENCIES P AKISTANCricket Board (PCB) has sent a proposal to the franchises to adopt a player auction model in Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to details, PCB intends to bring an IPL-style auction procedure as this will help in attracting big names. In this regard, suggestions have been prepared and sent to the franchises. Officials believe that by adopting the auction model, many new stars can be included in the event.Theteam owners have expressed reservations on this, they will give an answer only after meeting the chairman
FIFA announced on Thursday that 2.45 million tickets have been sold for the World Cup in Qatar. A total of 520,532 tickets were sold during the last sales period running from July 5 to August 16, mainly group match tickets such as Cameroon vs Brazil, Brazil vs Serbia, Portugal vs Uruguay, Costa Rica vs Germany, and Australia vs Denmark. According to FIFA, residents in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, England, Argentina, Brazil, Wales and Australia led the number of tickets bought during the last period. Another sales phase will begin at the end of September at a date still to be confirmed and run until the end of the tournament when tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Overthe-counter sales will also begin in Doha after the launch of the last-minute sales phase. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be held between November 20 and December 18.
Liverpool clash threatens more misery for Man Utd
PCB sends aUCtion Model PRoPosal to Psl fRanChises
Casemiro wants to leave Real Madrid as Man Utd close in MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM Agencies Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Friday Casemiro is keen to leave the European champions as Manchester United close in on the Brazilian international. According to the BBC and The Athletic, United are set to pay an initial 60 million euros (£51 million, $61 million) plus a further 10 million euros in add-ons for the 30-year-old. “I spoke with him this morning. He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity and I and the club understand that,” said Ancelotti. “For what Casemiro has done for this club and the person that he is, we have to respect his wishes. Now there are negotiations, nothing is official and he remains a Real Madrid player, but his desire is to leave. “If that happens and there is an agreement, we have the resources to replace him.” Casemiro has won three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues during nine years at Madrid as he formed a formidable midfield trio with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. However, his place in Ancelotti’s preferred starting line-up has come under threat by the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni this summer for a fee that could rise to 100 million euros. United are badly in need of new recruits after a miserable start to Erik ten Hag’s reign has left them bottom of the Premier League for the first time in 30 years. The Red Devils will reportedly make Casemiro one of the top earners in the Premier League with a four-year deal at Old Trafford along with a club option to extend that contract by an extra season. A lack of new signings has been one of the issues blamed for embarrassing defeats to Brighton and Brentford with Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia the only additions to Ten Hag’s squad so far. Worse could still be to come for United with Liverpool up next at Old Trafford on Monday. Even if talks progress smoothly in the coming hours, Casemiro will not be registered in time to feature in that match.
United Supporters Trust this week with pressure rising on the Americans to consider selling the club. Elon Musk joked he was buying the Red Devils this week, while Britain’s richest man Jim Ratcliffe has signalled his interest. The lack of a coordinated transfer strategy has left Ten Hag to work with largely the same squad that suffered 5-0 and 4-0 thrashings at the hands of Liverpool in their two meetings last season. Ten Hag, though, also has questions to ask after pushing for the signing of Lisandro Martinez from his old club Ajax despite the Argentine centre-back’s diminutive frame seemingly being unsuited to the rigours of the Premier League. Martinez was hauled off at half-time against Brentford with United already trailing 4-0, but Ten Hag conceded afterwards all 11 of his starting line-up could have been Brentfordreplaced.players covered 13.8 kilometres more in that match and Ten Hag reportedly responded by cancelling a planned day off to make his squad run that distance the day after defeat last Saturday. But it is on the pitch he needs a response with Liverpool also wounded for their trip to Manchester. City’s transformation into the dominant club in English football over the past decade thanks to the flow
of investment from Abu Dhabi appeared the blueprint for Newcastle to follow under the ownership of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. But Newcastle’s first summer transfer window under the new regime has been surprisingly quiet with Nick Pope and Sven Botman the only new faces at St James’ Park. They have still enjoyed a strong start to the season with four points from their first two games, but City’s visit will give an early indication as to how seriously the Magpies could challenge for a top-four finish.
Franchises have been sending e-mails for five months but so far the expenses of the seventh edition have not been told, how can they take such a big step of bringing the auction model? They are also worried about not having a PSL Governing Council meeting for last 10 months. On the other hand, the board says that Ramiz has extended his stay in the UK due to some cricket-related meetings.
Saturday, 20 August, 2022 | KARACHI 11SPORTS
“The contract renewal reflected his performances and value to the Club, but ultimately we couldn’t match the offer. The other county set their stall out to bring in Shan and while it is of course disappointing to lose a player of his calibre, I and everyone at the Club wish him the very best for the future. “We’ve seen a different Derbyshire this year and the group have surpassed people’s expectations. We’re shaking off that underdog tag and teams know when they play us that it’s going to be a competitive game. There’s more to come from this group and we’ll supplement that core with overseas recruitment, the process for which is already underway.” Masood added: “I’d like to thank Mickey and his incredible coaching staff for the time and effort they’ve put in so far to create a dressing room environment and culture of the highest standards and performances. “As a group of players, the camaraderie was second to none. I’ve been very fortunate to be around such a close and supportive group. “To Ryan and the Supervisory Board, the staff and the supporters, thank you for making me feel at home from day “Derbyshireone. is a great club with a very positive outlook and inclusive culture. Under Mickey’s project I see the group challenging for trophies and reaching greater heights in the very near future. “It has not been easy making this decision, but I feel this move is the next phase of my life and career. I am extremely thankful to everyone for my time at Derbyshire, I will be following closely and most importantly will always consider it home to me.”
RamizTheRaja.proposal was discussed in the operational meeting in the last few days. On this occasion, two franchises raised the question that new leagues are continuously signing contracts, Has PCB approached 10 to 12 stars for PSL? To which the reply was that nothing has happened yet, the franchises also said that there has been the tradition of the league that whenever a change is made, it is not implemented in the next edition as it may benefit certain teams more. If at any point the proposal is agreed upon, implementation will be possible in the ninth edition Interestingly,(2024).anofficial attending the meeting, who is keenly interested in taking over the top post of PSL, was also unaware of an important issue. He was unaware of the production costs of the seventh edition and said it was too low, franchise officials corrected, saying the expected amount was much higher.
Some of the leading cricket commentators will call the 2022 Asia Cup, starting from August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. Legendary Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis will represent Pakistan while cricketers from across the world have been picked for the event. The list of English commentators for the event includes Ravi Shastri (India), Irfan Pathan (India), Gautam Gambhir (India), Russel Arnold (Sri Lanka), Deep Dasgupta (India), Scott Styris (New Zealand), Sanjay Manjrekar (India), Athar Ali Khan (Bangladesh). Asia Cup 2022 in T20 format will take place in Dubai and Sharjah from August 27 to September 11. The Asian event was shifted from Sri Lanka to UAE due to political and economic crisis in the Island country. Sri Lanka will take on Afghanistan in the opening match on August 27. Arch-rivals Pakistan and India will play against each other on August 28. The event will feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the sixth qualifying team from UAE, Singapore, Kuwait and Hong Kong.
AGENCIES
eCC ratifies decision to lift ban on luxury items import ISLAMABAD inP
ISLAMABAD shahzad Paracha Budget deficit was recorded Rs 5.259 trillion during the last fiscal year 202122 with a percentage of 7.9 percent against the budgetary target of 6.3 percent, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably. According to the summary of consolidated fiscal operations uploaded by Finance Davison on Friday, the total revenue during the last fiscal year was Rs 8035.383 billion against the total expenditure of Rs 13,295.275 billion. Direct taxes were recorded at Rs 2,280 billion taxes including Rs 1,009 billion on international trade (Customs), Rs 2,531 billion sales tax and Rs 320.978 billion federal excise. Total expenditure was Rs13.295 trillion with current expenditure Rs 11.521 trillion in the last fiscal year. Of the total current expenditure; mark-up payments was Rs3.182 trillion, domestic Rs 2,828.572 billion and foreign Rs 353.860 billion while Defence expenditure stood at Rs 1.411 trillion. In addition, development expenditure & net lending was Rs 1.657 trillion while Statistical Discrepancy was recorded at Rs 116.478 billion. Pension expenditure was Rs 541.862 billion, running of civil government Rs 546.725 billion, subsidies Rs 1,529.609 billion and grants to others Rs 1,141.830 billion. Budget deficit stood at Rs 5.259 trillion and the primary deficit at Rs 2.077 trillion. Financing of the budget deficit was met by borrowing of Rs 5,230 billion from external (net) borrowing of Rs 1,178 billion and domestic (Net) borrowing of Rs 4,081 billion – non-bank borrowing of Rs 980.570 billion and Bank borrowing of Rs 3,100.912 billion. Provincial taxes of 612.366 billion included sales tax on Services Rs 355.720 billion excise duty Rs 8.896 billion, stamp duties Rs 70.888 billion and motor vehicles tax Rs 36.219 billion besides others Rs 140.643 billion. In non-tax revenue of 1,280.215 billion included federal Rs 1,151.918 billion with mark-up (PSEs & Others) Rs 87.792 billion, dividend Rs 42,872 billion, profit PTA & others Rs 103.444 billion, surplus Profit of State Bank of Pakistan Rs 473.574 billion, defence receipts Rs 17.261 billion, passport fee Rs 21.619 billion, discount retained on crude oil Rs 16.504 billion, royalties on oil and gas Rs 90.842 billion. Windfall levy against crude oil Rs 14.397 billion, petroleum levy on LPG Rs 3.659 billion, gas Infrastructure development cess Rs 18.619 billion, natural gas development surcharge Rs 20.372 billion, petroleum levy Rs 127.529 billion and others 113.434 billion. University vision for ProsPerity Pakistan Pakistan categorically rejects India’s pre-poll rigging attempts in occupied Kashmir budget deficit remains 7.9 percent in year 2021-22 University students call on COAS Gen Bajwa
Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk APP a delegation of students from Harvard University, United States Friday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here and discussed matters related to Pakistan. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Marriyum Aurangzeb, SAPMs Ahad Cheema, Syed Fahad Hussain, Jahanzeb Khan, Coordinators to PM Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Rana Ihsan Afzal, Chairman HEC and officials from the concerned departments were also present.
Harvard
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The statement said that the latest act of permitting temporary residents in the occupied region to register as voters “is a clear manifestation of the treacherous Indian design to influence the outcome of ‘so-called’ elections” in the territory. “Pakistan reiterates its complete rejection of India’s entire litany of steps aimed at turning the Muslim majority in [occupied Jammu and Kashmir] into a minority — including the formulation of the socalled ‘Delimitation’ Commission and its baseless report, the issuance of fake Kashmiri domiciles to millions of outsiders, and changes in the property laws,” the FO statementDespiteread.all reprehensible measures that have followed the illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, “India will not be able to break the will of the Kashmiri people or to mislead the world community”, the FO said. India stripped semi-autonomy from occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, changing the Indian constitution to allow non-Kashmiris to vote and own land there. Pakistan has called on India to desist from all actions in occupied Jammu and Kashmir that violate the international law, the UN Charter, and the 4th Geneva Convention.Furthermore it has demanded that India “release all political prisoners detained on trumped-up charges, halt human rights violations in the [occupied Jammu and Kashmir], lift the brutal military siege, and let the Kashmiris exercise their legitimate right to self-determination as stipulated in the relevant UN Security CouncilPakistanresolutions”.hasappealed to the international community to take immediate cognizance of the blatant Indian attempts at effecting illegal demographic changes in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to hold India to account. 2.5 million new voters: India is expected to register as many as 2.5 million new voters in the occupied region, a top official said late on Wednesday, in a move local political parties said was an attempt to influence upcoming elections.Chief Electoral Officer Hirdesh Kumar in occupied Jammu and Kashmir told reporters that more than 2 million new voters are expected to be enrolled in the region ahead of local polls due in November.The new registrants could increase the voter count by more than a third, adding to the existing 7.6 million voters in the region.“We are expecting an addition of (2 to 2.5 million) new voters in the final list,” Kumar said, including non-Kashmiris living in the Kashmirisregion.fear the rule changes will allow the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to alter the demographics of the region, quelling a decades-long independence movement.
PM Meets Harvard
RAWALPINDI sTaff rePorT A delegation of students from Harvard University USA called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters here, said a statement issued by Inter-Services Public RelationsDuring(ISPR).the interactive session, the army chief talked about current regional issues and Pakistan Army’s efforts to promote peace and stability, it added. “Students thanked the COAS for providing the opportunity. These students will also be visiting various areas of Pakistan as part of their visit,” the military’s media wingInsaid.April 2019, General Bajwa, while talking to a group of students from the United States’ Cornell University, credited successes in the war against terrorism to the bravery and motivation of the junior leadership and their contributions to national progress.Thearmy chief emphasised that youth had “an important role to play in every field as they are the future leadership,” the ISPR said. In the meeting with the COAS, the students shared experiences of their visit and said that Pakistan was a beautiful and peaceful country.
“All efforts and resources have been deployed to stabilize the economy. Doing so is most crucial, but there is still a bumpy road ahead. We have a work ahead which involves prudent policies keeping the big picture in mind” he added. The prime minister also shared that his economic action plan had three prongs; the revitalization of the economy, making information technology the pivot of national development and the exports leading the economy.Healso shed light on his futuristic programme of free laptops given to high achievers in PMLN’s previous tenure, which not only helped the students to continue their education in the times of COVID-19, but also helped the youth of Pakistan to get a strong foothold in the global freelance market. “For Pakistan to develop, we need to focus on vocational, scientific and skilled education. Knowledge-based economy is the buzzword and undeniable reality of our times”, he added. He also said, “The government is working on a plan to unpack the country’s huge but untapped potential in the field of information technology. It is our resolve that we increase our IT exports from the existing $ 2 billion to $15 billion in coming years”. The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s strong resolve to maintain peace in the region. He emphasized on the fact that sustainable peace in South Asia was linked to the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir issue in line with the UN resolutions and wishes of Kashmiris, adding nothing short of it would work. “We want permanent peace with India through dialogue. War is not an option for either of the countries. Both Islamabad and New Delhi should have competition in trade, economy, and improving the conditions of their people. Pakistan is not an aggressor, but our nuclear assets and the professionally trained army is a deterrence”, he added.
iHC bars eCP from holding by-polls on Mian soomro’s vacant seat ISLAMABAD sTaff rePorT
The first few decades since the inception of Pakistan witnessed impressive growth across all sectors of the economy, he added. He said “We had plans, national will and the implementation mechanism to produce outcomes. Overtime, we lost the edge in sectors in which we were ahead. The lack of focus, energy and policy action led to the reduction in national productivity.”
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Friday ratified the federal government’s decision to lift the ban on the import of non-essential and luxury items. The decision was taken during a meeting held in Islamabad with Finance Minister Miftah Ismail in the chair. Ministry of Commerce submitted that the ban was imposed on import of about 33 categories of goods covering more than 860 products on May 19. They said that the ban raised serious concerns among trading partners and was impacting supply chains as well as the domestic retail industry. The committee while ratifying the decision to lift the ban also recommended the release of consignments that arrived after June 30 up to July 31 with surcharge payment.
The Islamabad High Court on Friday barred the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from conducting by-election on the seat vacated by Muhammad Mian Soomro. Barrister Zainab Janjua, counsel for the petitioner argued before Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb that her client was elected from constituency NA-196 Jacobabad and is one of those PTI MNA who didn’t resign. She further added that National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf declared the seat vacant due to the member’s absence from the lower house for 40 days. “The petitioner is out of the country and cannot travel much due to health issues. However, the ECP denotified the MNA and announced by-polls,” the counsel told the court. Justice Aurangzeb, however, said that the petitioner did not submit a leave application and remained absent from the assembly for 40 days. After hearing the arguments, the court refrained the ECP to hold by-election to the NA-196 Jacobabad seat until the next hearing scheduled to be held in September. Justice Aurangzeb directed Barrister Janjua to confirm from her petitioner regarding his plans to go to the assembly because his presence will be mandatory. To this, the counsel informed the court that his client will return on September 27 and will then go to the assembly. The court directed that registrar high court to schedule the next hearing in September. Last week, the ECP had de-notified Soomro from NA196 Jacobabad, under Clause (2) of Article 64 of the Constitution after the decision of National Assembly.
In a reply to a question about Sino-Pak relations, the prime minister replied that China, Pakistan were time-tested friends and their friendship gained new heights with the signing of CPEC. The relationship with China remained the cornerstone of our foreign policy, he said, adding CPEC heralded the beginning of a new era of economic development. “Pakistan is ready to promote the spirit of CPEC, which is a win-win partnership for regional peace, security and development. The relationships in today’s world are not mutually exclusive. We look forward to engaging with the whole world at bilateral and multilateral levels, “ he added. Responding to a question about climate change, the prime minister reiterated the importance of the responsibility the developed world carried towards the developing countries like Pakistan which was less than 1% contributor in carbon emissions but was 5th most vulnerable country regarding the effects of climate change. He also shared the government’s plans to shift from imported fuels to solar, wind and hydel energy as Pakistan had immense potential in these areas. The students appreciated the prime minister’s progressive approach for uplifting Pakistan’s economy, bringing peace in the region and political stability in the country. The delegation also spoke very highly of the hospitality extended to them by the government and people of Pakistan during their visit.
Saturday, 20 August, 2022 NEWS
The prime minister also emphasized on the importance of political stability in the country. He said that since the economy was dependent on the political stability, he had repeatedly offered grand dialogue, which had Charter of the Economy.
ISLAMABAD sTaff rePorT Pakistan categorically rejected India’s prepoll rigging attempts in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called on the international community to take cognizance of its attempts at effecting illegal demographic changes in the region. In a statement issued on Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Pakistan categorically rejects the deliberate Indian attempts of pre-poll rigging and overt manipulation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.”
The delegation comprised students of diverse origins and academic backgrounds. The prime minister welcomed the students and held a candid discussion about contemporary challenges Pakistan is facing today.In response to a question about Pakistan’s economy and IMF program, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif replied that Pakistan’s economic crisis stem from structural problems along with political instability in the recent decades.
floods: three highways connecting Balochistan with country closed StAff RePoRt Three main highways connecting Baluchistan to the rest of Pakistan have been closed after suffering damage during the recent floods and heavy rainfall. According to details, thousands of passengers have been left stranded near fort ‘Manro’ at Dera Ghazi Khan, which connects Punjab with Baluchistan, as Baluchistan remained disconnected from the rest of the country. Meanwhile, National Highway 50 (DI Khan-Kuchlak, Quetta) was blocked due to landslides in Dhana Sar Town in Baluchistan. Moreover, massive flooding in Musa Khail, district Baluchistan, wiped out the roads causing suspension of traffic. Whereas, the road network connecting Baluchistan with KP was blocked due to soil and land erosion in the mountains of Drazanda, Sherani district. The National Highway (N-25), also known as the RCD Highway that connects Karachi to Quetta, continued to remain after suffering damage during rains and floods. On the other hand, five more people have been reported dead amid heavy rains and floods in Baluchistan, taking the overall tally to 207, according to the statement issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
stUdents, sHares
